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P G A G O L F P R O HARRISON FRAZAR Heart of a Champion On and Off the Course LIVE. LEARN. LAUGH. REPEAT. The Go-To Source for Parents of Kids Tweens to Twenties MARCH APRIL 2016 GOODLIFEFAMILYMAG.COM PICTURE-PERFECT PROM NIGHT EMBRACING SPECIAL NEEDS COLLEGE DEGREE FOR FREE CAMPS TRIPS TIPS AND SO MUCH MORE Spring Forward HERE WOW T O P T R E N D S F O R N O W STRATEGIES IDEAS AND ADVICE FOR WHATEVER LIES AHEAD plus goodLIFEfamily A NEW LEASH ON LIFE Formerly Abused Lab Gets A MOMS SPECIAL MISSION VIP Award Winner Kelly Waterman teaches us what it means to be Happy US 75 at Bethany Dr. 972.747.8000 watterscreek.com CHICOS ANTHROPOLOGIE BRIO TUSCAN GRILLE CHARMING CHARLIE DSW FRANCESCAS THE BLUE FISH KENDRA SCOTT OPENING SOON GRIMALDIS PIZZERIA Get inspired with more than 60 of the nest names in style services and cuisine in our artisanal setting. Watters Creek naturally inspired shopping. 4 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 The Go-To Source for Parents of Kids Tweens to Twenties MARCH APRIL CONTENTS goodLIFEfamily LIVE. LEARN. LAUGH. REPEAT. AND MUCH MORE Every effort has been made to authenticate the information contained on these pages. Should you find an error omission or issue with the content please contact us. The opinions and expressions contained herein are those of the myriad of specialists and of parents and children who were willing to offer their input and are not necessarily endorsed or shared by the staff or ownership of Good Life Family or its parent company SLP Company LLC. GOODTO GO 52 Summer Camps Trips Internships Camp consultant Helene Abrams is full of advice 32 College Bound How to find cheap flights for college visits GOOD LOOKS 42 Picture Perfect Prom Night Helpful hints for making your prom the one youll always remember 18 Spring Fashion Forecast Here Wow looks to have you stepping out in style I wanted people to see special needs kids abilities rather than disabilities. VIP Award Winner Kelly Waterman on co-founding Special Gifted Eduation in Plano S.A.G.E. Page 8 VIP AWARD GOOD LIVING 12 Take it Outside Tips for creating the perfect outdoor oasis 16 Spring Cleaning Strategies for the body and soul GOOD HEALTH 70 Cancer A Word of Hope From early detection to taking action more people are tackling the disease and winning 72 A New Leash on Life The healing power of therapy pets GOOD ADVICE 38 Tuition Turmoil What to do when your finances arent ready 50 Think Before You Post Advice to teens about social media and keeping it private GOODTO KNOW 23 Two-Year College Degree for Free Richland College is making it possible 24 Stressed Out over Your KidsFuture Dr. Sandys 2 minute quiz can help reveal your kids best college and career path 48 Too Sexy Too Soon Are our kids revealing too much 46 What Drives Teens to Drink Weve asked the experts GOOD KIDS 66 Special Siblings Teens share their lessons in acceptance patience protectiveness and love GOODTIMES 76 Community Calendar and Photos From the latest happenings around town to upcoming philanthropic events He was the proudest and most supportive brother you can imagine. PGA Golf Pro Harrison Frazar on his brother Kevin who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy soon after birth Page 62 VOTEDTHE BESTWAY TO GETTOTHEAIRPORT -Dallas Observer 6 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 - Sheryl THE GOOD PEOPLE at goodLIFEfamily ABOUT US There are two things parents hope to give their children roots and wings. But its often hard to know if the decisions were making are the right ones especially when the world is changing so quickly. GoodLifeFamily is a resource for parents with kids tweens to twenties. Extensive and insightful content addresses the daily joys and struggles of finding a balance between kids and parents while keeping ourselves sane in the process. Youll meet inspiring women and men who have stared down lifes challenges survived and now are willing to share their journey with you. GoodLifeFamily is committed to making a difference in the lives of our families friends and communities as the go-to source. Were living were learning and most important were laughing.We hope you will too. Contact Us SUBSCRIBE GoodLifeFamilyMag.com ADVERTISE Kim Brown at 214.280.6838 or kimberlygoodlifefamilymag.com SUBMIT EDITORIAL IDEAS TriciaWhite at triciagoodlifefamilymag.com EDITORIAL TEAM Sheryl Lilly Pidgeon FounderandEditor-In-Chief Sherylgoodlifefamilymag.com Direct 214.476.8131 TriciaWhite ManagingEditor Triciagoodlifefamilymag.com Direct 214.725.1981 EDITORS Bobbie Ames FoodEntertainingEditor Bobbiegoodlifefamilymag.com Melissa Chaiken SocialandPhilanthropyEditor Melissagoodlifefamilymag.com Amy Levenson Krumholz FashionEditor stylebyamyhotmail.com Rick Seaney TravelEditor Farecompare.com COPY EDITORS Tracy Graivier Bell Senior Copy Editor Logan Blakely Copy Editor Audra Glidewell Copy Editor WRITERS Lisa Beach Karyn Brodsky Kristin Cicciarelli Suzan Dees Jeanne Glick Stacey Kam Dennis Prager AliciaWanek ADVERTISING Sonia Black AdvertisingAccountExecutive Soniagoodlifefamilymag.com Direct 214.232.3040 Melinda Bogoslavsky AdvertisingAccountExecutive Melindagoodlifefamilymag.com Direct 214.264.0975 Kimberly Brown Advertising Manager Kimberlygoodlifefamilymag.com Direct 214.280.6838 BUSINESS OFFICE Deborah Leshefsky KeeperofTheBooks Michael Doyle CPA PRODUCTION TEAM Beth Donahue CreativeDirector bethgoodlifefamilymag.com James Bland Photography Jamesjamesbland.com Bill Brock Videographer Savannah Peer DigitalManager savannahgoodlifefamily.com GOOD LIFE FAMILY 3308 PRESTON ROAD STE 350 PMB 113 PLANO TX 75093 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com LIVE.LEARN.LAUGH.HURRYREPEAT. Im Running 10 Minutes Behind People who are organized never cease to amaze me. They never double book a meeting always write a thank you note plan their spring break trip at Thanksgiving and they KNOW where their car keys are. Organized people are never late. They have mastered time management. How do they do it Is it a genetic gift or a learned behavior My brain simply does not operate with that type of efficiency. Dont get me wrong. I get more done than the average bear but its not a neatly contained operation. Its more of an its on fire mentality getting to that only after Ive finished this and not a minute sooner. Ive tried to change. I really have I set alarms. I make a list. Where did I leave that list I make files and even mark them Scalding Hot and Warm but I have found that once I file something my brain thinks its done. This is not new. Its been a lifelong issue. I have always been on the creative high-energy side of things. I say yes. A lot. I overschedule. A lot. And I always ok almost always deliver on my word. Fortunately I surround myself with left-brained people and pay homage to their efficiency. I especially appreciate those left-brainers who dont judge the chronically tardy. We are good people We just try to do too much. Squeeze. One. More. Thing. In. In spite of all my commitments I am unwilling to give up family time. Its just going too fast to miss out on. Sure I am making dinner at 800 p.m. ok 830 but we are together. One of the reasons I am excited about this issue of GLF is because I want to be better at planning ahead and being more organized. So as you read this issue packed with ideas and advice for how to welcome whatever comes next please dont feel stressed if you fall short of your goals. Sometimes the best laid plans are those paved with love and not a Franklin organizer. In an upcoming issue we will focus on sleep deprivation. Now thats something I can really sink my teeth into. GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 7 Contributors goodPEOPLE Rick Seaney Travel Expert Internationally known travel and airfare expert Rick Seaney CEO and co-founder of FareCompare is the me- dias go-to resource for airline industry news. Ricks mission is clearI want to help consumers find the best flight deals available every time they shop and he loves to share his insider information. Be- sides his advice blog on FareCompare Rick began writing a weekly column for ABC News back in 2008 which continues to this day he is also USA Todays Airfare Expert columnist as well as a regular contributor to Fox News and is frequently quoted in the pages of the New York Times Wall St. Journal Huffington Post and more. Dr. Susan Sugerman Adolescent Medicine Physician Board Certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics Dr. Sugerman is the presi- dent and co-founder of Girls to Women Health and Wellness GTW a multidisci- plinarymedicalpractice in north Dallas dedicat- ed to the physical and emotional needs of girls and young women ages 10-25. Published author and speaker on subjects ranging from adolescent development bullying sexuality and risk taking to resilience and preparing teens to transition to college she brings a professional perspective on whatsnormalandwhatsnotwhencon- sidering the struggles and celebrations of our youth as well as some wisdom about how the grownups in their lives can sup- port them to become healthy adults who can take good care of themselves. Paige McCoy Smith TV Personality Paige McCoy Smith is a television person- ality radio host and professional speaker who has entertained and educated audi- ences with content that resonates with the not so perfectside of life. She is a regular on WFAA Channel 8s Good Morning Texas and has made a name for herself being a real and relatable mom who gives women the free- dom to be who they are perfectlyimperfect.AsPaigesaysItsnot about being perfect. Its about being real. Lets stumble on this journey together. Colin Smith Attorney Colin Smith obtained a computer science degree from University of Texas and worked as a software consultant for ten years before returning totheclassroomonnights and weekends earning his law degree from SMU in 2010. Colin finds that helping families plan for the future is most rewarding and focuses his legal career on estate and business planning especially living trusts. Colin is a member of the State Bar ofTexas Dallas Bar Association and the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association. In his free time he enjoys golfing with his children leading a Cub Scout den attending Uni- versity of Texas football and Texas Ranger games and woodworking. James Bland Photographer James Bland has been showcasing his award-winning craftsmanship as a pho- tographer for over 25 years. His zeal for capturing the essence of the people in front of the lens is evident in each of his pieces of work. He has earned numerous local and international awards and his portrait pho- tographyworkhasbeen showcased in exhibits and shows in Dallas and WashingtonD.C. Hiscli- ents include advertising agencies national and regional magazines record companies and corporate leaders. Blands impressive work is splashed throughout this issue of GLF including on the cover and fashion pages. Amy Levenson Krumholz Designer and Stylist Amy Levenson Krumholz is a StylistPer- sonal Shopper StyleByAmy.com with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. For14yearssheownedashow- room at the Dallas Apparel Mart and rep- resented over 85 lines of womens cloth- ing and accessories. She has designed three lines of contem- porarysportswearand has served as a retail buyer consultant and photo stylist. For the last 12 years Amy has worked with indi- vidual clients helping them discover their own personal style. Her services include personal shopping and outfit coordination. Look for Amys fashionsegmentsonGoodMorningTexas. Dr. Dean Beckloff PediatricTherapist Dr. Kwabena Blankson AdolescentMedicinePhysician Dr. Sandy Gluckman FunctionalBehaviorHealthCoach Vanita Halliburton FounderandPresident TheGrantHalliburtonFoundation William McLaughlin HighSchoolPrincipal Ilana Narosov Philanthropist Dr. Cary A. Israel PresidentEmeritusofCollinCollege Sonja Pegram MiddleSchoolPrincipal Whitney Rosenbalm RichlandCollegeCollegiateHighSchool Stephany Sipes AssistantHighSchoolPrincipal David Stanley ElderCareExpert Dr. Susan Sugerman AdolescentMedicinePhysician KellyWaterman AdvocateforKidswithSpecialNeeds Dr. Bobo Blankson Adolescent Medicine Physician A graduate of Har- vard College and the Yale School of Medi- cine Kwabena Bobo Blankson is a pediatri- cian with subspecialty training in Adolescent Medicine. Dr. Bobo is passionate about teen and young adult health and has been featured on NY- Times.com HuffingtonPost.com CNN. com Time.com Forbes.com CBSnews. com and more. In his spare time he writes middle-gradeyoung adult novels and is a medical consultant with Good- ThinkInc a positive psychology consult- ing firm. Sandy Gluckman PhD Functional Behavior Health Coach Dr. Sandy is a Functional Behavior and Health Coach for parents who have children that are struggling with learning mood and be- havior challenges. Her internationally acclaimed program ParentsTake- Charge.com introduces parents to drug-free op- tions to treating learning behavior and mood challenges as well as teachesnewwaysofparenting. Shelectures runsworkshopsandconsults throughoutthe worldliveoronline. 2016 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD See GoodLifeFamilyMAG.com for bios on each of the Board Members.To nominate a member please email Sheryl Pidgeon at SherylGoodLifeFamilyMAG.com. 8 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 VIPAWARD Focus on the AbilitiesMOMS ADVOCACY BRINGS AWARENESS TO THE NEEDS OF SPECIAL KIDS It may take a village to raise a child but it takes a REALLY BIG village to raise a special needs child. So says Dallas mom Kelly Waterman who has created a really big village when one didnt exist. Twenty years ago when the Watermans daughter Sara was born with Down syn- drome my husband Robert and I made a commitment to give her as normal a life as possible explains Kelly. He and I are making this journey together as a team and we wanted Sara to be accepted and treated like any other child. Thats when Kellys fierce maternal instincts kicked in. Kelly dove right in and became her daugh- ters advocate if there was an organization Kelly not only supported it she held a seat on its board of directors. Sara whose sunny disposition earned her the nickname Happy attended grade school and mid- dle school in Plano. While some parents of special needs stu- dents might hold back Kelly made it her mission to become a PTA leader and soon was a role model for other parents of special needs children. I wanted people to see special needs kids abilities rather than disabilities she says. Waterman co-founded Special and Gifted Education S.A.G.E. to ad- dress those who learn differently distributing information about classes that accommodate special needs children. Soon neighboring school districts ad- opted S.A.G.E. When Waterman wanted to send Happy to camp and didnt know where to find one she cre- ated her own resource. Starting in 2009 with a handful of camps and a few hundred families Waterman created the S.A.G.E. Summer Expo featuring sum- mer camps that cater to S.A.G.E. kids or will accommodate them. Now the Expo has grown to over 75 camps and 1000 visitors each year. Happy thrived in elementary school and became a cheer- leader at Renner Middle School. Kelly says that being included in cheerleading boosted Happys self-esteem immensely. Once her daughter started high school Kelly wanted to find a high school transition program that would be a good fit for Happy. After thoughtful consideration and thorough research Kelly was particularly impressed with the transition program at Highland Park High School. The family moved to Highland Park and Happy is now thriving in her 2nd year of the transi- tional program. Public school transition programs allow spe- cial needs kids to stay in school until age 22. When Kelly heard that Happys new high school lacked a special needs cheerleading program she put together a pre- sentation for the administration and before she could finish her proposal her idea was approved. For Happy and the oth- er special needs cheerleaders the program builds their con- fidence and makes them feel that they are part of their high school communi- ty. Its wonderful says Happy. I like cheering at the games. Kelly is tickled the Sparkling Scots which pairs var- sity cheerleaders with special needs cheerleaders to teach them routines is so successful. I love not only advocat- ing for my daughter but advocating for all kids. Kellys advocacy is infectious with the whole family taking part. Son Nick an 18-year-old football player for the Air Force Academy and the best brother you could ever imagine has volunteered as a Best Buddy a peer tutor and for the Special Olympics. In her spare time Kelly serves on the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee that makes recommendations to better the school. She is also the schools transition program liaison researching internships training programs and more. By Karyn Brodsky I like cheering at the games. - Sara Happy Waterman on her years of cheerleading including currently for the Highland Park High School Sparkling Scots. To nominate someone you know for the GLF VIP Very Inspiring Parent Award go toGoodLifeFamilyMAG.com. Our VIP Very Inspiring Parent Award honors the everyday and not-so-everyday heroes in our midst. Those whose tenacity integrity and courage inspire others to exemplify the samecharacterandputtheirfamiliesandcommunityfirstinspiteofthechallengeslifehasthrownatthem.GoodLifeFamilywillpresenttherecipientwithanelegantcrystalaward and will make a donation to the charity of their choice.There will be oneVIP award recipient in each issue of Good Life Family magazine and featured on GoodLifeFamilyMag.com. For complete details or to nominate visit goodlifefamilymag.com or emailTriciagoodlifefamilymag.com. Renamed. Renewed. Renowned. MEET THE NEW 4700 Alliance Blvd. Plano TX 75093 For a physician referral or for more information about our services call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit us online at BaylorHealth.comPlano. Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott White Healths subsidiary community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers Baylor Health Care System Scott White Healthcare or Baylor Scott White Health. 2016 Baylor Scott White Health BSWMCPL_1035_2015 CE 02.16 Kelly also finds time to serve as a board member of the Park Cities Learning Difference Association raising funds for teacher training in innovative pro- grams for special needs kids. Karen Pizette a Plano mom who also has a spe- cial needs child nominated Kelly for the VIP award. Kelly has been an inspiration to me and many fam- ilies over the years. She has been a leader guiding us through the school system and extracurricular activities for our special kiddos says Pizette. She recognizes Kellys tireless commitment to starting special needs friendly programs and calls her noth- ing short of amazing. A true inspiration to all parents and a shining role model for parents of special needs kids Kellys positive outlook and passion have made a notice- able difference in many young lives. For her endless energy impactful involvement fierce advocacy and fortitude Good Life Family Magazine is honored to present this months VIP award to Kelly Waterman. Kelly Waterman with husband Robert and their children Nick age 18 and Happy age 20. Since 1998 Kenneth Chaiken and Robert Chaiken have earned a reputation for integrity fortitude and innovation that has earned them the recognition of their clients peers judges and even their adversaries. Chaiken Chaiken P.C. is a boutique-style trial firm that provides intelligent effective and versatile legal representation with a personal touch. Whether you are a Fortune 500 company or an individual that has been wronged this law firm brings the same dedication and commitment to every case. COMPLEX CIVIL LITIG ATION A ND CRISIS M A N AGEMENT INVOLVING BUSINESS PERSON A L A ND SERIOUS INJURY CLAIMS 214.265.0250 www.ChaikenLaw.com 5 8 0 1 Te n ny s on Pa r k w ay 4 4 0 P l a n o T X 7 5 0 2 4 - Thomas Jefferson In matters of style SWIM WITH THE CURRENT. In matters of principle STAND LIKE A ROCK. If life hands you an unexpected obstacle well have your back. THE POWER OF LUXURY Starpower is the premier provider of high-end custom installations of audio video security and automation. We lead the electronics industry by offering the most innovative technologies available while providing award winning customer service. We give you an experience to meet your every need. w w w . S T A R - P O W E R . c o m N o r t h D a l l a s U p t o w n S o u t h l a k e 12 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 goodLIVING Looking for a place to enjoy the great outdoors Look no further than your own back yard Outdoor living spaces bring the relaxation and festivity of a vacation right into your own backyard with high-tech electronics and appliances built-ins and upscale furnishings. Its the ideal place to entertain and connect with family friends and neighbors. Ann OBlenes Broker-Associate Performance Partners Group RE Max Dallas Suburbs says she is seeing a surge in buyers who want an outdoor living area a barcooking grillzoneandadiningspot. Shenotes that popular outdoor spaces include areas that run the gamut from a fire pit to a multi-faceted fireplace. Even pizza ovens Pat Wilson manager at Ed Kellum SoninDallassaysOursalesofpizzaovenshaveskyrocketed Wilson understands why people want a complete outdoor kitchen. You get all the benefits of your indoor kitchen with the enjoyment of being outdoors she says. A built-in grill is a must and Ed Kellum Son has a huge array of sizes from all the finest brands. But theres so much more than grills. Outdoor retreats are getting more elaborate notes Wilson. Many include under- the-counter refrigerators ice sinks wine coolers pizza oven prep stations and beer taps. The enhancements dont stop there. Chris Vaughan a sales manager with award-winning audio video retailer Starpower says they offer TVs designed to be used outdoors. Outdoor TVs are completely encasedandweatherproofiftheygetdirty they can be hosed off notes Vaughan. The picture is great even in direct sunlight.AtStarpowerhesayscustomers typically request the larger sizes from 55- inchandabovefortheiroutdooroasis.The latest audio systems are designed so sound can envelope the entire yard. Unobtrusive speakers look like landscape lights and buried subwoofers create rich bass and a full well-rounded stereo sound. Even better the systems can be controlled by your smart phone. The idyllic outdoor space is not complete without furnishings. Designer Deborah Cowart of Beaver Creek Interiors in Frisco recommends mixing materials and pulling indoor colors outside so you have continuity and flow. She suggests homeowners keep Take it Outside SPRING IS THE PERFECT TIME TO CREATE AN OUTDOOR OASIS by Karyn Brodsky Outdoor retreats are getting more elaborate. Many include under-the-counter refrigerators ice sinks wine coolers pizza oven prep stations and beer taps. - Pat Wilson Manager Ed Kellum Son goodLIVING sofa and chair cushions neutral while adding a pop of color with pillows and accessories. Buy good quality cushion fabric upfront so it lasts says Cowart. Since many items dont endure the hot Texas sun its easier to replace less costly accessories. So are the upgrades worth it YoubetsaysOBlenes.Shehasafabulousoutdoorlivingspacewith retractable screens gas heaters for winter and an in-ceiling misting system that cools the room 20 degrees below the outside temperature in the summer so the room can be used year round. OBlenes says that an outdoor living area provides more bang for the buck than any other room. The return in Texas is about 150 of your investment. Areturnoninvestmentisnottheonlybenefityouroutdoorliving space can help you get to know your neighbors. Stephanie Liebbe marketing coordinator with Dallas-based Republic Property Group RPG notes that at Light Farms a master-planned community in Celina homeowners are getting to know one another by sharing outdoor areas. RPG added many amenities to Light Farms including hike and bike trails tennis courts resort pools and plenty of greenbelt spaces. Liebbe says Light Farms homebuilders are answering buyers requests to return to a time when neighbors connected over backyard barbeques by constructing new homes with outdoor living areas that are extensions of the main house. Neighbors make a community says Liebbe. Home is more than just your street addressits a place where your neighbors become your friends. Whether youre wanting a space to entertain or dreaming of a place to relax without the hassle of leaving home an outdoor living area may be just the answer An outdoor living area provides more bang for the buck than any other room. The return in Texas is about 150 of your investment. Outdoor TVs are completely encased and weatherproof if they get dirty they can be hosed off and the picture is great even in direct sunlight. Ann OBlenes RealtyPerformancePartners.com 972.898.6600 ann.oblenestx.rr.com Pat Wilson Edkellum.com 972.503.6000 Pwilsonstar-power.com Chris Vaughan Star-power.com 972.503.6000 ext.1049 Cvaughanstar-power.com Stephanie Liebbe Republic Property GroupLight Farms lightfarmstx.com - Chris Vaughan Sales Manager Starpower - Ann OBlenes Broker-Associate REMax Dallas Suburbs FIGHTtheBITE Texas Mosquito Control A custom mosquito misting system from TEXAS MOSQUITO CONTROL will improve your life by greatly reducing mosquitoes eas ticks ies wasps and spiders from invading your yard. automatic mosquito misting systems Call 972.248.3373 or email infotexasmosquitocontrol.com texasmosquitocontrol.com FREE Consultation 100 OFF installation for Good Life Family Readers Dont Let Mosquitoes Take a Bite Out of Your Outdoor Fun Mosquito bites can be more than just a pesky itchy spot. West Nile Virus and the Zika Virus are just two of the mosquito- borne diseases that are dominating the news. Some means of mosquito control is essential if you want to improve the comfort of your family and protect them from disease during the summer months. Here are a few quick tips for reducing your risk of contracting West Nile Virus. Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid being infected with the West Nile Virus so remember the Four Ds Drain DuskDawn Dress and DEET. DRAIN standing water in your yard and neighborhood. Standing water can be found in swimming pools that are not kept clean ponds pet watering dishes birdbaths potted plants old tires empty containers toys and clogged rain gutters. DUSK DAWN are the times of day you should stay indoors while mosquitoes are most active. DRESS in long-sleeved shirts and wear long pants when you are outside. Wear white or light colors as dark colors attract insects. Spray thin clothing with insect repellent. Avoid flowery perfumes to keep from being mistaken for nectar in a flower. DEET N N-diethyl-m-toluamide is an important ingredient to look for when you buy insect repellent. If you want to avoid the chemicals try oil of lemon eucalyptus or another chemical-free repellent. Source ABCNews.Com Consider Installing an Automatic Misting System A highly effective mosquito control for your yard is an automated mosquito misting system. The system sprays a fine mist on and under the foliage around your yard from a number of nozzlessetaround your property fed from containers that automatically operate at timed intervals when mosquitoes tend to be active early morning dusk and evening creating a perimeter that is deadly to these insects and other flying pests. Our childrens friends pretty much lived in our backyardbecause it wasnt overrun with mosquitoes. Welovebeing the gathering spot for neighborhoodget-togethers and I want my clients to have that same feeling. - Mark Kellner owner of Texas Mosquito Control on why he is passionateabouthis automatic misting systems Get a Homeowners Mosquito Control Checklist from the City of Dallas at www.dallascityhall.com. ReMax dallas suburbs 972.898.6600 facebook.comRealtyPerformancePartners A Commitment to Exemplary Service Performance Partners Here is your opportunity to experience country living in Planos most desired zip code 75093. The largest in the subdivision this spectacular 4 acre lot is located on a quiet estate development street just one block from Gleneagles Country Club. An equestrians delight the property allows up to 8 horses. This property is priced at lot value only 1975000 Schedule a visit or see more at www.realtyperformancepartners.com. Elizabeth Ritch Ann OBlenes Performance PartnersPassion...Pursuit...Performance. s i m p l i f y y u r n e s t Contact us today for your FREE consultation simplify your nest.com Let us create simple solutions for your sanity Specializing in Home and office organization De-cluttering and removal Relocations Have the time of your life as you learn to cook with your friends at your very own cooking party. Capers brings the food the drinks the party atmosphere and the culinary expertise to the table - you bring your friends. Looking for a fun-filled gourmet adventure Schedule your customizable Caper right away at www.cooksandcapers.com or by calling 214.912.0475. 16 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 Spring Cleaning GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL AS WELL AS YOUR STYLE by Karyn Brodsky Put Your Best Foot Forward Represent Your Personal Brand You want to convey who you are when you enter a room. - Ryan Boles Image Consultant Have you ever wondered what the way you dress says about you Did you know that what you wear can help convey a positive image Ryan Boles knows. This fashion-savvy young man from Dallas makes it his business to help others dress for personal success and offers complete closet makeovers as well as lifestyle coaching. Boles says its important to identify your ownbrand.Youwanttoconveywhoyouarewhenyouenteraroomheexplains. Ask yourself how are you representing your own brand While working for national clothing retailer Buckle Boles often thought about how his clients felt after bringing their purchases home. He would then ask if they needed help organizing their closet. Soon he was bringing his fashion knowledge from stores to peoples homes. He made the connection between dressing to fit their personal image and maintaining the type of lifestyle they desired and thus Boles brand of lifestyle coaching took shape. It wasnt long before Boles created RCB Image Consulting. What makes Boles business so unique is that he gives fashion advice from a male perspective. Though 80 of his clients are female he also works with men. When a guy speaks to another guy about clothing it takes a lot of the pressure off as opposed to talking to a woman says Boles. Boles begins his process listening to the client sharing a vision and then giving advice. He considers the clients age body type and for what events clothing is needed. Together they organize the clients closet determining what to discard and what to keep. Then he takes his client on a personal shopping trip. They bring a shopping list and build a wardrobe with a budget in mind so they dont waste any time. Boles even creates a digital look-book so the client can remember how outfits go together. Though the majority of his current clients are in their 20s and 30s Boles feels that teens and tweens can benefit from his philosophy as well. Putting together a flattering outfit can help build confidence in young people and is extremely important in college when students are interviewing for their first full-time job. Helping teens find their fashion sense can do wonders for their confidence. The ideal garments can also provide a sense of individuality. Fashion is an expression of who you are says Boles. For more information call 817.614.2908 email ryanrcbimageconsulting.com or visit Facebook.comrcbimageconsulting Ready to Get Started Find Ryan Boles Top 10 Tips for a Closet Makeover at GoodLifeFamilyMAG.com. GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 17 Sometimes the most overwhelming thing about establishing order is just getting started. Rebecca Saumell owner of SimplifyYour Nest a home organizing business recommends beginning in one room. Once you see how nice and neat that room is and feel that sense of pride youll want your entire house to look the same. Saumelloffersthesetipstosetyouonyourway PURGE. Clean out everything thats not needed. REMOVE THE ITEMS FROM THE HOME. Donate sell on consignment post on Craigslist or list on eBay. Saumell can help with the logistics. CREATE SYSTEMS. Find ways to make the household more productive and functional. PURCHASE STORAGE AND ORGANIZING ITEMS. Arrange all items neatly so they can be found. Agoodplacetostarttheorganizationprocessisyourcloset. StylistandPersonalShopperAmyLevensonKrumholzownerof StylebyAmywhoisalsoGoodLifeFamilyMagazinesFashion EditorsaysWhenitcomestotheclosetlessismore.Ifyoucant seeeverythinghanginginyourclosetyouarelikelytograbthesame fewthingsandwearthemoverandover. WHERE TO BEGIN CLEAN OUT everything that does not fit that you havent worn in two seasons is worn out or is something you think you might wearsomedaybut each time you put it on you take it off. Invest in matching hangers to create a uniform clean look. SEPARATE YOUR WARDROBE BY SEASON. If youre short on storage space place the in-season clothes where they are most visible. ARRANGE CLOTHING CATEGORIES together and separate by color. Keeping everything as visual as possible allows you to see what you have and what is missing from your wardrobe. Sources Amy Levenson Krumholz www.StyleByAmy.com Rebecca Saumell www.simplifyyournest.com Do you shudder at the thought of clutter Does a mess give you stress Youre not alone. Keeping your home tidy takes a bit of work but the end product can help organize your mind and your life. Professional organizer Rebecca Saumell is passionate about helping parents and their kids get organized. Her Dallas-area business Simplify Your Nest focuses on turning your home into a manageable space. She knows firsthand how difficult it is to maintain order in a home especially with children as she is the mother of four. Each situation requires a different approach first I look at peoples homes to see what their space is and how they function says Saumell. We talk about time and monetary investment and also set expectations for the organizing process. Saumell consults one-on-one with families works with them to organize their home and often returns periodically to assist with maintaining order. Research confirms what Saumell does. In an article entitled Home Relaxation Why it Pays to Organize Your Home Elizabeth Scott M.S. Stress Management Expert says Living in a cluttered home can create constant low-grade stress and subtly but steadily drain your energy. On the other hand she notes Being in a space characterized by order tranquility and a physical manifestation of your tastes can soothe you and help release stress. Some not-so-scientific data also supports this concept. Most people feel refreshed and rejuvenated when their space is free from chaos. When everything is where you know it will be you can focus on more important issues and maximize your overall productivity and functionality. Saumell asserts that adults and kids need order. Youre forming a new habit so you have to be conscious about it she explains. If we organize our lives we can set an example and pass that on to our kids. Saumell recommends beginning with the basics teens and tweens need to learn to put things away and organize their belongings. She adds that each childs personality is different the system should be tailored to the individual. Show your teen or tween that if the house is neater and aesthetically pleasing you can be a little less stressed and not waste time looking for things. At end of the day says Saumell it truly is the old saying a place for everything and everything in its place. For more information visit simplifyyournest.com If we organize our lives we can set an example and pass that on to our kids. - Rebecca Saumell Professional Organizer A Place for EverythingAnd Everything in its Place goodLIVING Organizing Your Chaos goodLOOKS Spring Fashion Forecast by Amy Levenson Krumholz Fashion Editor LADIESWHO LUNCH Dolce Gabbana striped pleated skirt Alexander McQueen bicolor circles flower-top handle satchel 18 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 HERE WOW Spring 2016s trends are a mixture of styles that run the gamut from boho chic to classic and tailored. Here are four distinct looks to take you wherever you need to go this season. Lace is the soft classic that turns any outfit into a chic ensemble. Kathleen is off to lunch showcasing lace dressed-up soft denim and a pop of color. THE TRENDS Lace on anything Dressed-up denim even cocktail dresses Pops of color think handbags and shoes Stripes Full skirts Embellished handbags Rene Caovilla Strass denim ankle wrap espadrille in blue Chanel denim hand bag goodLOOKS GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 19 THE PATIO PARTY Deidra exemplifies casual chic in head to toe white one of Springs top trends. THE TRENDS White from head to toe Embellished tops Full skirts with stripes Denim accessories and shoes Updated espadrilles 20 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 SophiaWebster lacey lace-up gladiator Yossi Harari earrings with rose cut diamonds goodLOOKS 20 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 THE COCKTAIL PARTY A wallflower she is notDiane is turning up the visual volume with this trendsetting vivid red dress and striped handbag. THE TRENDS All shades of red Back detail Stripes Nude shoes Statement earrings Lace-up shoes AquazzuraWild OneTassel Sandle inVintage Pink goodLOOKS GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 21 GIRLS NIGHT OUT Cyntia is getting thefringed benefitof this boho chic look perfect for daytime girls night out or a casual date night. THE TRENDS Fringe yes still in Wide-leg denim Platform heels Blush tones more pink than nude Statement earrings THE STYLE TEAM PHOTOGRAPHY James Bland JamesBlandPhotography.com HAIR Lure SalonWestVillage MAKE-UP TeriTomlinson makeup101.com JEWELRY Julianna LeBlank JuliannaLeBlankDesigns.com Sarina Schick DesignsBySarina.com An equal opportunity institution. richlandcollege.edu Dual Credit Earn college credit while still in high school Richland Collegiate High School Graduate from high school with college credit Exciting Programs Criminal Justice EMT Real Estate Digital Forensics Photography Engineering Technology Manufacturing New STEM Science Technology Engineering Math Center opening this spring New Honors Academy Online Classes Championship-winning sports teams FIND YOUR SUPER POWER AT RICHLAND COLLEGE WE CREATE SUPERHEROES. EARN YOUR POWERS WITH EXCITING PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP YOU SAVE THE WORLD. GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 23 RICHLAND COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL ALLOWS STUDENTS TO EARN A HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE DEGREE SIMULTANEOUSLY. OH AND DID WE MENTION ITS FREE. Making the Grade What if your child could graduate from high school with a full two-year associates degree for free It can happenif you are a resident of Dallas County. For any high school student in north Texas the opportunity exists for a significantly lower cost than it would be for a public university. Where you ask At Richland Collegiate High School. This innovative program was established in 2006 to allow local high school students the opportunity to get some college credit while still in high school with the hope that they would be motivated to continue with their education. To date the program has only been open to high school juniors and seniors but with the passage of House Bill 505 they will now be able to serve freshmen and sophomores as well. According to Shawntae Minyard program services specialist for the dual credit program the playing field is wide open. Their students represent a wide demographic range home school public school and private school students from seven local counties and all kinds of backgrounds make up their current student population of about 2000 students and the numbers are expected to more than double with the addition of two new grade levels and fewer restrictions on enrollment. Claire Lesprit is a senior this year and by all accounts her success as a dual credit student at Richland Collegiate High School is a testament to her own personal dedication and also to the program itself. She will graduate in May with two years of college under her belt. However it wasnt a decision her family took lightly. Her proud mom Juliet says At first I was very skeptical about the program in general. I was also not suremydaughterwouldtacklethedoublecurriculum meaningattendingtohighschoolstudieswhilestudying for the college courses. Although rigorous the program is designed to offer support to each student and each semester the students meet with an academic advisor to assess what classes are recommended. Juliet credits these counselor visits for much of Claires success. She says The high school advisors were really on top of everything and very attentive to Claires schedule and progress. Students at Richland must work toward meeting their high school diploma requirements while some classes count toward both high school and college credit. The students entering the program must have the approval of a high school counselor and meet certain Texas Success Initiative test scores. After admission they must pass with a C average or higher in order to stay in the program. The college credit they earn by graduation will vary according to their own interests and academic levels. While at Richland students can participate in theater intramural sports attend prom and other traditional high school programs on campus. But for Claire and many others the lure of getting dual degrees outweighs many of the traditional high school experiences. I needed a little freedom and less of the typical nonsense that goes on in high school says Claire Its a challenge but Richland gives us more opportunities to be young adults. At Richland Collegiate High School students can learn to be young adults while earning college creditall potentially for free richlandcollege.edurchs By AliciaWanek High school student Claire Lesprit poses here on a recent college visit toThe University ofTexas at Austin.The Richland Collegiate High School senior graduates high school in May with two years of college under her belt at no cost. Its a challenge but Richland gives us more opportunities to be young adults. - Claire Lesprit Richland Collegiate High School Student 24 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 Ego can be a good thingin the right proportions at the right time and balanced with information and logic. But when our egos take control disregarding reason and good judgment this can lead to all kinds of problems for ourselves and for others. When it comes to Moms and Dads many things can ignite their egos but none are as powerful as the subject of college prep. Oh my goodness College prep makes ego go wild. Why does this happenand what can parents can do differently College selection and prep triggers personal societal and emotional issues for parents. This is understandable because vital decisions are being made about their childrens futures. Where will they go What will they study Will they be accepted Will they be happy Will they be safe Will they be successful Parents need to be sure that they are dealing with this exciting and scary time in a balanced and thoughtful way. This is hugely important because ego-based decisions have a high chance of being poor decisions. When it comes to ego I totally understand the pride and joy a parent feels when her child is accepted at a prestigious college. What a great feeling that is I understand why parents would encourage a child to study in a field that would give him status and help him earn well. I understand the fact that many parents hire tutors to ensure that their son or daughter achieves the necessary grades. And being a parent myself I do realize the pull that parents feel to help their kids complete the mounds of paperwork write their college entrance essays and take them to visit Moms and Dads preferred colleges. Of course I understand this all. But there are two critically important questions we need to consider 1Why do parents do this Are they doing this because they believe their child who is already a young adult is not capable of making his own decisions and does not know what he wants for himself Or are parents doing this because they are unconsciously living out their own dreams 2Is it right for the child How do parents know what is best for the child Do they have a sound knowledge and understanding of their childs strengths and lesser strengths Do they understand the way their childs brain naturally likes to think Do they know whats in their childs heart By Dr. Sandy Gluckman Contributor CO LLEGE PREP PARENTING Are WE Stressing Our Kids Out goodTO KNOW GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 25 Sandy Gluckman PhD is a behavior and health specialist whose internationally acclaimed program Parents Take Charge introduces parents to drug-free options for treating children with learning behavior and mood challenges as well as teaches new ways of parenting. www.parentstakecharge.com goodTO KNOW In order to help our children make the right decision and bypass our own ego we need to consider the best fit for our kids. The Child-College Fit Sending your child to a college that is the right fit for him is probably one of the most important things a parent can ever do. Children who attend a college that is academically or socially a mismatch for who they are can experience huge stress which then triggers emotional social or physical problems. The Child-Career Fit Is your child left-brain or right-brain dominant Encouraging or supporting a choice of career that is not right for the child can have great negative consequences on many levels. Too often parents and kids select a career that sounds nice or seems to be a good logical choice or select a career that they imagine would be right for them. When helping your children choose a career one of the most important things you need to know about them is whether they are left-brain or right-brain dominant. Every one of us is born with a tendency to prefer the left or the right brain. This means that your children have one side of the brain that they enjoy using more than the other because thinking in that way comes naturally to them. A small percentage of people use both sides equally. Left brainers are more comfortable being taught in a logical rational detailed structured and ordered way. Rightbrainersprefertobetaughtusingcreativitystories art music and big picture thinking. Left brainers do well as accountants civil engineers lawyers scientists and computer programmers for example. Right-brain professions are those that use creativity emotion and intuition such as graphic design teaching marketing sales and writing. It is extremely stressful for a child to be studying something that does not match the way his or her brain naturally thinks and learns. Find a job that matches the way your childs brain likes to think and he will be happy productive and successful in his career. There is a Challenge Moms and Dads are left-brain or right-brain dominant too. It can happen that left-brain parents encourage their kids to choose left-brain professions and the same happens with right-brain parents. On page 26 there is a short questionnaire that will help you determine whether you are left or right-brain dominant. Please be careful to understand and honor the way your childs brain works. Remember it may be different than yours Readmorefrom Dr.Gluckmanat GoodLifeFamilyMAG.com 26 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 DO YOU USE MOSTLY THE LEFT BRAIN RIGHT BRAIN OR BOTH Check one box for each row. Pick the one that describes you best even if it is not perfectly accurate. There is no right or wrong or better or worse answer. ThinkHow does Your Brain Prefer to goodTO KNOW I GET TO KNOW PEOPLE THROUGH SHARING FACTS. I FOCUS ON FACTS AND SOLUTIONS. I AM PRAGMATIC AND CAUTIOUS. I PERFORM TASKS IN A PROVEN AND ACCEPTED WAY. I LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME. I PREFER A CLEAR STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS. I TEND TO OVERLOOK GIVING RECOGNITION TO OTHERS. I NEED MANY FACTS BEFORE ARRIVING AT A DECISION AND ACTING. I BELIEVE CARING AND EMPATHIC PEOPLE ARE TOO SOFT IN BUSINESS. I SOLVE PROBLEMS BY FOCUSING ON THE WAY THE TASK IS BEING IMPLEMENTED. I GET TO KNOW PEOPLE THROUGH SHARING FEELINGS. I FOCUS ON FEELINGS AND THE BIGGER PICTURE. I AM CREATIVE AND OPEN TO TAKING RISKS. I LOOK FOR A NEW AND ORIGINAL WAY OF DOING THINGS. I LIKE TO BE CONSTANTLY SURPRISED AND CHALLENGED. I PREFER TO EXPERIMENT AS I GO ALONG. I GIVE RECOGNITION EASILY AND SPONTANEOUSLY. I AM ACTION ORIENTED QUICK AND SPONTANEOUS IN ARRIVING AT A DECISION. I BELIEVE ANALYTIC AND LOGICAL PEOPLE ARE COLD AND UNCARING. I SOLVE PROBLEMS BY FOCUSING ON RELATIONSHIPS AND TEAMWORK. LEFT BRAIN CHARACTERISTICS RIGHT BRAIN CHARACTERISTICS TOTAL LEFT BRAIN CHARACTERISTICS TOTAL RIGHT BRAIN CHARACTERISTICS NOW SCORE YOUR RESPONSES. THE SIDE WITH MORE CHECKS IS THE SIDE YOUR BRAIN PREFERS TO USE. Building Recovery One Life at a Time Learn more about PaRCs award-winning programs. Visit parc.memorialhermann.org or call 1.877.464.7272. At Memorial Hermann Prevention and Recovery Center in Houston we offer a variety of clinically proven programs with 30 years of success stories. Our nationally recognized addiction recovery program has helped thousands of patients reclaim their lives. We have residential and outpatient programs and counseling services that start individuals on their journey in recovery. Programs include Adult and Adolescent Services Aftercare Program Alumni Association Detox Residential and Day Programs Family Services Outpatient Programs in Houston Austin and Dallas Pain Recovery Program Professionals and Executives Program Young Adult Program ages 18-24 3043 Gessner Houston TX 77080 28 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 As a general rule of thumb college entrance depends 20 on extracurricular activities 35 on GPA and 45 on standardized test scores yet the allocation of study hours is not equitable. Over the course of high school students study about 400-500 hours for extracurricular activities about 4000- 5000 hours to achieve their GPA but only about 4 hours for the ACT or SAT without test preparation says Tewari. To combat the study deficiency for standardized exams Victory Step recommends 40 to 50 hours with the tutor plus 40 to 50 hours of homework to maximize test scores. In order to rack up this number of hours Tewari says that summertime study is pivotal. Teens may have camp sports or summer jobs or they might just want to relax but this 12-week period without school studies and extracurriculars is by far the best time to study for SAT and ACT tests. Tewari first helps students determine if they are best-suited for the ACT or SAT exam then he carefully matches each student to atop-notchtutorwhowillcustom-tailorthestudycurriculumto meet the needs of the individual. Since each student is different it is essential that the study material be personalized so he or she can maximize his or her potential on the exam. Tewari advises students to make test prep studies a priority. Most people think that its the GPA that gets them into their college of choice he says. In actuality colleges put more emphasis on SAT or ACT scores. While the GPA might compare astudenttoanentireschooltheSATscorecomparesthestudent to the entire nation. Practice might not make perfect but Victory Steps program puts students in the test zone in a simulated proctoring environment to help boost confidence and build endurance. Our objective is that students get excellent results. That only happens with practice. SCORING HIGHER ON COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS IS ALL ABOUT THE EARLY PREP Summer Study Better Score College entrance exams. The mere thought can evoke terror in the heart of the most confident student. Fear not but get a jump on your studies advises Varun Tewari the owner of Victory Step a top-rated educational company that offers one-on-one custom tailored exam preparation for the ACT and SAT academic tutoring for grades 6 through 12 and prepares college students for the GRE and GMAT exams. byTriciaWhite Managing Editor goodTO KNOW Download the ACT SAT timeline for every high school grade level at GoodLifeFamilyMAG.com. Colleges put more emphasis on SAT or ACT scores. While the GPA might compare a student to an entire school the SAT score compares the student to the entire nation. - Varun Tewari President Victory Step Education You Have Dreams For Your FUTURE. You NEED a Team To Get You There. You Have Dreams For Your FUTURE. You NEED a Team To Get You There. c a p i t a l advisorsLLP Camper RogersP R I V A T E W E A L T H M A N A G E M E N T At Camper Rogers Capital Advisors we are the partners you need to take the vision of your financial future from dream to reality. Are you ready to go to work with us Securities offered through Questar Capital Corporation QCC member FINRA SIPC. Advisory services offered through Questar Asset Management QAM a Registered Investment Advisor. Camper Rogers Capital Advisors LLP is independent of QCC and QAM. 610 Old Campbell Rd. Suite 112 Richardson Texas 75080 972.479.9268 www.CamperRogers.com bryan.camperCamperRogers.com Bryan Camper CFP Senior Managing Partner Certified Financial Planner TM IN-HOME PRIVATE TUTORING ENGAGING GROUP COURSES SAT ACT GMAT AP Subjects Average Score Increase of 270 Points World-Class 98th Percentile Scores Free Initial Assessment Interactive Live Lectures Proctored Practice Tests Detailed Score Reports FIND OUT MORE 877 638-0707 www.VictoryStepOnline.com BEST TEST PREP TUTORING IN DALLAS FORT WORTH AND HOUSTON - CBS NEWS Victory Step offers great tutors for a great value. My daughter raised her SAT score 270 points Because of our tutor she will be attending NYU in the Fall. - Dana M. 1. QUALITY TUTORS. Victory Step only hires those who scored in the top 2 on the SAT or ACT. 2. ENGAGING INSTRUCTORS who make the pro- cess interesting. 3. A thorough INDIVIDUALIZED CURRICULUM formulated to strengthen weaknesses based on the results of an initial practice test. 4. REASONABLY PRICED instruction. WHY DOES VICTORY STEP STAND ABOVE THE REST ACT OR SAT WHICH TEST IS BETTER FOR MY CHILD FIND OUT WITH OUR FREE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SPRING PACKAGE VALUE 199. OFFER VALID WITH ANY PACKAGE PURCHASE THROUGH APRIL 30 2016 goodTO KNOW MAXIMIZE YOUR COLLEGE VISIT Visiting a college campus helps your student get a sense of what college life would be like at a specific university. This can help your student decide whether or not a particular college is right for them. When planning campus visits make sure you allow time to explore each college campus and the surrounding area or town. It is also very important that your child be the contact person with the college and take part in the planning process. Paula Nickel the John Paul II High School Director of Guidance and Counseling offers the following tips. PLANNING BEFORE THE VISIT Research the college through online resources. Make a list of any questions that the student or the parent may have. Review the Admissions page and book and an appointment for an information session as well as a campus tour. Think through specific areas of interest such as clubs sports or specific academic programs. Contact your admissions representative to arrange to attend a class meeting practice or rehearsal in that interest area. Inquire if you can meet with a professor or observe a class. Arrange to meet with a Financial Aid Department representative if desired. MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TOUR Review the campus map and parking instructions and arrive at the information session early. Talk to current students about life on campus. Make sure you see the dorms dining hall fitness center library career center bookstore and classrooms. Eat in the cafeteria or dining hall. Pick up any available guides forms and the business cards of the people you speak with. It is wise to follow up with them and thank them for their time this also gives you the opportunity to ask any additional questions that you may have. John Paul II High School Catholic. Coeducational. College Preparatory. John Paul II High School 900 Coit Road Plano Texas 75075 www.johnpauliihs.org Come Meet Our Cardinal Family Enjoy smaller class sizes personalized attention and the 93 of JPIIHS students involved in at least one extracurricular activity. Information Nights Wednesday March 16 630pm Wednesday April 20 630pm Wednesday May 18 630pm Wednesday June 15 630pm 32 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 College Bound goodTO GO Always compare the price of non-stops with connecting flights the less convenient can often be a lot cheaper. - Rick Seaney FareCompare.com by Rick Seaney Contributor Rick Seaney is a travel expert and CEO of FareCompare an airfare search site de- voted to helping shoppers find the cheapest flights possible. FareCompare also offers easy-to-use practical information to help travelers save on every step of their jour- ney. Visit farecompare.comquote What would happen if your income was gone tomorrow Its not something that any of us want to think about but insurance is the best way to make sure your loved ones are taken care of after youre gone. Just like a medical check-up you need an insurance check-up to re-examine your policies and see if they are still the best fit for you. Call to Schedule Your Complimentary 360 Review and Life Insurance Check-Up Bobby Davidson Bobbydavidsoninsservices.com 972.980.4884 D A V I D S O N INSURANCE S E R V I C E S Insuring Your Life. Ensuring Your Familys Future. So youre about to embark on a tour of colleges and universities to see which ones the best fit for your teen. Or maybe he has already been accepted and youre going to scope out the scene with an eye toward dorms or apartments. Either way you will want to get there for the least amount of money and here is how to do that. If youre driving good newsgas is cheap.Thats good news for flyers too. Low oil prices mean airfare prices are relatively flat compared to last year. Here are other ways to save 1Avoid flying during the most expensive season. Try to avoid visiting schools in the summer time prices are highest in this peak travel season. Plus a quieter-than-normal campus wont give your child a realistic view of the place. Domestic fares rise for summer beginning June 10 so take off before then or after August 23 when cheaper fall fares kick in. Other dates to remember March 16 is the last day for cheap winter airfares prices jump March 17 and again on May 17. 2Avoid flying the most expensive days. The most expensive days are probably the ones you planned to fly Fridays and Sundays. Theyre expensive because the airlines are no dummiesthey know we want to fly then. You can usually find much better deals on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Saturdays. 3Add a little inconvenience to your flight. There are two ways to do this Always compare the price of non-stops with connecting flights the less convenient connections can often be a lot cheaper. Dont forget to compare prices of all the local airports. Say your child got accepted at Dartmouth the closest airports to Hanover NH are small facilities in Manchester NH and Burlington VT. but dont stop there. Check fares to Bostons Logan as well chances are good youll find deals at this larger airport that make the extra drive time worth it. Tip Many schools like Dartmouth and Boston have a shuttle service between the airport and campus. HOW TO FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS TO VISIT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES 34 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 goodADVICE Gaining an Edge with Internships SUMMER PROGRAMS ENRICH MINDS AND LIVES Getting into the college of their dreams can be tough for most high school students and discovering a career they can be passionate about is even tougher. Rest assured however excellent resources are readily available including opportunities to try on jobs and colleges these experiences are extremely useful in helping kids narrow their focus. One example is Julian Krinsky Camps and Programs which started in 1978 as a kids tennis camp and over the past thirty- plus years it has expanded to include summer enrichment programs and internships giving young people aged 7-18 the opportunity to try on a skill or future vocation in which they might be interested. Krinsky a former professional tennis player says the idea behind it is not that kids should necessarily know at an early age what they want to be when they grow up though some do but to provide them an environment to play and practice while they figure it all out. For high school and college-aged students summer internships like Krinskys give participants an insiders advantage as they gain first-hand knowledge of their industry of choice building networks and developing their future resumes. Students might shadow a doctor or veterinarian or work with a venture capitalist. Krinsky works with the best-of-the-best in their fieldsengineers financial experts chefs physicians athletes artists and more and with his vast network of connections he prides himself on helping kids gain internships that can typically be very difficult to get into or are unusual transportation or aerodynamics for example. One of Krinskys favorite intern success stories is 22-year- old Fitz Tepper who during his JKCP internship created an app for delivering food coupons during off-peak times at local restaurants on the USC campus. Tepper is now a writer for TechCrunch and he was recently featured on CNN. Its amazing what these kids are capable of doing Krinsky says. Many school counselors have access to information about different types of internships kids can also use the Internet to research opportunities that might interest them. By encouraging them to try new things and reach outside their comfort zones kids end up that much closer to getting into the colleges and professions of their dreams. All the while they are expanding their minds making lifelong friends and forming connections from around the globe. by Kristin Cicciarelli Summer internships like Krinskys give participants an insiders advantage as they gain first-hand knowledge of their industry of choice building networks and developing their future resumes. StudentsTake Julians ONE MINUTE SUMMER INTERNSHIP QUIZ to help determine what type of intership is right for you.Visit info.jkcp.comsummer-internship-quiz. To learn more about summer camps and programs including Julian Krinksy Internships contact Helene Abrams at Helenetipsontripsandcamps.com. Internships Can Make Your Future Career Sizzle Why settle for a dull job this summer when exciting internship opportunities could be yours for the taking There are extraordinary companies that need ordinary jobs fulfilled. From politics to polar bears these internships prove you can have the summer of a lifetime and gain invaluable work experience too. No matter what your field of study theres an exciting internship opportunity waiting for you Check out some of the most interesting internship opportunities available to college and graduate students at goodlifefamilymag.cominternships. WANT TO REACH DALLAS AREA PARENTS OF KIDS TWEENS TO TWENTIES JOIN THE GOOD LIFE FAMILY Contact Kimberly Brown Advertising Manager at Kimberlygoodlifefamilymag.com. ADVERTISE HERE OUR READERS WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOU With over 45000 readers from Park Cities to Plano and beyond Good Life Family magazine is the go-to source for parents raising kids 12 to 21 Do you have an internship opportunity for a local high school or college student Visit goodlifefamilymag.com and submit it to our list SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONING FROM COLLEGE TO CAREER 972767-6412 WWW.NEXTSTEPC2C.COM Whats Next for Your College Student NextSteps One-On-One Coaching During the College Years Helps Them Land a Dream Job Congratulations parents Your students hard work and involvement plus your efforts prodding and emptying of your bank account helped them gain admittance to the college of their dreams. But what about the ultimate goal of obtaining a college degree What about finding a job According to Tim Niermeyer co-owner of NextStep College to Career Coaching The days of graduating and then finding a job are over. You have to hone your skills while in college. He and business partner Steve Longo coach students individually with resume writing assistance polishing interview skills networking and more with the end goal of helping them land a job and start their careers. As parents we make an enormous effort and spend a lot of money on tutors extracurricular activities and test score improvement programs to help our kids get into college but we fail to provide them with the tools and skills necessary to be employed after college says Longo. Statistics back Longos assertion. Recent data says that around one third of all college educated Americans are never able to find employment in the field they have earned a degree inand thats something that needs to change. In fact Longo notes 72 of kids never visit their colleges career center. Even if they do visit on average there is one staff member per 1000 students he says. Thats the equivalent of one one-hour meeting during their entire four years on campus. Niermeyer and Longo come from different backgrounds but both note that many of todays students are lacking basic job search skills and the essentials of forging a successful career. During his years as a college recruiter for a Fortune 500 company Niermeyer saw firsthand that a gap exists in most students resume building interviewing communication and follow-up skills. He partnered with Longo a long-time entrepreneur and sales professional to try to fill this gap with NextStep their one-on-one coaching business. The team meets primarily with college freshmen through seniors though will occasionally coach someone after graduation who is still seeking employment. They meet face-to- By Karyn Brodsky The days of graduating and then finding a job are over. You have to hone your skills while in college. -Tim Niermeyer co-owner NextStep College to Career Coaching goodADVICE face by phone via emails or texts and even conduct Skype sessions for students who are away at school. We respect our clients time and were flexible with communication says Niermeyer. We speak to the client at least once every other week. We hold the kids accountable and show them how they can be successful in the process adds Longo. When we work one-on-one we see the transition. Its very rewarding to see their confidence grow. While Longo and Niermeyer dont involve parents in the coachingmost kids will listen better to someone who is not their parentthey do provide a tracker of the students progress so parents can be supportive and will reach out if the student is unresponsive to assignments. In a relatively short period of time NextStep has chalked up a multitude of success stories and helped many college students find their dream job. So whats next for NextStep We hope that in the near future companies will say Send me one of those NextStep kids says Niermeyer. That would be the ultimate payoff for us. For more information visit www.nextstepc2c.com or call 972.767.6412. As parents we make an enormous effort and spend a lot of money on tutors extracurricular activities and test score improvement programs to help our kids get into college but we fail to provide them with the tools and skills necessary to be employed after college. - Steve Longo co-owner NextStep College to Career Coaching goodADVICE DR. SANDY GLUCKMAN PRESENTS Dr.SandysWorkshopwillhelpyou Discover the way your childs brain likes to think how to use this for success Recognize your childs natural talents - how they will excel Strengthen your childs unique identity - what drives them to succeed TheTop3ThingsEveryParentShouldKnow To Help Their Children get into the College Career Path thats Right for Them MARCH 22 2016 930-1130 AM COST 35 Dr.SandyGluckman uses a unique approach to helping children of all ages overcome learning behavior and mood challenges. She describes her work as freeing the healthy talented problem-free child that exists within. Dr. Sandy offers private consultation as well as live and online workshops. She is the author of two books Parents Take Charge and Whos in the Drivers Seat SPACE IS LIMITED SO REGISTER TODAY PARENTSTAKECHARGE.COM OR CALL 972.758.1246 Transform Your Childs Life Whole Child Treatment Program for Learning and Behavior Challenges 38 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 goodADVICE Tuition Turmoil WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR FINANCES ARENT READY College is expensive. According to the College Board the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2015 2016 school year was 32405 at private colleges 9410 for state residents at public colleges and 23893 for out-of-state residents attending public universities. Perhaps you started putting away a little each month when your children were just infants and youll be ready to write each semesters check as it comes with extra for books dorm fees and a student meal account. But what if you arent ready By AliciaWanek Lets face itthere could be any number of reasons why youre not. Any of this sound familiar I just didnt save enough. Our finances took a big hit when I was out of a job. I paid for my own college my kids can too. The divorce changed our situation. I just didnt have enough time. We have more kids than we have money for college expenses. The good news Bryan Camper certified financial planner with Camper Rogers says Its never too late. The first rule though is to make sure you dont sacrifice your own financial security. Dont put college before retirement. After all there are outside funds available for education and time to pay loans back. But retirement is coming sooner and you are the only one contributing. If however you know your retirement account is in order you can consider decreasing the amount youre contributing for a short period of time to put those additional funds toward college tuition. On the flip side because retirement accounts are not considered as part of your assets by financial aid sources you may consider increasing your retirement investment quickly to shield those assets in order to increase the amount your child may get in financial assistance. For the student needing additional funds applying for financial aid is the first step Bryan says. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA is available online. Any student who meets basic citizenship and enrollment criteria can fill out this application annually. The most common funds available are via Pell Grants which do not have to be repaid and Stafford Loans which offer funds at very low interest rates currently 4.29 that the government covers as long as the student is enrolled half time. Once students graduate and get that great job they can start to pay their loans back. When students fill out the FAFSA they will need to be able to enter the expected family contribution. This amount considers everything from parents income number of Ideally yes you would have started at birth by setting up a 529 plan for your child and saving monthly. However dont let your children think college isnt in their future because theres not enough money. You can definitely work together to make sure their future is all they imagined it to be. - Bryan Camper Camper Rogers children in college and even students assets. If a student has assets in his own name he will be expected to contribute 20 of that toward his college expenses according to Bryan. Once students find out what federal monies they are eligible for they need to look at how to fund the rest of their expenses. Bryan suggests several things to consider Parents dont need to foot the whole bill Studies show that students who have been responsible for at least some portion of their own education have higher GPAs on average and higher rates of graduation. Its okay to expect your child to work at least part-time to contribute toward his own educational expenses. Community college is a great place to start The core classes most students will take in their first two years would be about the same whether at a community college or a large university. Community colleges offer significantly lower tuition rates and smaller class sizes and give parents more oversight in helping with their childs transition to complete independence. See our article on Richland Collegiate High School page 23. Dont spend more for an Ivy League education if what your child wants to be doesnt require it Since the financial crisis weve heard of more and more college graduates who have significant debt and yet cant find a job. If your child wants to go into education or public service for example he doesnt need to take on the costs of an expensive private university. If however he wants to go to law school it makes sense to take on the level of debt at a more prestigious university. Apply for everything The application process can take a while but each year a huge amount of scholarship money goes to waste. These days there are all kinds of services and even apps to help students find scholarships for which they qualify. It cant hurt to try. Consider re-taking the ACT or SAT If your child has a good GPA but didnt do quite as well on the standardized tests as he thinks he could have he may be able to boost his chances to qualify for merit-based aid especially through the university if he can boost his scores. See our article on Victory Step Test Prep page 28. Look at your Roth IRAs Your contributions can be withdrawn at any time without tax to apply toward your portion of the tuition bill. Ideally yes you would have started at birth by setting up a 529 plan for your child and saving monthly a little more each year and youd have a substantial sum by the time your child turns eighteen Bryan reiterates. Ultimately however dont let your children think college isnt in their future because theres not enough money. You can definitely work together to make sure their future is all they imagined it to be. goodADVICE ...knowing they are protected for the future. 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Israel Guest Speaker Richard Bernstein blind since birth will use his life experiences to discuss overcoming obstacles breaking down stereotypes and changing perspectives. 60 Per Person Open Seating or 90 Per Person Reserved Seating. Proceeds Benet Chabad of PlanoCollin County TO PURCHASE TICKETS AND FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 972.596.8270 OR VISIT CHABADPLANO.ORGDINNER. BECOME A DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LIFE IS GOOD. MAKE IT BETTER AND RECEIVE WEEKLY HEADLINES DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX RECEIVE INVITATIONS TO SPECIAL EVENTS REGISTER TO WIN GREAT PRIZES GET SPECIAL OFFERS FROM RETAILERS RESTAURANTS AND SO MUCH MORE SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE AT WWW.GOODLIFEFAMILYMAG.COMSUBSCRIBE or scan the QR code with your smart phone. 42 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 Picture-Perfect Prom This seasons most enticing looks are all about glamour and grace. The style is feminine and romantic creating old-school charm with a thoroughly contemporary twist. By following these classy trends looking back at yearbook pictures will be something to be proud of for years to come. TOP TRENDS Jewel tones Modest Cutouts Long dresses Bare shoulders Beaded bags Metallic Strappy shoes Loose long curls and feminine braids PRETTY IN HOT PINK Fuchsia isnt just a color its an attitude. Ellie a junior at Highland Park High School is captivating in this beautifully simple gown with sleek lines and strategically placed cutouts flattering in all the right places. Her loose curls add a feminine touch to complete her timeless look. HERE WOW Metallic is the perfect choice when you want to shine without the sequins. Daria a junior at PlanoWest Senior High School is ready to trip the light fantastic in this shimmery gown with a sleek cropped bodice that tastefully reveals just a hint of skin. A soft feminine braid is a perfect touch. BOLD BEAUTY Amanda a senior at Episcopal School of Dallas looks sleek in this one-shoulder emerald blue beauty. She shows off this seasons must have lace-up heels that compliment the lines of the dress.The Brown University lacrosse team cant wait to get her out of those heels and into her cleats goodLOOKS by Amy Levenson Krumholz Fashion Editor Friends festivities and the final days of senior yearmake your prom one that you will always remember. THE STYLE TEAM PHOTOGRAPHY James Bland JamesBlandPhotography.com HAIR Lure SalonWestVillage MAKE-UP TeriTomlinson makeup101.com TUXEDO Minsky FormalWearRichardson minskytux.com Editors Note Would your teen relish style advise for prom upcoming sororityeventsoreverydaylife YoudbeinexcellenthandswithAmy. ReachheratAmyStyleByAmy.com GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 43 THE DISH ON PROM NIGHT DINING ATTENTION-GETTERS THREE TOP TRENDS IN ACCESSORIES Lace-Up Heels Beaded Handbag Statement Earrings Prom Dress Check. PromTickets Check. Limo Maybe Nowwhere todine We found these festive destinations where the management will gladly welcome a large group of teens. P.F. Changs Watters Creek Upto16guests PFchangs.com Bonnie Ruths Bistro Watters Creek Up to 35 guests bonnieruthsallen.com The Oceanaire Seafood Room Dallas Up to 60 guests theoceanaire.com Kennys Grill Addison Up to 14 guests kennyswoodfiredgrill.com TOP NOTCH Sophisticated and sleek is the way to make a senior prom statement. Fisk a senior at Episcopal School of Dallas keeps it old school in this updated shawl and notchcollar black tux with a jewel-toned bow tie Yes you should match your dates dressTux rental options are better than ever. This oneiscourtesyofMinskyFormalWear. TUXEDO TRENDS SayNoto the vest SayYesto the cummerbund Shawl and notch collar Jewel-tone bow ties Classic black Black cuff links Wingtip shoes NORTH DALLAS DESTINATION Shopping Newest Antiques Arts Collectibles More Richardson 101 S. Coit Road 75080 972-479-9990 richardsonmercantile.com Frisco 8980 Preston Road 75034 972-712-7300 friscomercantile.com Decisions Decisions 8TH ANNUAL PROM CLOSET OFFERS FREE DRESSES NO QUESTIONS ASKED St. Andrew United Methodist Church invites girls from ANYWHERE in need of a prom dress to FREE prom shopping March 1-3 4 to 8 p.m. and March 5 9 a.m. noon. The first year Prom Closet provided 35 dresses to local high school girls and last year 840 girls received dresses and accessories all donated by community members local groups corporations and businesses. The only requirement is that girls must be present to select their dresses size 0 to 28 and accessories. The impact the dress makes on the girl and her family is simply immeasurable. - Devra Helffrich an original organizer or Prom Closet Did you know that in 2013 in Texas alone there were 175 under-21 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities which is 36.1 of all under-21 fatalities in the state Did you also know that National Prom Graduation Safety Month and Alcohol Awareness Month are both observed in April Its no coincidence April is the beginning of prom and graduation season when celebrations can become dangerous if there is underage drinking involved. Of all alcohol-related fatalities involving teens each year approximately one-third of them take place during the April May and June prom and graduation season. To curtail this activity many schools and communities conduct anti-drinking campaigns during April. Though community and school anti-alcohol programs are useful remember the old saying that education begins at home. Hands down parents are the most influential person or thing in a childs decision not to drink at all or not to drink on occasion. When you have the discussion impress upon your teens that it is important not to succumb to peer pressure to drink that drinking doesnt make them the cool kid and that you are available at all times during prom to come pick them up if things get out of hand. While a discussion about the dangers of alcohol consumption with your teen is crucial parents should also think twice about their own behavior. Dont allow your teen to go to a party if you know alcohol will be served. Research conducted by Students Against Destructive Decisions and co-sponsored by the insurance company Liberty Mutual found 41 percent of teens say their parents allow them to go to parties where alcohol is being served. The cool rule applies to parents as well. Avoid the urge to want to be the cool parent who provides the alcohol and dont let teens drink at your residence. According to Robert Chaiken an attorney whose law firm Chaiken Chaiken specializes in personal and serious injury claims allowing teens to drink in your home thinking that its a safe way to keep them off the roads can lead you down the road of liability. You may be subject to lawsuits fines and jail time. Parents can be sued even if they were not aware that drinking was going on in their home. An adult who provides alcohol to a minor who is not their child or permits the provision of alcohol to other minors can face serious criminal andor civil consequences from the harm Prom Celebration or Intoxication Attention parents Are you ready for prom Of course there are the traditional preparations for this teenage rite of passage but before you buy the dress or suit pay for the flowers or photos and or hand your teen the keys to the car make sure you have a talk with your son or daughter about alcohol. By Karyn Brodsky continued on page 46 goodTO KNOW 46 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 that may be caused says Chaiken. This can include injuries that might occur even when driving is not in play. For example if a minor slips and falls or suffers alcohol poisoningorifanintoxicatedteenwanders off and gets injured etc There have been numerous serious cases resulting in significant civil liability where adults provide alcohol to minors or should have known that alcohol was being consumed by minors on their premises. Should parents absolutely ban their teens from using alcohol and tell them why they need to abstain from drinking until their brain is fully developed In general the teenage brain is not ready to process alcohol saysStacieAllphinDirectorofAdolescentServicesatMemorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston also with locations in Dallas and Austin. She says that alcohol and drugs attackthereptilianpartofthebrainthefirstpartthatdevelops as a babywhere automatic responses are such as breathing or blinking of the eyes. Its where the pleasure pathway is says Allphin. If there is addiction thats where its happening. She adds that the last part of the adolescent brain to develop is the frontal lobe where judgment reasoning decision-making and abstract thinking are created. Alcohol puts the frontal lobe to sleep first and because its underdeveloped it happens quicker in a teen. If teens drink enough to affect the reptilian part thats when alcohol poisoning or blackouts occur. As a parent you have to consider all the facts. How will you know if your child will reach their full potential if you allow them to start drinking before their brain reaches full maturation The bottom line Talk to your teens about the dangers of drinking and partner with them by not providing alcohol or allowing them to attend a party where alcohol is served. Remind your teen that prom can still be a fun and memorable evening when its enjoyed alcohol free. What DrivesTeens to Drink Underlying Causes and Effects Teens start drinking for many different reasons says Fiona Ray Licensed Marriage and FamilyTherapist LMFT and Clinical Director Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers in Los Angeles and Malibu CA.Its a natural correlation to the phase of life theyre going through adolescence. Teens are trying on different identities perceptions and opinions to see how they fit into the world. Ray adds that drinking is a social lubricant it makes it easier to be in a group and reduces their inhibitions. Many kids dont know it will be an escape until they try it and then they realize its effect and they drink more. This is a time of experimentation and explorationnotes Ray.In addition to social anxiety drinking may also mask painorsadness. When teenage drinking occurs whetheritistomaskpainorsadnessor todissolvesocialangstitisimportanttodeterminewhyitishappening.Raysays ultimately the idea is to set aside the alcohol to get to the root of the problem. Alcohol is simply a symptom.But Ray points out before these symptoms occur itiscrucialthatparentsteachersandthecommunitystressavoidance.Education isthekeytopreventionandearlyinterventionshesays. Therearemanyreasonstodeterteensfromdrinkingbutthemostdevastating impact is to the teen brain. Ray says that no one really knows how alcohol mixes with an individuals chemistry. The adolescent brain is undergoing so many maturation processes the human brain does not mature until age 24-25 so its vulnerable specifically to the toxicity of alcohol. She adds that alcohol use in teenage boys negatively affects their attention span and in girls alcohol negativelyaffectstheabilitytocomprehendandinterpretvisualinformationsuch asclasspresentations. This is a time of experimentation and exploration. In addition to social anxiety drinking may also mask pain or sadness. - Fiona Ray Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist LMFT and Clinical Director Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers continued from page 45 Allowing teens to drink in your home thinking that its a safe way to keep them off the roads can lead you down the road of liability. Parents can be sued even if they were not aware that drinking was going on in their home. -Robert Chaiken Attorney Chaiken Chaiken Resources Robert Chaiken ChaikenLaw.com 214.265.0250 Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Houston memorialhermann.org 713.704.4000 Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers in Los Angeles and Malibu CA visionsteen.com 866.889.3665 What is the difference between alcohol abuse and alcoholism The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC defines alcohol abuse as a pattern of drinking that results in harm to ones health interpersonal relationships or ability to work.The CDC adds that long-term alcohol abuse can turn into alcohol dependence also known as alcohol addiction or alcoholism which is a chronic disease. AccordingtoStacieAllphinDirectorofAdolescentServicesatMemorialHermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston the terminology has changed from addiction to substance use disorder and can be categorized as mild moderate or severe. It all depends on the consequencessays Allphin.If you break the law by drinking when youre underage its abuse if it causes problems in your daily life and you or others are making excuses its more severe. Alcohol abuse in teens manifests itself a bit differently than in adults as their bodies are still developing.Though any teen may take part in risky behavior specific teen groups may be more susceptible to alcohol abuse Those with close relatives or close friends who abuse alcohol Teens suffering from anxiety disorders or depression Individuals who easily succumb to peer pressure or desperately desire tofit in Those suffering from low self-esteem Teens who experienced any childhood trauma To identify the difference between normal teen behavior and potential alcohol abuse maintain open communication with your teen.Teens will typically exhibit many of the following physical signs when abusing alcohol redbloodshot eyes constant cough heightened fatigue or general sleeping problems increase or decrease in weight mysterious injuries that suddenly appear which may have been caused by accidents when drunk frequent nausea headaches or sensitivity to sound which is particularly common inthemorningduetoahangoverotherdruguseincludingsmokingcigarettesslurredspeech trouble concentrating blackouts. Social or emotional signs may include withdrawal from and less communication with familymembersmoretimespentoutwithfriendsoratpartieslossofinterestinactivitiesthey once enjoyed depression and mood swings irritable short temper overly defensive change in group of friends and keeping them hidden from you school issues including cutting class and absences lower grades teacher complaints legal trouble secretive behavior andor lying alcohol missing from your liquor cabinet running away. What can you do If any of the above warning signs exist get your teen help immediately. Try talking to them or let them confide in another close family member your family doctormental healthprofessionalteacherguidancecounselorormemberoftheclergy. InTexas For immediate and confidential help 247 contact the Outreach Screening Assessment and Referral Centers OSARLMHA. Contact ValueOptionsNorthSTAR Program serving Collin Dallas Ellis Hunt Kaufman Navarro and Rockwall Counties Access Line Phone 1-888-800-6799 Crisis Phone 1-866-260-8000 valueoptions.comnorthstarservices.htm You may also call or contact 211Texas. Dial 2-1-1 or call 877-541- 7905. Nationwide Al-Anon-Alateen 888 4AL-ANON Alcoholics AnonymousWorld Services 212 870-3400 American Council on Alcoholism treatment referral line 800 527-5344 Mothers Against Drunk Driving 800 GET-MADD National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence 800 NCA-CALL National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 301 443-3860 Does Your Teen Need Help Teen Alcohol Abuse Signs andWhat to Do About It If you break the law by drinking when youre underage its abuse if it causes problems in your daily life and you or others are making excuses its more severe. - Stacie Allphin Director of Adolescent Services at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center 48 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 Too Sexy Too Soon Kids are constantly exposed to sexual images and behaviors devoid of emotions attachment or consequences. The result is what Diane Levin and Jean Kilbourne describe as the sexualization of childhood in the book So Sexy So Soon Ballantine Books 2008. From low-cut tops for girls to sagging waistlines for boys our teens tweens and even young children seek to dress in adult ways. Our kids want to dress in ways adults consider sexually provocative before they even understand what the word sexy means. For those of us who are concerned possibly even offended are we being too old-fashioned No harm no foul With kids raised in a sexualized culture we risk creating a generation of young people whose value comes from their physical appearance and sex appeal rather than from their own internal sense of self-worth. They learn how to look and act in ways that shock adults and see their parents as un-cool for not being supportive. High school students grinding at dance parties let alone twelve-year-olds posting flirty selfies have a hard time understanding why we make it a big deal. Medically speaking this sexualization can plant the seeds of eating disorders body dysmorphia anxiety promiscuity and even relationship violence. The blurring of boundaries between childhood and adulthood can derail By Dr. Susan Sugerman and Dr. Kwabena Blankson We risk creating a generation of young people whose value comes from their physical appearance and sex appeal rather than from their own internal sense of self-worth. - Dr. Susan Sugerman adolescent medical physician and founder of Girls to Women Health and Wellness From a very early age our children are bombarded with graphic messages about sexiness. From the clothing marketed to pre- teens to video games music and the media our children get the message that beingcoolmeans being sexy. GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 49 Are KidsClothesToo Provocative By Karyn Brodsky We see it every day. Sexuality glamorized in themediathemoviesinretailstoresandmore. What does this say to our kids Intheclothingdepartment there are many adult styles available to teens tweens and young children but dressing provocatively is only one facet of the issue. When you peel back the layers its about growing up too fast. Dean Beckloff PhD Licensed Professional Counselor of Beckloff Pediatric Behavioral Center in Dallas agrees. In our practice I see parents trying to help their kids be kids and also parents who push for them to grow up too quickly. Beckloff says in many cases adults live vicariously through their children transferring their own hopes dreams and self-esteem issues to their kids. Were driving the child into arenas that they cannot handle. Beckloff is the father of girls and knows many cultural pressures influence growing up too fast.In my practice I work on self-esteem and building kids up. Girls look at their bodies and ask if they are acceptable or too fat he says.This is something girls and women feel from an early age and it is disturbing on many levels. Boys are no different says Beckloff. Whether it involves athletics modes of dress or a standard of behavior parents should have conversations with theirchildrensetboundariesandguidethem.While parents cant always be present in every situation these discussions will eventually resonate with their teens and tweens. Parents sometimes dont give themselves enough credit he adds. They dont realize that kids pay attention to their ethics and actually do listen. development in important ways. At a time when they should be growing their skills at having healthy friendships learning the difference between a boy whos a friend and a boyfriend they may feel forced to take relationships toward sexual expression prematurely. Children learn to see that sex not affection or true emotional intimacy is the primary focus of relationships between adults. Just saying no in one household while it is your right as a parent doesnt help a child process what they see other kids doing. What if her friend offers to lend her a pair of skimpy shorts at camp Parents cant possibly monitor everything everywhere. What is a kid to do when stuck between the pull of peers and the pressure from parents Finally parents get worn down after the repeated pleas and whining of but all of the kids are wearing this. What to do Understand where your kids are coming from but not in the middle of shopping for a prom dress. Hear what she thinks about the dresses in the magazine rather than criticizing her friends choices. Ask your son right after the TV show what clothing styles he thinks are cool instead of going to battle about purchases at the mall. Set expectations about types of clothing that are acceptable. Explain your preferences but be open to compromises that still fit within your range of reasonable. If you have a firm boundary then keep to it at least on that shopping trip but allow conversation about a future purchase decision. Be compassionatetoward your kids as well as yourself. Its hard to be the only girl with the long dress on. Its hard to be the lone parent who says That dress is too short. Fortunately the great thing about our mixed-up fashion generation is that there are often compromises available. Work with your child to find at least part of what they want while respecting your reasonable limit. Use the power of your own peer community. Justaskidsmayrelyongroup trends to argue for a specific fashion request so can adults communicate with each other to set collaborative community standards. Lets learn to be okay with our children being beautiful and handsome. And lets save the sexy label for an appropriate age. Is 26 too old For more information visit Girls to Women Health Wellness at gtw-health.com In our practice I see parents trying to help their kids be kids and also parents who push for them to grow up too quickly. - Dean Beckloff PhD Counselor Beckloff Pediatric Behavioral Center Think Before You Post WHO CHECKS OUT YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA BESIDES YOUR FRIENDS by Lisa A. Beach GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 51 When youre a nurturing rather than authoritative parent youre educating and empowering kids which will help them learn to think things through themselves. - Dr. Sandy Gluckman Just because you intended something to be private when you sent it does not necessarily mean the other person understands or will respect your intention to keep it private. - James Mueller managing partner Verner Brumley McCurley Mueller Parker This advice seems like common sense but a lot of teens and tweens just arent heeding this advice when they use social media and they are getting themselves into trouble in the process. Just ask attorney James Mueller a managing partner with the Dallas-based family law firm Verner Brumley McCurley Mueller Parker. Some of the things kids put online its going to affect them because it doesnt go away says Mueller. It will follow them in life. As a family lawyer Mueller sees this first-hand. In one custody hearing a daughter gave the judge all these reasons why she didnt want to live with Mom. We found out that when we checked the girls Instagram account she didnt want to live with Mom because Dad allowed her to smoke marijuana and drink while at Dads house recalls Mueller. The next thing you know shes kicked off her sports team the judge has now seen all of this and Dad is in trouble. It all came from one Instagram post. Kids need to realize that everyone looks at their social media activity including teachers coaches lawyers colleges scholarship committees and potential employers. Stories abound in the media about athletes getting kicked off their teams students losing their scholarships and kids getting arrested for questionable antics that got posted on social media. When any potential employee sends me a resume the first thing I do is pull any social media accounts that I can points out Mueller. You can find out an unbelievable amount of information. As the first line of defense Mueller advises parents to play an active role in their kids online lives by providing age-appropriate limits. Dr. Sandy Gluckman a Functional Behavior and Health Therapist agrees. In laying down the rules especially for younger kids its important to give kids the logic behind the rule and provide examples that demonstrate the bad things that could happen says Dr. Gluckman who advises a collaborative approach asking kids what kind of rules they could live with and then negotiate. When youre a nurturing rather than authoritative parent youre educating and empowering kids which will help them learn to think things through themselves. So how can teens and tweens engage with social media in a more responsible way Think before you post If you would be embarrassed to show your grandmother what you are going to post then dont post it. If you would be compromising your safety such as posting where you will be at a certain time or that you are home alone then dont post it. If you would be hurting or embarrassing someone else then dont post it. Assumewhatyoupostisntprivate-evenifyou send it as a private message Mueller points out that just because you intended something to be private when you sent it does not necessarily mean the other person understands or will respect your intention to keep it private. As he says You can only control your action you cant control other peoples actions. Realize what you post is permanent - even if you later delete it Once you hit send you create a permanent cyber- record of your words and images delivered via status updates or news feeds. Someone may have already saved or shared your post by the time you decide to delete it from your account. Be aware that your online activity affects your offline reputation When you realize that other people besides your friends are checking out your social media accounts you are more likely to do the right thing online. Editors Note James Mueller is managing partner at Verner Brumley McCurley Mueller Parker a premier family law firm. vernerbrumley.com Dr. Sandy Gluckman is a functional behavior therapist specializing in drug-free family counseling. ParentsTakeCharge.com goodADVICE What Are Your Kids Doing This Summer By Karyn Brodsky goodTO GO GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 53 WHAT YOUR KIDS DO IN THE SUMMER CAN IMPACT THEIR FUTURE IN TREMENDOUS WAYS. SO HOW DO YOU CHOOSE FROM AMONG THE THOUSANDS OF OVERNIGHT PROGRAMS CAMPS AND TRIPS OUT THERE ASK HELENE ABRAMS. In 1953 Hodding Carter a prominent newspaper editor noted in his book Where Main Street Meets the River that the two greatest things we can give our children are roots and wings. NothingcanbemoreaccuratesaysHelene Abrams a Dallas mom and local advisor for Tips on Trips and Camps a free advisory service that not only connects parents and kids with camps and teen programs but also is the conduit for lifetime connections that kids make while there. As parents we want to hold our children close and help them establish their roots. Yet Abrams says that equally as important is to give our offspring their wings to explore experience the world around them and create new relationships. Camp is not just a place to spend your summer its a deep connection with others becoming part of a supportive community says Abrams. Its something you will hold in your heart forever. Tips on Trips and Camps represents over 600 overnight summer camps trips and programs for students ages 8-18. These run the gamut from traditional and specialty camps to student travel and language immersion from sports and cultural exploration to STEM programs and outdoor adventure and community service in Costa Rica Fiji Africa and across the globe. Choose from internships and academic study on college campuses in the U.S. and abroad music camps digital media and robotics programs. There are overnight camps pre- collegeprogramssailingandwildernessadventuresteentours biking creative and performing arts programs and camps that are perfect for those with special needs. Advisors thoroughly vet the programs by interviewing directors personally visiting programs in session and gathering feedback from recent participants families. Helene Abrams holds a camp fair once a year so that parents and kids can learn about the programs offered and meet the directors and representatives. No matter which camp or teen program your child chooses these summer activities expose kids to new ideas. Abrams says its the relationships you build in life that differentiate you. We have to let our kids go have experiences explains Abrams. Its an opportunity to reinvent oneself. When teens or tweens go on a program with a different peer group no presumptions exist they blossom and become who they want to be Abrams adds. The programs help kids develop life passions that they may not have otherwise discovered. It also shows them different careers and avenues which can help them find college majors or career choices. While many parents are anxious about sending their child away for the first time Abrams specialty is matching teens and tweens to the perfect program for them and the thorough vetting process helps reassure parents. The camp and travel program experience is also invaluable when preparing to go away to college. For college applications and for the resume camps show personal growth and development as a result of the life skills learned and the ability to adapt to new life situations. Kids today are so privileged says Abrams. Camp and teen programs can help them learn that they are part of something bigger and that they feel better when they give back. While growing up Abrams never had the opportunity to go to camp. When picking up her son after a summer session she told the camp director that she wished she could have gone. He immediately hired her and Abrams spent the next eleven summers working there. She experienced what the kids did and saw firsthand how it impacted their personal growth. Though Abrams children went to summer camp participated in teen programs and traveled abroad on summer leadership programs she wishes she had known more about these programs early on so they could experience more and gain independence. After her kids were grown she got involved with Tips on Trips and Camps in 2008 at her cousin Jennyswho is also an advisorsuggestion. Currently there are 16 advisors in the U.S. and two in Europe. Each summer the group travels to see many of the camps and experience some of the programs for themselves. By working with Tips I wanted to help other kids experience personal growth says Abrams. Overall its been a dream career for Abrams. Its so rewarding and a lot of fun to work with the families and hear the feedback she says. This is such a happy job For More Information contact Helene Abrams at 214.484.8141 or Helene tipsontripsandcamps.com Editors Note This is a FREE advisory service that connects parents and kids with camps and teen programs. Kids today are so privileged. Camp and teen programs can help them learn that they are part of something bigger and that they feel better when they give back. - Helene Abrams Consultant Tips on Trips and Camps goodTO GO RusticPathways THIS IS NOT A TEEN TOUR. Rustic Pathways provides authentic travel service and cultural immersion programs for students. We offer one to three-week spring break and summer experiences gap year programs and private group trips. With over 97 programs in 19 countries we have a program that will fit your interests. WE WANT TO MEET YOU We host open house events in cities across the United States. Get to know Rustic Pathways staff and alumni. Visit our website for a full list of events. rusticpathways.comevents CONTACT US Your local Trips on Trips representative Helene Abrams is happy to help you figure out which program is best for you. Contact her at 214.484.8141 or helenetipsontripsandcamps.com. Six Great Reasons to Loosen the Leash SUMMER C AMPS AND PROGR AMS FOR T WEENS TEENS 1It offers a community of caring mentors who provide experiential education that leads to self-respect and appreciation for life. Overcoming challenges staying healthy and building character prepare kids for their future. In addition tolifelongfriendshipsandenduringmemoriesmanyimportant life skills are learned at camp. 2Camp and other programs push children out of their comfort zone and expose them to new activities and experiences. Campers have the opportunity to try different things and discover new hobbies or passions. By exploring various types of activities they have a greater chance of finding something at which they excel or that makes them happy. 3It develops social skills. Camp and teen programs teach kids to communicate to work together as part of a team and to be a leader. Leadership is developed by asking them to fulfill responsibilities that may not be expected of them elsewhere while sharing resources and attention helps foster teamwork and the desire to participate. 4To face challenges and learn the value of hard work. Because they feel safe in their program kids are comfortable taking healthy risks setting personal goals and realizing their dreams. They learn the importance of working hard to accomplish what they want and to never give up all in a low- stress setting. 5It builds character. In addition to making new friends campers develop an appreciation for what is required to cultivate and strengthen these relationships. Camp provides the core values by teaching them about ethics honesty caring respect and responsibility. Parents frequently report that after camp or a teentween program their children are kinder better understand the importance of giving are more equipped to stand up for what they know is right and are willing to be more responsible. 6To foster independence. Kids learn to make their own decisions with the safety net of insightful counselors and staff in a safe environment a camper can risk finding out what works and what doesnt. The environment provides peer support that allows them to overcome their need for constant parental dependency. Summer camp and teentween programs can be one of the most rewarding unforgettable experiences. Tips on Trips and Camps offers the following reasons to give your child their wings and let them explore AGES 1018 LIFE ON CAMPUS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY HAVERFORD COLLEGE PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAMS ON THE EAST COAST JKCP.COM VISIT Info.jkcp.comdallas to save 50 off your tuition. Summer Programs and Camps Preview Summer 2016 will be here before you know it. What will your kids be doing during that long stretch between June and August Will they be expanding their minds learning a new skill or improving on an existing one making lifelong friends from around the globe or enjoying day trips into NYC They will if they look at programs like these Rustic Pathways Rustic Pathways is a 33-year-old leader in the student travel industry and was named the Best Youth Tour Operator by the 2015 World Youth Student and Educational Conference. We offer one to threeweekspringbreakandsummerexperiencesgapyearprograms and private group trips in 18 different countries. Each program is carefullydesignedtohelpstudentshavemeaningfultravelexperiences identifyinterestsgainconfidenceandgrowasindividuals.Allacross the globe we employ local staff and foster lasting relationships with the communities in which we work. This enables our students to have service and travel experiences that are both immersive and authentic. Our team is full of genuine people working tirelessly to ensure that you and your familyhavethebestexperiencepossible. Ultimately we do what we do because we believe travel can transform students and the world for the better. For more information visit RusticPathways.com or contact Helene Abrams at Helene tipsontripsandcamps.com. Julian Krinsky Camps Programs Summer should be about doing something you love meeting people from all over the world preparing for college or your future career or experiencing something brand new. Julian Krinsky Camps Programs redefines the summer experience with our programs in business cooking fashion art science and more Join students from over 35 states and 40 countries. With amazing Rustic Pathways SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Musical theater with live orchestras - more than 80 shows a summer dance circus art rock and roll magic sports horseback and everything else individually chosen to make your perfect summer camp experience. French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts www.frenchwoods.com French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts www.frenchwoods.com frenchwoods.com 800-634-1703 adminfrenchwoods.com university campuses museums food history and culture Philly is the place to be this summer. You can join one of our 20 programs at the University of Pennsylvania Villanova University or Haverford College. From the moment you arrive we make every detail of your summer not only fun but customized just for you Experience cutting edge classes high- caliber academic programs trips along the East Coast dorm life as well as other on and off campus activities the Krinsky Experience has mastered it all For more information visit Jkcp.com or contact Helene Abrams at Helenetipsontripsandcamps.com. FrenchWoods 47 years ago all summer camps had the same daily schedule a regimented program of sports and traditional activities in a one- size-fits-all limited choice schedule. When the French Woods Festival burst on the scene with a fully individualized dynamic program focused on the performing arts with flexible session dates it shook up the industry. Now founder Ron Schaefers vision is fully realized and updated to cover not just the performing arts but nearly every activity from the visual arts circus arts skateboarding magic sports and of course the theater dance and music programs that French Woods is famous for. Todays children love to choose their own activities and they want to focus on the things they love. The French Woods festival gives them this choice while offering all the traditional benefits of personal growth group bonding fun and experiences that are the ultimate payoff of spending the summer away at camp. For more information visit frenchwoods.com. FrenchWoods Julian Krinsky SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 58 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 Js Art Camp Js Art Camp has been teaching fun creative art classes in the North Dallas RichardsonPlano area for over 20 years We encourage our students to explore many different art media while teaching technical skills in acrylic oil and watercolor painting drawing clay and sculpture as well as sewing charcoalandmanyothers.Experienced nurturing teachers in small classes help the artists realize their true creative potential We teach kids art classes adult art classes organize art parties and host both summer and winter camps. Beginner to advanced students welcome For more information visit jsartstudio.com. Dallas Young Artists Singing Dancing Acting Dallas Young Artists presents a three week creative and fun musical theatre experience under the guidance of professionals in the musical theatre field. Dallas Young Artists gives your child 3rd grade - 12th grade great opportunities to learn grow make friends and create memories that will last a lifetime. Classes are offered in acting music dance and crafts and there is also the opportunity to perform in a full-length musical. Disneys Little Mermaid is the musical for this June 2016 with all of the famous music and characters of the original. The camps Fun Fridays offer performances by local professionals and a chance for our high school students to audition for local producers and receive feedback. We create youngprofessionalsisthemissionstatement of the Dallas Young Artists and many of our alumni are working professionals in theatre and film. For more information visit dallasyoungartists.com. North Texas Performing Arts Summer Camp Join North Texas Performing Arts as we present the 2016 Summer Camp season. Learn from professional directors actors and singers who have worked on stages from Broadway to LA. Starting June 6th we have sessions at all three theater locations Plano Childrens Theatre Frisco Youth Theatre and McKinney Youth Theatre. We offer morning afternoon and full day sessions each packed full of acting instruction and creative experiences. Our Art and Drama camps are for students ages 5-9 and our Production Camps are for students ages 7-12. NTPA offers an opportunity for anyone to come and learn from our talented staff of teachers and directors. To register go to www. northtexasperformingarts.org CHECK OUT THESE LOCAL DAY CAMPS TO GIVE YOUR TWEENS AND TEENS AN ENRICHING LOCAL EXPERIENCE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Js Art Studio has been teaching fun creative art classes in the North DallasRichardsonPlano area for over 20 years We encourage our students to explore many different art media while our experienced nurturing teachers help artists realize their true creative potential. SUMMER REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW FIND OUT MORE. CALL 972.931.1933 OR VISIT JSARTSTUDIO.COM. 17630 Davenport Road 102 Dallas TX 75252 KIDS CAMPS ART SKILLS CAMPS TEEN ADULT CLASSES ZIO ALS PIZZA PASTA OPEN DELIVERY FROM 11 AM TIL 3 AM CARROLLTON 972-820-0001 3940 Rosemeade Pkwy 120 Dallas TX 75287 ADDISON 972-866-0001 15340 Dallas Pkwy 2010 Dallas TX 75248 1699 SPECIALS PIZZA PASTA SUBS GYROS SALAD BAR WINGS DESSERTS ZIOALS.COM Large 2 Topping Pizza 1 Order Cheese Sticks 1999 2 Medium 2 Topping Pizzas 2499 Large Specialty Large 2 Topping Pizza 1399 Large 2 Topping Pizza 2 Liter Soda FAMILY SPECIAL SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SEE OUR AGES 6 WEEKS THROUGH GRADE 12 27 ACRES OF CAMPUS IPAD CAMPUS CURRICULUM FOCUS LITERACY MATH SCIENCEAND TECHNOLOGY STEM EXCEEDS NATIONAL AND STATE TEST SCORE AVERAGES AT ALL LEVELS 500-SEAT FINE ARTS CENTER EAGLE STADIUM SPORTS COMPLEX 12 ACRES OF SPORTS FIELDS PRINCE OF PEACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL EARLY LEARNING CENTER WWW.POPCS.ORG 972-447-0532 NEARTHE NORTH DALLASTOLLWAY PLANO PARKWAY Discover POP Tour MARCH 2 830 A.M. APRIL 6 830 A.M. E M B R A C E mbrs verb e 1. Hold someone closely in ones arms especially as a sign of affection. Synonyms hug hold cuddle envelop 2. Accept or support a belief theory or change willingly and enthusiastically. Synonyms welcome welcome with open arms accept take to ones heart support champion 3. Include or contain something as a constituent part. Synomyms include take in encompass involve embody comprehend Our newest section Embrace was created to provide information and human interest articles to help families with differently-abled children. Whether your child has ADHD Autism Down Syndrome or any other special need that qualifies him or her for programs in public schools we will be researching and covering important educational and inspiring content that addresses a wide variety of issues. Embrace is generously sponsored in part by Ilana and Semyon Narosov Embark on this journey with us. Share your experiences offer your advice give us your input and show us how you embrace their uniqueness. Our team at Good Life Family is constantly striving to educate inspire and be a resource to our readers. You might say that we embrace the theory that the good life is as good as we make it. Reach out to us at GoodLifeFamilyMAG.com. 62 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 Kevin Frazar was born in 1975 when his older brother Harrison was just four years old. During the delivery the doctors knew something was wrong with Kevin but they didnt know exactly what. They told his parents that Kevin had suffered a stroke in the womb that had affected his brain development the umbilical cord had wrapped around his neck during the delivery and the doctors warned his parents that he might not make it. The family prepared for Kevins death but he defied the odds. Weeks later when they brought him home Harrisons parents told him that Kevin was special and that he had to treat him accordingly. All Harrison knew was that this was his little brother he was too young to understand. When Kevin was one-and-a-half years old and had not yet achieved the benchmarks that other children typically do the doctors confirmed that he had cerebral palsy. One side of his body was smaller than the other and that side turned inward Kevin was also emotionally and intellectually lagging behind other children. Even with the diagnosis of cerebral palsy the Frazars made the decision to raise him at home and as normally as possible. My parents were not going to let the cerebral palsy define us or get us down says Harrison. They turned to Childrens Hospital Easter Seals and other medical facilities for surgery on Kevins turned-in eye and for therapy. He was fitted with corrective braces to correct his turned-in foot and he received occupational and physical therapy to teach him to crawl walk and do other things most people take for granted. As Kevin grew older he was able to walk and speak more adeptly and in second grade he was enrolled in a public school special education program. After a move took them away from Dallas for a time the family moved back to the Highland Park Childhood was filled with memories for the Frazar brothers. Kevin says his favorite memories with his big brother include fishing at Lake Kiowa riding the moped playing Pac Man and spending the summer in Coloradoriding with our dog Blitz in the back of the truck and jumping for hours on our trampoline goodKIDS Little Brother Big Blessing PGA GOLF PRO HARRISON FRAZAR SHARES A SPECIAL BONDWITH HIS BROTHER KEVIN By Karyn Brodsky HARRISON FRAZAR Harrison began playing golf with his dad when he was 6 yearsoldandquicklyexcelled. Inhisjunioryearheshotafinal round 65 to leadTexas to a 2nd place team finish at the NCAA Championship. On the University of Texas Longhorns golf team he was a three-time honorable mention All-American. In his junior year he shot a 65 and led Texas to a 2nd place team finish at the NCAA Championship. He joined the PGA Tour in 1996. Throughout his career an unfortunate number of injuries has caused him to take substantial time off with medical exemptions. Despite coming off a shortened 2010 season because of surgery to his right shoulder and left hip Frazar found a second wind. HemadethecutattheByronNelsonChampionshipandtied for 14th .Then in 2011 after 14 years and 354 tournaments Harrison Frazar won his first PGATournament at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis Tennessee in a harrowing playoff with Robert Karlsson. One of the highlights of his professional golf career was receiving a coveted invitation to the Masters. Another highlight was receiving the hand-made trophy his young sons surprised him with in 2008 when he became one of the few golfers in history to shoot a 59 at a PGA Tour qualifyingeventwinning the tournament handily. He is currently on an extended medical hiatus and enjoying spending time with his family. Harrison with wife Allison and sons Harrison now 16 Ford now 13 and Slayden now 9 pictured here atThe Masters in 2012. The Highland Park High School sweethearts have been married 20 years. area in 1985 and Kevin had access to the school districts excellent special education program. He was a student there through high school and he made a small group of friends who watched out for him. He became the equipment manager for the high school football team and the entire community there embraced him. He still speaks very fondly of those boys and still remembers them says Harrison. Meanwhile Harrison was growing up in the same household and says that he never felt different being the sibling of a child with special needs. I never felt slighted nor that I was denied anything he notes. We had a simple structured life but I didnt know any different. Harrison adds that it was a wonderful childhood. He wasnt allowed to have normal sibling rivalry and he was coached by his parents that he and Kevin werent going to fight. I didnt fight and I was very sympathetic says Harrison. One of the by-products of having a special needs brother was that on weekends in order to relieve his mother from the duties of taking care of two children at once Harrison often spent time with his father. There was baseball football and other outdoor activities including golf. Harrison played golf with his dad and other adults when he was just seven years old. As a teen Harrison and Kevin maintained a very close relationship. Harrison participated in many sports and Kevin was always there to cheer him on. During college at the University of Texas where he played golf for the Longhorns Harrison came home every few weeks to visit and Kevin displayed his pride for his big brother and his achievements. When I was an All-American in golf Kevin must have told everyone in town for about two weeks beamed Harrison. He was the proudest and most supportive brother you can imagine. After high school Kevin attended a special education college program in Albuquerque NM for about a year. When he returned to Dallas he went to workatlocalgolfcourses.Abouteightyearsagohisparentsencouragedhim to try to live on his own. Today Kevin lives in his own condo in downtown Dallas and has a job at a large law firm in their program for those with special needs. He rides the bus to and from work and he occasionally enjoys some live music at a club or takes in a Dallas Mavericks game. Although he is somewhat independent his parents Cookie and Dick Frazar along with Harrison his wife Allison and their three boys Harrison Ford and Slayden are ever present. Its taken a lot of effort sweat and tears to provide Kevin a life thats as close to normal as possible says Harrison. I give all the credit to my parents. Harrison describes Kevin as a very social person who loves to be around people and enjoys music concerts sporting events and going out to golf outings. He especially enjoys spending time with Harrisons three young sons. Kevin is a blessing says Harrison. About 12 years ago after watching Harrison hit the links for so many years Kevin told his father that he wanted to play golf. His father was a bit hesitant given Kevins physical unsteadiness. Once again like he did so many years ago Kevin defied the odds. He smacked the ball 200 yards with a driver off the tee and big brother Harrison couldnt be prouder. Harrison was just like every other kid with his little brother. They were 4 years apart and had their good and bad moments. But I know that Harrison really looked out for Kevin at school and in the neighborhood and felt very protective of him. Siblings of special needs kids learn early on that everyone in the family has to helpsays their mom Cookie Frazar. 64 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 CHALLENGES FOR SIBLINGS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES What About Me by Kristin Cicciarelli With an estimated 2.8 million children living with disabilities in the United States U.S. Census Bureau 2010and possibly many more living with unreported disabilitiesa large number of todays families understand firsthand the demands of caring for someone with special needs. Whether the disability is physical mental or emotional and whether it requires physical accommodations or specialized education it poses challenges for both the child and his family members. Most children with disabilities require additional attention from their parents and its only natural for parents to focus on the child who needs more from them. But what about the childs siblings Are their needs being fully met According to Murphy Foster a psychotherapist who works with issues involving anxiety shame and life crises with Insights Collaborative Therapy Group in Dallas Siblings of children with disabilities may develop the tendency to do as much as they can to keep the waters of goodKIDS GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 65 the home calm at times suppressing their own needs or unpleasant emotions. Eventually they might get their needs met in indirect ways and while these tactics may seem to work in their home environment they often prove ineffective as their social world responsibilities and needs expand. They may also take on tasks such as trying to find solutions when parents arent coping well sometimes known as parenting the parent or feel significant expectations from parents including having to care for the child with disabilities in the parents absence Foster says one of the best things a parent can give siblings of children with special needs is one-on-one attention. It doesnt have to be anything lengthyeven just 30 minutes of uninterrupted time doing something that the child selects and considers meaningful. It could be taking a walk planning a meal or going to the mall together. A simple shared activity between parent and child of any age creates opportunities for brief conversations about life to arise allowing open discussion of any difficulties the child is having inside or outside of the home. The parent may initiate a conversation about how the sibling is feeling and coping with the challenges at home but Foster believes its best to simply spend time together and see where the dialogue naturally flows. Creating these types of intentional moments makes it more likely that the child 1 feels like his voice needs and preferences carry weight and 2 realizes that in the midst of the chaos life can bring his life and relationship to his parents are of the utmost importance to them he states. He adds that there are multiple effects the home environment has on a teen or young adult having a sibling with special needs is simply one of the many factors that shapes a child. To increase the likelihood that the teen will emerge from his home equipped and empowered to succeed its crucial that there is an atmosphere of healthy discussion and exploration of his feelings and values as well as the expectations the family has of him while he is living at home. If he is struggling to convey his feelings or refuses to talk about them it might be time to enlist the help of a professional counselor Foster says. As the sibling matures further parents should make a point to support his individuality and differentiation from his family system. Foster reminds us that the sibling of the special needs child is also a unique person with his own set of passions and values. He needs to know that once he eventually becomes a self-sufficient young adult he has the space to determine how to interact with his family on his own terms based on his values and needs rather than a sense of guilt or obligation. Siblings of children with disabilities may develop the tendency to do as much as they can to keep thewaters of the home calm at times suppressing their own needs or unpleasant emotions. - Murphy Foster Insights Collaborative Therapy Group LaunchAbility is a job-placement service for underserved and overlooked adults with cognitive disabilities. The non-profit organization places men and women with Autism Down Syndrome stroke or significant learning disabilities who not only desire to join the workforce but with guidance and training are more than able to do so. Training and placement services give careers confidence and independence to clients who would otherwise be solely dependent on their families or social services. Placing adults with diverse abilities who want gainful employment is life altering not only for them but also for the companies that hire them. LaunchAbilitys literature states Our clients may have challenges in certain functions but every one of them can do something well. Our job is to unearth that hiddenor not so hiddenability and align it with an employer to create a perfect symbiotic work relationship. In the end we are all about eliminating the dis from disability disrespect and disadvantage. Services range from career development coaching resumeinterview preparation job identification and on-the-job coaching for clients to disability etiquette training and consulting for employers. LaunchAbility creates life-changing opportunities foritsclientstogainconfidenceandindependence says Jeff Zlotky a Dallas-based attorney who serves on its Community Advisory Board. Formoreinformationonhiringfindingemployment or volunteering visit Launchability.org. LaunchAbility Focuses on goodKIDS There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more. - Poet Robert M. Hensel 66 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 goodKIDS FOUR TEENS SHARE THEIR HEARTWARMING LESSONS IN PROTECTIVENESS PATIENCE ACCEPTANCE AND LOVE FOR THEIR Special Siblings We often hear from the parents how much of their day-to-day attention is justifiably spent on their child with special needs. But we wondered what is it like to be the brother or sister So we asked some siblings to share their thoughts A TALE OF TWO CHILDREN By Brooke Benjamin Over the course of my satisfying albeit short seventeen years of life Ive experienced the best of times and the worst of times within my very own household. As the sibling of a child with a disability my day-to-day life surely differs from those of most other kids my age. When I was about three years old my younger brother Jackson was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. I didnt understand it at the time but this diagnosis changed my life forever. Being Jacksons sister can be tough I sometimes feel as though my parents hold me to a higher standard. High grades and good behavior are simply expected of me but for Jackson these same behaviors often warrant a reward. As Ive gotten older and more mature Ive realized that Jackson and I are entirely different children. When I was younger I wanted my parents to treat me the same and I often felt like I was denied attention or uninformed about what was going on within my house. Sometimes I felt pushed aside like an unwanted toy when my parents focused on Jacksons well being rather than on mine. Looking back now I am embarrassed that I ever felt this way. My parents especially my mom spent a lot of time with Jackson because he simply needed the extra help. Unlike me he was not a natural self-starter the years Jackson spent in therapy accompanied by my mom were to teach him the qualities that to me were instinctual. I applaud my parents for recognizing the defining features of both of their children and although it took some time for me to appreciate their actions I know they have raised both Jackson and me to be the virtuous individuals we are today. I didnt understand it at the time but this diagnosis changed my life forever. -Brooke Benjamin 17 pictured here with her brother Jackson 14. A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA By Jordan Dwyer Growing up with my brother Alec has opened my eyes and my heart to all kinds of people. My brother Alec was born with a little something extra he has Downs syndrome and he rocks his extra chromosome. Alec has helped me realize that life is not about what a person looks like how smart they are or how they talk. Who they are on the inside is what matters most. Many people perceive Alec as someone who is different but once they get to know him they quickly learn that he has a heart of gold. He has the ability to turn anyones bad day around with his infectious smile and cheery wit. Throughout my life Alec has proven to me that anything is possible. Watching him excel at the things he is passionate about whether its playing basketball swimming lifting weights wakeboarding or scoring a touchdown in a football scrimmage forces me to realize that the excuses I try to sell myself about struggles in my life or my friends lives are nothing compared to what Alec and kids like him overcome every day. Watching Alec work so hard for what he wants without giving up and without excuses gives me a clear perspective of what makes a true champion. Many if not all families struggle with some type of adversity or unfortunate circumstance. What others may perceive to be a hardship for my family we see as a blessing that most will never experience or understand. My family is different but I would not change it for anything. In so many ways I look up to my older brother and aspire to be more like him. He does not judge or manipulate. I am not even certain that he is aware of his differences. Alec is an absolute joy to be around and he is a constant reminder of what is important in life. Throughout my life Alec has proven to me that anything is possible. - Jordan Dwyer 18 with his big brother Alec 20 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 67 LESSONS OF LOVE Submitted anonymously by the 18 year-old brother of a 20 year-old sister with Down Syndrome If you have thoughts or ideas to share we hope to hear from you. Tell us how you feel if youve had to overcome any obstacles and what youve learned. You can include your name or you can submit it anonymously. Email TriciaGoodLifeFamilyMAG.com Being a brother to Jane has been the best blessing that I have ever been given. Having a sibling with special needs has had its ups and downs over the years but those ups and downs have molded me into the person I am today. Perhaps the years that impacted me the most were during my high school years Jane was one grade above me. Freshman year was very rough for me mainly because Jane was struggling with anxiety and depression at our high school. That year I had to deal with a lot of her emotional problems in school and this set me apart from the other students in my grade. After my freshman year we moved to a new school that provided Jane with a much more positive environment where her anxiety and depression issues eventually went away. Those high school years impacted me the most because I learned how to be patient and how to accept responsibility for others even at a young age. Others who have siblings with special needs should know that while there will be rough times and times where you will feel a heavier burden on you than on others your age there will also be moments that will be so wonderful you wont ever want them to end. Embrace your sibling as they are and love him or her like you would any other member of your family. That is when you will see the amazing qualities and capabilities these people have. not her actual name goodKIDS BEING THE SIBLING OF AN AUTISTIC BROTHER By Samantha Herman Usually when people think of siblings they think of arguments tattle tales and people who just dont get along with each other but thats not true for my brother Seth and me. My parents always remind me that when Seth and I were very little I would always ask them Why wont Seth play with me Their response would be He will play with you eventually just be patient. After many years of patience we started to play games together and had so much fun. We played ball and did puzzles. When he got to 6th grade he participated in a program at his school which allows normal children to interact with the special needs kids. I think that this is an amazing program and he really enjoys it. Other than me he now has tons of mostly female friends who come to the house and go with him to fun places such as Jumpstreet. Since we have been together for so long and I have always been there to help him its a bit weird having someone else there to help out so I still feel the need to go with him. Plus I think he feels more comfortable when Im there. Every day I notice that Seth listens to me even more than my parents and I think thats awesome Just the other day while he was swimming in the pool his favorite activity to do in his free time he began throwing a tantrum. My parents tried multiple times to get him out of the pool. A couple of minutes later I asked if I could get him out thinking that he would listen to me. The first time he didnt come out so I tried again. The second time I said Seth come on. Lets go get some pasta. Since he is non-verbal he makes hand gestures to tell us yes or no so he made a closed fist and shook his wrist up and down telling me yes. He still didnt come out. The third time I repeatedly said Come on Seth and eventually I got him inside to eat. Its not very often that he throws a fit tantrum melt-down or whatever you want to call it but when it does happen it can range from long loud and painful to short and loud. There have been some times when he will grab me and scratch me out of anger but I have learnedwaystoprotectmyself.Imprettyusedtoitbynow.Although he gets upset on occasion he mostly has good days. Those days are my favorite. Hes all lovey-lovey will give me tons of hugs and kisses and is constantly laughing and smiling and begging me to play with him. My parents always have to take him to speech and other therapies so that takes most of their time. I understand that he needs a lot of attention so it doesnt bother me too much. When I do get time to spend with my parents its usually at lunch during school. They bring me lunch and we just sit down and talk. Other times I spend alone- timewitheitherMomorDadgoingongirlsdayoutwithMomor playing board games or getting ice cream with Dad. Seth has made me more mature for my age and has taught me so many things without even realizing it. For example he has taught me to be more patient when he is not responding to questions right away or when I try to understand what he needs whether its through the iPad or hand gestures. So being his sister definitely comes with a ton of responsibilities but it has made me the person I am today and I will do anything for him. Seth has made me more mature for my age and has taught me so many things without even realizing it. - Samantha Herman 14 with her brother Seth 13 68 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 goodADVICE I Had No Idea WHY KEEPING DISABILITIES A SECRET FROM YOUR ATTORNEY IS A BAD IDEA One of the best things about being a lawyer is meeting a client for the first time. Before that initial meeting I remind myself of two universal truths. Number one there is no such thing as a normal family. The Simpsons exist in real life. The Cleavers do not. The second rule is almost the same NEVER judge a book by its cover. My law practice covers estate planning and Social Security Disability which overlap more than people realize. The more open my clients are with me the more I can help them plan for the known and unknown. Disabilities do affect estate plans. We can handle both kinds of disabilitiesthose that are inevitable and those that are brought on by some unfortunate event. Most people including me try to hide their disabilities. From a lifetime of practice I know that doing so avoids prejudices stereotypes and embarrassment and gets us closer to that image of the perfect Dallasite. Im hearing impaired but some people think I have a European accent. I have to confess Ive had fun with that assumption over the years. Yet for estate planning purposes if I know what someones disability is I can work around it. Once I discover someone is disabled I need to know the circumstances. The whys come in three general flavors 1. Accident car accident elderly person has fallen freak accident etc. 2. Hereditary mental conditions dementia Alzheimers 3. Other medical reason contracted some type of disease birth defect etc. The category is important because I can legally plan for the hereditary ones possibly over multiple generations. I can also manage the ones that have already occurred for estate planning purposes and plan generally for all others. Its a good idea to address all possible present and future disabilities in estate planning. We need to specify our wishes while we are mentally able to do so. At the same time we can generally plan for the things that may befall us. Its hard to think about these things because it makes us realize we may not get the future we hope to have. The thoughts are unpleasant and thats why a lot of people procrastinate. But there is relief. Another one of the best experiences I have as a lawyer is seeing my clients relief when they realize everything is accounted for and in order. Editors Note Colin Smith practices law with a focus on estate planning and Social Security Disability. He is no stranger to the challenges of disability. He lost most of his hearing to spinal meningitis as a small child and lost the rest of it while completing his undergraduate studies at The University of Texas. After two years of silence he was able to hear again with the help of a cochlear implant. He looks forward to your phone call and hell turn off his music when he hears the phone ring. Reach him at 972.773.9095. By Colin Smith Special Contributor Read more from Colin Smith at GoodLifeFamilyMAG.com. MRI MRA CTCTA US X-RAY bone denSITY MAMMoGRAPHY FLUoRoSCoPY PeTCT nUCLeAR MedICIne Same Day Appointments Evening and Saturday Appointments On-Site Radiologist Most Insurance Plans Accepted Comfortable Waiting Areas Walk-In X-Rays Traditional MRI and Open MRI Available PETCT Scans Available at South Arlington www.envisionimg.com ALLen bedFoRd CAMP boWIeFTW CLebURne dALLAS FRISCo HULenFTW KeLLeR LAS CoLInAS MAnSFIeLd MCKInneY noRTH ARLInGTon PennSYLVAnIAFTW PLAno SoUTHLAKe SoUTH ARLInGTon SoUTH dALLAS 17 Convenient dFW Locations 70 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 goodHEALTH Cancer A Word Full of Hope My brother was 24 a recent graduate of Texas AM living in a bachelor pad in Dallas with three of his best buddies when a friends mother a nurse noticed the enlarged lymph nodes in his neck giving him a Frankenstein appearance. A subsequent work up at the doctors office revealed suspicious lung nodules on his chest x-ray and the next year and a half became focused on Matts treatment for Stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma. It was a very long road but Im happy to report that after a stem cell transplant he has remained in remission and is now happily married with two beautiful children in Austin. He beat the odds. By AliciaWanek Chances are it has touched you somehow. A relative. A friend. Maybe yourself. It seems every week theres a Facebook post that a friend knows someone else diagnosed with cancer. A cancer diagnosis becomes the marker by which a persons life is definedlife before cancer and life after diagnosis. Its a scary word but today it connotes courage healing and hope more than ever before. Cancer is a disease that can affect almost any part of the body and fortunately there are specialists and organizations to treat almost any type. Resources in the way of referrals information support groups and research studies abound. Locally the Dallas office of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society LLS makes it their mission to fight all blood cancers and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Their mission hit home for me. And if it seems to you that more people are taking on cancer and winning youre right. Consider this Thirty years ago half of all children diagnosed with any cancer would not survive but today that survival rate is as high as 80. In 1977 the five-year survival rate for leukemia was just 34 in 2010 it was over 60. Though Libby Kaczmarek Community Relations Director for LLS and Brittney Bannon Development Director for the Childrens Cancer Fund CCF remind us that cancer still remains the number one disease-related killer of children in the U.S. and takes over 250 lives worldwide every day. Its one of our biggest fears as parents right That our children will get a serious illness Every day 46 children will be diagnosed with cancer. Brittney reports For the 1 in 5 courageous children who lose their battle to cancer the average age of death is 8 years old. Sadly despite these heartbreaking numbers all pediatric cancers combined receive less than 4 of federal funding for cancer research. The CCF specifically aims to help these young patients. Through their fundraising efforts they have raised over 7 million in the last 30 years while working with Childrens Medical Center now Childrens Health where currently 1 in 5 children diagnosed with cancer is treated and UT Southwestern Medical Center to fund research a child life specialist position specifically for children with cancer and blood disorders and programs to investigate the long-term effects of chemotherapy and radiation in children. The challenges children face are different from those of adults and pediatric cancer patients in Dallas Fort Worth are fortunate to have CCF fighting for them. The goal for any organization supporting cancer patients including CCF is survival. EARLY DETECTION IS KEY Frequently the number one factor in survival is getting a diagnosis before the disease has progressed too far. For my brother it all started with a simple in-office chest x-ray. Thankfully today for the newly diagnosed patient the availability of specialized radiographic images can pinpoint the location of the Childrens Cancer Fund Gala Chairmen Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman with young friend Hayden Ritchie. The April 22nd event includes a childrens fashion show where pediatric cancer patients and survivors all escorted by celebrities steal the spotlight. All proceeds go toward advancing research and treatment programs in pediatric oncology. Thirty years ago half of all children diagnosed with any cancer would not survive but today that survival rate is as high as 80. GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 71 cancer and help to identify exactly what type of cancer it is. Envision Imaging with multiple locations across North Texas offers state- of-the-art equipment for its patients whether their doctor has ordered a CT scan MRI ultrasound or PET scan. Envision offers a more comfortable open MRI filled with light and views on all four sides during the procedure. The PETCT scan available at Envisions south Arlington facility has become an invaluable tool for radiologists and oncologists in locating the site and size of tumors. More importantly it can help differentiate benign from malignant growths. Patients are given an injection of radioactive glucose which is rapidly metabolized by cancer cells. They will then light up on radiographic images. Physicians can compare these images over time to determine if a patient is responding to treatment. More types of cancers are responding to treatment these days thanks to research. The lifesaving research studies today are truly visionary and are tackling the disease in newbut costlyways. LLS is proud to fund investigators like Dr. Carl June and his team in Philadelphia. They have been able to reprogram the HIV virus so that it can no longer cause disease but retains its ability to alter the immune system to attack cancer cells specifically leukemia. When asked if he is working to cure cancer Dr. June responds its hard actually to think that you might actually succeed. GET INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT You can help by attending the events that are working to make a cure for cancer a reality. LLS offers fundraising events like their Team in Training race program Light the Night walks their Big D Climb and Saint Valentines Day fashion show and luncheon to benefit all the latest clinical research programs and patient support. Even students can get involved by participating in the Student of the Year program in which top fundraisers can earn a college scholarship and other exciting incentives. The 1658370 people diagnosed with cancer just last year deserve the right treatmentand not just what they get from the doctor. LLS makes it their mission to support everyone affected by one persons cancer diagnosis. They are excited about their blood cancer conference coming up in September. Top experts will be on hand for nurses as well as patients and their families to explore many aspects affected by cancerfrom financial support to sexuality and from wellness to sibling support. This statewide conference will offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity for anyone affected by the disease. I can give you ten reasons why I love LLS events ten reasons why Im excited about the research ten reasons why Im motivated by the stories of loss in our LLS community and ten reasons why I celebrate the patient success stories says Libby. Listening to her its hard not to be equally excited about the prognosis for the future. After all giving up hope is not an option. Envision Imaging offers state-of-the-art equipment and a more comfortable open MRI filled with light and views on all four sides during the procedure. MARK YOUR CALENDARS Childrens Cancer Fund Gala April 22 Visitwww.childrenscancerfund.comevents LEUKEMIA LYMPHOMA SOCIETY Student of theYear February 28-April 2 Man Woman of theYear April 12-June 18 NorthTexas Blood Cancer Conference Expo September 9 10 Light the NightFortWorth October 30 Light the NightDallas November 5 Forinformationonthefollowingeventswiththe LeukemiaLymphomaSocietyofDallasvisit www.lls.orgntx. You can help by attending events that are working to make a cure for cancer a reality like the Leukemia Lymphoma Societys annual Big D Climb Pictured here A Dallas firefighter whose 2-year old son Max has a rare form of leukemia joined over 2300 participants to climb 70 stories at Bank of America Plaza the tallest building in downtownDallasinsupportofbloodcancerresearch. Over50Dallasfirefightersmade the climb in full gear. Since its inception the event has raised over 1000000. Pictured here young friends check out the spacious MRI at Envision Imaging. 72 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 Two years ago a yellow Labrador named Maddie was an abused dog left on the side of the road with her ten puppies. They were taken to Canine Soulmates a foster group in Hurst and four-year-old Maddie got a second chance when her handler Jane Nolan adopted her. Talk about making the most of second chances. Rather than justlivingthegoodlifein her new home Maddie used this opportunity to help others. Maddie and Jane work together as a therapy dog team through Pet Partners a national leader in animal-assisted therapy. I saw that Maddie had a really good temperament and a very kind heart. explained Jane. You cant always find dogs that are mellow sweet and approachable. Dr. Brian Benjamin of the Ohio Drive Animal Hospital in Plano agrees that a good temperament is key for a therapy animal. Atherapyanimalshouldnthaveanytrustissues. explained Dr. Benjamin. Plus you can provide behavioral training so the animal will be patient not afraid of loud noises and not aggressive. To get her working papers Maddie was evaluated and trained through A New Leash on Life the McKinney-based chapter of Pet Partners. After a physical and behavioral evaluation as well as six months of training in obedience socialization and manners Maddie got the green light. Therapy Animals Work Wonders Maddie and Jane visit area hospitals retirement homes and other facilities where the healing power of animal-human interaction works wonders. We just help give a little bit of normalcy to the day and help them feel better says Jane explaining how patients days are filled with tests medication needles therapies and exams. Therapy pets also ease grief stress and loneliness which is why Flora Ellias Dr. Benjamins receptionist takes her three-year-old Irish Wolfhound Sheldon to visit patients through the Vitas Hospice Paw Pals Program. You can easily see the connection that people have with the dogs says Flora who has been taking Sheldon on hospice visits three times a month for the past two years. Some patients are nonverbal until the dogs visit and then they start talking. Rehab patients with mobility issues will pet and brush the dogs. Even Alzheimers patients sometimes recall a pet they had from childhood. Dr. Benjamin also comments on the therapeutic effects that animals can have on people. There have been studies done that show the simple process of petting a dog or hearing a cat purr can release endorphins that benefit a persons state of mind. Jane Nolan has Witnessed the Benefits First Hand One five-year-old boy in oncology had lost his sight and was feeling nauseous recalled Jane on a past visit to Childrens Medical Center in Dallas. He was petting Maddie trying to figure out what she looked like. I said Do you trust me and Maddie He said Sure. And I said Were going to play a game. Youre going to touch her and tell me what part youre touching. After he figured out he was touching Maddies head he said it felt like her heart because shes so soft and I thought that was so intuitive of him. It made him calm down and be more relaxed. It was a special moment. The Healing Power of Therapy Pets goodDOG Formerly abused and left on the side of a road 4-year old Maddie now spends 4 days a week bringing joy to others alongside her owner Jane Nolan. I saw that Maddie had a really good temperament and a very kind heartsays Jane. There have been studies done that show the simple process of petting a dog or hearing a cat purr can release endorphins that benefit a persons state of mind. - Dr. Brian Benjamin Ohio Drive Animal Hospital ohiodriveanimalhospital.com by Lisa A. Beach Would you trust a face like this to just anyone We wouldnt either. Thats why we are committed to being part of your extended family Ohio Drive Animal Hospital is a full service veterinary hospital with an all-star team We take great pride in providing exemplary customer service paired with outstanding medical care ensuring that your furry friends are truly in the best hands. 1101 Ohio Drive Suite 104 Plano TX 75093 ohiodriveanimalhospital.com 972-599-2224 Free exam offer valid only for well-pet visits. For new customers only. Not valid for ill pets or combined with other offers. Come meet Dr. Benjamin and his team CALL US AT 972-599-2224 TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT Mention Good Life Family Magazine and get a FREE well-pet exam Think being a therapy animal is just for dogs Think again. A variety of animals have the potential to serve as therapy animals including cats pigs ponies birds guinea pigs and rabbits. Contact these local chapters of Pet Partners for details Delta Hearts of Gold Aledo 817 291-5994 Angel Paws McGregor 254 744-9926 A New Leash on Life McKinney 972 740-8722 goodDOG I enjoy bringing my dog to work every day and being able to bring out a smilesays Jane Nolan of Maddie pictured here at Childrens Medical Center as part of their Paws of Hope program. 74 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 The Empty Nest IS NOW THE RIGHT TIME TO MAKE THAT BIG PURCHASE Listen is it quiet around your house If youre an empty nester you have survived the days of sibling rivalry carpools and the chaos of getting the kids off to school each morning. Maybe the only pitter-patter of tiny feet you hear is when the grandkids come to visit. Now is the time to focus on you. Many couples begin to evaluate their lifestyle as they move into this next stage. Frequently they also consider making what Chuck Cowell at Guaranty Bank Trust calls non-necessity luxury purchases. Perhaps youre considering a beach or mountain home where the entire family can get together or a bucket list vacation to some exotic location youve always wanted to see. The question is Do you have enough to make that big purchase without jeopardizing your retirement First Chuck reminds you to ensure that you can meet your monthly obligations. Even if your house is paid off you still have monthly expenses and taxes for example. Next is to fully evaluate all the expenses associated with your purchase with extra for any unforeseen expenditures. You never know if you might fall ill during a vacation or when repairs need to be made. Its a delicate balance evaluating your current finances and looking at what you have to spend in the future. Although many baby boomers have saved for years they have been most impacted by the low interest rates in recent years. Their investments may be barely keeping up with inflation. Especially if youre not generating additional earnings the value of your savings may not have changed measurably. Is there a bright side Of course. Now is a good time to travel. Low fuel prices for airlines and gas prices for automobiles are decreasing overall travel expenses. There are bargains to be had if you take the time to investigate the possibilities. Additionally although investment portfolios can take a hit quickly they can also swing way up. You may just need to wait for the best time to make that luxury purchase. Ultimately Chuck reminds us to Go enjoy life. Thats what you saved for. After all you cant take it with you when you go. Editors Note Chuck Cowell is Dallas Market Chairman for Guaranty Bank Trust. Reach out to him for more information on this or any financial question at ccowellgnty.com. By AliciaWanek Have any advice for soon-to-be empty nesters Email your tips to Triciagoodlifefamilymag.com subject line Empty Nest Tips Fully evaluate all the expenses associated with your purchase with extra for any unforeseen expenditures. You never know if you might fall ill during a vacation or when repairs need to be made. - Chuck Cowell Guaranty Bank Trust GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 75 DART is Your Ticket to Fun-Filled Activities Spring is in the air warmer temperatures and longer days beckon you to discover all that North Texas has to offer. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit DART is more than just a convenient way to get there its your trusted guide. Some of the premier destinations in the area are right along the DART Rail lines. The Dallas Arts District is the largest arts district in the nation boasting buildings by four Pritzker Prize-winning architects within a few blocks. Dont miss the Dallas Black Dance Theater the Crow Collection of Asian Art the Dallas Museum of Art the Meyerson Symphony Center the Nasher Sculpture Center the Winspear Opera House and the Wyly Theatre. The Arts District is bordered by Klyde Warren Park the popular spot that has become Dallas front yard. The M-Line Trolley runs right through the district and its all within blocks of the St. Paul Station and the PearlArts District Station Take the OrangeRedBlueGreen Line. In addition to the Arts District the DART Rail can drop you off at some great theaters. From the Granville Arts Center Take the Blue Line to Downtown Garland Station to The Firehouse Theatre Take the Green Line to Farmers Branch Station to the Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts Take the Red Line to Galatyn Park Station the DART can take you to some of the best performance venues around. There are also numerous options for lunch-and-shopping excursions.CheckoutDeepEllumTaketheGreenLinetoBaylor University Medical Center Station where boutiques art galleries and funky curio shops blend with dining and nightlife. Dont miss the barbecue at the Pecan Lodge one of the most talked-about BBQ joints in the region. You can also hit downtown Plano Take the Red Line to Downtown Plano Station a hotbed of antique shops and other unique offerings. Dont miss eating at Urban Crust one of the areas premier purveyors of wood-fired pizza. Other great ride-and-walk places include Mockingbird Station Take the RedOrangeBlue Line to Mockingbird Station West Village and Uptown For both take the RedOrangeBlue Line to CityplaceUptown Station or take the M-Line trolley. For a great day trip consider Fort Worth. Our neighbor to the west has a boot-load of both cowboys and culture with plenty of allure for grown-ups and kids alike. Its all accessible by the Trinity Railway Express TRE shuttles are provided by the Fort Worth Transportation Authority leading to outlying attractions such as the zoo and the cultural district. Check out schedules and routes at DART. org and The-T.com. Discover other places the DART can take you by visiting DART.orgDARTable and be sure to download the DARTs free GoPassSM app. Download it from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. It has every DART travel tool you need The Dallas Arts District is the largest arts district in the nation. The M-LineTrolley runs through the Arts District and Uptown 76 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 MARCH SIXTEENTH ANNUAL DESTINY AWARDS WHEN Friday March 4th at 1130am WHERE St. Philips School Community Center WHAT Pat and Emmitt Smith will serve as this years Honorary Chairs and Oscar nominated and Emmy Award-winning actress Viola Davis will be the featured speaker. COST Individual tickets are 250. CONTACT Toni Patterson at 214.421.5221 or tpattersonstphillips.com EMPTY BOWLS BenefitingtheNorthTexasFoodBank WHEN Friday March 11th from 1100am to 100pm WHERE Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas WHAT Lunch will be provided by some of NorthTexasfinest restaurants. COST Tickets range from 40 to 150. CONTACT Melissa Retzsch at 214.347.9596 NCAAWOMENS BASKETBALL REGIONALS WHEN March 26th 28th timesTBD WHERE American Airlines Center in Dallas WHAT Four of the best womens basketball teams in the country will battle it out to see who advances to the 2016 Final Four. COST Tickets start at 35 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. CONTACT Britta Pierce Marketing Intern for Dallas Sports Commission at 214.571.1329 or marketinginterndallassports.org APRIL WOMANTOWOMAN 2016 LUNCHEON BenefitingtheJewishFamilyServiceofGreaterDallas WHEN Tuesday April 5th at 1100am WHERE Hyatt Regency Dallas 300 Reunion Blvd WHAT JewishFamilyServiceofGreaterDallasJFSwill host this years Woman to Woman Luncheon benefiting JFS programs and services that provide critical support to anyone in need regardless of race religion or ability to pay. Academy Award-winning actress Goldie Hawn is the guest speaker. COST CONTACT For more information contact JFS at 972.437.9950 ext. 259. PARK CITIES HISTORIC AND PRESERVATION SOCIETY HISTORIC HOMETOUR WHEN Saturday April 9th from 1000am to 300pm WHERE Various historic homes in the Park Cities WHAT The 2016 Historic Home Tour will feature architecturally and historically signifi- cant homes of the Park Cities. COST 20 in advance 25 on day of event. Tickets available at Tom Thumb stores or through Park Cities Historic and Preservation Society at www.pchps.org. CONTACT Deborah Brown at 214.528.0021 or infopchps.org AWARE AFFAIR - Celebrate the Moments BenefitingAWARE WHEN Saturday April 9th from 630pm to 1130pm WHERE Hilton Anatole Grand Ballroom 2201 North Stemmons Freeway Dallas WHAT AWARE is working on the frontlines in the fight against Alzheimers disease in DallasandtheNorthTexasregion. Theyprovidefundingandsupporttogroupsthatoffer services programs education and resources to those suffering from Alzheimers disease their families and caregivers and to organizations doing valuable research to find a pre- vention and a cure. Since its founding in 1989 AWARE has donated over 12000000 towards this cause. COST Individual tickets start at 175 sponsorships are available. CONTACT Janet Broyles President AWARE at janetbroylesawaregmail.com DREAM BALL GALA BenefitingtheNancyLiebermanFoundation WHEN Thursday April 14th from 600pm to 930pm WHERE Omni Dallas Hotel 555 S. Lamar WHAT The annual Dream Ball Galas mission is to use bas- ketball as a motivational tool to provide a healthy physi- cal emotional and mental environment for young girls and boys to build their self-esteem and confidence so theywillbeabletomaketherightchoicesinthefuture. This years gala will honor Charlotte Jones Ander- sonDallasCowboysExecutiveVicePresidentandChief BrandOfficerwiththeLifetimeAchievementAward. COST Individual tickets are 250 sponsorships are available. CONTACT Tony Fay at 972.273.0794 or Tony nancyliebermancharities.org 13TH ANNUALWINGS LUNCHEON BenefitingNewFriendsNewLife WHEN Thursday April 14th at 1130am WHERE Hilton Anatole 2201 Stemmons Freeway Dallas WHAT The 13th Annual Luncheon will benefit New Friends New Life whose mission is torestoreandempowerformerlytraffickedgirlsandsexuallyexploitedwomenandtheir children. The featured speaker will be Amal Clooney a human rights activist and au- thor. Amal the wife of celebrated actor George Clooney has won international acclaim for her advocacy for the protection of women against physical and sexual violence in combat zones. The event will be chaired by The Honorable Jeanne Johnson Phillips Former First Lady Laura Bush Ruth Altshuler Caren Prothro and Annette Simmons will serve as Honorary Chairs. COST Individual tickets sales pending CONTACT Kelly Cruse at 214.965.0935 or wings newfriendsnewlife.org 19th ANNUAL POT OF GOLD LUNCHEON BenefitingRainbowDaysInc. WHEN Friday April 15th from 1130am to 130pm WHERE Omni Dallas Hotel Dallas Ballroom 555 S. Lamar WHAT The Pot of Gold Luncheon is an annual fundraiser created to support Rainbow Community Calendar goodTIMES GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 77 Daysprograms for vulnerable at-risk children and youth facing adversity in our com- munity and to help those children build coping skills resilience and positive futures. InspirationalmatriarchLeighAnneTuohydepictedinthebookandmovieTheBlind Side is this years keynote speaker. COST Individual tickets start at 150 sponsorships are available. CONTACT Julia Santosuosso Resource Development Communication Manager Rainbow Days at 214.217.3833 or juliasrainbowdays.org AN EVENING OF INSPIRATION BenefitingChabadofPlano WHEN Sunday April 17th from 500pm to 800pm WHERE The John AnthonyTheatre Collin College Spring Creek Campus 2800 East Spring Creek Pkwy Plano WHAT The evening will honor Dr. Cary Israel president emeritus of Collin College with the Florence Shapiro Distinguished Leadership Award for his years of vision and leadership in our community at Chabad of Plano and Collin College. Bradley Rossell will receive the Volunteer of the Year Award for his dedicated work with the Jewish Family Service Food Pantry. Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard H.Bernsteinthefirstblindjusticeelectedbyvotersstatewideandatirelessadvocate for disabled rights is the guest speaker. COST Reserved tickets are 95 Open seating tickets are 60. Buffet Style dinner is included with either ticket. CONTACT 972.596.8260 or chabadplano.org THE CHILDRENS CANCER FUND GALA WHEN Friday April 22nd at 600pm WHERE Hilton Anatole Chantilly Ballroom 2201 Stemmons Freeway Dallas WHAT A champagne reception will begin at 6pm with dinner auction and fashion showat715pm.Followingdinnerwillbedancingwithmusicalentertainmentprovid- ed by Emerald City. Continu- ing with tradition pediatric cancer patients and survi- vors will enjoy entertain- ment and dinner backstage prior to walking the runway in their fashions with their celebrity escorts. COST Individual tickets 300 tables and sponsor- ships are available CONTACT Brittney Bannon Director of Development Childrens Cancer Fund at 972.662.1450 or brittneychildrenscancerfund.com HOOTS BOOT SCOOT BenefitingtheTaylorHootonFoundation WHEN Saturday April 23rd at 630pm WHERE Eddie Deens Ranch 944 S. Lamar Dallas WHAT TheTaylor Hooton Foundation THF is a non-profit organization leading a national campaign to educate youth and their adult influencers about the dangers of Appear- ance and Performance Enhancing Drugs including anabolic steroids hGH and unregulated dietary supplements. COST Individualticketsstartat100tablesandsponsor- ships are available CONTACT AmyWagner at 214.814.1179 or amy.wagnertaylorhooton.org 4TH ANNUAL HISTORYWITH ATWIST BenefitingDallasHeritageVillage WHEN Saturday April 30th from 600pm to 1000pm WHERE Main Street at Dallas HeritageVillage 1515 S. Harwood Dallas WHAT A celebration of the American Cocktail and the Villages 50th year in Dallas in- vitesgueststopartylikeits1966. Wearingvintageclothingfromthe1960sguestswill stroll down historic Main Street sampling a variety of unique creations by Dallas Mix- ologist Brian McCullough as well as delicious gourmet bites throughout the evening. COST 100 for individual tickets or 175 for couples includes cocktail samples heavy hors doeuvres beer wine and valet parking. Sponsorships are available. CONTACT Preston Cooley at 214.413.3662 or pcooleydallasheritagevillage.org MAY VISIONARYWOMEN LUNCHEON 2016 BenefitingtheOneHeartFundatJulietteFowlerCommunities WHEN Tuesday May 3rd at 1200pm WHERE Omni Dallas Hotel 555 S. Lamar WHAT Virginia Chandler Dykes will be honored as the 2016VisionaryWoman. One Heart seeks to fill the gap for residents who have outlived their savings for children in need of a loving foster home and for young women with no place else to turn. One heart provides crucial care through financial support life-enriching programs demen- tia initiatives and advocacy for elders in the hospital. COST CONTACT For SponsorshipTicket Information contact Coleman Rabourn at 214.515.1342 or colemanrfowlercommunities.org 23rd ANNUAL GENESIS ANNUAL LUNCHEON BenefitingtheGenesisWomensShelter WHEN Friday May 6th at 1130am WHERE HiltonAnatoleChantillyBallroom2201StemmonsFreewayDallas WHAT For twenty-five years Genesis has been committed to preventing vio- lence by raising community awareness regarding the pervasiveness and effects of domestic violence. Tyler Perry is the Keynote Speaker. Born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse he fought from a young age to find the strength faith and perseverance that would later form the foundations of his work. COST Limited 175 individual tickets will be on sale in March if available. CONTACT For ticket or sponsorship information contact Amy Norton at 214.389.7705 or anortongenesisshelter.org. goodTIMES Visit GoodLifeFamilyMAG.com for more community events and to submit your own 78 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 goodTIMES TEXAS TORNADO BENEFIT 2015 CONCERT Hosted byThe Greater Dallas Chapter of the Association of On December 26th a slew of devastating tornadoes struck North Texas leaving 11 people dead dozens injured and countless homeless. Many businesses in the Dallas area banded together in support of the Texas Tornado Bene- fit. Vicky Gillispie with Stream joined with country sing- er SaraBeth NBC5 and the Salvation Army to create this free concert all proceeds were donated to the Salvation Army to benefit the tornado victims. The benefit raised 25826.50 including funds matched by Stream associ- ates. NBC5s Kris Gutierrez emceed the event. Kimberly GirardVicky Gillispie Pat Johnston SaraBeth Swagerty and Adrian Avila Ashley and LanceWhitworth. The historic celebration included all three of the colleges presidents Dr. John Anthony current district president Dr. Neil Matkin and Dr. Cary A. Israel. Let the letterAon this building remind us ofallwho contrib- ute tirelessly each and every day to ensure a quality institution of higher education the Board ofTrustees faculty students staff and the community. I applaud and thank you.said Dr. Cary Israel at the Ceremony. Craig ONeill Paige Chenault and Mandy ONeill. Monica and Max Kancke COLLIN COLLEGE OPENS NEW HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER Three decades of Collin College leadership were present at the ceremonial ribbon cutting for the Cary A. Israel Health Sciences Center a new building on Collin Colleges Central Park Campus in McKinney. The new three-story 125000 square foot facility provides state of the art learning spaces for the colleges growing health sciences program. The new facility was named by trustees in honor of the colleges second dis- trict president who served from 1999 to 2014. The event took place on the 30th anniversary of the opening of the colleges first campus. Photos by Nick Young Collin College photographer LIVE FROM DALLAS ITS SATURDAY NIGHT The Birthday Party Project hosted a Saturday Night Live-themed bash at sixty-five hundred in Dallas. The event honored The Birthday Party Projects partner- ship with Gradus whose mission is to invest impact and empower their non-profit partners. The evening was presented by Kinslers Kids an organization founded by profession- al baseball player Ian Kinsler and his wife Tess Kinsler and Credit Suisse. Guests who came dressed as their favorite SNL characters enjoyed an array of culinary treats and cocktails provided by notable Dallas restau- rants and chefs. The Birthday Party Project partners with local homeless shelters to throw monthly birthday parties for children living in the shel- ters. Photos by themamones GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 79 See more photos at GoodLifeFamilyMAG.com. goodTIMES8TH ANNUAL SOUPS ON LUNCHEON BENEFITING THE STEWPOT ALLIANCE Over 500 guests were on hand to hear featured speaker Collins Tu- ohy whose relationship with adopted brother Michael Oher was featured in the book and movie The Blind Side. In 2015 The Stew- pot celebrated 40 years of providing meals to homeless and at-risk members of the community. The lunch provided signature soups prepared by a dozen of Dallasfinest chefs. Participating chefs were Chef Brian Luscher The Grape and Luschers Red Hots Chef Brent Anderson Wolfgang Puck Ca- tering Chefs Melody Bishop and Dennis Kelley Lark on the Park Chef Omar Flores Casa Rubia Chef Danyele McPher- son Remedy Chef Misti Norris Small Brewpub Chef Suki Otsuki Mudhen Chef Janice Provost Parigi Chef Abraham Salum Salum and Komali Chef Sarah Snow The Grape and Chef Brian Zenner On-Premise. Photos by Rob Wythe Charlotte Legg Micki Rawlings CollinsTuohy Mayor Mike Rawlings and Christi Nicolas Chefs Sarah Snow Janice Provost and Suki Otsuki NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE ANNUAL TEA EVENTS NCL Preston Bluebonnet Chapter held its annual Tea at the Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco. Moms and daugh- ters celebrated over 6000 hours volunteered at the 21 charities that the chapter supports. Photo by Melissa Pate NCL Golden Corridor Chapter held its annual Mother-Daughter Tea Party on February 14th commemorating another year of service to the community. The 9th grade Ticktockers served their moms. Ready to serve L to R Nicole Moore Lindsey Pidgeon Marissa Choitner Brooke Frank Mikayla Gothard Abby Lowey Moms and daughters at the Golden CorridorTea Party 80 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 ONE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas held a commu- nity-wide event on January 31st at the McFarlin Audi- torium on the SMU campus featuring NBCs Late Night talk show host and comedian Seth Meyers. The event theme One Night One Event One Com- munity represents Federation Board Chair Daniel Prescotts long time dream to consolidate the two major fund- raising events. Approximately 1700 guests were in attendance raising funds for 24 local orga- nizations including Community Homes for Adults Inc. and Dallas Holocaust Museum. Event chairs with Seth Meyers Left to Right Todd Platt Laurie Platt Candy Brown Seth Meyers Lisa Goldberg Neil Goldberg and Ike Brown. Dan Prescott Federation Board Chairman goodTIMES 911 MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB RECOGNITION Plano Fire-Rescues Driver Engineer John Barrett was awarded the Liberty Mutual Firemark Award on January 13th with family and fire department colleagues in attendance. Engineer Barrett received the award for his work founding and coordinating the North Texas Memorial Stair Climb Event com- memorating the attacks of September 11 2001. This annual event honors the fallen firefighters local law enforcement officers and EMS workers who lost their lives during the 911 tragedy. The event is cho- reographed to recreate the events that happened on 911 and the event includes having local active duty firefighters climb 110 flights of stairs a climb equivalent to the height of the former World Trade Center Twin Towers. Each climber wears a picture of a fallen first responder and completes the climb in tribute to him or her. This years event included more than 500 climbers and 200 volunteers. Liberty Mutual Sales Associate Bianca Naguit Liberty Mutual Manager Adam Bamford Plano Driver Engineer John Barrett Liberty Mutual Sales Representative Alayna Gailant and Plano Fire Chief Sam Greif. BEACON OF HOPE LUNCHEON BENEFITING THE GRANT HALLIBURTON FOUNDATION The David B. Miller Fami- ly Foundation presented this years Beacon of Hope Luncheon with featured speaker three-time Olym- pic track and field champi- on Suzy Favor Hamilton. Suzy the author of Fast Girl A Life Spent Running from Madness told of her long battle with mental illness her brothers sui- cide her secret double life as a Las Vegas escort and her bipolar disorder diagnosis. The Grant Halliburton Foundation was estab- lished to help prevent suicide promote bet- ter mental health and strengthen the network of mental health resourc- es available for teens and young adults. In 2015 the Foundation reached more than 18500 students educators pro- fessionals and parents through presentations on mental wellness suicide prevention bullying self- harm and other issues impacting young people. Vanita Halliburton President of Grant Halliburton Foundation presented the organizations first-ever Hope Award to Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk for her significant contributions to ending the stigma of mental illness. BarbaraFarmerABeaconofHopeLuncheonFounding ChairandHonoraryCo-ChairSuzyFavorHamiltonand TerryBentleyHillMasterofCeremonies goodTIMES S.K.I. PLANO BENEFITING THE PLANO ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION Plano ISD held their 20th anniversary of S.K.I. Supporting Kids In Plano on January 30th at the Plano Marriott Legacy Town Center. Guests decked out in their best aprs-ski apparel enjoyed cocktails dinner a live band and dancing. The Big Board Silent Auction raffle prizes and wine pull helped raise funds for the 55000 students in Plano schools. Photos by Alex Lee NHS Student volunteers Emily Sample Chase Tomson and Mariel Gordon withTracy Tomson S.K.I. Plano Chair Plano ISDs Teachers of the Year LilliWisler and Jennifer Denton served as emcees for the evening AliciaWanek Silent Auction Chair and Laura Rome Dr. BrianT. Binggeli Plano ISD Superintendent of Students Danny Modisette Susan Modisette and Sherri Binggeli 14TH ANNUAL VIRGINIA CHANDLER DYKES LEADERSHIP AWARD Texas Womans University honored Francie Moody-Dahlberg with the 14th Annual Vir- ginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award on February 10th at the annual luncheon pre- sented by Bank of Texas Texas Womans Uni- versity TWU and Texas Womans University Foundation. Francie was honored for her commitment to education social services the arts and community development. Ad- ditionally graduate students from TWUs four colleges were honored as recipients of scholarship funds Veronica Rowe College of Health Sciences Mary Roberts College of Nursing Tara L. Roush College of Profes- sional Education and Erin Ellis College of Arts and Sciences. Established in 2002 the Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award is given annually to Dallas leaders with a life- long commitment to improving the quality of life in the community and to furthering the importance of education. The award rec- ognizes the life work of TWU alumna Virgin- ia Chandler Dykes as an outstanding health care provider whose professional and civic achievements represent a lifetime commit- ted to helping others. BobWhite Bank ofTexas Dr. Carine Feyten TWU Chancellor and PresidentTWUVirginia Chandler Dykes Francie Moody-Dahlberg 14th AnnualVirginia Chandler Dykes Lead- ership Award Recipient and Norm Bagwell Bank ofTexas Robert Brackbill and Caroline Rose Hunt 2009Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Recipient GeraldineTincyMiller 2004Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Recipient Lindalyn Adams 2007Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award Recipient and Patricia Meadows Veronica Rowe College of Health Sciences OTVirginia Chandler Dykes Scholarship Recipient and John Faldine Edgemere sponsor of the College of Health Sciences scholarship GOOD LIFE FAMILY LUXURY TRAVEL SHOW PRESENTED BY TRAVELSTORE The first annual Luxury Travel Show was held at STARPOWER on February 11th. Over 300 guests embarked on a unique one night journey to adventures provided by TravelStores Wendy Sandridge including Regent Seven Seas Cruises Roadtrips Celebrity Cruis- es Meadowood Napa Valley Canyon Ranch Tahiti Legends Royal Caribbean International Secrets Vallarta Bay Now Amber Puerto VallartaAM Resorts Classic Vacations Club Med Uniworld Bou- tique River Cruise Collection Rocky Mountaineer Playa Hotels Resorts African Travel The Resort at Pelican Hill Silversea Cruises Destination Hotels Terranea Resort and La Cantera Hill Country Resort Azamara Club Cruises and Omni Hotels. Guests were treated to gourmet cuisine prepared by chefs from Omni Hotels Resorts Ruths Chris Steakhouse and Bosch using the state-of-the-art live kitchens of Ed Kellum Son which is located in- side the Starpower showroom. Inez and Rick Seaney Lori and Bill Rolley L to R Andi Gray Kelley Shamblin Carrie Stockdale Erika Meade and GLF Philanthopy Editor Melissa Chaiken L to R Shannon Buncher Jo Lochabay Alice Brumback Ann OBlenes Jill Johnson and GLF publisher Sheryl Pidgeon Event HostWendy Sandridge ofTravelStore AKATheTravel Momwith husband John and daughters Stefani far left and Brittany Omni Hotels Re- sortsEddie Spring- field left andJason Weaver middlepre- pared gourmet fare to rave reviews. Shown here with Omnis Loretta Allen Global Sales Director L to RJeanna Dwyer Cindy BaldaWendy Sandridge Beth Ann Niketas Mary-Ellen SchuttenhelmTrish Barenberg Rita Bisacca JayVeal and Shanta SmithJenny and PeterWood Event Sponsors Sheryl and David Pidgeon CEO of Starpower Graeme Laudenslager Club Med and Tracey Green Playa Resorts. Club Med offered the grand prize - a 7-Day Trip forTwo. Melissa and Rob Chaiken Valerie and Steve Craig Mary and Norm Hitzges GoodLifeFamilyMag.com MARCH APRIL 2016 83 JOIN OUR FAMILY Share your thoughts stories insights advice and yes even frustrations and failures with Good Life Family. Email Sheryl Pidgeon SherylGoodLifeFamilyMag.com or any member of the Good Life Family team. Good Morning Texas Paige McCoy Smith shares her wit on Spring Break an eager princess and the blessing of the credit card - Paige Let it Go goodPOINT It never ends does it You survived the holidays and Aunt Marthas annual fruit cake delivery and you rang in the New Year at a respectable 10 pm and now you can pour that cup of coffee or that quart of wine sit back and relax. WRONG Im still sweeping up pine needles while the sound of spring is rolling in like a freight train. Spring BREAK Give me a break I am back to planningand its no picnic. I know I sound like a whiner but trying to find a Spring Break destination that is entertaining for a 16-year-old a 12-year-old and a 5-year-old with an available budget of 62 cents can be well impossible. So I decided to consult with a mouse. You may know him. If not heres a hint. Whos the leader of the club... M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E I know I know its a little goofy of me to head to Magic Kingdom with such a tight budget. But thats where the ol credit card will come in handy. No doubt it will pain me to dole out 20 bucks for a bottled water with a Donald Duck label but the days of a true family vacation are slipping by. As it is I will have to demonstrate to my oldest son new and exciting ways to use his fingers other than texting and eating and give him a neck brace to keep his head upright rather than in the typical downward text positionbut its worth it Why Because of my 5-year-old. I get one more chance to watch a little girl witness magic and experience the happiest place on Earth. I get to see her squeal when she gets in the company of such royalty as Ariel or Cinderella or if were lucky Elsa the poor child may freeze out of sheer happiness if this Frozen princess makes an appearance. So my husband and I jumped in with both feet and a million dollar deposit and put the plan into action. However I made a fatal mistake. I told my little Victoria of our upcoming plan. Bad idea. LISTEN TO ME CAREFULLY. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. DO NOT TELL A CHILD THAT YOU ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD UNTIL THE NIGHT BEFORE We have months before our Disney destination and Victoria has already packed. Every single day without exception she asks me if its time to go to Disney. I finally posted a calendar in her room where she could mark off the dates until D-Day. I shouldnt complain. I cant think of a time in recent past where I literally jumped up-and-down in anticipation. It is a gift seeing this joy through her eyes. I know its going to be tough trying to convince my boys to take one-more-spin on the Dumbo ride and endure the freaky dolls on the Small World ride. But I know they willthey will for their sister. And I get to watch at least one more time ALL of my kidsbe kids. No wonder why they call it Magic Kingdom. PS Look for me on WFAA Channel 8 Monday through Friday at 900 AM Ready to move on Whether it is a gradual realization or a dramatic heartbreaking moment you know when it is time to transition to the next chapter of your life. Things have to change but you dont want your children caught in the chaos even when divorce is imminent. The attorneys at Verner Brumley McCurley Mueller Parker P.C. are here to guide you through it. When you are ready to take the next step we will protect the estate you have worked hard to build and fight to achieve a custody arrangement that fits your familys best interests. Verner Brumley McCurley Mueller Parker P.C. is one of the largest family law firms in Texas. With over 350 years of combined expertise we are known nationwide for our elite representation of family law clients. When you know it is time to turn the page contact us to discuss your options. FAMILY LAW Contested Divorce Child Custody Modifications Appeals Prenuptial Agreements Postnuptial Agreements HIGHLAND PARK 4311 Oak Lawn Ave. Suite 450 Dallas TX 75219 214-526-5234 HISTORIC DOWNTOWN MCKINNEY 121 S. Tennessee St. McKinney TX 75069 972-562-2212 WWW.VBMMP.COM