HOT RESTAURANTS WITH OUTDOOR PATIOS

FAMILY WHERE YOU’RE A PART OF THE always

by Caylie Howard | photography by Your Candid Memories Photography

There’s something to be said about finding a home away from home. When you walk in the doors everyone knows who you are and calls you by name. Somewhere that they care about you inside and out and want to provide you with quality care. Our very own Studio 360 Med Spa has created just that. When you’re there, you’re always a part of the family.

The staff at Studio 360 Med Spa is made up of many diverse backgrounds, years of experience, and advanced training.

Their Advanced Practice Nurse, Princess, specializes in Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy as well as medically supervised Weight Loss and Injectables. Princess is adored by her patients for her attention to detail and for giving each one the individualized care they need. She is a wealth of knowledge and educates her patients on exactly what will suit their needs and desires.

Michelle, their RN, is a Master Injector and laser specialist. You can rest assured that Michelle will go above and beyond to provide the best, most effective treatment possible. Michelle is also trained by Dr. Charles Runnels, the inventor of the PRP treatments O-Shot and P-Shot. Michelle has helped numerous men and women to address and improve their sexual health which can sometimes be intimidating to discuss, but Michelle puts her patients at ease with her knowledge and her comforting, yet professional, bedside manner.

Their two medical estheticians Stephani and Chanel are passionate about skincare. They both specialize in creating a treatment plan for each patient, which not only corrects past damage but allows patients to maintain their results without breaking the bank. Many patients achieve this by joining our monthly membership, which comes with patient perks! Stephani and Chanel also specialize in Body Contouring.

Their front desk coordinators are the first smiling faces you see upon arrival. Mindi and Carlie greet each patient by name and make them comfortable the second they walk in the door.

Their MD Dr. John Dulemba specializes in women’s health. He will have you rolling in stitches one minute and be the smartest person in the room the next. Dr. Dulemba will spend hours with a patient if needed, educating and guiding them to the best treatment for each individual.

Ryndi, the spa director, can be found floating around the spa attending to anything that may arise. From patient care to ensuring the team has everything they need to succeed, scheduling extended education, and working with reps. You name it, she does it!

The entire staff shares the same passion for quality care both on the inside and the outside. “We don’t just focus on outward aesthetics. We believe when you feel better on the inside, it shows on the outside. That’s why we offer everything needed for total wellness and beauty from the inside out. Hence our name, Studio ‘360’,” Ryndi said.

Not only are they all extremely gifted in their fields, but they are also the most supportive work family you’ll find. “We all help and support each other. We’re on the same team so there is no competition and we’re all about bettering the team in any way,” Ryndi said.

The relationships that the staff at Studio 360 Med Spa have with each other, as well as their clients, does not go unnoticed. “I was just talking with someone the other day. He was telling me that someone asked how we do what we do. I joked and said ‘you better not be giving away my secrets.’ His response was, ‘Ryndi, I’m not able to give away your secrets because your secrets are your people. It’s about how you treat people and how you make them feel that’s so special,’” Ryndi said. And it’s true. The entire staff truly goes above and beyond to make sure that everyone feels at home when they walk through their doors. You always know that when you walk in you are going to be greeted with a welcome smile and a warm greeting. Because when you choose Studio 360 Med Spa, you’re choosing to be a part of a family.

You We

top landscaping &

trends of 2022

by Caylie Howard

trend 1

INCLUDE MORE TROPICAL PLANTS

With the pandemic, traveling has become more of a dream than a reality. Because of this, it’s become a popular landscaping and gardening trend to incorporate more tropical plants into their outdoor oasis. Even if you can’t travel to your favorite holiday location, you can still enjoy its tropical beauty from the comfort of your own home.

trend 2

BRINGING YOUR INDOOR SANCTUARY TO YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE

With everyone spending so much more time at home in the last few years, gardeners and landscapers have realized that the lines between our indoor and outdoor spaces have become easily blurred. And we’re all more than okay with that! When you stop limiting your creative designs to what fits the normal status of the home, you often are left with something that is more beautiful than you could ever imagine.

trend 3

DESIGNING WITH DARK FOLIAGE

A great landscaping and gardening trend to make your outdoor space stand out against a crowd is by using dark foliage. Plants with bright and vibrant colors already make a statement on their own, but if you really want your oasis to pop, the best way to do that is by adding in some darker foliage to enhance and complement those brighter colors.

trend 4

MAXIMIZE BALCONIES AND PORCHES

Not everyone is going to have a large, wide-open space to decorate with beautiful gardens and landscapes. Being able to make the most out of any space you have is essential in any outdoor venue. You can use large pots that can handle many different types of plants, or even hanging plants to display your beautiful foliage. Beautiful landscapes and gardens can come in all different shapes and sizes.

what is the and what parents OMICRON variant should know

4. SYMPTOMS OF OMICRON IN CHILDREN ARE SIMILAR TO PAST VARIANTS.

With the increased spread of COVID19, it’s important to watch for any symptoms of infection. In general, symptoms of Omicron in children remain similar to symptoms caused by prior variants. COVID19 symptoms in children can include:

• Fever (at least 100°F)

• Chills

• Congestion or runny nose

• Cough

• Diarrhea

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Muscle or body aches

• Nausea or vomiting

• New loss of taste or smell

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

• Sore throat

by Dr. Rebecca Butler Lantana Resident | Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics

1. THE OMICRON VARIANT IS

SPREADING FAST.

As of January 2022 – only one month after the variant was first detected in the U.S. – Omicron accounts for about 98% of all new COVID19 cases in the country.

Omicron is much more contagious than prior COVID19 variants, including Delta. One reason for this may be the variant’s high number of mutations in the spike protein. This can help it evade immunity or a body’s built-up protection to the virus. Experts at the CDC expect that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

2. CHILDREN ARE BEING AFFECTED

BY OMICRON.

Because Omicron is highly contagious, more and more people are becoming infected with COVID19 including children.

Parents may take comfort in the fact that Omicron does not appear to cause more severe illness in children than prior variants. In general, children are still at lower risk for severe illness from COVID19 than adults. Children with chronic underlying conditions can be more susceptible to severe infection with COVID in general and you should discuss vaccination with your pediatrician. Children can also spread the virus to others who are at high risk. Lastly, we’re still learning about possible long-term effects of COVID19 – even from mild COVID19 infection. For these reasons, it’s important to take steps to reduce the risk of infection.

3. WE’RE STILL LEARNING ABOUT OMICRON.

Each new variant, like Omicron, varies in how contagious it is and how virulent (harmful) it may be. Each variant can affect the immune system differently and change how effective vaccination is against infection.

Researchers are still working to uncover how the Omicron variant behaves and how it responds to a person’s built-up immunity. We still don’t know how severe the effects of Omicron are. Some studies suggest this variant may cause less damage to the lungs and has a lower risk of hospitalization.

There is evidence that prior COVID19 infection may not give a person protection against the Omicron variant. There are also more breakthrough cases with Omicron; meaning, cases where people are vaccinated but still contract the virus.

If your child starts to show COVID19 symptoms, contact your primary care provider for guidance. If your child tests positive, isolate to prevent the spread of the virus.

Most children have mild illnesses and can recover at home. However, watch for the following warning signs that your child requires emergency care:

Trouble breathing.

Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

New confusion.

Inability to wake or stay awake.

Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone.

Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, decreased urination) or inability to take liquids by mouth.

5. THERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN HELP PROTECT

YOUR FAMILY FROM OMICRON AND

FUTURE VARIANTS.

Make an educated decision for you and your family regarding COVID19 vaccination.

As new variants of the virus continue to emerge, parents and children should take additional steps to reduce the spread of infection.

Mask up and make sure to use high quality, well-fitting masks.

Keep hands clean by washing or sanitizing.

Avoid crowds when possible.

Get tested if you show any symptoms.

Stay home when sick.

Stay informed– utilize trusted and reliable sources such as your PCP for direction and more information.

If you are going to see high-risk individuals during the Omicron surge, take extra precautions to keep them healthy. Try to limit your exposure ahead of seeing them, wear masks when in public, and get a test if you suspect any exposure to the virus.

940.455.7200 | LantanaPediatrics.com 74 McMakin Rd., Ste. 100 • Bartonville, TX 76226

Therapeutic Recreation Group

by Caylie Howard | photos courtesy of the Therapeutic Recreation Group

the community

Mental illness is a struggle that many people deal with every day. Our police, fire, and veteran communities are groups that are more commonly known to deal with those struggles on a day-to-day basis. There are many outlets for these men and women to seek help and guidance, but none are quite as special as our very own local 501C3, Therapeutic Recreation Group (TRG).

1 in 3 service members will enter the VA system with a mental health diagnosis. “This is obviously a problem and it’s not slowing down,” PJ Kratohvil, co-founder of Therapeutic Recreation Group said. “Studies show that therapeutic recreation is working and is actually being accredited as a form of therapy,” PJ said.

And that is exactly what TRG focuses on doing. They target our local police, fire, and veteran communities getting them motivated, up, and active while building a network in our local community.

TRG creates events for Veterans and first responders of all types to participate in. Just recently the nonprofit took a group to Arkansas for a duck hunting trip. The event was sponsored by Beretta, a company that TRG partners with and are one of the biggest and oldest firearms dealers in the world. “We provide these veterans & first responders with everything that they’ll need for the event and to be able to recreate their experience once they get home. Four of the guys that went on this last trip have already used those shotguns and gear to recreate the experience,” PJ said. “Our Mayor

“Studies show that therapeutic recreation is working and is actually being accredited as a form of therapy,” PJ said.

Derek France was in attendance for the event as well as our TRG Team and a few Flower Mound fire guys.”

It’s in the downtime when you’re sitting at home that you start to feel those dark emotions that lead to drastic measures such as suicide. PJ’s close friend, Marine buddy, and co-founder of Therapeutic Recreation Group Robbie Horne knows that pain all too well. His brother, who also served in USMC took his own life. That tragedy plays a big part in why these two decided to start TRG.

Last year TRG hosted 8 events and put just over 100 veterans and first responders through the program with a budget of $50,000. “We did a lot for not having a lot,” PJ said. They did a range of different events, Hunting, hiking, fishing, even partnered with a marriage and family counselor hosting a marriage retreat down in south Texas. “I’m proud of our Team and the trajectory of the organization. We don’t have all the answers or resources but continue to get out there and make things happen! We’re not nonprofit gurus just normal folks with jobs trying to dial in on and directly attack a major issue affecting our community.”

This year the goal is to do exactly what they did last year but do it better. “ We’re really not looking to reinvent the wheel or even expand on our event list for this season we really want to focus on funding, creating more partnerships, and getting more sponsors involved,” PJ said. The Ivy brothers out of east Texas are a couple of true patriots that came alongside us when many that could have didn’t, helping to facilitate & sponsor events, Complete Exterior Solutions out of Flower Mound, North Texas Truxx accessories out of Lewisville, Peeler family out of south Texas and a few faithful local families have gotten involved.

When it comes to the future, TRG has an impressive 5-year plan. They want to keep putting together bigger and better events, building local networks, and attacking the needs of our

veteran and first responder community. Right now, TRG is solely based locally in North Texas, however, in the next five years they would like to expand into South Texas, which is where Robbie is located.

“We also want to purchase some property that could be used for events as well as a revenue stream by hosting things such as leadership classes and retreats,” PJ said. The property would also be able to provide jobs for those that they are servicing. “When our warfighters are introduced to corporate America the dynamic is very different and for many, it can be very difficult. Veterans struggle to fit in when they get out. This would give us the opportunity to have a job that might fit them,” PJ said.

With the growth and success that TRG has seen in just under the two years they have been established, it’s safe to say that they are on the right track to making those goals a reality. With the help and support of generous sponsors, Therapeutic Recreation Group can continue with their mission of positively impacting our community.