Just a few highlights of happenings Around Wellington. For many more photos, visit the link “Photo Galleries” on this site! For recent videos, click on our “Videos” link.
October, 2010 – AW in Pictures
October, 2010 – Traveling the World Via Aunt Shirley
Traveling the World through the Eyes of My Aunt Shirley
By Krista Martinelli
So you’ve heard the phrase, “Welcome to my world?” This map is the world of my Aunt Shirley. She keeps this map inside a closet, keeping
track of all of the places around the world where she has visited. As you can see, there’s a thumbtack just about everywhere. She is, without a doubt, the most well-traveled, adventurous person I’ve ever met. Seriously – from the North Pole to the South Pole to the Galapagos Islands to Hong Kong and almost everywhere else in between, she has been there. (See the list of places visited at the end of this article).
Shirley Woods, former school administrator in Fort Lauderdale, got a taste of traveling in 1971 with her friend Betsy, when they took an extensive tour of Africa, including the breath-taking Victoria Falls. However, her consistent traveling really started in 1990, after she was retired and stepped out of the school system. Then it was off to Australia and New Zealand, just the start of an ongoing series of international trips, usually between four – six per year.
We love visiting Aunt Shirley’s house and seeing her souvenirs from her world travels. She collects crystals, and my kids love seeing the many crystals displayed in her home. Interesting books are everywhere you look. And you will see lots of musical instruments, souvenirs and artifacts. It’s one of the most fascinating places in the world to my children.
I asked about her favorite place, and she narrowed it down to two trips. The first was her trip to China and Tibet. “Tibet,” she explains, “is a country that speaks to my soul.” When she visited in 1995, China was in the process of taking over Tibet, and the Dalai Lama had been expelled from the country. Tibet holds many ancient traditions and its own ancient wisdom of medicine. Yet China is making every effort to expunge anything and everything Tibetan.
The experience of visiting Lhasa was almost surreal, she says, as its located 12,000 feet above sea level and takes some acclimation. With the help of a Tibetan guide, she visited Lhasa, experiencing life “above timberline.” Traveling in the countryside outside of Lhasa, she came across something so startling; it made her stop in her tracks. A rustic home with a Swastika painted on one side and a Star of David on the other side of the front door. Her guide explained that these pre-historic symbols originally were used to invite good spirits into the home and expel bad spirits from the home. So the dwellers in the home, oblivious to the history of Nazi Germany, were simply warding off bad spirits and welcoming the good ones in their older-than-Christianity and Judaic ways.
The other most amazing place she’s visited is Antarctica. She took a small passenger ship, the Marco Polo, and explored some small islands along with setting foot on the continent of Antarctica, that very few people ever get the chance to visit. “It’s a purity beyond all purities on Earth,” she says. “Antarctica is a place where you see no footprints of civilization anywhere.” As she explains, there are no electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs). “You immediately feel a lightness of your being. There’s nothing pushing at you.” The wildlife does not seem to be afraid of people. For example, the penguins do not run away. They have had very little exposure to people and have no fear. Spectacular in its primordial beauty, Antarctica is a place to behold.
As far as difficult trips, there’s been only one trip where Shirley ran into political uprising and was unable to fly home on time. However, things were not so bad when stuck in Kathmandu in Nepal. She just spent three extra days in the Yak & Yeti Hotel. “We felt safe because the hotel was right next to the king’s palace,” she recalls.
When asked if there’s any place that she still would like to visit, Shirley mentions Bali. “It’s the last stop in the book/movie Eat, Pray, Love,” she says. It’s a place she’s been curious about for a long time. So it’s already on the travel schedule. She’s aiming for Bali next June with her long-time traveling companion Jackie, as well as with a retired Wellington High School teacher Barbara Dale McCall.
According to Shirley, the overseas image of Americans has improved over the years. The book “The Ugly American” depicted our unwelcome and sometimes unattractive image as a nation about forty years ago. “Personally, I’ve always been treated warmly while traveling,” she says, although she did find one exception to this rule – in France. She remembers a French shop owner who refused to serve her “because she was an American.” However, her husband stepped in, graciously apologizing for his wife, and helped us. As Shirley is quick to point out, that was just one person among many kind individuals in France that she met. For the most part, people in other countries tend to treat Americans warmly.
Shirley is adventurous when it comes to her travels, but not so daring when it comes to the exotic foods. While their food, in general, is amazing, Thailand also offered possibly the most exotic and frightening variety of things to eat. Some of the delicacies in local marketplaces were silkworms and “crispy beetles.” While Shirley’s friend Jackie was willing to give these things a try, Shirley played it safe.
I asked what the makings are of a good traveling companion, since
Shirley has taken countless trips with her friend Jackie. Because of the intensity that traveling brings out, it’s certainly difficult to find the right person to travel with. “Jackie is always in a good mood,” says Shirley. “She is very helpful and always joy-filled.”
Among many types of trips, Shirley has been very happy with a company called Grand Circle trips. She’s taken 14 of these guided trips, and they include a home-hosted meal with a local family. “They are precious, gracious, hard-working people,” says Shirley, speaking of the families who host these special meals. She loved the tea ceremony in Japan, as well as the meals with families in Russia, Italy, Turkey, Egypt and other countries.
Why does she travel so much? “Traveling opens hearts and minds beyond the cocoons that we are used to living in.” By venturing to new places, you will find “deep, enriching experiences,” says Shirley.
So until my kids are a little older and I’ve saved up a little more money for trips, I will be traveling vicariously – through my Aunt Shirley. And I’m really excited about the next big trip – Bali!
Shirley Woods’ World Travels
Around the U.S. including
Alaska
Hawaii
Oahu
Kauai
Maui
Canada
Ottawa
Toronto
St. John’s, Newfoundland
Calgary
Victoria
Lake Louise
Antarctica
Paradise Harbor on the Continent
Deception Island
Port Lockroy
Half Moon Island
England/Wales
London
Dover
Glastonbury
Stonehenge
Land’s End
St. Davids
Exeter Castle
Tintern Abbey
Scotland
Edinburgh
Kenya
Nairobi
(environs)
Tanzania
Serengeti Plane
Lake Manyara
Greece
Athens
Delphi
Temple of Athena
Rhodes
Santorini
Mykonos
Meteora
Ukraine
Yalta
Odessa
Bulgaria
Varna
Turkey
Ephesus
Istanbul: Saint Sophia, Topkapi, Blue Mosque
Antalya
Izmir
Gallipoli
Troy
Cappadocia
Italy
Vatican… St. Peters
Sistine Chapel
Assissi
Venice
Florence
Verona
Milan
Sicily: Around the whole island
Malta Around the whole island nation
Gozo
Egypt
Cairo
Luxor
Aswan
Pyramids
Down the Nile
India
Delhi/New Delhi
Jaipur
Agra
Taj Mahal
Nepal
Kathmandu
Temples, Stupas, and Palaces
SE Asia
Viet Nam
Nha Trang
Saigon
Phillipines
Manilla
Malaysia
Kuala Lampur
Thailand
Bangkok
Chiang Rai
Chiang Mai
Laos
Cambodia
Angkor Wat
Myanmar (Burma)
Singapore
China
Yangtze River
Beijing
Shanghai
Canton
Hong Kong
Tibet
Central & South America
Costa Rica
Aruba
San Blas
Panama Canal
Cartagena, Columbia
Manta, Ecuador
Lima, Peru
Macchu Pichu
Lake Titicaca
Santiago, Chile
Around Cape Horn
Falkland Islands
Ushuaia, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Amazon River
Manaus and Jungle surrounding
Trinidad
Devil’s Island
Martinique
Barbados
San Juan, Puerto Rico
St. Thomas
Tortola
Mexico
Monterey
Puerto Vallarta
Oaxaca
Acapulco
Chichen Itza
Copper Canyon
Uruguay
Montevideo
Brazil
Iguazu Falls
Punte Del Este
Rio de Janeiro
Norway
Kirkenes above the Arctic Circle
Along the west coast
Alesund
Bergen
Oslo
Denmark
Greenland
Sweden
Finland
Helsinki
Iceland
Reykjavik and surroundings
Isafjord
Akureyri
Europe
Along the Danube from Passau to Budapest
Frankfurt
Munich
Passau
Hungary
Budapest
Austria
Vienna
Czech Republic
Bratislava
Melk
Spain
Madrid
Toledo
Granada
Alhambra
Seville
Costa del Sol
Salamanca
Avila
Malaga
Gibraltar
Morocco
Tangiers
Portugal
Lisbon
Fatima
Santarem
Canary Islands
Las Palmas
Belgium
Antwerp
Brussels
Ghent
Holland
Amsterdam
Ireland
Dublin
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Trinity College
Killarney
Ring of Kerry
Galway
Rock of Cashel
Blarney Castle
Clare Coast
Tipperary
Japan
Tokyo
Hakone
Kanazawa
Kyoto
Switzerland
Zurich
Grindelwald
France
Strasbourg
Alsace-Lorraine
Nice
Antibes
Vence
Cannes
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Aix-en-Provence
Arles
Avignon
Vivres
Tournon
Vienne
Lyon
Dijon
Paris
St. Pierre Island off Canadian Coast
Mont St. Michel
Rhone and Saone Rivers
Germany
Frankfurt
Berlin
Dresden
Rothenburg
Rhineland
Along the Rhine, Mosel, and Main Rivers
Luxembourg
Poland
Warsaw
Poznan
Auschwitz
Krakow
Russia
Moscow
Kremlin
Along the Volga, Svir, and Neva Rivers
Uglich
Yaroslavl
Petrozavodsk
Kizhi Island
Mandrogi
St. Petersburg
Hermitage
Peter and Paul Fortress
Catherine’s Palace
Slovakia
Slovenia
Croatia
Bosnia
Montenegro
Serbia
Romania
Transylvania
Mexico
Cabo San Lucas
Acapulco
Puerto Vallarta
Manzanilla
Venezuela
Las Piedras
Jamaica
Panama
San Blas
Curacao
Dominican Republic
Israel
Tel Aviv
Jerusalem
Mount of Olives
Sea of Galilee
Bethlehem
River Jordan
Garden Tomb
Environs
Galapagos Islands
Australia
Cairns
Sydney
Melbourne
Phillips Island
New Zealand
North Island
South Island
Roturua
Aukland
Christ Church
Fiji
Tahiti
October, 2010 – From 100 Columns: My Crankiest Moments
Cantankerously Yours
From 100 columns: My Crankiest Moments
By Wendell Abern
Dear Readers,
My column has been appearing in sundry South Florida publications since April, 2001. Nine and one-half years. Due to vacations, a few repeats, publication requirements, etc., this publication marks my 100th column.
To celebrate, I decided my centennial column should be a compilation of some of my most cantankerous moments. And so, I combed through my files, and in an act of blatant, unbridled egotism, I present here some choice curmudgeonly moments, with brief summaries.
1 – From, “People Magazine Keeps Its Streak Alive,” May 2005.
Annually, I write an angry open letter to the editors of People, protesting my exclusion from their list of the world’s most beautiful people, and citing my many qualifications, such as …
Complexion. I call your attention to actress Katharine McPhee’s comments: “I admire people with beautiful skin, so I really like getting compliments on my own skin.”
Assuming Ms. McPhee’s definition of “beautiful skin” is the same as mine, she would turn chartreuse with envy if she saw my back. I have so many growths, bumps and funny black marks that last Tuesday my neighbor’s Dalmatian tried to mate with me.
2 – From, “Create Your Own Phone Menus, July 2006.”
Fed up with recorded phone menus, I proposed retaliation, making Caller ID the only requisite:
Create your own phone menu! Simply type up what you want to say and then read from it when your victim phones. Custom-tailor as many menus as you want! And waste your callers’ time by making them phone you twice.
I created my first phone menu after calling my former neurologist — fondly referred to here as Dr. Peabrain. First, I spent four minutes On Hold; then I was transferred to a menu with eight options; then to a sub-menu with six options; then to the voice mail of Nasal Nodes Nora, the doctor’s nurse, and finally, to a recorded message saying, “If you’d like to make a call, please hang up and dial your operator.” Followed by a dial tone.
I called back, left a message on Nora’s voice mail, typed up a menu, and eagerly awaited the return call.
The phone rang. My Caller ID panel indicated Dr. Peabrain’s office. I picked up the phone and said, “Izzy and Mo’s Delicatessen.”
A female voice said, “Who ?”
I said, “Dis is Mo, you vanta nice corned beef on rye, ve got a special, $4.95 vidda pickle and a lotka, couldn’t beat it.” She hung up. Outstanding. She called back immediately.
This time I read from my prepared menu: “Caller ID indicates this is Dr. Peabrain’s office. If this is Cindy in Medical Records, the Cleveland Clinic is still waiting for you to send them Mr. Wilson’s hemorrhoid tissue. If this is Sue at the front desk, please go into the reception room immediately and collect a urine sample from everyone. If this is Nora, everyone is laughing at what you wore to work today.”
She hung up. The coward.
3 – From “Agents,” Feb. 2008.
This column, in stage play-type format, protested the proliferation of agents, who make their living by exploiting the talents of just about anyone. After accusing the agent world of a lack of imagination, I proposed they start representing astronauts, baby-sitters, and psychiatrists …
Page 3
SCENE: Psychiatrist’s Office
AGENT (PERCHED OVER SMALL CALCULATOR) Okay, now how much are you getting right now for, say, your everyday, run-of-the-mill neurotic?
PSYCHIATRIST: Well, I charge most of my patients $150 an hour. But some can’t afford —
AGENT: Won’t work, doc. Gotta be $200 an hour, minimum. Otherwise, we don’t make enough money.
PSYCHIATRIST: We?
AGENT: Now for your basic manic-depressives, we’ll charge $400 ‘cause you’re seein’ both a manic and a depressive, right?
PSYCHIATRIST: I don’t think —
AGENT: Maybe we’ll give ‘em a special discount, $350 for the two of them, howzat? Now (STARTS POUNDING ON CALCULATOR), for multiple personalities, we give ‘em a big break. Only $100 an hour per head, up to ten different personalities.
PSYCHIATRIST: Per head? They’re not cattle.
AGENT: (UNPERTURBED, POUNDING AWAY ON CALCULATOR) Eleven to 25 people, you come down to $75 an hour per head. More ‘n 25 personalities, they get a big break, only $50 an hour each. You’re practically givin’ it away.
PSYCHIATRIST: Um … can I get back to you on this?
AGENT: (PICKING UP CALCULATOR AND SLIPPING IT INTO BRIEFCASE) Sure, doc, sure. You got my card, call me. (GETS UP TO LEAVE) Office, fax, cell, whatever. Sooner you call, sooner we start pullin’ in the big bucks. (EXITS)
4 – From “Holiday Greetings, 2002.”
Each year, I make a list of people I feel are especially deserving of carefully chosen holiday gifts. Here are a few from one of my earliest such annual columns. (NOTE: I would list the same gifts today.)
To Major League Baseball, Basketball and Football Players:
A special pennant to fly atop your custom-designed, 97-foot luxury yachts that sleep fourteen. The pennant will be inscribed, “I don’t play for money. I play to win.”
To Militant Zealots:
Lifetime membership in I.B.T. Inc. (International Bible Thumpers, Inc.), which encourages its members to use quotes from The Bible in order to validate personal prejudices.
To young drivers with specially-equipped car radio speakers:
A citation from the Federal Aviation Agency, stating, “Due to recently- enacted noise abatement laws, your car has been denied permission to land at any airfield in South Florida.”
5 – From, “Private Conversations, Public Places,” September, 2006.
I didn’t think it possible for me to discover any new cantankerous buttons to be pushed – until someone invented the cellphone.
Large waiting room. Free coffee. TV set tuned to an innocuous soap opera. Six or seven people waiting quietly. Except for the young woman talking into her cell, completely oblivious to the rest of us, and complaining in a husky, musky voice about her three-year old. I sat with pen poised over my crossword puzzle, waiting, hoping – and suddenly Her Obnoxiousness uttered The Magic Words: “Here, let me give you my cellphone number.”
Quickly, I jotted the number down, ambled out of the waiting room, stepped outside and yanked out my cellphone. I dialed her number.
“Hello,” the husky voice said.
“Yeah, we’d like two orders of egg roll and a large moo-goo gai pan,” I said.
“Who is this?”
“And don’t forget the fortune cookies. Last time you left out the fortune cookies.”
She hung up. But I still call her every now and then. Last week, I found her line open and asked if she was paying too much for automobile insurance. She hung up before I could make my pitch.
Choosing these specific columns proved more difficult than I thought.
Unfortunately, I had to exclude my many tributes to Florida drivers, the medical profession, shoppers who send cashiers for cigarettes, and some of my other favorite targets. Ah well, there is plenty of time to nail them in the months to come.
Cantankerously Yours,
Wendell Abern
Wendell Abern can be reached at dendyabern@comcast.net.
October, 2010 – Boo Hoo/ Yahoo!
Boo Hoo / Yahoo! Plus a Bonus Low Fat Lasagna Recipe
By Melanie Lewis
Boo Hoo–YaHooo!
The start of school brings with it mixed emotions. I’m happy to have time to myself to complete tasks without the overhead of children-in-tow. I’m simultaneously bewildered by the quiet and space. For the first time, both of my kids went off to school at the same time. My first thoughts were of all the things I could finally get done: bathroom renovations; de-cluttering, cleaning, getting a Facebook page. Guess what happened? Instead, I walked the dog through the drive-through to pick up a cup of coffee and sat down on the curb and just spaced-out. I soaked in the sun and just sat with the dog and coffee. I’m re-learning how to do things in this different format. I’m sure the projects will all get done. But the thing I figured out was that I really need to enjoy the moment and to soak up the presence the kids have all the more. With chores out of the way during the week, I’m finding we’re soaking up the fun even more on the weekend.
Now we can take more time to do things right – like make a nice, low-fat lasagna recipe that everyone enjoys and cuts out a few calories too.
Easy low-fat lasagna
Ingredients:
One 15 oz can Heinz family favorites for lasagna
6 uncooked whole wheat lasagna noodles
One 16 oz container fat-free ricotta cheese
2 c chopped uncooked vegetables (mushrooms, broccoli, pepper, spinach)
4 oz shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
In a greased 11×7 glass baking dish, pour 1/3 of the sauce.
Place 3 noodles across.
Layer 3/4 of the ricotta cheese.
Add all chopped vegetables.
Sprinkle 1/2 of mozzarella cheese over vegetables.
Pour 1/3 of the sauce over cheese.
Place 3 noodles across.
Spread remaining ricotta cheese and then remaining sauce.
Bake covered,1 hour.
Sprinkle remaining cheese and bake 5 minutes or until cheese has melted.
Cool 5 minutes and enjoy!
27.5 Weight Watchers points in total, as prepared. Makes 4 Jumbo-sized servings.
Melanie Lewis is the mother of 2 boys ages 4 and 7. She is married and works part-time for Weight Watchers and as a Sipada representative. She enjoys reading, gardening and playing with her Blue-mitted Ragdoll, Percy and Golden Retriever, Rosie.
October, 2010 – October is the Month to Consider a Greyhound
Pet Talk
October is the Month to
Consider a Greyhound
By Frances Goodman
For those who have been thinking of adopting a retired greyhound, this may be the time.
October is “Adopt a Greyhound Month” at the local chapter of Greyhound Pets of America — meaning adoption fees will be waived for qualified applicants who want to make a retired racer a permanent part of their family.
According to Barbara Masi of GPA, screening will be thorough, as it should be, to make sure the former racers will be going to caring adopters who can provide for them properly.
Basically, they need the same loving care as most any dog.
To help you decide if a greyhound is right for you, visit the chapter’s website (listed below) to learn about greyhounds and check out a list of frequently asked questions.
Meantime, here are excerpts from a few of their FAQs:
Q: Are greyhounds good watchdogs?
A: No. Greyhounds in a home typically are very quiet. They may let you know you have “company” by standing in front of the area closest to the “guest” and wagging their tail and, on occasion, let out a single “woof.” But they would not be considered watchdogs.
Q. Would I have to take my greyhound to a groomer?
A: Not unless you want to. A weekly rubdown with a rubber grooming mitt works very well. You can trim their nails yourself or use a (pet grooming device) to file or grind the nails. Greyhounds are basically clean dogs and the less often you bathe them the more oils will stay in their coat and keep them silky and shiny. An annual or semi-annual bath is sufficient unless the dog gets into mud or dirt.
Q: Does a greyhound have to run daily to stay fit?
A: No. Retired racing greyhounds do not need any more exercise than any other large dog. That means a good walk every day. Greyhounds are sprinters and are not geared toward walking or running long distances. They will need to work up to any distance over time, just as a person would do.
Greyhounds are not off-leash dogs. When outside, they always need to be on leash or in a safe, completely fenced area. If you can find a safe place for a greyhound to run (when it is not too hot and humid) you will both enjoy the activity. It is a sight to see.
Q: Are greyhounds hyper?
A: Mostly the opposite. When you come home, you will get a big greeting but shortly thereafter the greyhound will want to “rest.” They really are couch potatoes. Greyhounds love to play with their stuffed toys, and are wonderful companions. But compared to, for example, a Jack Russell terrier, they are not hyper dogs once they have adjusted to their home life.
Q: What kinds of activities can I do with my greyhound?
Greyhounds are wonderful walking partners, after they build some endurance. We recommend to all adopters that they participate in an obedience class with their greyhound. Some also excel at agility. Many greyhounds excel in their “jobs” as therapy dogs. A visiting greyhound is a common sight in nursing homes, children’s organizations and other therapeutic situations. This is a win-win activity for all involved.
To learn more, visit greyhoundpetsfl.org or call 561-478-3006.
Of course, what the website can’t provide is the personal experience of meeting one of these dignified but friendly retired racers, who are so deserving of happy homes now that their racing careers are ended.
Frances Goodman is a professional dog trainer and pet care writer who lives in Royal Palm Beach. Got a question? Email her at fhpettalk@hotmail.com. See her ad this page.
December, 2010 – Hospice’s 2nd Annual Celebrity Pro-Am
Contact: Jennifer Martinez, Communications Manager
Hospice of Palm Beach County
(561) 273-2194 or jmartinez@hpbc.com
Hospice of Palm Beach County Sets Date for 2nd Annual Celebrity Pro-Am!
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL. – Golf, sunshine, and celebrities are on tap for the 2nd Annual Hospice of Palm Beach County Celebrity Pro-Am. Taking place at the Breakers Rees Jones Course at Breakers West on December 4, 2010, golfers will be in heaven on the par 72 course that provides every level of golfer with options that include challenging water carries, varied pin positions and large landing areas from all tees.
Not into golf? Get in on the action and support Hospice of Palm Beach County at the Veuve Clicquot Cocktail Reception at The Breakers Palm Beach on Friday, December 3, 2010. This chic affair will have you dancing to the hottest tunes, bidding on luxury items in the silent auction and celebrity sightseeing from the Veuve Clicquot lounges.
Chair of this event is Shamin Abas. Tournament Director is Vicki Rautbord. Tickets for the cocktail reception are $250. Tickets for the day of golf, which include two tickets to the cocktail reception, are $1,000. Proceeds from the event will benefit the programs and services of Hospice of Palm Beach County, the choice provider of hospice care in Palm Beach County.
For more information about this event, or to learn about available sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lauryn Barry at (561) 494-6884, email lbarry@hpbcf.org or Vicki Rautbord at (561) 642-6888, email vrautbord@hpbcf.org.
About Hospice of Palm Beach County:
Hospice of Palm Beach County, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization is dedicated to meeting every need of patients and families faced with advanced illness. The organization offers a comprehensive range of programs and services – from nationally recognized hospice care to music therapy, massage and loss-specific healing services. Full bereavement support is offered to hospice families and to anyone in the community in need.
Care is provided wherever the patient is – the home, skilled nursing or assisted living facility, hospital or hospice inpatient unit, including the C.W. Gerstenberg Hospice Center in West Palm Beach, the Jay Robert Lauer Hospice and Palliative Care Unit at JFK Medical Center, the Bethesda Memorial Hospice and Palliative Care Unit at Bethesda Memorial Hospital, and the Hospice and Palliative Care Units at Delray Medical Center, Good Samaritan Medical Center, and Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. Hospice of Palm Beach County’s focus is on quality of life. The organization is sensitive to and respectful of religious, cultural and personal beliefs. For information about Hospice of Palm Beach County, please call (888) 848-5200 or visit www.hpbc.com.
Licensed since 1981
Accredited by The Joint Commission 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit Organization
Accredited as a Jewish Hospice by the Palm Beach County Board of Rabbis, Inc.
Serving all of Palm Beach County – Boca Raton to Tequesta, the Glades to the Beach.
October, 2010 – Five Tips for an Eco-Friendly Halloween
Living Green
Five Tips for an Eco-Friendly Halloween
By Christine Smith
Halloween, October 31st, is right around the corner and is another perfect time to create new green-friendly family customs and rituals.
But, before the tips, what exactly is Halloween? According to Wikipedia, Halloween has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holiday All Saints’ Day, but is today largely a secular celebration. The more I researched, the more I decided to let you explore on your own. Who knew Halloween had so much history? For those of you who are history buffs, check out http://www.history.com/topics/halloween.
Here are five ways that you and your family can participate in an eco-friendly Halloween.
1) Buy local pumpkins.
Buying your pumpkins within your community will support your local pumpkin patch or farmers market. The result is that your Jack O’ Lantern travels less distance, uses less gas, and in turn produces less carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, buying locally eliminates the middleman, increasing profits for local farmers. When at the farmers market or pumpkin patch don’t forget to pick up some squash, gourds, corn stalks, and hay for green friendly decorations.
2) Have a costume exchange party.
This is new to me – but it sounds like fun! Simply, gather all your costumes around your house and invite friends, family members, and neighbors to do the same. For invitation, send an e-mail. Designate a room in your home where you will place all the costumes. As guests arrive, have them place their costumes in the “costume dress-up room”. Once everyone has arrived have the children dress up in the costumes and pick their favorite for a “dress-up show”. Serve drinks and food to complete your party. Also, be sure to check out your community centers, local non-profits, and schools as some host costume exchange parties. For more on costume exchanges, check out http://parent-child-activities.suite101.com/article.cfm/have_a_halloween_costume_exchange.
3) Burn soy candles in your Jack O’ Lanterns.
Wax candles are made from petroleum. When burned they omit the equivalent of diesel exhaust. Natural soy or beeswax candles are healthier and don’t pollute the air.
4) Walk with your trick or treaters.
This seems pretty basic, but you would be amazed at how many parents drive their kids from neighborhood to neighborhood. If you have to drive, carpool to reduce traffic and air pollution.
5) Use a canvas bag.
Don’t buy another plastic pumpkin bucket for trick or treating. Save money and the environment by using any tote, pillow case, or basket that you have around the house. Have some fun and decorate it to give it a bit of Halloween spirit. Christine Smith is founder of www.smurkmedia.com, as well as the Director of Marketing for Fine Lions, Inc. Smurk Media is a digital media communications firm servicing clients nationwide with a variety of services from its headquarters in West Palm Beach, Florida. Established in 2010, the firm specializes in email marketing by creating consistent branding and messaging. Fine Lions specializes in a proprietary Eco-friendly wood graining process that is applied to non wood products to give them the appearance of natural wood. This earth conscious application may be done on exterior and interior doors, garage doors, kitchen and bath cabinets, as well as other surfaces. To learn more visit www.finelions.com.
October, 2010 – Morning Guy
As I Was Saying
Morning Guy 
By Alan Williamson
Saturday, 6:30 a.m., and I look over at the alarm clock thinking “Why do I need you when I have this built-in alarm clock in my head?” The bedside appliance, somehow able to read minds and grasp the concept of a rhetorical question, doesn’t answer. But there’s an unspoken understanding that I’ve put it on notice.
The alarm clock – and anyone else who knows me well – is familiar with my pre-set pattern of waking up every morning around 6:30 regardless of what time I’ve gotten to bed the night before.
In bed by 10:30? Up at 6:30.
In bed by midnight? Up at 6:30.
Out partying till 2? (Okay, you’ve got me confused with someone else, but still, hypothetically speaking, up at 6:30.)
The thing about being “morning guy” is that you have to go about your business quietly so you don’t disturb others who, like my wife Sherry, have made an ill-considered lifestyle choice to forfeit the pleasures of getting up at 6:30. This, as my fellow dawn patrollers will attest, isn’t nearly as easy to pull off as it sounds.
The first obstacle comes when you realize you forgot to put some clothes out the night before. This leaves you two choices, both extremely
risky.
1) You can proceed with your morning clad only in the “Marmaduke: The Movie” t-shirt you went to bed in the night before, or . . .
2) You can try and gingerly open a dresser drawer to extract a pair of shorts and a polo shirt.
While number 2 may sound like the better option, I speak from painful, morning guy experience when I tell you that no matter how delicately you slide open the drawer, there will come a point where, against all logic and fairness, it will make a silence-shattering sound that I can best describe like this:
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAA . . .
If you did have the foresight to lay clothes out the night before, the next challenge is tiptoeing to the bedroom door and softly closing it behind you to create an impenetrable sound barrier between your morning activities and the fragile slumber of the still-sleeping. Good luck with that.
While my tiptoeing technique is whisper-quiet, my aging runner’s knees crackle with every lumbering step, creating the audio equivalent of someone popping a sheet of bubble wrap or setting off some cheap fireworks to entertain themselves on the long 10-foot journey from the bed to the door. When I do reach the door, no matter how gently and thoughtfully I pull it closed, there will come a point where, against all logic and fairness, it will make a frightening, nerve-jangling sound that I can only describe like this:
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAA . . .
Once safely out of the bedroom, the world of possibilities opens wide to the life-loving morning guy. Master of his fate and captain of his ship, he turns the canvas of a brand new day into his own personal work of art unencumbered by the critical eyes of others.
Want to finish off those last few chicken wings from the night before? First come, first serve.
Tempted to pair that first cup of coffee with some leftover chocolate mousse from the French bakery? You know what you like.
Feel like reading the paper all the way through from front to back? Feed your head, free press fanatic.
“Morning, whacha been up to?” my well-rested wife asks cheerfully as she emerges from the bedroom a couple of hours later to find me sprawled half-asleep across the sofa on the patio, clutching the sports section.
“You should have seen it,” I gushed with true-blue morning guy passion. “I was out at the beach watching the sun come up. It rose slowly, timidly at first, then, as if sensing my anticipation, turned on the charm full-tilt, flooding the horizon with brilliant red, orange and purple streaks. It was like a beautiful, awe-inspiring dream.”
“Maybe it was like a dream because you fell asleep reading the paper out here on the patio,” Sherry speculated.
“Maybe,” I acknowledged begrudgingly. “But the early bird gets dibs on the first story of the day and that’s mine.”
“Is that chocolate mousse on your chin?” Sherry asks suspiciously.
“Well don’t just stand there,” I snort engagingly. “Grab a cup of coffee and let me fill you in on my trip to France!”
It’s time the world finally awakened to one ageless, irrefutable fact: We morning guys lead full, rich, adventure-packed lives and we do it all quietly and gracefully each day before most people get up.
And by the way, the sunrise this morning was incredible. You’ll just have to take my word for it.
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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. © 2010 Alan Williamson.
October, 2010 – Juan Cocuy, Chairman-Elect of the Hispanic Chamber
AW Spotlight
Juan Cocuy of Cocuy, Burns & Co.
Chairman-Elect of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches
By Krista Martinelli
When I heard that one of our advertisers, Juan Cocuy of Cocuy, Burns & Co., was the incoming chairman of the board of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches, I wanted to know more. I have heard great things about this Chamber from fellow business owners who found lasting relationships and new leads.
According to Cocuy, who will be sworn in this November 10, 2010 at the “State of the Chamber” luncheon, there are numerous benefits that come along with being a member of the Hispanic Chamber. In addition to the customary benefits that you would expect, members are very effective in networking with each other and capitalize on the PR that the Chamber attracts. There are a handful of activities to choose from each month, including the breakfasts (“Café con Leche”), the professional networking events and the special events.
Just to clarify, Cocuy says, “It really isn’t an exclusive club for Hispanics – it really is inclusive.” A number of non-Hispanic members have found great camaraderie and business leads by joining the Hispanic Chamber. While things might have been different originally, today the Chamber includes large businesses like PNC Bank, FPL, Wal-Mart and Costco. “The Hispanic market is the fastest growing segment in our county and our country,” says Cocuy. So even more important than a question of language or culture is the simple question, “Who’s buying stuff?” And in the future, the answer will be the Hispanic community – more and more.
The “swearing in” ceremony for the new Chairman is usually a lovely ceremony Last year the Hispanic Chamber was proud to have Judge Jorge LaBarga (of the Supreme Court) to administer the oath. The Chairman’s term lasts for just one year. In February of each year, they hold a very special dinner/ dance called “Triunfo” (which means “triumph” or “success.”) The event benefits Hispanic students in Palm Beach County. Students are awarded scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,500. Even though many of these students come from disadvantaged homes, they manage to get an excellent G.P.A. and are doing good things in our community. It’s an exciting celebration where the new board of directors is honored and the students are rewarded.
When asked about his plans as Chairman of the Hispanic Chamber, Cocuy has a lot of good ideas. “I’ve been the treasurer for the last couple years and I’ve worked to bringing it up to standards, in terms of policies and procedures. That’s what I’ve had to offer, making sure that we’re organized. Also, I’d like to continue to grow the membership from the current 300 members (approximately), and grow it to 1,000 people in our community.” He’d like to reach a bit further geographically – going up to Jupiter and down to Boca Raton. He also aims to develop systems to measure the Chamber’s impact so we can accurately communicate performance outcomes to our members and the community. Perhaps because he’s an accountant, Cocuy wants to focus on better reporting, so members can really understand what they are getting.
The biggest challenge facing the Hispanic community, in Cocuy’s eyes, is the economy, maybe even more so than in other parts of the population. “The effects of a recession tend to really magnify in a community that’s growing and trying to better itself,” says Cocuy. Unemployment is extremely high, so the first priority is finding jobs and getting people back to work. “Eventually we want to have businesses that provide high-paying jobs – not just the typical positions in hospitality or landscaping. We need bio-tech jobs, hi-tech jobs and other high level service and professional jobs that will bolster our segment of the economy.”
As far as a little family history, Juan Cocuy’s family came from Colombia in 1964. His parents came to America for better opportunities and better education for their children. “We’ve been here so long now, we seem more American than Hispanic,” he says. His wife, Carmen is Cuban and their holiday meals consist of a combination of Colombian and Cuban fare. While their children did not retain as much Spanish as they had hoped for, they did inherit a family sense of closeness and a good instinct to watch out for one another.
Juan Cocuy and his wife are proud of their 23-year-old daughter, Christina who’s getting a graduate degree in accounting at FAU, and their 19-year-old son, Juan Jr., who studies film and TV at N.Y.U. Juan’s wife has been an occupational therapist at St. Mary’s Hospital for 18 years.
Cocuy is also pleased with growth his accounting firm Cocuy, Burns & Co. has seen since he joined in 1995. The largest firm in Wellington with 14 employees, Juan and his partner Tom Burns give clients the advantage of their combined “big firm” experience while giving the attention to detail and feel of a “small firm” at the same time. Both Juan and Tom are Ernst & Young alumni. Their many services range from individual tax returns all the way up to services for publicly traded companies.
“Our specialty has been the health care industry and physician groups over the years,” says Cocuy. They have also attracted a lot of not-for-profit organizations and have done audits for a number of these organizations in our community.
Diversity is another advantage that distinguishes Cocuy, Burns & Co. over other firms in the area. On their staff, they have staff from Peru, Columbia, Brazil Belize and Greece. “In this equestrian community, we can speak Spanish, Portuguese, etc. and really communicate with those who are part of the seasonal, equestrian crowd.”
Being the new Chairman of the Hispanic Chamber will keep Juan Cocuy very busy. His current community activities keep his plate quite full as it is. He’s on the board of the Lakeside Medical Center (formerly known as Glades Hospital). The hospital has come a long way and now has 73 private rooms, state-of-the-art diagnostics and is doing well financially.
He’s also been on the board of the Boys and Girls Club for 22 years, the United Way of Palm Beach County; Finance Committee of the Health Care District and Finance Council of the Diocese of Palm Beach. Cocuy is also in his tenth year as a baseball coach at Cardinal Newman High School. When his daughter was a freshman in 2001, he ran into his old coach, Jack Kokinda, and asked if he could help. The coach took his comment far too seriously and invited him to coach JV. “I wanted to help out, but didn’t expect to help to this extent,” Cocuy laughs. And he’s been happily coaching ever since.
And that’s the great thing about Juan Cocuy. He takes all of his commitments seriously, whether it’s coaching JV baseball or advising a Fortune 500 company or expanding the reach of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He wears many hats in our community and makes things a little better each time he gets involved.
Cocuy, Burns & Co., P.A.
12400-A South Shore Blvd.
Wellington, FL 33414
561-793-1927
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches
809 North Dixie Hwy, Second Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-832-1986
October, 2010 – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Health & Fitness
OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
By Ruth Mansmith MS, RN, CRRN, RAC-C
Author, national speaker, wellness coach
Breast Cancer Is On The Rise
Did you know breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in women? One in nine U.S. women (who live to be 85) will develop breast cancer. One in 25 women will die of it. Did you also know the prevalence of breast cancer is growing? Ladies, we are going in the wrong direction. Checking regularly for the disease must be a part of our wellness program.
Preventive Screening
Breast cancer is treatable and often curable if treated early. That’s why scheduling (and keeping) your mammogram appointment is so important. A mammogram is a screening tool. The goal of screening exams, such as mammograms, is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms.
Risk Factors
You are at high risk for breast cancer if you:
- Have a mother or sister who has had breast cancer
- Have never had children
- Began having children after the age of 30
- Did not breastfeed your children
- Are more that 40 percent over your ideal body weight
- Had a late menopause
- Drink 2-5 alcoholic drinks daily (see below)
- Use synthetic or bioidentical hormones (see below)
- Work the night shift (see below)
Alcohol Use
The American Cancer Society recommends that women limit their consumption of alcohol to no more than one drink a day “Use of alcohol is clearly linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Those who have 2 to 5 drinks daily have about 1½ times the risk of women who drink no alcohol.”
Hormone Replacement Therapy HRT
The American Cancer Society is taking a strong stand against hormone replacement therapy. So, if you are considering this route, get the facts.
There are 2 main types of HRT.
- PHT. For women who still have a uterus (womb), doctors generally prescribe estrogen and progesterone (known as combined PHT).Use of combined PHT increases the risk of getting breast cancer. It may also increase the chances of dying from breast cancer. This increase in risk can be seen with as little as 2 years of use.
- ERT. The use of estrogen alone after menopause does not appear to increase the risk of developing breast cancer significantly, if at all. But when used long term (for more than 10 years), ERT has been found to increase the risk of ovarian and breast cancer in some studies.
Bioidentical Hormones
The American Cancer Society states, “The increased [cancer] risk of hormone replacement therapy is the same for “bioidentical” and “natural” hormones as it is for synthetic hormones.” There is much conflicting information out there. Many doctors claim bioidentical hormones are safe to use.
Get A Day Job
Several studies have suggested that women who work the night shift may have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. This is a fairly recent finding. Some researchers think the effect may be due to changes in levels of melatonin, a hormone whose production is affected by “the body’s exposure to light.”
Take The Initiative
Be pro active and follow the list of action steps you can start now:
ü Schedule your mammogram
ü Do a monthly breast self exam
ü Walk daily (Women’s health Initiative states: “as little as 1.25 to 2.5 hours per week of brisk walking reduced a woman’s risk by 18%.
ü Take fish oil supplements (as per Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention) Two grams a day- read the label
ü Diet. Eat 5 or more servings of vegetables and fruits each day, choose whole grains and limit consumption of processed and red meats.
For more information:
National Cancer Institute www.nci.hih.gov
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
Ruth Mansmith, a former CEO for a national chain of health-care facilities and author of the international award-winning “Fit For Life Wellness Program” offers wellness strategies for people of all ages. She has trained thousands of participants across the country on strategies to avoid disease and enjoy the fullness of life. Currently, she is completing her latest book,The Wellness Handbook and offering private wellness consultation. Ruth can be reached at (561) 352-4456 or visit www.wellnesshandbook.com.