Drive through South Walton County during the first week of May, and you are sure to see white-and-green flags waving in the warm spring air. These high-flying banners herald the coming of ArtsQuest, the Cultural Arts Association’s week-long celebration of all things art.
 

A kickoff concert, shopping tour, fashion show, student exhibit and preview gala all lead up to the ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival – the pièce de résistance of a week of ArtsQuest festivities leading up to the Mother’s Day weekend show.
 

This year, the ArtsQuest juried show commemorates its 20th anniversary in the Beaches of South Walton, taking place May 10 through 11 in The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The festival, which started as a community event in Grayton Beach, has grown tremendously over the past two decades, moving from its Grayton home to Eden State Gardens and now to the Village, where it boasts crowds of approximately 10,000.
 

“It is the only event of its kind in this area, and it’s such a great opportunity especially for those who live here to see artists they wouldn’t be exposed to without going to Atlanta, New Orleans or Chicago,” says Jennifer Steele Saunders, ArtsQuest producer. “It’s a great opportunity for the art to come to us.”


Along with wonderful exposure to art of all forms, ArtsQuest gives festival-goers the opportunity to meet new friends, greet old friends and take in the sights and sounds of the charming Village atmosphere – all under the bright Florida sunshine.


A Captivating Canvas
A work of art in its own right, The Village of Baytowne Wharf is in its best light when framed with the creative spirit of diverse artists. The bayside community begins to buzz as more than 100 artists from around the country converge on the open-air events plaza and along the community’s shell-paved streets.
 

“Baytowne Wharf is the perfect backdrop for the annual ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival,” says Kim Duke-Layden, director of commercial property at Sandestin. “It is naturally picturesque, with pedestrian-friendly streets, ample green space and unique facilities, allowing guests to meander from one side of the Village to the other. There are also plenty of opportunities to stop off at sidewalk cafés for a quick bite or a leisurely lunch, not to mention a refreshing beverage.”
 

The magic happens when the little white tents pop up along the Village streets, and the colors of art and life run together as festival-goers explore the art, interact with the artists, listen to local bands and visit the shops and eateries.
 

“You just have to go to ArtsQuest to know how special it is,” Saunders says. “To hear the music, see the art and eat the food – all of it is just such a wonderful experience.”
 

Tom Rice, owner of the Marlin Grill and an ArtsQuest board member, says it is the small-town, open-air feel of The Village of Baytowne Wharf that makes it the perfect complement to ArtsQuest.
 

“We are a community, and when you put an event in (the Village) and it works, the whole package just comes together,” he says.


Best of Show
While there is a wealth of activity, indoors and out, throughout the venue, the art certainly takes center stage.
 

“We are really trying to embrace and champion the arts,” says ArtsQuest chairwoman Nan Ream. “We have to make sure we are including all artists. We want a diversified group of artists, whether it is jewelry or sculpture or wood or paintings.”
 

A qualified panel of jurors selects the featured artists for the show. Artists working in a variety of formats and from as far away as Chicago and Canton, Ohio, enter the event for a chance to showcase their work and compete for Best of Show.
 

“Of the shows in the area, ArtsQuest is the premier one,” says Connie Nabholz, an award-winning jewelry artist from Pensacola and a participant in the event. “The location is so nice, and the people who put on the show treat the artists so well.”
 

Local Cultural Arts Association members also get a chance to share their creative vision in the collaborative tent. Unlike the rest of the festival, the work in this tent is not juried and is open to any member of the association.
 

Most Cultural Arts Association members would affirm that arts education is at the heart of everything the organization does. In that spirit, the board selects four students from Okaloosa Walton College to exhibit and also hosts a children’s art area with age-appropriate projects.
 

Of the importance of the children’s tent, Ream says, “How else are you going to become a budding artist if you don’t start at places like this?”

Show and Sale
For local merchants and exhibiting artists, ArtsQuest means business. Cultural and economic benefits collide as the restaurants, shops and the artists welcome festival attendees to peruse their art, merchandise and menus in a relaxed, enjoyable environment.
 

“When events like ArtsQuest are done well, planned well and promoted well, it does a tremendous amount of good for Baytowne Wharf and the businesses in it,” Rice says.
 

The artists appreciate the laid-back, festive business environment, too. Denise Choppin, a mixed media/collage artist from Tallahassee, enjoys the opportunity to expose her work to wide variety of people.
 

“It is a benefit to a lot of people who would never set foot into a gallery,” she says. “A gallery can be an intimidating environment where the whole purpose is to sell. While it’s nice to sell, you realize ArtsQuest is both a show and a sale. It lets people stroll in a relaxed atmosphere, and they don’t feel pressured.”
 

Panama City artist Dominique Williams agrees, describing ArtsQuest as a great way to gauge how people respond to her art. Her work is in galleries, but she doesn’t always know who’s buying.
 

“ArtsQuest allows me to get a firsthand reaction,” Williams says. And a positive reaction she has gotten, reporting that ArtsQuest, which Williams has participated in since its days in Grayton Beach, typically is a successful show for her.
 

Set against the lively Village of Baytowne Wharf and staged by individuals who sincerely have a heart for the arts, ArtsQuest in its 20th year promises to be as successful and inspiring as ever.

ArtsQuest Date Book

Sunday, May 4
20th Anniversary Celebration Kickoff Concert
 

Tuesday, May 6
Fine Art of Looking Good Fashion Show
 

Wednesday, May 7
Student Exhibit
 

Thursday, May 8
Champagne Shopping Tour
 

Friday, May 9
Preview Gala
 

Saturday, May 10
ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival
 

Sunday, May 11
ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival
 

Visit culturalartsassociation.org for a detailed schedule.

ST. ANN CHURCH HALL

100 Daniel Drive, Gulf Breeze, FL32561

Catered by: KAROLINA’S EURO DELI

Polish sausage, ham, pierogies, cheeses, breads and dessert.

Wine, beer & soft drinks.
Polish Easter Party in Gulf Breeze FL 32561
For Reservations call Karolina @ 850-424-6661(11-6 PM)

Many years ago, my father taught me to ride a two-wheeled bike, a brief

rite of passage that brings the first taste of independence and freedom

for many children. When his big, capable hands let go of my tiny green

Schwinn one hot summer day, it was with a mixture of thrill and panic

that I set off on my own, in a way, for the very first time.

However, as the years passed, my father was there pushing, pulling and

paving the way for my adulthood. And while I tested uncharted waters, I

knew that no matter what happened, he would always buoy me, helping me

make crucial decisions.

But as with all of us who are lucky enough to have parents who survive

well into our own adult years, the tide must change and our roles begin

to reverse. At nearly 40 years old, I suddenly found myself taking the

lead, giving the support, providing the care.

For many of my generation from the coastal areas of Louisiana and

Mississippi, the dynamics of our relationships with our parents didn’t

take the naturally slow and methodical course of change – it happened all

at once on Aug. 29, 2006, the day Hurricane Katrina made landfall.

Like tens of thousands of other people, my world shifted on its axis in

the wake of that storm. My parents, who lived on the Louisiana Gulf

coast, suddenly were homeless. And as the reality of losing a lifetime of

possessions set in, in many ways, I became the caretaker.

Several days after the storm, I sat in a cramped motel room with my

mother and father holding both their hands. I had to tell them that my

grandmother had died. My father’s mother, Alice Smith Hutzler, was one of

the more than 40 elderly people abandoned by a New Orleans hospital after

the storm passed and the floodwaters came.

Most who know me would say I do not shy away from the chance to be in

charge. I generally am poised to take the wheel at any given moment. But

in the weeks following the hurricane, while searching for answers to the

location of my grandmother’s remains and worrying about the fate of my

family, I felt ill prepared at best – lost and longing for someone to

help guide me.

I was fortunate to have the support from my husband, Richard, my aunt and

uncle, and many dear friends; however, there were many times when I

wanted so desperately to ask my mother and father what to do, but they

were now relying on me.

Like a willful child, I angrily thought, “This is not fair!” Like an

adult, I said, “We will get through this and be fine.” That internal

conflict was a burden unto itself.

Late one night after the storm, I called my friend of more than 25 years,

David Hansen. He was in the throes of looking for a house for his

parents, who had lived for more than 30 years in the same home until

Katrina. After a few minutes of quiet conversation about the

circumstances, I asked him if he felt the shift, if he recognized the

change. Yes, he said, he had. In that moment, we realized we were not

alone with our newfound roles.

More and more, I saw my contemporaries, people I knew as carefree

children, taking charge of their families as time passed.

A year later, now that some order has been restored and a new routine is

in place, we recognize the privilege it is to care for the very people

who gave us life and raised us. I am glad to carry some of the burden and

try to make the situation a little easier for my parents while coming to

a sort of understanding – I hesitate to call it full-on acceptance – that

they now need to turn to me for direction.

But as those of us affected by the storm move forward – dealing with the

bumblings of bureaucracy, discussing housing plans, trying to make new

memories – I still find myself longing for my dad’s strong hands to

steady the wobbly wheels and set me back on course.
 

Oil spill cleanup is under way

Oil spill cleanup is under way at many beaches along the Gulf Coast, and beach-bound travelers are keeping a close eye on coastal conditions.

Here are some of the latest updates from destinations affected by the oil disaster:

Florida’s Emerald Coast

Oil cleanup Coast, beach-bound conditions.

Here disaster:

Florida’s Coast

Small weekend, bureau. ” removed, spotted,” bureau’s website.

The area, Destin, Island, visit.

” white-sand emerald-green clear. addition, strong, water,” said.

Destin ” Sam” few, unusual.

” balls, we’ll few. That’s Mexico, said.

Beachgoers usual, said.

Pensacola Key, Florida

The fishing, Bureau.

The afternoon. Florida-Alabama Key, said. advised.

Mike McHugh, contributor, video Beach. ” Johnson’s in. 4:30 p.m., gone. balls, [they] find,” wrote.

James Amerson, iReporter, tracking oil Pensacola. Beach, inches, said.

” stuff, old, [on] sands,” iReport.com.

The precautions. ” [the Administration], person, up," said.

Gulf Seashore, Florida

All open, website. Tuesday, Florida, Key. areas.

Health spill.

Gulf Beach, Alabama

In Alabama, Shores, Morgan. open. sightseeing, Bureau.

The fishing.

Grand Isle, Louisiana

Oil coast, emergency website.

Grand beach, website.

Natasha Combs, iReporter, observe efforts.

" military. [hazmat] suits. beach, pools," said.

But what if your plans fall through or, in the aftermath of an exuberant Christmas, you’re looking to save a little money without sacrificing romance?
You don’t have to look any further than your own home.

A house can be more of a romantic retreat than a fancy restaurant or resort spa, say interior decorators. And it’s not just the obvious places, such as the bedroom, that can help set the stage for romance. Unlikely spots such as the living room, dining room, outdoor patio and even bathrooms can easily, and inexpensively, become love nests.

“Overwhelmingly yet subtly indulging all of the senses and setting a mood — that’s the essence behind creating the enhancing experience of a romantic space or retreat,” says Tamera Massey, an architect and interior decorator with offices in Seaside and Tallahassee.

These spaces must be crafted with intimate attention to detail, Massey says, mixing the mystery and excitement of romance with a warm and tranquil atmosphere.
Rose petals on the bed are for amateurs, these decorators say. To really transform a room into the ultimate romantic retreat, you must indulge all five of your senses: taste, smell, sight, hearing and sound.

It’s not always the obvious choices, such as red walls, that decorators consider romantic. A newly single woman who owns a 5,600-square-foot home in Shalimar chose one main color to decorate her home: white.

Destin-based Kelly Porter-Smith, her interior designer, says it evoked the “clean slate” the divorcee was looking for.

“We created a cocoon effect,” Porter-Smith says, with a variety of textures to help break up the monotony of white, such as thick frieze carpet.

If you don’t have the time or money for a take-it-down-to-the studs renovation or custom-built home, there are simple, inexpensive tricks that homeowners can use to achieve a romantic atmosphere. Adjusting the lighting, adding a few decorative touches, and focusing on sentimental themes are some of the recommendations decorators have for heightening romance.

Christmas in February

Treat Valentine’s Day decorating with the serious attention given to other holidays, such as Christmas, says Cara McBroom, a Miramar Beach-based interior designer with Lovelace Interiors.

“On Feb. 1, we should do the same thing to lift our spirits,” McBroom says. “One easy way to do this would be to save all the simple red Christmas decorations.”

Red vases, candle holders, a red velvet table runner can be salvaged for Valentine’s Day, she says.

“You want long-lasting decorations you can set out two weeks prior to the big day.”

McBroom says the five senses are used in Christmas decorating and can also be used in February.

“At Christmas we have cinnamon candles, earthy pine trees, holiday music, sparking lights, cookies and candies, and a variety of textures under the tree.”

Do the same thing in February, McBroom advises. Stock candy dishes with chocolates, play love songs, rent chick flicks, burn rich candles with scents such as chocolate, and decorate with textures like silk and velvet.

“This is a great time to bring out all the crystal you were given when you got married, for a little glitz and glamour,” she says.

The Right Light

Just as Realtors preach “location, location, location,” interior decorators tout “lighting, lighting, lighting.” When designing a room for couples, decorators say using soft lighting is important.

If you have dimmers, now is the time to use them, McBroom says. Aim for flexibility with your light choices, Porter-Smith adds. In a bedroom, have overhead lighting as well as lamp lighting.

Then there is the obvious choice: candles. If it’s for a special day, drape the room with candles, using different sizes and shapes in order to achieve a staggered look.

Light the corners of a room, or putting accent lights on art, is a less expensive way to set the mood. A more expensive option for homeowners is installing dimmers so the mood can be instantly changed with a single button. Make sure any lighting changes also add convenience, she says. For instance, don’t install lighting that requires crawling out of bed to flick off a switch; instead, use remote controls or have a switch near the bed.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Arranging a room around a specific theme, beyond Valentine’s Day, is effective.

For couples, celebrate your love by taking a walk down memory lane, with photos, mementos, music and art that evokes a favorite vacation or honeymoon locale.

On the wall could be art or a photo of Venice and its abundant gondolas gliding down a canal. On a table could be photos from the trip of you and a loved one kissing at a piazza, posing in front of the Coliseum in Rome, or twirling spaghetti in Florence.

Scented candles, soft music, candies or chocolates on a nearby table — all can add a splash of romance to a room. Depending on how far the theme is taken, wine could be offered from an Italian vineyard, the music could be Pavarotti, and the candles could be hand-dipped from Florence.

If you’re after a more permanent transformation, go for glamour by hanging a Venetian chandelier, which is more conventionally seen in dining rooms but can be placed in a bedroom for a romantic effect. To invoke the luxurious lifestyle of European royalty, shop for an ornate four-poster bed draped in Italian silk, with matching dressers with solid bronze or gold handles.

With the workday pressure gone, it puts you in the mood for romance because you’re in vacation mode, relaxed and comfortable. Think about what made a good resort or hotel experience and try translating this in your own home, decorators say.

Hotels are great resources for romantic settings because they don’t contain the typical bedroom clutter. There are no books, no messy nightstand and no misplaced furniture. Hotels offer simplicity, and many are designed to emphasize romance over other practical needs, with bigger beds, whirlpool baths and hammocks on balconies.

“One design essential is a great bed,” Porter-Smith says. “Start out with a good mattress and bed linens. No polyesters — it has to be natural fibers.”

One big no-no? Using your bedroom, or any other romantic retreat such as a living room, for “double duty.” Don’t put gym equipment or an office desk in a bedroom, Porter-Smith says.

“You could create a more harmonious space if you just keep it as a place for relaxation.”

Soft Touch

Don’t forget about one of the most important senses — touch. Decorators say soft, inviting fabrics such as velvet and silk are key to setting the stage for romance. This extends from the window treatments down to the type of rug or carpeting, sofa, bedding, and tables and chairs.

While modern furniture might appeal to you aesthetically, designers say to watch out for sharp corners and stiff furniture that may look great but not feel so good.

If a homeowner has wood floors, place a soft rug on top of it to add warmth. Or choose carpeting such as a long-haired California Berber.

In the bedroom, go with sheets or comforters that are soft to the touch.

In the dining room, just using linen napkins, or having chairs with a smooth texture such as suede, can help soften the room. Use a table centerpiece that is inviting to the eyes, nose and fingers, such as roses, an orchid or lilies.

Beyond the Bedroom

Bedrooms aren’t the only place in a home that can be transformed into a romantic retreat. With the right decorative touch, practically any room can have a seductive appeal.

Backyards are sometimes overlooked but can be the perfect spot for romance.

If you have a pool or whirlpool, use floating candles with waterproof candleholders. Tiki torches along the perimeter of your backyard provide a gentle glow. And if your backyard offers some privacy, try setting up massage tables with aromatic oils.

Living rooms or family rooms can also be transformed into a romantic hideaway. Many of these rooms have televisions, which offer the opportunity to settle into a cozy couch and watch a romantic movie. Don’t ignore the rooms that have good views of a nearby lake or park.

These transformations need not be temporary, decorators say. The best part about turning your home into a romantic retreat is that you don’t need the excuse of Feb. 14 or the pressure of the right dinner reservation to achieve the spirit of Valentine’s Day, or any day of the year.

A relatively new concept of running has trained and beginning runners thinking differently when putting one foot in front of the other. “ChiRunning” combines the inner focus and flow of tai chi with the power and energy of running. This technique is meant to make the sport of running more comfortable and can prevent further injury.

Danny Dreyer, author of “ChiRunning Pain-free Marathon Training Program,” created this practice based on his study of tai chi with internationally renowned tai chi masters and his own 35 years of experience racing in ultra-marathons.
“I came up with the concept after taking my first tai chi class in 1998,” Dreyer says. “I had been a successful ultramarathon runner, but the addition of tai chi principles in my running movement sparked the idea that this was something worth developing.” Dreyer has written several books on ChiRunning, conducts workshops all over the United States and has certified training programs for those who want to become a ChiRunning instructor. “The basic principles of ChiRunning involve good posture, which most runners don’t have,” he says. “We use a lot of the principles of body alignment and relaxation used in tai chi. Posture is key to becoming an efficient runner and is a prominent principle in tai chi.” For instance, the “column position” teaches to set your pelvis forward and walk with your feet in front of you. Another common mistake among runners is not running flat-footed. In a mid-foot strike, runners should land flat-footed, letting gravity pull them forward. This method can help runners prevent shin splints, which are common when runners push off with their toes. When practicing ChiRunning, runners are instructed to listen to their bodies and pay attention to using the appropriate muscles. That means working the deep abdominal muscles, leaning forward while running and keeping feet pointed straight. Also, runners studying ChiRunning need to learn good cadence. Instructors recommend counting how many times your feet hit the ground in a minute. You don’t have to run faster, but be sure to pick your feet up. For people who don’t want to run, there is an alternative to ChiRunning. ChiWalking also was created to blend walking with the inner focuses of tai chi. It emphasizes proper biomechanics including good posture, loose joints and relaxing the muscles of the arms and legs. The technique also has five steps walkers need to keep in mind:     1.    Get aligned.     2.    Engage your core.     3.    Create balance.     4.    Make a choice.     5.    Move forward.
Like its sister program, ChiWalking makes walking easier on the body by eliminating the aches, pains and discomfort of walking incorrectly.

ChiWalking and ChiRunning also address another need of the body. Letting your body “go with the flow” sounds easy but is actually one of the more difficult habits to attain, because people’s bodies aren’t naturally taught to relax. This can be overcome by tapping in to your body’s reflexes; instead of tensing up, just keep your body in control. Think of it as running or walking down a hill. Instead of naturally breaking with your feet, just let your body roll down the hill.

To learn more about the ChiRunning and ChiWalking programs, or to find instructors in the Emerald Coast, visit chiliving.com or chirunning.com. Most instructors are willing to travel to various locations, and you can always find Danny Dreyer’s books and DVDs at local bookstores. See also Destin Yoga

Don’t choose a photographer that merely takes usual snapshots. Go for a Recommended Destin photographer that will treat your wedding photos as if he or she were snapping pictures of their own wedding

All women and girls dream of that magical day when they are joined in matrimony with their true love. Some even have their weddings planned before they even have a prospective groom in the picture! Floridian girls from Destin have the benefit of choosing a beach wedding photographer for their special day and many take advantage of that fact.

The Romance and Magic of a Beach Wedding

Pledging your vows and love to the one you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with while the sun sets on the horizon and the water sparkles like a jewel can’t get any more romantic. The sea breeze will ruffle your gown as you taste the salty tang of the sea upon your lips. The sand will feel cool and soft on your feet if you choose to go barefoot as you gaze into the eyes of the man with who you will spend the rest of your life.

Planning a Wedding at the Beach

There are so many details a bride must take care of when she plans her wedding. What food to serve, how many guests to invite and choosing a band or a DJ. There are flowers to select and of course her wedding gown. To document the event you will also need a photographer and Destin has a wide selection of beach wedding photographers from which to choose. The photography is an important aspect of a wedding whether it is on the beach or not and finding a Destin photographer with flair and talent is a must.

Choosing Destin Wedding Photographer

When it comes to the photography at your wedding, though price should be a consideration it should be a small one. You want a photographer with a proven track record of taking gorgeous pictures that you can reminisce over for years to come. So how do you pick a photographer from Destin Florida that specializes in beach wedding photography?

There are many wedding photographers in the Destin area that you can research. If you have married friends, you can ask which photographer they used and ask to see their wedding album. You can also visit various Destin photographers in the area that specialize in beach wedding photography. Ask to see portfolios to make your decision easier.

Some wedding photographers can provide you with wedding photography that is creative and original or you can opt for a traditional photographer. The photographer that documents your special day should be able to capture those fleeting moments such as tears of joy on the face of the bride as she joins her groom at the alter, the joy on the happy couple’s faces as they dance and enjoy their wedding reception as well as unexpected moments that will thrill and surprise you when you see the photos.

Don’t choose a photographer that merely takes usual snapshots. Go for a Destin photographer that will treat your wedding photos as if he or she were snapping pictures of their own wedding. When you begin your research for beach wedding photographers in the Destin area inquire how long they have been in business and don’t be shy about asking for references. After all, the beach wedding photographer you choose will be the one capturing the memories of your special day. Disappointment with the job they have done cannot be undone. Wedding pictures can’t be retaken if you are not satisfied with the results so be sure to choose wisely and research thoroughly until you find the perfect Destin photographer that will provide you with photos that you will cherish and pore over for all the years of your marriage.

Planning that big day can be so consuming that it takes as much time as a full-time job. Invitations, location, flowers. The vows, the theme, the wedding photographer, the cake. And for goodness’ sake, the most important decision – the dress! It’s exhausting and exhilarating at the same time.

When my husband and I got married 10 years ago, I dove in with planning and loved every minute of it during the nine months of our engagement. This was going to be our “big day,” and it was going to be perfect.

As it turned out, it really was a perfect day. But not because of the flowers, or the dress or the music. It was perfect because we were surrounded by everyone we loved, and the room was filled with friends and family who were there only to wish us well. I’ll never forget that perfect feeling of collective love in the church sanctuary.

But we didn’t get to eat.

We were so busy greeting guests and hugging everyone during the reception, we didn’t get to enjoy the food, save one bite of wedding cake. So after the reception, we stopped by the Wendy’s drive-through for a burger and fries as we drove to the airport for our honeymoon. That was our first dinner together as Mr. and Mrs. Blake

After the wedding is over and all that’s left of the honeymoon is peeling skin from a sunburn in Costa Ricca, reality sets in. You’re married. Now what?

We go to so much trouble planning the wedding. Most of us don’t think beyond it. That’s not as much fun. But that’s what’s real.

At one of my bridal showers, the wise women in my life were kind enough to write me notes of advice for our new marriage, all of which I kept in a special box and re-read from time to time. I pass along their advice – which has served Dean and me well – to the every happy couple out there, as well as all the newlyweds of the Emerald Coast:

» Don’t ever go to bed angry.
» Acquire things the old-fashioned way – save for them and pay cash.
» Be prepared to lose once in a while.
» Drink champagne for no reason at all.
» Keep family and friends out of your business.
» Love and be kind to each other, always.
» Cherish each day as if it is your last together.
» Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Best wishes and congratulations!

To revive the fun in your every day and night, don’t sweat the small stuff – celebrate it. Occasions need not be occasional. With tips from professionals who enjoy life for a living, you too can make the most of any moment.

We called upon a pair of Emerald Coast event planners and one savvy sommelier to create a wine and cheese party guaranteed to entertain your entourage without breaking the bank.

Party On
Monark Events takes its name from “mon,” meaning “one,” and “A-R-K,” signifying “act of random kindness.”

According to event designer Hillary K. Fosdyck and event director Briane M. Workman, the No. 1 rule of party planning is not allowing your stress to compromise the celebration. 

In other words, they say, “Remember to enjoy yourself and you will automatically enhance the experience for your guests.”

The amateur event planner should begin by establishing the purpose for the party and selecting a unique theme that will engage guests, said the owners of Monark Events. Next, determine a budget and decide how to allocate funds. Finally, solicit help from close friends and family to alleviate your workload and ensure the details are covered from beginning to end.

Monark’s Masterful Moves
The Invitation: Use high-energy, creative words to pique your guests’ interest.

Greet Guests at the Door: Everyone likes to feel welcomed, and the energy level will instantly rise.

Create the Ambiance: Enhance your guests’ experience by stimulating all of the senses. Music, lighting, design, color, flowers and seating make an impact as soon as guests walk through the door.

Give Guests Something to Do: Add a little flavor to an event by providing an engaging activity.

Fun Food and Great Beverage: Choose a unique menu of food and drinks to enhance the event’s established theme.

To create a more intimate setting that allows you to make each guest feel welcome, Fosdyck and Workman recommend inviting no more than 15 or 20 friends to your home. In other venues, invite as many people as your useable social space allows. 

“The easiest way to ask a guest to contribute is to creatively communicate your request in the invitation,” they said. “That way they can take ownership of their selection and explore their creativity.”

To ensure a smooth, successful event, the owners of Monark Events suggest the host be organized and over-prepared; create a timeline of activities to be executed pre-, mid- and post-party; and maintain a reference sheet with contact information for all vendors. When it comes to food and drink, it is better to have too much than not enough.

The same is not necessarily true of theme and décor. Sometimes the most striking décor is also the simplest. A good theme can stand on its own without being overdone.

Fosdyck and Workman take full advantage of the Internet to explore the latest trends. But the majority of their inspiration comes from assessing the people, cultures and art that surround them.

Possible themes for wine parties include “The Grape Escape,” in which each guest is asked to bring a bottle from a different region, price point or style; “Blind Wine Tasting,” an interactive process of rating white and red wines ranging from $6 to $60 that have been covered with wine bags and assigned numbers – your favorite may surprise you; and “Wine Blending,” a slightly messy venture for teams to mix single-varietal (one grape) wines into creative blends.

When planning your own wine tasting, take a cue from the owners of Monark Events, who said, “We try to ask ourselves, ‘What do people love to do, see and experience, and how can we combine those things in a way that has never been done before?’”

Take Flight
Todd Reber of Vin’tij Wine Boutique & Bistro uncorks a new trend in wine tasting – the wine flight. Also referred to as tasting flights, these samplings of multiple wines allow the taster to discern the breadth or depth of each selection.

“Wine flights are usually intended for those new to the experience of tasting wine, or those who want to increase their understanding of a specific region, vintage or varietal,” Reber said.

At Vin’tij, flights are offered by style: full-bodied, fruit-driven and oak-flavored whites; dry whites and blends with solid levels of acidity; aromatics featuring floral and spicy scents; full-bodied reds with dark fruit and firm tannins; dense-flavored reds with big fruit profiles; and light-bodied reds with spicy notes.

“The possibilities with wine flights are virtually endless, and a well designed flight can be a remarkable opportunity,” Reber said. “Wine flights usually provide smaller pours than normal, because of the amount of wine being offered.”

Vin’tij offers affordable flights from $12 to $50, depending on the quality of the wines.

When pairing wines with food, Reber uses a simple guideline. Light, delicate foods require a light-bodied red or white wine. Heartier foods pair well with richer, more full-bodied wines.

Exclusively for readers, Reber created a flight utilizing Syrah or Shiraz. (Syrah is the dark-skinned grape that produces the wine of the same name. In France and the United States, the wine is called Syrah; in Australia, it is commonly known as Shiraz.)

‘Que Syrah, Shiraz: A Fun Tasting for Friends’
Layer Cake Côtes du Rhone 2007, $20
Layer Cake is 100 percent Syrah. The nose shows mostly cherry, with undertones of fig, asparagus, vanilla and black pepper. The palate is rich and beautifully balanced. Perfect acidity and tannin levels create a simultaneously lively and soothing feel. The flavors are mostly cherry and berry, plus some mid-palate chocolate and spicy black pepper on the finish.

Hahn Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands 2005, $34
Opening with peppered and balanced aromas of blackberry and raspberry fruit, the Hahn SLH Syrah softly suggests a nose of toasted oak, baked fruit, plum, blueberry and cinnamon butter. Rounding to hints of vanilla and mocha, this wine is full-bodied and approachable. The voluptuous texture allows for a velvety feel complete with tobacco, coffee and cranberry flavors followed by solid tannins and white pepper on the finish.

Falcor Napa Valley Syrah 2004, $39
Falcor 2004 Syrah comes from the Shifflett Vineyards in Yountville, Calif. and the Castle Rock Vineyard on Mt. Veeder in Napa Valley. Aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, the wine features aromatic notes of fresh berries, black truffle and smoke, married beautifully with toasty aromas imparted by the wooden barrels.

Molly Dooker The Boxer Shiraz 2007, $25
This powerful and complex Shiraz pairs sweet fruit with lovely structural tannins. Combining the regional flavors of grapes from McLaren Vale, Langhorne Creek and Padthaway, this wine has incredible power and purity. The 2007 vintage of The Boxer received 90 points from Wine Spectator’s Harvey Steiman and was chosen as one of the “Editor’s Most Exciting New Wines.”

Concha y Toro Syrah 2005 Puemo Marques de Casa, $20
This wine is dark and plush with espresso, fig paste and plum sauce notes, pushed by mocha and dark licorice on the finish. The rich, smoky finish shows fine-grained tannins and the density for moderate cellaring.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Syrah 2005, $20
This soft, ripe Syrah features dark berry aromas and hints of vanilla, brown sugar spice and toast. Serve with strongly flavored cheeses.

Today’s market provides innumerable ways to explore the flavor wheel of wine and its components. Reber’s advice? Taste, taste and taste.

“If you intend on being a serious taster, always spit. Everything that you recognize will be from your palate and olfactory,” he said. “Swallowing will only lift your spirits, albeit many times the purpose of a glass of wine.”

Todd’s Tasting Tips
» A great way to discover preferences is to taste wines side by side. Visit wine festivals to sample cellars across the world.
» If you want to track your favorite wines, use a journal to note specific likes and dislikes. This information is helpful when making selections at a wine store or a restaurant.
» Join a wine club or gather a few friends to exchange your favorites.
» When planning a wine event, set a theme such as price, grape type or region.

“Carpe vinum,” Reber said. Translation: Seize the wine.

Say Cheese
Create a classic cheese tray with an assortment of soft and hard fromage from around the globe. Add fresh fruits such as grapes, sliced apples or pears, and provide crackers or bread, as well as knives for slicing and spreading. Experiment with such cheeses as Gouda, Pepper Jack, Brie, Cheddar, Havarti, Swiss, Camembert, Mozzarella and Bleu.

Be Charming
For an added gesture to show your guests what they mean to you, consider making personalized wine glass charms like the one shown here.

You’ll need an assortment of wire hoops, beads, crystals and charms, all available at the arts and crafts store. Look for letter beads to spell out your friends’ names or monograms, or try to find charms that match their interests (flowers for gardeners, shoes for shoppers, footballs for sports fans, etc.)

Begin by laying out your beads in the order you will place them on the wire. This will allow you to map out your designs in advance, preventing the need to start over. Run the straight end of the wire through each bead or charm, making sure to leave enough room to hook the hoop together when you finish. Secure each charm around a wine glass to present to guests as they arrive.

Celebrate the charms of life – good friends, good wine and good laughs.

If you’re about to get married, a prenuptial agreement can protect your assets.
The wedding is perhaps one of the most important events in a person’s
life. Such agreements, although for some, might give impression of lack of trust between partners, will greatly facilitate the hard step of separation, if it arrives.

In any case, we must be clear that if we do not take any standards we are tacitly accepting the law of the place of residence, which will not always match our preferences.

Prenuptial agreements, also called marriage, are divided into three broad categories, or systems, mainly:

1 – Separation of Property: Under this regime each spouse will retain
ownership of their individual property after the wedding, as well as those who acquire it after.

Each spouse has the use and enjoyment of their property, meaning that need to be sold without the permission of the couple. The costs and charges are made in equal shares.

2 – Society of acquisitions: This scheme provides that both earnings and assets obtained after the marriage become the property of both spouses. Are considered private property, which belong exclusively to one spouse, who already owned by each before the wedding, or any subsequent inheritances and gifts. In case of separation of marriage is shared property, but not unique.

3 – Rules for participation: The scheme, located halfway between separation of assets acquired and society, provides that each spouse is entitled to participate in the profits of another.

Documents required for marriage

Papers and documents needed for the wedding

Organizing a wedding is not only about hiring the services and contact with the guests. Also, in this event we are rid of the paperwork and bureaucracy.
Before the ceremony,both civil and religious, need to have some documentation essential list.

Initially you can start with the known blood tests to detect potential
problems.

Then, in the case of a civil marriage is not religious, we need to go to the registry office to obtain a birth certificate and the certificate of
registration in the city council in which it resides. It also requires a
certificate of civil status of each of the grooms.

In the case of remarriage for any of the partners will require the previous marriage certificate and the documents that show the current state of widowhood, invalidity, or divorce. If any of the wedding was a citizen of another country should go to the embassy or consulate in question to obtain the proper documentation, otherwise a photocopy of identity card will suffice.

Must be delivery of documentation in court with two witnesses.

If the wedding is going to be religious, specifically Catholic, documentation will be slightly different. First, if the parish in which they held the wedding would not be given to the bride’s place of residence, you should move all the documentation that required heading baptismal, marriage, the national identity card, A certificate of marital status, and if necessary, a certificate of annulment or widowhood. Also, if there is any kind of family relationship may be necessary papal dispensation.

Engagement ring

 The engagement ring, like so many other things around the figure of the wedding, is loaded with symbolism. Roughly represents, as its name suggests, the newly acquired engagement.

Delivery of the engagement ring is a tradition that can be traced back centuries in history. Over time, as well as symbolize the commitment of marriage, the engagement ring has come to represent enduring love and fidelity among couples.
In this regard include a diamond symbol of purity and eternity, in the
engagement ring is a metaphor of the most successful. The diamond does not need to be large, care more about the message it transmits. Models of classic engagement ring carrying one diamond, the “lonely”, while others may look something more recent. Who is picking a very personal matter. What if you have to remember is that the metal ring should be blank if the diamond stand out in all its glory, white gold, silver, platinum, are some possibilities.

Diamonds are gemstones par excellence, and also more expensive. The size of the stone, and therefore its weight (carat), given the rarity of diamonds
dramatically affect the price, but should not be the main criterion to follow.
Or at least not alone. The court having the stone is essential. There are
different sizes for a diamond, the cut being “brilliant” the most popular. Other cuts may be cut emerald, oval, heart-shaped, tiangular, marquise, etc. Clarity is another aspect to take into account, the diamond should have the least amount of scratches, stains, charcoal fragments embedded, etc.. Most times they are not visible to the naked eye, but strong influence on its price. For the perfect diamond is considered “flawless” prensentar not seen any of these imperfections with a magnifying lens 10 increases. Color is another important factor, although they often feel completely transparent, it is common to find shades of beige, brown, blue, pink, etc.. The better reflect the light, will be most appreciated.

Wedding is off – an unpleasant situation that should be dealt
calmly

When we began preparations for our wedding last thing on our minds is the
possibility that it will not come to celebrate. But the truth is that these
things happen and sometimes we can find nothing in the pleasant position of having to cancel a ceremony where we had very advanced preparation, even missing a few days for the event.

They are few couples who, either by a panic attack last minute, either
because they were never really too sure of wanting to marry, either for any
other reason, they decide to cancel the wedding ceremony a few days, or even hours of its conclusion.

First was thinking of attending the ceremony. If you have already sent
invitations to the cancellation should be contacted without delay, as it is
possible that guests should incur any costs apart from the typical to attend a wedding (eg clothing, travel from another city, etc..) . The guests loved ones, friends or relatives, it would be proper to inform him personally of the situation. Other guests can suffice with a phone call or by sending a brief
note. Should not extend too much in these letters, nor give too much
explanation. Naturally, the wedding gifts have been received should be returned with a note of apology and thanks.

Obviously the more advanced is the process of organization, the more complicated will be canceled so as orderly as possible. Be clear that some things we can cancel without problems, but it is more than possible that we will lose the money advanced for your reservation. A clear example is the reservations in the restaurant for the  wedding reception, banquet hall,
reservations for travel bride and the honeymoon, the wedding gown, the groom’s suit, partnerships, etc.. In the case of the banquet, as the journey of
boyfriends, so it might be possible to negotiate with the restaurant, with the
travel agency, but is unlikely to avoid paying any fee for the unexpected
cancellation. There are also other considerable expenses such as wedding photographer, flower shop, etc.

What to do with the gifts that have been able to exchange the wedding before the wedding, as well as engagement rings, is a sensitive issue. If the breakdown is by mutual agreement, the couple must decide what to do with them, keep them or return them. If the rupture is unilateral on the part of one of the grooms, it would be appropriate for the person who breaks the commitment to return the engagement ring, as well as all other gift-related.

“In the last 18 months more people are trying it,” Vaughan said. He credits chefs such as the Food Network’s Bobby Flay with popularizing the trend among restaurants.

Betsy Surcouf, general manager of Williams-Sonoma at Destin Commons, says she has seen firsthand the rising interest of plank grilling among her customers.

“Planking has inspired a lot of backyard chefs, too,” she said. The method involves placing fish, meat or most any other food atop a wooden plank and then putting the plank on a grill or in an oven. Unlike traditional grilling, planks add a barrier between the fire and the food that slows the cooking process and gives food a rich, smoky flavor.

“It’s just a tasty and interesting way to cook,” Vaughan said. “And, honestly, it’s very simple, very user-friendly once you get through the prep.”

Plank Talk
There’s nothing fancy about planks. You can use almost any variety of wood from a lumberyard, but you’ll want to be sure it has not been treated. Treated wood may be poisonous if cooked upon, so it may be best to play it safe and purchase your planks from a specialty store, such as Williams-Sonoma or Fresh Market, both in Destin. Some fish markets and grocery stores also sell planks. Prices generally range from about $15 for a four-pack to as much as $30 each for thicker pieces.


Planks come in a variety of species. Cedar is the most common grilling wood. Pecan, alder and hickory also are good choices. When planking in an oven, it is best to use a portion of wood of at least one inch in depth. The planks will burn a little in the cooking process, so you should not expect them to last more than once or twice. If the plank can be used more than once, Surcouf suggests cleaning it with warm water and a firm dish brush. However, no soap should be used, as it may hamper the flavor.

Before using, planks should be soaked in water, wine or fruit juice for at least 30 minutes and up to several hours. Soaking the wood keeps it from burning and allows the food to steam during the cooking process. Once the food has been prepped, and the plank soaked, brush a small amount of olive oil over one side of the plank, place the food on the oiled side and set the plank on the grill or in the oven.

“Then keep an eye on it,” Surcouf warned. “The wood will burn and will char on the edges, but you don’t want it to catch on fire.” Many plank-grillers have seen their planks go up in flames, but don’t let that discourage you. Just spritz with water until the flames subside. Do expect to see some charring on the plank, Surcouf says. With the grill lid down, the smoke from the burning wood and steam from the soaked plank gently cook the meat, resulting in a moist and aromatic result.

Food for Thought

Fish may be one of the most popular plank-grilled foods, but don’t limit yourself, says Criolla’s Vaughan.

“I’d try an old classic like bacon-wrapped scallops, on the plank,” he says. “That would be phenomenal.”

Other options include shellfish such as lobster and shrimp. Pork and steak tend to work best with harder woods like alder or hickory, as those types burn slower, allowing more time to cook the meat.

Even fruits and vegetables can be planked.

“You can really get creative,” Surcouf said. “I’ve made desserts on the plank, like cinnamon-stuffed apples with crème fraîche. And peaches are wonderful grilled on the plank.”

Vaughan says home cooks should not be intimidated by planking, but rather to experiment with different foods cooked on wood.

“I could even see some brunch items on the plank, like salmon or even eggs,” he says. “You can just develop some of your own unique ideas. Put a different spin on it. There really should be no mystique about it.”

———————————————————————

Planked Salmon with Pinot Noir-Berry Sauce
Recipe Courtesy Williams-Sonoma

1 cup Pinot Noir
1 small shallot, minced
2¼ cups blackberries, chopped
2 tablespoons veal demi-glace
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 16 cubes
¼ teaspoon salt, plus more, to taste
2 teaspoons sugar
4 salmon fillets, each 8 ounces, with skin
¼ cup olive oil
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Soak a cedar plank in water for 2 to 4 hours.


In a small pot over medium heat, combine the wine, shallot and 1½ cups of the blackberries. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, 15 to 20 minutes. Press the berry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and return the liquid to the pot. Set over low heat and whisk in the demi-glace, then slowly add the butter, whisking continuously until incorporated into the sauce. Stir in the ¼ teaspoon salt, sugar and the remaining ¾ cup blackberries. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the berries soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Pour the sauce into a small bowl and set over, but not touching, simmering water in a saucepan; keep the sauce warm.

Prepare a medium fire in a grill. Have a spray bottle of water ready to extinguish flare-ups. Brush the salmon on both sides with the olive oil and season with salt
and pepper.

Place the plank on the grill and close the lid. Heat until the plank begins to smoke and crackle. Place the salmon, skin side down, on the plank. Close the lid and grill until the salmon is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.

Transfer the plank with the salmon to a heatproof platter or carefully transfer the salmon directly to a warmed platter. Spoon the berry sauce over the salmon and garnish with parsley.

Are you at risk? If you are a woman, your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater. The older you are, the greater your risk. If you are a small, thin-boned woman, you are at greater risk. Women of northern European descent you should be concerned. And people who have a family history may also be at risk of the disease.

Those are the risk factors you can’t change. But there are also lifestyle choices that can impact your chances of developing osteoporosis. People who ingest a diet low in calcium and people who have inactivity due to decreased weight-bearing exercise are at increased risk of osteoporosis. If you are a smoker or drink alcohol excessively, your risk of bone loss and fractures gets even worse.

Help yourself by making sure you’re getting enough calcium in your diet. Optimal calcium intake for people between the ages of 19-50 is about 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day. Those 50 and older need about 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily. Post-menopausal women not using hormone replacement therapy and men and women older than 65 need 1,500 milligrams per day along with 800 milligrams of vitamin D.  

Weight-bearing exercise goes hand-in-hand with nutrition. It enhances what you’re trying to do with food intake and with the calcium in your diet. Even walking 20 to 30 minutes a day can keep your bones stronger and in turn, decreases your risk of a fracture. Simple things qualify as weight-bearing exercises, such as climbing stairs, dancing, speed-walking, jogging, racquet sports and hiking. Shelia Herbermann, radiology technologist and spokesperson for osteoporosis and bone heath at Sacred Heart Hospital says it is important to check with your physician prior to jumping into any exercise so that you can be aware of all concerns. “Especially with our bone health as we get older and with other risk factors we need to know how strong our bones are before engaging in physical exercise,” says Herbermann.

A bone density test – a simple, painless form of diagnostic X-ray – can help you find out if you have osteoporosis. And, if you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, prescription medicines are available to keep the bones from losing further calcium and decrease the chance of having a fracture. They have minor side effects, so you need to be under the care of a doctor while you’re on them.

Osteoporosis is a silent disease. You may not be aware you have it unless you have a DEXA scan done or a broken bone from the weakness caused by osteoporosis.

“Not only is the DEXA scan used to determine if you are osteoporotic, it is also used to monitor treatment for those who are on medication for osteoporosis,” says Herbermann.

Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast offers the DEXA scan at their new Women’s Imaging Department.

Time to Telecommute?

As gas prices and stress soar, more Emerald coast residents consider working from home

Most folks would agree: The morning commute to work in rush-hour traffic produces a pain specific to the posterior region. Now, with the price of gasoline continuing to climb, workers are feeling it in the pocketbook, too.

And the anguish is spreading.

“People concerned with the effects of gas prices were significantly less attentive on the job, less excited about going to work, less passionate and conscientious and more tense,” according to Florida State University College of Business Professor Wayne Hochwarter, who surveyed more than 800 full-time employees this spring when gas prices hovered at about $3.50 per gallon. “These people also reported more ‘blues’ on the job. Employees were simply unable to detach themselves from the stress caused by escalating gas prices as they walked through the doors at work.”

Looking for some relief? Maybe it’s time to leave the bumper-to-bumper traffic behind and steer your career along the Information Superhighway. If you’re tired of congested roadways, concerned about air quality and fed up with high prices at the pump, telecommuting could be your answer.

The Value of Virtual Venues
Even before fuel costs began to spike, workers and employers around the globe began embracing the telecommuting or “telework” phenomenon. “Telecommuting is second only to ‘casual days’ as the fastest-growing shift in traditional working patterns,” reports the American Telecommuting Association, which defines the practice broadly as “any method for working productively while away from the traditional office.”

In the three decades since the term “telecommute” was first coined, academia, state and federal governmental agencies and countless individuals have sampled and studied the work-at-home option for a broad spectrum of jobs and industries. “One of the most pleasant surprises about telecommuting is that it’s a win-win-win situation for the individual telecommuter, the employer, and society as a whole,” according to the ATA.

Notorious for its red tape and bureaucracy, the U.S. government reportedly has outpaced private employers for years in adopting telecommuting – by as much as a 3-to-1 margin in 2007.

On the state level, fully a decade ago, after conducting two three-year studies, Florida embraced telecommuting as an official option for its employees.

Working from home is a voluntary option for state employees with amenable jobs, says Anna B. Gray, manager of work-force development and benefits in the Florida Department of Management Services’ Division of Resource Management, which oversees the state personnel system. By law, “All agencies have to identify and maintain a list of positions appropriate for telecommuting,” Gray says.

“Initially the focus of the program was in terms of work-and-life-balance issues, and initially it was designed to be a recruitment or retention benefit,” Gray says.

“(Telecommuting) was an alternative work arrangement primarily to meet the needs of employees and to show some flexibility.”

During the most recent legislative session, the state’s program was on the agenda once again, and its mandates were tweaked.

“In today’s world the emphasis, of course, is now on energy savings and gas emissions and energy conservation,” Gray says.

In the earliest days of the state program, the logistics commanded much attention.

“At the very beginning, personal computer technology was still very new,” Gray says, “so there was a lot of emphasis devoted to how to set up a home office, what sort of technology and what type of dial-up technology and additional equipment was needed.”

“Nowadays, it’s so fluid because a good percentage of employees already own personal computers or have wi-fi access,” she says.

Couching a Career
Some of the nation’s most prominent employers have embraced telecommuting – and continue to expand their initiatives. For Elizabeth Beazley Corriveau of Santa Rosa Beach, the office is wherever she boots up her computer.

“I’m a little bit nomadic,” says the Walt Disney Co. scheduling manager, whose home office is 412 miles away from the Magic Kingdom. “I can work in Panera. I can work on my porch … when I look at telecommuting, the technology has advanced so far that your options are truly vast, with broadband connections, wireless cards, cell phones. I think that’s the amazing thing.”

Corriveau loves telecommuting.

“I absolutely do,” she says. “I love the fact that I have a very flexible work schedule. I usually work five hours in the daytime and then a few hours in the evening. I have a lot of reports I do, so that I can do at any time.”

There are challenges, of course.

“You have to be somebody who is extremely well disciplined to work from home, because you don’t have somebody standing over your shoulder,” she says.

“I think, one of the great things about my situation is that is has allowed me to continue to stay with the company even though I don’t specifically live in Orlando,” says Corriveau, who supervises a team of 40 exclusive telecommuters scattered across the country, all of whom apparently wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Life changes, and you may move to a different place, and a lot of the folks who work on my team have had children and have decided to opt out of the full-time work force. My entire team works part time. I actually have zero full-time people,” Corriveau says.

And, she has very little attrition, too.

“The only attrition I have is (when) I promote people … My team is actually one of the largest (at Disney) that is strictly telecommuting,” she says.

Corriveau didn’t start out as a telecommuter. About nine years into her tenure with Disney, she had mainly worked in marketing and public relations in Orlando for Disney Vacation Club and Disney Cruise Lines and a couple years as a recruiter for the Disney College Program.

“We were moving out of state to Washington, D.C., so I left the company,” she says.

Later, Corriveau found out through close business contacts that in its recruitment efforts, Disney was going to start experimenting with interviewing college students by telephone. In September 2005, she rejoined the company and started doing this new work as an Interview Partner.

“That’s when I started telecommuting,” she says. “We actually have all of the candidates’ application on file electronically. I started out doing telephone interviews” and working with scheduling the interviews,” she says.

“We actually just do phone interviews, so we call the candidate and do the interview on the phone with them. For a large percent of our candidates, they don’t interview in person,” Corriveau explains.

Last October, Corriveau was promoted to manager of her Interview Partners team, who she says live as far north as Boston, as far south as Orlando and as far west as Boise, Idaho. After the team conducts phone interviews, they transfer the data directly to Disney’s employment database.

Work Without the Watercooler
Now that she’s a veteran telecommuter, Corriveau has found the transition to telework requires more than a mere change of venue.

“There’s a different type of communication you develop remotely,” she says, noting that her team communicates heavily through e-mail, conference calls and instant messaging.

“There’s a different way of developing relationships because you don’t have that face-to-face interaction, and you’re not able to go down the hall and ask a question,” she says. For instance, facial expressions are “something you forgo and something that you learn to find a way around. Sometimes it is much easier for some people to relate in person than just over the phone or via e-mail.”

The reliance on technology makes effective communication skills all the more important, Corriveau contends.

“You have to be very honest. It’s almost better to over-communicate than under-communicate.”

For all the benefits of telecommuting, there is a downside with computer-based work, Corriveau admits.

“You’ve got to have a really good Internet connection,” she says. “If you don’t, that really puts a crimp in your day.”

Potential Benefits of Telecommuting

• Icreased performance
• Increased productivity (25 percent or more)
• Increased job satisfaction
• Reduced absenteeism
• Lower employee turnover rates (by up to 25 percent)
• Reduced energy consumption
• Reduced demand on our transportation system
• Helps with compliance for the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Empowers employees to operate at their full potential
• Employees have more control of their work environment
• Encourages flexible working hours, and potential savings in time and money
• Reduces the frequency and distance of commuting to work
• Potential savings in utilities, office rental and parking
• Reduces pollution
• Saves energy resources
• In an emergency when employees may not be able to get to the office, work can continue.

Source: “Telecommuting: A Guide for Managers and Employees Considering Telecommuting,” Florida Department of Management Services

The thought of eating disorders typically conjures up the image of emaciated women obsessed with being thin at any cost. The truth of the matter is that eating disorders are more common than you may think and don’t always involve people starving themselves.

Even with the recent interest in eating disorders brought to light by the increasing number of super-skinny starlets appearing on red carpets and the covers of magazines, major misconceptions about eating disorders persist. Among those misperceptions are what causes eating disorders, who can be affected and how dangerous an eating disorder can be.

While unhealthy relationships with food and unrealistic body images seem to be at the heart of eating disorders, the reality is that most are physical manifestations of deeper issues. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, eating disorders are caused by an amalgamation of behavioral, emotional, psychological, interpersonal and social issues.

“Many patients I have seen with eating disorders are females who have been abused, neglected or have had a traumatic life experience,” says Megan Putt, a registered and licensed dietician at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. “They feel that they have lost control in their lives and take that anger and lack of control out on themselves. The weight loss is often viewed as a sense of achievement and self-discipline.”

Women of all shapes and sizes battle eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

“Many patients battle with more than one type of eating disorder, and many are left untreated or never tell their story,” Putt says. “Only one in 10 people with an eating disorder actually receives treatment.”

In fact, anorexia and bulimia are the most well-known eating disorders, but a national survey released in 2007 in the Medical Journal of Biological Psychiatry showed binge eating disorder as the most prevalent.

According to Putt, a binge eater would be someone who finishes a full dinner, has a piece of cake and then opens a pack of cookies and finishes the bag without being able to stop.

“This type of consumption is similar to an alcoholic who may just plan on having a few beers and ends up drinking the whole case,” she says.

It is true that females are more susceptible to eating disorders than males, but many young men still wrestle with the disease. In the United States, the ratio is about 7 to 1, with 7 million women and 1 million men struggling with eating disorders. Males are more likely to engage in unhealthy eating behavior during preadolescence than at any other age. In some cases, young men are obsessed with gaining weight.

Eating disorders can be incredibly destructive physically, socially and emotionally. Putt says that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and that 20 percent of people suffering from anorexia will die from suicide or heart problems.

Each disorder has unique health risks. Anorexia causes the body to slow down and ultimately shut down as it tries to compensate for the nutrients missing from a regular intake of food. Bulimia can result in digestive issues and malfunction of major organs. Binge eating disorder has similar risks to obesity, including issues with blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and gallbladder disease.

Putt warns that most individuals with an eating disorder are in denial and may resist being confronted. She says the best way to address the situation is to “confront them with your concerns, expressing how much you care about them.”

Parents should be aware of their own eating and diet habits and should be involved in what their children are watching on television, Putt advises.

“Children are so influenced by their surroundings and the mass media, which can alter their perception of what society thinks is ‘normal,’” she says.

To learn more about eating disorders and treatment options, visit nationaleatingdisorders.org. Visit Destin Yoga Classes for help relaxing and gaining back your confidence.