Nicholas J. Salon & Spa Opens Their Doors in Downtown South Bend

"Go slowly, breathe, and smile." This quote, attributed to the revered Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, is also the philosophy that Sonia Stancombe, the owner of Nicholas J. Salon and Spa has adopted and tries to impart to her clientele.

This new Downtown South Bend business, which features a full-line of Aveda hair and skin care products, offers the harried and the stressed an opportunity to unwind in an urban oasis. Located behind the South Bend Chocolate Cafe, this upscale day spa has the most luxurious and relaxing of cosmetic services to tempt the weary soul. From basic manicures and aromatherapy to make up lessons and a "sugar" wax, Nicholas J. has a wide range of products and specialty services.

Stancombe plans to expand the 1,760 square foot space in the 2006 to accommodate massage and facial rooms.

Nicholas J is located at 122 S. Michigan Street. To schedule an appointment please contact 574-233-5544 or by email at nicholasjsalon@sbcglobal.net

Governor Appoints Local Hospice CEO to New State Health Services Council

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has appointed Mark Murray, President / CEO for The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., to the new Indiana Home Health Services and Hospice Services Council.

According to the new state law, the Council's purpose is to propose the adoption of rules by the Indiana State Department of Health governing the standards necessary to protect the health, safety, security, rights, and welfare of home health care patients and hospice patients.

Murray has been employed by The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. for nearly 16 years and has been its President / CEO since 1997. The Center for Hospice is a premier not-for-profit, community-based agency providing comfort and support to all people facing the end-of-life through hospice, home health and bereavement services and educating the community on end-of-life issues.

Through offices in South Bend, Plymouth and Elkhart, The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. serves St. Joseph, Marshall, Elkhart, Fulton, Kosciusko, LaGrange, LaPorte and Starke Counties.

FOCUS - A New Brand of Fitness in Michiana

Phyllis Seyler recently opened FOCUS, Mind, Body and Soul, a new women's total-health fitness center in Mishawaka. Services include a holistic approach to fitness, incorporating a faith-based environment to strengthen the minds, souls, hearts and bodies of the women of Michiana.

FOCUS, Mind, Body and Soul offers several introductory packages for women. According to Seyler, "Being a faith-based organization, our goal is to follow Biblical principals by offering grace, encouragement and a servant's heart to all those who walk through our doors." The mind, body & soul are three important components to a healthy, balanced life. Concentration on these areas is a trend in the fitness industry. The mission at FOCUS is to help women regain and maintain balance in their lives through various avenues.

FOCUS offers aerobic classes, a 30-minute circuit workout, hydraulic and cardio equipment, fitness and wellness seminars, and self-defense classes. Manager Maria Ross said, "We want to provide classes to women that meet their needs and interests. If that means cooking classes, self defense, or dressing for your body type, we will do it!" Various seminars and workshops are currently scheduled, and include topics like self-image, hormonal balance, healthy cooking, and healthy kids/families. Seminars are geared to all women, in every phase of life.

FOCUS, Mind, Body and Soul is located at 309 W. University Drive, Mishawaka, IN., near Macri's Deli. For more information visit www.Focus-4-u.com or by call Phyllis Seyler at 574-247-1200.

African Americans under-estimate their risk for stroke

A new American Stroke Association survey reveals that most African Americans (72 percent) do not think that they will ever have a stroke. In fact, about 100,000 African Americans will have a stroke this year.

While anyone can have a stroke, African Americans are at particularly high risk. According to the American Heart Association's Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2005 Update, blacks have almost twice the risk of first-ever stroke compared with whites.

That's why Yolanda King, daughter of Coretta Scott King and the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., has teamed with the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, to launch Power To End Stroke - a movement to aggressively reach African Americans, who are at highest risk.

"According to the American Stroke Association's survey, a substantial number of African Americans aren't making the connection that their ethnicity and family's history increases their stroke risk," says Bruce Ovbiagele, M.D., neurologist, UCLA Westwood Hospital and American Stroke Association spokesperson. "Some risk factors, such as family history, age, ethnicity and having a previous stroke put people at higher risk for stroke. These can't be controlled. Others ... can be changed, treated or modified."

"Stroke is not inevitable," says Dr. Ovbiagele. "Taking simple actions now against even one risk factor can help reduce the risk of having a stroke."

For more information call 1-888-4-STROKE or visit strokeassociation.org.