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MAY 4, 2012 Motherhood & Maternity THEPRESS.NET | 3B
Style comes to town at Streets of Brentwood
Let’s face it: when it comes to
fashion we can all use a little help.
It’s a designer jungle out there,
crowded with fabrics, colors and couture
considerations. No wonder we feel like
refugees from a segment of “What Not To
Wear.” After all, who but a Kardashian truly
knows what garment goes under that sheer
blouse, which direction the stripes should
run for the most fl attering look and when to
hoist on the pantyhose or go bare-legged?
“It doesn’t need to be complicated,” said Crystal Fambrini, style specialist for The Streets of Brentwood. “The whole idea is for fashion to be fun and to make you feel good.”
Fambrini’s theory proved true last weekend during The Streets spring fashion show. The event arrived in time for some pre-Mother’s Day shopping and featured the latest looks, styles and ensembles from more than a dozen of the center’s anchor stores, including Chico’s, Sunglasses Hut and REI. With the help of local models – moms, teens and grandmas – Fambrini showed that with a little confi dence and a healthy dose of attitude, everyone can look – and more importantly, feel – like a true fashionista.
“I like the creativity of fashion and I love seeing a woman’s confi dence soar when she feels good in an outfi t,” said Fambrini. “It’s very inspiring.”
While Fambrini believes fashion is about free expression and self-confi dence, a few rules apply to selecting outfi ts and accessories.
“People do judge you by what you’re wearing,” said Fambrini, who added that the list of fashion “don’ts” include tennis shoes (“unless you’re going running”) and fl ip-fl ops (“for the beach – not shopping or work”). Other style no-nos include sports bras, shaved eyebrows
(“yes, people actually do that”) and clothes that are too big or too small.
The rule of thumb is to keep it comfortable and create a look that makes you feel pretty and confi dent. Vibrant reds, oranges and yellows are in this season, as are stripes, fl orals and bright lips.
Must-haves this spring and summer also include a long day dress (“they look good on everyone”), brightly colored jackets and cardigans, and a pair of espadrilles (“everyone should have a really amazing pair”). Jeans are a standard for any wardrobe, but should be updated every few years. And as for the undergarments: in a word, it’s Spanx.
“Spanx is critical,” laughed Fambrini.
Shoppers can assume the Walnut Creek native knows what she’s talking about. For the past few years the 31-year-old has been making a name for herself in the world of communications, starting with a mentorship under the late Peter Jennings, an ongoing stint on Al Gore’s “Current TV” as a reporter and producer, and most recently as a host and lifestyle reporter whose coverage has included the Cannes and Sundance fi lm festivals, and the Oscars. She has styled such megastars as Justin Timberlake and rubbed elbows with Brad and Angelina.
“Yes, she is that gorgeous in person,” she said. “She’s absolutely stunning. So is he.”
But when it comes to mere mortals,
R U T H R O B E R T S
see Style page 13B
Dresses and accessories from Glamora by Sadia are modeled at the recent Summer Fashions at The Streets fashion show at the Streets of Brentwood.
Photo by Kevin Bartram
4B | THEPRESS.NET Motherhood & Maternity MAY 4, 2012
You choose food just for kids.Shouldn’t you choose a hospital just for kids?
BRENTWOOD OUTPATIENT CENTERAudiology • Cardiology • ENT • Gastroenterology • Ophthalmology
1181 Central Blvd., Suite B, Brentwood888-530-3034
Ask your pediatrician to help you connect with a subspecialist at Children’s Hospital.
Consignment shop makes kids’ clothes aff ordable
Children grow out of clothes fast, and keep-
ing up can become a fi nancial nightmare.
And what’s a mother to do with all the
perfectly good garments her children wore only
twice before they no longer fi t? Tummies to Tots,
a boutique-like consignment shop in Brentwood,
offers solutions to both problems.
“We’re looking for nice items,” said owner David Mengel. “We want to have thrift shop prices with boutique quality.” Tummies to Tots takes clothes, toys, books, furniture and other items for children on consignment, sells them at low prices and returns a percentage of the transac-tion to the seller. This makes it easy for parents to recoup their losses from seldom-used items, and by selling items on consignment and using the store credit to buy the next size up, parents can save thousands of dollars.
Tummies to Tots originally focused on items for infants and kids up to 5, but recently widened its scope. “To Tweens” offers clothes, video games and sporting gear for kids 5 to 12, making it easy and affordable to keep active kids in style. Brand names such as Levi’s and Justice sell right alongside clothes for everyday use.
Since Mengel and his fi ancée, Amanda Betorina, are expecting a baby boy this week and are are raising Amanda’s two children from a previous marriage, they’re acutely aware of the need for quality children’s items at low prices. Pants at Tummies to Tots sell for an average of $4-6, and shirts usually go at around $3-5.
“We try in theory to price it at 50 percent of retail,” said Mengel. The dollar rack of toddlers’ clothes has prov-
en highly popular with parents, as has the wide selection of baby furniture, maternity clothes and even handmade bows, burp cloths and other items from local craftspeople. The store offers “everything, from the time you fi nd out you’re pregnant, through middle school,” said Betorina.
A M Y C L A I R E
see Consignment page 10B
Natasha Bow, right, looks on as Tummies to Tots employees Alysha Sanders and Courtney Quinn look over the items she has brought in to sell.
Photo by Richard Wisdom
ON THE COVER: Amanda Betorina, co-owner of Tummies to Tots consignment store, watches a young client enjoy himself as his mother shops nearby.
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Mu ir birthing center puts focus on family
Prissy didn’t know much about
birthing babies, but John Muir
Medical Center surely did, and
nearly 3,000 satisfi ed customers can
back it up.
“My experience there was amazing,” said Elizabeth Schwartz of Brentwood, who gave birth to her son Ryder at the center. “It was very Zen-like and serene. The staff was so sensitive and professional. We loved it.”
April marked the one-year anniversary of the family birth center, a state-of-the-art facility that combines cutting-edge medical care and technology with the welcoming, calming and cozy comforts of home.
Located at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, the birthing center accom-modates residents throughout Contra Costa County and offers families the luxury of laboring and delivering in the same room. All the accompanying services are located on the same fl oor. The result, offi cials hope, is a more complete and satisfying experience.
“We understand that every birth experience is unique, so we work very hard to meet the needs of each family and
focus on the family-centered care,” said Pavna Sloan, nurse manager for the family birth center. “We support the dads and signifi cant others and get them as involved as we can. We tell them that mom has been carrying baby for nine months and now it’s their turn. We show them how to hold, wrap and change the baby.”
Each patient at the center receives a private room complete with a fl at-screen TV, audio system and hide-a-bed couch for family members staying the night. Rooms also boast spacious balconies, natural lighting and beautiful wooden basinets for when baby arrives.
“People often ask if they can buy the bassinets to take home with them,” laughed Sloan. “They aren’t for sale. But mostly what I hear from people is what a wonderful experience they had and how amazing the nurses were.”
And for East County residents such as Schwartz, the John Muir Medical Center offi ces in Brentwood offer all the pre-natal, post-partum, pediatric and follow-up services necessary for families, making the Walnut Creek hospital necessary only for the delivery.
But the connection isn’t lost once the baby is delivered. A free ongoing support group called Muir Mommies offers weekly discussion meetings on a variety of topics
important to moms and their babies.“I really love this group,” said
Schwartz, who has attended since her son was born. “Every week there’s a new topic, and it’s been a major support for me. The moms I started out with have become really close friends and now we not only see each other at the meetings but we get together for girls nights and things, too. It’s been wonderful.”
And that, agrees Sloan, is what makes the Muir programs so effective. “We really support the whole family, and it doesn’t end after they’re discharged,” she said. “We hopefully create connections that last a lifetime.”
For more information on the Family Birthing Center or to make an appoint-ment to tour the facility, visit www.john-muirhealth.com or call 925-941-7900.
R U T H R O B E R T S
At the John Muir Family Birthing Center, moms can labor and deliver in the same room in a peaceful setting.
Photo courtesy of John Muir Medical Center
6B | THEPRESS.NET Motherhood & Maternity MAY 4, 2012
Because no two are alike.No two bellies, no two babies, no two births. Our OBs know that each pregnancy is unique. Whether you’re a pro or a fi rst-time mom, they help you fi nd your way. They listen. They explain. And they work with you. So if you don’t want to be treated like baby-bump #379, look to us. To fi nd an OB near you, visit johnmuirhealth.com/fi ndadoctor.
pregnancy services
MAY 4, 2012 Motherhood & Maternity THEPRESS.NET | 7B
Special Kids
SupportingKids and Families
What mom wouldn’t love a day fi lled with facials, massages, mani-cures, pedicures, champagne and lunch? Well, one lucky winner will win a spa day for two this Mother’s Day courtesy of Sawã Spa in
Brentwood. Simply e-mail or post a letter (no more than 500 words) by May 18 explaining why your mom deserves a day of pampering. Include your mother’s name and your name, address, phone number and e-address. Entries will be eligible for a drawing for movie tickets or dinner for the entire family. Send letters to [email protected] or Tania Matthiessen, Sawã Spa at Trilogy, 1700 Trilogy Parkway, Brentwood, CA 94513.
Pamper mom8B | THEPRESS.NET Motherhood & Maternity MAY 4, 2012
A look at what Mom’s work is worthShe’s a teller of bedtime stories,
packer of lunches, dispenser
of wisdom and dryer of tears.
From bandaging skinned elbows to
helping out with homework, nobody
does it like Mom.
Mom typically juggles the many jobs necessary to keep a household running smoothly, even if she works outside the house. You might think all this devotion and TLC are priceless, but according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the market value of the tasks we commonly associate with motherhood has declined slightly over the past year.
Like many professions during the current recession, motherhood has taken a pay cut.
Stay-at-home parents versus working parents
For its 2012 Mother’s Day Index, Insure.com took an informal look at the work mothers perform and how much a family would pay to hire others to take on Mom’s duties around the house.
The review of wage data found that an assortment of common tasks is worth $60,182; last year’s Mother’s Day Index found those same tasks to be worth $61,436. That’s a drop of $1,254 (about 2 percent), but still much more than most families could afford to pay. It’s also a reminder of why mothers need adequate life insurance.
Based on comparable BLS data on Mom’s duties back in 2003, she earned about $51,812 for the same tasks. However, factoring in infl ation, that’s the equivalent of about $64,593 in 2012 dollars.
She’s irreplaceableIn addition to the loss of her services
at home, many families would lose an important source of income were Mom no longer around. Although a gender gap still exists regarding pay, it’s narrow-ing. In 2007, about 22 percent of wives out-earned their husbands, compared with only 4 percent in 1970.
Although Dad often earns more than Mom, there’s no doubt about who’s more valuable at home. Insure.com’s 2011 Father’s Day Index found that it would cost only $20,415 to hire someone to take over Dad’s duties, roughly one-third the cost of replacing Mom.
According to Jamie O’Boyle, a senior analyst for the Center for Cultural Studies & Analysis in Philadelphia, fathers aren’t nearly as important to families as moth-ers. In recognition of this, men typically concede most major family decisions to their wives.
“The woman decides where you’re going to live; where your kids are going to go to school,” said O’Boyle. “Women are the ones who are there to make that family unit work. Men are essentially fungible – you can always get another one.”
Too much stressNo matter how much you pay her,
motherhood is a tough job. “Moms are taxi drivers, and that is a huge responsibil-ity,” said psychologist Elizabeth Lombardo, author of “A Happy You,” which examines how to fi nd true happiness. “Kids are in so
many more activities now, and they need to be driven around. That is a big-time commitment. If you have more than one child, scheduling can be complex and extremely stressful.”
Most women are unable to meet their own expectations, said Amy McCready, a mom and the author of the parenting book “If I Have To Tell You One More Time …”
“They just carry a tremendous amount of guilt,” McCready said. “We all need to just lower our standards a little bit. Perhaps I’m not making homemade cupcakes for the school party, but I can buy a dozen cupcakes, and that’s just fi ne.”
– Contributed by Emmet Pierce, Insure.com, via money.msn.com
Like many professions during the current recession, motherhood has taken a pay cut.
MAY 4, 2012 Motherhood & Maternity THEPRESS.NET | 9B
10B | THEPRESS.NET Motherhood & Maternity MAY 4, 2012
Cameron Gurerra, 5, right, and Chloe Seordelis, 3, play among the racks at Tummies to Tots Consignment store.
Photo by Richard Wisdom
The toys have proven enormously popular with young shoppers. “This is the best toy store in town,” said Mengel. “Everything is out of the box.” Children are encouraged to play with the toys while their parents shop, and the store also provides a room with a crib, glider chair and baby monitor for sleeping babies or nursing mothers. Wood fl oors, a clean setup, and Scentsy air fresheners make for a pleasant shopping experience for all members of the family.
The store’s convenient location, just a few doors from men’s and women’s consignment stores and a yogurt shop, has
also made a signifi cant impact. “It’s bringing in a lot of out of town traffi c,” said Mengel.
“I love it,” said Jeannine, a mother who comes into the store on a regular basis. “Clothing for children right now is out-of-control expensive, so it’s nice.” As a sustainable, affordable and convenient way to sell outgrown items and buy newer ones, Tummies to Tots (to Tweens) generates enthusiasm among all ages.
Tummies to Tots, located at 3860 Balfour Road, Suite A in Brentwood, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 925-513-6556 or visit www.tummiestototsconsign-mentshop.com.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
Consignment from page 4B
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Quench Your Child’s Thirst to Prevent DehydrationHow much water should your child drink? What are the early warning signs of dehydration and heat stress? Symptoms can indicate underlying long-term health issues and lead to serious problems. Learn to recognize the signs. Dr. Adham, Tuesday, June 5 Dr. Ashraf, Thursday, June 28
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Mothering goes mobile
Motherhood is like a super-
power. Once you have
children, suddenly you have
eyes in the back of your head, you know
how to fi x almost anything from bicycles to
boo-boos, and you can locate homework
and “lost” sneakers in the blink of an eye.
But even the greatest Super Moms can use
help. Here are a few apps that can help.
50,000 Baby NamesCongratulations! You’re having a baby.
One of your fi rst tasks as a mother is to pick the right name for your future offspring. If you don’t have any ideas yet, this app offers thousands of names and descriptions of their origins. When you fi nd a name you like, add it to your favorites for easy access. Free for Android and iPhone.
What To Expect PregnancyIt’s never too early to start being a
Super Mom. The What To Expect app helps you track your little ones as they grow in the womb. You can learn about the baby’s development on a daily and weekly basis. The app also offers tips about exercise and diet to ensure your baby becomes a healthy
newborn. Free for Android and iPhone.
Baby ConnectOnce your baby arrives, download Baby
Connect, which helps you keep track of feedings, diaper changes, sleep patterns and the general progress of your new addition. You can track when you feed the baby by bottle or breast, and when you pump. There are also charts to track the baby’s weight and length. $4.99 for Android and iPhone.
Baby Sign ASLJust because your baby can’t talk
doesn’t mean you can’t communicate. Baby sign language is a fairly new concept in the evolution of parenting, but with Baby Sign ASL, you can learn basic signs, such as “hungry” and “tired.” This app helps bridge the communication gap until your little one becomes a chatterbox. $4.99 for iPhone.
Dr. Mom: Treatment GuideWhether you’re a new mom or a
veteran, when your children hurt, you want to do everything in your power to help them heal. The Dr. Mom app helps you analyze symptoms to see if something is a growing pain or a red fl ag. The app suggests treat-ments and lets you know when you should consult a doctor. Free for Android.
see Moble page 15B
S A M I E H A R T L E Y
MAY 4, 2012 Motherhood & Maternity THEPRESS.NET | 11B
fashion can still be glamorous. But before the shopping begins, Fambrini suggests taking a good, long look at what’s already hanging in your closet. “Always go through your things before shopping,” she said. “And if you haven’t worn it in a year or
longer, get rid of it. It’s a good way to clean out your closet and it makes room for all the new things.”
For more fashion tips, follow Fambrini online at www.shopstreetsofbrentwood.com and click on Style Tips.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
Style from page 3B
Above, models await their turn backstage at the recent Summer Fashions at The Streets fashion show at the Streets of Brentwood. Right, clothing from REI can be both stylish and functional, and there’s something for the whole family.
Photos by Kevin Bartram
MAY 4, 2012 Motherhood & Maternity THEPRESS.NET | 13B
True Beauty Brows & Skin CareAllison Boen3850 Balfour Road, Suite 208Brentwood(925) 216-3961 www.truebeautyskincare.net
Allison Boen, licensed esthetician of 10 years, has just opened True Beauty Brows & Skin Care in the Salon Suites of Brentwood. She off ers precision brow shaping, facials and waxing services at her new salon.Allison mastered the art of brow perfection working for Anastasia Beverly Hills at Nordstrom Walnut Creek. Not your average brow wax, the True Beauty Signature Brow includes a brow consultation prior to hair removal as well as a personalized brow makeup lesson. Allison measures your face and analyzes your features to ensure that your brows are the most fl attering shape for you.
Allison also has a true passion for skin care. She decided to go to esthetician school in 2002, aft er graduating from CSUEB. She worked locally at Th e Oasis Day Spa from 2003 to 2011. “I truly love what I do and can’t imagine doing anything else,” Allison exclaims. “Most of my clients are busy moms or professionals trying to juggle it all,” Allison adds “Th ey need some time to unwind and be the center of attention. Every woman needs to feel like a True Beauty!”View an entire list of Allison’s services or book your appointment online today.
Inspired to preserve memories
The days of shoeboxes full
of photos are gone. Instead,
the increasingly popular art
of scrapbooking has been sweep-
ing through picture collections and
revolutionizing the art of preserving
memories. While many moms do their
scrapbooking at home, Patti Snyder
and Diana Daijogo of Brentwood use
their store, Art Inspired Studios, to
turn scrapbooking into a community
activity.
As friends who met through the Brentwood Moms Club, Snyder and Daijogo opened Art Inspired Studios in June of 2010. Both had creative backgrounds as scrapbook enthusiasts, and the two women relish the opportunity to help fellow artists archive their cherished memories.
The store offers regular classes on a vari-ety of topics, including layout, cardmaking, scrapbooking techniques, and basic introduc-tory classes for beginners. Class fees, which include materials, range from $12 to $45. The store also offers mixed media art classes
– at which participants can learn to make journals and home décor – plus kids camps during school breaks and summer.
For social scrapbookers, Friday nights serve as “crop nights.” From 5 to 11 p.m., artists of all media are invited to bring in their current projects or scrapbook pages and enjoy each other’s company and inspiration. “It’s crafting in general,” said Snyder. “They bring in their stuff and do whatever they
want to work on.” Crop nights encourage artists to get out of the house, glean ideas and make new friends. When no classes or events are being held, the studio workshop room is available for any craftsperson to use.
The store provides a wide range of crafts supplies, including paints, ribbon by the yard, fl owers, stamps, pattern paper, canvases, and of course, scrapbooks. Snyder and Daijogo have carved out a special area
of the store for the demo bar, at which they teach patrons how to use unfamiliar prod-ucts and techniques. They enjoy the personal connection this provides, as well as the chance to help people with their projects.
“For a lot of people,” said Snyder, “it’s not a hobby. It’s their memories they want to preserve for future generations.” Snyder believes scrapbooks needn’t feature only big events, but stories, quotes and photos of everyday life. “It’s therapeutic,” she said. “You’re doing something you’re proud of that encompasses the things you love.”
Scrapbooking also needn’t be time-consuming – something put off till there’s enough time to do it all at once. Snyder and Daijogo encourage scrapbookers to do a little bit at a time and savor the art of preserving memories while they’re fresh. “Don’t feel there’s a certain way you have to do it,” said Snyder. “Do what makes you happy.”
Added Daijogo, “And don’t be afraid to start.”
Art Inspired Studios, located at 3860 Balfour Road, Suite F in Brentwood, is open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Sundays. Call 925-684-7056 or visit www.artinspiredstudios.com.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
A M Y C L A I R E
An array of beautifully designed scrapbook pages and decorations adorn the front table at Art Inspired Studios.
Photo by Amy Claire
14B | THEPRESS.NET Motherhood & Maternity MAY 4, 2012
Grocery GadgetMake your next trip to the grocery store
a breeze with this handy app. Grocery Gadget keeps your shopping list on your phone and allows you to sync it with your signifi cant other’s phone as well. You can also include a photo for each item to ensure your shopper brings home the right kind of crackers. $2.99 for Android; $3.99 for iPhone.
All Recipes Dinner SpinnerCan’t decide on what to make for dinner?
All Recipes offers a plethora of healthy meal suggestions. The app allows you to browse for new recipes or pick a favorite ingredient and fi nd a recipe simply by shaking your smart phone for a random suggestion. Or get an idea for how to incorporate items on sale at the grocery store by scanning the marked-down item, and All Recipes will give you ideas. Free for Android and iPhone.
Sit or SquatTaking kids on the road means you’ll
need to make a pit stop or two along the way. Sponsored by Charmin, this app uses a GPS function to help you locate the nearest – and cleanest – public restroom. Sit or Squat is driven by fellow moms who rate locations on accessi-bility and neatness. It’s especially helpful in large cities, but is gaining popularity in the suburbs. You might even make a contribution of your own by fi lling in the blanks of your hometown. Free for Android and iPhone.
Cozi Family OrganizerKeep track of everyone’s schedule in
this easy-to-use, color-coded app. Never miss another play date, dance recital or soccer game. Cozi Family Organizer stores to-do lists, grocery lists and other notes you’ll need at the touch of a button. Best of all, you can keep better track of each other by synching the calendar to every-one’s phones. Free for Android and iPhone.
mom reminds me to ‘treat others the way you want to be treated.’ And ‘if you’re thinking of doing something bad, remember: if you wouldn’t do it in front of a parent or a principal – don’t do it!’”
– Savannah Hopp, 11, Oakley ♦ “My mom always says ‘be nice to your
mother.’ I guess I’m mean to her. So it’s a reminder to always be nice to your mother because your mother does everything for you.”
– Christopher Charter, 27, Brentwood ♦ “My mother told me that ‘education and
salvation is the key to success,’ and with them, I wouldn’t have to worry about anything.”
– Lucille Killingsworth, 82, AntiochMotherhood isn’t for the weak willed,
and it’s a true test of strength to endure, say, those troublesome twos or those volatile teen years. And yet our mothers wake up every day and care for us to the best of their ability, and for this feat of strength I’m truly grateful. This Mother’s Day, cut mom a little slack and heed her momisms, unbidden or otherwise. Sometimes, mothers really do know best.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net.
MAY 4, 2012 Motherhood & Maternity THEPRESS.NET | 15B
Mobile from page 11B
Momisms from page 12B
“Beary” Happy
Mother’sDay!
We Wish YouBlack Bear DinerBlack Bear DinerBlack Bear Diner
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BreakfastHearty, Generous & Served All Day
Lunch Quick &Satisfying
Dinner ClassicComfort Food
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“Beary” Happy
Mother’sDay!
We Wish YouBlack Bear DinerBlack Bear DinerBlack Bear Diner
Good Old-Fashioned Family Food!
BreakfastHearty, Generous & Served All Day
Lunch Quick &Satisfying
Dinner ClassicComfort Food
3201 Main Street • Oakley, CA(925) 625-3555 • BlackBearDiner.com
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The Adams Middle School Symphonic Band recently performed at Disneyland as part of the Disneyland Resort Community Arts Showcase. Under the direction of Lindsay Kellogg, the wind ensemble performed “Spy
Chase” and “Great Locomotive” in Carnation Plaza. The students also took part in a Sound Instrumental Recording Workshop in which they were taught several Disney movie theme songs, including “Disney’s Castle Logo.”
Making music for the Mouse
Photo courtesy of Ruby Bayson
On April 9, 2003, Satyabhama Mahapatra, a 65-year-old retired schoolteacher in
India, became the world’s oldest mother when she gave birth to a baby boy. Mahapatra and her husband had been married 50 years before she bore their fi rst child. The baby was conceived through artifi cial insemination using eggs from the woman’s 26-year-old niece, Veenarani Mahapatra, and the sperm of Veenarani’s husband.
– Courtesy of Mother’sDayCelebration.com
Did you know?
18B | THEPRESS.NET Motherhood & Maternity MAY 4, 2012
Jalisco’sMexican RestaurantJalisco’s
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Your Food,Your Community,
Your Farmers’ Market
MAY 5 - Enter to win fresh flowers and sweet candy for Mother’s Day. Come see the FOG Program jugglers as they juggle food and talk about nutrition.
MAY 19 - Check out our cherry tasting contest. Try a variety of locally grown cherries and vote for your favorite. Your vote enters you to win a fresh bag of cherries.
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SATURDAYS ¬ 8AM - NOONFIRST ST BETWEEN CHESTNUT ST & OAK ST
22 11112011 G
OLD MEDALAWARD
Surf, sand and sun describe the
perfect California summer. The
Gold Coast might be a prime
destination for a tan, but wise vacation-
ers will resist the temptation. According
to the American Cancer Society, more
than 7,000 Californians will be diag-
nosed with melanoma this year.
In observance of Melanoma Monday – May 7 – the board-certifi ed oncologists at Epic Care, Partners in Cancer Care, are sharing life-saving tips to help prevent skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States.
“Melanoma, although the most severe skin cancer, can have a 97 percent survival rate if caught early enough,” said Dr. Michael Forrest, radiation oncologist at Epic Care. “It’s
tempting to soak up the sun as it warms up, but we’re asking for people to protect their skin fi rst.”
According to Forrest, three items are necessary to protect the skin from damag-ing UV rays. “Sunscreen is key when you’re outside,” he said. “But make sure it’s applied correctly and in adequate quantity.” His rule for sunblock: 2-30. “It takes about two table-spoons of sunblock to cover your entire body and should be applied 30 minutes before you actually go outside.” This gives the skin enough time to absorb the lotion and become effective in blocking the UV rays. Forrest also urges everyone to reapply every few hours, after drying off or excessive sweating.
Hats, sun-protective clothing and sunglasses are other important items Dr. Forrest recommends to help block the sun. Wide-brimmed hats can help shield the nose, ears, shoulders and scalp from burns. “It takes only one bad sunburn in childhood to double your chances of developing melanoma later in
life,” said Forrest. So protect your children and grandchildren with these same items.
The last item Forrest recommends in the arsenal against melanoma is a mirror: “It’s crucial to know every mole and freckle on your body. Any change can signify a problem and should be checked by a doctor immediately.” Self-exams are recommended more frequently for the fair-skinned, those with atypical moles or freckles, or a history of severe burns.
When examining moles, remember A-B-C-D-E:
A is for ASYMMETRY: One half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.
B is for BORDER: Normal spots have smooth edges. Cancerous spots may have irregular, ragged, notched or blurred edges.
C is for COLOR: The color is not the same throughout and may include shades of brown or black or sometimes patches of red, white or blue.
D is for DIAMETER: Benign moles are
about the size of a pencil eraser – about ¼ inch. Anything larger is worrisome.
E is for ELEVATED: A spot that protrudes above skin level is another warning sign.
It’s also important to avoid midday sun (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), sun bathing, and tanning salons. “You don’t need to avoid the sun altogether,” said Forrest. “But protect yourself with your own arsenal against skin cancer this summer. Taking these precautions will lessen your risk for all types of skin cancer, including melanoma.”
– Courtesy of Epic Care, Partners in Cancer Care
Soak up summer sun safelyMAY 4, 2012 Motherhood & Maternity THEPRESS.NET | 21B
