A Q/A with founder Christina WoodSometimes the simplest things are the most powerful. Such is the case of The Caden Project. In the spirit of the holiday season we would like to introduce you to this wonderful local non-profit organization that helps sick kids with the gift of a teddy bear with a Q/A with CEO Christina Wood.
What is the Caden Project? The Caden Project is a non-profit organization under the name Compassionate Hearts For Kids. We have two boys that were born with genetic immune disorders and both had to go through bone marrow transplants in order to survive. Living in and out of the hospital for months on end, we began to have a deep compassion for these kids and families. We knew one day we wanted to do something for these kids to show some compassion and love to them. To show them that somebody cared. But at the time, we didn’t know what that was. Why did you start it? Is Caden involved today? What does he think about all this? It all started with a bear. When our second son, Caden, went through his bone marrow transplant in November of 2013 here in Jacksonville at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, he was given a build-a-bear by a close family friend. We saw the comfort it brought him during his sickest moments. It was able to distract him from how he was feeling. It gave him a friend. It then became our mission to put a smile on a child’s face by providing as many bears as we could to sick and injured kids. And it’s not just the kids that receive comfort from the bears, the parents do too. Our long term goal is to deliver to every hospital in the country. We have a great team of people that have come around us as volunteers to help in the day to day aspect of helping this project grow. Caden just turned 3 years old and is still too young to really understand the magnitude of everything. As he gets older he will definitely be more involved. Who benefits the most from the Caden project and how? The kids and families receiving the bears obviously benefit from being the recipient of the gift but to be honest those of us actually delivering the bears to these kids benefit just as much with the pure joy of seeing a child light up after giving them a bear. It’s priceless! Who are a few of the recipients that have been the most remarkable? One of our most memorable experiences was one of our first deliveries over a year ago when we gave a firefighter bear to a little boy named Ryan who was at Brooks Rehab here in Jacksonville. He had sustained a brain injury and at the time was not able to talk to us. When we gave him his bear, he held it close to his face and started kissing it. We received an e-mail from the mom about 6 months later saying that Ryan had made a full recovery and how that bear was an integral part of his recovery. They also had a group of friends and family go to the build-a-bear store where they live and made bears and donated them to us! It was so great to see kids helping other kids especially after being a recipient of a bear himself and then turning around and paying it forward. That’s what it’s all about. Paying it forward and showing others that people do care. If local people want to get involved what is the process? We have a huge vision to take The Caden Project nationwide next year. Our biggest need right now is donations so we can buy more bears and reach more kids. People can donate through our website at www.thecadenproject.org and all donations are tax deductible. We also have a Facebook page that people can “Like” and share www.facebook.com/thecadenproject. We love for people to come and delivery bears with us as well. We deliver on a monthly basis to Brooks Rehab and UF Health. They can e-mail thecadenproject@icloud.com for more information about delivering bears.
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by Debbie Gaylord Photograph by Kim Kirk Photography Even though my son Jake cannot speak, when I turn on music he begins to dance and sway and his face reflects a deep happiness. Jake has autism and was a student at Cunningham Creek a few years ago when he participated in a Music Therapy program there. Each week, Minda Gordon, music therapist for the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra, would visit the classroom and work with the kids as a group. At the end of the year the students performed a concert that proved there was something magical happening in St. Johns.
Thanks to the Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach, young people with special needs at elementary schools here are receiving the benefits of Music Therapy. This amazing local program began with a small pilot, music therapy at Cunningham Creek Elementary School, with just 10 hours a week with Minda Gordon. A fund raising team consisting of a compassionate staff and board of directors at the Cultural Center, and a generous major donor, The Woodcock Foundation for the Appreciation of the Arts, Inc made it possible. Nine years later and still fully funded through the Cultural Center, the program has flourished to serve music therapy for 32 hours a week and serves over 900 children. A relatively new approach, music therapy provides a way for students who find it difficult to communicate to express themselves through music. According to the Music Therapy Association, research supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings. Children with special needs often face challenges with auditory processing, sensory-motor, fine motor skills and self-expression, all of which are improved through listening to, playing and singing music. The Cultural Center’s Music Therapy Program for St. Johns County is now in four public elementary schools including Rawlings, Ocean Palms, Ponte Vedra/Palm Valley and Valley Ridge Academy in addition to Cunningham Creek, the hub school in SJC for children with special needs. Since the program's inception in 2006, the overall goal has been to ensure music therapy as an integral part of the curriculum for children with special needs. Dedicated Cultural Center board member and Principal at Ocean Palms, Jessica Richardson has witnessed the benefits of the program first hand. “I have seen students who are easily overwhelmed and overstimulated, settled by music. I have watched students who are non-verbal come to life through learning to play the piano or a hand drum. The Cultural Center has actively pursued the expansion of Music Therapy in our schools because they too recognize the positive impact this program can have in the lives of the students in our community.” The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra will present its fall event benefiting the Music Therapy Program on October 17th at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. The concert features Deborah Henson-Conant, a GRAMMY nominated recording artist, in her debut performance on the First Coast, wielding a chrome 32-string "HipHarp" designed and invented exclusively by her. "She's the Jimi Hendrix of the harp!" says rock legend Steve Vai. You've never heard anything like HipHarp. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.ccpvb.org . For more information, please contact Toni Boudreaux at 280-0614 ext. 202 The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located at 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082 with a tax ID# ID# 59-3238148. A portion of the proceeds will directly benefit Music Therapy for Children with Special Needs outreach program. THE KIDS ARE ALREADY SAYING THE DREADED, “WE’RE BORED!” AND YOU HAVE THE REST OF SUMMER AHEAD WITH A LOT OF DAYS THAT ARE STILL WIDE OPEN. WE HAVE A LIST OF FUN FAMILY ACTIVITIES THAT ONLY REQUIRE A SHORT DRIVE TO GAINESVILLE, DAYTONA, JACKSONVILEL OR ST. AUGUSTINE. PLEASE ENJOY EXPLORING THESE AWESOME WAYS TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER WITH YOUR FAMILY AND MAKE MEMORIES THIS SUMMER. HAPPY SUMMER! LIFT YOUR SPIRITS WITH SOME FLOWERS at JACKSONVILLE ARBORETUM & GARDENS 1445 Millcoe Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225 WWW.JACKSONVILLEARBORETUM.ORG/ The Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens is a 120-acre urban woodland full of trails for you to explore and enjoy. From the trailhead next to the parking lot, a stabilized walkway encircles a beautiful two-acre lake. This trail gently descends about 25 feet from to the foot of the lake and then returns up a gentle slope on the opposite side to the trailhead. Interpretive signs and over 100 labeled plants enhance the loop. In addition, over two miles of rustic hiking trails wind quietly through a series of distinct ecological habitats. Along the trails, benches invite you either to pause and enjoy the view or to get in a good stretch during a vigorous walk. There is no admission fee. FORT GEORGE ISLAND CULTURAL STATE PARK 11241 FORT GEORGE ROAD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32226 (904) 251-2320 Native Americans feasted here, colonists built a fort, and the Smart Set of the 1920s came for vacations. A site of human occupation for over 5,000 years, Fort George Island was named for a 1736 fort built to defend the southern flank of Georgia when it was a colony. Today´s visitors come for boating, fishing, off-road bicycling, and hiking. A key attraction is the restored Ribault Club. Once an exclusive resort, it is now a visitor center. Behind the club, small boats, canoes, and kayaks can be launched on the tidal waters. LEARN ABOUT BABY WASHBACK TURTLES & STINGRAY AT MARINE DISCOVERY CENTER 100 Lighthouse Drive, Ponce Inlet 32127 904-251-2320 www.floridastateparks.org/fortgeorgeisland/default.cfm The Marine Science Center offers a wide variety of programs and activities for children and adults throughout the year. Students young and old can discover the many wonders of marine life in environmentally rich Volusia County. Since opening in 2002, the Marine Science Center has cared for nearly 900 juvenile and adult sea turtles; more than 15,000 hatchlings and washbacks; and nearly 1,000 gopher tortoises, freshwater turtles and snakes. The Mary Keller Seabird Rehabilitation Facility at the Marine Science Center has received more than 9,500 birds since opening in 2004. One of the main goals of the Marine Science Center is sea turtle rehabilitation. Guests can overlook seven turtle hospital pools from the Turtle Terrace, located in front of the main facility. These pools house sick and injured sea turtles, hatchlings, and washbacks under rehabilitation. The rehabilitating hatchlings, wash backs (newly hatched baby sea turtles that are washed back to shore by rough seas) and sea turtles are released upon full recovery. VISIT THE NATURE CENTER at OMNI AMELIA ISLAND PLANTATION RESORT 6800 First Coast Highway, Amelia Island, FL 32034 Phone: 904-261-6161 www.omnihotels.com/findahotel/ameliaisland/resortactivities/natureprograms.aspx Join an experienced naturalist on a bike, Segway or kayak tour discovering birds, turtles, edible plants, night creatures and crabs. Several tours are designed for children and include educational crafts. Stop by for Critter Talk to visit with the local animal rescues or to see Buddy the parrot, feed the turtles, rent a fishing pole, or build your very own Tanner the Turtle, resort mascot, doll using the Build-A-Turtle station. Create a miniature sized Tanner, make a wish and choose from a variety of outfits to complete the look! Youth summer camps available. The Nature Center is open daily and open to the public. SJC Water Week’!!! Learn to Paddle Board or Kayak in St. Johns’s Natural Habiitat (FREE!) SJC Naturalist - Ayolane Halusky ahalusky@sjcfl.us or 904.209.0348. In recognition of July’s National Park and Recreation Month, St. Johns County Parks and Recreation will offer free daily kayak or stand up paddleboard trips during the last week of July. Attendees will explore several St. Johns County waterways, including the San Sebastian River and Trout Creek, and learn about natural habitats, the ecosystem, and more. Those in attendance will be given the opportunity to experience the natural world using nature’s greatest attribute - water. Must register first. Go Tubing at Ichetucknee Springs 12087 SW US Highway 27, Fort White, FL 32038 (386) 497-4690 www.floridastateparks.org/park/Ichetucknee-Springs The crystalline Ichetucknee River flows six miles through shaded hammocks and wetlands before it joins the Santa Fe River. In 1972, the head spring of the river was declared a National Natural Landmark by the U. S. Department of the Interior. From the end of May until early September, tubing down the river is the premier activity in the area. In addition to tubing, visitors can enjoy picnicking, snorkeling, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and wildlife viewing. October through March scuba diving is available in the Blue Hole only (you must be cave certified). White-tailed deer, raccoons, wild turkeys, wood ducks and great blue herons can be seen from the river. Picnic areas, equipped with tables and grills, are available throughout the park. A full-service concession offers food, refreshments, and outdoor products from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tubes plus snorkeling and diving equipment can be rented from private vendors outside the park located four miles northwest of Fort White, off State Roads 47 and 238. CELEBRATE FLORIDA’S NATURAL BEAUTY AT
SILVER SPRINGS STATE PARK 1425 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470 Phone: (352) 236–7148 www.floridastateparks.org/park/Silver-Springs Silver Springs, one of the largest of Florida’s 33 first-magnitude springs, is made up of a group of springs that occur in the headwaters, coves, and edges of the Silver River. The Silver River is the largest tributary on the Ocklawaha River. Enjoy glass-bottom boat tours, photography, picnicking, wildlife viewing, bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, a museum, and equestrian trails. Visit with Doplphins at Marineland Dolphin Adventure 877-933-3402 www.marineland.net/ Marineland Dolphin Adventure celebrated its remarkable 75th anniversary in 2013, and as the world’s first ‘oceanarium’, it is always excited to celebrate its rich history with its fans. Founded as Marine Studios on ocean-side property just 18 miles south of St. Augustine, Florida, the facility opened on June 23rd, 1938. Today, Marineland Dolphin Adventure offers guests a variety of interactive and in-water programs that allow guests to make physical and emotional connections with animals. Archived memorabilia and footage dating as far back as 1938 is on display and shared with Marineland Dolphin Adventure’s many generations of admirers. Zip-line across lagoons & treetops at The Alligator Farm 904-824-333 http://www.alligatorfarm.com/ The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park began in the late nineteenth century as a small exhibition of Florida reptiles and became a quintessential Florida attraction. Today it functions as a modern zoo serving the public and the scientific community with educational shows and exhibits, important research and worldwide conservation efforts. The Alligator Farm’s history as an attraction and an accredited zoo is nearly as exciting as zipping across the Alligator Lagoon on Crocodile Crossing, the park’s thrilling new zip-line attraction. Climb the stairs and enjoy the view The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum 904-829-0745 www.staugustinelighthouse.org/index.htm The Lighthouse in St. Augustine rises 165 feet above sea level and contains 219 steps that are climbed by visitors. Built to replace the “Old Spanish Watchtower”, construction began in 1871. In 1874, a ‘first order’ Fresnel lens from Paris, France was installed and is still operating today. In the late 1970’s, after a century of continuous use, locals began a 15 year restoration project after the site had fallen into disrepair. This resulted in the full site being opened to the public in 1994. Today, the Lighthouse operates a museum, provides educational services to the community and funds a maritime archaeology program that studies shipwrecks in the waters of the Nation’s Oldest Port. Their educational mission is “to discover preserve, present and keep alive the stories of the Nation’s Oldest Port as symbolized by our working St. Augustine Lighthouse.” Immerse Yourself in History at The Castillo de San Marcos 904-829-6506 www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm A monument not only of stone and mortar but of human determination and endurance, the Castillo de San Marcos symbolizes the clash between empires and cultures that resulted in a unified nation. Unique in North American architecture, the Castillo de San Marcos is the only surviving 17th century military construction in the country and the oldest masonry fortress in the United States. Along with Fort Matanzas to the south, the Castillo is one of only two fortifications in the world built out of coquina, a ‘compressible’ material that absorbed or deflected projectiles rather than yielding to them. The fortress itself is both a product of and evidence to the multitude of forces both political and technological that created the competition for empire during the colonial era. But above all the Castillo is an enduring legacy of the craftsmanship and skill of the engineers, artisans and laborers who built it. Dads are awesome, especially in St. Johns Florida. We chose a few good Dads to get to know. They live here in St. Johns and may even be your neighbor. They are teachers, pilots, coaches and business-owners and although they may seem humble, their accomplishments and their dedication to their families, their spouses and their community speaks for itself. Darren Rosenbaum Darren has been History Teacher for nearly 20 years and taught ESOL in South Korea from 1995 to 1998. In 2012, he and his family moved to the First Coast where he’s been a dual enrollment teacher for Duval County Public Schools. He married his wife Debbie in 1996 and they have 4 children; Josh, 15, and 12 year old triplets, Jake, Shainna and Lexi. He loves historical travel and has a special interest in visiting the battlefields of the First World War. Best Memory about being a Dad? One of my best memories about being a dad was also one of my first. It happened when my oldest son Josh was born. He arrived about a month early and, at just over 5 lbs., was a few pounds underweight. When we left the hospital, I was tasked with the enormous responsibility of putting him into the car seat for the first time. I remember trying to properly adjust the 5 point harness so that he’d be secure, but couldn’t. He was too small! True to form, men fix things. In the end, I asked the nurses for a few extra swaddling clothes and proceeded to wrap him like the Michelin Man for his first ride home! Now, nearly 15 years later, he’s only a few inches from looking at me eye to eye. Where’d all the time go? Hanging with the Kids... Aside from the occasional movie or afternoon at the beach, tween and teen activities during the school year generally keep us close to home. However, when school is over, travel season begins! This year my daughters will be visiting their aunt in New York, we’ll all travel to Virginia to visit relatives and take side trip to visit Washington DC. After that, there’s surf camp, days at the beach, afternoons as the community pool, summer blockbusters, etc... Date Night? Now that our son is older, we’re able to get out more easily for dinner and a movie. We recently had sushi before seeing ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ and laughing hysterically for a few hours. The perfect day... Even though I’ve been teaching for nearly 20 years, the job is time consuming. When I have a break, I go to the library, find a good mystery / thriller, and disappear into a book. Recent favorites were the Tom Robb Smith trilogy, David Baldacci, Lee Childs and my old standby, John Grisham. Great reads! Being a Dad is... While I can’t imagine it any differently, being a Dad is awesome, terrifying, exciting, aggravating, wonderful and exhausting, all at the same time! Chris Easterling CDR Chris Easterling has served in the United States Navy as a Naval Aviation Reservist for the last 8 years which followed his 9 years of Active duty service. Currently, Chris is an Airline Captain on the A-320 aircraft with JetBlue Airways and is based at JFK in NY, NY. He holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of South Florida. When Chris isn’t working his “2” jobs, he enjoys his eclectic taste of rare whiskey’s, classic military aviation and coaching football. He has spent the last few years coaching with the Swiss Point Raider Middle School Football team and will continue to do so as his son Connor moves on to Bartram Trail High School. Chris and his wife Jacci of 17 years have 2 children, Connor 14, Devyn 11. Best Memory about being a Dad? Returning home to Hawaii after a 6 month deployment and meeting my son for the first time. He was born 2 weeks after I left for the Persian Gulf. Hanging with the Kids... Both my son and my daughter have a strong interest in fishing and since Spring has returned I’ve found the three of us spending more and more time chasing bass in the ponds around our neighborhood. Date night? Does car shopping for new family vehicles count? We’ve spent several days over the last week roaming the internet and car lots of Jacksonville for replacements to our aging vehicles. The perfect day... As an airline pilot, my job keeps me away from my family 18 days a month. When I am home I find myself stealing any free moments between school, coaching and volunteering to spend time with my wife and kids. The last “perfect day” I can remember was a sunrise hike of Makapu Point on the windward side of Oahu with my family followed by some quality beach time in Waikiki doing nothing more than being with one another.
Being a Dad is… A little like what I would imagine it would be like to be in The Peace Corps: The hours are long, the work is arduous, the pay is nonexistent but it’s the best thing I’ve ever done with my life. Its what I consider to be my most significant accomplishment and what I would want to be remembered for. Rob McLevy Rob is a Logistics Manager at a national sign manufacturer with 30 years of logistics experience. He’s also a veteran Army officer, husband, and dad. He loves the outdoors riding his motorcycle, and shooting sports. As a member of a blended family, he is blessed with 5 amazing kids! Kalien age 24, Kimm age 20, Matthew age 15, Dallas age 14, and Morgan age 13. I am also lucky to be married to my beautiful and wonderful wife Shelley for 7 years now. Best Memory about being a Dad? My kids have given me years of great memories. Too many to count. Ranging from that first time you hear your daughter say I love you daddy, to watching your son score the winning touchdown to being blessed with a Granddaughter. Hanging with the Kids... This year’s spring break took us on a trip to Universal Studios that was filled with fun and laughter. Lots of great memories. I also recently took the best motorcycle ride of my life with my oldest daughter. My cheeks hurt from smiling the whole way Date Night? Most recent was a whole date, day and night. We spent the day in St Augustine playing tourist and sampling awesome food and drinks. Topped it off with a steak dinner and a movie. The Perfect Day... I’ll either jump on my motorcycle and ride some back roads or head to the range and do some shooting. Being a Dad is… The reason I have grey hair. Seriously though, it is the hardest and most challenging thing I have done in my life (and I have done a lot). It is also though, the first thing that I would sign up to do all over again if I were given a chance. I know that I can’t always be there for each and every moment of their lives but I’ll never stop teaching my children and setting examples for them to fall back on. I want them to know how to be ladies and gentlemen, how to treat others, and how to love and respect themselves Geoff Otts Geoff is a Regional Vice President for a company called MSC and is responsible for sales in Southeastern US with a team of 120+ employees. He grew up in Syracuse, NY and then went to college at Fresno State in California, where he met his wife Cheryl. Geoff has two children that are now 12 and 10 years old and he’ll be celebrating 15 years of marriage to Cheryl in October 2015. From 2001-2014, the family lived in Virginia but moved here in June of 2014, where both of their extended families have settled. Best Memory about being a Dad? My best memories when it comes to being a Dad has to be our annual family vacations. Every year we go to the beach for 1 week and spend quality time together. We always mix it up every year with something we have never done as a family before, whether its zip lining, a helicopter ride, or ocean fishing, we are committed to doing something we have never done before every year. Hanging with the Kids... We have a boat and just moved to Florida from Virginia last June. The kids have grown up boating, but with alligators coming into play here in Florida, there has been a real hesitation in getting on a tube. Last weekend the kids got on the tube, and had a great time, and we all swim a lot faster to the boat now. Date Night? My wife and I have traditionally set aside time for date night over the last 15 years. However, over the past 3 months, I have been coaching softball and things have been a bit chaotic on the weekends. However, we had a night off from softball last Friday and enjoyed dinner and a stroll on Jax beach. We love that we are on 30 minutes from the ocean! The Perfect Day... I enjoy boating and sports, so for me the perfect day will be the 2nd week of the NFL season this year when the Jaguars play the Dolphins (my favorite team), and I drive my boat to the game...... Oh how I love Florida. Being a Dad is... Being a Dad is about being a godly role model, being a best friend, being fun, yet responsible, but most of all spending time with my children and building a legacy with them. Geoff Hemmen Mini bio: Born in Detroit, MI. Grew up in Orlando met my wife while at FSU. Graduated with a degree in Physics from FSU, Graduated with Masters in Prosthetics from Northwestern University in Chicago. I am a certified and licensed Prosthetist for 20 years. I make artificial limbs for Hanger Clinic where I also manage 3 facilities. I have been married to my beautiful wife Pamela for 19 years, I have a daughter (Sarah 15) and two sons (Chris 14 and Nolan 11). I have been a coach on my son's baseball teams for 10 years. My daughter plays volleyball and runs track at Bartram Trail HS. My first and best memory of being a dad was when I reached in to pick up my daughter for the first time and she opened her eyes and grabbed my finger. I thought to myself, "you can have whatever you want". I have been wrapped around her finger ever since. Hanging with the Kids... A week long family trip to Key West. We also went SCUBA diving with Sarah and Chris on Chris's birthday and swam with tiger, lemon and hammerhead sharks. Date Night? The most recent date with my wife was to celebrate our 19th anniversary on Monday May 11. We try to go out at least once a week to get some quality time together. The perfect day... would be a trip to the beach with my family riding in my surprise 40th Birthday present from my wife. A Jeep Wrangler. Being a Dad is... being a math tutor, a comedian, a best friend, a confidant, an ATM, a disciplinarian, and a role model. Happy Father’s Day to all St Johns Dads!!! by Jennifer Yarbrough
by Jennifer Yarbrough for St. Johns Magazine Go to the Annual Bartram Bash On April 18, 2015 from 9am- 3pm the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department will hold our area’s oldest celebration of Earth Day and William Bartram’s Birthday at Alpine Groves Park. 2060 SR 13, 32259. William Bartram was America’s first native-born botanist who explored this area. There will be guided nature walks and kayaking, live bands, children’s activities, and a boat similar to what Bartram would have used on display. Be sure to catch an appearance by William Bartram himself---portrayed by Mike Adams. For more information, contact AyoLane Halusky, Park Naturalist at 209-0348. Get Berry Local April is officially “Strawberry Month!” Many of the strawberries that you will see at supermarkets this time of year come from Plant City, Florida, THE strawberry capital of Florida! Pick up some of those beauties and top everything with them—pancakes, yogurt, ice cream, even salads! There’s only one issue I sometimes have with strawberries—and that’s the difference in ripeness among the berries in the container, the easy solution is to clean and slice them to your liking, or leave them whole, mix in a teaspoon of sugar and let sit for a couple of hours and voila—all as sweet as can be! Sweeten Up, Naturally! Check out one of our many local Farmer’s Markets and pick up some local honey! Honey is a great alternative to many sweeteners and is good for your health! Honey contains vitamins and minerals and is said to be good for seasonal allergy sufferers, as long as you eat honey from your area. Get Crafty Look around your house for items that you can use to make crafts with your kids! A favorite at our house is the pizza box board game—take a cleaned out pizza box, some construction paper you have laying around and anything else you can find and make your own game! Toilet paper and paper towel rolls are another item that can be transformed into a pirate’s spyglass, a wand or even aliens (see photo)! Invite Butterflies to Your Garden Butterflies play an important role in the ecosystem, but many species are dying! You can help and have fun with your kids by planting a Butterfly Garden! Kids love planting the garden and then watching for and identifying the butterflies that come to visit. Plants that grow well in our area that attract butterflies are the firebush, lantana, pentas, milkweed and salvia. Remember those long road trips as a kid and feeling like you weren’t ever going to make it to your final destination? Once you finally got close, it almost seemed surreal because you were so worn out and tired of staying in the same boring backseat. It became the norm. Well, that’s how the real estate world seemed over the past 10 years. That’s when this Great Recession starting raising it’s ugly head. And since we were in this for so long, it was beginning to feel like it would never end — like it was the new norm. WAKE UP! WE’RE HERE! While there’s still some softness in different markets and sectors, the recession is over. Consumer confidence is way up, the stock market is reaching all-time highs, and real estate is appreciating once again. If you get rid of the bad taste that’s lingered for years and take off the economic blinders, you’ll see it for yourself too. This hasn’t happened over night. Homebuilders have witnessed it for more than a year now. Well over a year ago, homebuilders began experiencing more traffic (walk-ins) and an increase in sales. As builders’ confidence rose, spec homes became a normal part of most communities again. Along with this increase in activity, builders were finally able to slowly increase prices trying to achieve a more reasonable profit. So, as new homes are appreciating, resale values have also increased leading to homeowners regaining equity and finally being able to list/sell their home if desired. The ridiculously low interest rates allow more buyers to buy and we are once again seeing a more normal healthy market. We should see this trend continue even with potential interest rate hikes expected toward the latter part of the year. More homeowners will make the decision to sell their home and move, taking the regained equity and putting it in a new home. Other homeowners will refinance their existing mortgage or obtain a HELOC (home equity line of credit), using the money to renovate their existing home. Whatever the case, this is all great news for our economy. On a more microeconomic level, we live in the best county in the state and one of the best in the country. Our first-class schools, youth sports complexes, waterways and ocean in our backyard, newer infrastructure, and overall quality of life are bringing more buyers to our market. On top of all these wonderful “amenities,” the commercial and retail growth we are about to experience with Gate’s new town center being planned (at Race Track and I-95) and better roadway connections (mainly 9B) imminent, our area should experience above average growth compared to our neighbors. This increase in local demand should further accelerate appreciation in residential real estate. “We” are really positioned perfectly! Take a look at the chart showing MLS data by zip code for single family homes in our area over the last six months (Aug 14– Jan 15). We are under-supplied with listings (healthy market is 6-7 months), the days on market is incredibly low (norm is 90-120 days), and sellers are getting an average of 98% of their list price. This is a “seller’s market” folks. The doom and gloom days are over for now. If you are thinking about making a move, it’s a great time to do so especially since you can take advantage of the rock bottom interest rates. If you’re like a lot of us that love where we live, have become close with our neighbors, and don’t want to move, it’s also an excellent opportunity to renovate your home. Many financing options are available if you don’t have the cash, and making renovations to your home in most cases will further increase the value of your home. More importantly, it allows you to stay in your current home but make it feel like a new home once again. For this reason, we repurposed the former Cobblestone restaurant as the Florida Home Store (FHS). With over 50,000 homes in our area, most of which are over 10 years old, FHS is the perfect solution for homeowners, providing premier design and remodel services. We quietly opened our doors at the beginning of the year and are seeing a mixture of existing homeowners wanting to update their current homes and new homeowners looking to renovate the resale home they just purchased. The expansive showroom, with everything from cabinets and flooring to roofing and outdoor living, is the perfect opportunity to fall in love with your home again. We hope you’ll make an appointment to come tour the showroom and meet our home design professionals. 2015 your year to live the happy life with these easy tips:
Be Hopeful: Believing that something good is going to happen is an attitude that leaves you feeling light and eager for the good things in life that are coming your way. Cultivate Friendship: Having someone to talk to about triumphs and struggles helps keep you emotionally balanced in ways beyond the moment. Blessings: Being aware of the big and little things and feeling grateful by keeping a journal is a sure way to realize that while there may still be things you want – what you have is pretty good. Prayer: Sometimes when life challenges us, the best way to find your inner compass is to ask for guidance from a higher power. Usually the answer presents itself. Set Goals: Setting goals and reaching them gives you a feeling of accomplishment and this feels really good. It can be a small daily goal like organizing the pantry or a big goal like starting a business. Goals give life purpose and meaning and keep you going in the right direction. Have Fun: When you are having a day where you feel like life is against you, stop doing what you are doing and find something that brings you joy instead. Go shopping, paint a picture, take some photographs of a beautiful sunset. After a few minutes of doing something you love your attitude shifts into positive mode creating a ripple effect in all areas of your life. Look Forward: A vacation to the Bahamas, a night at home with the family; dinner out with your husband. Whatever it is - having something to look forward to is a great feeling. Exercise: It doesn’t have to be hardcore. Take a walk, ride your bike, do yoga in your living room. A little exercise increases your happiness quotient on a chemical level. Practice Non-attachment: Sometimes we are so fixated on the outcome it brings us down. Letting go of control allows little miracles to happen in your life. Forgive: Release anger as soon as possible and forgive. It only hurts you to hold on. I am always amazed when my children forgive so easily and wish I could do the same. Acts of Kindness: Little acts of anonymous kindness for others make them feel good and in the process it makes you feel good too. It could be kinds words, a smile, or something grander. Try it at least once each day and see the magic. Allow Yourself to have a Down Day: We can’t be happy every minute. Allow yourself to have those days when you are sad or angry. On those days pamper yourself. Have a cup of tea with a friend or take a long hot bath with some essential oils. Just do not wallow too long or review negative thoughts repetitively. As my mother always told me, tomorrow is another day. Imagine a football themed room with a giant television made to look like a Jumbotron or a bed shaped like a pirate ship or a wall mural depicting ocean life. These dream bedrooms that inspire a child’s imagination and transform their lives are the gift of The Starlight Project, a local non-profit organization that creates bedrooms for children with special needs in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. Starlight Project dream rooms are unique, with therapeutic benefits integrated throughout the space creating both sanctuary and therapy room for recipients.
The Starlight Project was founded in 2011 by Craig, Cherie, Eden & Elle Sussman of Palencia. The idea came to Craig, a Neonatologist and Cheri, who worked in the non-profit world before becoming a stay-at-home Mom, when they saw a program about a non-profit organization called Special Spaces that creates dream rooms for terminally ill children. “We always knew we wanted to give back and we were looking for the right way”, said Cherie. The Sussman’s decided to do something similar by creating dream bedrooms for children with special needs, as a group they seemed underserved but could benefit greatly. “We have a blessed life and this is the perfect way to honor the memory of Craig’s father, Jeffrey Sussman and my grandparents, Arnold & Pauline Lederer. They loved children.” Also, Craig’s father used to flip houses so that fit in their vision as well. The ‘S’ in Star and ‘L’ in light stand for their last names, respectively and honor their memories. Once the Sussman’s had the idea they needed a partner organization and found one in the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville. DSAJ Executive Director, Debbie Ruvels helped the Sussman’s navigate the non-profit world, which can be tricky. A caveat of this partnership is that roughly 25 percent of the rooms are for children with Down Syndrome, while the remainder go to those with other special needs including Autism and Cerebral Palsy. The next step was bringing together people to do the good work. As luck would have it, the perfect storm of creative and talented artists and designers seemed to appear at exactly the right moment to become the Starlight Project team. Woodworker, Zach Strom, is a 5th grade elementary school teacher and also the owner of Spots-4-Tots Play Houses. Mural Artist, Christine Applewhite of www.tiniart.com; Seamstress, Eileen Young & Interior Decorator Amy Schuman, a local designer who has worked on numerous model homes, including some in Palencia. The team members volunteer their time to The Starlight Project, including Dr. Craig Sussman, who can sometimes be found painting rooms and Cherie, who acts as Executive Director and also helps with decorating and brainstorming ideas. Cherie says they are all passionate about helping children and loving what they do makes it fun. “When we get together we laugh a lot". There is an entire process that occurs before the team even begins working on a dream room. First comes a review of applicants, switching it up so there are equal numbers of boys and girls with different ages and types of special needs. Once they have chosen a child, Cherie meets with the child’s teachers, therapists and parents and creates a list of the top things that the child loves, such as swimming or art or baseball. They combine this with those areas that pose a challenge, such as needing a changing table for an older child or custom designed cubes with pictures for a non-verbal child. They come up with a final list of the top 10 things they want to address in the room. Next the team meets to brainstorm how they can translate this therapeutically within the bedroom to make it not just an imaginative room but one with a purpose that serves the child and his family. They install the room in a 2-3 day period and send the family on a dream weekend while they do it, another aspect of the Starlight Project that reflects their deep understanding of the stresses of raising a child with special needs. The Starlight Project completes a few rooms each year and currently has a 3 year waiting list. According to Cherie Sussman, keeping it small allows the team to be part of the development of each room. It also creates a non-profit organization with heart. The Starlight Project has been chosen as the featured organization for the Palencia Street Festival coming March 29th. They are currently working on a huge project for a local school, The Therapeutic Learning Center. Look for photos in our next issue. If you would like more information about the Starlight Project or would like to submit an application for your child, please visit their website at http://starlight-foundation.com/wp/. |
St. Johns MagazineSt. Johns Magazine blog features articles written by & about the people, places and events of St. Johns and the surrounding communities. Archives
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