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October, 2011 – I Need to Lose Weight…

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Ask the Docs

I Need To Lose Weight… For Good This Time!

Lesley Glover, MDdrgdrvheather

We’ve all been there.  We are very good for a little while.  We diet, we exercise, we lose weight.  But then it’s somebody’s birthday. Or we go out to dinner with the family. Or (happy sigh) the holiday season comes.  And instead of enjoying one meal off our “diet”, the weekend passes, then a week, then another month, and before we know it, we’re back to square one with our weight loss. The people who are most successful at long term weight loss are those who change their lifestyle through diet, exercise, and behavioral modification.  Most people are aware of the importance of diet and exercise when trying to lose weight, but changing your behavior is another very important part of the process. 

Studies have compared different diets such as the Atkins diet, the Zone diet, and the Weight Watchers diet. No single diet turns out to be much better than any other. Any diet that reduces the number of calories you eat can help you lose weight — as long as you stick with it.

Physical activity works the same way. You can walk, dance, garden, or even just move your arms while sitting.  Many people also respond well to personal training, to help them learn to increase their physical activity in a supervised and safe manner.  What’s important is that you increase the number of calories you burn by moving more. And you have to keep doing the extra activity.

If you go on a diet for a short time, or increase your activity for a while, you might lose weight. But you will regain the weight if you go back to your old habits. Weight loss is about changing your habits for good.

There are medicines and surgery to help with weight loss for people who have not been able to lose weight through diet and exercise.  But it is important to remember that weight loss treatments do not take the place of diet and exercise. People who have these treatments must also change how they eat and how active they are.

Losing weight requires lifestyle intervention – a combination of diet, exercise, and behavioral modification.  The goal of behavioral therapy is to help patients make long-term changes in their eating behavior by modifying and monitoring their food intake, modifying their physical activity, and controlling things in their environment that can trigger eating.  Some ways to do this include individual or group therapy, self-monitoring with food diaries and activity records, nutritional education and meal planning, and monitored physical activity.

To lose weight, you have to eat less or move more. Doing both is even better. People try to make weight loss more complicated than that, but it really isn’t.  The problem many of us have is getting ourselves to consistently do the things required for us to lose weight.  This is where behavior modification comes into play.  If you would like help with this process, please give our office a call at 561-721-1953.  We are implementing a weight loss program to include dietary management, personal training, and behavioral modification, and we would love to help you through this process. 

If you have any questions, please contact us at Family Medical and Wellness Center (561) 721-1953.

October, 2011 – Nervous Nelly

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Ask Dr. Z

Nervous Nelly

October, 2011laura-zipris

By Laura Zipris, Psy. D., LMHC

 

Dear Dr. “Z”-

I have always considered myself somewhat of a nervous person but I find that I have grown increasingly more anxious lately and it is starting to interfere with my day to day life.  I now worry about everything.    I am starting to avoid social outings with friends for fear that I will get nervous while I’m out.  It is having a tremendous impact on my family and on my social life.  I feel somewhat helpless to overcome my anxiety.   What can I do?

Signed,

Nervous Nelly

 

Dear Nervous Nelly,

When you find that you are regularly impeded by your anxiety and when you begin worrying about the possibility that you might get anxious, it is definitely time to address the issue.   There is a vicious cycle associated with anxiety that affects your thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and behaviors.   To stop this cycle, it is important that you understand these four components and how they interact together to escalate your anxious state.

When you are faced with an anxiety provoking situation, your body may experience a number of physiological responses that include: shortness of breath, increased heart rate, increased perspiration, tightness, dizziness, stomach aches, and nausea.   Your mind may begin to race with worrisome thoughts of “What if’s?”  For example, you may begin to get concerned about your physiological symptoms and fear “What if I get a panic attack?”  This in turn, may exacerbate your physiological state of arousal.  Or, you may worry that you will somehow embarrass yourself… “What if I stutter or say something stupid?”   You may become filled with fear or panic as a result.  You may also feel sad and depressed about your sense of paralysis or your pressing need to avoid your current situation.  As a result of all of these intrusive thoughts, emotions, and felt sensations, your concentration is affected and your performance may be reduced (creating more anxiety).  Or, you may choose to leave the situation completely in an attempt to assuage your feelings.  Thus, the anxiety-triggering situation sets off a vicious cycle of interactions in which the physiological, cognitive, behavioral and emotional realms feed into each other, creating more and more anxiety.

Understanding exactly what is occurring can help you begin to address your anxiety.  The first thing you must do at the onset of an anxiety arousal state is stop what you are doing and just breathe.  Focusing on breathing at your normal rate will ensure that you don’t hyperventilate or hold your breath.   This alone can reduce some of your physiological symptoms.  You may want to also do some progressive muscle relaxation (i.e. tighten your hands into fists for 10 seconds and then release and perform this tightening and releasing of muscles in other parts of your body).   Next, you want to address the thoughts and the beliefs that are causing you to feel excessively anxious.    These “cognitive distortions” likely include your tendency to be overly critical of yourself and your tendency to “awfulize” the situation.  A great book for you to read that will assist you in changing your current thinking is “A Guide to Rational Living” by Albert Ellis and Robert A. Harper.

I know that battling anxiety is not an easy job, but it certainly can be done.   If you truly feel debilitated by your anxiety, I would encourage you to contact a cognitive behavioral therapist who can assist you with your pursuits.

Best of luck,

Dr. “Z”

***

Laura Zipris holds a doctorate in Psychology and is licensed to practice psychotherapy in New York, as well as in Florida. Laura is certified in Imago Relationship Therapy, a transformational approach that has been used successfully with couples around the world to help them to strengthen their partnerships, deepen their connection and reignite their passion for one another. Laura sees individuals of all ages and sexual orientations, couples, families, and groups in her offices located in Wellington and Delray Beach.  In addition to her psychotherapy practice, Dr. Zipris works part time as a licensed school psychologist for the Palm Beach County School District.  

For more information about Laura, please visit her website at www.drlaurazipris.com  or to set up an appointment, contact Laura directly at (561) 558-7815. 

Questions for this column should be sent to Dr. “Z” at Drlaurazip@gmail.com 

 

 

 

October, 2011 – Astrology at Work

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October, 2011

 

ASTROLOGY AT WORK IN YOUR LIFE

 

By Karola Crawfordkarola-crawford

 

October is the birthday of Libra, and later in the month, Scorpio.  These two signs are very different, both in their approach to life and in the very way that they think.  Libra is ruled by Venus, and in its very nature, is a good minded spirit that loves to socialize.  Libra appreciates the finer things in life, enjoying beauty that emanates as art and also as nature.  The interactions that Libra enjoys with others keeps this sign in a forward momentum, interacting with social groups and enjoying partnerships to the fullest, especially when a social gathering or party is upcoming.  Libras themselves have attributes of beauty that are usually very striking and radiate a desire to please.   There is an innate ability to understand the feelings of others and they enjoy companionship, seek relationships and a close personal bond with harmony being at the center of the quest.

 

Their pleasing manner puts others at ease and this is a good attribute for business. Libras aesthetic perceptions are highly developed and many times music is a deep form of appreciation through which they are able to interact with their inner world.    Their sense of justice and fair play in romance and social relationships is quite strong and they dislike coarseness and uncouth behavior, as they have  high standards for social conduct and manners.  They are an air sign and seek intellectual stimulation from their close personal relationships, so sensuality by itself will not suffice.

 

Scorpio is later in the month of September and goes into October.  This sign is very deep, intense and emotional.  Scorpios can take their romance intensely personal and serious and may need a light touch and sense of humor to dispel some of the high standards that they place on their partners.  They expect much from their loved ones, and may feel that their trust has been betrayed if they don’t receive the same intensity in return.  This can lead to an all-or-nothing approach to love and romance as these individuals may feel that their trust has been betrayed and consequently cold indifference may show up instead.

 

The personality is usually colorful and they can have depths that are beyond the average person’s comprehension, with inner mysteries being a motivator for good writing and strong magnetism.  Personal pride can be strong and they act reserved, maintaining an air of mystery and intrigue about themselves until they are sure of their relationship.

 

They are a good sign for making changes in the midst of turmoil as they have the power of perseverance, ambition and leadership if other placements in the chart are strong.  Their ability to recuperate physically is outstanding and their determination is something to be reckoned with.

 

This month Libras are strong in the social circles during the first part of the month and then can enjoy more intense moments alone or socially during the latter part of the month. 

 

Scorpio will be good at organizing and displaying the master mind of a good plot.  You are at your best coming into the public arena.

 

Sagittarius – This is a good time to work with your hands and plant things.  Rewards are delayed.

 

Capricorn – You are apt to be noticed for what you have contributed, so make it known to others that you were behind the scenes.

 

Aquarius – Hold back on the need to let it all become public knowledge as you need to wait a little longer for things to settle down.

 

Pisces – Your need to be understood is creating a different way of life for the rest of the world. 

 

Aries – This is your month to shine and your fire will inspire many others.

 

Taurus – Always steady in relationships, this will be a month in which you are at your best.

 

Gemini – You alternate between your lighthearted self and the intensity to move mountains. 

 

Cancer – There are others that want to share some of your special nights.

 

Leo – This is a good month for you to share your wonderful thoughts and ideas with those that need inspiration.

 

Virgo – Social details are easy for you to figure out as your mind is determined to get to the bottom of any dilemma.

October, 2011 – 11th Annual Cypress Seed Harvest

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Arthur R. Marshall Foundation Invites Public to

11th Annual Cypress Seed Harvest

Saturday, October 29, 9 a.m. to Noon

 

(West Palm Beach, FL – September 28, 2011)  Nancy Marshall, President of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, which champions the restoration and preservation of the greater Everglades ecosystem, today announced that the nonprofit organization will be hosting the 11th Annual Cypress Seed Harvest on Saturday, October 29, from 9 a.m. to noon. It will be held at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in Boynton Beach.

 

“Friends and families are invited to join us for our 11th Annual Cypress Seed Harvest,” said Nancy Marshall.  “This rain-or-shine event is appropriate for all ages, but small children will need to be closely supervised.”

 

Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.  The Marshall Foundation will provide collection bags, harvesting tools and drinking water, although volunteers are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles to help reduce waste. Older volunteers can also bring ladders and/or rakes to help loosen high hanging seeds without damaging trees.

 

Two additional highlights of this year’s Cypress Seed Harvest will be:

 

+ Busch Wildlife Sanctuary will release a wild bird of prey that was injured and rehabilitated.

 

+ THE EVERGLADES: Through the Eyes of Children Student Photography Contest is designed to impact and empower underserved students by helping them to improve their self-confidence by look more carefully at the world around them through the lens of a camera; exposing them to nature and the environment in a safe outdoor setting; teaching new and useful skills through hands-on learning projects facilitated by experienced mentors; and enriching their school’s existing science-based curriculum by tangibly connecting them with the subject matter, making their education more real, applicable, and engaging.  This project is made possible by the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, and culminates with a traveling display of the winning photography.

 

For more information or to RSVP, please call 561.233-9004 or email plantcypress@aol.com. Please RSVP by October 27, 2011.

 

About the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation:

Based in Palm Beach County, the Marshall Foundation champions the restoration and preservation of the greater Everglades ecosystem through science-based education and outreach programs.   Annually, more than 25,000 elementary and high school students in Palm Beach County actively participate in the Marshall Foundation’s various education programs. 

 

Founded in 1998, the nonprofit organization has in recent years awarded more than $450,000 in scholarships and internships, planted nearly 100,000 native Florida trees in wetland areas, and involved more than 5,000 volunteers in hands-on restoration projects.

 

For more information about the Marshall Foundation, please call 561.233.9004 or visit www.artmarshall.com.

 

Available for Interview:

Nancy Marshall

President, Arthur R. Marshall Foundation

561.233.9004

nancygomarshall@aol.com

 

Media Contact:

Gary Schweikhart

PR-BS, inc.

561.756.4298

gary@pr-bs.net

 

October, 2011 – A Night to Remember Honoring Jim Sackett

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A Night to Remember Honoring Jim Sackett

October 22, 2011

Breakers West Country Club

jimsackettevent

October, 2011 – Caldwell’s “After the Revolution”

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NEWS RELEASE

Caldwell Theatre’s Family Drama, After The Revolution,

Explores the McCarthy Era Through Multi-Generational Sensibilities

-Who’s Who of South Florida Acting Talent-

 

Kicking off their 2011-2012 Season, Caldwell Theatre Company presents Amy Herzog’s widely acclaimed family drama After The Revolution. The play was named one of the Top Ten plays of the New York Times plays of 2010 and was recently included in the prestigious yearbook, Best Plays of 2010-2011 which sites the top plays of the past New York theater season.

After The Revolution is the story of the brilliant, promising Emma Joseph who proudly carries the torch of her family’s Marxist tradition, devoting her life to the memory of her grandfather, much revered for refusing to “name names” during the McCarthy hearings. But when history reveals a shocking truth about the man himself, the entire family is forced to confront questions of honesty and allegiance they thought had been resolved.

In choosing After the Revolution to kick off his third season as Artistic Director, Clive Cholerton said, “Ms Herzog’s script brilliantly dissects and reinterprets the McCarthy Era hearings, portraying it from the point of view of the families involved who continue to be affected by it.” 

The cast for After the Revolution includes a veritable who’s who of South Florida’s diverse and burgeoning acting talent and will be directed by Margaret Ledford-resident director at Promethean Theater with recent acclaimed credits at Florida Stage Company (Goldie, Max and Milk) and Mosaic Theatre Company (Collected Stories).  Carbonell winner Gordon McConnell (Frozen) headlines the cast along with Carbonell nominated (Speech and Debate) actress Jackie Rivera playing the father and daughter team of Ben and Emma Joseph.  The cast also includes, Harriet Oser-most recently seen at Caldwell Theatre Company in Dangerous, Michael Small-Carbonell nomination (Brooklyn Boy), Howard Elfman– recent Caldwell Theatre Company credits (Secret Order), Tiffany-Leigh Moskow-recent Caldwell credits (Chemical Imbalance), and is rounded out by multiple Carbonell winner Nancy Barnett, returning to the stage after much too long a hiatus.

The design team is well known to Caldwell audiences including Tim Bennett-scenic design, Thomas Salzman-lighting design, Thomas M. Shorrock-sound design, Erin Amico-costumes, Deborah Veres-properties. 

Writing for the New York Times, Charles Isherwood would say, Ms. Herzog’s smart, engrossing play…strikes a fresh note in being set among a family of exotic beings.”

 

###

 

Media Contact:

Clive Cholerton, Artistic Director of Caldwell Theatre Company  

561-995-2326 or clive@caldwelltheatre.com

 

Cast List: (in alphabetical order)

 

NANCY BARNETT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mel

HOWARD ELFMAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Morty

TIFFANY-LEIGH MOSKOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jess

GORDON McCONNELL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Joseph

HARRIET OSER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vera

JACKIE RIVERA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Emma Joseph

MICHAEL H. SMALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leo Joseph

ANDREW WIND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waiter

 

Director: MARGARET LEDFORD

Stage Manager: ROBERT HERRLE

Scenic Designer: TIM BENNETT

Lighting Designer: THOMAS SALZMAN

Costume Designer: ERIN AMICO

Sound Designer: THOMAS M. SHORROCK

Props: DEBORAH VERES

 

Performances:

October 16    November 20, 2011

Wednesday – Saturday: 8:00 p.m.

Select Tuesday 8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 p.m.

 

Tickets:

$27 to $50 depending on performance and seat location.  $10 Students with ID.

3 and 4 Play Subscriptions are available for as low as $57.50

 

Box Office:

Box Office 561-241-7432

www.caldwelltheatre.com

 

Group Sales:

Group pricing of $25 for all performances are available. Groups must consist of at least 15. Groups receive one comp for every 20 tickets purchased. Contact Group Sales at (561) 995-2333 or groupsales@caldwelltheatre.com.

 

About Caldwell Theatre Company:

Caldwell Theatre Company is the longest running regional theater in South Florida. The 2011-2012 Mainstage Season celebrates our 37th Season. The theater has 333 seats with no obstructions and no seat is over 60 feet from the stage. You’ll feel as if you’re watching a performance from your living room. Accessible seating is available upon request. All donations are 100% tax deductable. Caldwell Theatre Company is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

October, 2011 – A Pennsylvania Road Trip

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Travel with Terri

Pennsylvania Road Trip:  A Ride around the Monopoly Board

By Terri Marshall, Photos by Greg HolderTerri Marshall

Monopoly has always been one of my favorite board games. I was not always great at acquiring the best properties and populating those properties with houses and hotels, but I always knew it was a good thing to acquire all the railroads – Pennsylvania, Short Line, B&O and Reading.  Collect all four and you get $200 when someone lands on any of them! Trains made Pennsylvania an industrial giant, so it is certainly understandable that Pennsylvania resident, Charles Darwell – the reported inventor of Monopoly – would include railroads in his board game. A road trip through Pennsylvania will provide plenty of railroad sights and many other interesting things along the way.

Take a ride on the Reading with me. Reading, Pennsylvania is a real place and yes, it is also a real railroad. Located approximately 60 miles north of Philadelphia, Reading makes a pleasant and interesting stop on a Pennsylvania road trip. The area is filled with outlet malls, has a significant Civil War history and is, of course, known for its railroads. While in Reading you can visit The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum which features rail cars, locomotives, documents and maps of the Reading Railroad to learn more about this famous railroad. http://readingrailroad.org/museum

 

horseshoe-curve
Horseshoe Curve. Photo by Greg Holder.

 

 

 

Take a ride through Greater Reading to experience its Civil War Trail, Covered Bridge Tour or the Hex Barn Art Tour. The best-known symbol of the Pennsylvania Dutch, the hex sign, adorns the sides of barns throughout the farmland surrounding Greater Reading. This uniquely American art form can also be found on quilts, tombstones and needlework throughout the region. http://www.takearide.com

Perched above the town of Reading you will find a very unusual roadside attraction – The Pagoda. Seven stories high, 28 feet wide and 50 feet long, The Pagoda stands 620 feet above the City of Reading and 886 feet above seal level. It is the only Pagoda in the United States and the only Pagoda in the world with a fireplace and chimney. Built in 1908 by William A. Whitman, Sr. to cover his stone quarry, the Pagoda was originally intended to be a resort hotel. pagodaHowever, due to liquor licensing problems, the hotel resort never opened and the structure was later deeded to the city. Before the days of radio broadcasting, the lights on the Pagoda were used to relay messages to the citizens of Reading through the use of Morse Code – white light was a dash and red light was a dot. Today the Pagoda lights flash at 9pm every Christmas Eve to let the children in town know that Santa is on his way! http://readingpagoda.com

Listed on the National Registry of Historical Places, the Abraham Lincoln – a Wyndham historic hotel – provides visitors with an excellent lodging option. The hotel made international headlines in 1932 when John Phillips Sousa passed away in his guestroom following a rehearsal with the famous Ringold Band which, of course, lead to ghost tales and stories of hauntings! The hotel played host to everyone who was anyone in its early decades including Eleanor Roosevelt, Gene Autry and Ozzie and Harriet. The ballroom was used to house soldiers on cots during wartime. Restored to its original historic splendor at the turn of the century, the hotel provides the perfect lodging choice – tuba playing ghost or not! http://www.wyndham.com

Across the Monopoly board from the Reading Railroad is the Pennsylvania Railroad. And across the state nestled in the Allegheny Mountains near Altoona, Pennsylvania you will find an engineering marvel. Completed in 1854 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, Horseshoe Curve was designed by John Edgar Thomson and Herman Haupt as part of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s main line to the west. It has been in continuous operation ever since. Prior to the building of the curve, crossing the Allegheny Mountains was costly and dangerous. Its importance to railroad traffic was such that it was guarded by Union soldiers during the American Civil War. Nazis also attempted to sabotage it in Operation Pastorius during World War II. Today the location is a popular tourist attraction with more than 50 trains passing through the area daily. There is a visitors center and a track side observation area accessible by many many stairs or – if you are not that energetic – a funicular railway. The track side viewing area makes a perfect picnic stop while traveling through the area. What child doesn’t get excited about the big choo choos? Grown-up children too!

altoonaDown the mountain from Horseshoe Curve is the town the railroad built…literally. Irish immigrants came to the United States to work on the construction of Horseshoe Curve and the town of Altoona was born to provide housing for the workers and their families. Although not as bustling as it was in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Altoona is historically significant and makes an interesting stop on a Pennsylvania road trip. The downtown area is home to the Railroaders Memorial Museum which is dedicated to revealing, interpreting, commemorating and celebrating the significant contributions of railroaders to American life and industry. There are interactive exhibits, rail cars, model railroad layouts, a children’s learning center and even Kelly’s Bar complete with a wax bartender. The “drinks” are wax too so I wouldn’t recommend consumption. http://www.railroadcity.com

Bring your Monopoly game to life with a road trip through Pennsylvania – it’s a ride worth taking!

 

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 terri.marshall60@gmail.com

 

 

 

October, 2011 – Getting the Hang of Coupons

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Getting the Hang of Coupons

 

By Krista Martinelli

 

When our new advertising representative Shawn Thompson introduced the idea of a Coupon Swap to me, I had never heard of it, but was

Advertising Rep Shawn Thompson and Editor Krista Martinelli of AroundWellington.com at the Coupon Swap. Photo by Christine Rose.

 excited to try something new.  Being the opposite of “good with coupons,” I confessed to her that I’m the type of person who can’t even seem to produce a coupon that I have in my pocket when I get to the register – I almost always forget.  She shared this article with me to explain the way a Coupon Swap works. http://moneysavingqueen.com/April-2011/5-Tips-for-Holding-a-Successful-Coupon-Swap-Party/

 

I decided to give it a try and see if I could learn something about couponing. I’ve always been interested in these stories of people who go to the store and somehow get money back, instead of paying.  For example, they buy groceries and the store pays them – because of the amount and combination of coupons they’ve brought in.  A few of the ladies on the evening of our Coupon Swap said that they have been able to do this.  Amazing! 

 

One happy raffle winner at our September AroundWellington.com Coupon Swap, which was held at the Nature's Table Cafe. Photo by Christine Rose.
One happy raffle winner at our September AroundWellington.com Coupon Swap, which was held at the Nature's Table Cafe. Photo by Christine Rose.

 

 

 

 

I don’t think I’m going to ever be coupon-crazy enough to get to that level of couponing.  But here are some good things I learned from being around other Coupon Moms. And I have to say that I’ve been using at least one coupon each time I go to the store, since the event – major progress!

 

 

  • When a grocery store (like Publix) has a Buy 1, Get 1 FREE special, you can still use a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon toward your purchase. This is a way to save major money!  And almost get stuff for free or sometimes even get money back.
  • Using coupons is all about planning. Plan your trip to the store around a few coupons that want to use.
  • Get one of those little file folio organizers, alphabetized. Organize your coupons that you are most-likely to use into alphabetical order.  I’m now keeping my small file organizer in the car. 
  • If you are a parent, make the most of those City Books that also raise money for your child’s school.  There are plenty of great coupons inside for local attractions and restaurants – many free offers or buy 1, get 1 free offers.
  • Hey AroundWellington Readers!  Don’t forget that we have a Coupons page that is updated each month!  Visit our “AW Coupons” page for coupons for the following advertisers (insert list). If you plan on attending our next coupon swap, please get familiar with this list and USE at least one of the coupons, saving your receipt.  It will get you double raffle tickets at our next event!
  • Tell your friends what coupons you are in search of.  They will look out for you!  At our coupon swap party, one mom (of six kids) told all of us ahead of time that she would take any diaper coupons we found in the pile.  She ended up with a LOT of good diaper coupons.
  • Enter contests!  With some of these local contests, your chances of winning are very good.  It just depends on the response and what the prize is. Our AroundWellington advertising rep Shawn Thompson is a big contest enterer.  She recently won tickets to Disney World through a Coca Cola contest. I have another friend who constantly wins concert tickets from radio stations.  Don’t forget that we have about two contests per month on AroundWellington.com under “Contest!”  And who doesn’t like a free one-hour massage from Massage Envy, for example?  J  There are other great contests happening all the time at the Wellington MacaroniKid.com, one of our media partners.
  • Get those M&Ms that say “Win Free Movie Tickets” on the front of them!  Right now M&Ms is having a special promotion. Just make sure your package of M&Ms says so on the front. According to Shawn, you can win free movie tickets almost every time – by entering the code on the package.
  • Here are a few sites that people mentioned at the Coupon Swap that you can explore further – www.CouponingtoDisney.com, Coupons.com Groupon.com, CouponMom.com and RedPlum.com.  And of course, there’s the TV show on TLC called “Extreme Couponing,” which may go beyond what the average person would be willing to do – but still contains some good ideas.  (See this video with an example of how one Mom actually made money in buying hand soaps).
  • Restaurant.com is offering their $25 gift certificates for just $1 when you use the code WOW at checkout. But if you go thru ShopAtHome first, you will get 50% cash back which makes this just $0.50. If you haven’t tried Restaurants.com yet, now is the time to do it.

 

Anyway, thanks to attending my first Coupon Swap, I’m doing a better job of being organized with coupons and actually – yes – using them!  Please keeping checking on AroundWellington.com or become a fan of our Facebook page, so you can get updates on the next one.  Hope to see you there!

 

Krista Martinelli is the mother of a 6-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy.  She is the editor of AroundWellington.com, your online local magazine. 

October, 2011 – Miami Kids Music…Breaking Down Barriers with Music

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AW Spotlight

 

Miami Kids Music – Breaking Down Barriers with Music

 

By Krista Martinelli

How do you fully engage babies, two-year-olds, moms and dads in one activity? At Miami Kids Music, now offering their “Music Together” classes at Temple Beth Torah and Fame Dance Studio in Wellington, the answer is easy – music! When you look at a class in action, all you see is fun. But according to Director Missy K. Smith, there’s a lot of learning and development going on – and it’s all research-based.

 

Music Together relies upon its lab school in Princeton, New Jersey, where musical activities are taught to over 300 children, to continue the high quality of research and development expected of their musical program. Before each 10-week session, the Music Visit this page for a short Music Together video clip.

Making music together with Miami Kids Music at Temple Beth Torah
Making music together with Miami Kids Music at Temple Beth Torah
Together directors and teachers are offered the opportunity to participate in a Training and Songs Workshop, which is taught by Princeton’s finest trainers. This intensive one-day workshop introduces new strategies and ways of playing with the upcoming music collection. Fully equipped with three-years of original music collections which do not repeat, the instructors are then ready to pass along the joy of music to their families!

Now serving 2000 communities in over 25 countries, Music Together’s early childhood music program supports the natural bonding experience between parents and children, connecting families and communities across the globe as they express and explore the basic human instinct for making music.

In the 45-minute class that I enjoyed sitting in on at Temple Beth

The Music Together class is a special time for bonding with your children...cell phones are off!
The Music Together class is a special time for bonding with your children...cell phones are off!

Torah in Wellington, they incorporated songs from all over the world, giving an international flavor to the rhythms introduced and a sense of world culture, even to the students as young as two months old.  Hey parents – for a fun game with your young children, visit this songbook page at Music Together’s site and have your kids guess the main instrument playing.

“It’s all about family music-making,” says Smith. “We are a non-performance oriented program, focused on the special bonds that music creates within a family.” The Music Together classes, available for babies through 4-year-olds, teach skills that translate well into many other areas. Their students tend to excel in dance, language, musical instruments and many other arts. 

“We are teaching families not to be consumers of music, but participants,” explains Smith. “Parents are encouraged to take out the pots and pans and make some “music” with their kids. Too often parents make the mistake of turning on the TV at home, when they could be interacting with their children. The Music Together families take their music with them throughout their daily routine, or even when riding on a long car trip. Parents are encouraged create a lullaby time with their children. There’s something so special about having your child sit in your lap, as you’re singing a lullaby – something that cannot be replaced by listening to CDs or watching a TV program.

The young students love the fact that their parents are with them, connecting during the class and vice versa. Cell phones are off, and parents are on the floor, eye to eye with their children.

Speech therapists are quite fond of the Music Together program and they recommend their young clients who are struggling with speech issues.  Smith explains that she has had a number of parents tell her that their child has “sung sounds which they have never before been able to speak.” The music has the power to override the barriers in language. By singing words first, even before being able to say them, kids progress toward language skills.  It’s always exciting when a young student begins talking, as a result of singing songs together in class.

The class is a total immersion in music where even the instructions

"It's all about family music making," says Missy Smith of Miami Kids Music.
"It's all about family music making," says Missy Smith of Miami Kids Music.

 are sung, not spoken. According to Smith, “During the class, the greatest gift parents give their kids is to sing, play and let down their walls.”  Parents really see a difference in their children at the end of a ten-week class. The final class is more of a celebration than a performance, where they sing their favorite songs and add in every child’s favorite thing… bubbles!

For students, parents and the teacher, the experience looks like pure joy. The feeling of moving to the music – dancing, clapping, using instruments and singing along with kids becomes effortless after a while, and the room is filled with smiles. It’s 45-minutes of fun that everyone looks forward to. Miami Kids Music always offers a FREE trial class.  Just email or call Missy Smith ahead of time (miamikidsmusic@aol.com or 561-747-3637) to arrange for the class, and don’t forget to mention AroundWellington.com! See the brief video below or click on our “Videos” page for another video of the class in action. 

 

About the Instructor

Melissa K. Smith has a musical theatre performance background with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Florida. She has been singing and studying music, theatre, and voice since the age of nine.  She laughs, “I was the middle sister in a family of an older brother and then three younger sisters. So naturally I was starved for attention. I was always the one posing dramatically for a photo…musical theatre came naturally.” After spending four years working and studying as an actress and singer in New York City, “Missy” moved back to Florida and in 1993 received Certification from Barry University in Early Childhood Education. After spending eight years in Miami developing and teaching the Music Together program there, Missy returned to Palm Beach County and is happy to be offering Music Together to her families in BOTH the Miami and Palm Beach County areas! Missy is a Certified Level I Music Together Teacher. She is the mother of a twelve-year-old girl and an eighteen-year-old boy. She looks forward to sharing her experience with a new generation of those who can appreciate the power and beauty of music – together!

 

About the Classes at Temple Beth Torah and Fame Dance Studio

Thanks to a great connection with Temple Beth Torah, Smith was invited to teach the Music Together classes in their library, where many kids’ activities are held. “It’s a wonderful relationship with the Temple,” says Smith. FAME Dance & Performing Arts Studios, located at 3080 Fairlane Farms Rd, Suite 4 in Wellington, has proven to be another terrific venue for the music classes. See the schedule of local classes on their website- (scroll down).

 

Musical Birthday Parties

If you think the classes are fun, just wait until you experience a Music Together birthday party!  Miami Kids Music/ Music Together img_0825comes right to you for a fun, musical celebration! They combine singing, dancing, instrument and prop play and a rousing “Happy Birthday” finale. Your child, friends, and family will play, laugh, sing and help honor this special day in a very special way! (Music Together® is a mommy and me-type class, therefore, please let your guests know that Moms, Dads, Grandmas, Grandpas and anyone else who loves your child, will be expected to participate, as well.)  INDOOR parties only (unfortunately, it is too difficult vocally and distraction-wise if the party is held outdoors). “All we need is a rug and a plug….we bring our instruments.” Shaker eggs are provided as a party favor from Miami Kids Music! For more information, call (561) 747-3637.

 

 

Miami Kids Music

Offering Music Together Classes

Serving Palm Beach County and Dade County

With Two Locations in Wellington, FL

(561) 747-3637

www.MiamiKidsMusic.com

 

 

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September, 2011 – A Second Chance Rescue

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A Great Day for a Second Chance Rescue

 

President of a Second Chance Puppies and Kitten Rescue Peter Torres talks about their mission in helping local animals and finding homes for them. It was a great day at Okeeheelee Park on September, 25th, 2011 where they held their first annual “A Dog’s Day” event. See related Photos under “Photo Galleries” (or Archives) on our AroundWellington.com site.