Working 9 to 5 again

My new life in California will include a job on a campus with 3 cafeterias (!) as well as a ton of other cool stuff. I'll be a technical writer again and look forward to the constant learning associated with that type of work. I start next week.

Most of my blogging these days is going on at Wordpress.com. One blog talks about freelancing and the other is about my observations as a California transplant. Their addresses are:

http://glorinowrites.wordpress.com

http://diaryofacaliforniatransplant.wordpress.com

I'll add them on the side bar here so you can check them in the future.

Best wishes for a great upcoming school year! It seems like life starts over twice a year, both in January and when school starts again :)

-G

Freelancing again? Yes I am!

Friends, through a series of interesting events, I find myself engaged to a wonderful person and relocated to the West Coast! Although I do not have any new clips to share, I am working through Elance.com and also have copy edited a few books so far this year. You can see my copy editing talent up close if you order The Sheik and the Slave by Nicola Italia through Amazon. Hard copies are on sale at the Flintridge Bookstore & Coffeehouse, just down the street from me and future hubby. Updates about Word Nerd Gabi are available on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/wordnerdgabi) and at the link on the side of this blog. Thanks! Gabi

Submission: Governor's New Product Award for 2008

At my writing position at HydroMentia, Inc., I compiled and wrote a submission for Florida's Governor's New Product Award. The submission was a collaboration between myself and subject matter experts within the company. HydroMentia's product, the Algal Turf Scrubber, received the award.

HydroMentia’s Algal Turf Scrubber® (ATSTM) Selected for 2008 Governor’s New Product Award

Tallahassee, Florida (February 2008) - HydroMentia, Inc. has been awarded the Governor’s New Product Award for 2008 for the Algal Turf Scrubber®, a water treatment system that removes harmful nutrients from surface water. The award was presented to HydroMentia President Margaret Palmer and Vice President Mark Zivojnovich at an awards reception at The Capitol on February 5.

“We are extremely pleased that the Algal Turf Scrubber® was selected for this award,” said HydroMentia President Margaret Palmer. “The ATSTM is a valuable tool that will be instrumental in restoring Florida’s impaired water bodies.” HydroMentia was commended on the quality and innovation of the ATSTM as well as its economic contribution to Florida.

The Governor’s New Product Award is presented by the Florida Engineering Society annually to recognize engineering efforts used to create and develop innovative new products, machines, processes or materials for the marketplace.

HydroMentia’s Algal Turf Scrubber® offers an innovative, cost-effective solution to restoring and protecting waterways overburdened with nutrient pollutants. Scientist and engineers with HydroMentia pioneered the practice of naturally recovering nutrient pollutants using algae - the most efficient consumer of nutrient pollutants on earth. Algae on the ATSTM grow by feeding on the excess nutrients in the water it treats. The algal turf is then harvested on a regular basis, providing predictable, stable performance year-round in a variety of climates.


About HydroMentia, Inc.
HydroMentia, Inc. designs, builds and operates innovative, cost-effective, managed aquatic plant treatment systems for pollution control and water restoration in agricultural, industrial and urban applications. The Algal Turf Scrubber® is a proprietary technology available exclusively through HydroMentia, Inc. HydroMentia owns numerous patents and intellectual property. Its head office is in Ocala, Florida. For more information about HydroMentia, Inc., go to www.hydromentia.com.

Contact Information:
Margaret Palmer
HydroMentia, Inc.
352.237.6145

UF Today Alumni Magazine

This article was published in the Winter 2009 issue.
IN EVERY ISSUE WINTER 2009
ON CAMPUS - UF FLASHBACK
Radical Women
Exhibit chronicles ways UF women put Gainesville on the liberation map

Story by GABI LORINO
Photos provided by the UF Digital Collections


Forty years ago, Gainesville was conservative like most Southern towns. Women's lives revolved around family and husbands, and they had little economic and political power.

Meanwhile, Americans were being challenged by another important issue: racism against blacks.

At UF, students and faculty formed a group to stand up for civil rights. Two members, Beverly Jones and Judith Brown (JD '74), met while demonstrating on behalf of UF's civil rights student organization and bonded over their experience within the group, where they felt women's ideas were overlooked and undervalued.

The two brainstormed and decided to write down their ideas about what needed to change in American society so that women could receive more respect and better opportunities.

Jones wrote the first half of the paper, which was inspired by her unequal status in her marriage to a UF professor and her experience with the group, for which she was an adviser. Brown finished the second half, and together they submitted it to the first women's liberation meeting in Maryland as "Toward a Female Liberation Movement." The paper was later named after its home state, and "The Florida Paper" put Gainesville on the women's liberation map.

"The Florida Paper" and other documents that tell the story of women's liberation around the country and in North Central Florida are featured in a new online digital collection called "Radical Women in Gainesville." This exhibit contains information, stories and timelines that show how a small North Florida town became a magnet for radical feminists.

The collection was compiled by curator Leila Adams (BA '07), who continues her work through UF's Center for Women's Studies and Gender Research under the guidance of professor Trysh Travis.

Her observations show the impact radical feminists' actions had on American society.

"Gainesville residents not only wrote the first theoretical framework for the movement in 1968, they also formed one of the first five women's liberation groups in the country," she noted.

Participants in such groups in Gainesville faced logistical challenges about how and where to meet. When they distributed copies of "The Florida Paper" in public, they were met with hostility from men and businesses that drove distribution of the paper - and early meetings - into public women's restrooms.

The resistence they faced fueled their motivation, however. By the mid-1970s, activists established the Women's Center, a monthly newspaper called WomaNews, a feminist bookstore and the Gainesville Women's Health Center, which offered women's health services including workshops on contraception, abortion and domestic violence. At the height of the women's liberation movement, the center sponsored the Southeastern Women's Health Conference, which helped bond area feminist organizations, and included author and activist Rita Mae Brown, who once attended UF. Finally, services such as domestic violence and sexual abuse hotlines were established. For example, an anti-rape crisis hotline started in the broom closet of a Gainesville Episcopalian church and grew into the Peaceful Paths domestic abuse network, which still operates today.

The Latin Reporter/ El Reportero Latino

My friend "Stella," who has an advice column in El Reportero Latino, wanted to bring the gringa perspective to the column and invited me to impart advice to the readers along with her. I changed my name to "Jane" to sound extra-gringa and this is the column.

Dear Stella and Jane:

I met this guy at a local bar. I know, bars aren't the place to meet guys. But I only gave him my number and he called me the next day. We talked for days until we had a date that following weekend. At dinner he told me that he remembered everything I told him about me. He actually did. I was surprised and impressed. We saw each other again the day after that and talked on the phone again several times. Then he told me he had to go out of town but would call me when he got back. Suddenly when he said he was supposed to be out of town, he wasn't. He was at the bar dancing with someone else, and his "wife" called me days later and asked why my number was in her husband's phone. Stella (and Jane), how did I not see the red flags? How did I fall for a smooth-talking jerk?
Signed,
HE LIED!
-Maribel in Williston, FL

Maribel, my heart goes out to you. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between a sincere man and a player. However, I do want to point out a few things to you.

Who are the most attractive men that you know? Think about it for a minute. They are comfortable with themselves, at ease around women, and easy to talk to; they are loads of fun because they are secure enough to be themselves.

But, where do you find such a man? Generally, he's someone's husband or boyfriend already. Men are secure with themselves when they are attached. However, an unscrupulous "taken" man will take advantage of this self-confidence to tease the single women he encounters. This is what made your old pal Slick bold enough to approach you, lavish attention on you, and ultimately let you down. He had nothing to lose (unless his wife found out), and sadly, he used you to feed his ego.

There are a few ways to spot a player. The first quality is confidence; specifically, too much confidence. The player is not worried that you will reject him- presumably because he's already with someone, although he won't admit that. In response to his attention and adoration, we think, Wow, he's so much fun. He ordered my favorite drink for me. He is so sweet on the phone. We forget that there's a logical reason he might act this way: because he's had a lot of practice!

The second red flag was taught to me by my mother. She says, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." At some point, did you wonder why you don't meet guys like Slick all the time? How much do you crave attention from men, as a single woman? The way he acted to lure you into his orbit was effective but not sincere. Sincere single guys tend to be more afraid to approach us, and they don't exude the confidence of their paired-off counterparts.

As modern women, we are torn between wanting to be pursued and acting to speed up the process of meeting someone new. Yes, it is wonderful to get attention from a potential beau, but it is far more satisfying to find yourself in the company of a sincere, interested and single man.

Where do you find a sincere, interested and single man? That, my friend, is another column entirely.

With kind thoughts,

Jane

Tampa Film Fan Blog: A Theatrical Review

If I'd been paid for this "report," maybe I could have written off my trip to London as a "business expense." Ha ha ha.

A Broad Abroad: My Adventures as an American Woman in Search of Ewan McGregor in London

My friend Anthony, who hails from Liverpool, had this to say when I told him I was crossing the Atlantic to see Ewan McGregor onstage: “I’ll be reading the Yahoo news and there you’ll be in the headlines: Fanatical Tampa Lady Whisks Celebrity Away.”

It had all started with one innocent e-mail. My friend Mindy wrote me an e-mail at work to let me know that Ewan would be performing onstage in London. My response via e-mail was: “When are we going?” After making brief mention of this to several girlfriends, suddenly there were five of us planning a trip: three from Tampa, one from Boston, and one from Kenosha, Wisconsin. Then, a work colleague approached me with a lament that she simply hadn’t done enough traveling. I suggested that she join us, she cashed out her IRA, and then there were six!

When September 2005 rolled around, we were ready to go, with hotel, plane, and theatre reservations and the debt that goes along with that. There was excitement in the air, and the voyage to London was punctuated by fitful sleep, British movies, and snacks. Once the passports were stamped and we were on our way through the Underground to our hotel, fatigue set in for that day. But the next day, we were anxious with anticipation and visited the Piccadilly Theatre to pick up our tickets. Then, we returned to the hotel to primp and don our foxiest outfits of the week. (What if Ewan saw us from the stage? We had to look good!) Finally, we headed down to Piccadilly Circus for an evening of fun, frolic, and Ewan-spotting.

This circus doesn’t have lions and tigers, but it is a bustling place full of people and tacky souvenirs. Need a pashmina or British-flag underwear? You can buy it there. It reminds me a bit of Times Square in Manhattan. There are lights and people everywhere.

Piccadilly Theatre is a gorgeous old theatre in the Piccadilly area of London. The interior is rich and draped in red velvet. It draws crowds from all over the world, as we can claim, since we may have been the visitors from furthest away that night. Programs cost a few pounds, but what’s a few pounds when you’re already in the hole $3,000 getting to London? Most of us bought the programs and drooled extensively over Ewan in all his onstage glory. My friend Jackie and I would compare the time every few minutes. An hour to go, 30 minutes until curtain. The excitement continued to build, at least for us, while our traveling companion K.C. snored next to me, until the lights dimmed and the horns blasted out the first notes of the Guys and Dolls score. K.C. woke up with a start once that happened.

We were seated in the second row, dead center, so aside from a few stray hairs on the heads of the people in front of us, it was a clear shot to the stage. We joked that I could probably make it onstage with one well-executed handspring. Five rows back, also in the dead center of the audience, sat Ian McKellan, in town to film The DaVinci Code. For once in my life, I had bested a major actor! That’s right, Sir Ian McKellan, I had better theatre seats than you!

The show began. Minutes went by and where was he? He was a headliner, his name and picture were bigger than life on the outside of the theatre… he’d be along any time now.

Then came that unmistakable voice, although disguised in the New York accent for the show. There he was, talking about getting a craps game running while keeping the police unaware. After the initial excitement of seeing him, we had to settle in and enjoy the show.

Ewan sang several songs and danced in several numbers throughout the show. As an actor with far more film experience than onstage experience, he hasn’t had as much theatre experience as most actors who make it to the London stage. As a crazed fan, I thought he was absolutely perfect in every way. But as a theatre afficionado, I’d say he wasn’t quite Tommy Tune with the singing and the dancing. I’d give him a 7.5 out of 10 overall.

Emoting is no problem for our boy Ewan. His stage presence and sincerity went unquestioned in his role as Sky Masterson. The part of my brain that had settled in to soak up the show believed that he was some crazy gambler from New York City back in the 1950’s. The accent never slipped into his real Scottish tone, to his credit, and his dancing, from the second row, looked pretty good to me. (Some of the gals in the balcony seats did report that he seemed stiff in his dancing, but as I said, he’s mostly a film actor with limited dance experience). Getting straight men to dance well has been an issue for choreographers since Broadway and the West End of London began.

The singing? Ah, excuse me as I swoon. Let’s say that the singing was what you would expect after seeing him in Moulin Rouge or perhaps the very end of Down With Love. I thought he sounded excellent in the songs that he sang alone or with his co-star, Jenna Russell. My Time of Day and I’ve Never Been in Love Before were absorbing and fun- although, to the ensemble’s credit, Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat stole the show!

Some highlights from that night were:
1)Bursting in to giggles with Jackie when the curtain went down for the first act and blurting out, “I’m SO glad my boyfriend isn’t here to see me like this!” The guy in front of us, Jesse, immediately laughed, and we befriended him for the rest of the night.
2)During the final sequence, Adelaide marries Nathan and the actress playing Adelaide, Jane Krakowski, tossed a bridal bouquet into the audience. Where did it land? K.C.’s head! We caught it and she handed me a stray flower that had fallen out. Of course, I pitched it back onstage and hit Ms. Krakowski in the foot. She and Ewan had a laugh about it.
3) Of course, we stalked the stage door afterward, but our beloved Ewan was nowhere to be found. The actors have stopped meeting with fans after the shows because of the recent terror attacks in London. If we’ve ever had more of a reason to hate terrorists, here it is.

In the grand scheme of things, this is the farthest I’ve ever traveled to be entertained. Tampa to London is pretty far! This production of Guys and Dolls definitely made the headlines of my life that week. London is a bustling city and my friends and I were caught up in it. We loved the performances that night. In truth, the entire ensemble cast was extremely talented, and there were a few notable characters (such as Norman Bowman’s Harry the Horse) who stole some scenes here and there. I also walked away from the experience very impressed with Jane Krakowski. She will conquer all film, stage, et cetera in her career, just like Ewan.

As a theatre afficionado, there is a certain thing that can happen with actors onstage- moments where you “catch them acting”- when it seems like they’re just putting on a show. That never happened with Guys and Dolls, and it says a lot for the cast that they managed to absorb this Ewan fan in their reality for a few hours.

Ocala Star-Banner: Freelance Articles

This article was published on May 17, 2008.

Countryside Presbyterian turns 20

Countryside Presbyterian Church turns 20 years old this week, which is a major milestone in this church's life. But, noted Pastor Gary Marshall, "celebrating a birthday is just the beginning."

"They said it couldn't be done," recalled Fenton Overly, a founding member. "In a short 20 years, it's been a miracle."

The church began with 50 founders and little money. Now, Overly said, the congregation has about 400 members ranging in age from 28 to 99 years old; there are a few children who attend services while visiting grandparents or going to Vacation Bible School in this southwest Ocala community.

At 10:30 a.m. Sunday, the church will hold its anniversary service led by the Rev. Alisun Donovan of St. Augustine, with Marshall assisting. Under the direction of JoAnn Shaw, the church's chancel choir is scheduled perform "I Will Praise You, O God" and "Christ, the One Foundation." A catered lunch for members - paid for by an anonymous member - will follow the service.

"This church, to me, is full of wonderful people. It's very busy and dynamic," said member Kaye Long, who helped plan the anniversary luncheon.

Led by the late Rev. Robert McGirt, Countryside was chartered on May 15, 1988, at First Presbyterian Church in Ocala, where - incidentally - Marshall served as associate pastor before coming to Countryside in 2001.

The new congregation started holding services in what is now Roberts Funeral Home on State Road 200.

"This church began 20 years ago in a funeral home, and the journey continues," Marshall said. "We are watching God's plan for Countryside come true, and we just help enable it."

What makes this church special, he said, is nearly every member is from somewhere else.

"We are developing our own traditions as we go, and since our members' family members are hours away, this is more of a church family," he said. "Our recent church picnic felt like a Marshall family reunion to me."

"This does become your family," said Pamela Murray, who joined Countryside three years ago and takes care of its publicity and marketing. "There is a large social life within this church. We reach out to people."

Substantial growth along the SR 200 corridor west of Interstate 75 has added many new members in recent years. In 2005, the church completed a major expansion that included a new sanctuary with a modern sound system, offices, nurseries, meeting rooms, classrooms and Founder's Hall, which served as the sanctuary from 1990 until the expansion was complete.

Countryside's outreach ministries include food drives, as well as support for medical missions to Jamaica and a family of missionaries who have worked in Ethiopia. In addition, the church hosts an annual concert series in the sanctuary; the series starts in September and runs through spring.

The following article was published on December 16, 2008:

Meditation can hold stress at bay

What would make your life better? Would you wish for more time, better organization or more harmony with your personal and professional relationships?

Would you like to feel more spiritually connected or more relaxed overall?

A typical day involves traffic, work, family, stress, and noise. From the minute the morning alarm buzzes to the last time the phone rings at night, most people find themselves surrounded by chaos - some good, some bad, but chaos nevertheless.

At the holidays, this stress can be amplified by additional deadlines and obligations that must be met. Meditation provides some relief to this sensory overload by allowing the mind to be quiet. Getting the mind to rest takes some practice, but it is worth it.

Jerry Joiner, who is a member of the Unity Church of Ocala, believes fully in the benefits of meditation. "If you don't go within, you go without," he quips.

Unity's Rev. Bill Dodd adds, "Meditation is the center of what we do." Their church services, which combine Eastern and Western philosophy, are Christian and meditation-based.

Bob Estling, the head minister of the Seraphim Center in Gainesville, notes that if prayer is for asking, meditation is for receiving. He also says that it doesn't take that much time to quiet the mind.

"Some people put it off because they don't have 30 or 40 minutes to devote to it, but I find that I can have a successful meditation in three to four minutes," he says.

Often times, the most stressed-out people don't find the time to meditate, but they are the ones who need it the most. Richard Masla of Ayurveda Health Retreat & Spa in Alachua, who leads classes in meditation, likes to quote Martin Luther King, Jr., who said, "If I didn't take two hours to pray every morning, I don't know how I'd find time to do everything I do."

"For people that might not find time to go to a [meditation] class, they can take 10 minutes before bed to relax, sit and be still- follow the breath coming in and going out," Masla adds. "By doing that, you are able to settle your mind and be still. Just by being, you find yourself having that inner peace."

Like prayer, meditation allows us to concentrate on one thing at a time and send positive thoughts to the people and circumstances in our lives. It also allows us to visualize that which we'd like to bring into our lives and reinforce affirmations of health, wealth and happiness.

Meditation doesn't have to be anything fancy, either. Certain physical activities, like walking, running or even knitting allow the mind to be clear while the body is engaged in the task. Simply setting aside a few minutes per day to take a walk or work on a creative project can provide a physical and mental benefit.

A trip to the library or bookstore allows you to learn more about meditation as well as try different methods.

For example, guided meditations on tape and CD provide instructions to visualize a scene of peace and tranquility. From there, you are encouraged to imagine something, such as a perfect job or a harmonious relationship. Finally, you are guided through a set of affirmations that reinforce positive thoughts. These recorded sessions, which typically last about 30 to 45 minutes, allow listeners to concentrate on these positive concepts. It is most helpful to listen to these recordings at either the beginning or the end of each day.

Those who practice meditation reap major benefits, such as stress reduction and increased concentration. Meditation can help you center yourself, which can help you find the energy you'll need to complete all of your tasks this holiday season. In short, meditation could just be the best gift you can give yourself.



A lone candle burns as the Rev. Bill Dodd leads a meditation service at Unity of Ocala church last Wednesday afternoon. The church offers meditational services Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Weekly Planet Article

This is an article I wrote for The Weekly Planet when I worked as an intern. It was published in the December 18-24, 1997, issue.

PMS is Here to Stay

In the words of my mom, and the many moms who went before her, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

This was the thought I had when I first heard about PMS Escape, the latest in a number of products claiming to erase one’s Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). It is a dietary supplement not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

At first this detail alarmed me, but after the pain started to settle in, I decided that I would take anything- alcohol, drugs, even an untested dietary supplement- to ease my suffering. After all, modern women like myself don’t have the luxury of staying home or retreating to a lodge to stay, uninterrupted, until our time of the month is up. We need drugs to tame that not-so-groovy feeling.

Some men are quick to say that PMS is a bad thing because it causes the women in their lives to become cranky and irrational. I say that this is not a bad thing, since this hormonal convergence brings to our attention things we would usually ignore or dismiss, and enables us to deal with them aggressively (and sometimes, unfathomably). Since women in general are encouraged to be complacent, PMS rights this wrong.

Women’s anger seems to come from nowhere during this time, but it’s the intense, stored-up product of a month’s worth of experiences, good and bad. We seem to get more irritated with everyday things, such as ringing telephones, the process of driving to work and, especially, dealing with men.

On an ovulation high, we might lovingly attend to our significant beau, hang upon his every word while massaging his feet. But during the iron-deficient PMS experience, the sight of a blathering man talking self-importantly and wiggling his toes purposefully might fill us with loathing. We might think to ourselves, “Who the hell does this guy think he is, demanding anything from me? Does he really think I care about his stupid job or his stupid life? I shouldn’t even listen to him- when does he ever listen to me? Besides, he’s a man, and men are almost completely responsible for domestic violence, environmental degradation, the government and its ridiculous policies. I can’t believe I have anything to do with anyone like him…”

This, or something like it, is what we are thinking when we survey the men in our company with critical eyes. If a retreat is not made, a battle may ensue. But is this how it has to be?

This is what I’m thinking when I decide to try the vitamin supplement. Is there something I can do to overcome this monthly sentence? Questions about its safety run through my head. Will this cause my heart to stop and my hair to fall out? Will it help curb the urge to call up my old boyfriend? Will it make me popular at school or work? Most importantly, will it make the stabbing pain in my back go away?

The clouds on the packaging calmed my fears. Then I read the outside of the box, where it said that one serving of PMS relief contained fewer calories than a baked potato. How condescending! As a woman, I’m not going to worry about the amount of calories I’m consuming when I’m trying to elevate my quality of life. But since I was on a mission, I ingested the fruity drink, popped an aspirin, and headed for bed.

When I awoke the next morning, I noticed a change. The stabbing pain was gone! So was my assertiveness. The special vitamin blend had placed me in a state of false happiness, suppressing the usual rage. I could recognize annoying situations, such as bad drivers on the interstate, but my will to honk had fled. At work, aggravating situations caused little or no reaction in me- perhaps a good thing. But as the drug wore off I began to feel more like myself. I became more alert, energetic, expressive, for better or worse. It occurred to me that I really didn’t need to take a PMS reliever, although it might make the people around me happy if I did. But did I really need to be concerned with that?

If I’m going to sedate myself voluntarily, it will be for good reason. I know that there is no escape from PMS, and if there was, my mom would have told me about it a long time ago. There are vitamins and herbs we can take, and remedies like PMS Escape that we can buy at any drug store that can ease the symptoms, but there is no way to get away from it for good.

Ours is a culture in love with escapism: escape of reality, escape of sobriety, escape of conscience. PMS presents the ultimate challenge, because it’s here to stay.

Cultural Affairs Magazine- Feature Articles

This is a sampling of the feature articles I wrote for Cultural Affairs Magazine in Tampa.

Thanks,

Gabi

Naprapathy… Say What? (January 1999)

Aaaaahhh… massage. Many people enjoy the relaxation that it brings to them, whether they go to a professional as a treat to themselves or convince their significant others or friends to give them a few minutes of backrub bliss.

Most agree that massages feel good, but the benefits of massage go well beyond the immediate. Massage brings about better blood circulation and mends connective tissues in the body- muscles, tendons and ligaments- and this can lead to more flexibility and better overall health. Although some types of massage are not officially recognized in this country, the benefits of massage have kept the art popular for hundreds of years, and as time progresses, it becomes more of an accepted form of health care.

Naprapathy is a form of massage therapy that combines massage with traditional medical knowledge- it is an actually an offshoot of chiropractics. Steve Lampert, the bay area’s only practitioner, had much to say on the subject of massage therapy in a recent interview.

“Naprapathy is the best of both worlds, between medicine and massage,” he explained. “Good spinal health is a cross between flexibility and strength. When an injury occurs that requires medical attention, it’s usually not because the person was trying to do something extraordinary. More often than not, they were in their usual range of motions and a problem that they were not aware of came to the surface suddenly.”

Postural habits also influence spinal health; depending on how we carry ourselves throughout the day, we could be placing extra stress on certain areas of our frames, and these habits can come back to haunt. Physically traumatic events, such as car accidents, can cause these problems to “fast-forward” into injuries that require massage or chiropractic treatments.

“The thing of it is that it takes so long for the human body to break down. When it does, and people try to correct it, it can take two, three or four years to come back to normal,” said Lampert.

What can be done to avoid the stress of dealing with these types of cumulative injuries? He recommends a combination of diet and exercise that many resolve to take on at one time or another, only to be sidetracked by the demands of normal, everyday lives. While nutrition is important, drinking water and other non-carbonated juice aids with the flexibility of muscles and joints- an important point in overall muscular and skeletal health. Regular body maintenance also includes stretching, recommends Lampert.

“Stretching- once a week is better than not stretching at all, but if you can stretch four or five times a week, you can increase your range of motion 40 to 50 percent.”

He approaches his patients with a whole-life approach to diagnosing; he learns about their lives as well as their symptoms, and this helps his patients break unhealthy cycles in an effort to feel better. But, he adds, the patient must be the one to decide to change; no amount of advice can change someone else’s health.

Massage therapy can improve quality of life, and whether it is done out of necessity or otherwise, it is perhaps the best thing you can do for your physical body that doesn’t require you to buy special gym clothes or even break a sweat.

An Evening in Venice (October 1998)

“You are going to be taken to fourteenth century Venice- you will forget that it’s 1998,” says Caroline Eastman-Eanell, the chairperson of marketing and publicity for this year’s benefit for the Crisis Center of Hillsborough County. Their aim is “to create a fun, exciting and original event that Tampa Bay could enjoy, and benefit a good cause,” according to Eastman-Eanell. “An Evening in Venice” will take place on October 24 at the Tampa Convention Center, beginning at 7 p.m.

A masquerade ball is an annual tradition begun four years ago by Honorary Chairman Linda McClintock-Greco to benefit the Crisis Center, which has assisted the Tampa Bay community for the past 25 years. The funds raised at the masquerade ball will benefit the Crisis Center in the upcoming year. Jerry Vasquez, the center’s director, is looking forward to the event for several reasons.

“We offer so many programs that we don’t have a single focus. Because of that diversity, it’s important that the community knows about the Crisis Center and its mission. As far as the benefit is concerned, it’s fun to do something like this and have an enjoyable night and bring support to the people in the area who aren’t as advantaged.” He adds, “It’s a friend-raiser as well as a fund-raiser.”

Support from near and far has been donated to the event. Local volunteers are producing the event, and artists, dancers and professionals are donating their time and talents. Williams-Gerard Productions, a Washington, D.C.- based company known for producing exciting and extravagant events such as inaugural balls, is loaning props, ideas and performers to the event. Among their producers, former Tampa native Sally-Anne Andrews will be lending her talents in creating, producing and managing the evening’s festivities. “It’s leaps and bounds over what it has been,” she promises. “It’s truly a new event.”

Local experts on Venetian history and dancers schooled in Venetian dance will assist with creating an exceptional experience for all attendees. A live art auction featuring the work of local artist Joyce Lazzara will take place during the evening as well as a silent auction of heirloom jewelry. Rick Nafe of the Devil Rays will emcee a live auction that includes a trip for two to Venice, and Gayle Guyardo of WFLA-TV will be mistress of ceremonies for the entire evening. Professional ballerina Luisa Meshekoff and her dancers will entertain the ranks with Il Commedia dell’ art, a comedic dance performance, and the surrounding music will be played by local, national and international musicians.

Many surprises are in store for the attendees of this year’s masquerade, and they are encouraged to wear fancy costumes or gowns and tuxedoes. All guests will be issued a mask, unless they bring their own. Organizers are confident that this year’s ball will even surpass the strong community and corporate support shown for the masquerade ball last year.

The event will begin with a champagne reception along the “Grand Canal” of Tampa Bay at dusk, decorated as a courtyard with statues, fountains and other whimsical touches. The Grand Ballroom will be transformed into the Doge’s Palace, where guests will enjoy a Venetian banquet accompanied by music and dancing.

Though the night promises to be a festive event, the benefits and proceeds will support the needs of the community well after the enchanted night has ended.

“Every community needs a 24-hour crisis center,” says Eastman-Eanell. Just last year, the Crisis Center assisted 162,239 community members whose lives have been affected by abuse, neglect, poverty and despair. The staff includes many volunteers who are trained by the professional counselors. “There are a lot of ways that they reach out,” she continues. “Whatever walk of life you come from, the Crisis Center can help.”

“Art for Life” Benefit Returns (September 1998)

“The entire community has come together once again to support the Tampa AIDS Network,” says Linda Netzer, a co-chair for TAN’s all-volunteer steering committee. She and over one thousand volunteers will work the eighth annual “Art for Life” auction at the Tampa Convention Center on September 26. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Tampa AIDS Network.

Over 400 pieces of art will be available for auction. All works have been donated by local, national and international artists, and some hail from private galleries and collectors. Art professionals will be on hand to judge some of the artwork at a special auction; other pieces will be available for bids in either a silent or voice auction. In addition to the artwork, local businesses will donate products and services to be auctioned off, and children’s artwork submitted from area schools will be judged and auctioned as well. The winner of the Children’s Art Program will see his or her work go up for auction at the voice auction along with the works of professional artists.

Local artist Eileen Goldenberg has donated her talents and created a design for this year’s fundraiser. Her design can be found on posters, t-shirts, mugs and hats as well as the event’s program. These items will be available at the event, and the proceeds will also go to TAN.

Although much of the night’s emphasis will be on the artwork, the money generated from this effort will make a lasting impression on the Bay area.

“Raising funds, of course, is the first priority,” says Don Bentz, the Special Events Coordinator for TAN. “A lot of people are developing the attitude that the AIDS crisis is over, which isn’t true at all. With more people becoming infected, it stretches our resources very thin.”

Linda Netzer adds, “People are still becoming infected. Although the new drug protocols are helping people live longer and better lives, many people are becoming resistant to these drugs and not everyone can afford them. The work of TAN is more important than ever. Because of these changes in the disease, TAN’s clients are living longer, thus needing more, not less, services.”

The Tampa AIDS Network provides many services for local people who are infected with or affected by AIDS. They provide case management for patients and coordinate their health care. They offer counseling to AIDS patients as well as their family members and caretakers. Approximately 225 people per month take advantage of their anonymous HIV testing services, and their food pantry provides nourishment to approximately 40 people per day. Other programs have included housing for patients, which they hope to expand this year, and a summer camp for children affected by AIDS. TAN’s most public role is in outreach education, which “touches about 49,000 people per year,” according to Don Bentz. Locations ranging from bars to churches set the stage for AIDS education in our community.

“We’re hoping for a better public awareness that ‘Art for Life’ can generate,” says Bentz about the fundraiser. “A wide variety of people come and hopefully get the HIV-AIDS message.”

Tai Chi (October 1998)

In our search for balance in our lives, we ultimately want to create a synergy between body and mind. A series of exercises known as Tai Chi Chaun, or Tai Chi, may be the answer to our quest for mental and physical fitness.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese art of self-defense, slowed down into smooth, fluid movements that revive the body and mind into a state of quiet consciousness. It can be learned and performed by anyone, regardless of age or degree of health. The slow movements allow for mental tranquility, as they increase the circulation and mobilization of joints, ligaments and muscles. Other benefits of the exercise include increased respiration, stabilization of the nervous system, and better functioning of other organs. Tai Chi is also known to relieve stress and improve mental attitudes, an added bonus for anyone who works, stands in line, or deals with rush-hour traffic in the course of the day. It is for this reason that Tai Chi appeals to different age groups for different reasons.

This ancient art appeals to adults who seek a way to balance themselves in the midst of their active lifestyles. Those who are recovering from physical injuries or who want to maintain balance and flexibility into their senior years also practice Tai Chi as a means of healing or preventive medicine.

The design of the movements is based upon the concepts of a micro-cosmic orbit as well as a macro-cosmic orbit. The micro-cosmic orbit is a flow of energy which vertically encircles the body, while the macro-cosmic orbit circulates throughout the limbs and the trunk of the body. These orbits coincide with other energy channels in the body, and as a result, cause the psychic centers of the body to bring healing and a state of peace to the mind. This explains the healing element of Tai Chi, since this unimpeded flow of energy relaxes the muscles of the body and aids in the treatment of nervous, organic or skeletal problems through increased blood circulation and better flexibility of joints, ligaments and muscles.

Presently, over 70 percent of the population of China performs Tai Chi daily. Though it is used to treat conditions such as nervous tension, rheumatism, ulcers, high blood pressure, poor circulation and arthritis, Tai Chi is performed daily as a preventive medicine- a way of acquiring and maintaining good health. The series of movements is a type of moving meditation that relaxes the body, which then releases the body’s energy flow (known as Chi) and puts the mind into a state of quiet associated with meditation.

Tai Chi can be learned through classes, video tapes or books on the ancient art, but for the beginner, instructional lessons are recommended to ensure that the poses and movements are correct.

Features- Internal Corporate Newsletter

I tend to write on a freelance basis more when I am between full-time jobs, and when I am employed full-time, I tend to write for the internal newsletters for my employer. I have added several articles below that will give an idea of the articles I have written to report company news.

Thanks,

Gabi

T. Rowe Price Internal Newsletter
2004-2006

T. Rowe Price Tampa Supports Community Zoo through Volunteering

For the past four years, T. Rowe Price volunteers have enthusiastically supported the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa. Much of the credit belongs to the Tampa Volunteer Committee, which partnered with the Lowry Park Zoo administration and developed a variety of fun events that made volunteer opportunities accessible to the entire Tampa office.
Located on 41 acres, the zoo has 1,600 animals representing 330 species including the endangered manatee. The zoo, one of the nation's top mid-size animal parks, which Child magazine called the “best zoo for families,” has a Florida wildlife center and manatee hospital, aviary, primate exhibits and an Australian-themed children's zoo. About 700,000 people visit the zoo annually.

The Tampa Volunteer Committee has participated in zoo events that include charity runs, Halloween family nights, and food festivals. With more than a dozen events held at the zoo annually, there have been ample opportunities for T. Rowe Price associates to get involved.

Tampa associates appreciate the opportunity to help the zoo and sign up in droves for the annual WaZoo, a beer and wine tasting to be held on August 6 this year, and the Zoofari, a food festival featuring samplings from 80 Tampa area restaurants.

“I personally like to see the amount of turnout for these events, whatever their reasons for attending, both volunteer and participants alike,” says Heather Williams, who transferred from the Owings Mills office to Tampa in 2004. “The community is gathering to support a nonprofit organization. To see a community uniting together is grand!”
“Working at the zoo is one of the most rewarding places to volunteer,” says Mindy Miller, another longtime volunteer and zoo supporter. “The events are fun, the families attending have a great time, and you get to see all the animals you are saving by being there.”

General Manager Joe Parlapiano says zoo personnel have shown their appreciation to the T. Rowe Price volunteers. “The zoo employees make volunteering at the zoo a joy for everyone. They joke with the volunteers and make us feel appreciated for the time we are giving up for the zoo,” he says.

Tampa associates who want to participate in T. Rowe Price's volunteer efforts at the Lowry Park Zoo should contact Ulrich McLachlan or Becky Serpico for more information.

T. Rowe Toasters Practice the Art of Speech

Throughout T. Rowe Price, many participants have joined Toastmasters to improve their public speaking skills, but that is just the beginning. Each meeting has a structure to keep the words and ideas flowing, but then again, each meeting is different.
The T. Rowe Toasters in Tampa have a theme for each meeting, such as:
-A funny thing happened…
-Elvis Presley
-Doctor's office
-Actor's improvisational workshop
-Oscar night
-Jeopardy

As the winner of the Fall Speech Contest, I am the reigning speech champion of the T. Rowe Toasters in the Tampa office. What did this entail? Did I tell a moving story about how my beloved pet dog saved me from a fire or explain how everyone in my audience could perform better on the job?

Not even close! My winning speech was about a trip I took to Ireland as a student with a gaggle of other women between the ages of 18 and 25. It chronicled our adventures running around western Ireland, buying Doc Marten boots, and getting to know those shy Irishmen, especially one who worked at the bed and breakfast where we stayed. We tormented him with our attention until he suggested a fun place to go out at night, and that is how the speech “Always ask the locals where to go” came about.

This fall, the group is conducting a membership drive throughout the office. Check out the awesome testimonials to find out how fun this club is for its members:

“Toastmasters meetings have been very fun, and I've never heard so much colorful language at work since K.C. Carling's first speech,” said Zach McGrath, who is the current president of the club.

Brad Carnall has this to say about his experiences in the club:

"I used to stumble and stammer over my words and get really nervous when I spoke in front of a group. Now I have the opportunity to do that every week!"

“If I want to get anything out of this club, it's noticing the ‘ahs' and ‘ums.' It makes a world of difference in your presentation,” added Tara Evans, who recently gave a speech about her travels in Egypt.

“If I had a nickel for every time Zach said ‘um,' I'd have enough to match my own,” quipped Dave Gonzalez.

I recommend the group for anyone who needs a creative outlet at work. Perhaps participating in the club won't get you promoted, but it may give you something to look forward to, something that you can use to challenge yourself. Also, it is a great way to be refreshed from your usual job duties. The meetings, which take place from noon until 1 p.m. on Wednesdays in the café, provide a lot of comic relief, too. Visitors are welcome anytime!

On a more serious note, joining the club also offers participants a chance to interact with work colleagues at all levels. The practice that the club offers participants with everyday communication will come in handy for future job interviews, public speaking engagements and other situations.

The T. Rowe Toasters 763878 was launched this January. This branch of the Toastmasters was spearheaded by Tampa Human Resources and Susan Ray as part of Associate Development Program. It was later chartered by Toastmasters International in March. As of October 18, 2005, members of this club have delivered 69 speeches.

Initially, the group was inspired by the Trusty Talkers Club from the Colorado Springs office, which was chartered in 2004. All Toastmasters clubs within T. Rowe Price receive financial support from the company.

Interview with Tampa’s New Vice President, John Townsend

We all know that it is nice to be wanted, but it is even nicer when a former employer seeks you out.

John Townsend, a vice president with T. Rowe Price Services, first started working for T. Rowe Price in 1993, but left for a position with BISYS in 2000. Now he's back and managing the Tampa office.

When he started his career, Townsend figured he'd work for T. Rowe Price for a couple of years and then move on. He found a number of opportunities at T. Rowe Price, and, aside from his stint at BYSIS, he has spent most of his career here. “As growth happens, opportunities come along. As a professional, I can learn anything from anyone at any time,” Townsend explains.

Rewards of Teaching

Townsend, or JT as he is sometimes called, obtained a bachelor's degree from Randolph-Macon College in English and originally intended to be a teacher and writer. He has found, however, that the process of teaching associates new skills and helping them succeed—even surpass expectations—parallels the rewards of teaching in a classroom.

JT defines the secret of his success as it relates to learning and getting involved. His advice to anyone would be, “Make yourself as invaluable to as many people as you can. Decide that the person who is the most responsible for your success is yourself. Others will help you, but you will decide how far you can go.”

“I've never understood people who sleepwalk through life or work. I'd rather not do something than do it halfway. When I'm out the door to work, I'm already thinking about it,” he says.

“This is a glass-half-full office,” says JT. He plans to tap into the energy of the Tampa office more in his current position. “My goal for the Tampa office is for it to be thought of first and foremost when it's time to expand the business. Don't assume that the path in front of you is blocked. It's the greatest mistake people can make, especially in this office.”

Management Style

JT plans to be out on the floor with reps, listening in on calls, and peeking over shoulders to get more familiar with the departments he manages. JT wants to know “what's going well and what's not going well” with the systems, policies, and so on.
At this time, JT does not plan to look for a permanent campus in Tampa. “Just because you don't own the bricks and mortar doesn't mean you're not staying here,” he adds.
His goal throughout his career has not been to follow a certain mentor but to learn the best skills from of the people he's worked with and go on from there. “There are so many different things to learn, if you take the time to listen,” he says.

Role Model

JT's celebrity role model would be Tony Dungy, the current coach of the Indianapolis Colts. When the Colts moved from Baltimore in 1983, JT, like any good Baltimorean, was upset and vowed to do everything in his power to root against the Colts. Years later, Dungy became coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, built up the team and saw good results on the field. Then, when Dungy was fired, he graciously thanked the Buccaneers management for the opportunity to work with the franchise. The Bucs went on to win the Super Bowl the following year.

“Winning or losing, he is the same person,” Townsend says. Now that Dungy is coach of the Indianapolis Colts, JT can't root against him but continues to root against Indianapolis fans.

Whether you want to discuss football or business, JT is available to do just that. Look him up or stop by his office on the eighth floor. Also, check your appointment calendar, as he may be looking over your shoulder in the near future to learn more about what you do.

TRP Earns Workplace of the Year Designation

The employees of T. Rowe Price Tampa were named the United Way of Tampa Bay's Workplace Team of the Year for 2003, based on a nomination from the Lowry Park Zoo. In 2003, T. Rowe Price volunteers contributed over 1,250 hours of service to the zoo. Amy Frye (Retirement Services - Tampa) represented T. Rowe Price Tampa and accepted the award on the office's behalf.

In addition, the Lowry Park Zoo presented T. Rowe Price Tampa with the "Lovy Award" for Workplace Group of the Year and nominated a member of the Tampa Volunteer Committee, Ulrich McLachlan (Retirement Client Services Tampa), for the United Way of Tampa Bay's Volunteer of the Year award in the area of leadership. McLachlan has increased T. Rowe Price Tampa's involvement in the zoo's fundraising events 100% since his initial involvement with the zoo began in 2001. In addition to organizing volunteers, he also serves on the steering committees for several zoo events and assists with the marketing and event planning staff.

The Lowry Park Zoo obtains much of its funding through special events that are held throughout the year, and these events are staffed primarily by volunteers. For major fundraisers, such as WaZoo and ZooFari, which are food and beverage tasting events, T. Rowe Price volunteers made up one-third of the volunteer force. Amanda Lancaster, the Volunteer Programs Coordinator for the zoo, wrote the following in her nomination for the United Way award:

"Over 150 T. Rowe Price volunteers assisted with every phase of the events, from planning to cleanup. They…shined as our largest, hardest working, and most dependable volunteer group. Though they were scheduled to work just one shift during the event, many of them volunteered to cover additional shifts when their scheduled replacements failed to show up… T. Rowe Price volunteers make it very clear that they are here because of their commitment to our cause."

She continued to praise T. Rowe Price Tampa for assisting during zoo holiday events Zoo Boo and Wild Winter Wonderland:

"These events are not nearly as popular with volunteers, and they are always a struggle to staff. Learning of our difficulties, the T. Rowe Price team generously volunteered to cover six nights of these events. After full workdays, they spent evenings cheerfully staffing rides, games, and exhibits - even donning costumes to frighten guests in the haunted house."

"Over the last few years, it's grown from being 10 volunteers for our first event with the zoo to having over 130 volunteers for that same event four years later," said Ulrich McLachlan. "A lot of people enjoy being at Lowry Park Zoo. They enjoy being around the animals and are happy to support those animals and that organization specifically. The volunteers enjoy watching the zoo grow and knowing that they are a part of that growth."

The United Way of Tampa Bay Team of the Year for 2003 Award and the Lovy Award are proudly displayed in the glass case in the Tampa Investor Center.

Longboat Key: A Nearby Vacation Getaway

If you drive down Interstate 275 until it merges with I-75 and follow the signs to the beach, you'd be surprised at how quickly you'll end up in a vacation paradise. Longboat Key is know as one of the more expensive beaches in Southwest Florida, but there are smaller hotels and time-share condominiums that can be found in this area, especially in the off-season between June and September, that offer a great time at a reasonable price. For a taste of Florida as it was years ago, check out the Starfish Motel.

The beaches in this area vary, but from the powdery sand of Coquina Beach to the excellent (and pricey) shopping at St. Armand's Circle, the area offers a lot of fun to visitors even when the famous Florida sunshine is hiding behind clouds. For the more nature-oriented visitor, the Mote Marine Aquarium offers a glance into the creature that may be swimming a few yards away from you as you frolic in the Gulf of Mexico, blissfully unaware that they are lurking so closely. Sharks, rays, dolphins, manatees, turtles and fish can be seen- and sometimes touched- at the aquarium. The Mote Marine Aquarium also rescues and rehabilitates injured marine animals, but these animals are not viewed directly by the public, although sometimes visitors may see a videotaped show of baby whales and other animals frolicking in their tanks.

For bird lovers, the Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary is situated next to the aquarium, and for a donation of $4, visitors may view some injured and rehabilitated birds that are housed in the shelter. Many birds are rehabilitated and released; however, if the bird is permanently disabled and unable to fend for itself in the wild, then it becomes a lifelong resident of the sanctuary.

Wildlife cruises also offer a look into the flora and fauna of the area. Usually dolphins will swim alongside the boat, while glimpses of mangrove trees and exotic water birds dominate any boat tour.

Aside from feasting the eyes on beautiful wildlife, the area restaurants provide fresh-off-the-boat seafood and other delights for the visiting gourmand. In addition, (and perhaps this is just my observation) there are many ice cream shops in the vicinity of the beach in general, and Longboat Key in particular.

If your goal is to get away from the "mainland" and relax for a few days in the sun, then Longboat Key may be a great vacation destination for you to enjoy.