September 2022 THE NEW FRONTIER LIVING in a DIGITAL WORLD CHARLESBENTLEYDIGITALARTIST & Visionary REDEFINES PHOTOGRAPHYHIGH-FASHION through TECH HAS A R RIVED LIFE WITH TECH THE F U TURE
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24FEATURETechno-Art Is Here: A Combustible Fusion VISUAL PERSPECTIVES 23 33 L’intermission: Far-Fetched 36 Out of This World: Escaping Reality Through Digital Art 41 Petite pause: The Early Days LE MONDE 45 46 Under the Influence: The New World of Content Creators 52 A Bitcoin for Your Thoughts? The Everyman’s Guide to Cryptocurrency 57 L’intermission: Optimus Subprime 58 Coin Up: Find Your Charitable Perfect Match 60 The Robin Hood of the Music Industry LA VITALITÉ 67 68 It’s Your Choice: Navigating Dating On and Offline 74 Red Is the New Black: Infrared Light Holds Promising Future in Wellness 79 Petite pause: Beyond the Cosmic Cliffs 80 The Magic Bus: CVHN Unveils New Mobile Dental Clinic 84 A Chat with Mr. Insurance: Grant Blackwell Gives Us the Scoop 88 Becoming Superhuman: Brain Biohacks to Boost Your Well-Being 101 L’intermission: Meals on Wheels C’EST LA VIE CURATED COLLECTION 94 VOYAGER 103 104 A Shore Thing: Planes, Cars, and Trains 110 No Weak Links: A Golfer’s Paradise 112 Italy’s Hidden Depths: Preserving Sunken Treasures 117 Petite pause: A Galaxy Far, Far Away LA SCÈNE 118 THE LAST WORD 123 AU REVOIR! 127 In this issue On the Cover SANTAINFO@THEIDEABOUTIQUE.COMTHEIDEABOUTIQUE.COM114LOGANLANE,SUITE4ROSABEACH,FLORIDA32459 PUBLISHED BY 94 ARRIVE IN THE FUTURE WITH STYLE! THIS MONTH’S C’EST LA VIE CURATED COLLECTION, A ROUNDUP OF OUR TEAM’S FAVORITE PRODUCTS, IS ALL ABOUT THE TECH MAKING OUR LIVES EASIER AND MAKING US LOOK BETTER. THE NEW TESLA CYBERTRUCK IS ON OUR CHRISTMAS LIST THIS YEAR—HOW ABOUT YOURS?
Photo courtesy of Tesla Charles Bentley is harnessing the power of technology in his latest collection of creations celebrating the intersection between the natural and digital worlds. The Brooklyn-based artist takes inspiration from high fashion, luxury brands, and fine art photography for his work. He collaborates with photographers and models to manipulate images into otherworldly visions, some of which are transformed into digital NFTs. His desire to create a unique experience for his audience through technology is at the forefront of what the digital art world may become, and we can’t wait to see more.
Caroline digital collage by Charles Bentley (@charlesbentley) Original photo by Andreas Ortner (@carolinelossberg)Model:(@andreasortnerstudio)CarolineLossberg Vie is a French word meaning “life” or “way of living.” VIE magazine sets itself apart as a high-gloss publication that focuses on human-interest stories with heart and soul. From Seattle to NYC with a concentration in the Southeast, VIE is known for its unique editorial approach—a broad spectrum of deep content with rich photography. The award-winning magazine was founded in 2008 by husband-and-wife team Lisa and Gerald Burwell, owners of the specialty publishing and branding house known as The Idea Boutique®. From the finest artistically bound books to paperless digital publication and distribution, The Idea Boutique provides comprehensive publishing services to authors and organizations. Its team of creative professionals delivers a complete publishing experience—all that’s needed is your vision.
VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 13
VIE is a registered trademark. All contents herein are Copyright © 2008–2022 Cornerstone Marketing and Advertising, Incorporated (Publisher). All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. VIE is a lifestyle magazine and is published twelve times annually on a monthly schedule. The opinions herein are not necessarily those of the Publisher. The Publisher and its advertisers will not be held responsible for any errors found in this publication. The Publisher is not liable for the accuracy of statements made by its advertisers. Ads that appear in this publication are not intended as offers where prohibited by state law. The Publisher is not responsible for photography or artwork submitted by freelance or outside contributors. The Publisher reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the editor or the Publisher. VIE is a paid publication. Subscription rates: Printed magazine – One-year $29.95; Two-year $49.95. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.VIEmagazine.com. CREATIVE TEAM CEO / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LISA MARIE Lisa@VIEmagazine.comBURWELL FOUNDER / PUBLISHER GERALD Gerald@VIEmagazine.comBURWELL EDITORIALEDITOR JORDAN Jordan@VIEmagazine.comSTAGGS ASSISTANT EDITOR EMME Emme@VIEmagazine.comMARTIN CHIEF COPY EDITOR MARGARET STEVENSON COPY EDITOR WENDY ANDERSON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS HAILEY BETHKE, SALLIE W. BOYLES, FELICIA FERGUSON, SARAH FREEMAN, ANTHEA GERRIE, MYLES MELLOR, CAROLYN O’NEIL, TORI PHELPS, SUZANNE POLLAK, NICHOLAS S. RACHEOTES, COLLEEN SACHS, XENIA TALIOTIS ART ANDCREATIVEPHOTOGRAPHYDIRECTOR TRACEY Tracey@VIEmagazine.comTHOMAS SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER SALLY NEAL CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER HANNAH VERMILLION CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS LAUREN ATHALIA, BRANDAN BABINEAUX, ANTON BELOVODCHENKO, CHARLES BENTLEY, JEREMY BROWN, HUNTER BURGTORF, EMILY CUMMINGS, JEAN-BAPTISTE FORT, ADAM FRANZINO, JACK GARDNER, GHERZAK, ZOEY GROSSMAN, BRIAN KAISER, JEFF LANDRETH, DANILO MONGIELLO, TRACY MOORE, ANDREAS ORTNER, CARLO PIERONI, ROMONA ROBBINS, HEATHER SHANE, DAVID URBANKE, LEO VILLAREAL, CHANDLER WILLIAMS, 20/30NORTH STUDIOS, DAVISTA PHOTOGRAPHY, DREAMSTIME, MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY, NASA, SHUTTERSTOCK ADVERTISING, SALES, AND MARKETING DIRECTOR OF MARKETING KELLY Kelly@VIEmagazine.comCURRY MARKETING COORDINATOR ADDIE STRICKLAND MARKETING INTERN HAILEY BETHKE BRAND AMBASSADORS LISA MARIE Marta@VIEmagazine.comLisa@VIEmagazine.comBURWELLMARTARATA AD MANAGER ADDIE Addie@VIEmagazine.comSTRICKLAND 14 | SEPTEMBER 2022
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—To Life and Love! —Lisa Marie CEO/Editor-in-Chief branches, exotic animals, and wildlife scenes, creating a riveting hybrid of the natural and digital spheres. Bentley’s cover image is called Caroline, for the pictured muse and model Caroline Lossberg (@ carolinelossberg on Instagram). His predominant subject matter is fashion-inspired featuring haute couture and luxury brands. One of his first digital pieces, part of his Chanel No. 5 series, was featured on our “Au revoir!” page in July 2019, where he merged the famous perfume bottle with a tiger and exotic flora. The talented artist’s entrée into the global art scene has since evolved rapidly. This issue’s feature explores how he is deeply rooted in the interaction of art and its viewer through tech nology, particularly NFTs, and how he seeks to har ness that connection to create unique experiences for his audience.
so happy about one example of real life happen ing: a recent company trip to NYC to see our August cover gentleman, Harry Styles, perform for a packed house at Madison Square Garden as part of his Love On Tour. While we participated in a very old-fashioned gathering—a live concert where “likes” were replaced by wild screams of ecstasy from ardent fans (mostly women under thirty)—I could not overlook how social media fosters a strong connection between entertainers and their audiences daily. Still, there’s no comparing that to seeing Harry in the flesh doing what he does best—making so many people feel loved and comfort able in their own skin. He performs on stage effort lessly, with showmanship akin to megastars past, but he does so much more; he nurtures and loves everyone who has the pleasure of being part of Harry’s House, as his latest album is titled. Kindness needs to be felt, and human connection is still at the heart of humanity. It was a breath of fresh air to experience that firsthand and see that the next generation believes it, too.
Even with all the virtual life blossoming around us, we still exist at a crossroads of digital and physical. I am Note was recently reminded of something my mother would often say: “Keep up or get left behind.” Truer words were never spoken, especially relating to the intersec tion of the “old” versus the “new” in the emerging digital world we are all being thrust into. Facebook and others have even placed a stake in the future with the metaverse con tinuum they are building to prepare for the “new world.” Bitcoins, cryptographic assets, NFTs (non-fungible tokens), digital blockchains, and other cryptocurrencies are embedded in our everyday colloquium. It appears as if this evolu tion happened overnight for many of us, but it’s been brewing behind the scenes for years thanks to digital pioneers who forecasted that the new world would exist virtually almost as much as it does physically. I will even dare to say some believe the digital universe could overtake the physical one as we know it. This paradigm shift makes the most futuristic Star Trek episode seem benign in its outlandish musings of what life could look like in a place where no man has gone before. The informational and technological highways and byways swirl around us like a cyclone. Meanwhile, the ways things have been are still here but seem to fade minute by minute. The past and present coexist to some degree, but we are clearly saying goodbye to things of yore while embracing what’s next. As they say, time marches on, whether you like it or not.
In Addie Strickland’s thoughtful cover feature, “Tech no-Art Is Here: A Combustible Fusion,” she provides insight into the emerging digital world from the perspective of artists and photographers. Our cover is a creation of Brooklyn-based multimedia artist and illustrator Charles Bentley, who has captured a global audience online. His work often features high-fashion models intertwined with explosions of flowers, I
SO
Photo by Kelly Curry
THAT’S META A COLLISION of the PAST and PRESENT VIE CEO/editor-in-chief Lisa Marie Burwell at the Ralph Lauren NYC flagship store; Ralph Lauren Home’s Modern Collection will be heavily featured in the upcoming The Heritage – A VIE Legacy Show Home, debuting in September in Seagrove Beach, Florida.
Editor’s
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AY YOUNG Musician and Change Maker, “The Robin Hood of the Music Industry” @aymusik
CHARLES BENTLEY Multimedia Artist, “Techno-Art Is Here” @charlesbentley The drawbacks of technology are nothing compared to the benefits. But I suppose the question itself may be a bit broad. From the first stones used as tools to the invisible matrix of nested technologies we find ourselves utilizing in our lives today, we owe a debt of gratitude to those who came before us and spent their time developing these technologies.
Technology has changed society for the better. It’s transformed how we communicate and radically shifted how we do business. Tech has created space for new job opportunities and connected the world through many platforms derived from its advancement. Still, I can’t help but admit that technology has also changed society for the worse in many ways. I notice it when I look at how polarized we have become as a nation, experience the effects of digital algorithms and the distribution of false information, or see our obsession with cell phones. It all leaves me skeptical and concerned for humanity. Tech is in every part of society, whether we like it or not. AI has infiltrated our way of life and living. This is the new world—a world where a guy like me can use battery technology to power over nine hundred concerts. It’s a world where developing nations may lack access to clean water, but they can use cell phones to purchase food. Has technology changed the world for better or for worse? Well, technology is changing the world.
MEGAN WEKS Dating Coach, “It’s Your Choice” @themanfunnel
DO YOU
LIKE ANY TOOL USED BY HUMANITY, WE’VE EXPERIENCED THE FULL SPECTRUM WITH THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY; IT HAS BOTH HELPED AND HURT US AS A SOCIETY. healthy intent isn’t the motivation. Technology has the potential to be unifying, fun, and helpful, which means it also has the power to divide, repress, and harm. I think we’ve yet to see its full impact.
Society constantly changes in response to various technologies and people’s reactions to them— socially, philosophically, and politically. However, it is our nature to focus on the bad or dangerous, which can often cloud our judgment about our broader opinions on technology. Upon reflection, I think the many ways technology has changed society for the better far outweigh the negatives.
Technology is a broad term. Health technology has certainly helped humanity while, at the same time, our interpersonal technology has perhaps hurt us. Internet use, social media, drone usage, camera technology, and more have potentially damaging effects. Like any tool used by humanity, we’ve experienced the full spectrum with the impact of technology; it has both helped and hurt us as a society. Broadly speaking, some studies correlate technology usage with declining mental health. Regarding the technology relevant to my field, I think the internet and dating apps create a world of possibilities for making connections. Still, it comes with a cost when KAYLA BARNES Brain Health Coach, “Becoming Superhuman” @kaylabarnes Technology has improved our quality of life in a plethora of ways. Health tech and at-home diagnostics offer detailed and continuous information on our health status and provide guidance to optimize our mental and physical health. We have AI that can analyze our biology and develop protocols based on our genetics and bio-individuality. But we are also experiencing adverse effects from technol ogy, specifically social media. We have created an alternate reality where images and videos are edited to portray perfection in all areas, which is having a significant negative impact on our mental health.
We collaborate with talented photographers, writers, and other creatives on a regular basis, and we’re continually inspired by how they pour their hearts and souls into their crafts. Follow these creatives on social media and don’t forget to check out our account, @viemagazine. IN THIS ISSUE, WE ASKED THE HOW FEEL TECHNOLOGY HAS SOCIETY, FOR
CREATIVES:
CHANGED
BETTER OR WORSE?
VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 19 The Creatives
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How’ve you been? Long time no see! With technology and social media, we can stay connected easier and faster than ever before. We love nothing more than connecting with our readers and sharing fun memories. If you have any exciting things coming up, be sure to stay connected and tag VIE. Enjoy some of our favorite posts from this past month, and happy reading! @sallyneal_ Harry’s House mood! TYSM @viemagazine for the best night. @heritagedunes30a x @viemagazine Throwback Thursday to a deep discussion about the curated interior design of The Heritage – A @viemagazine Legacy Show Home with Duce May of @duce_and_company and VIE editor-in-chief @lisamburwell. Stay tuned for the documentary on this custom home! LET’S TALK! Send VIE your comments and photos on our social media channels or by emailing us at info@viemagazine.com. We’d love to hear your thoughts. They could end up in the next La conversation! VIEmagazine.com @adelle.strickland After hours with @viemagazine . . . #forthestay @traceyleighthomas What an amazing time in NYC! Thank you, @viemagazine and @lisamburwell, for such an incredible and memorable trip! Our wonderful stay @conradnymidtown, afternoon tea @theplazahotel, and @harrystyles did not disappoint. @bffeverybody Stop by with your work besties like the @viemagazine team and grab a b.f.f. after you hit @greatsoutherncafe! It’s a guaranteed good time. @autumnbrands_ We were in @viemagazine’s “Women In Weed” feature. Read all about it at the link in our bio. VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 21 La conversation
The world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) opened doors to new areas to explore in the digital world. The most common interest in NFTs is the participation and movement they inspire among artists and collectors. Artist Leo Villareal recently launched his latest animated NFT collection, Cosmic Reef, which represents the endless possibilities in the unified code of nature. With subjects ranging from wind and flowers to coral-like forms, his art demonstrates the universe’s intricate randomness, patterns, and layers. It is astonishing to see art grow and adapt to technological advances while still paying homage to the natural world.
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EYE OF THE BEHOLDER PerspectivesVisual
Visual Perspectives
To learn more about Cosmic Reef, ofPhoto@leo_villareal_studios.InstagramfollowCosmicReef.iovisitorVillarealoncourtesyLeoVillareal
Interview by Addie Strickland Photography courtesy of Charles Bentley TechnoArt HereisACombustibleFusion 24 | SEPTEMBER 2022
In the seventh grade, while on a family trip to Paris, Bentley found the driving spark of his artistic inspiration—a book. Written almost entirely in French, except for the title, Black Book Graffiti, it covered the underground European street-art scene. The key inspiration factor came from the many examples of “wildstyle” graffiti typography, which unlocked an unexplored world for Bentley. In a way, my current work is a synthesisof inspirations from both my parents.My mother had a career in the fashionindustry, and my father was a formerprofessional photographer turnedlandscape architect. “
VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 25 Visual Perspectives
A Artist Charles Bentley works in several mediums, but his most popular art pieces are fantastical digital images that combine high fashion with the beauty and unpredictability of nature.
The cultivation of an artistic spirit is quietly born and patiently grown. During his childhood and teenage years, Bentley recalls major creative points of inflection that contributed to the broad base of inspiration and experience he now pulls from in his process. He explains, “In a way, my current work is a synthesis of inspirations from both my parents. My mother had a career in the fashion industry, and my father was a former professional photographer turned landscape architect.” An impressive fourth-grade painting of an ancient Greek terra-cotta pot was only the beginning for this young artist.
rt, in many ways, is a living being with emotions and influence. Thousands of years old, the world of art has evolved with the times but maintained its distinct breath and presence in society. The latest update within the intersection of art and technol ogy is NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. With NFTs, art in its physical state is being transformed into a cryptographic asset in digital blockchains. As new as the concept is, the fact remains that art has already proved throughout history that it is malleable with the times. A prominent Brooklyn-based multimedia artist and illustrator, Charles Bentley has entered the online art world and captured a global audience. Bentley creates masterful fusions of nature and dreams, from paintings to exclusively digital art. His determination to develop his craft throughout his career and with the changing times of technology has amassed over twenty-two thousand followers on Instagram.
Opposite: Bentley’s digital interpretation of model Candice Swanepoel photographed by Adam Franzino (@adamfran zino) Far left: Pose 3, a piece from Bentley’s collabora tion with photographer Anton (@belovodchenko__anton)Belovodchenko
Bentley’s interest in the graffiti world eventually pivoted and led him to illustrations.
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He spent the next few years exploring the world of street art, typography, graphic design, and illustration. Bentley says, “I was hooked!” From there, he expanded his horizon to include the burgeoning graffiti community on YouTube, trading stickers and competing in sketch competitions. “Graffiti is a gateway drug into the design world,” he laughs.
After graduating in 2016 from Tulane University with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a focus on printmaking, Bentley started working in digital design for a retailer in New York. For two years, he worked in the corporate world, as he puts it, “daydream ing about making my art all the time.” With high expectations, it can be hard to nail down the best or “perfect idea” for one’s career, but he took the leap and made a digital collage of a Chanel No. 5 bottle (featured in the July 2019 issue of VIE). This marked the beginning of his artistic empire.
Each branch I use in these works comes from a par-ticular cedar grove on the tipof an island sprawling out infront of northern Lake Huron in an archipelago called LesCheneaux Islands.
“These illustrations and design experiments led me to the path of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.” With skills unknown to most and the correct software, his career path and passion were fundamentally determined.
Model Katie Moore sports a Charles Bentley whimsical nature-inspired digital makeover. Photo by David (@davidurbanke)Urbanke Opposite: Pose 2, from Bentley’s limitededition collaboration with AntonphotographerBelovodchenko(@belovodchenko__anton) VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 27
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Left: A beautiful piece from Bentley’s collabo ration with Ukrainian model Alina Baikova and Jean-BaptistephotographerFort(@jbfort_photography);thisartworkisavailableasanNFT. Opposite: Photo by Zoey (@zoeygrossman)Grossman
or the next couple of years, Bentley created hundreds of digital col lages inspired by Andy Warhol’s prints. Soon after, his focus became fashion-inspired, which is what he makes today. The thematic continuity of nature throughout his work symbolizes meanings ranging from the scope of human nature itself to personal significance. He recalls, “Each branch I use in these works comes from a particular cedar grove on the tip of an island sprawling out in front of northern Lake Huron in an archipelago called Les Cheneaux Islands. We spread my father’s ashes in the water right off this grove of cedars. He was a fundamental part in the development of my appreciation for art and the beauty of the natural world.”
To evolve is to adapt to an ever-changing standard of what’s acceptable, but artists follow the rhythm and movement of art in its simplest form. It’s often an artist’s calling to create a repetitive sense of movement that challenges the world to slow down and reflect.
The line between art and technology thins by the day. This evolution of art is not merely an adaptation to change, nor is it an appropriation by society; it is an extension of the interaction and participation between an artist’s creation and its beholder. Bentley explains, “Artists and brands have learned that it’s much more valuable not simply to have fans but to interact with them and develop a community around your work.
Artists and brands have learned that it’s much more valuable not simply to havefans but to interact with them and develop a communityaround your work.
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Bentley adds, “I suspect many of us, especially in regard to creativity, aren’t completely transparent with ourselves.” Yet, in a tumultuous world, at least one constant remains—the function and beauty of art. Every artist, knowingly or not, is compelled by idio syncrasies and incorporates personal symbolism into their creations; however, art is not complete without the viewer’s interpretation. Social media and other digital platforms allow more people than ever to see an artist’s work, offering countless opportunities for shared perspectives.
Another NFT collaboration by Charles Bentley, featuring model Daria photographedKonovalovabyJuliaSariy(@julia_sariy) 30 | SEPTEMBER 2022
What most interests me about the relationshipbetween art and technology, specifically withNFTs, is incorporating them into experiencesso that art viewers will be able to interact with art in a unique, documentable way.
NFTs will not replace the traditional art industry because, at their core, NFTs are financial instruments.
“A large part of what the NFT community is, even from a visual perspective, lies outside the art world.”
Audience participation was relatively unheard of for thousands of years in the art industry, but now you can hardly enter a gallery without having to sing or dance or tap on a keyboard for the artwork to be complete. New technology opens a gateway to opportunities while challenging the norms. The full experience of artwork includes interpretation by the viewer; with new technology, this interpretation is influenced not only by shapes, textures, and colors on canvas but also by movements, sounds, and, most importantly, the ability to interact with a piece. Art is probably one of the truest signs of the times, ebbing and flowing with the latest trends, social com mentaries, and mediums while remaining loyal to the artist’s vision. Bentley will exemplify this through a broad technological spectrum of applications for art in his upcoming body of work, Material Technology. This project will be a multiphase, digital-meets-phys ical NFT project. He will sell physical pieces along with accompanying NFTs, providing primary or exclusive access to later phases of the project or incen tivizing participation with the interactive artworks on display. With an understanding of the market and an uncommon creative brilliance, Charles Bentley amusingly neglects the average standards of art and pushes the boundaries through technology and his broad base of experience.
“One thing I’m interested to see develop, as I’m working on a project with this in mind, is how the traditional art world will use NFT technology to augment the viewer’s experience,” Bentley comments.
The future of art and this technology is built on inter activity, says Bentley. “What most interests me about the relationship between art and technology, spe cifically with NFTs, is incorporating them into experi ences so that art viewers will be able to interact with art in a unique, documentable way.”
As stated, it’s believed they will revolutionize the art market and appeal primarily to a new, more webknowledgeable demographic.
There are always growing pains with changing technology, but there are great rewards as well. In addition to interactivity—an avenue that Bentley will further experiment with in future projects—he believes that people will utilize the digital world more to display art. “I think it may be more common to have large digital frames in your home where you can display NFT collections. People are already doing similar things with their smart TVs.”
The NFT platform engages a different demographic in the art world, allowing a more level playing field in who can attain an original piece of art. In addition to revolutionizing the trading model in the art market, it enables more focus on the visual perspective of a piece.
To learn more about Charles Bentley, CharlesBentleyDesigns.SquareSpace.comvisit or follow him on Instagram @charlesbentley.
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This idea of building a community is one of the main ways the NFT space is changing the art world.”
36132 Emerald Coast Pkwy, Destin, FL 32541 | duce@duceandcompany.com | (850) 654-7490 | Fine Art Photography by Julian Lennon for General Public Art Coming Soon to The Heritage – A VIE Legacy Show Home | Debuting Fall 2022 | Interiors by Duce & Company “ I LIKE to THINK that all ART, whether it is ACTING, PHOTOGRAPHY, FILMMAKING, or PAINTING, is an EXPRESSION of a PERSON’S EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE of LIFE.” —Julian Lennon
L’intermission
It seems appropriate that this manicured grove would resemble the shape of a pampered poodle. The enchanting forest surrounded by rapeseed fields in southwestern Poland was captured by Jan Ulicki via drone on a bright day, allowing for a pleasing contrast of green fluff. The Siena Awards commended the eccentric image in its Drone Photo Awards 2021, which received entries from around the globe. Drone photography offers a new perspective on scenes once admired only by the birds.
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Love,VIExo
Far-Fetched Poodle in Rapeseed by Jan Ulicki Visit DroneAwards.photo to see more award-winning aerial photography.
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Out of this No reality is off limits in the mind of digital artist PUKS, with the help of a bit of imagination and a good beat. Right:Left:FunhouseColorof the Month 2 (alt angle) 36 | SEPTEMBER 2022 Visual Perspectives
The tranquility in Puks’s work is not by mistake, as she often finds immense creative prowess while listening to music. Her art is the epitome of an escape from reality, as its subtle nuances encourage questions of what it would be like to live in the worlds she creates. VIE spoke to Puks about her inspirations, alternate worlds, friendship, NFTs, and even aliens. Check out the multidimensional interview below.
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Puks: I’m based in Bangalore, India, currently.
VIE: Let’s start with something many fans probably want to know—where did the name “Puks” come from?
Puks: It is actually a shorter version of my legal name, which I will not reveal! I liked it, so I kept it and didn’t give it much thought. It is also very ambiguous, like, “Who is this person, where are they from, what are their pronouns?” I like the anonymity it gives me.
VIE: Where are you from?
er work has evolved over the years from paper sketches to a mixture of 2D and 3D animations depicting alternate worlds, often quite serene.
Reality Through Digital Art INTERVIEW
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Escaping BY MARTIN
FriendlyOpposite:MonstersColoroftheMonth 38 | SEPTEMBER 2022 Visual Perspectives
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Puks: I neither like to imagine them as dystopian nor utopian. These words provide stereotypical con straints, which I try not to bind my worlds under. Personally, I would love to live in the worlds I create! I feel everything is very peaceful, calm, and serene, and one can just be in these worlds. In most of my work, there are always multiple people, and there might not be any conversation or active movement. Still, you can see how comfortable and calm they are just being in the space without any forced interac tions—just happy and being themselves in each other’s company.
VIE: How did you become interested in animation, and where did you start?
VIE: We see that you are inspired by music. How do sounds influence the way you create your animations? Is there a particular genre of music you listen to for inspiration?
VIE: Tell us about some alternate worlds you cre ate in your animations. Would you describe them as dystopian, utopian, or a mix?
While listening to music, I imagine visuals and create narratives based on the rhythm, beat, and melody, which translates into the art I make. I hear a lot of different genres that inspire me.
VIE: How long do your animations typically take to create, from concept to completion? Can you describe the process?
Puks: It always starts with composition, a huge part of my art. The composition makes a huge difference, as it can completely change how one perceives a piece. In addition, it lends you a sense of imagination. Obviously, before composition, there is a narrative I come up with based on the ideas and scenes I develop in my head. My style is almost like 2D illustrations, which I add life to by subtly animating certain ele ments. Finally, I finish the piece by adding camera movements, like zooming out or panning across. This helps me achieve a sense of curiosity in each piece by revealing hidden imagery as the camera moves.
Puks: A huge part of sketching while growing up involved me listening to music. What I felt while sketching was inspired by the music I heard, and the emotions directly impacted my art. I used to listen to a lot of Arcade Fire, U2, and Green Day! While listening to music, I imagine visuals and create narratives based on the rhythm, beat, and melody, which translates into the art I make. I hear a lot of different genres that inspire me.
Puks: I was always very keen on sketching and drawing while growing up. Sketching was always my go-to. I never thought of it as my pastime, but instead, imagining, drawing, and making narra tives in my piles of sketchbooks was something I did with most of my time. I never stopped sketch ing, and they finally translated into animation. Eventually, I graduated from NID, the best design school for animation in India. I always knew I wanted to add life to my sketches and realized animation was the way to do that.
Puks: Most of the color palettes in my pieces are inspired by Studio Ghibli films. The scenes I create are from my childhood or places I like to imagine myself in. They might come from my imagination or even places I’ve been. For example, I grew up around trains and railway tracks, and they became a huge part of my pieces. I also grew up around many trees and greenery, as there was a nursery opposite my house. I woke up to it every day. The constant smell of soil, trees, and grass somehow finds its way into my pieces. These simple and subtle elements are inherently nostalgic for me—the blue skies, the slightly moving grass, and even the sounds take me back to my lived experiences.
VIE: Nostalgia is a strong theme in your work; what design elements do you use to achieve this?
VIE: There are a lot of extraterrestrial life forms in your animations. Do you believe in aliens?
Puks: I definitely think there is life other than us. I draw these creatures by imagining something other than humans, though not necessarily animals or even aliens. I imagine them as cute and pure of heart, and I would love to be friends with them! They don’t have to be close to you, but their being around would give you a sense of comfort and platonic affection.
VIE: Where can people buy your NFTs or consume your art?
Puks: You can find my NFTs on OpenSea.io/collection/kmotion, Foundation. app/@kmotion_, and Teia.art/kmotion and consume my work on Instagram at @_kmotion_.
Puks: I find joy in the most mundane things around me, which translates into my work. So, I hope everyone reading this also finds something that gives them a sense of comfort and joy, whatever form that might take. I think I have been extremely lucky to find love in what I do, and I am incredibly grateful!
Cool Kids 40 | SEPTEMBER 2022
VIE: What has been your favorite project so far? Puks: My piece Open Windows is one of my favorite works. So many things are happening in it, which only raises many questions in the view er’s head. The piece lets the audience create its own narrative, which is what I like the most about it. There isn’t a fixed storyline, and the absurdity of the elements lets one constantly question and imagine their own stories.
Appreciate the work of Puks to the fullest by visiting her website Kmotion.design, or follow her on Instagram at @_kmotion_. Her full animations are also available for viewing in this article on VIEmagazine.com.
VIE: How have NFTs benefited you as an artist?
Puks: NFTs give a platform to a lot of small up-and-coming artists. They also change the way we perceive and consume art. NFTs have made art much more accessible and, for me, completely changed the way I perceive art.
Rather than being still and static pieces hung on the wall, my works have movement and motion, and NFTs provide that platform. They allow my works and their inherent nature to be distributed and experienced the way I imagine them!
VIE: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Puks: I think my art requires a sense of move ment and animation that one can only appreciate through a digital format. Rather than being still and static pieces hung on the wall, my works have movement and motion, and NFTs provide that platform. They allow my works and their inher ent nature to be distributed and experienced the way I imagine them!
VIE: Where do you predict the future of NFT art will go?
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has recently captured the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the early universe. The shot, released on July 11, 2022, was taken in less than one day—a significant improvement from the multiple weeks required by the Hubble Telescope, deemed the James Webb scope’s predecessor. In this photo, stars and galaxies shine in orange, yellow, white, and blue. To learn more about the James Webb Space Telescope and its findings, Webb.nasa.gov. Photo courtesy of NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
The DaysEarly VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 41 Petite pause
GOES ROUND AND ROUND
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To learn more about The Line, visit ofPhotoNeom.com.courtesyNeom VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 45
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The Line is a revolutionary linear city concept attempting to create an unprecedented urban living experience while preserving the surrounding natural beauty. The Saudi Arabian city is currently under construction in Neom, Tabuk. The infrastructure will accommodate nine million people and, with ideal weather conditions year-round, residents will be encouraged to enjoy nature. All public facilities will be within a five-minute walk of residences, rendering cars and roads unnecessary. The technology behind this smart city will prioritize people’s health over transportation and infrastructure. It is a comfort to know that the future of urban-planning technology may be stewarded by people who care about the environment and adapting technology to face modern challenges.
InfluenceUnder
ith over 1.3 billion Instagram users, digital com munication is at the forefront of interaction and inspiration. Over the past ten years, career paths in social media management and content creation emerged, leaving us with thousands of accounts to turn to for guidance, laughter, and virtual immersion into others’ vast life experiences. With so many accounts to choose from, it can be overwhelming to navigate your digital landscape. That’s why the VIE team has cultivated a list of our favorite content creators to enhance your feed and add more high-vibe, educational, and inspirational posts to your life. Scroll on! NEW WORLD OF CONTENT CREATORS
It’s no secret that social media has been woven into almost every aspect of our lives.
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As a podcast host and influencer, I have been able to experience firsthand the effects of social media from a consumer and creator perspective—everything from comparison-itis to the blessing of having a globally connected network at my fingertips. Perhaps most significantly, I’ve witnessed the shift in myself and others from following mass numbers of accounts to newfound intentionality with the platform. For me, using social media consciously has resulted in only following creators who authentically show up as themselves, express their pas sions wholeheartedly, and share their wisdom in a soul-expansive way. Think of who you follow on social media as your vision board: is there something in each account that excites you to show up as the best version of yourself?
The world of Instagram is vast, wide, and deep. You can find videos, posts, and life hacks on just about anything these days. So why would you loyally fol low select influencers? Before Instagram exploded, there was a much smaller number of “influencers,” and they didn’t even know they were influencers; they were just bloggers. I have followed a handful of them for several years, and now I am invested in their lives and even those of their kids. I have watched them grow as young adults, find love, get married, start families, move, and buy their first houses, and they have been kind enough to share everything they have learned through all of these milestones with the world. Most of these things I was doing alongside them, and following these women has always provided me with a friend when I needed life advice. Not only do they share about their lives, but they share about beauty, fashion, home finds, and so much more. They have kept me stylish and current in this fast-paced world, and I can trust that what they share is something they have tried and genuinely love.
Asking myself this pivotal question has cleaned up my feed (and that nagging feeling of comparison!), shaped how I produce content, and left me to con nect with creators I adore. Haley Hoffman Smith ( @haleyhoffmansmith), Kathrin Zenkina ( @manifestationbabe ), and Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik ( @almost30podcast ) are my go-tos for all things self-improvement, spirituality, and motivation. Not only do they guide personal growth through short-format content on Instagram, but they also foster meaningful conversa tions on their respective podcasts, which I tune in to weekly. Lucy Valnicek ( @purelybeingmeditations ) inspires through her beautiful guided medita tions and moments exploring nature, and 30-A local Haileigh Grinkmeyer ( @byhaileigh) brings all the fashion inspo while sharing sweet snapshots of sunrises and her pup, Ozzie. All of these women deeply inspire me. I’ve even been fortunate enough to interview my favorite Aussie creators, Emma M. ( @emmas_power ) and Lily Turton ( @lilyturtoncoaching ), on my podcast, The Sunshine Signal ( @thesunshinesignal ), to discuss holistic health and living your purpose.
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Marketing Director | @kdb17 VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 47
@lonestarsouthern@collinstuoghysmith@brightonbutler@kateymcfarlanFeed Above: Lindsey (@itskrista),(@lindseysimcik)SimcikandKristaWilliamscohostsof Almost 30 HeatherPhotopodcastbyShane Below: McFarlaninfluencerLifestyleKateyHellman(@kateymcfarlan) Below right: Check out The Sunshine Signal podcast by Hailey (@thesunshinesignal).Bethke Hailey Bethke Marketing Intern | @thesunshinesignal
Kelly Curry
Top: Lucy of Purely Being (@purelybeing)Meditations Middle left: Sartorial Geek lifestyle magazine and (@sartorialgeek)podcast Middle right: Self-help author and influencer Gabrielle (@gabbybernstein)Bernstein Bottom left: Design and decor influencer Stefana (@stefanasilber)Silber Bottom right: What We Said (@chelseyjadecurtis)Chelsey(@jacimariesmith)with(@whatwesaidpodcast)podcastJaciMarieandJade 48 | SEPTEMBER 2022 Le monde
Jordan Staggs, Editor | @jordanlstaggs Because I read, edit, and research so much about a myriad of topics at the office, I want the content I consume at home to be fun, colorful, and a dream-like escape from reality. I follow a lot of artists, especially those who create nerdy, pop culture-inspired fan art and reinterpretations of classic media. I also think I may have been an architect or decorator in a past life. I love looking at vintage furnish ings and art, mid-century modern homes that have been preserved or renovated, and beautiful, dreamy spaces that would be perfect for snuggling up with a book or my favorite TV series. These creators deliver geeky news, good vibes, and retro style, and I’m here for it!
JORDAN’S @dc_hillier@mastermindsconnect@colormecourtney@1957housedownsouth@sartorialgeekFEED
Sally Neal Senior Graphic Designer |
SALLY’S
@whatwesaidpodcast@melissawoodhealth@ariellecharnas@heatherkmcmahan@girlwithnojob@maryralph@weworewhatFEED
@sallyneal__ Whether it is fashion, beauty, comedy, or life hacks, I follow my favorite influencers for many things—the most obvious being for inspiration. These influencers fill my feed with unlimited outfit ideas, comedic relief, and beauty routines. But they also fill my feed with potential. Following other, more romanticized lives gives me an escape from the hustle and bustle of the world and shows me where I am versus where I want to be. Do I want to be the girl with all the killer outfits and a hilarious sense of humor? Or the one with a perfectly glazed skincare routine and slicked-back bun? Or maybe I want to be the one who has it all. In the wide world of social media, these influencers allow me to believe I can be.
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@diet_prada@beigecardigan@hubermanlab@lexfridman@kardashian_kolloquiumFEED
Top right: Writer and influencer MJ Corey of The Kardashian Kolloquium (@kardashian_kolloquium)
TRACEY’S
Tracey Thomas Director
When I’m searching for inspiration for my personal or home style, or if I’m just in need of some positive words to fuel my soul, social media has always been a great resource. I enjoy learning from life curators who spark creativity or provide a new point of view and watching the influencers who immediately captivate my mind with the most beautiful content. Social media is a wonderful and curious place, constantly moving and changing in real time, whether it be an unexpected image or a few words that catch my attention. So I invite you to enjoy my go-to influenc ers; they are people with fabulous taste, a great sense of humor, and beautiful minds that lead with love.
Left:
(@itsemily)podcast “FOLLOWING OTHER, MORE ROMANTICIZED LIVES GIVES ME AN ESCAPE FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF THE WORLD AND SHOWS ME WHERE I AM VERSUS WHERE I WANT TO BE.”
Emme Martin Assistant Editor | @emmemartin I know I am not alone when I say I have a love-hate relationship with social media. My job requires some participation, and I also indulge personally. However, I have found that it’s much more tolerable when I mute certain accounts and embrace the others that don’t leave me feeling drained. My Instagram feed is mainly meme accounts, which is how I like it. But I have also discovered some intellectual influencers I enjoy following for health advice, motivation, and other random facts I would otherwise never know. I even found a newfound interest in critical analysis of The Kardashians thanks to @kardashian_kolloquium, which is the perfect antidote to my heavy pop culture consumption. When my feed consists of content that inspires me, makes me laugh, or makes me think, that’s my ideal algorithm!
@cellajaneblog@itsemily@jayshetty@gabbybernstein@camilacoelho@stefanasilber@blaireadiebeeFEED
Above: Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist and host of The Huberman Lab (@hubermanlab)podcast (@haleyhoffmansmith)HaleycoachManifestationandinfluencerHoffman Emily Ford, influencer and host of itsEMILY
EMME’S
Right:
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Influencer (@manifestationbabe)KathrinmanifestationandexpertZenkina Opposite, clockwise from top left: Influencer Aileen (@camilacoelho)CamilalifestyleFashion(@matildadjerf)MatildaFashion(@emmas_power)foodSuccess(@aileenchristineee)ChristinementorandinfluencerEmmainfluencerDjeftandinfluencerCoelho 50 | SEPTEMBER 2022 Le monde
JORDAN’S @matildadjerf@mimimoocher@emitaz@emilisindlev@elenataber@bettinalooneyFEED
In the world of Instagram and TikTok, you can find influencers in every area and stage of life! After choosing my favorite influencers, I realized they all had something in common—they were all strong women in their own right. Some are about being physically fit and confident in their skin, while others have a master’s degree in engineering, but these women are inspiring to say the least. Most importantly, though, they’re real. I appreciate an influencer who shows their “bad” days too. Social media paints a picture that, most of the time, isn’t real life. But maybe even more important is the comedy. Everyone needs a good laugh, so here are my favorite influencers.
“THINK OF WHO YOU FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA AS YOUR PERSONAL VISION BOARD: IS THERE SOMETHING IN EACH ACCOUNT THAT EXCITES YOU TO SHOW UP AS THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF?” VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 51
Jordan Harmon, Graphic Design Intern | @jordanharmon_
Addie Strickland
Ad Manager | @adelle.strickland
I follow influencers to stay inspired and stay creative. Ever-changing and evolving fashion trends are hard to keep track of, so following influencers helps me to stay informed in the fashion world. I can then develop my sense of style because I can visualize an aesthetic by scrolling through their pages. This enables me to know what to look for when I shop—and where to shop! I enjoy the simplicity and class of the Swedish style, which is something I learned from exploring profiles like @matildadjerf. The follow button allows you to stay updated with the cre atives who inspire you. As they stay inspired, so do you.
ADDIE’S @annaxsitar@ilonamaher@sydneymadams_@aileenchristineeeFEED
a decentralized network, the transaction is sent to thousands of miners (people who mine the block chain) instead. Once the transaction is approved, it is stored on a public ledger on a blockchain that can’t be changed. Anyone can see it.
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So, what is a blockchain? Good question! A blockchain is a system that records transactions over several computers through a peer-to-peer network. There are many uses for blockchain technology outside of cryptocurrency. You can think of these “blocks” as storage units. All trans actions are recorded in these storage units, which are public and reviewed by thousands of people to ensure that they are correct, instead of being stored on a server of a private third party that has complete control over your assets.
he buzzword of the year might be cryptocurrency . If you have no idea what that means, this article aims to break it down for you. Crypto is a term that encompasses everything from blockchains to investments. It is quite simply a medium of exchange that we will begin to see more of in the future. This “digital money” pro vides a more secure and faster form of transaction than cash or credit. The dictionary definition of crypto is a decen tralized digital currency made to be used over the internet. What does decentralized mean? Common currency transactions take place through a centralized entity, such as a bank. WithBy Addie Strickland T
Thoughts?CryptocurrencyBitcoinTheEveryman’sGuidetoforYourA
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Now that we know what cryptocurrency is, the next question is, “How does it work?” Through digital currency companies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin, to name a few, you can trade, buy, and sell crypto. These cryptocurrencies make it possible to transfer money from your bank to your crypto wallet. It is a legitimate form of currency! Each currency “brand” has its own coin value; for example, Bitcoin is currently worth about $23,341.50. An investor does not have to buy a whole coin—you can make smaller or larger investments. Once invested, this currency can be spent anywhere it is accepted, just as you would use a credit card or bank account. Another upside to crypto is that it is available to every one—all that is needed is an internet connection. This allows for easier global trade, and cryptocurrencies like A blockchain is a system that records transactions over several computers through a peer-to-peer network.
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T he goal of decentralization is to reduce the level of trust partici pants must have in an institution like a bank and encourage every one not to put all their eggs in one basket. A traditional bank trans action, for example, would be stored on a private server. With a decentralized blockchain, the transaction would be sent to every miner, and now there is no “one beholder of the truth”—instead, there are many. The problem with the current system is that, with banks, it takes one person to slip up, and your information could be leaked. Blockchain technology dictates that every transaction is approved by hundreds of computers and stored publicly. According to Coinbase, a leading cryp tocurrency exchange platform, “The blockchain ledger is divided among all the computers across the network, which are constantly verifying that the blockchain is accurate. This means there is no central vault that can be hacked, stolen, or manipulated.”
Bitcoin and Ethereum provide financial services to the unbanked. Because of this, many developing countries have a high crypto adoption rate. The most significant contributor to poverty in many third-world countries is corruption, but with blockchain technology, govern ments and all forms of trade will be held responsible because everything will be public. In addition, with crypto, transferring money is cheaper and faster. According to Cointelegraph, a leading digital media resource covering a wide range of news from blockchain technology and crypto assets to the latest technology trends, “Overseas workers no longer have to worry about steep transaction fees when transferring money to their home country. While traditional remittance platforms charge as much as 10 percent of the total amount, crypto-based platforms only charge around 2 to 5 percent.” In developed countries, cryptocurrencies are seen more as an investment; however, business own ers can utilize them to mitigate the international price changes between fiats. Depending on the cryptocurrency, most investors view it as volatile. Still, investors in the world of crypto are loyal, and the community has developed its own jargon. One of the most-used acronyms is HODL (holding on for dear life), essentially a ral lying cry for investors to stay rather than sell their investments, with the tacit understanding that they’ll become more valuable. It is a whole new world, com plete with its own language!
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To read more
issue! The
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nother acronym is DYOR, which stands for do your own research. There are so many layers to crypto, and it’s con tinually growing and gaining traction with new technology. Many technological advances are released daily, and these tools are often functional but not practical or are out of reach because of their price tags; yet, with cryptocurrency, a new day dawns for all as it represents the future of economic development. The importance of this movement is to eventually bring financial freedom to every corner of the world and equal opportunity for everyone. about how the fashion industry is evolving through crypto, digital NFTs, and the metaverse, check out the article “That’s So Meta” from VIE’s July 2022 importance of this movement is to eventually bring financial freedom to every corner of the world and equal opportunity for everyone.
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L’intermission Opt imus Subpr ime
in 2023. Photo courtesy of Tesla VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 57
Tesla’s Optimus Subprime fully functioning prototype was revealed on September 30, 2022, and is scheduled to begin production
Love,VIExo
The world of technology is expanding exponentially, and Optimus, or Optimus Subprime, is leading the pack. “The initial purpose is to make it useful,” says Tesla CEO Elon Musk of his company’s latest rollout. The robot is designed to handle the monotonous, repetitive activi ties people don’t typically enjoy, like cleaning. Dojo supercomputers allow the bot to respond to new environments using only vision—with the same speed and acuity as a human.
Gen Z and millennials are poised to be the leading force in charitable giving. Already, 84 percent of millennials give to charity, and as they age and increase their wealth, they will surpass the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, and Gen Xers in terms of dollars donated.
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hese emerging philanthropists are also influential societal change makers, passionate about support ing issues they care about. They want to learn where they can make an impact that matters to them.
“We know millennials have passion and a desire to give, but these budding philanthropists are often overwhelmed by options. They’re unsure if their con tributions will make an impact and how and where to donate,” says Leena Gupta, cofounder of Coin Up. She is a successful serial entrepreneur who is breaking down barriers to make real change through visionary tech solutions. In 2015, the MIT/Sloan Business School graduate decided to dedicate her expertise in the nonprofit and financial sectors to facilitate doing good. “We want to inspire the spirit of giving. With the Generosity Quiz, quiz takers can see the impact of small-dollar donations and discover ways to get involved that match their interests and lifestyles.”
Gupta and her team have created the first “round up and donate” app that allows users to connect with their favorite causes and directly receive credit for all their donations. Through Coin Up, users can see their “small change add up to big change.”
Finding Your Charitable Perfect Match
Coin Up, a mobile app platform where donors can give effortlessly and securely to their favorite charitable causes, has developed an interactive “Generosity Quiz” to make giving easy. It is a fun personality-type quiz that takes about two minutes to reveal the quiz taker’s giving they prefer monthly, recurring, or one-time donations.
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style—whether
Quiz takers will also learn ways to turn their passions into actions by answering questions about what motivates their acts of kindness, what they see as the world’s most urgent issues, and more. Each user’s answers are translated into a Generosity Persona, which helps define how his or her unique traits can create a positive social impact. The results will also prompt users to donate, volunteer, become advocates, or express their generosity in ways that fit their styles. With Coin Up, users can register their credit or debit cards and round up their spare change on every transaction until they reach their monthly goals. This “spare change” is sent to their charity of choice each month, offering an effortless and direct connection for giving. Coin Up also allows donors to make onetime or fixed monthly donations to their favorite charities, choosing from any of the public 501(c)(3) US charities registered with the IRS.
Learn more and take the Generosity Quiz at CoinUpApp.com.
The Coin Up initiative, supported by a grant from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and in-kind support from IDEO, will help people determine how they can be part of the change they want to see in the world. Individuals can take the Generosity Quiz to discover their generosity personalities and learn about causes that resonate with them.
Story and photography courtesy of COIN UP
Coin
COIN UP, A MOBILE APP PLATFORM WHERE DONORS CAN GIVE EFFORTLESSLY AND SECURELY TO THEIR TOCHARITABLEFAVORITECAUSES,HASDEVELOPEDANINTERACTIVE“GENEROSITYQUIZ”MAKEGIVINGEASY. ” ” VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 59
Musician and change maker AY Young 60 | SEPTEMBER 2022 Le monde
By Suzanne Pollak
Young had just performed at Cannes Lions, the world’s largest gathering in the creative marketing community. He has performed at the Davos Economic Forum, where investors, business and political leaders, econo mists, and journalists discuss global issues. He has also given concerts on street corners and in parking lots. This man is a creative force with a dream to actualize.
He watched his dad mobilize the community, meeting with the chief of police, the mayor, and others to change the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Young’s mom home schooled her children while starting the trend of planting gardens so people could have fresh food. Forty years later, the Ivanhoe neighborhood is considered one of Kansas City’s most successful and dynamic examples of a life-changing, revitalized community, with Young’s parents believed to be a driving force behind the turn around. He watched change occur block by block, and now he plans to change the world city by city. It’s an audacious goal, but he’s on his way, step by step.
The of the
Young grew up on a Kansas City block with four crack houses—the dividing line between warring Bloods and Crips gangs—in the worst school district in the country.
orn in 1991, Eagle Scout, Division I college basketball player, com poser, singer, and producer of over nine hundred worldwide green concerts (each powered by sun-charged batteries), AY Young seems too good to be true. But he is. I recently sat next to him on a plane where, for five hours, we talked about his life, career, and worldchanging goals. He looks like a tall North African prince, his painted fingernails hinting that this guy is as cool as they come (and as nice, too; he asked me as many questions about myself as I asked him).
At thirty years old, Young was elected by the United Nations to be an SDG Youth Leader—one of seventeen and the only person chosen from the United States. SDG stands for “Sustainable Development Goals,” and the specific targets for each of the seventeen goals are daunting. From eradicating poverty and hunger to achieving gen der equality and climate action, one might think tackling any of these issues is a mere pipe dream—admirable on paper but ultimately unachievable.
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| Photography courtesy of AY Young
Another step—after Young learned that a billion people do not have access to electricity, he started powering his concerts with renewable energy. His Battery Tour is not just a concert or a tour but a global movement using the universal language of music to inspire people to make a change. The Battery Tour gets its name because Young stores solar energy in batteries and then converts it from direct current VC to alternating current so he can plug in and perform a concert. He has been told he is the world’s first sustainable musical artist—the first to power all his shows using clean, renewable energy. His mother says nothing is new under the sun, but the United Nations and others say otherwise. Young believes people can create change every where on a local, community level, city by city, and state by state. To spread the word over the past decade, Young has held over nine hundred concerts wherever he could set one up—on street corners or in parks, driveways, and outdoor shop ping plazas. The artist started giving eight- to ten-hour shows because of his parents’ example of working long hours. He says, “If you work at Wendy’s or McDonald’s, you work a minimum of a four-hour shift. You can’t just show up at McDonald’s and say, ‘Yo! Thirty minutes, peace guys, I am out,’ or, ‘Forty-five minutes, see you later, Best Buy.’ You will be fired super quick—tomorrow. To me, eight to ten hours means a full-time job, so that’s what I started doing.”
et tackling seventeen sustainable goals is just the kind of knotty problem Young set out to solve. This vision for a sustainable future is captured on a musi cal album he calls Project 17. Seventeen goals, such as clean water, clean energy production, and life-saving health care, are supported by seventeen non profit organizations, seventeen Fortune 500 corporate sponsors, and seventeen famous recording artists who will compose songs to inspire support. In addition, prof its will be donated to sustainable development projects.
Young believes people can create change everywhere on a local, community level, city by city, and state by state.
This page and opposite: In addition to performing over nine hundred concerts using only battery power, AY Young has made various appearances at global conferences and events to discuss the seventeen andYouththedevelopmentsustainablegoalsofUnitedNationsSDGLeadersmore.
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Technology is the conduit and glue that makes it all happen. It allows Young to reach his audience, spread his message, connect his music to people, power his concerts, perform, and exercise his passion. The Battery Tour uses technology to fund, build, promote, develop, and bring awareness to sustainability and raise money to provide people with electricity. He wants each of us to plug into the world and community around us and figure out what action we can take to improve them.
hen people share their audacious goals, it is inspiring— sometimes amusing or barely believable. Sometime dur ing our long plane ride, Young told me his goal was always to change the world. I thought instantly that this guy might make it happen. His superpower is so strong that his dreams could come true. He could become the Robin Hood of the music industry.
Suzanne Pollak, a mentor and lecturer in the fields of home, hearth, and hospitality, is the founder and dean of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits. She is the coauthor of Entertaining for Dummies, The Pat Conroy Cookbook, and The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits: A Handbook of Etiquette with Recipes. Born into a diplomatic family, Pollak was raised in Africa, where her parents hosted multiple parties every week. Her South Carolina homes have been featured in the Wall Street Journal Mansion section and Town & Country magazine. Visit CharlestonAcademy.com or contact her at Suzanne@CharlestonAcademy.com to learn more.
Visit AYMusik.com and follow AY Young on Instagram @aymusik to learn more and keep up with this dynamic leader.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals to Transform Our World 1. No Poverty 2. Zero Hunger 3. Good Health and Well-being 4. Quality Education 5. Gender Equality 6. Clean Water and Sanitation 7. Affordable and Clean Energy 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure 10. Reduced Inequality 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities 12. Responsible Consumption and Production 13. Climate Action 14. Life Below Water 15. Life on Land 16. Peace and Justice Strong Institutions 17. Partnerships to Achieve the Goal W VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 63
DEBUTS FALL 2022
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Learning more about your body and how it functions is the first step toward living a healthy, intentional lifestyle. The recent Gucci x Oura collaboration allows you to do so while staying stylish. The wearable technology tracks your sleep, daily activities, and body temperature to help monitor your health. It can even alert you of an oncoming sickness or create a sleep schedule based on your needs and habits. This holistic approach to self-discovery unveils the science behind healthy choices.
A ZEST FOR LIFE La vitalité La vitalité To learn more about Gucci x Oura, PhotoGucci.com.visitcourtesyofGucci VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 67
Dating coach MeganPhotoWeksby Emily Cummings 68 | SEPTEMBER 2022 La vitalité
Technology has changed the dating game—for better or worse. It’s a game that requires some finesse.
New York City dating coach Megan Weks understands the struggle and knows how to play the game. Weks’s tried-and-true program, The Manfunnel Method, arose from her passion for helping women realize their worth so they could stop settling for less than they deserve. Think of her as your cool older sister who made all the mistakes so you can avoid them. She explains her story, methods, and some juicy tips for dating on and offline. Get ready to fall in love! E
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IT’S YOUR CHOICENavigating O O&NFF L I N
Interview by EMME MARTIN Photography courtesy of MEGAN WEKS
nspoken intentions while swiping, lack of authenticity, and pressure to launch a new relationship on Instagram are all factors that have required an evolved approach to modern-day dating.
Megan Weks: I knew in my bones I was destined to help women rebirth themselves after relationship hardship, but at the time, I had no idea how I could turn this into a career. The year was 2015, and I was working as a recruitment consultant at a Wall Street bank, but what I really enjoyed doing was sitting in my girlfriends’ cubicles, sharing the sacred knowledge I’d uncovered.
VIE: What is The Manfunnel Method, and where did the idea come from?
MW: I dated in Manhattan for over a decade. I pounded the pavement looking for love, but the problem wasn’t that I couldn’t attract a man; it was that I couldn’t seem to hold on to one for any significant amount of time. It finally dawned on me that I was the common denominator in my failed attempts at love. The lackluster process and poor mindset I operated with prevented me from moving forward to attract the high-quality partner I was ultimately seeking. My research uncovered some serious blunders that had caused me to hit a wall in my relationships time after time. I had no idea how guarded I was and how this eroded my connection with men. I had no idea how clouded my vision of a partner was and how most of the men I was after were just wrong for me. My communication skills were barely existent, and I was primed to land in dysfunctional relationships by subconsciously recreating the patterns I had been conditioned to expect. Without leaning into the world of personal develop ment in regard to finding love, I would have never
MW: My job at the time required me to develop a prospect funnel; my boss had us fill out a form at the end of each day with the names of all the leads we had generated—talk about micro-management! However tedious this process may have seemed, it opened my eyes and changed everything in my life.
LO
Photo by Tracy Moore
Online dating can be highly effective and is so promising. It allows us to meet people from anywhere with whom we would have had zero connection otherwise.
One of these women hadn’t had a boyfriend in a decade and was at a low point in her confidence, the second one had no luck getting past a third date, and the third woman hadn’t been in a relationship for nearly seven years. As a fledgling coach, I never expected what would happen next; all three of these women were beginning serious relationships after just three months of our work together. That’s when I committed to going all in as a full-time dating coach.
In training, my boss said, “Only 20 percent of your funnel will close.” I realized that if I wanted to hit my quota at work—and find my forever guy—I’d better stop latching on to mere possibilities, create more solid opportunities, and, in my dating life, choose men who were choosing me. I would no longer wait around and pin all my hopes on just one man. After one particularly incredible heartbreak, I made the connection; I realized that I was constantly putting all my eggs in one basket when it came to my personal life—well, no more! I started to strategize. If a man was going to be in my “Manfunnel,” he had to be choosing me. I positioned myself to have enough fun and enjoyable options in dating that I could be the one to “choose.” The Manfunnel was born. It’s a method of dating where women learn to use their feminine energy and effective communication to attract and enjoy a host of pro spective men until one presents himself with the right efforts, the right energy, and the makings of a lasting, meaningful connection.
Opposite: Weks used her experience in sales to formulate her “Manfunnel Method” of dating to weed out many prospects and find lasting love.
The three women are all married now!
become the person I am today. I would have never found the relationship I have with my loving husband. I would have likely never reached this level of success in my career nor discovered my true purpose. When I met the man of my dreams, Josh, I thought he was too handsome and probably wouldn’t like me—but I executed my new tools and what is now called The Manfunnel Method of dating. As a result, before we had known each other for six months, he told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. Four months after that, we said “I do” at my dream location, the Sunset Beach Hotel on Shelter Island, New York. That was over eight years ago.
VIE: Can you tell us a little bit about your own love story?
VIE: Tell us about your background and how you became a dating coach.
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VEVIE:
Second, I will share a tip to prevent the biggest time-wasting mistake in online dating, which I call the Black Hole of Dating. The Black Hole is when you get caught up messaging someone you met online for many days or weeks before meeting them in real life. During this time, it can feel exhilarating, like you have a fish on the line—when in actuality, you have nothing but a stranger who is also feeling good about having someone to message with while keeping deeper intimacy at a safe distance.
MW: Online dating can be highly effective and is so promising. It allows us to meet people from any where with whom we would have had zero connection otherwise. I find it fun and fascinating.
• You don’t have to drop the “m” word if you’re seeking marriage, but do be clear about your intentions of meeting people who also have seri ous intentions.
fingertips—an endless carousel of “next.” When people strike out and don’t succeed, it’s easy to point the finger at this carousel as to why someone didn’t choose you. From where I sit, however, it just means you must figure out how to be unforgettable. That’s where I come in!
• Never leave a blank in your profile or give a boring answer, such as one line about your job.
• Be clear about the nature of the relationship you’re seeking as well.
• Photos that showcase your eyes and compelling microexpressions will get the most attention.
VIE: What are your best tips for our readers looking for love?
MW: You should pat yourself on the back for picking up this magazine because I’m about to give you two of my favorite tips for expediting the dating process! The first tip is that it’s crucial to speak to the man about himself and about what makes you feel curious during your initial interactions. This gives the man a good reason to ask you out. He knows that you find him interesting and not just that he is simply a man in a man suit. You have no idea how often this is overlooked and how important it is to make the other person feel seen within the initial messaging process.
Megan’s Dating Profile Tips
The level of fallout on dating apps is vast and will continue to be so if you’re not incorporating this into your process. Compliment the other person and share what you noticed about his profile. Try something like, “I see that you’re really into the arts, and you have an incredibly warm smile. Feel free to say hi!” Or maybe a playful, “Hey. Wow! Where were you driving that gorgeous sports car?”
It’s your job to set the intention and pace for how you want the process to go. Overall, in dating, if you do not have an intentional process, you’ll end up with wishy-washy results.
• Be clear about who you are and who you are seeking.
What are your thoughts on the effective ness of online dating?
• Express your essence by sharing how you feel when doing your favorite things.
• Your photos should be high quality and high reso lution. You must show your full body and flaunt those curves if you’ve got them.
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Dating with technology, in some ways, has become more challenging, but with the right mindset and tools, it’s an awesome opportunity. There is that feeling that the world of possibilities is at your
• Be warm, excited, and inviting in your text and messages online. Bring good energy into your profiles and processes, and you’ll make great connections before you know it.
I love to help people understand that the reason their dating isn’t yielding results is never that they are unworthy of attention or love.
Follow Megan Weks on Instagram at @themanfunnel or contact her through TheManfunnel.com to find love.
When you’ve been chatting for a while and want him to set a date, say something like, “It’s been so nice chatting, and I’m curious about getting to know you better. Feel free to set up a call or video date. Right now, I’m around on Thursday evening or Saturday midday!” You want to get them on a date to feel if there’s a connection or not before wasting your precious time. Your goal is to use this script after the first round of texts back and forth when it feels like the conversation is going well and that a basic connection has been sparked.
If he doesn’t set a date and keeps chatting, it’s a sign to reset the intention and make sure you’re both seeking the same goals from your online interactions, which can be simply that you’re seeking something of substance and are interested in making connections in real life.
MW: I love to help people understand that the reason their dating isn’t yielding results is never that they are unworthy of attention or love. Your soul was made for love. That discouragement is a construct, a negative mindset. I want you to know that there is always another chance at love, that you are worthy, and that the love you seek is available to you, truly!
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VIE: What do you say to people who are feeling discouraged in the dating process?
Photo by Emily Cummings
VIE: What is your advice for meeting potential suitors offline?
MW: As you walk into a room, a bar, a coffee shop, or wherever, keep your heart’s energy warm and shining out of your beautiful eyes and smile. Say a quick, simple hello to people you’re experiencing. Then go about your business with no expectations of a conversation. You will find that it will open up a window of opportunity everywhere. That energy alone will let people know you are warm and approachable. This sends a positive, attractive signal to men, and they’re drawn to take action.
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RDE
INFRARED LIGHT HOLDS PROMISING FUTURE IN WELLNESS IS THE NEW BLACK BY HAILEY BETHKE
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The therapy is primarily used to enhance at-home skin regimens. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the process has been linked to increased skin elas ticity and reduction of wrinkles, scars, redness, and even acne. In addition, it is believed to have several other applications, including better heal ing (for wounds and strained muscles), improved brain health, deeper sleep, and a strengthened immune system.
New technology has created various opportunities for the average consumer to try RLT, ranging from handheld devices, full-body panels, and infrared saunas that make for easy accessibility in fitness centers, spas, medical clinics, and homes.
RED LIGHT THERAPY (SHORTLY KNOWN AS RLT) IS A CONTROVERSIAL TOOL GAINING POPULARITY IN THE WELLNESS INDUSTRY, THOUGH IT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR CENTURIES. THE CORE FUNCTION OF THE TREATMENT ARISES FROM THE USE OF LOW-WAVELENGTH RED LIGHT FREQUENCIES.
Sauna Space’s experienceallowinfraredportablesaunasconsumerstothebenefitsofredlighttherapy(RLT)fromhome.PhotocourtesyofSaunaSpace VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 75 La vitalité
THE PROCESS HAS BEEN LINKED TO ANDSCARS,OFANDSKININCREASEDELASTICITYREDUCTIONWRINKLES,REDNESS,EVENACNE.
Red light therapy is also often used in infrared saunas, which have recently captured the spotlight in the wellness space with benefits ranging from longevity to increased peak performance. Sauna Space, an industry leader, explains that detoxification is one of the core benefits of infrared saunas. With increased exposure to environmental toxins, sweating in a relaxed state “promotes blood flow to your organs, creating a detox that starts at the cellular level and reaches the whole body. In just one twenty-minute session, you could release up to a pint of sweat—and with it, harmful substances that have built up over time,” Sauna Space says. Recent studies have even shown that people who regularly used infrared saunas experienced pain relief, as RLT stimulates our cells’ mitochondria, improving oxygenation, circulation, and healing responses to aid joint and muscle pain. Combining saunas’ detoxifica tion, peak performance, and immunity-strengthening benefits with infrared light has created a versatile product used by professional athletes, skincare gurus, and health-conscious individuals.
odern RLT was used in an astronomical exper iment by NASA, first in attempts to foster plant growth in space and later to heal astro nauts’ wounds. From here, further medical research was conducted, and red light is now widely used in combination with photosensitive medications in photodynamic therapy, which uses light activation to trigger the destruction of cancerous cells. RLT is most frequently applied on its own to stimulate new cell growth, which energizes cells to repair skin and alleviates signs of aging by increasing collagen pro duction. These findings were mirrored in a recent study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, which discovered that after one week of using low-level red and infrared light, patients experienced increased quantities of hyaluronic acid (which aids skin flexibility and decreases fine lines), collagen proteins, and elastin proteins.
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This page: Photos courtesy of Sauna Space Opposite: Recharge Health’s RechargePhotocellbodyspecificletshandheldFlexBeamRLTdeviceuserstargetareasoftheforoptimalregeneration.courtesyofHealth
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echarge Health’s FlexBeam portable RLT device is another innovative option that supports our bodies’ natural recovery through red light’s ability to boost ATP (adenosine triphosphate, a nucleotide vital to energy production) and cellular energy. Designed to increase functionality and mobility, FlexBeam targets peak performance; its flexible design even allows the device to be placed on any part of the body that needs treatment. Recharge Health also explains that humans are naturally drawn to sunrise and sunset because these are the times of day when red light is available in the highest quanti ties; we are biologically wired to participate in this circadian rhythm. Our bodies have intuitively known the healing power of light for centuries, even though we are just gaining scientific evidence to support the usage of red light therapy for healing and well-being.
110 LOGAN LN., SUITE 3, SANTA ROSA BEACH, GRANDBAYCONSTRUCTION.COMFL(850)231-1437|CGC#1509111 Photo by Matt Jozwiak till, the total effectiveness of red light therapy is unknown. The good news is that red light is harmless and is free from any skin-damaging effects when used under der matologists’ recommended guidelines, unlike UV rays from the sun or tanning beds. While red light therapy is still waiting on a green light from some medical profes sionals, who are currently underway with further clinical trials, the outlook is promising for the future of at-home functional medicine. To learn more, search “red light therapy” at My.ClevelandClinic.org or find out how to start your RLT regimen at Sauna.space and Recharge.health. S THE CORE FUNCTION OF THE TREATMENT ARISES FROM THE USE OF LOW-WAVELENGTH RED LIGHT FREQUENCIES. Photo courtesy of Recharge Health La vitalité
BeyondCosmicCliffsthe VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 79 Petite pause
Previously hidden fledgling stars behind the curtain of dust and gas in these “Cosmic Cliffs” are now uncovered thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope. This magnificent shot details the Carina Nebula in all its glory.
To learn more about the James Webb Space Telescope and its findings, visit Webb.nasa.gov.
Photo courtesy of NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
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BusThe
Children’s Volunteer Health Network (CVHN), an organization that provides free access to dental and mental health services to children in need in Northwest Florida, has announced the arrival of its second mobile dental clinic. Story and photography courtesy of CVHN
he first bus, gifted to CVHN from the Dugas Family Foundation, is an operatory clinic on wheels. The dental unit meets children where they are and provides preventative dental services on the bus, often parked out side local schools. Now, another state-of-the-art bus has been introduced to the community. However, unlike the original mobile dental clinic, the second bus will go beyond preventative care and provide restorative services, including urgent procedures. NEW MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC
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CVHN UNVEILS
Those who would like to support CVHN’s new bus for the upcoming school year are encouraged to bring “bus warming” gifts, including copy paper, Lysol and Microban sanitizers, Dawn soap, gallons (or larger) of distilled water, and Staples or Walmart gift cards.
Children’s Volunteer Health Network provides children in need the opportunity to flourish by facilitating health and wellness services. Since 2005, CVHN has traveled across the Emerald Coast in its Mobile Dental Care Unit to provide children in the community with proper preventative dental care. CVHN continues to expand and now offers dental, vision, and mental health services to children in Okaloosa and Walton County. For more information, visit CVHNkids.org or find CVHN on Facebook.com/CVHNkids and Instagram @cvhnkids05. s of 2021, CVHN has facilitated over 75,000 procedures for children in the local community, with more than $6 million in free dental health services provided so far. The addition of the new bus will complement the preventative care currently offered, and children will now have access to a broader range of services. Just in time for the new school year, the new restorative bus joined the preventative team to begin visits to Okaloosa and Walton county schools.
CVHN is honored to dedicate the Restorative Mobile Dental Clinic to the late Denise Lisciotti. Denise was an original employee of CVHN and served as an integral member of the team for thirteen years before her passing in 2021. During her time with CVHN, Denise impacted the lives of thousands of children. As she saw firsthand the need to address more urgent cases, she championed the addi tion of a restorative clinic. Her legacy will live on as this additional bus comes to fruition, and CVHN has named the Restorative Mobile Dental Clinic Niecy, a beloved family name, in her honor.
A
The community gathered at Grand Boulevard on Saturday, August 27, 2022, for an exciting bus unveiling. Children and adults enjoyed refreshments and lawn games, met Mr. and Mrs. Tooth, toured the bus, and heard from CVHN team members about the new services coming to Northwest Florida.
The community or local businesses can also support this cause by becoming a gas sponsor for $500. With gas prices skyrocketing, this is crucial in getting dental support to children in local schools.
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“We are looking forward to putting the second mobile dental clinic in motion as we continue making a difference for the children of Northwest Florida,” says CVHN executive director Kelley Mossburg.
As of 2021, CVHN has facilitated over 75,000 procedures for children in the local community, with more than $6 million in free dental health services provided so far.
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Fast-forward to today, Coastal Insurance has just moved into its fantastic new headquarters in Grand Boulevard Town Center in Miramar Beach. “We have been very fortunate,” says Blackwell, who is still the company’s president. “We have about twenty talented insurance professionals working for us. We started out specializing in providing insurance for coastal homes and condos and continue that commitment today. We are an independent insurance agency representing dozens of insurance companies and proudly insure close to ten thousand properties along the Emerald Coast and other areas like Naples, Miami, and the Florida Keys. We are in the top five homeowner’s insurance agencies in Florida and likely number one in providing new homeowner policies for million-dollar-plus homes. I am very proud of my team.”
SCOOP Photography
INSURMR.GrantBlackwellwasacommercialinsuranceagentinJackson,Mississippi,specializinginhigh-riskcommercialpropertyinsurancesuchasruralmanufacturingplantsandlumbermills,whenhevisitedfriendsontheNorthwestFloridaGulfCoastin1999and,likemany,basicallyneverleft.
A CHAT with GRANT BLACKWELL
of Coastal
As major shifts are causing unrest among homeowners and the real estate community, VIE sat down with Blackwell, dubbed “Mr. Insurance,” to discuss the current Florida insurance crisis.
“We went home after a wonderful weekend, and on Monday, I asked my wife to do the laundry and ‘get packed’ while I went to work because ‘We are moving to Destin,’ I said,” he laughs. “It took a couple of months, but in November 1999, we rented a win ter condo at Pelican Beach Resort, and I set out to start an insurance agency in Destin.
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In November 2000, I opened the doors to Coastal Insurance with no employees, only a folding table in a little office suite in Crystal Beach.” GIVES US the courtesy Insurance
VIE: Does the current Florida insurance crisis threaten our beach-centric, luxury lifestyle along Scenic Highway 30-A and the surrounding communities?
VIE: What exactly is the Florida property insur ance crisis?
GRANT BLACKWELL: We are “30-A Strong.” There is nothing that is going to destroy our 30-A lifestyle. We will continue to take on all opponents, go toe to toe, and watch them retreat in defeat. We might lose a battle here and there, but we will never lose the war. Scenic 30-A and the Emerald Coast are special; we will not be defeated.
GB: I hate all the COVID-era terms, such as social distancing, mask up, isolate, and, perhaps most of all, supply chain. However, we have a significant insur ance supply shortage in Florida, unrelated to the pandemic. Florida had ten million homes and gained another 1.6 million in 2021. Since 2018, a perfect financial storm has formed that has broken the Florida insurance supply, causing skyrocketing premiums and policy cancellations.
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GB: About forty or so Florida-based, relatively small insurance companies have controlled some 75 percent of the homeowner’s insurance market and probably 90 percent of all new homes built in the past five years. From 2007 to 2017, these companies earned hundreds of millions of dollars in hurricanefree earnings. However, in 2017 and again in 2018, major hurricanes hit Florida, resulting in over $100 billion in damages. Most Florida domiciled compa nies are small by industry standards and have not recovered from the storms. Making things worse, these companies have continued to lose billions more due to a perfect financial storm of legislative failures and judicial decisions, making profitability nearly impossible.
GB: These small Florida insurance companies are struggling to remain solvent. Just this past year or two, about a dozen of these Florida domiciled insur ance companies have gone under, and more are to come. These insurance companies are reducing their exposures and increasing premiums. They are raising rates from an average of well over 50 percent to an insane level of over 400 percent. They are canceling homes that they deem to be at higher-than-average risk. Several hundred thousand homes have been canceled this year.
VIE: So, why exactly are premiums skyrocketing and people having their insurance canceled?
“We are ‘30A STRONG.’ There is NOTHING that is going to DESTROY our 30A LIFESTYLE.”
VIE: There haven’t been any hurricanes in a while— what is the problem?
VIE: We hear you are doing some special things to help area realtors, buyers, and homeowners. Can you tell us about that? GB: We are trying hard! I have been in the insurance business for over thirty years and have a degree with majors in real estate and insurance, so I have learned a few things over the years. Coastal Insurance saw this mess coming two years ago. Over 90 percent of Florida insurance companies are not writing new business and are canceling thousands of policies. The only real solution is to secure more insurance companies and bring them to Florida. Last September, I partnered with Acentria and Foundation Risk Partners; together, we are now in the top twenty agencies in America. We have successfully brought several new insurance companies and brokerages to Florida to help our
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Agent Grant Blackwell and his team can help local realtors learn more about how these changes will affect closings along the Emerald Coast and how they can stay ahead of the curve and keep their clients informed to ensure smooth transactions.
GB: I love everything about this place. I still get butterflies knowing that I live here. I collect a few old cars and love cruising “the A” early on weekend morn ings. We lived in Grayton Beach for eighteen years but recently moved to the bay, where I have a boat in my backyard. It’s a gorgeous boat—I have never been on it, but it is awesome. As soon as I fix this crazy insurance market, I will use that darn boat! I love golf and am trying to play more. I am also crazy about architecture and design and have some ventures in the works to exercise those passions.
VIE: Any closing thoughts or other information you’d like to share with our readers?
Building new insurance sources is essential, and we also work on that daily.
GB: Yes, we sell insurance—but at this point in my career, I recognize that help ing people get what they want and need is the secret to success. We really can make a difference, and I invite realtors and the public to let us help them. Jessica Millsaps is my sales manager and can be reached daily at (850) 231-0042. I am also doing a few realtor education seminars and community town hall meetings, and Jessica is happy to arrange those for folks as well. She can also be reached by email at jmillsaps@coastalcoverage.com.
Thanks for having me!
Visit CoastalCoverage.com to learn more or request a quote.
“At this point in my career, I RECOGNIZE that HELPING PEOPLE GET WHAT THEY WANT and NEED is the SECRET TO SUCCESS.” clients and our real estate market. Today, Coastal Insurance has more options and the best premiums on the Emerald Coast. We can also insure older and higherrisk homes that are targets of insurance company cancellations.
We are the number one high-value agency in Florida for a reason—our commit ment to excellence every day.
VIE: It sounds like you work all the time—what do you do to enjoy the 30-A lifestyle you’re keen to protect?
Kayla Barnes is a certified brain-health coach and CEO of her precision medicine and biohacking clinic, LYV Wellness Space. She helps each client achieve his or her best state of being through scientifically proven approaches for longevity and optimal functionality, which are called “biohacks.” “The term biohacking,” she explains, “is simply upgrad ing your environment internally and externally to benefit your health. The core of
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Becoming HUMANSUPER
biohacking is understanding your biology and working to improve it.”
By HAILEY BETHKE
In an age where high performance is at the fore front of our minds, longevity, immunity, and increased functionality are more crucial than ever. With technological innovations streamlin ing groundbreaking discoveries in human health, we’ve interviewed industry expert Kayla Barnes to learn how to enhance our well-being.
HEALTH is the ULTIMATEWEALTH.
Barnes’s passion for biohacking and health emerged in her late teen years when she began studying nutrition and came to understand that daily habits directly impact performance, energy, mood, and overall health. As the brain is the “control center” for all bodily functions and emotional regulation, Barnes shares that she naturally felt a pull of curi osity to study it. From this point of interest, she extended her passion to understanding her health data by utilizing technology and proven practices to optimize her quality of life.
Brain Biohacks to Boost Your Well-Being
REDUCING EXPOSURE to TOXINS DO’S (3 TIPS) 2.1. 3. PURCHASE A WATER PURIFIER: SWAP PERSONALCONVENTIONALCAREPRODUCTS: LIMIT EMFS: Brain PhotoexpertbiohackingKaylaBarnesbyBrianKaiser VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 89
While there are many biohacks we can implement into our lives, we first have to focus on what to take out—namely, reducing our exposure to toxins. “This is one of my favorite topics, especially as we are now exposed to more environmental toxins than ever,” Barnes states. Below are her top three tips for getting back to the basics and living toxin-free.
“Electromagnetic Frequencies (known as EMFs) are emitted from smart devices, microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, cell phones, and, yes, AirPods. With 5G and the increase in smart tech and smartphones, we are being exposed to new levels of EMFs. You can con sider an EMF-blocking device like the Somavedic or EMF-blocking coils, but you can also keep smart devices off when not in use and put your cell phone on airplane mode (especially at night). I also unplug my Wi-Fi router every night before bed.”
The term “biohacking”is simply upgrading your environment internally and externally to benefit your health. The core of biohacking is understanding your biology and working to improve it.
“Women leave the house with an estimated 168 chemicals on their bodies daily. Men leave the house with about half of that figure. Women also have higher rates of autoimmune conditions and Alzheimer’s. From our fragrances to shampoos, deodorants, body lotions, makeup, and skincare, we are exposed to vari ous endocrine-disrupting chemicals. To keep things simple, I use an app called Think Dirty. You can scan as you shop, and the app will give you a score and color coding to help you make the swap to less toxic products. You can also learn about some of the biggest offenders in products from this app, so you know what to keep an eye out for.”
Barnes also shares that AirPods emit more than seventy times the amount of EMFs that wired head phones do. “If you look up whether AirPods are safe, of course, they say the radiation is ‘non-ionizing’ and not harmful. But like many things, the research is being funded by the same companies selling the products,” she notes. In short, consider turning your phone on airplane mode at night, ditching your AirPods, and investing in an EMF blocker to limit the strain of EMFs on the body.
“Tap water contains unsafe levels of toxins such as lead, arsenic, and chlorine. I recommend buy ing a reverse osmosis water filter or, if that’s not feasible, seeking out natural spring water and storing it in glass containers. If you use an RO water filter, it is important to note that it removes virtually everything—including necessary min erals. Therefore, I recommend remineralizing your water with trace minerals. Also, never store your water in plastic, and avoid buying plastic water bottles containing microplastics. It is now estimated that we could be consuming a credit card’s worth of plastic each week from so many consumables being packaged in plastic!”
DAILY RITUALS HOW TO STRESS LESS: WIRE AND FIRE: RETRAINING
– BREATHWORK: Take deep breaths with longer exhales than inhales to signal your nervous system to relax. You can always rely on your breath for stability, and con sciously taking a deep, calming breath is a tool you can utilize at any given moment.
6:15am: - Wake up - Coconut oil pulling and tongue scraping followed by teeth brushing - Walking to the gym and soaking up natural sunlight.
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– Wearing blue-light blockers during screen time
8:30am: – Walking home (more natural sunlight intake!) – Redlight Panel Therapy (10 minutes)
– Cold Shower (increases adrenaline for natural energy, boosts dopamine, strengthens blood-brain barrier)
– Reading before bed – Ensuring the room is dark and cool for optimal sleep
Our health is built on the foundation of our daily habits, so there are many things we can do to increase our longevity. Barnes shares that nutrition, sleep, movement, and mindfulness are her primary focuses for vitality, along with her favorite micro biohacks, which she shares in her daily routine below.
10-30 minutes of this every day; 10 minutes if it is sunny, 30 if it is overcast. Getting sun into the eyes is great for your circadian rhythm and will naturally boost your energy and help you sleep better at night.
“Our brains have the amazing ability to rewire based on what our inputs are,” Barnes explains. “Our brains wire around inputs. If we constantly watch fear-based news, have negative people in our lives, and feel unhappy and stressed, our brains will be wired for negativity and stress. The neural networks for those emotions will become stronger, while neural connections for happiness and fulfillment will weaken. We are what we repeatedly do. By the time we are around twenty-five, our brains can become rigid in our thinking and emotional responses or even in how we respond to experi ences. If we want to change the way we think and react, it must be intentional.
KAYLA’S OUR BRAINS
“If you want to be happier or more motivated, fill your life with practices that promote happiness like gratitude, stick reminders or affirmations around you, and meditate on happy situations—you have to truly feel these emotions. Fill your life with motiva tion, from videos of people you follow to the people you choose to speak with. These interactions and inputs will change the way your brain is wired over time.”
Afternoon: – Throughout working hours, Barnes recommends incorporating movement wherever possible, such as walking outside while on phone calls.
– MEDITATION: This is a great brain anti-aging practice that helps change how you respond to stress. Meditation can increase the thickness of your hippocampus while decreasing the size of your amygdala, which is the epicenter of fear and stress. Once we’ve detoxed from stress and environmental toxins, how can we rewire our brains to release trauma stored in our tissues and biohack a strong foundation for our health?
– SETTING BOUNDARIES ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Set limits to manage your screen time and unfollow accounts that give you anxiety or make you compare your self to others. Barnes also suggests managing your inputs, like how much of the news you are watching, to take back control over your happiness.
Much of our country is suffering from high levels of chronic stress. To make the shift from sympathetic overdrive (a “fight or flight” response caused by constant strain on your nervous system) and increase parasympathetic responses (conserv ing energy for vital functions), Barnes recommends incorporating the following activities into your day.
Evening – Deep breathing to activate the parasympathetic nervous system
– Gratitude Practice
7:00am: – Workout: Barnes loves walking and strength training, especially since maintaining muscle mass as we age has been scientifically proven to benefit our health.
– Morning Meditation (20 minutes)
Our daily habits have a direct impact on performance, energy, mood, and overall health.
INSIDETRACKER
Traditional medicine looks at ‘standard ranges’— yet consider that the average patient going to a lab for a test is usually a sick patient. So, in traditional medicine, we are comparing our normal ranges to those who are ill. This is why in functional and precision medicine, we look for optimal ranges, not just normal ones. Who wants to be normal when you can be optimal? InsideTracker is a great tool you can use from the comfort of your home. You can either visit a lab for a blood draw or book a phlebotomist to come to you. Your blood is then analyzed, and you are shown your results; we always aim for optimal ranges so you can perform your best.
“The core of biohacking is understanding your biomarkers, or health data, to optimize them.
OURA RING
“The Oura ring is an at-home sleep and health tracker that monitors vitals such as heart rate and oxygen saturation while we sleep,” Barnes explains. “It also offers you data on the quality of your sleep, such as your amount of REM sleep, which is crucial for learning and memory, and deep sleep, where cellular repair and healing takes place. The Oura ring also measures HRV (heart rate variability), a measure of stress on your body. This device is useful for understanding your sleep—a fundamental pillar of health—so you can then biohack your sleep to get more restorative Zzzs.” Barnes also recommends Oura for its ability to detect an oncoming illness using data such as increased body temperature, heart rate, or respiration rate.
Technological advancements are recent game changers in the functional health space. Barnes believes these innovations are beneficial for diagnostics, expedited healing, and supercharging our cells for ultimate wellbeing. Below are her recommendations for at-home tech purchases (all of which she uses herself), which can help us understand and level up our health.
precision medicine testing and a wide variety of similar procedures at her clinic, LYV Wellness Space, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Opposite: Viome is recommended by Barnes for tracking gut and oral health. Photo courtesy of Viome VIEMAGAZINE.COM
Above: PhotoCleveland,WellnessherfortestingencouragesBarneswellnessandplanningpatientsthroughclinic,LYVSpace,inOhio.byBrianKaiser
VIOME Viome is an easy at-home test kit Barnes recommends for gut and oral health. “Gut testing is critical for better health,” she emphasizes. “Your gut and brain are directly connected, so your gut health impacts your brain health. With Viome, you can submit a simple stool test and a few drops of blood to understand your gut health and food sensitivities better. They also offer custom supplements tai lored to exactly what your body needs.”
Tech RECOMMENDATIONS:
InsideTracker also gives you a personalized plan to improve biomarkers that need work.” Barnes offers
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Diagnostics
To learn more about biohacking and to upgrade your health, follow Kayla Barnes on Instagram @kaylabarnes, listen to her podcast, Brain Biohacking, and connect with her at KaylaBarnes.com. In an age where high-performance is at the forefront of our minds, longevity, immunity, and increased functionality are more crucial than ever before.
RED LIGHT THERAPY
Biology Upgrading
To biohack your life and regain control over your health narrative, Barnes empowers you to master the basics: deep sleep, balanced nutrition, soaking up sunlight each morning, prioritizing movement, and testing your biomarkers regularly (approxi mately every six months).
“I love red light therapy, and it is part of my daily practice. Red light is known for its topical benefits, like reducing inflammation in the skin, increasing elasticity, and helping to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Infrared light is great for deeper healing and can boost mitochondrial function. Our mito chondria are the powerhouses of our cells, so better mitochondrial function equals more energy.”
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“This can be a helpful therapy for reducing inflam mation, improving heart rate variability, and helping with athletic recovery. PEMF mimics natural healing frequencies from the earth. We know the benefits of grounding are backed by science, and PEMF offers incredible healing advantages.”
PULSE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD THERAPY (PEMF)
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THE SMART UPGRADE Tesla Cybertruck Price upon request – Tesla.com Going Somewhere?1 94 | SEPTEMBER 2022
Leave the past in the past, especially when it comes to technology! The right gadget makes it easier to cook a gourmet meal, clean your house, or track your health, so why not? It is hard to stay up to date on the latest technology breakthroughs, but in this upgraded collection, we’ve added the best gadgets to help guide you through the jungle of tech. Travel into the future while you have fun shopping!
Hydrow Indoor Rowing Machine $2,495 – Hydrow.com Row, Row, Row6 Polaroid Now+ Camera $150 – Nordstrom.com Instant Nostalgia 8 Apple AirPods Max $549 – Apple.com Listen to the Pro2 Gucci x Oura Ring $950, Preorder by phone – (877) 482-2430 Healthy Luxury 4 Loewe + Paula’s Ibiza Strapless sequined stretch-crepe mini dress $2,600 – Net-A-Porter.com Blue Dream 3 Amazon Astro Household Robot $1,000 – Amazon.com YourRebootHome 7 Réduit Boost Smart Beauty Device $169 – Reduit.com Supercharged 5 Skincare VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 95 C’est la vie
YSL Rouge Sur Mesure Color Cartridge Trio $89 – YSLBeautyUS.com The Perfect Shade9 96 | SEPTEMBER 2022
Dyson Purifier Humidify + Cool Formaldehyde Destroyer $920 – Dyson.com PurifyCleanse& 11 Drinkmate OmniFizz Sparkling Water and Soda Maker $110 – iDrinkProducts.com Just Add Bubbles 14 Essential Home x Karim Rashid Kay Sofa Price on request – EssentialHome.eu She’s Curvy12 Marshall Emberton Portable Speaker $170 – Nordstrom.com Movin’ with the Groove16 Apollo Neuro’s Wearable Stress Relief Bracelet $399 – ApolloNeuro.com Wearing Your Emotions10 Tineco Pure ONE S15 Pet Smart Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner $499 – Store.Tineco.com All-In-One15 Nanoleaf Lines Smart Light Bars Smarter Kit $180 – Nanoleaf.me Floating Lights13 VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 97 C’est la vie
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Visit Starship.xyz to learn more. Photo courtesy of Starship
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Love,VIExo
Look both ways before you cross the street; you might bump into a robot carrying some one’s dinner! These unassuming vehicles launched by Starship, a company developing fully autonomous delivery vehicles, operate in several cities worldwide. They can navigate around objects and people, and the recipient can open them securely via a smartphone app. A team of humans tracks the robot along the way in case a rescue mission is warranted.
L’intermission
Meals on Wheels
As vehicular technology advances, efficiency and comfort remain top of mind. The Tesla Model S Plaid is the epitome of the aforementioned qualities, with a seventeen-inch touchscreen that has the responsiveness for games and movies while incorporating an autopilot that can steer, brake, and accelerate. Take to the roads in the newly designed chassis with optimized aerodynamics and a refined style. With features including auto lane change and a battery range of 405 miles, you can truly unplug and go farther.
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SEE THE WORLDVoyager Voyager To learn more about the Tesla Model S Plaid, visit ofPhotoTesla.com.courtesyTesla
SHORE Planes, Cars, and Ferries ATHING 104 | SEPTEMBER 2022 Voyager
By KELLY CURRY courtesy of ELEPHANT
WHITE
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Photography
antucket, ACK, and The Gray Lady are just a few names used to describe this historic island off the coast of Massachusetts. I remem ber my mother talking about trips there when she was a girl, but grow ing up in the central US always kept it off my radar. So, when asked if my husband, Alex, and I wanted to take a quick trip to explore Nantucket this summer, our answer was a resounding yes! Little did we know that it would be an adventure just to get there. When my alarm went off at 4:00 a.m., my mind was full of excitement and nerves. Leading up to this trip, I had heard so many stories about canceled flights. My heart immediately sank when Alex came upstairs with the sound of customer service music playing over the phone. He had double-checked the status of our flights, and because the first one was delayed, we would miss our final leg to Nantucket. After trying to get rerouted into ACK, our customer service representative shared that our best option was to fly into Providence, Rhode Island.
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The White Elephant Nantucket has accommoda tions to suit just about any taste. We were located at the Harborside Hotel, where we enjoyed a cup of coffee each morning with a view of the water. As a bonus, we were just a short walk from town and a stone’s throw from the in-house restaurant, Brant Point Grill. In addition to the Harborside Hotel, White Elephant Nantucket offers ten Garden Cottages, twenty-five units in six buildings known as the Residences, fourteen suites and six deluxe guest rooms at the Inn, and two Downtown Lofts. The property is family-friendly, offering bikes, a pool, and easy access to a beach area with a playground. We couldn’t wait to explore the town on our first day in Nantucket. I had made lunch reservations at the fan-favorite CRU restaurant, and it did not disappoint. We ordered what felt like one of everything, but in reality, it was clam chowder, shrimp cocktail, and the classic lobster roll. Alex tried the CRUcumber cocktail, and I had the CRU Bloody Mary. We loved the place so much that we went back the next day. After lunch, we wandered around in the amazing local shops. There was something new to see at every turn, but some of my favorite stores were Dawn, Eleish Van Breems Home, Sara Campbell, Veronica Beard, and Milly & Grace. Next, we stopped for a pick-me-up at The Juice Bar before heading into the Whaling Museum to learn about Nantucket’s roots and how the island became the beautiful destination it is today. Fun fact: the phrase “There she blows!” became a famous saying because of whaling ships. The sailors would say this whenever they spotted a whale surfacing. Above: The White Elephant Lawn is perfect for weddings and events. Above left: Don’t miss the Brant Point Grill’s Lobster Bloody Mary! Right: The White Elephant Nantucket’s pool is the perfect place to relax. Far Right: The White Elephant Nantucket offers guest rooms at the Harborside Hotel, the Inn, the Garden Cottages, and the Downtown Lofts.
can only describe our day of travel as some thing you might watch on The Amazing Race. We needed everything to go perfectly from the time we landed in Providence to when we boarded the ferry in Hyannis to make it to the island that evening in time for our dinner and hotel reservations. We had to find a rental car, get an Uber to pick it up, and drive to the ferry that could take us to Nantucket. The whole day was a nail-biter! (It seems that this is the norm with air travel in the newly post-COVID world, so I recommend travelers give themselves a whole day to get to and fro.) We did catch the last ferry to the island, which took about an hour to deliver safely to Nantucket. To say we were relieved is an Fromunderstatement.themomentwe stepped onto the brick and cobblestone streets, we knew all of our crazy travel escapades weren’t for nothing. Upon arriv ing at our accommodations for the next few days, it became clear the White Elephant Nantucket was a magical place. The property alone is stun ning and immaculately kept, and its rooms are welcoming and charming; but it’s the staff who make this luxury hotel a favorite in our books. Everyone we spoke with was helpful and kind, and we loved getting a tour of the property from the hotel’s general manager, Bettina Landt. Her love for being a hotelier is evident, and we enjoyed learning some Nantucket history from her as a twenty-plus-year island resident.
fter our history lesson at the museum, we returned to the White Elephant to get ready for dinner at Brant Point Grill, where we enjoyed the Burrata salad, sirloin steak tartare, lob ster and scallop risotto, and berries and cream for dessert. We gave it a chef’s kiss—everything was superb! After dinner, we took a short walk down to see the Brant Point Lighthouse and watched a few boats coming in and out of the channel before walking over to Bar Yoshi for a final evening beverage.
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The beauty of this property is that it is designed for you to stay, relax, and be taken care of by the fabulous staff.
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On our second full day in Nantucket, we were fortunate to be selected in the lot tery to have one of White Elephant’s complimentary BMWs to drive around the island for four hours. We made quick work of the things we wanted to see, like the Bluff Walk in Siasconset (’Sconset, for short) on the island’s east side, where we stumbled upon the most delicious breakfast sandwich from Claudette’s. From ’Sconset, we headed west to the opposite side of the island to check out local favorite Cisco Brewers. We could have spent an entire afternoon at Cisco—it has an awesome vibe—but we had to get the car returned, and it was time for us to catch our ride back east to The Wauwinet.
The Wauwinet offers thirty-three guest rooms, tennis courts, stand-up paddleboards, beach chairs, bikes, shuttle service into town, and much more. The beauty of this property is that it is designed for you to stay, relax, and be taken care of by the fabulous staff. They
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or our final night on the island, we had the pleasure of staying at The Wauwinet (pronounced “wah-win-net”). Known as the quintessential Nantucket experi ence, our stay matched up with what one would expect from that epithet: peaceful, relaxing, and breathtaking. Everything at The Wauwinet is top-notch. When we arrived, we had the pleasure of touring the property with Eric Landt, the general manager. Side note if the name sounds familiar from earlier: Bettina and Eric are married, and it was so much fun getting to know them both. Eric showed us the Atlantic Ocean, the bay where the property has an oyster farm, the wine cellar (wow!), and everything in between. are amazing and will gladly help with anything you might need. It’s hard to wrap a place like Nantucket into just a few short pages, just as it was hard to explore everything in a few short days. What we know for sure is that the island was an unforgettable experience and a place that we now have on our list for a return trip. We are so thankful to the White Elephant and The Wauwinet and their wonderful teams—both properties are stunning and worth looking into for your next visit to ACK!
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Before leaving us for the evening, Eric arranged for Alex and me to have the ultimate experience at The Wauwinet’s in-house restaurant, Topper’s, by allowing the chef to prepare whatever he felt like. What an end to a great day! Listed below is our menu for the evening, minus the wine pairings, which were also excellent. I cannot recommend Topper’s enough. Pro-tip: when you make your dinner reservation, ask about booking the sunset cruise for drinks before dinner.
Visit WhiteElephantNantucket.com and Wauwinet.com to learn more or book your stay.
The Chef’s Menu Experience at Topper’s 1/2 Dozen Retsyo Oysters (Straight from the Wauwinet Oyster Farm) Lobster and Crab Cakes Hudson Valley Foie Gras Butter Poached Lobster Prime New York Strip Steak Frites Rose Pavlova (Hibiscus sorbet with strawberry consommé) Nantucket Cobblestone (Maracaibo chocolate, hazelnut, and salted caramel ice cream) Nettle Meadow Farm Artisan Cheese with Honey and Fig Top: The Wauwinet Parlor Lobby Middle: The Wauwinet Anchorage House Left: Take a bike ride down to Wauwinet Beach for some fun in the sun. Opposite: WauwinetThelawn offers incredible views all day long. VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 109
Photography courtesy of VISIT SOUTH WALTON
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Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort gives you access to four championship courses from iconic designers Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Rees Jones and Tom Jackson – including Links Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club, Raven Golf Club and Burnt Pine Golf Club. In all, you can explore 73 holes (you'll have to play The Raven to discover the 73rd). These courses offer spec tacular views of the Choctawhatchee Bay, marshes, wetlands and pine forests. All courses are open to the public with the exception of Burnt Pine Golf Club, which is exclusive to club members and resort guests.
mong the countless positives, Walton County is well known for its beautiful scenery and myriad offerings to please all visitors. So it should come as no surprise that these characteristics also apply to the local golf scene. From the 16 beach neigh borhoods to north of the Choctawhatchee Bay, there is a wide variety of courses that welcome all levels of experience. And speaking of, a complete experience is what you can expect. Combining unique challenges with stunning natural backdrops, here are some of the courses to start your exploration.
PARADISE
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No Weak Links
GOLFER
Among its many accolades, Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club has been named “Best Golf Course” by Destin Magazine and boasts eighteen holes of “The Purest Golf in the Florida Panhandle,” according to Golf Magazine. Established in 1969, the course is designed perfectly for walking, as it meanders through beautiful natural wildlife habitats and native areas. It boasts some of the only elevation changes in the area and takes golfers within a few hundred yards of the Gulf of Mexico. The course and club recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation that was unveiled in 2021. Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club is exclusive to members. Located within Seascape Resort, the par-70, 6,100-yard championship Seascape Golf Course was designed by famed course architect Joe Lee. It showcases 18 immaculate greens and contoured fairways that wind through lush tall-pine forests. It’s also situated among a series of freshwater and coastal dune lakes, with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico from many holes. The course also offers the Purestrike Golf Academy to help refine your swing.
Occasional water hazards lurk along the way, and approach shots must contend with the numerous bunkers guarding the large, smooth greens.
WITH AN UNDENIABLE BALANCE OF NATURE AND DESIGN, THE “SILVERTOOTHNORMAN-DESIGNEDGREGSHARK'SGOLFCOURSEISONEOF40GOLFCLUBSWORLDWIDETHATHASBEENRECOGNIZEDASANAUDUBONINTERNATIONALSIGNATURESANCTUARY”MEMBER.
Blackstone Golf Course combines a peaceful back drop with a challenging design. Carved through the beautiful, rolling terrain, the course includes unique elevation changes and slanted fairways. The staff here places a strong emphasis on service, and they are steadily working to improve the course. So grab your clubs and start strolling these Walton County courses. It’s a great way to spend some time with family and close friends or to simply get out and clear your head. When you step back to size up your approach, you’ll appreciate the fresh perspec tive and the sense of challenge.
Opposite left: Burnt Pine Golf Club at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
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Opposite right: Raven Golf Club at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Curious about finding an exclusive membership? Watersound Club offers access to three incredible golf courses, each of which has won prestigious awards and been named to top lists. Enjoy the quiet solitude of the challenging Camp Creek Golf Course, where the well-manicured turf of the undulated fairways blends perfectly with the surrounding native plants. With an undeniable balance of nature and design, the Greg Norman-designed Shark's Tooth Golf Course is one of 40 golf clubs worldwide that has been recognized as an Audubon International “Silver Signature Sanctuary” member. And the Origins Course is a par-3 Scottishstyle course ideal for new golfers and family play. Formally known as DeFuniak Springs Country Club, Eagle Springs Golf Course has been a mainstay in Walton County for the past 94 years and is on Florida’s Historic Golf Trail. Despite a name change in 2019, it still retains the same charm as when it was founded in 1924. Golf teams from all the local schools use it for their practices and tournaments. In addition to the 18-hole golf course, the 194 acres of surrounding land feature five beautiful spring-fed lakes. Windswept Dunes Golf Club is home to a dramatic landscape with rolling fairways and white sand dunes on each hole. Player-friendly features include fairways that are often wide and generous off the tee. However, that’s not to say the course lacks a sporting obstacle.
Above: Eagle Springs Golf Course
An ancient statue at the famous archaeologicalunderwatersiteofBaiainItalyPhotobyDaniloMongiello/Dreamstime.com Opposite: A statue of Odysseus in Claudius’s JeremynymphaeumPhotobyBrown/Dreamstime.com ITALY'SDEPTHSHIDDEN PRESERVING SUNKEN TREASURES 112 | SEPTEMBER 2022 Voyager
“We need to get in situ, real-time, continuous data to protect everything under water: the environment, the cultural heritage,” professor of computer engineering at Sapienza University of Rome Chiara Petrioli tells me over Zoom. But this relies on communication, a challenge in an ocean environment where electromagnetic waves can’t transmit. “We’re using sound like marine animals do to chat with one another,” Petrioli explains of the technology that she, together with a SWAT team of archaeolo gists, engineers, and computer science specialists, are deploying in Baia. It’s part of a more comprehensive project called Musas, founded in 2017 to protect the underwater archaeological heritage of two other Italian sites, Egnazia in Puglia and Calabria’s Caulonia.
hen we think of Italy’s rich Roman heritage, spectacular sites like Rome’s domed Pantheon and Verona’s sonically perfect amphitheater come to mind. Little thought is given to the ancient relics relegated to the depths of the country’s four seas, which fringe 4,500 miles of the boot-shaped peninsula.
By using a network of innovative sensors capable of measuring the water’s CO2 levels, locating a diver, and even taking pictures, Petrioli plans to “make an under water wireless observatory.”
Designated a marine protected area two decades ago, the 437-acre underwater archaeological park is awash with millennia-old mosaic tiles, Roman columns, ruined villas, and even oriental fish ponds. With most of these sites submerged four to six meters below the surface (around fifteen to twenty feet), it’s not only divers but also W canoeists and glass-bottomed boat passengers who can turn the clock back to the second century AD when they visit. Like Roman relics above the waterline, these subterranean antiquities aren’t immune to the elements and increasing climate change. Cue the pioneering proj ect working to conserve Italy’s sunken past for future generations with the help of groundbreaking acoustic technology.
Three times the size of Pompeii and now submerged six feet under the Tyrrhenian Sea, Baia (pronounced “bye-eye”) is located in the Gulf of Naples, which stretches twenty-five miles along Italy’s southwestern coast. Nicknamed “the Las Vegas of the Roman Empire,” Baia was a honeypot two millennia ago for emperors, including Augustus, who built holiday homes on its doomed slopes. The seaside resort was buried in the annals of history for fifteen hundred years until Italian Air Force pilot Raimondo Baucher eyed it from the skies in 1940.
The
While Pompeii was buried in ash and its better-preserved neighbor, Herculaneum, was swallowed by mud, another of southern Italy’s flourishing resort cities was sent to its watery grave by bradyseism. Defined as a gradual rise or fall in the earth’s crust, though slow-moving, this volcanic phenomenon can be devastatingly destructive.
skiesitBaucherpilotItalianyearsfifteenofinresortseasidewasburiedtheannalshistoryforhundreduntilAirForceRaimondoeyedfromthein1940.
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A Right:
Harnessing 3D technology, Musas's second app “allows the divers to see the site as it would have originally been, using virtual reality.“
Petrioli explains how the project is also “giving us missing big data on the oceans,” explaining that “climate change is posing a risk for underwater cultural heritage. Satellites only provide information about the very superficial layers of the sea.”
With the help of one permanent acoustic sensor anchored (in a protective casing) to the seabed, the team is recording the ocean’s vital stats: temperature, pH, salinity, and oxygen. And, crucially, it’s all in real time.
Enthroned now stands alongside Emperor Claudius’s sister in the fifteenth-century castle-turned-museum Campi Flegrei, part of the Campi Flegrei Archaeological Park.
Another crucial piece in the team’s technological arsenal is an AI-supported under water wireless video system, created “to see anyone who shouldn’t be there, because you need to protect what you discover,” Petrioli asserts. This surveillance setup may also shed light on the stone and marble-burrowing aquatic life slowly defacing Baia’s statues, a process known as bioerosion.
fter years of prototypes, July 2020 marked a watershed moment for the project. A dozen wet-suited archaeologists (including Musas’s scientific director Barbara Davidde) descended to Baia’s murky depths. In addition to wearing miniature versions of the acoustic sensors, they wielded waterproof smart tablets to test the technol ogy. This included chatting over an underwater WhatsApp, one of two different apps developed by the team. “This app could help archaeologists excavating a site to communicate with those on the surface and ask for instruments without having to go up and down,” Petrioli explains. “The technology also supports underwater GPS,” she continues. This tech enables archaeologists to more accurately locate artifacts like Baia’s yet-to-be-dated multi colored mosaic that decorates the foundations of a bathhouse. These grand domed structures were fed by curative volcanic springs—the very thing that lured Rome’s nobility here in the first place and sealed Baia’s explosive fate. Harnessing 3D technology, Musas’s second app “allows the divers to see the site as it would have originally been, using virtual reality,” Petrioli tells me. One such sunken treasure is Emperor Claudius’s nymphaeum. Described as a “grotto of pleasure,” it’s studded with replica Despitestatues.excavations of this real-life Atlantis getting underway in 1960, opportunistic divers still swam off with ancient amphorae. Several statues were also carted off overseas, with one ending up at LA’s Getty Museum. Rightfully returned in 2018, the figure of Zeus A statue of Dionysus with a crown of ivy innymphaeumClaudius’s Below: Divers observing the stunning ornate tessellate in the Dreamstime.comJeremyruinssubmergedofBaiaPhotosbyBrown/ Opposite: Photo Dreamstime.comGherzak/by
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“We hope this project will evolve, resulting in more marine parks and underwater cultural heritage sites,” Petrioli tells me, explaining that Musas’s underwater wire less sensor network has now been partially installed in Baia. “We want to be able to replicate this technology for Italy and beyond.”
To learn more about the project, visit ProgettoMusas.eu.
here’s also the potential to monitor volcanic activity. The team conducted trials for temporary installation sensors to measure CO2 levels close to the volcanic vents that bubble up the ruins. Baia sits in the shadow of one of the most populated active volcanoes on earth, the Phlegraean Fields. Though slumbering right now, the eight-milewide supervolcano (one of twenty in the world) still emits sulfurous jets of steam.
Back in the water, Baia’s story is still being written as artifacts continue to be dredged from the sea floor, the most recent discovery being a massive marble column uncovered last October. “There are at least a thousand sites off our coast, and likely more,” Petrioli says of the country’s submerged archaeological riches. The technology has already been tested at two: the first on Ponza, a hilly island off central Italy’s western coast, and the second in Puglia, aka the rustic heel of Italy’s “boot.” Only last year, Italy’s Ministry of Culture established a new department dedicated to conserving the country’s underwater historical relics.
Our second luxury coffee table book, COOK by VIE, debuts in 2022 as a celebration of Cocktails, Cuisine & Culture. Contact editor-in-chief Lisa Burwell to find out how to get involved at (850) 687-5393 or email Lisa@VIEmagazine.com. Published by CO OK Cocktails Cuisine Culture
Photo courtesy of NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
To learn more about the James Webb Space Telescope and its findings, visit Webb.nasa.gov.
The James Webb Space Telescope recently captured Stephan’s Quintet, depicting five galaxies—four of which interact. The colliding galaxies pull and stretch each other in a beautiful gravitational dance. As a result, the Webb telescope is already revolutionizing our knowledge of star formation and gas interactions.
A Galaxy Far, Far Away VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 117 Petite pause
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VIE X HARRY STYLES X THE CONRAD NEW YORK MIDTOWN
The VIE team took a voyage to the Big Apple to celebrate the August 2022 issue by attending cover star Harry Styles’s Love On Tour at the famed Madison Square Garden. The show, of course, did not disap point! Nor did the accommodations at The Conrad New York Midtown hotel, a luxurious new Hilton property just a couple of blocks from Central Park, shopping, the excitement of Broadway, and much more. We look forward to another stay in New York soon!
Charlotte Thomas, Tracey Thomas, Jordan Staggs, Lisa Marie Burwell, Sally Neal, Addie Strickland, Emme Martin, and Kelly Curry at La Grande Boucherie
VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 119 La scène
Charlotte and Tracey Thomas at The Plaza
Kelly Curry, Sally Neal, Jordan Staggs, and Addie Strickland Emma Crowley and Ally Hutchings in the pit for Harry Styles Jordan Staggs and Kelly Curry at Oscar Wilde NYC Jordan HeritagerepresentingStaggsThe– A Show Home Jordan, Kelly, Sally, Addie, and Emme at SquareMadisonGarden
Harry Styles performs Harry’s House at Madison Square Garden.
VIE Legacy
Missy Herrington from Ohana Institute and Tiffanie Nelson Nelson with members of the Resortfromfundraisingfirst-placeteamNewman-DaileyProperties
Food For Thought Outreach celebrated the begin ning of the school year with its ninth annual Stock the Pantry Party at FFT headquarters on August 25, 2022. The nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser helps their team and volunteers provide backpacks of healthy food to children in need across schools in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. This year’s fun draising competition, which runs throughout the summer, raised $91,366 and collected 40,000 food items! You can give or learn more about volunteering at FFTFL.org.
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Tiffanie Nelson and Lisa Marie Burwell
Photos by 20/30north Studio
The Chapel at Seaside team
NINTH ANNUAL STOCK
THE PANTRY PARTY
Photo by Kelly Curry FFT founder Tiffanie Nelson and Lori Ellen Ward of Legendary Marine, the first-place team for the food drive
Will Burns, Iysha Cawthon, Jeff Dannelly, and Coley McMillan
Photos by Davista Photography Sarah Svoboda and Jane Bahr
Chrissy Wetzel, Mary Schutz Kalkbrenner, Morag Rosa, and Debbie and Kelley Mossburg
CVHN MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC REVEAL
Megan Trent and Jane Bahr
On August 25, the Children’s Volunteer Health Network invited VIP friends, board members, and special guests to check out Niecy, the nonprofit’s new mobile restorative dental clinic. The bus will park at local schools in Walton and Okaloosa Counties to provide students with complete dental procedures. The organization’s second mobile clinic is named in memory of Denise Lisciotti, who served area kids through CVHN for thirteen years before she passed away in 2021. To learn more about supporting CVHN, visit CVHNkids.org.
VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 121 La scène
Kate MacMillan, Karah Young, and Mindy Holscher
EPISODE 1: “RESCUE ME” .................................................................................................. with Laurie Hood EPISODE 2: “VIE ADVENTURES, PART 1” .......................................................................... with Tracey Thomas EPISODE 3: “PIVOT WITH YOUR TRIBE” ........................................................................... with Brittney Kelley EPISODE 4: “VIE ADVENTURES, PART 2” ............................................................................ with Jordan Staggs EPISODE 5: “LOVE THE REP” ............................................................................................. with Brook Stetler EPISODE 6: “FIT FOR LIFE” ...................................................................................... with Zoltan “Zoli” Nagy EPISODE 7: “LIFE IS A BATTLEFIELD” ................................................................................. with Geoff Speyrer EPISODE 8: “ART ON THE SPECTRUM: SEEING WHAT OTHERS CANNOT” ........................ with Nathan Alan Yoakum EPISODE 9: “A DYNAMIC DUO: LIVING AN ADVENTUROUS LIFE” ........... with Romona Robbins & Shane Reynolds EPISODE 10: “KEEPING THE ARTS ALIVE IN 2021” ................................................................. with Alexis Miller EPISODE 11: “THE GODFATHER OF NEW URBANISM” .............................................................. with Robert Davis EPISODE 12: “DANCING THROUGH FIRE” .......................................................................... with Danielle Torley EPISODE 13: “SUNSHINE STATE OF MIND” ............................................................................ with Brian Kelley EPISODE 14: “FEEDING A COMMUNITY” ........................................................................... with Tiffanie Nelson EPISODE 15: “FASHION, ART & MODERN DESIGN” ............................................................... with Todd D. Reeves EPISODE 16: “CHASING WAVES” ......................................................................................... with Jonah Allen EPISODE 17: “SOUL-FULL ART THAT HEALS” .................................................................... with Margaret Biggs EPISODE 18: “RACING TO THE FINISH LINE FOR A GOOD CAUSE” ....................................... with Corcoran Reverie EPISODE 19: “A CHANGE-MAKER FOR GOOD” ..................................................................... with Julian Lennon EPISODE 20: “A VERY MAGNETIC CHRISTMAS ALBUM” ......................................................... with Morgan James EPISODE 21: “LOOKING TO THE STARS” .............................................................................. with Jane Poynter EPISODE 22: “ALL THINGS REAL ESTATE” ............................................................................... with Brad Reese EPISODE 23: “KEEP YOUR PLANTS ON” ........................................................................... with Lindsay Tobias EPISODE 24: “THE MAGIC OF TRANSFORMATION” ............................................ with Allyson Justice Longshore EPISODE 25: “THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME: THE SEASIDE STYLE ® ” ........................................... with Erica Pierce EPISODE 26: “THE MAN BEHIND THE CAMERA: A PHOTOGRAPHER’S JOURNEY” ................. with Chandler Williams EPISODE 27: “ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL” ................................................................. with Christian Siriano EPISODE 28: “A CREATIVE FORCE” .............................................................................. with Ashley Longshore EPISODE 29: “SURFING, LOVING LIFE, AND CHAMPIONING FOR GOOD” ................................ with Dave Rauschkolb WATCH OR LISTEN TO VIE SPEAKS | CONVERSATIONS WITH HEART & SOUL Listen on Spotify | Watch on YouTube | Subscribe on iTunes | viemagazine.com
1ACROSSInternet related 5 Microsoft’s cloud software 8 Spa liquid 9 Like the Metaverse 10 Completed 11 Technology used in improving car safety 13 Connected to the internet (as in many home devices now) 15 Search engine marketing technology, for short 16 One measure of a website’s success (2 words) 20 Acidity factor 22 Alien from a 1982 film 23 Close, so to speak 25 New type of computing which can handle very large problems 27 Lord of the Rings evil warrior 28 @ 30 Self-driving, as in cars and trucks 32 BBQ piece 34 Main speaker at an event, e.g. 35 Amazon's cloud software, abbr. BY MYLES MELLOR A DIGITAL LIFE Solution on next page The Last Word 1DOWNCreate software 2 Experts 3 More pure 4 Internet laughter symbol 5 Amazon's talking helper 6 Most recent release of a software 7 Small whirlpool 12 Lady in the Bible 13 Visit 14 Was cut, like a lawn 15 In ___ (“as found”) 17 Equipment 18 Screen 19 California national park 21 Breaks into a computer system illegally 24 Machines programmed to do the work 25 Hypothetical fundamental particle 26 Early internet expert who gave his name to a law about the future increase of transistor size, Gordon _____ 29 Connect 31 One, in Spanish 33 Alongside VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 123
It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.
The Last Word Puzzle on previous page
“ ” —Albert Einstein
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Au revoir! BEFORE YOU GO . . . Au revoir! To learn more about Paradero ParaderoHotels.comSantos,TodosvisitorfollowthemonInstagram@paraderohotels.PhotocourtesyofParaderoHotels
VIEMAGAZINE.COM | 127
Technology is an ever-rotating glass door with advances and setbacks. However, an appreciation for ancient rituals and centuries-old wisdom keeps us connected and rooted in our past. The Ojo de Agua Spa and Wellness Center at Paradero Todos Santos takes you on a personal wellness journey through water-based therapies and invigorating massages based on ancient Mexican healing treatments. Now and then, it is good to step back from technology and take a deep breath of relief.
P r i v a t e r e s i d e n c e i n A l y s B e a c h , F l o r i d a , f e a t u r i n g L o e w e n w i n d o w s a n d c u s t o m a r c h i t e c t u r a l m i l l w o r k b y E . F. S a n J u a n A r c h i t e c t : M c A l p i n e Ta n k e r s l e y A r c h i t e c t u r e | B u i l d e r : A l y s B e a c h C o n s t r u c t i o n | P h o t o : J a c k G a r d n e r
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