Tallahassee Democrat - 07/30/2018 Page : C01

Copyright © 2018 Tallahassee Democrat. All rights reserved. Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights , updated March2007. 07/30/2018July 30, 2018 9:44 am (GMT +4:00) Powered by TECNAVIA

Copy Reduced to 66% from original to fit letter page

Seven years ago, Steve Johnson fell off a tractor-trailer, shattered his ankle, and unknowingly land-ed himself into a career as an artist.

Johnson had played guitar since age 9, but noteven music could beat his boredom during his post-surgery bed rest. He flipped on the television to PBSand was greeted by none other than the nationallyrenowned and cheery painter, Bob Ross. Johnsonasked his wife to pick up a paint set from the store,then followed Ross through 50 paintings before rea-lizing he might be in for a change of career.

“There was a silver lining in falling off of thattruck,” reflects Johnson. “I know when it happened

it was pretty terrible, but if I knew then how my lifewould change because of it, I would gladly do itagain.”

Today, Johnson is president of the Jefferson ArtsGallery. His main goal is promoting the arts in Mon-ticello, and he is excited to share the gallery’s sum-mer member show “Summer Time,”runningthrough Aug. 29. He didn’t give up trucking rightaway, however. Prior to this new role, Johnson’s re-lationship with art was one of self-discovery.

Though it wasn’t his first path, Johnson was nev-er to a stranger to art. Born in small town Moorse-ville, North Carolina, his grandmother introduced

From trucker to painter ‘SUMMER TIME’ ARTIST TOOK FALL TO SELF-DISCOVERY

Amanda Sieradzki Council on Culture & Arts

TOP LEFT: “Melancholy Sun” is currently hanging in Jefferson Arts Gallery’s summershow. BOTTOM LEFT: "Night at the Port," acrylic by Steve Johnson. ABOVE: SteveJohnson enjoys plein air or open air painting. PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEVE JOHNSON

If you goWhat: Jefferson Arts Gallery Sum-mer Member Show “Summer Time”

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesdaythrough Saturday through Aug. 29

Where: Jefferson Arts Gallery, 575West Washington St., Monticello

Cost: Free admission

Contact:For more information,visit http://www.jeffersonarts-gallery.com/index.html.

Tallahassee Democrat ❚ MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018 ❚ 1C

TLHLife

TD-TLH0005575-01

BEYOND CARPET CLEANINGAIR DUCT SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE

CALL ABOUT OUR $99.00 CARPET SPECIAL

FL #CAC1816408

Our equipment ismanufactured here inthe United States.

PROUD TO BEMADE IN THEUSA

CARPET TILE & GROUT HARDWOOD FURNITURE AIR DUCT656-1777

Tallahassee has recently beenawarded the Silver Level Biking Com-munity Award (https://bikeleague.org/community).

The city has prioritized building bet-ter bike infrastructure, such as bikelanes and bike boxes (http://www.bike-tallahassee.com/features.html). As aresult, more and more people are optingto bike as a mode of transportation.

While this is wonderful news, I knowfrom my own experience and conversa-tions with other cyclists, safety does notnecessarily come with the biking lanes.

In comparison to the entire UnitedStates, cyclists across Florida are twiceas likely to be involved in an accident(Center for Disease Control, 2015; readmore at https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6431a1.htm).Knowing this, I often wonder, how dowe increase safety for cyclists in Talla-hassee? All members of our communitycan work together to make our roads

Cycling circle gets saferby working together

Bicycle boxes provide priority for cyclists to go in front of cars and have betteraccessibility turning left. FSU

J. Alberto De Los RiosSustainable Tallahassee

See CYCLISTS, Page 2C

See PAINTER, Page 4C

Tallahassee Democrat - 07/30/2018 Page : C04

Copyright © 2018 Tallahassee Democrat. All rights reserved. Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights , updated March2007. 07/30/2018July 30, 2018 9:55 am (GMT +4:00) Powered by TECNAVIA

Copy Reduced to 69% from original to fit letter page

4C ❚ MONDAY, JULY 30, 2018 ❚ TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT

By P.K. FisherHealth Correspondent

Top doctors fromStanford University

have announced an amaz-ing new solution formemory loss.Now after years of re-

search and testing, it’sbeen formulated intoa pill. Doctors have ap-proved it for use – and se-niors from coast-to-coastare rushing to get theirhands on it.The developers of this

new brain enhancing pillhave called it Lipicade.And there are good rea-sons why seniors arerushing to get their handson it.To begin with, the clin-

ical results were very im-pressive.Participants taking

Lipicade’s active ingre-dient saw a 30% boostin brain function. Theyenjoyed a 44% improve-ment in memory. Eventheir ability to learn newtasks was enhanced by33%.Lipicade’s active in-

gredient comes from anatural compound. It isboth safe and healthy.Scientists believe it helpsthe body regrow newcells in the brain whichimprove memory, con-centration and thinkingpower.“In all my years as a

doctor, Lipicade is theirst real solution to comealong for those sufferingfrommental decline,” saidDr. Perter Grossman, anM.D., from Philadelphia,PA.“We’ve inally found a

pill that is both side-ef-fect free and supportedby clinical studies. If yousuffer from a slow downin brain function, try thisproduct immediately,” headded.

Why So MuchExcitement?

Even though this pill isextremely effective andproven to work in dou-ble-blind clinical trials, itcontains no drugs what-soever.The pill is the irst in

a new class of nootropicadaptogen medicines.This means it works torestore healthy communi-cation between cells andneurons in the brain.With clinically con-

trolled, scientiic testing,the researchers who cre-ated this pill produced amemory enhancing pillso effective… that… us-ers taking it were able toreverse years of mentaldecline and memory losswithin just 90-days.Sophisticated scientiic

testing was necessary todiscover exactly why thispill produces such amaz-ing brain-restoring bene-its.TheWay It WorksIs ExtraordinaryLipicade is taken once

per day after breakfast.It’s small and easy toswallow. There are noharmful side-effects.The active ingredient is

a natural compound thatdoes not cause harmfulinteraction with othermedications.Research shows that as

we age, the quantity andquality of nerve cells inour brain begin to decline.This is due to stress andunhealthy diet and life-style habits.

The results can be de-layed reactions, slowerthinking, memory lossand a complete break-down in brain function.Scientists believe

the active ingredient inLipicade works to repairdamaged brain cells in thebrain’s neural network.So Effective It WasClinically StudiedBy Scientists FromStanford UniversityThe U.S. clinical tri-

als were conducted bydoctors from StanfordUniversity.The studies included

men and women betweenthe ages of 50 and 75 whowere suffering from agerelated memory prob-lems.They were not instruct-

ed to change their dietor exercise habits. Theywere told only to takeLipicade’s active ingredi-ent for 90 days.The results were stun-

ning.The Participants who

took the pill as directedsaw a 30% increase inbrain function. They wereable to remember events,people, numbers, namesand faces with greaterease and clarity.Users also showed sig-

niicant improvementsin their ability to recalltelephone numbers andthe location of misplacedobjects. Even their abil-ity to concentrate whilereading, talking and per-forming tasks was greatlyenhanced.Based on these results,

the doctors concludedthat the participants had,“rolled back 12 years ofmental decline.”The results of these

trials were publishedin the medical journalNeurology.Further studies have

conirmed these impres-sive results, with usersseeing a 44% improve-ment in memory power…a 33% increase in learn-ing skills… and a 20%boost in brain wave activ-ity.

Works Even InSevere Cases OfMental Decline

In yet another clini-cal trial conducted byscientists at StanfordUniversity, patients withserious mental declinebecame less forgetful af-ter taking the active in-gredient in Lipicade.The results of this test

also showed patients per-formed 280% better onmental tests than thosetaking a placebo.But it’s the results of

one particular trial thatcaptured the attentionof scientists and doctorsthroughout the world. Inthis study, patients over100 years of age were giv-

en the active ingredient inLipicade daily.All of these patients had

severe memory problems.Plus, they also sufferedfrom fatigue and mus-cle weakness. But after 6months of treatment, theynot only improved theirmemory and mental func-tion. But also, they hadmore energy, strongermuscles and less body fat.These results are incredi-ble.

What DoctorsAre Saying

“Lipicade is the irstin a new class of noo-tropics,” said Dr. PeterGrossman, an M.D., fromPhiladelphia, PA.“The word “nootropics”

is a scientiic term. Inplain English it simplymeans the pill works withthe neurotransmitters inthe brain that are respon-sible for memory, think-ing speed, reaction timesand mental activity,” headded.“It’s a breakthrough

new solution that ischanging the way doc-tors worldwide now treattheir patients. Here inAmerica news of this re-markable pill is spreadinglike wildire and doctorsfrom coast-to-coast arerushing to recommendLipicade.” Peter said.“What’s most fascinat-

ing about this pill is thatit doesn’t just reverseaged-related mental de-cline. It relieves stress,improves brain power– it even enhances yourability to carry out tasksand learn new skills. Thepill is completely safe,which is unlike any otherpill we have available inAmerica… up until now,”he added.

How To GetLipicade

This is the oficialnationwide release ofLipicade in the UnitedStates. And so, the com-pany is offering a specialdiscount supply to anyperson who calls withinthe next 48-hours.A Regional Order

Hotline has been setup for local readers tocall. This gives everyonean equal chance to tryLipicade.Starting at 7:00 am to-

day, the order hotline willbe open. All readers haveto do is call TOLL FREE1-800-474-1660andpro-vide the operator with thediscount approval code:LP688. The company willtake care of the rest.Important: Due to

Lipicade’s recent mediaexposure, phone lines areoften busy. If you call anddo not immediately getthrough, please be patientand call back. Those whomiss the 48-hour dead-line maybe forced to payfull price for Lipicade.

Advertisement

Seniors Rush To Get NewPill That Promises To HelpReverseMental Decline

Reversing Memory Loss: Seniors report impressiveresults with the newly released Lipicade pill. Studies showactive ingredient enhances brain function in days withoutside effects.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat,cure, or prevent any disease. All doctors mentioned are remunerated for their services. All clinical studies on Lipicade’s active

ingredient were independently conducted and were not sponsored by the maker of Lipicade.

Stanford University trials show active ingredientsrepair damaged brain cells, improve memory

and speed up thinking; works even insevere cases of memory loss.

TD-0000294836

him to drawing with the purchase of asketchpad, charcoals and pencils. Hequickly developed an aptitude for it andso she got him a set of paints as well.

However, when his friends poked funat his amateur work Johnson stoppedaltogether. Later in life, he moved toFlorida where he began driving trucks.

Fast-forward past his recovery andJohnson was back on the road, primari-ly delivering to the docks in Jackson-ville. Working within union hours, hewould find pockets of two to three hoursduring breaks while on the job. In hiscab he brought along his guitar, easel,charcoals, and paints to fill the time,drawing what he saw in various ports.Another catalyst came shortly there-after when he ran into local artist GaryGarrett who introduced him to plein air,or open air painting, and the First CoastPlein Air Painters.

“I went the next day with the groupand fell in love,” says Johnson, who be-came good friends with Garrett andwent on to paint outside with them ev-ery weekend.

His artistic renaissance had just be-gun. Driving afforded Johnson time tothink candidly about his creative proc-esses. He wondered why his eye gravi-tated towards the worn, rundown build-ings and manmade objects in a land-scape and came up with the definingcharacteristics of his personal style andvoice. Playing guitar had taught him tosee mathematical patterns in music andJohnson reasoned that it must be thesame for when he composed art.

“When I would look at objects likebarns or crooked telephone poles, I likedthe ones that were falling apart becauseit seemed like Mother Nature had bentthese objects into her canvas and madethem fit to blend with the rhythm andharmony of what surrounds it,” de-scribes Johnson.

In this time, Johnson was consumingbooks on style and art history as well asattending workshops. One day in the li-brary he ran across a pastel artwork andfell in love with the look of the medium.He looked up the artist, Lyn Asselta, andwas one of the first members to join herFirst Coast Pastel Society in St. Augus-tine.

Asselta became Johnson’s mentor,teaching him classic art school methodson color theory, value and composition.

He enjoyed the “wildness” of her styleand wanted to emulate her aesthetic,but soon came into his own personalstyle of semi-abstract landscapes.Johnson especially appreciated what hecalls the simplest advice that Asseltagave him — to stand back and squint atyour work to gain a new perspective onthe composition.

“The greatest day of my art life waswhen I started a semi-abstract painting,finished it up that night, and was bring-ing it in to a show when [Asselta] saw it,”says Johnson. “She had a fit over it andbought it before I could hang it.”

His wife was his biggest supporter, en-couraging him to leave trucking and be-gin entering his paintings into shows.Johnson became a twice-invited artist tothe “Brush with Nature” plein air event inJacksonville, and a guest artist for theopening of the new gardens at The Cum-mer Museum and the Big Cat Rescue. Hewas also awarded for pastel work inPonte Vedre Art Center, and has heldmany solo shows across north Florida.

Recently, Johnson has found thatkeeping his shoulder and wrist loose al-lows for more experimentation withmovement and energy in his brush-strokes. He also began looking moreclosely at his under paintings, themarks he would make prior to starting apiece. Like a Rorschach test, he startedpiecing together figures and scenes outof the random strokes he saw when hestepped back and squinted.

It’s the process that he used for hiswork, “Melancholy Sun” which is cur-rently hanging in Jefferson Arts Gal-lery’s summer show.

As president of the gallery, he has along list of administrative goals too. Hisinitiatives range from recruiting moreyoung artists by providing classes andcommunity engagement opportunitiesto writing grants and creating majorplein air and art walk events by 2020.Looking back on the past few yearshowever, his greatest takeaway hasbeen to pass along the inspiration thatwas gifted to him while he sat on hiscouch with his ankle propped up.

“If it wasn’t for Bob Ross, I neverwould have picked up a paintbrush,” re-marks Johnson. “So if someone looks atmy paintings and says ‘I want to do that,’and it inspires them, that means themost to me.”

Amanda Sieradzki is the featurewriter for the Council on Culture & Arts.COCA is the capital area’s umbrellaagency for arts and culture (www.talla-hasseearts.org).

“No Life Guard on Duty” in pastel by Steve Johnson. STEVE JOHNSON

PainterContinued from Page 1C

Toby (A175624) is a 5-month-oldLabrador mix pup that came to us suf-fering from some pretty terrible (non-contagious) demodectic mange.

With a proper diet, a bit of medica-tion and a lot of love he is already look-ing a million times better! He’s a goofy,happy puppy that loves to play and islooking for a forever home where he cancontinue basic obedience training.

He weighs 35 pounds now, and weexpect that he should get to be a bit over50 pounds full grown. His foster momsays that he “Very attentive to people,

playful with other dogs. Wants to bearound you but not under foot.”

If you are interested in meeting thissweetheart, please contact the FosterCoordinator at fosterpets@talgov.comand reference the Animal ID number atthe beginning of this post.

His adoption fee is $30, which in-cludes his neuter surgery, vaccines, andmicrochip + registration.

Animal Service Center, 1125 Easter-wood Drive (Tom Brown Park); 850-891-2950;

www.talgov.com/animals. Open:Tuesday-Friday (10:30-6:30), Saturday(10-5) Sunday (1-5) ; Closed Mondays.

ADOPTABLE PET

Toby is a 5-month-old Labrador mix pup. ANIMAL SERVICE CENTER

MEET TOBYAnimal Service Center