President and founder of Bucks County Plastic Surgery Center in Newtown, PA, Dr. Robert J. Skalicky is Board Certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and has over 25 years of surgical experience. Trained at Frankford Hospital, Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Westchester County Medical Center and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Skalicky shares his vast knowledge of this field as Associate Director and Trainer of plastic surgery residents and fellows in and around the Philadelphia area.

Focused on both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Skalicky is well-known for his ability to create a personal yet professional relationship with his patients while providing them with the highest standard of surgical skills. He believes that obtaining physical confidence is possible in everyone if they choose the correct, well-trained and caring physician. He is an expert in areas including cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery, body contouring, facial rejuvenation and post weight loss aesthetic surgery. A long list of awards and accomplishments include election to NOVO (National Leaders in Breast Aesthetics) and numerous publications and media appearances for plastic surgery “expert forums”. Dr. Skalicky has been guest speaker for Americas Health Network and the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and in 1990 was the first surgeon to perform a complete breast reconstruction to be aired live via Internet broadcast.

Dr. Skalicky shares:

My practice philosophy involves utilizing the finest surgical techniques in a “complete” patient care approach.  This approach includes identifying each patient’s needs and desires and then developing an individual surgical plan to accomplish their goals. Honesty is a critical component in this process to allow each patient to gain realistic expectations regarding their specific surgical results.  My overall goal for each patient is to develop a strong physician-patient relationship where each patient feels like “family” in my practice and can depend on me as their surgeon to take care of them throughout every step of the surgical process.

Patients want to look better, younger, and more refreshed but don’t always know what procedure will get them there. My job is to both educate and guide them so they don’t make a mistake in their procedure selection. I try to transform each patient’s appearance in a “natural” way so as to avoid the far too frequent overdone looks that can happen when patients are not properly guided.

My practice encompasses all plastic and cosmetic procedures including eyelid surgery, facelifts, body contouring, breast enhancement and reduction, nasal surgery, and “tummy tucks”. In addition, my practice also performs an array of non-invasive procedures such as botox, wrinkle fillers, and laser wrinkle reduction. The newest area in my practice is fat transfer procedures. A patient’s own fatty tissue is now being used to replace volume and enhance areas of the face, buttocks, and even breast.

Excellent results can be achieved at Bucks County Plastic Surgery Center, 104 Pheasant Run, Building A, Suite 123, Newtown, PA 18940. To schedule an appointment, call (215) 702-8600.

With Debbie Cooper, Registered Dietician and Amie Allanson-Dundon, of St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network.

 It’s that time of year again when radio stations start playing holiday music, trees have lost their leaves, and invitations start coming in. You have no idea what gifts to get your loved ones or how you are going to pay for them.

Holiday stress and nutrition can be overwhelming and take a toll on your relationships, finances and your overall well-being. How you deal with stress can make all the difference.

 What are some techniques I can use when holiday stress is getting the best of me?

Try these five techniques:

 1. Relax – Try to keep your expectations in check. Things usually turn out okay but they won’t always be perfect. Find a quiet spot to relax and try this breathing      exercise:

-         Sit or stand in an upright position

-         Keep your shoulders back

-         Take a deep breath in through your nose and feel your lungs and ribcage expanding

-         Exhale slowly through your mouth to deflate your lungs completely

-         Repeat one to three times as needed

  2. Set Realistic Goals – Pace yourself. Rushing leads to forgetfulness and can put         you in a bad mood. Allocate more time than you think you will need.

 3. Plan – Think through what you will need and want. Pick up things in advance.         Making a list or schedule will help to keep your thoughts organized and checking         things off of your list will give you a sense of accomplishment.

 4. Delegate – Ask for others to help you and then allow them to carry out the plan. Don’t try to do it all by yourself.

 5. Humor – Don’t forget to laugh! 

       If you experience holiday stress that is beyond a manageable level, consider calling St. Luke’s Behavioral Health Counseling Center at 1-866-STLUKES or another provider of mental health services.

 How can I make healthy choices during holiday parties and meals?

1. Don’t go to a holiday event hungry! Eat a wholesome breakfast and lunch on the day of the party. Have a light snack before going to the party. Foods high in protein keep you feeling satisfied longer, so you’ll eat less later. Offer to bring a low calorie healthy appetizer with you to the holiday event.

 2. Plan Ahead: Who will be with you? What foods will be available? What foods are special to you? What foods can you do without? What are your triggers to overeat?

 It is much easier to deal with social eating situations if you have planned for them.

 3. The holiday event should not be an all-you-can-eat buffet. Review your food choices and make a plan. Eat smaller portions if you want to try everything, or choose what you really want the most and have a normal portion size. Physically position yourself away from the buffet table.

 4. Make a choice to limit high fat and high sugar items. If you cannot control the ingredients that go into a dish, simply limit yourself to smaller portions. Drink plenty of water which will fill up your stomach and keep you hydrated. Don’t forget to include some fruit and vegetables. Beware of rich sugary foods because these can make us crave yet more rich and sugary foods.

 Planning healthy meals before and between events can help you keep a balanced diet.

 What are some healthy beverage choices for holiday events?

Remember that alcohol and other beverages have calories too!

Beverage                                  Calories

Lite Beer (12 fl oz)                               100

Alcohol (1.5 fl oz)                                110

Apple cider (8 fl oz)                             120

Wine (6 fl oz)                                      124

Beer (12 fl oz)                                    150

Sparkling apple cider (8 fl oz)                150

Eggnog (8 fl oz)                                  306   (Source: www.calorieking.com)

 How do I lose weight during the holidays?

Maintain perspective. Your focus should be on weight management not weight loss during the holidays. Do not make plans to diet after the New Year, instead be physically active every day. Overeating one meal or one day won’t make or break your eating plan…unless you let it.  Put it behind you and return to your regular eating plan without feeling guilty or disappointed.     

 Any other helpful hints?

Have a mint or piece of gum when you are done eating and get a tall glass of water to sip on. Eat slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain that you had eaten.  Slow down your eating and you’ll be able to physically recognize when you have had enough to feel satisfied.

 Remember to enjoy friends and family and focus on conversation instead of food. After all, isn’t that what it is all about?!  Relax and enjoy.

 For more information on nutrition services at St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network, please call 1-866-STLUKES.

 Can we put this in a callout box?

 A Healthy Alternative to Pumpkin Pie

Low Fat Crustless Pumpkin Pie

16 oz canned pumpkin

½ cup Egg Beaters®

12 fl oz canned evaporated skim milk

½ cup sugar

½ tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp ground cloves

4 squares of graham crackers, crushed

 In a medium bowl, mix pumpkin, Egg Beaters®, sugar, and spices. Add evaporated milk and mix well. Pour into 9? pie pan sprayed with nonstick coating. Bake in 350º F oven for approximately 1 hour. Sprinkle graham crackers over cooled pie.

 Serves eight. Per slice: 7 g fat, 25.4 g carbohydrate

Source: www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1737,158167-232204,00.html

Cancer is something no one wants to think about, but increased awareness and conversation can make a tremendous difference to those diagnosed with it. Each November, the American Lung Association works to increase awareness of lung cancer.

The organization strives to eliminate the stigma that lung cancer is caused solely by smoking. In fact, radon, an invisible gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Lung cancer is a prevalent cause of death in both men and women, but the positive news is that when lung cancer is caught in the early stages, the prognosis is positive.

Today, early-stage lung cancer patients have an additional fighting tool in their arsenal. CyberKnife is a radiosurgery alternative to traditional radiation therapy for the treatment of cancerous and benign tumors. Performed on an outpatient basis, CyberKnife is a non-invasive treatment method that requires fewer radiation treatments than traditional radiation therapy and no incisions.

Prior to the use of CyberKnife, a diagnosis of early-stage lung cancer typically meant removing the lung mass with surgery or subjecting a patient to up to two months of radiation treatments. To begin, a radiation oncologist would first identify the mass on radiograph. Because the mass moves with breathing, the radiation oncologist had to apply a larger target area than the actual tumor in part due to movement of the mass caused by the patient’s breathing. Radiation therapy was then delivered by 2-3 concentrated beams, 5-days a week over a 7-8-week period.

In contrast, CyberKnife uses tiny gold markers to identify the tumor treatment area. Because CyberKnife can make constant, minute adjustments, the method can zero in on the mass and target it with up to 200 beams of low dose irradiation, effectively “painting” the tumor with a prescribed dose of radiation.

Eric Gressen, MD, a radiation oncologist and CyberKnife treatment specialist at Rothman Specialty Hospital, deals specifically with prostate and lung cancers. Dr. Gressen recently treated Richard D., an 81-year-old Stage I lung cancer patient. Richard found a malignant tumor in the lower lobe of his right lung and contacted the CyberKnife program at Rothman Specialty Hospital after seeing an advertisement in the local newspaper. Richard’s primary oncologist recommended that Richard consider the non-invasive CyberKnife treatment because of his age and lung condition.

Richard consulted with Dr. Gressen about the recommended treatment as well as what he could expect before, during, and after the procedure. Dr. Gressen and Shari Rudoler, MD, another CyberKnife specialist at Rothman Specialty Hospital, prepared Richard for the CyberKnife procedure, treatment and post-treatment effects, and discharge plan. Post-surgery effects can include general fatigue and tiredness and possible changes in skin appearance.

“I left the office after talking with Drs. Gressen and Rudoler feeling completely comfortable,” Richard says. “I put my life in their hands, no problem.”

Richard’s treatment plan included four radiosurgery treatments conducted over a 10-day period. Because of the accuracy and concentration of the radiation delivered by the CyberKnife technology, patients usually only need 3-5 radiation treatments versus 35-40 treatments for traditional radiation therapy.

Citizens of Bucks County and surrounding communities can find a convenient location for CyberKnife at Rothman Specialty Hospital in Bensalem. The hospital’s CyberKnife program features Thomas Jefferson NCI-designated radiation oncologists that specialize in specific cancer care.

“This has been a fantastic experience for me and I have nothing but positive things to say about the team and their operative capabilities,” Richard says. “This is one of the best multi-disciplinary teams I’ve ever seen. They were marvelous.”

CyberKnife at Rothman Specialty Hospital

3300 Tillman Drive

Bensalem, PA 19020

(215) 244-7407

www.rothmancyberknife.com

In these times of uncertainly in so many areas of our lives, our dental health is something we can control! Start now to begin a year toward achieving the healthy smile you want, the one that you’ll keep for a lifetime!  You don’t need a dental insurance plan to get this going. All you need is dedication to your own wellness and experts that will coach you while monitoring your progress. We see you through the bumps and beyond, getting you to the reality of a healthy smile, and a healthy you!    

Our philosophy begins with a focus on a comprehensive assessment.  This includes a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, jawbone, jaw joint and occlusion. Next, we provide an exam of the head and neck, and an oral cancer exam. We then conduct a review of your medications and your vitals (Blood Pressure/Pulse) along with a discussion of your aesthetic aspirations and concerns. We take all of these aspects into consideration and discover a way to bring them all into harmony with lasting results. 

Are you the kind of person who runs in for a whitening treatment after being away for a long period, forgetting about the decay and broken teeth that existing further back in your smile, where it “doesn’t show”?  Without proper assessment, the whitening procedure can actually aggravate existing problem areas, setting the stage for an unpleasant experience. So while whitening is great and certainly makes a difference in one’s confidence, it’s important to take care of first things first! 

The foundation of your smile is key… it must be healthy! Everyone is unique, so your action plan will be unique.  For some, the focus may be on improving the way the teeth occlude (come together) because this can often be the cause of periodontal (bone/gum foundation) concerns.  For others, early periodontal disease (infection in the gums and underlying bone) will need to be addressed. Decay and broken down, old restorations also need to be addressed. For many, a healthy hygiene visit may be all they need.  Whatever your scenario, a good start will put you well on your way toward achieving maximum oral health and overall wellness.

A quick fix may not always be the right answer.  If your teeth are in good condition generally, although crooked, an instant cosmetic smile with crowns and veneers may not do you justice over the long haul. You may want to consider Invisalign®. Within a short period of time, wearing invisible aligners can help you achieve the perfect smile with your natural teeth!  Less cost, and less overall lifetime maintenance! Consider it.

Learning good dental health at an early age is vital! A fun experience is only part of the whole picture. Learning about good homecare is what leads to a lifetime of healthy smiles! In our family practice, periodic dental health visits help record and track baselines. Homecare instructions provide the coaching you need to establish a good preventive routine. It’s more than just a “cleaning”.

Picture yourself this holiday and imagine the possibilities.  Send us a photo of your smile or come in for a courtesy “smile evaluation”.  Comprehensive doesn’t mean it’ll take a long time!  In reality, with the modern dental technologies we make available to you, your healthy smile can emerge sooner than you’d think, and some major changes can occur in the course of a single visit!

Happy Holidays from your friends at 11 Friends Lane, Suite 100!

 Dr. Robert Lantzy is a comprehensive family dentist in Newtown, Bucks County. He and his caring staff of professionals provide a range of services in a state-of- the-art facility where the focus is on individualized attention and lasting patient-doctor relationships. You may reach the office at (215) 860-5901 or by visiting www.buckscountydental.com.

According to James Freeman, Senior Vice President of Colonial Marble & Granite, when this industry-leader started out in 2007, confusion ran rampant for customers. Figuring out how to compare the bottom line costs across competitors took a degree in calculus. This inspired the client-focused Colonial to engineer a unique and simple program that made it easy to walk through their vast warehouse with a firm grasp on the reality of the “want to have” and “need to have”. “Even before times got tough, simplicity was number one,” says Freeman. “We designed a spreadsheet for clients to use, with options, upgrades, and details.”

Combining this with the security of knowing that the price you expect ends up being the price you do pay has brought sweet success for partners Angelo Bekas and Nikos Papadopoulos. You come in expecting price “A” and you can walk out with price “A”.  It is hard to find businesses with options as transparent as Colonial.

So perhaps by now you know Colonial Marble & Granite, either from word-of-mouth, media coverage, or from your own experience with their exemplary service, selection and craftsmanship. But did you know that they organize a BBQ cookout for their customers and employees every Saturday of the year, rain or shine? Major holidays too? That’s a commitment to community. And this example of giving back extends past contracts and clients. Colonial Marble & Granite is a proud and active community supporter through sponsorships of Philadelphia’s professional sports teams as well as fundraisers for a wide variety of non-profit causes. The list includes everything from the Ardmore Public Library to Alex’s Lemonade Stand. “For example, at a recent event we worked with our sports partners to have an autographed basketball from the 76ers Andre Igoudala, a signed puck from the Flyers Jeff Carter and a soccer ball signed by the entire Union team.  All of these prizes were donated for auction with all proceeds going to the American Heart Association.”

For some, having granite in their homes is a dream come true. For others, it’s purely a matter of investment. In any case, Colonial Marble & Granite invests itself in the dreams of those in need and shares its success with its community.

“LGS is efficient, consistent and very competitive in price,” says Matott.  And not only is granite a beautiful addition to a kitchen, bath, or fireplace surround but also an impressive accent to an office coffee table or a topper to an antique dresser in a master bedroom. Knowing that it is a natural stone that is mined from the earth, cut and polished, gives a room a sense of permanence as well as a sense of style from traditional to modern, casual to sleek. Michael always tells his clients that granite is the “jewel of the room” and to choose wisely as you would when choosing a piece of jewelry to represent a milestone in your life.

LGS spends extra time with their clients to insure the granite works with other elements in the room such as floor tile, stained cabinets and wall colors. In addition, they are innovative by suggesting kitchen island shapes to perhaps accentuate the shape of an existing bay window or another important feature of the room. Once the client chooses a slab and a design is decided upon, LGS’s craftsmen continue to impress by cutting the stone to best emphasize the natural grain patterns, subtle veining or brindled motif resulting in a beautiful surface to be admired for years to come. If you need granite, you will be both satisfied and impressed with LGS.

The diagnosis of a tumor no longer requires invasive treatments and long recovery times. CyberKnife, an advanced robotic radiosurgery system, delivers pain-free, noninvasive radiation for tumors with submillimeter accuracy.

Robert M., a CyberKnife patient at Rothman Specialty Hospital in Bensalem, PA, dealt with pain, numbness, and electrical activity in his right leg for more than a year. As a result, he could not stand for more than five minutes nor walk fifty yards without needing to sit down. In June, Robert entered the hospital for the removal of a cyst located at the right branch of the sciatic nerve. The routine surgery quickly turned into a revelation that neither Robert nor his surgeon expected. The suspected cyst was actually a schwannoma, a noncancerous tumor inside the nerve sheath. This discovery brought Robert’s surgical procedure to an abrupt end. Robert’s surgeon asked Dr. Shari Rudoler, a CyberKnife surgeon at Rothman Specialty Hospital, to speak with him about the innovative CyberKnife procedure for the treatment of his tumor.

CyberKnife can destroy tumors or other lesions without the need for open surgery. The radiosurgery requires no incisions or anesthesia, results in no pain or bleeding, offers lower risk of complications, no hospital stays, and faster recovery times. Intrigued, Robert began to further research the non-invasive CyberKnife technology. He also spoke with friends who had treated tumors with conventional radiation treatments. One friend recounted that he had 45 treatments over a 12-week period to treat prostate cancer. Robert weighed his friend’s option against CyberKnife’s recommended one to five sessions and quick recovery time before choosing CyberKnife over conventional radiation.

The procedure began with Dr. Rudoler mapping the tumor, followed by a targeted radiation treatment. Robert completed the two-step process the same day in a one-time, twenty-minute treatment. He returned to Rothman Specialty Hospital in July for a one month check-up. At the appointment, Dr. Rudoler said the CyberKnife treatment had successfully destroyed the tumor. Today Robert reports that he is 90% symptom-free and is back to working out at the gym.

“As I learned more about CyberKnife and experienced the treatment, I believe CyberKnife to be one of the greatest technological innovations in the history of medicine,” Robert says.

The CyberKnife at Rothman Specialty Hospital is staffed by cancer specialists affiliated with the Bodine Center for Radiation Therapy and the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson, a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center. Rothman Specialty Hospital has an exclusive partnership with the Rothman Institute.

Rothman Specialty Hospital is a multiple-specialty surgical hospital located in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. For more information contact info@rothmancyberknife.com or (215) 244-7407

How can physical therapy help prevent injuries?

Physical therapists are trained to assess range of motion and strength and can instruct people in appropriate exercises to stretch tight muscles, improve range of motion in joints that are stiff, and strengthen muscles that are weak. Physical therapists can teach people in correct posture and body mechanics to prevent back injuries. They are also trained to assess balance and gait abnormalities and can assist people who are having difficulty walking to reduce their risk of falling.

Can exercise improve symptoms associated with arthritis?

Physical therapy can help improve arthritis symptoms by strengthening muscles around the joint to provide more support. Range of motion and stretching exercises can help to improve motion in a stiff arthritic joint. Pain relieving modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation can provide temporary relief. Aquatic therapy can also be very helpful for people with arthritis pain as the buoyancy of the water allows for strengthening without the stress of exercising on land. At St. Luke’s Bone and Joint Institute, we use the HydroTrack, which has an underwater treadmill, allowing to walk as well do stationary exercises in the water. Additionally, the water temperature is maintained at 93 to 94 degrees which is an added benefit for many arthritic patients.

What is the most common injury patients use physical therapy for?

At St. Luke’s Bone & Joint Institute we commonly see people with neck and low back pain, but are able to treat a wide variety of diagnoses. Physical therapists are skilled in treating myofascial (muscle) pain, bone and joint disorders and mobility problems. We frequently see people for rehab following orthopedic surgeries and also see people following injuries such as sprains/ strains, tendonitis and repetitive motion injuries. Physical therapists can help athletes return to their sport and non- athletes regain normal level of function following injury. We are able to help people with dizziness and balance problems including vestibular problems. Some therapists specialize in treating swelling related to lymphadema, while others are able to evaluate biomechanical disorders of the foot and lower extremity and have custom orthotics made.

How long does physical therapy take?

Patients usually attend skilled physical therapy for 4-6 weeks, however, the time required can vary greatly from one individual to another. Some patients attend therapy for one or two visits for instruction in a home program or for orthotic assessment. Others may require several months of therapy following certain surgeries.

What if my child needs physical therapy?

The therapists at St. Luke’s Bone and Joint Institute address physical limitations for all age groups from birth to the elderly. Children and their parents often seek physical therapy to reduce impairments limiting physical activity due to developmental disabilities, diseases, orthopedic injuries, and accidents.

Pediatric physical therapy enables children to optimize their physical movement potential so they can lead the most fulfilling lives possible in their school, community and home environments. Pediatric physical therapy is a service provided by a licensed physical therapist designed to evaluate a child’s strengths and weaknesses of musculoskeletal structure, posture, movement patterns, and gross motor skills in order to develop a plan to gain improved mobility and motor function. A child’s physical therapy treatment program may consist of stretching, strengthening, gait training, balance activities, adaptive equipment recommendations, manual techniques, and instruction on implementing a home exercise program.

How can physical therapy help work related injuries?

In addition to manual techniques and therapeutic exercise instruction, St. Luke’s therapists specialize in techniques such as Graston Technique and Kinesio Taping. Graston is a technique using specialized tools to decrease connective tissue adhesions and improve extensibility and healing of muscles, ligaments, and scars (ie tendonitis and muscle tightness). Kineso Taping Techniques are use to promote connective tissue healing, scar tissue extensibility, muscle relaxation, muscle facilitation, edema control and much more. When clinically indicated, laser light treatments can also be used to promote healing and decrease pain.

Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s is available at the following convenient locations:

St. Luke’s Bone & Joint Institute
1534 Park Avenue, Suite 110
Quakertown, PA

St. Luke’s Upper Perkiomen Outpatient Center
2793 Geryville Pike
Pennsburg, PA

Physical Therapy – Center Valley
5848 Old Bethlehem Pike, Suite 102
Center Valley, PA

For more information please call 1-866-STLUKES or visit www.stlukesrehab.com.

Building trust between horse and rider.
By Shannon Collins

Tara Jones dares us to open our hearts to horses, to recognize their gifts of unconditional love and to relate to them with grace and gentleness. She has been training horses and people for years, creating the “Pieceful Solutions” method of training and healing.

“I started riding horses when I was a very young girl. My mom and dad were into horses and it was the kind of thing where they would throw me on the back and we’d go on trail rides. I had a little pony and that’s how I got started,” said Jones, who lived the dream of any young girl.

When Jones turned twenty-one, she became interested in riding again and she found herself buying a horse and building a barn for it with her family. Her travels soon led her to Cumberland, Virginia, for a riding apprenticeship, where she discovered her true passion in life.

“I loved that apprenticeship so much that I wanted to span out and go to other places, so I signed up for a three week apprenticeship in Wyoming.” Before Jones departed for Wyoming, she was introduced to horse trainer Kenny Harlow at a clinic. After hitting it off with him, Jones embarked on a year-long certification program with Harlow, where she ended up graduating with one of the highest scores ever. On the last day of her apprenticeship, Harlow hired Jones to travel with him to train riders at clinics up and down the East Coast.

“He gave me my start,” said a thankful Jones. “He asked if I wanted to move down there and do all of the monthly training horses. So, I stayed working for him for about five years and just recently decided to move back home to Pennsylvania and explore on my own.”

Trainee Jen Starkey met Jones at Kenny Harlow’s certification program, where Jones was assisting in training. “Her methods work,” said Starkey. “If you have problems, she can see them and not only can she train horses, she can train people. That’s why I’m her student, because she has that rare quality,” said Starkey, who owns nine horses of her own.

Jones’ strength is that she can look at a horse and rider duo and see where the issues stem from and how to work through it. “A horse is like charades,” Jones said, “they have to decipher what you’re trying to tell them. They’re thinking in their mind, ‘I think I feel a leg. I guess that means go…oh no, she’s just bumping her legs because she can’t sit still,’” she laughed.

Jones has been breaking down barriers for female trainers ever since she realized she wanted to change something about the industry. “Once I reached the point where I got frustrated because I wasn’t being taught what I wanted, I decided to teach people who wanted to learn but couldn’t find the right person.”

It didn’t take long for “Pieceful Solutions” to emerge—a training program stemming from three components: simple, systematic and straight-forward. According to Jones, horses want a routine because that is what they are accustomed to in nature.

“If you put five horses in a pasture, they’ll duke it out until they find their pecking order to figure out who is going to be dominant,” said Jones. “All of the horses know where the line is with that one, and that’s what the person has to become. It doesn’t mean you have to be aggressive with the horse, but you just have to say, this is where the line is. That’s when the horse will learn to respect you.”

Jones explained that whenever trainers have an issue with a horse or a rider, there are always holes in it—pieces that are missing. “When you think about a huge jigsaw puzzle, you have to put together the border, start the foundation and get the fundamentals on solid ground first,” said Jones. “Then you start putting together things piece by piece by piece and it brings together a whole solution to whatever issue you’re having.”

According to Jones, as long as you keep raising your expectations while constructing a horse’s training, the rider is always making the horse better. With horse riding, it’s always black and white, which is why Jones instills a unique blend of riding skills using techniques based on imagery, mobility and balance.

“I always say may all the puzzling aspects of your riding find a pieceful solution, because that’s what it is. It’s either a piece of the horse that isn’t working or a rider error that isn’t working. You have to bring both together so you have the rider coming together with the horse and the horse coming together with the rider,” she explained. Jones asks that her riders keep the door open for letting their horse teach them. “Don’t just try to be better for yourself, be better for your horse as well.”

For Jones, the history is the past when working with problem horses. One little problem pony she met while in Virginia made a huge impact on Jones’ training methods.

“I was out in the barn when this little, tiny pony comes down the aisle and their owners are leading it. It was the cutest pony I had ever seen in my life. His owners told me his name was Cinco de Mayo and when I asked what was wrong with him they told me he had a problem with bucking. They couldn’t have him around their barn because they gave children’s lessons and he was out of control,” she said.

For Jones, the horse’s history doesn’t matter because it is in the past. Whether the horse has behavioral issues or not, Jones gives the horse a clean slate. She works to find the holes in the training by going to the beginning to figure out how the problems began to arise.

“With this horse, the owners said he had been to four trainers and I was the last resort,” said Jones, who soon took Cinco de Mayo to the pen to observe his behavior. “We put the saddle on and he went around bucking, spitting and growling. We worked through it and a couple of days later we were riding him and everything was fine.”
Jones kept the horse for six weeks and was greeted by a shocked owner who couldn’t believe it was the same horse. She later found out by email from the owner that Cinco de Mayo was now the star pony with the kids. “Those little emails make everything worth it,” said Jones.

During a recent trip to Australia, Jones worked with a dressage trainer from the Royal Riding School in Spain, who is just one of the many lifelong friends Jones has met along her journey. “I have this motto that the good trainers settle for what they already know and the great trainers never settle because they know they will never know it all,” said Jones. “That is what I live by because education never stops. The day I stop learning is the day I will never ride again. I want my students to reap the benefits of my hard work.”

For Jones, she recently discovered that she could do whatever she put her mind to at a 3-day, all women’s trainer challenge. “The horse that I was assigned to was really tough and at the end of the challenge, I did end up riding it. Everyone was shocked that I could get on it,” said Jones, who was only given an hour each day to prep the horse to run a timed obstacle in front of an audience. “With that challenge, the coolest part was that it gave us women the opportunity to say that we can be just as good as the guys are,” she said. ??When Jones is not in the saddle, she is writing training manuals, which are available for purchase on her website at tarajonestraining.com. The manuals are complete with riding exercises to enhance any rider and horse combination from the start of a young horse all the way up to high-level maneuvers.

Jones is currently working on a book titled “Solving the Riddles of Riding,” which she is hoping to complete by the end of the summer. The book focuses on training the horse and how to ride while being influential. “I’ve learned through the years that the horse is your best teacher and most of the things I’ve figured out on my own because the horse tells you when you’re right and when you’re wrong,” said Jones.

At the end of the day, Jones gives all of the credit for her amazing talent to the horses. “Horses have taught me to be patient and more willing and open. It’s amazing how much responsibility they teach you and how much they give you when you give back to them,” said Jones, who admits to having the coolest job on the planet.

No matter what your profession, Jones’ undying ambition and positive outlook on life is an inspiration to anyone looking to pursue their passions. For more information on workshops and clinics offered by Tara Jones, visit www.tarajonestraining.com.

Shannon Collins is Local Living Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief.

Growing up in Bucks County provided the foundation for Giovine and Paparone’s entrepreneurial success, although they had no idea at the time. Like many kids in Bucks County, the sisters didn’t always appreciate the serene landscapes and quaint towns. Both girls were active in the local teenage scene—participating in sports, dance, charities and even going through the lower Bucks right-of-passage of holding high school jobs at Sesame Place. However, soon Angela and Tina were rushing off to college in New York City, confident in the way that only eighteen-year-olds can be, that their futures involved the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Fast forward a decade and the now twenty-something year-old sisters found themselves drawn back to the tight-knit Bucks County community that they had failed to appreciate growing up. The young women were getting ready to make some major changes in their lives, jumping onto the rollercoaster ride that is entrepreneurship after leaving behind the corporate careers they found unfulfilling. Just two years ago, Giovine and Paparone launched an empowering product-based gift business for girls called BeMe and a corporate event planning company called Lime Events. As they found passion for their new careers, they also discovered a new-found love for their community. To chronicle their adventures around Bucks County and help others find things to do, they started a website called BucksHappening.com. Little did they know that a hobby, writing about their love for all things Bucks County, would take off into the most successful of their ventures.

Within a year, Bucks Happening had taken off to become one of the most successful websites in the area, even being voted the “Best Blog” in Philadelphia in the summer of 2010. Giovine and Paparone, recognizing the amazing opportunity they had tapped into, quickly built upon what they had started, rolling out a restaurant guide; monthly events; and even recently awarding a local couple over $10,000 towards their wedding.

In addition to building up BucksHappening.com, Giovine and Paparone, as young, female entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity to inspire others to discover a career they are passionate about, to stand against the status quo despite the inevitable criticism entrepreneurs face and to take a chance on following a dream. Embracing the opportunity to show students that they can achieve anything with the right combination of passion and hard work, they have lectured at colleges including Philadelphia’s own St. Joseph’s University and their alma mater, Fordham University, in New York City. They very much look forward to sharing their expertise on social media and digital marketing at conferences in the future, including the Social Media Business Life conference happening at Del Val College on June 1st.

Reacting to the success of Bucks Happening and interest from entrepreneurs around the country who want to launch their own hyper-local online magazines, a parent company called Happenings Media was launched by Paparone and Giovine in January 2011. The passion that started with Bucks County has grown into a passion for helping individuals launch their own community-based businesses around the country. In between running BucksHappening.com, maintaining their other businesses, and becoming involved in community outreach activities, these sisters are now spreading their concept across the country and establishing a national brand.

Happenings Media provides the tools and training to help passionate entrepreneurs recreate the success of Bucks Happening in their own communities. By the end of May 2011, the Happenings Media family of websites will include BucksHappening.com for Bucks County, Pennsylvania; BrevardHappening.com for Brevard County, Florida; NassauHappening.com for Nassau County, Long Island; MontcoHappening.com for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and WestchesterHappening.com for Westchester County, New York.

What started as a shared love for Bucks County is propelling entrepreneurial success across the country, having a positive impact on individuals and communities. With five Happenings sites launched and several more on the way, there is no slow-down in sight for these savvy sisters.