APRIL 2011 YOUR LOCAL LADIES MAGAZINE

TIPS FOR
VEGGIE
VIRGINS

GETTING
BANKS
THE GUILTY
SEXIER OF
YOU! FRAUD
WWW.THEGIRLMAGAZINE.COM
4 GIR(L) I 2011
 April 2011
14 Recognize the Value of Others, People work
harder for recognition than for money. Find out
why.
20 Six Moves for a Sexier You, Get that body
back into bikini shape in no time with these six
moves.
24 Quinoa-The Mother Grain, Find out more
about this nutritional powerhouse.
30 A Dog Named Faith, Sometimes the
BIGGEST inspiration comes in the smallest
packages!
34 Young Americans for Liberty, A group of
young people come together to fight for freedom!
36 The Arrogance of Authority, What
happens when a DEA officer, a rancher and
huge bull find each other?
40 Banks Found Guilty of Fraud!
Read which Florida banks were found guilty
of mortgage fraud.
46 Thirteen Tips for Veggie Virgins
13 tips for tilling the earth, getting your hands
dirty, and growing your own veggies.
50 No Urn for the Ashes, Book review.
58 Sunday on the Rocks, Women’s Theater
Project presents the play written by Theresa
Rebeck.
6 GIR(L) I 2011
p u b l i s h e r “When written in Chinese,
the word ‘Crisis’ is composed
of two characters. One
represents danger and the
other represents
OPPORTUNITY.”
-John F. Kennedy

Shelly Allen I mean, wouldn’t now be the time

to unite with our brethren to fix

R
ecently, I watched a documentary
called Split: America Divided. It
was released prior to the 2008
elections but the message was certainly
clear. Americans are split on, well, just
about everything. I thought an interest-
ing message of the film was that maybe
our split isn’t caused our polarizing
view points of the opposition, maybe,
just maybe our split is the direct result
of non-communication. Every day we
’
the real problem, our government?
One thing is for sure, none of our
woes can be solved over night, but
hey, slow and steady wins the race,
right?
But for now, we’ve got a great issue
in store for you! Like always, there’s
a little bit of everything. We’ve
got health, politics, inspiration and
so much more. Don’t forget, our
advertisers make this magazine

are bombarded by mainstream media’s possible so please let them know

message. One station tells us how ter- you saw them HERE. See you next
s

rible the left is and another station tells month, same time, same sandbox!
us how terrible the right is. In the end,
we are left with a foul taste in our
mouths for people who appear to
be so completely opposite of us.
n o t e

That got me thinking, maybe if

we opened up a dialog with our
neighbor, our friends and our
relatives and started talking about
things like, sound money, the
right of the individual, freedom
and prosperity...maybe we could
bridge the gap that separates us. Jackie Branca
8 GIR(L) I 2011
WWW.THEGIRLMAGAZINE.COM
P.O. Box 50111, Lighthouse Point, Florida, 33074, 954.829.1982, 954.815.3220

PUBLISHER ALLEN-BRANCA MEDIA COMPANY, INC

Managing Directors Shelly Allen, Jackie Branca

Editorial

Senior Editor Shelly Allen

Research Alicia Polacek
Contributing Writer Lindsey Peppar
Contributing Writer Sue Willis
Contributing Writer Allison Singer
Contributing Writer Jennifer Davis
Contributing Writer Claudia Beckenstein
Contributing Writer Pam Wall

Sales

Director of Sales Jackie Branca

Sales Associate Amanda Pearl
Internet Sales Associate Lindsey Peppar

Studio / Production

Art Director / Production Design Pink Parrot Productions

Advertisement Design Joya Design 954.829.9915
Layout Design Pink Parrot Productions

Web Site Director / Designer Joya Design

Distribution Tri-County Distribution Services

2011 Copyright here and abroad of all editorial content is held by the publishers of GIR(L) Magazine. Reproduction whole or in part is
forbidden without prior written consent from the publisher. Publisher may not be held liable or responsible in any way for any actions
ensuing from advertisements or content.

10 GIR(L) I 2011
2011 I GIR(L) 11
12 GIR(L) I 2011
GIR(L) INSPIRATION

You can MOVE MOUNTAINS when you learn to...

Recognize the Value of Others
By: Napoleon Hill

T he most intense yearning of every normal person is for recognition of his value and
worth as an individual human being.

More than money, more than fame, more than any material thing, this is the greatest
reward you can give anyone - to let him know that you appreciate him for himself alone,
rather than for what he can do for you.

Man’s fate in this existence is, in essence, a lonely one.

Except for faith in the Creator, each is born alone and dies alone. Although it may be
possible to postpone someone’s death through our own sacrifice, no one actually can
die for another.

14 GIR(L) I 2011
Each ultimately faces the end of earthly
existence as a matter strictly between
himself and God. It is this subconscious
realization that causes Man his essential
loneliness, that causes him to strive
so mightily for the appreciation of his
fellows.
Psychiatrists and psychologists are
coming to realize, as philosophers and
priests have realized for centuries,
that this is the basic drive of Mankind
- not sex, or the urge for security, but
the demand for simple, egotistical
recognition.
None of us has so long to live that we
can afford to waste a precious moment in
such a negative way as carping criticisms
of others. But every moment spent in
praise of someone else rebounds to our
own credit. For nowhere is it more true
that like begets like than in this instance.
That doesn’t mean that you must engage
in fatuous flattery or apple polishing. Nor
does it meant that you must overlook
errors and ineptness in subordinates.
But it does mean that every word of
criticism you offer should be given in a
spirit of helpful instructiveness, with a view
to making the subject a better person, a
better worker, than he was before.
It also means that you are willing to
recognize the good points as well as the
bad and give them greater weight of
appreciation.
It will help you, too, to remember than
no man or woman is entirely free of the
drive for recognition. That includes your
superiors as well as your subordinates.
Your boss at this moment is probably
more tired, more lonely, and more
disheartened than you realize. He would
appreciate a word of sincere praise from
you every bit as much as the one you
hope to receive from him.
As a matter of tactfulness, too, beware
of the person who invites you to “go
ahead and criticize me. I want your honest
opinion.” Few of us are so self-disciplined
that we actually enjoy criticism. Such an
invitation is merely a sign of a person’s
need for recognition. Mankind’s greatest
punishment for miscreants lies not in the
bars and strict discipline of prison life.
It’s in the eradication of the prisoner’s
individuality - the uniforms, the numbers,
the deliberate withdrawal of recognition.
The true leader in the military service
carefully guards the individual ego of
each subordinate. Although realizing the
need for discipline and uniformity, he also
realizes the inherent dangers they hold as
killers of personality and spirit. Hence, he
makes sure that each man knows that he
is valued and respected as an individual
person.
By adopting the same attitude, you will
be taking a tremendous step toward
becoming a leader yourself.
Source: Success Unlimited April 1966.
Pgs. 33 & 34.
2011 I GIR(L) 15
 BUSINESS LESSON 205
GIR(L) HUMOR

A priest offered a Nun a lift.

She got in and crossed her legs, forcing

her gown to reveal a leg.

The priest nearly had an accident.

After controlling the car, he stealthily slid

his hand up her leg.

The nun said, ‘Father, remember Psalm

129?’

The priest removed his hand. But, chang-

ing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg
again.

The nun once again said, ‘Father, remem-

ber Psalm 129?’

The priest apologized ‘Sorry sister but the

flesh is weak.’

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed

heavily and went on her way.

On his arrival at the church, the priest

rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, ‘Go
forth and seek, further up, you will find
glory.’

MORAL OF THE STORY:

If you are not well informed in your job,

you might miss a great opportunity.
16 GIR(L) I 2011
 GIR(L) TRUTH

When asked recently in an interview how she would like to be re-

membered, Helen Thomas, former White House Senior Reporter
of 50 years, replied:

“As the person who asked why. That’s what I want as my

epitaph: ‘Why?’ It’s always been my favorite question, even
though it rarely gets answered. As I said before, because
of what happened recently, people are going to remember
me a certain way. The truth is, I don’t hate anybody. I care
deeply about people. I care for the poor, the sick, the lame,
the harmed, those who’ve been treated unjustly. I like the fact
that you asked me if I’m nuts. People think you’re nuts if you
take a stand in this life. I’ve always cared about what happens
in the world, and I think what the Israelis are doing is wrong.
We have to care about our fellow man, and we don’t. Some-
how we’ve lost that sense. It’s become almost a sin to care.
But we are all God’s children, right?”
2011 I GIR(L) 19
GIR(L) MOVES

SIX STEPS TO A SEXIER

YOU!
20 GIR(L) I 2011
 W
e all know that exercise
improves our physical health;
No surprise here! But, did
you know that exercise improves your
mental and emotional health as well?
Studies show that people who exercise
are less likely to suffer from anxiety and
depression. Exercise also improves your
memory, problem solving abilities and
can even improve math skills. Most
importantly, a “good old” work-out will
make you feel healthy and look sexy!
Let’s face it, we all want to feel healthy
but with summer approaching, the
most important thing is to look hotter
and sexier walking down the beach in
those skimpy little bathing suits! Here
are six moves that will burn calories and
have you looking sexier just in time for
summer…And ladies and gentlemen, no
excuses, there’s no equipment needed!
So, get ready, get fit, and get summer
sexy!

1. SQUAT JUMPS – Stand with feet

shoulder width apart, lower yourself into
a full squat and then push yourself off
the floor with an exploding jump (your
arms should be down between your feet
and your hands should touch the floor
as you squat). While you jump up, bring
your hands up as well and clap your
hands over your head. Remember, keep
BY that back straight and those knees be-
hind your toes when you squat! (Repeat
CASSIE 15-30 times depending on fitness level)
EVANS
2. LUNGE WALKS – Keep your head
CPT up, shoulders back and chest lifted.
2011 I GIR(L) 21
Take a big step forward and lower to a elbow, with your knee bend. Return to
lunge. Remember to keep two 90 degree original position and repeat it with the
angles in your legs and your front toe right side.
behind your knee while lunging. Pick
your back leg up and bring your feet back 6. TABLETOP CRUNCHES – Lay
together. Move forward as you lunge. on your back and take your feet off
Remember to alternate legs. (If you do the floor, your knees should be in a 90
not have a large area, you can alternate degree angle so your shins create a table
feet and do your forward lunges in place) top. Bend your elbows and place your
(Repeat 10-25 times on each leg…so, 20- hands behind your ears. As you exhale
50 times total depending on fitness level) lift your shoulders and your hips off the
ground at the same time. Contract your
3. PUSH-UPS WITH A “GLUTE” abs at all times!
LIFT – Do a regular push up, lower your-
self to the floor but as your come back up Repeat this set 2-4 times depending
lift one leg straight back (keep your leg on fitness level for optimal results! Re-
straight). Alternate legs each push up. member, getting ready for summer and
(You can modify this exercise by doing feeling great is just six easy moves away!
the push-ups on your knees and kicking
up as you come up from the push-up). Cassie Evans is a personal trainer at
Push Fitness, reach her at 954-530-4304.
4. MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS – Get
into a plank position just
like your getting ready for
a push up. Rest on the
balls of your feet while
you bring one leg forward
toward your chest and
then back to its original
position. Repeat this
movement rapidly alter-
nating legs each time.

5. SPIDERMANS –
Begin in a plank position.
While staying in plank
bring your left leg along
the outside of your body
and up toward your left
2011 I GIR(L) 23
GIR(L) HEALTH

QUINOA-
The Mother Grain
www.Leading.WholefoodFarmacy.com

24 GIR(L) I 2011

Q uinoa, though not technically a
cereal grain like wheat or oats, has
been cultivated and eaten as a cereal
for thousands of years by South Ameri-
cans. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah)
is the tiny seed of the Chenopodium
Quinoa, a leafy plant that is a distant
relative of spinach and
beets.
Quinoa was called the
“mother grain” by the
Incas (chisiya mama).
Now, as people in the
rest of the world learn
more about Quinoa,
they’re discovering that
its ancient nickname was
well deserved - Quinoa
is indeed a nutritional
powerhouse.
Quinoa’s protein con-
tent, about 16 percent,
is higher than that of
any other grain. Wheat
also has a high protein
content, about 14
percent, but the protein
in wheat and most
other grains is lacking
in the amino acid lysine,
which Quinoa has in
abundance. In fact, the
amino acid composition
in Quinoa is almost per-
KEEN-WAH
fect. The World Health Organization
has judged the protein in Quinoa to
be as complete as that in milk. In addi-
tion, Quinoa contains more iron than
most grains, and is a good source of
calcium, phosphorus, folate, and many
B vitamins. Eating a serving of whole
grains, such as Quinoa, at least 6 times
each week is an especially good idea
for postmenopausal women with high
cholesterol, high blood pressure or
other signs of cardiovascular disease.
A 3-year prospective study of 229
postmenopausal women with cardio-
vascular disease, published in the July
2005 issue of the American Heart
Journal, shows that those eating at
least 6 servings of whole grains each
week experienced slowed progres-
sion of atherosclerosis, the build-up
of plaque that narrows the vessels
through which blood flows and its pro-
gression in stenosis, the narrowing of
the diameter of arterial passageways.
Quinoa can be found in your favorite
Wholefood Farmacy foods such as
Phi Plus, as well as all seven of our
Wholefood Farinas: AmpliPhi, Beau-
tiPhi, ClariPhi, DetoxiPhi, ElectriPhi,
FructiPhi & GloriPhi.
For more information go to:
www.Leading.WholefoodFarmacy.com
2011 I GIR(L) 25
GIR(L) TRUTH

House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk,

pictured standing, far right, speaks while colleagues...

Rep. Barbara Lambert, D-Milford and Rep. Jack F. Hennessy,

D-Bridgeport, play solitaire as the House convened to vote on a
new budget. (AP)

The guy sitting in the row in front of these two....he’s on Facebook,

and the guy behind Hennessy is checking out the baseball scores.

These are the folks that couldn’t get the budget out by Oct. 1, and
are about to control your health care, cap and trade, and on and
on….

Should we buy them larger screen computers - or - a ticket home,

permanently? This is one day of their 3-DAY WORK WEEKS for
which we pay them about $179,000 per year.
26 GIR(L) I 2011
2011 I GIR(L) 27
28 GIR(L) I 2011
2011 I GIR(L) 29
GIR(L) PETS

AMAZING!

A Dog Named...

FAITH By Anonymous

T
his dog was born on Christmas care of him and became determined to
Eve, 2002. teach and train this
He was born little dog to walk by
with only two hind himself. Knowing it
legs and he of course would take all the
could not walk when faith she could mus-
he was born, even his ter not only in the
mother did not want dogs’ determination
him. His first owner and spirit, but also in
also did not think her own belief and
that he could survive passion to never give
and he was thinking up, Jude decided to
of putting him down. name the two legged
dog ‘Faith’.
But then, along came
Jude Stringfellow. In the beginning,
When Jude met she put Faith on a
him, she immedi- surfboard to let him
ately wanted to take feel the movement.
30 GIR(L) I 2011
Later she used peanut butter on a spoon
as a lure and reward for him to stand up
and jump. This was quite a family affair as
even the other dog at home encouraged
him to walk.
Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a
miracle, Faith learned to balance on his
hind legs and jump to move forward. Af-
ter further training in the snow, he could
now balance on his hind legs and walk like
a human.
Faith loves to walk around now.
No matter where he goes, he attracts
people to him.
He is fast becoming famous on the inter-
national scene and has appeared in vari-
ous newspapers and on TV shows. There
is even a book entitled ‘With a Little Faith’
being published about him.
Stringfellow has given up her teaching
post and plans to take him around the
world to show those who may need a
hand up, that even without a perfect
body, one can have a perfect soul.
In life and throughout life, we are all
presented challenges and obstacles, but
if you keep your spirit intact and believe
in yourself and in the people (or pets)
around you, anything, ANYTHING is
possible. Keep the faith, for faith is the
continual demonstration of the strength
and wonder of life .
2011 I GIR(L) 31
GIR(L) CHANGE

SHELLY ALLEN

T
o be young is a gift that you receive only one time in your life. Do
you remember it? The youth, the fire, the passion, the feeling of
invincibility, the knowing in your heart of hearts that you could
change the world. Do you remember? I remember. And to a large extent
I still feel that passion, that burning fire to change, not the world, but each
individual I come across. A burning desire to talk to people about the
issues and what’s happening in this country today in a way that they have
never thought of before. I have a passion for broadening a person’s hori-
zons and reminding them that they (you) can do anything they set their
mind to. That they can create the changes necessary in their own lives and
their own communities to make their opportunities come to fruition. That
they, that you can be anything you want and affect the state of the world.
As Margaret Mead once said, “Never underestimate the power of a few
committed people to change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever
has.”

So you can imagine my extreme delight when I came across this group
of “a few committed people,” in the organization, Young Americans for
Liberty, YAL. You and I know that this country has been turned upside
down and inside out over the past few decades, or past 100 years really, to
the point where we barely recognize the country our forefathers founded.
Spending is through the roof, government encroachment on our liberties
34 GIR(L) I 2011
has never been more perverse, the middle
class has just about disappeared through
government meddling in the economy, I
could go on…but I won’t. The people are
fed up and this is where YAL comes into
play. Young Americans for Liberty is taking
that youth passion and directing it squarely
at returning this country to its foundation. I
love it!
According to their website, www.YaLiberty.
org, “The mission of Young Americans for
Liberty (YAL) is to train, educate, and mo-
bilize youth activists committed to “winning
on principle.” Our goal is to cast the leaders
of tomorrow and reclaim the policies, can-
didates, and direction of our government.”
Inspired by the 2008 Presidential run of
Texas Congressman Ron Paul, YAL is com-
mitted to promoting constitutional, limited
government principles on campus and in the
local community.
In their owe words YAL:
• Is the Young Americans for Liberty (YAL).
As Americans we recognize the God-given
natural rights of life, liberty, and property set
forth by our Founding Fathers. Our country
was created to protect the freedoms of the
individual and directed by we the people.
• Recognize that freedom deserves respon-
sibility and therefore we hold ourselves to a
high moral character and conduct. Integrity
emphasizes our stance towards action.
Principle defines our outlook towards gov-
ernment. Peace and prosperity drives our
ambitions towards our countrymen.
• Inherit a corrupt, coercive world that
has lost respect for voluntary action. Our
government has failed and dragged our
country into moral decay. The political
class dominates the agenda with a violent,
callous, controlling grip. And, for this we do
not stand.
• Welcomes limited government conserva-
tives, classical liberals, and libertarians who
trust in the creed we set forth.
AS YOUNG AMERICANS FOR
LIBERTY WE BELIEVE:
that government is the negation of liberty;
that voluntary action is the only ethical
behavior;
that respect for the individual’s property is
fundamental to a peaceful society;
that violent action is only warranted in
defense of one’s property;
that the individual owns his/her body and is
therefore responsible for his/her actions;
that society is a responsibility of the people,
not the government.
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
I believe Gandhi said that and truer words
were never spoken. Get involved, educate
yourself, then educate others as to what we
need to do to be the change we wish to see
in this country, in our community, in our own
homes. BE the change you wish to see!
Take the time to check out Young Ameri-
cans for Liberty at www.YaLiberty.org.
Membership is for 15 to 39 year olds, how-
ever; if you are older than 39 you can still
become a member as a Senior YAL. Even if
you don’t want to join, make a donation to
help them further the cause of returning this
country to the nation it was founded to be
by education, action and activism.
2011 I GIR(L) 35
 GIR(L) HUMOR
THE
ARROGANCE
OF
AUTHORITY

A DEA officer stopped at a ranch in

Texas , and talked with an old ranch-
er. He told the rancher, “I need to
inspect your ranch for illegally grown
drugs.” The rancher said, “Okay, but
don’t go in that field over there.....”, as he pointed out the location.

The DEA officer verbally exploded saying, “ Mister, I have the authority
of the Federal Government with me!” Reaching into his rear pants
pocket, he removed his badge and proudly displayed it to the rancher.
“See this badge?! This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I
wish.... On any land!! No questions asked or answers given!! Have I
made myself clear......do you understand ?!!”

The rancher nodded politely, apologized, and went about his chores. A
short time later, the old rancher heard loud screams, looked up, and saw
the DEA officer running for his life,
being chased by the rancher’s big
Santa Gertrudis bull......

With every step the bull was gaining

ground on the officer, and it seemed
likely that he’d sure enough get
gored before he reached safety.

The officer was clearly terrified. The

rancher threw down his tools, ran to
the fence and yelled at the top of his
lungs.....“Your badge, show him your
BADGE!!!”
36 GIR(L) I 2011
GIR(L) JUSTICE

BANKS
FOUND
GUILTY
OF
FORE-
CLOSURE
FRAUD
Michael Lawrence

40 GIR(L) I 2011
 SHAMEFUL!

A
s a result of the recent investigation launched by the Florida attorney gen-
eral’s office, bank of America, GMAC bank, JP Morgan chase, and others,
have all been found guilty of foreclosure fraud.

Depositions by the banks employees revealed that the banks have been forging,
falsifying, and fabricating documents in order to foreclose on millions of homes
owned by unsuspecting American homeowners.

Additionally, Wells Fargo Bank has admitted to 55,000 counts of perjury in submit-
ting false affidavits to the courts in its efforts to fraudulently foreclose on home-
owners.

To add to this disgusting, and arrogant display of lawlessness by the banks, nothing
has been done by The Justice Department, or any other Federal Officials in the
way of civil or criminal charges against the banks, until now.

Recently, The Arizona and Nevada Attorney Generals have filed a civil lawsuit
against Bank of America for fraud against homeowners seeking loan modification,
and hopefully there will be more lawsuits on the way, as the Obama Administration
has also launched a Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force to investigate and
prosecute financial crimes in the lending and financial markets.

As bank fraud has already proved to be pervasive, let’s hope that this task force has
the political will and integrity to prosecute the banks, and the corrupt attorneys who
represent them.

These are essentially mortgages that the banks knew they did not own, but were
willing to break the law in order to put homeowners out on the streets to satisfy
their insatiable greed for even more money.

2011 I GIR(L) 41
In spite of clear and convincing docu-
mented evidence, in the forms of deposi-
tion testimony by bank employees, the
banks have been carrying on as if nothing
ever happened, and federal officials have
seemingly given them the green light to
continue to break the law with impunity.
Until such time as The Department Of
Justice, The SEC, And The Attorney
Generals of each state decide to take ac-
tion against these criminal banks, home-
owners have no choice but to implement
their own available legal strategies to fight
to save their homes.
Because most of these foreclosure cases
involve the banks inability to produce
the promissory note in order to prove
they have any legal rights to foreclosure,
homeowners have several legal strategies
available to them, in order to stop the
banks from fraudulently foreclosing on
their homes.
One of the more popular strategies
employed of late is the “Produce The
Note” Strategy. As a large percentage of
mortgage loans were securitized, and sold
to investors all over the world, it has been
difficult, if not impossible for the banks
to produce the required documents that
would establish their right to foreclosure,
as those documents have been lost in
the Wall Street ether. This is why the
banks have attempted to forge and falsify
the documents, but have been recently
caught, and found guilty of fraud.
42 GIR(L) I 2011
Secondly, the homeowner can also file a
civil suit against the banks for fraud, and
make them prove they are the rightful
owner of the note who is authorized to
foreclose on the homeowner’s property.
Last, but definitely not least, is the latest,
and possibly most powerful strategy avail-
able, which may not require a homeowner
to go to court at all if they are not in a
foreclosure. It is strictly an administrative
process pursuant to the Administrative
Procedures Act Of 1946, by which the
homeowner is legally able to reconvey
the property title back into his/her name,
thereby revoking any authority by the
bank to foreclose on the property, and
taking the property back usually within 90
days. The Michael Lawrence Process
This effectively puts the homeowner back
in control, and forces the bank to deal
with the homeowner, who now is negoti-
ating from a position of strength, instead
of begging the bank for help.
Until such time as our Government
Officials decide that they will uphold,
and enforce the rule of law, and the U.S
Constitution, and not allow themselves
to be bought by the bank’s lobbyist, the
American Homeowner must be willing
to fight for their Constitutional Rights,
and homes by any legal means necessary
against the Federal Reserve, The Banks,
and the wealthy Wall Street Barons, who
created this mess with the full intention of
fleecing the American Citizens from all
of their remaining wealth in the form of
equity in their homes.
2011 I GIR(L) 43
44 GIR(L) I 2011
2011 I GIR(L) 45
GIR(L) GARDEN
fact, based on her own experiences, she has
GETTING STARTED written articles on turning suburban outdoor
spaces into “tiny homestead Edens.”)
IN THE GARDEN: In general, LaConte recommends that
Thirteen Tips for neighborhood gardening novices start with
one of two easy options: the container
“Veggie Virgins” and garden or the raised-bed garden. (A quick
Internet search will unearth a plethora of

Other Inexperienced advice, instructions, and details about each.)

Food Growers Make your bed…raised! A raised-bed gar-

Tips from Ellen LaConte,
Author of Life Rules
den is one that is built on top of your native
soil—in other words, you don’t have to dig
into your yard and can build it wherever you
want. It can be enclosed by lumber, stone,
brick, concrete, or even hay bales, and is
filled with whatever type of soil you choose.
Advantages include (but are certainly not
limited to): improved accessibility (you don’t
need to stoop as far to reach your plants),
good drainage, fewer weeds, the ability to
plant more densely, and improved soil qual-
ity. Also, raised-bed gardens heat up more
quickly than the native soil, so you’ll be able
to plant sooner and you’ll probably enjoy a
higher produce yield.

Contain yourself! Did you know that

almost any vegetable, and quite a few fruits
(such as berries, limes, and melons), can
be adapted to growing in a pot? It’s true!

D
on’t assume lack of space is a deal-
breaker. Most of us don’t live on
farms. Nor do we have spacious,
magazine-worthy backyards. And in the
case of city-dwellers, we may not have back-
yards of any type! That’s okay, says Ellen
LaConte, who is something of an outside-
the-box thinker when it comes to gardening
in smaller or unconventional settings. (In
46 GIR(L) I 2011
So even if you’ve got no yard at all, you
can still cultivate a container garden on
your balcony, patio, or windowsill. As with
a raised-bed garden, container gardens are
very accessible and offer you total control
over soil quality. Keep in mind a few simple
guidelines such as making sure that larger
plants are in larger containers and that all
have adequate drainage holes, and you’re
good to garden!
Start small. If you bite off more
produce than you can chew, you
may become overwhelmed and
leave your garden to the not-so-
tender mercies of nature. If you’re
a newbie, choose just a few easy-
to-cultivate vegetables, fruits, and
herbs, preferably ones that already
feature prominently in your diet.
You can let yourself gradually catch
the gardening bug from there!
Don’t panic: You’ll find the time.
Prospective gardeners may be ex-
cited by the idea of growing their own fruits
and vegetables but daunted by the scope of
the project ahead of them. If you’re wonder-
ing where you’re going to find the time to
cultivate and harvest plants, take a deep
breath. After the initial effort of planting
and potting is over, your daily garden chores
such as watering and weeding will usually
be done in 15 to 30 minutes. And when you
consider how much time most of us waste
in front of the computer or TV, well…the
task ahead of you might not be so difficult
to fit in after all. (And it’ll certainly be more
nourishing!)
“Grow” easy on yourself. The fact is, some
types of produce are much hardier and
easier to grow than others. Why make your
first foray into gardening more difficult than
it needs to be by trying to raise plants that
are needy? Start with tried-and-true plants
like basil, rosemary, blueberries, tomatoes,
lettuce, and peppers, for example.
It’s as easy as one, two, TREE. When
most people think “gardening,” trees don’t
necessarily spring to mind. While it’s true
that trees can take longer than tomato
plants or berry bushes to yield fruit, the wait
is usually well worth it. Consider planting
cherry, apple, peach, etc. saplings in your
yard. As they grow, these trees will be both
beautiful and practical. And the yardless
needn’t be left out—remember that fruits
such as peaches, plums, figs, lemons, limes,
etc. (often available in dwarf varieties) can
be grown in pots.
Farm alongside your flowers. Many people
whose patios or yards are livened up by
colorful flowers have never given a second
thought to raising produce. If you’re one of
them, consider this: You already have the
knowledge and skills to care for plants. So
why not plant some tomatoes or cilantro
along with those zinnias and pansies?
Grow your own “spice rack.” Many people
don’t immediately think of herbs when they
hear the word “gardening,” but the truth
is that these little plants are generally easy
to grow, don’t require much space (think
window boxes and small pots), and can
really spice up your meals! Plus, with a little
advance planning, you can stock your shelf
with dried herbs that will last the whole year
round.
2011 I GIR(L) 47
48 GIR(L) I 2011
Practice pollution-free pest control.
If you are able to grow and harvest your
produce with no unwelcome critters taking
a bite or two, consider yourself lucky! The
fact is, it’s a good idea to have a pesticide
plan in place…but you don’t have to risk
polluting your yard or harming beneficial
insects in the process. For example, hot
pepper sprays, garlic, used dishwater, and
even some varieties of plants naturally repel
insects and animals alike.
Make it a group effort… Nobody ever said
that gardening had to be a solitary activity!
For example, you might grab a neighbor
(or two or three) and share the hoeing,
weeding, and watering chores. And when
your labors bear fruit, you can share that as
well. (Also, it’s worth noting that gardening
doesn’t have to be an adults-only activity. It
can be a great bonding experience for fami-
lies, too—working outside is much healthier
than playing a video game or watching TV,
and your kids will learn quite a bit in the
process.)
…or a community-wide one! If you like
the idea of enlisting aid in your cultivation
efforts but don’t have the desire or space
to “host” a garden yourself, research to
see if there are any community gardens
in your area. They may charge a fee for
participation and might feature plots that
are collectively gardened or plots that are
allotted to individuals. One thing’s for sure,
though—you’ll be able to take advantage of
the expertise of your fellow gardeners, and
you’ll probably make some new friends in
the process!
If you need some guidance, find a 4-H
club… Maybe you didn’t leave your 4-H
days behind with your adolescence after
all! The fact is, 4-H offers programs to its
members that focus on plant science. Your
local club might be able to give you person-
alized advice on your fledgling gardening
endeavor…and you might find a fulfilling
volunteering or mentoring opportunity in
the process!
…or hit up the hardware store. Most
hardware stores with gardening centers have
everything you need to get started—and
that doesn’t just include plants and garden-
ing implements (though those are available
in spades—pun intended!). Ask employees
for advice on everything from which plants
grow well in shade to how often to fertilize,
and you’ll go home with your questions
answered.
…or make friends at a farmer’s market.
Chances are, there’s one near you…and who
better to ask for tips and tricks than your
fellow citizens who have already learned
to garden successfully? This is also a good
venue at which to learn about community
gardens and group efforts. And bonus: You
might be able to set up a booth yourself
sooner than you think!
About the Author:
A memoirist, magazine and book editor, and
freelance writer, Ellen LaConte has been
published in numerous magazines and trade
journals on subjects ranging from organic
gardening and alternative technologies to
the evolution of consciousness, democracy
theory, and complex systems. After three
decades of homesteading in Connecticut
and Maine, she gardens now on a half-acre in
the Yadkin River watershed of the Piedmont
bioregion of North Carolina.
2011 I GIR(L) 49
NO URN While the entire world stands
to benefit from a fossil fuel

FOR THE
replacement, nations would
undoubtedly still battle for

ASHES
control of its power.

T
here is no telling the chaos
that would result from an
announcement that someone
discovered a formula that would enable us
A NOVEL BY to replace fossil fuels. Every nation would
ALISON want to get their hands on it - there would
SAWYER be no end to the lengths they would go
to in order to get control of the secret
CURRENT that would make them the most powerful
nation on earth!

No Urn for the Ashes is an outstanding

novel by Alison Sawyer Current. It is
the perfect blend of adventure, thrills,
compassion and grief, and the author’s
choice of her dynamic characters reflects
an incredible insight into human nature.

Tennyson Garland is the genius behind

the discovery of this formula and he
knew he must keep it a secret. After this
brilliant scientist and his young daughter
tragically die in a fire at their isolated
mountain cabin, his widow realizes there
are evil forces at work that will stop at
nothing to control the world with this
discovery. Eight years pass and Taylor
50 GIR(L) I 2011
 GIR(L) BOOKS

AND Don’t
is in the midst of a failing marriage, still
suffering the loss of her first husband and
child, and finds herself having to deal with
the past once again. She gets caught
up in the treachery of Kevin Levine, the Miss This
Great Title
former colleague of her first husband
who was always left behind in the wake
of Tennyson’s brilliance. The drama
that follows leads her to believe that her
daughter may actually be alive! From
In this suspense-filled, page-turning story
readers get transported to Nicaragua
Little, Brown
and on to Mexico when a new struggle
arises – with the prize being the greatest
and Company
discovery of modern times. We follow
Taylor in her search for her long-lost child
as she deals not only with the past, but
with the return of her absent father who
is tortured by his own demons, and the
mysterious stranger who was hired by him
but who may represent an even greater
threat than even Levine’s insatiable
ambition for control! Readers share
Taylor’s warm relationship with Ruby,
her dearest friend and most intimate
confidant, and the uneasy and emotion-
packed truce with Patricia, the mother by
adoption of a girl named Emma – who
may well turn out to be Taylor’s long-lost
child, Rebecca.

No Urn for the Ashes is action-packed

to the very end. For more information
on either the book or its creative author,
please visit www.bayfirepress.com.
2011 I GIR(L) 51
GIR(L) FACTS

52 GIR(L) I 2011
2011 I GIR(L) 53
GIR(L) POLITICAL
ready to be motivated by speakers, music
DONALD J. TRUMP and information.

to be Keynote Speaker Donald Trump, who is actively considering

a run for president, is known worldwide as
at South Florida a successful businessman worth over 2.7
Billion dollars and real-estate mogul. In
Tax Day Tea Party addition Trump’s reality TV show the “Ap-
prentice” that started in 2004 has expanded

S
to include a celebrity version and is going
outh Florida Tea Party (SFTP) part
on its 11th Series. Trump is expected to
of a grassroots coalition of 150 plus
talk about his thoughts on how to get our
tea party groups on Florida Tea Party
country moving again and the need for
Patriots and also Tea Party Patriots that
further tax reduction. “In every poll the tea
has over 2700 grassroots tea party groups
party had, Donald Trump came out number
nationwide, is extremely proud to announce
one,” Everett Wilkinson, Chairman of South
that Donald J. Trump will be the keynote
Florida Tea Party and State Coordinator
speaker for the 3rd Annual Tax Day Tea
For Tea Party Patriots. “America is tired
Party.
of politicians giving speeches. We want to
hear from people that have proven business
The South Florida Tax Day Tea Party will
experience. This should be an exciting day
be on April 16th, Saturday from 1 to 2:30PM
for America.”
at the Sanborn Square, 72 N. Federal High-
way, Boca Raton, Florida. Join thousands
South Florida Tea Party, INC (SFTP) is a non-
of patriots for the 3rd Annual Tax Day Tea partisan, non-profit social welfare organization
Party “The Tea Party Has Just Begun” Get dedicated to furthering the common good and
general welfare of the people of the United States.
SFTP is the largest tea party in Florida with over
30,000 members. For more information, visit www.
SouthFloridaTeaParty.org

Tea Party Patriots, Inc. (“TPP”) is a non-partisan,

non-profit social welfare organization dedicated to
furthering the common good and general welfare of
the people of the United States. TPP is the original
and largest national grassroots tea party organiza-
tion that is composed of over 2700 individual tea
party groups. There are over a 130 tea party groups
in Florida. TPP furthers this goal by educating the
public and promoting the principles of fiscal respon-
sibility, constitutionally limited government and
free markets. Tea Party Patriots has not endorsed
candidates for public office. For more information,
visit www.TeaPartyPatriots.org
54 GIR(L) I 2011
2011 I GIR(L) 55
 LOOK FOR IT!

The GIR(L) annual

directory is jamb-packed
with annual events
and happenings, fun
facts, and companies
that value YOU as a
consumer! It’s your
annual resource guide
to everything Southeast
Florida. Pick up one
today at your favorite
GIR(L) distribution
site. Check it out online
and bookmark it to have
GIR(L) at your fingertips.
TheGirlMagazine.com

DON’T MISS THE 2012 ANNUAL DIRECTORY!

For a limited time: Deep discounts for early birds wanting to

reserve their spot and get the biggest bang for their buck. Call
954-829-1982 for an advertising consultation today.
Hurry these deals won’t last all year!
GIR(L) ENTERTAINMENT

SUNDAY ON
THE ROCKS
Presented by
The Women’s
Theatre Project

The Women’s Theatre Project continues its 2011 season with a

production of SUNDAY ON THE ROCKS
by Theresa Rebeck.
with her, and Gayle just feels a bit lost.
Their problems are compounded by a
ABOUT THE PLAY: fourth roommate, Jessica, a religious
Sunday on the Rocks young woman who has little compassion
for their confused attempts to make sense

O
n a beautiful Sunday morning in
mid October, three housemates
decide to have scotch for
breakfast in this play by the author
of Spike Heels, The Family of Mann
and Loose Knit. Elly is pregnant and
considering an abortion, Jen is being
harassed by a co-worker who is obsessed
of modern life. As they drink, joke and
argue, it becomes clear how difficult it is
to make moral decisions in an increasingly
complex world.
ABOUT THE CAST:
The Women’s Theatre Project is pleased

58 GIR(L) I 2011
to feature a cast of four professional
actresses from South Florida. Under
the direction of TWTP Artistic Director,
Genie Croft are actresses Pilar Uribe,
Lela Elam, Jacqueline Laggy and Dyani
Batcheller.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT -
Theresa Rebeck
Theresa Rebeck is a widely produced
playwright throughout the United States
and abroad. Past New York productions
of her work include Mauritius at the
Biltmore Theatre in a Manhattan Theater
Club Production; The Scene, The
Water’s Edge, Loose Knit, The Family of
Mann and Spike Heels at Second Stage;
Bad Dates, The Butterfly Collection
and Our House at Playwrights Horizons;
and View of the Dome at New York
Theatre Workshop. Omnium Gatherum
(co-written, finalist for the Pulitzer Prize
in 2003) was featured at the Humana
Festival, and had a commercial run at the
Variety Arts Theatre.
Her newest work, The Understudy,
premiered at the 2008 Williamstown
Theatre Festival and ran in New York at
the Laura Pels Theater in a Roundabout
Theatre Company production as part of
their 2009 - 2010 season.
SUNDAY ON THE ROCKS marks
TWTP’s 26th main stage production,
previewing Thursday, April 21st with
performances April 22nd through May
15th, 2011. Performances are at Sixth
Star Studios, 505 NW 1st Avenue -
conveniently located 1 block west of
Andrews Avenue at NW 5th Street in
Downtown Ft. Lauderdale. On the street
free parking is available. Performances
are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8
PM and Sunday at 2 PM.
Reservations are strongly recommended,
as the venue seats only 45. Tickets are
$25 for adults, $15 for students with
ID. Special group rates are available.
Advance tickets may be charged at
Theater Mania by calling toll free to
866-811-4111 or at our website
www.womenstheatreproject.com. Call
(954) 462-2334 for group rates and
flexible season subscriptions.
On Friday, April 22nd, an exclusive
opening weekend after-party will be
held with the cast and crew at the loft
of Doug Jones, president of Sixth Star
and corporate sponsor of TWTP. The
loft is adjacent to the theatre. Advance
reservations are required for this limited
access event. Please contact the box
office for details at 954-462-2334.
The Women’s Theatre Project, was
founded in 2002 and is the only
professional theatre company in the
country founded by women and
exclusively presenting theatrical works
written by women.
2011 I GIR(L) 59
T H E COT TAG E

LAKE WORTH