Next Women of the Western Communities Meeting!
October, 2011 – Summit Christian School Fall Fest
Summit Christian School Fall Festival
When: Saturday, October 29th from 10:00 to 3:00
Where: 4900 Summit Blvd West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Excitement and enthusiasm is bubbling amongst our staff, students, family and friends as we expect this to be a huge event! We encourage crafters, artists, independent consultants, and business owners to reserve your space now (space is limited)! Our Fall Festival will feature Music, Entertainment, Food, Games, Competitions, Rummage Sale, Prizes and Surprises!
Spaces are $25.00. You must provide your own table, chairs and shade.
Summit Christian School is looking forward to your participation and a successful, enjoyable day for everyone. Please contact Mrs. Esther Okoye at 954-832-6902 or email her at estherokoye@live.com for more details.
We ask that all participants donate an item or gift certificate which will be used as prizes for the Fall Festival and/or other future family events. In addition, if you or someone you know is able to make a donation or contribution to our school, please have them contact us at 561-686-8081.
Thank you for your support,
Summit Christian School Parent Teacher Fellowship
To reserve your space, please provide us with the following information
Name: ____________________________________________Phone:_____________________________
Email: __________________________________________
Description of Items to be sold: __________________________________________________________
For office use:
Space # ___________________ Payment $ __________________Check/Cash _____________________
Approved by ______________________________________
Summit Christian School
Excellence in all things, and all things to God’s glory
4900 Summit Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33415 | 561.686.8081×341
aakdag@summitchristian.com | www.summitchristian.com/ptf.htm
October, 2011 – The Peace of Wild Things
The peace of wild things
by Wendell Berry
When despair grows in me
and I wake in the middle of the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting for their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
October, 2011 – Pets are not for Small People
Creature Feature
Pets Are Not Small People
By Stephanie Karpf, DVM
“A few months ago my dog got stung by a bee, and when I went to the animal emergency clinic, all they did was give some Benadryl. I can’t believe I had to pay for that! Next time my dog is sick…I’m just going to deal with it myself.”
It is a very common occurrence to have pet owners give their dogs and cats some type of medication, that they themselves would normally take, and in so doing, unintentionally poison their animals. Although some drugs that people take as over-the-counter preparations are also used in dogs and cats, most are not safe to give to our pets. Giving a dog or cat something like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be very dangerous, and sometimes fatal. Just because something is safe for you to take, does not necessarily mean it is safe for your pet. There are also many medications that are used in both pets and people, but are dosed differently for dogs and cats. They may need less or more of the same drug per pound of body weight, as their owners. This is due to differences in the way different species metabolize drugs. For all of these reasons, it is important that any time your dog or cat is ill, you contact your veterinarian before deciding to treat them on your own. In some cases, the vet may in fact tell you to pick a medication or other type of remedy up at your local pharmacy to administer at home.
Along the same lines, it is never ok to give your dog “left over” prescription medications from something that was prescribed for a person, or even another dog or cat, in the household. Prescription medications should only be taken by the person or animal they were originally prescribed for. Furthermore, for most prescription medications, there really shouldn’t be any “left overs” anyway.
In addition, people often put items that are not given orally as pills or liquids, in a different category, that they feel should not really be unsafe to give to their pet. Items that fall into this grouping are things like eye solutions, enemas, suppositories, herbal remedies, ointments and creams. Again, some of these may be used for dogs and cats, but you must always check with your veterinarian first before using these on your animals. Many of them are not safe to give, and could make your pet’s condition worse.
I know that in these economically difficult times, it can be very tempting to forego a visit to the veterinarian in order to try and save some money. But the unfortunate truth is that doing so could end up costing you a lot more in the long run. In some cases, it may only be a financial cost. In others, it could be the even more horrifying cost of knowing that your pet was harmed by an action taken in haste…a situation that could have completely been avoided by a single phone call.
Dr. Karpf is the co-owner of The Visiting Vet, a housecall service for dogs and cats serving Palm Beach County. For an appointment, please call 561-252-8874.
October, 2011 – Super Yummy Banana Bread
Sofia’s Yummy Treats for Kids
By Sofia I. Sanchez
Objective: To share quick recipes kids can make on their own with little to no adult supervision.
Requirements: A positive attitude, a desire to learn, and a HEALTHY appetite!
October, 2011 – Super Yummy Banana Bread
What do you do when your bananas start getting old? With black spots on them? Yuck! But wait – don’t throw them away. They are just perfect for banana bread, even though they might be too mushy to eat otherwise. Remember when I mentioned last time that I sometimes drive my parents BANANAS? Well, it all makes up for it when I make them this banana bread recipe. It’s so easy – you will love making it too!
Ingredients
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup oil
3 very ripe bananas, mashed well
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon of ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
PS You can add nuts (like walnuts or pecans) if you’d like to. But just be careful that no one who is going to eat it is allergic to nuts.
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 8×4 bread pan with non stick cooking spray, or lightly coat with margarine.
Sift together flour, baking soda, salt and spices.
Cream together the margarine and sugars. Add bananas, milk and vanilla.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Mix well. Pour batter into pan. Bake for an hour to an hour 10 minutes.
And voila! One nice loaf of Super Yummy Banana Bread!
Editor’s Note: I was lucky enough to get a sample of this banana bread. And yes, I can verify that it is Super Yummy. My family of four gobbled it up.
Sofia I. Sanchez is seven years old. She aspires to be a future baker and bakery owner. She loves baking and cooking in her kitchen at home and invites other kids to do the same.
October, 2011 – Beat Writer’s Block Now!
As I Was Saying
Beat Writer’s Block Now!
By Alan Williamson
Hey, get a load of me – I’m writing again! Just seconds ago I wrote the feisty, fear-nothing heading “Beat Writer’s Block Now!”
Riding a wave of fresh momentum, I followed that heading up with the rousing opening sentence “Hey, get a load of me – I’m writing again!” Some bloggers and Tweeters pounced on the line, calling it “self indulgent,” “childish,” and “a desperate cry for attention.” Let them snipe all they want. I wrote it, I’m glad I wrote it, and by writing it, I’ve sent this powerful message to the vile nemesis of writer’s everywhere: “Writer’s Block is a Big Fat Crock!”
Wow. Okay. I have to admit something. A few minutes went by after I wrote “Writer’s Block is a Big Fat Crock!” and before I wrote the words you’re reading now. Okay, 20 minutes. That’s the problem with writer’s block: It can sneak up on you. In fact, it can strike even after you’ve written something as rhythmic and triumphant as “Writer’s Block is a Big Fat Crock!” It can strike especially after you’ve written something as rhythmic and triumphant as “Writer’s Block is a Big Fat Crock!”
Always on alert for a hint of weakness, writer’s block throws itself into your stream of thought and foils the flow of words the moment you pause to appreciate something you’ve written.
“Hmmmm,” that devil writer’s block whispers in your ear. “Nice piece of writing. But now what? You don’t have a clue where you’re going with this and you’ve managed only one graceful paragraph in a 12-page parade of butt-ugly prose.”
Against this sneering, taunting tide of insults, there is only one steadfast response a struggling writer can give to summon the strength to push on: “I return now to my story already in progress. Right after I stare out this window for half an hour.”
To hush the hostile rants of writer’s block and jump-start your creative juices, here are three rock-solid tips I’ve developed in my years as a professional writer and spokesmodel for the National Badminton Association.
Tip # 1: You can relieve the paralyzing pressure of coming up with a great opening by skipping to the middle of your story and just start writing. Example:
By late afternoon the bees were swarming, curious about our presence so close to their nest. We instinctively ran in a zigzag pattern, which tired us out so the bees could more easily sting us repeatedly in the face and neck.
See? This pretty much sucks as a piece of writing, but at least it’s not the beginning of the story and you’re not staring at a blank page.
Tip # 2: By thinking conversationally, you can build your story line by line through the give-and-take of dialogue. Example:
“Wear this windbreaker,” Angie suggested.
“It’s 86 degrees,” Nick protested.
“You’ll be sitting in the shade, it’s cooler there,” Angie explained.
“I don’t need it,” Nick challenged.
“Put it on,” Angie prodded.
“I don’t want to,” Nick persisted.
Once again, a pretty pointless display of writing, but you’re off and running with no writer’s block in sight. (Plus, things are heating up nicely between Angie and Nick.)
Tip # 3: When the right words are hard to come by, go overboard and write with wild abandon. Example:
The hounds of ruin are at my door; my enemies gather to plot the final assault. Even now as I gaze out my window a bloodthirsty throng has toppled the giant statue of me riding my mustang (convertible). It might as well be my heart they have broken into so many tiny pieces. Oh how gleefully they dance among the rubble!
I could go on, but since that piece was intended to be a lighthearted look at hosting a dinner party, I’ll need to scale back on the graphic imagery of political anarchy and write something giddy about honey mustard salmon.
Please understand – I’m not complaining. I like writing. And even though I know there will be times when writer’s block will creep into my head, kidnap my spontaneity and put a freeze on my imagination, I know that my moment of inspiration will come. And then, with full humility and wonder, I will use my God-given gifts to write something true and memorable and alive with meaning. Or, failing that, something rhythmic and triumphant like “Writer’s Block is a Big Fat Crock!”
Hey, get a load of me – I’m writing again!
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. © 2011 Alan Williamson.
October, 2011 – Summer Aggravation
Cantankerously Yours
Summer Aggravation
By Wendell Abern
Dear Readers,
As I write this, September is just beginning. And as a cranky columnist, I feel compelled to share with you a few of my memorable summer experiences. To wit:
On August 12th, I gained five pounds. In one day.
And it’s all Dolly’s fault.
Dolly is one of my bridge partners. Lots of fun. Polished bridge player. One of the reasons I love playing bridge with Dolly is because when she picks up her cards, she morphs from lovely lady into Lizzie Borden. Makes her a great bridge partner.
Dolly and I belong to a six-member Bridge Birthday Group. When one has a birthday, the other five take the birthday person to dinner.
Dolly celebrated her 83rd birthday on August 12, and the five of us decided to take her to Zuckarello’s Restaurant for dinner. I picked up Edna and drove to a parking lot where Dolly and Joan awaited us. Jerry and Joyce were already at the restaurant.
Ordinarily, I insist on driving. But Dolly had already loaded her trunk with her walker, her wheelchair and her cane, so I decided to let her drive rather than make the multiple transfers. Besides, I was already very hungry and didn’t want to take the time. So Edna and I boarded Dolly’s car.
Mistake.
I was sitting directly behind Dolly, and we were sailing along Commercial Boulevard heading east when I felt some bumping and clanking and realized the car was listing to starboard.
“Uh, Dolly,” I said as we bounced along, “I don’t think it’s legal to drive on the median strip.”
“I’m not on the median strip.”
“Um, the left side of the car is.”
“Oh,” she said, and pulled to a stop in the left turn lane at the next stop light.
I stepped out of the car and looked at her rear left wheel. Shredded. Hole, the size of a grapefruit.
“You no longer have a rear left wheel,” I shouted.
Dolly made a limping left turn onto 15th Street, where we parked in the grass and Dolly called her roadside service. That’s when I noticed her front left wheel was damaged even worse than the rear.
We called Jerry and Joyce at the restaurant. They decided to come join us. They brought us each a warm roll from the restaurant. I inhaled mine in eight seconds, and then stole Dolly’s.
When the tow truck came, the driver looked at both wheels and announced he couldn’t help; he needed a flatbed. It would take an hour.
“It’s going to take a #+$*?@!” hour?” I shouted. “I’m hungry!
And when I’m hungry, I get cranky!”
“How do you do?” he said. “I’m Joe. “And when I don’t get the right information, I don’t bring the right truck.”
Fuming, ready to do considerable physical damage to anyone depriving me of food, I looked at Joe closely. Clearly, he could disembowel a buffalo with his bare hands. For once, I decided it was a good time to keep my mouth shut.
Two hours later, at 8:40, we walked into the restaurant.
“I’m hungry,” I scowled at our waitress, “and when I’m hungry, I get cantankerous!”
“Don’t you worry, honey,” she said, “I’ll bring some rolls right away.”
“Good,” I said. “Bring one basket for me, and one for the rest of the table.”
“You got it, honey.”
The most unfair aspects about being old is that waitresses call me “honey” and Halle Berry doesn’t even know I exist.
For dinner, I ate a gigantic Caesar Salad and the largest veal chop in the history of the world. Then I wolfed down the last half of Dolly’s chicken parmigiana. When I finally got home at 11:15, I made myself a sundae consisting of a small teaspoonful of Edy’s Caramel Swirl ice cream and
two-thirds of a jar of hot fudge.
I gained five pounds that night.
And it’s all Dolly’s fault.
* * *
It is August 24 as I write this. During the Labor Day weekend, I will be attending my high school’s 60th year reunion. In Chicago. I will be seeing some friends I haven’t seen since senior year.
Including my old friend,Herschel.
I’m sure we all have a friend like Herschel. You know, someone who will never let you live down a mortifying experience, just because the rest of the world finds it funny.
Last month, Herschel sent me a short, cryptic e-mail, saying, “See you at the reunion. I’ve told my fourth wife all about you. She can’t wait to meet you and hear all about you and Rabbi Friedland.”
K.A.M. Temple, 1949.
We were sixteen years old and in a Confirmation Class conducted by Rabbi Friedland. There were more than two dozen of my friends in that class, not to mention the voluptuous Jackie Margolin, on whom I had made such a big impression she thought my name was Walter.
Rabbi Friedland was one of those teachers everyone loved. Benevolent, patient, understanding. Always smiling. Tall, balding and bespectacled, he looked more like a college professor than a rabbi.
Rabbi Friedland said, “Okay, who can tell me the names of some famous Jews in sports? And I mean besides Hank Greenberg.”
No fair. I was all ready with Hank Greenberg. As was, apparently, everyone else. Complete silence in the class.
Rabbi Friedland said, “Okay, I’ll give you a couple names. Max Baer, a former boxer. Also, ‘Slapsy Maxie’ Rosenbloom. Both were boxers in the early part of the century.”
I’d never heard of them. But the rabbi’s hints spurred a thought.
And I sat there thinking, don’tsayitdon’tsayitdon’tsayitdon’tsayit.
But even back then I had difficulty keeping my mouth shut, and suddenly blurted out, “Jew Louis!”
Muffled laughs. Snickers. Muted chuckles.
A slight frown from the rabbi.
Not even a glance from Jackie Margolin.
I could not stop myself. “Jewsey Jew Walcott!” I shouted out.
Herschel started laughing. One of those infectious half-laughs,
half-giggles that makes everyone else laugh. Raucous laughter erupted.
Except from the rabbi.
Instead, he looked at me and said, “Please go to my office and wait for me there.”
Longest hour I’ve ever spent. Culminated with a hand-written letter from the rabbi to my parents, informing them I was not welcome back in his class until he had talked to them personally. As I trudged home with the letter, my only thought was that Jackie Margolin had smiled.
* * *
As I write this column, I am chuckling to myself. I keep thinking, I’m seventy-eight years old. And I’m still writing, “What I did on my summer vacation.”
Cantankerously Yours,
Wendell Abern
Wendell Abern can be reached at dendyabern@comcast.net.
October, 2011 – I Need to Lose Weight…
Ask the Docs
I Need To Lose Weight… For Good This Time!
Lesley Glover, MD
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
Ask Dr. Z
Nervous Nelly
October, 2011
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
October, 2011
ASTROLOGY AT WORK IN YOUR LIFE
By Karola 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.