Pensacola News Journal from Pensacola, Florida • 40

Page edited by Heather Shije Pagehsshijepnj.com Sunday, January 2, 201 1 Pensacola News Journal pnj.com 5E COAST LIFE Discovery of Jeanne Baret' an engrossing journey New venture introduces black children to the arts rural France in the mid-18th century, she was trained by "herb women," country folk with knowledge of medicinal plants. That led to a chance meeting with botanist Phi-libert Commerson. Hired to keep house, she became his scientific collaborator and his mistress. The depth of their professional relationship was as secret as their love affair. When naval commander Louis-Antoine de Bougainville set out in 1766 to circumnavigate the globe, Commerson was the lead naturalist.

To accompany him in spite of a royal edict forbidding women aboard the king's ships, Baret disguised herself as a young man and signed on as Commerson's valet and assistant. She quieted rumors of gender-bending by claiming to be a eunuch, thus putting off those sailors who feared such a fate or pitied such a creature. The book's title alludes to what Baret herself helped to discover, among other things the vine that bears Bougainville's name. She received no credit for her efforts and journals from the expedition dismissed her as little more than an impressive "beast of burden." Ridley ably weaves facts with inferences in revealing this unsung figure. In her hands, discovering Jeanne Baret becomes a splendid example of how to explore the past and bring it to life.

Douglass K. Daniel Associated Press The Discovery of Jeanne Baret: A Story of Science, the High Seas, and the First Woman to Circumnavigate the Globe" (Crown, $25), by Glynis Ridley: Readers who join author Glynis Ridley's fascinating literary expedition will discover far more than the life of the first woman to sail around the world. In writing The Discovery of Jeanne Baret," Ridley places her subject in the larger context of French society and enlightenment attitudes about the role of women in the world of science. Baret took extreme measures to be a part of that world. Raised in poverty in beyond anyone's wildest dreams.

"We hope to continue to provide these experiences for years to come if we can garner support from the community. We thank all those contributors who made our first event possible," Wills said. MARK YOUR CALENDAR: United Ministries fundraiser this year will present Taris Savell as their guest speaker at 10 a.m. Jan. 11 at the Wesley Abbey, former Scottish Rite Building at Palafox and Wright Streets.

Savell will talk about some of the celebrities and presidents, she has interviewed. Specialty coffees and a continental breakfast will be served. There will be a silent auction with items donated by Nina Fritz and Meadow's Jewelers as well as other door prizes. Tickets are $25 per person and proceeds go directly to United Ministries. Whitney Bank, Belks and Heaven Sent Salon are supporters of the event.

Call for tickets and details: 434-7371. NEW CHAPTER CELEBRATES: Laureate Zeta Phi, a new Laureate chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi, has celebrated a great 2010 under the leadership of Mary May. The year began with a luncheon presented by Bonnie Zeitvogel. In the fall the group worked to "Cram the Van" with school supplies and collect toiletries for comfort kits for Favor House and Waterfront Rescue Mission. Members celebrated the paradise heritage with a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" party presented by new member Laura Potter.

In November the Sawmill Band entertained the Laureate chapter with a show at Chumuckla. For Christmas, members, made tray favors for a local hospital, collected presents for a nursing home, and delivered three dozen comfort kits to Favor House and Waterfront Rescue Mission. Carol Pfieffer presented the Christmas party at her house. Ora Wills and1 Georgia Blackmon have started a new venture, ARTS QUEST. The creation Donna Freckmann of ARTS QUEST emerged from Wills' observations that very few black children have witnessed or participated in mainstream arts-related events in Pensacola.

Recently the women took a group of 26 children, accompanied by six adult chaperones to the Saenger Theatre to Pensacola Ballet's The Nutcracker." "I think they were enthralled by the magic," Wills said. Often whdti children are made aware of the role that the arts play in our lives, some are inspired to become devotees of the arts for their entire lifetimes, Wills said. Their lives are enriched by such experiences 11 1 "1 Tfc 2(o o(ofl(cjft(o' It Cancer patients who smoke report OTHt MflMUV Jnitil'M'i more severe pain wrote in a commentary accompanying the report. "Although more research is needed to understand the mechanisms that relate nicotine to pain, physicians should aggressively promote smoking cessation among cancer patients," she noted in a journal news release. "Preliminary, findings suggest that smoking cessation will improve the overall treatment response and quality of life." The American Cancer Society has more about pain.

Robert PreidtHealthDay former smokers, the longer it had been since they quit, the less pain they had, according to lead investigator Joseph W. Ditre, of the psychology department at Texas University, and colleagues. The results of the study are published in the January 2011 issue of the journal Pain. "Clinicians must do more to assist cancer patients to quit smoking after their diagnosis," Dr. Lori Bastian, of the department of internal medicine at Duke University, Durham, N.C., and the Durham VA Medical Center, patients who smoke suffer worse pain than nonsmokers, researchers have found.

The new study included 224 patients with a range of cancer diagnoses who were asked to provide information about pain severity, pain-related distress and pain-related interference. Patients who were current smokers reported more severe pain than those who never smoked and also reported more interference from pain than never smokers or former smokers. Among First Month for $20.11 With joining fee EFT sign up. New customers only, restrictions, exp. 1-31-11 8 locations with over 50 classes in Pensacola area.

jazzercise.com (800)FIT-IS-IT -v f- lis -A -S It. 4 iWiMmiiiinKirtliWi ill ullit tmmriniiHiit fo 2 Wefc comes: -A niiiniMr'n 'fc-raiiam w't ili'lliiirMIViirtrrihJw it. -l mJ i J' (J ii if if I II II Delicious Coastal Cuisine 4 MAINTENANCE-FREE LIVING Edwin Taylor, M.D. Dr. Taylor received his medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport, LA and is Board Certified in Family Practice.

He is a member of the American Academy of Family Practice and Uniformed Services Academy of Family Practice. Dr. Taylor joins FirstPhysicians after retiring from the US Navy following 28 years of distinguished service. office hours: Monday-Friday to Westside Family Medicine 6715 Hwy 98 W. Pensacola, FL 32506 Accepting new patients Call (850) 453-6737 to schedule an appointment.

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