A Charlotte LadyCat
By Jay Betsill
Special to DFW.com
The Dallas Mavericks Dancers held their 2016 Swimsuit Calendar Release Party at The Owner’s Box sports bar inside the massive Omni Hotel in downtown Dallas.
A capacity crowd estimated between 375-400 fans packed the place for the opportunity to meet the dancers. All 20 of the Mavs Dancers were on hand to sign copies of the calendar and pose for pictures with the fans during the event that ran from 6-8 p.m.
The swimsuit calendar, which was shot on location at the luxurious Branded T Ranch in Kendalia, TX with swimsuits provided by Bask Boutique, is 28 pages and features all 20 of the Mavs Dancers. The calendars were sold for half price as a special for those who attended the party.
“I was so excited when I saw the final calendar,” said rookie Mavs Dancer Sydney. “It was revealed to us and I had no idea that I was January, so when I opened it up and it was the first thing I saw, it was very special.
“Everybody’s pictures look amazing,” she continued. “They’re flawless, the way the photographers captured the images and when you see the final product, there is so much thought and creativity that went into it that it really is an honor to be a part of it.”
There was food and drink specials going on during the party and they raffled off prizes including tickets to Mavs home games at American Airlines Center, team merchandise at The Hangar and workout packages from D1 Sports Training and Therapy in Dallas. Entertainment for the party was provided by DJ EJ.
“I am taking care of several Christmas presents tonight,” said 32-year old Mavs fan Jake, who purchased eight copies of the calendar. “I had planned on getting four calendars, but after I posted on Facebook that I was here at the party, several texts came in and I ended up having to go back and buy a few more.”
As the evening was about the wrap up, the Mavs Dancers all took the stage in front of the huge crowd to present the owner of Branded T Ranch with a framed No. 16 Dallas Mavericks jersey as a special thank you for hosting their calendar photo shoot.
“Tonight was a very special night,” said third year veteran Mavs Dancer Kathryn. “It was really cool that we had such a great turnout of Mavericks fans that care about the dancers. They wanted to meet us and get our autographs and we feel very loved tonight.”
Lots more photos ” target=”_blank”>here.
The purr-fect ending: Former cheerleader rescues terminally-ill cat and creates a varied and unique bucket list for him so he can truly enjoy his final few months of life
By Valerie Siebert
DAILYMAIL.COM
A former cheerleader who rescued an elderly cat from a shelter has created a bucket list for him to help him enjoy his final months.
Adriene Buisch, 31, a marketing coordinator at Charm City Veterinary Hospital and former Baltimore Ravens cheerleader met 21-year-old Tigger after learning about him on a community Facebook page.
The senior, ginger cat had been abandoned at a Baltimore shelter where he was unlikely to be adopted due to his age.
If Adriene hadn’t found him, it’s likely he would have been put to sleep.
But lucky for Tigger, the 31-year-old was utterly charmed by him and took him home to live with herself, her boyfriend and their other six-year-old cat Stuart.
‘We looked at each other and we were like, “We’re taking that cat,”‘ she told the Baltimore Sun. ‘When we brought him home that night it was like he never forgot what it was like to have pillows and blankets.’
But the old boy had matted fur, and was very thin for his size and, despite them putting him on a diet to gain weight, was guzzling around a gallon of water per day. So, Adriene took him to the vet to have him checked out.
Sadly, she was informed that poor Tigger was deathly ill. His kidneys were failing and they subsequently discovered that he had a tumor the size of a golf ball.
The vet asked if, knowing all this information, that Ariene wanted to keep him. Her answer was an emphatic yes.
‘Though he is in kidney failure and we found a tumor, he kicks it like a 12-year-old. So we created a bucket list for our old man Tigger,’ she said.
On Thanksgiving weekend the little family took a trip to Bethany Beach in Delaware, which has been his favorite trip yet.
‘[He] literally sunbathed in the sand and walks along the water all afternoon,’ said Adriene. ‘Needless to say he made a lot of friends as people stopped to pet him and hear his story.’
Upcoming plans for the aging feline include a trip to Florida to visit family over the Christmas holidays.
More photos here.
By Adam Swift
Patch Staff
Michelle Nigro is a former New England Patriots Cheerleader, Swampscott resident, and current PR professional who has started a new business, Town Barre, in Swampscott and Marblehead.
Nigro said she is hoping to bring the craze of bootybarre and barre workouts to the area.
We recently asked Michelle a few questions about her background and her new enterprise.
Can you tell us a little bit about your background with fitness and how you decided to open Town Barre?
I feel like I’ve been dancing and working out my whole life! I started dancing when I was 3 years old, as I grew up I started playing sports, learned how to work out in a gym and started trying different fitness classes. I tried out for the Patriots Cheerleaders in 2010 and was on the team for 4 years (took a year off after my 3rd year), my last game was the Super Bowl! Through cheering I had to work out a lot to stay fit – luckily I’ve always enjoyed it. It wasn’t until after I stopped cheering that working out on top of a full time job and commuting became a chore. I tried my first barre class while trying to get in shape for the Super Bowl and it worked – but beyond that it was fun! I fell in love with barre because it was an effective workout that was also enjoyable.
Going to class became an hour I had to myself to clear my head and focus on the small movements. After about 6 months taking classes, I decided that I wanted to bring great barre classes to the north shore because there wasn’t anything like the classes I was taking in Boston near my house. I’ve also always had an entrepreneurial spirit and like staying busy! I took a bootybarre training course and decided to create my own company (instead of teach under someone else) so I’d have control of the brand. I chose the name Town Barre because I want women (and men!) to feel comfortable, welcomed and excited to come to class like they would feel going to their local town bar with friends. I’d love to create a strong community of people eager to work their way to healthier body and mind on the North Shore.
Where are the businesses located and what are the hours?
I currently hold classes out of two studios. A dance studio called Studio 21 in Swampscott (21 Elm Place) and a Pilates studio called Taj Pilates in Marblehead (1 Spring St). I currently have 4 classes available each week. At Studio 21 I hold class Mondays at 7:45pm and Fridays at 6:00pm and at Taj Pilates I hold class Wednesdays at 7:00pm and Saturdays at 10:00am. Fun note: The owner of Studio 21 is a former Patriots Cheerleader as well. She was my SHS Dance Team coach and a Patriots Cheerleader while I was in high school. Seeing her experience motivated me to try out for the team and it has been so wonderful to be able to offer class at her studio now! Her name is Danielle Beatrice. She allowed me to practice all summer in her space as I was training for certification.
What will someone who is new to barre fitness discover the first time they walk into a class?
This workout is great for any age or fitness level. The classes consist of small movements that use body weight or light weight making the workout easy on joints and hard on muscles. One of my clients that has become a regular over the past month is older and had suffered from chronic leg pain for years. She recently told me her flexibility has greatly improved and she’s had some days without pain. I was overjoyed. I have to say hearing her say that has been one of the highlights of my first month in business. At the same time, 20-year-old women that come to class are sweating and say they can still feel the burn the day after.
What do you see as the challenges and rewards of opening a small business, and where do you hope to see the business in five years?
My mom has been a small business owner for 20+ years. Her spa (Essential Friends Spa) started in Swampscott and recently relocated to Salem. Through watching her my entire life I have a good sense of the challenges of a small business (not always a stead income, owners having to wear many hats, growing can be difficult etc.) and the rewards (flexible hours, doing what you love, opportunity to develop your brand). I currently still work full-time in public relations so for now, Town Barre is a “side hustle” I am extremely passionate about. Working full-time alleviates some of the challenges of owning a small business, but I do hope to slowly build my clientele and eventually in five years have a full class schedule and my own studio. It has been fun to use my public relations/social media experience for my own business – in my spare time! I’m excited to be using my twenties to find out what I am passionate about and what brings me the most joy! I’m very excited to see where this entrepreneurial journey takes me. I’ve already met so many wonderful people along the way.
By Michael Kinney
CNHI
Even though Brooke Watkins has been part of the Thunder Girls dance team, it was still a surprise to her. When she arrived at the annual calendar release party Saturday at Riverwind Casino and saw she was this year’s cover girl, the Prague native was overjoyed.
“I was shocked,” Watkins said. “I had no idea. It’s such an honor to represent on the cover. A lot of hard work and dedication that we put in before we take those photos.”
Every season the calendar seems to get bigger and bigger and more anticipated. According to Westmoore alum, Kayle Marshall, the Thunder sold more calendars this year than in any season in the past. That was evident by the amount of people who attended the release party.
“We don’t get to see the calendar until right before we go out and sign it,” said Marshall, who is featured in the November issue. “When Paige, our coach, showed us, we were all screaming, clapping. Just seeing the turnout and how many people come. So many fans came out there.”
The event ran from 5 to 7 p.m. as the team members autographed calendars and took photos with fans.
“It’s such an honor to be part of that calendar,” Moore native Sarah Jackson said. “The legacy that the Thunder girls have and to be part of that is just incredible. I am really honored to be a part of it. And to be part of it for the last three years. I actually thought I was done dancing after high school. I tried out for the Thunder girls on a whim and it ended up being the best blessing I ever had. Never imagined this would happen to me.”
As Watkins signed her autograph on various calendars and saw herself on the cover, she still couldn’t believe the position she was in.
“It is so special and such an honor that I just value so much,” Watkins said. “I just, thinking about it (Saturday) that, I never pictured myself on the cover of any type of calendar. So, to see where I’ve started and where I’ve come, it’s such an honor.
OPEN CALL AUDITION
The open call audition will take place at The Abington YMCA located at 1073 Old York Road, Abington PA 19901. Registration begins at 11 a.m. with the audition beginning promptly at 12 p.m.
Participants must be a high school graduate, at least 18 years of age by January 17, 2016 with a valid photo ID. Dancers are required to wear two-piece dance wear including a midriff top, lycra shorts, appropriate footwear with hair and make up done. Dancers will be taught a routine and do not need to prepare their own.
Experienced dancers, as well as beginners, are encouraged to audition. Applicants will be judged on dance ability, appearance, personality and attitude. The open call audition will be closed to the public. Dancers that make the first cut will proceed on to final selection.
Please contact amanda.jordan@philadelphiayellowjackets.com with any questions.
A Washington Redskins Cheerleader
I look back and think, “If I did not have this condition would I be a different person?” The truth is, I would not be who I am today if I did not have epilepsy.
By Dana Pirolli
MTV.com
Many people make it a point to not define someone by their medical condition or disorder that they endure. As much as I agree with that standard, there are so many parts of my life that I look back and think, “If I did not have this condition would I be a different person?” The truth is, I would not be who I am today if I did not have epilepsy.
I was formally diagnosed at 11 years-old after having countless absence seizures and tonic-clonic seizures. Throughout most of my adolescence and teenage years, my family and I held on to the hope that maybe I would outgrow this condition like some children. Taking my medication twice a day seemed to do the trick and throughout my teenage years, the medicine worked properly.
I began having seizures again my first year of college; I had multiple tonic-clonic seizures sporadically that year. The only people who knew were the people closest to me. I felt very isolated, delayed and powerless. All my friends were packing getting ready to go away to school and there I was, home, trying a new medication hoping that it was successful. I realized then that my life was altered. The path that I had planned had taken a complete left turn. I despised having epilepsy. I was forced to acknowledge it and I hated that the most. I just saw myself as a burden to the people around me and it made me embarrassed. Despite the lack of control in my life, that year surprisingly ended up being one of the most memorable. I attended a community college where I had no seizures during school hours, which was such a relief.
pathAfter I went six months seizure-free, I decided to try out for the 2008 Philadelphia Eagles cheerleading squad. I never thought I would actually make the team, but when I did, it truly felt like I was being given a break from all that had been happening in the past year. I felt that my life was finally back where I wanted it, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of failure. There was so much of that year to be thankful for and I was too busy focusing on how to act like everything was “normal.” The positives seem to slip on by.
I went five years with no seizures — it was the longest I have ever gone without having any. I reached a point where I was able to disconnect myself from the condition. I still took my medicine twice daily, but I began to get careless. I had a terrible diet, awful sleep schedule and took my medication at different times during the day. I know that there had to have been moments where I forgot to take it.
Finally, my body and brain had had enough of my careless ways. I ended up having eight tonic clonic seizures for the past two years, along with a few atypical absence seizures. I would go months where everything was fine and then all of a sudden, I’d have another seizure. I was forced to acknowledge it, again. But this time, I welcomed it. Instead of disassociating myself, I had learned to accept this condition, who I was and who I wanted to be. I didn’t realize how it truly was controlling my life. By me trying to ignore it, I lost sight of taking care of myself.
controllingI am so thankful for the supportive people in my life. I would be nowhere without my family. They have been there for me since the start of it all and words cannot express the level of gratitude I have for them. I am a firm believer that whatever someone’s situation may be, good or bad, it is going to shape you into who you are as an individual. I would be lying if I said that I still don’t fear certain risks or outcomes that I know exist with having epilepsy, but I think that’s what opens my eyes to the beauty of my life.
These past two years have been one of the most trying experiences with epilepsy. However, once I recognized the reality of my situation, everything seemed to fall into place. I am happier, accepting and at peace. I found who I was and discovered who I want to be. There are definitely nights where I cry and pray that eventually the right treatment will come along. After recent seizures that have occurred this year, my level of appreciation and life itself has gone up tremendously.
I want others to understand epilepsy and truly understand the facts about it. There is so much we can learn from this condition that I know it could open many doors into learning more about other mental disorders. For individuals who live with epilepsy/seizure disorder or have had a seizure in their lifetime, understand that just because you lose control of your brain and body, does not mean it should control your spirits. The strength that one possesses after a life-altering experience such as epilepsy determines more of your character than you know. The struggles that you withstand today are only the beautiful beginnings of the life you encounter tomorrow.
Congratulations to three-year veteran and Purdue graduate Tedi on representing her squad at the 2016 Pro Bowl.
Stephanie of the Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders
