KEEPING THE NEWS LOCAL.... AND THE COMMUNITY CONNECTED.
VOLUME 2 EDITION 7
JULY 2021
LIVE
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LEARN
Boys & Girls Clubs 4th of July Celebrations!
July is all about Independence Day and celebrating our wonderful country! Since the 4th of July is such a fun time to celebrate, we asked the members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler Counties what their favorite things to do of the 4th are! Each month we feature one submission from each of our club contributors on different topics and below are this month’s features. We hope that you enjoy reading them as much as we have and get some tips on what fun things there are to do this Independence Day with kids!
Kameera, 11 years old NSB-Oretha Bell Club
My favorite way to celebrate the 4th of July is be with friends and family, go in the pool, celebrate and do fireworks. Most of all it is to have fun! PAGE 7
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Navaeh, 10 years old
Rymfire Club
My favorite way to celebrate the 4th of July is grill chicken on the grill and we play with pop things. Then have firecrackers in the yard and bring blankets and lay on the ground and watch them in the sky. I bring my iPhone and record it and swim in the pool. Then we eat some more food and then we play games and go to bed.
Tatiana, 10 years old Jeep Beach Edgewater Club
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My favorite way to celebrate the 4th of July is spending time with my family. My favorite part is the fireworks I love fireworks I also like sparklers. me and my brother make our names in the air with the sparklers. My grandma usually makes hotdogs and hamburgers and fries it is so good. So usually it is the best 4th of July ever.
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Raul, 10 years old
Rossmyer Family Holly Hill Club My favorite way to celebrate the 4th of July is launching fireworks in my backyard. But now I want there to be a bouncehouse. And have a dodgeball game and a volleyball game. PAGE 15
Shamari, 9 years old Holly Hill Club
COMMUNITY UPDATES
My favorite way to celebrate the 4th of July is first, we go to my nana’s house and spend time with her and we eat my favorite meal. Then, we watch a movie. Last, we go outside and do fireworks.
LIVE ORLANDO
Coffee Hour with BEAT
I do not know, and nobody really can know for sure. However, I am absolutely convinced that real estate prices in central Florida will continue to increase substantially over the next 25 years, well past 2046! That means that if my sense is correct, and you are 30 years old today and own a home with a current value of $400,000, the value of In March 2005 I pubthat home when you lished a Coffee Hour turn 55 will be well over with Beat with the title $1 Million. However, “Homebuyer Beware,” where I warned readers this will not likely happen in a straight line about buying a home over the next 25 years they could not afford. and at times, your home To me, the writing was may have a lower value on the wall, and I foresaw a crash on the hous- in the future than today. ing market long before I continue to be very opsome of the famous economists had the same timistic for central Florida in the long run. As a idea. matter of fact, my group of companies has decidShortly after that preed to concentrate investdiction, the crash on the housing market did ing in real estate in central Florida. Selling our happen in 2007-08 and following. The housing real estate investments in Australia, Canada, bubble burst triggered China and Indonesia, we many to reach out, including a Swiss reporter, have shifted a significant who had discovered my portion of our focus to 2005 article and question the over 10,000 acres of why I made such a pre- land we own in central Florida. diction. With more than 30 years of experience as a real estate entrepreneur in central Florida and around the globe, I believe that I’ve developed a sense for the markets. And as of late, the current state of the housing market, interest rates and economy have people asking, “Will there be another crash like in 2007? Does it not feel like 2006? Will there be a recession? Will there be hyperinflation? Etc.”
HOWEVER, land, home and other prices have increased dramatically over the last year. Caution is always advised when the sky is the limit, although I do not see any reason for a housing price crash at this time in central Florida. In 2006 many homebuyers bought single-family homes for speculation reasons only. This is not the case today. As a matter of fact, there is presently a shortage of
homes all over the United States. There are other forces working, this time I do not think Florida’s economy and state of the housing market will cause a crash, but if tomorrow a large bank in Europe or Asia (and there are several larger than Lehman Brothers with thin capital) fails, and government, wherever it is, does not come to aid in time, then all bets could be off, as we saw in 2008-09. Florida historically and continues to be a fertile place for speculation. If it is too good to be true, we usually are in. So, I urge you to please not speculate with your home, the place you raise your family. It is not primarily an investment, it is a capital good, which you need to be able to afford in good and challenging times. Do not finance shortterm, because of lower interest rates and amortization. These loans are not made for people who cannot afford longterm rates and other conditions.
American Dream, many times renting your home or apartment is financially a better choice, particularly in a volatile market environment. For instance, if you are at retirement age, it may be wiser not to buy a residence, you want to stay flexible. Whether you need to quickly transition to a residential solution with less upkeep and more care like an independent living community or assisted living community or want the flexibility to travel, you do not want to be forced to sell your home at the wrong time in the market, because of another pressing need. Home prices will go up over the next 25 years, I am convinced, but they can as well go down at times. So, my caution from 2005, Homebuyer Beware, remains true, but for different reasons. Do not speculate with your home, purchase within your means and if you cannot, then rent! Happy 4th of July from My Family to Yours!
While ownership of a home is part of the
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WORK ORLANDO
PLAY ORLANDO
Keeping Up with West Volusia’s July Events!
City of Orange City Valentine Park Fireworks and Fun Saturday, July 3, 2021 5pm to 9:30pm Town of Pierson Chipper Jones Park 11th Annual Pierson 4th of July Saturday, July 3, 2021 4pm to 9pm
City of Deltona Dewey O. Boster Park Deltona’s All-American Celebration July 2-5, 2021 Friday, July 2 – 5pm to 11pm Saturday, July 3 – 3pm to 11pm Sunday, July 4 – 1pm to 10pm – Fireworks 9pm Monday, July 5 – 3pm to 10pm
City of DeBary Gemini Springs Park DeBary Freedom Fest Sunday, July 4, 2021 4pm to 11pm
City of DeLand Earl Brown Park Firecracker Festival Saturday, July 3, 2021 6pm to 10pm
City of Lake Helen Blake Park Parade and Celebration Sunday, July 4, 2021 4pm to 9pm
Ormond Beach Sandcrabs
Coming together to create a healthy community ORLANDO
LIVE WELL (Cont.)
Wellness with Jen: Summer Exercise I Don’t Wanna! Why? How?
The summer months tend to get crazy with juggling the kids being home or going to a different camp every week, vacations, family, holiday celebrations,… all the things. Juggling a crazy schedule can make it difficulty to keep up with wellness. The benefits of eating right (most of the time- everyone needs a cheat meal/ day) and exercising are endless, but how in the world are you supposed to fit exercising into your crazy, busy summer life as a Mom??
Regular exercise isn’t just about weight control. Exercising regularly can increase muscle and bone health, increase energy, help improve mood, promote better sleep, and increase the desire for time your special someone. Some things that you might not consider when it comes to exercise are that exercise can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve skin health, improve brain health and memory,... The benefits truly are endless. Ok, ok, we know the benefits. Again, how in the world are you supposed to fit it into your hectic life? Well, basically, you find what works for you... Do you do better when you go to a gym or maybe even attend classes? Ok, so if you are a busy mom, you have the option to find a gym with childcare included and just take your kiddos with you, or you can find a time when someone can be with your kiddos while you go the gym. Maybe you get up and go early before everyone else wakes up. Maybe you go over your lunch break at work. Maybe you hire a babysitter a few times per week for some
mommy freedom at the gym. Easy peasy, just get there! And if you don’t have kids, well, then just make it happen when it fits into your schedule.
Do you prefer to exercise at home at your own pace and on your own timeline? This is what works best for me. With this option, you have the freedom to select your own program and your own timeframe. You can choose to find workout videos on YouTube, follow someone on Instagram that streams their workouts, use workout DVDs (Is this still a thing? Or am I just old?!), or you can use an on demand program. I used to use BeachBody On-Demand, and I really enjoyed it. However, when I was pregnant with my son, I wasn’t a fan of the program’s pre-natal workouts, so I began searching for new programs on YouTube. What I really like about this option, is that you can find an instructor that you connect with and follow them. When exercising at home, you have the ability to complete your workouts before everyone wakes up, during nap time, or even include your kiddos in your exercise program. I am not a fan of late night workouts, but some busy folks even choose to complete their workouts after the kids go to bed. Maybe you aren’t quite ready to schedule a formal workout like going to the gym, taking a class, or doing workout videos. That is totally fine. Why not start with a walk 3 times a week? Plop the kids in the stroller, turn on some high energy tunes, and head out for a walk. Make a deal with them that if they hang with you during your walking time, they can play at the
park afterwards.
I love nothing more than including my daughter in my workouts. My son is still a bit young, so it is hit or miss on how the workout with him will go, but a 15-month-old doing squats is one of the cutest things ever. Worst case scenario, if you can only fit a few squats, a few push-ups, and a few crunches into your day with your little one by your side, it is better than nothing, and you are providing an amazing example for your kiddos. When possible, nap time is a great time to squeeze in a kid-free workout from home. You find what works for you, and you make it happen. No excuses! The most important thing is that you start at the point that makes sense for you. You choose a routine that works for you and that you can continue with consistently. It is easy to make excuses. It is easy to say that you are too buse. It is easy to say you are too tired. It is easy to say that you will start tomorrow. Throw all of those excuses in the garbage and get started, TODAY! Follow me on social media or shoot me a message if you have any questions or concerns. Happy Summer, everyone! Jen Cosby jcdiamondwellness@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/yljennifercosby https://www.facebook.com/groups/ oilshowyouthewayed/ https://www.instagram.com/jen_cosby/
LIVE WELL (Cont.)
Finding Your Circle of Seniors As adults get older, the opportunity to make new friends tends to become increasingly more difficult. Afterall, devoting years to their careers or establishing a family can force many adults to put their friendships on the backburner. By the time they are ready to forge new friendships, they often forget how. Fortunately, there are several ways to help seniors navigate the social awkwardness of building a new circle of friends.
ods you previously used will likely help you make friends now. For example, introducing yourself to your neighbors when moving to a new place is a customary and polite first step. When moving into a senior living community, don’t be If you are an older afraid to make the adult transitioning rounds and get to into an assisted know your fellow living community, residents. here are some tips on how to find se- Start a Convernior friends. sation With a Revisit Past Friend-Building Tactics A great way to expand your circle of friends is to think about how you made friends in the past. In truth, many of the meth-
Stranger Finding senior friends is all about putting yourself in close proximity to other people. Therefore, if you eat in a communal dining area during your mealtimes,
you will not only be giving yourself the opportunity to talk to new people, but you will also already have one conversation topic to work off of. Furthermore, the best part is that you will likely come to find that you have more in common don’t sit by yourself. Before you sit than just that inidown, look around tial shared interest. the room. If there Helping Seniors is an open seat near someone, con- Find a Community sider asking if you of Friends At Encore at Avacan sit there and spark up a conver- lon Park, we recsation over dinner. ognize how important an active You may quickly find yourself with and vibrant social a new permanent life is to the seniors in our lives. dining partner. In addition to proJoin a Club to Find viding our senior residents with Senior Friends One of the easiest comfortable acways to make new commodations and healthy meals, our friends is to find a group of people community’s carwho appreciate an ing staff prioritizes recreational and activity you like. For example, if you social activities enjoy knitting, try that will help seto find out if your niors engage with senior living com- others, foster new munity has a knit- relationships, and build their circles ting club or recof friends through ommend starting one. By doing this, activities and events.
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