Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles. East Lake Magazine. Vol. 14, Issue 5, May 2021 by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Vol. 14, Issue 5, May 2021

Your community. Your magazine.™

The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 18,000 Homes In East Lake & Surrounding Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To:

Anchorage, Bay Arbor, Boot Ranch, Brookers Landing, Crescent Oaks, CRYSTAL LAKE CONDOS, Cypress Cove, Cypress Lakes Estates, Cypress Run, Cypress Trails, Deer Hollow, Grey Oak, Eagle Cove, Eagle’s Cove at Lake Tarpon, Eagle Ridge, Eagle Trace, Eagle Watch, East Lake Oaks, East Lake Woodlands, Hunters Wood, Keystone Bluffs, Keystone Palms, Keystone Ranchettes, Lansbrook, Lansbrook Village,

Meadow Ridge, Nature’s Watch, Oak Hill Acres, Pine Ridge, Regina Estates, Ridgemoor, Tarpon Woods, Wentworth, Whispering Lakes, WINDMILL POINT, Woodfield

Hands at Heart Yoga Celebrates Five Months in Location with Free Yoga, Food, Music, and Blood Drive By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Amy Olshanski, founder of Hands at Heart Yoga, has served the community providing Corporate Yoga Solutions and private yoga instruction for seven and a half years. On January 1, 2021, Amy opened a brickand-mortar studio for Hands at Heart Yoga located on the SE corner of Racetrack and Tampa Rd. Her studio offers a full yoga and fitness schedule, reiki and pranic healing in a group or private setting, yoga in the workplace, nutritional coaching, and yoga teacher training. “I believe that everyone is unique, which means that the reasons that one delves into yoga vary from one person to the next. The beautiful thing is that whether the reason is for flexibility or balance or pain relief or strength or relaxation or a desire to light the digestive fire... one gains ALL of the benefits of yoga and the benefits of yoga are innumerable,” she said. The studio offers a hybrid schedule: classes both in-person and virtually. Amy is certified in Ashtanga, Rocket, and Yin Yoga and staffs instructors with a wide variety of certifications, skills, and knowledge. This allows our classes to range from strong to gentle, yin to yang, meditation, veterans adaptive, yoga nidra, reiki healing, pranic healing, ballet sculpt, and so much more.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Editor..............................5

She has filled her studio with relaxing hues of blues and seafoam green, custom-designed to make her students immediately feel a sense of calm and serenity upon entering. “Yoga is my church and helped me heal from the inside out after experiencing a traumatic event in my life. This is why I started Hands at Heart Yoga. This is exactly why it has so much meaning for me. I am blessed to have created a safe space where people can come See “Hands at Heart” on page 8

Renaissance Relocates................6-7 SAT/ACT Improvement................10 Tech Talk with Bob.......................14 Jacobson Culinary Arts................16 Safe Joint Replacement..........18-19 Decorating Den.......................20-21

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4 MAY 2021

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May is a busy month! Full of holidays, commemorations, proclamations, awareness events, and Mexican food! Let’s start with Memorial Day, formally known as Decoration Day. This is a federal holiday observed yearly on the last Monday of May. This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 31st, 2021, and it is a day to commemorate all men and women who have died while serving in the military for the United States of America. Many local business owners understand the significance of this Holiday and show their support by offering amazing Memorial Day specials, one-of-a-kind offers, and fantastic discounts on merchandise, products, and services. Make sure to carefully browse this issue of Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles, so you can take advantage of those great deals and save big this upcoming Memorial Day! Aside from Memorial Day, the month of May houses a few other special days as well. On the 2nd Sunday of May, we celebrate International Mother’s Day. This 2021, we will be celebrating on Sunday, May 9th. I would like to personally wish all mothers, grandmothers, foster mothers, and even pet moms a very Happy Mother’s Day! I would also like to take this opportunity to personally wish my own mother, Berardina Tedeschi, a very Happy Mother’s Day. I couldn’t have asked for a better role model. I love you so much. Thank you for never giving up on me. Remember, successful mothers are not the ones that never struggle or get frustrated; they are the ones that never give up, despite the struggles and continue loving unconditionally. Are any of our readers Star Wars fans? May the 4th be with you! Star Wars Day, May 4, celebrates George Lucas’ Star Wars. Fans of the media franchise observe it by re-watching the Star Wars movies, wearing costumes, sharing movie quotes, and posting funny memes on social media. The date was chosen for the pun on the catchphrase “May The Force Be With You” as “May The Fourth Be With You.” Also, in May, many of us look forward to “Cinco de Mayo,” which is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. You wouldn’t guess it, but Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, but in the United States has evolved into a huge commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, and the Holiday is frequently confused with “Mexico’s Independence Day,” which takes place on September

16th. So make sure you celebrate safely, and if possible, support some of our local restaurants, even from the comfort of your own home. Lastly, I want to bring your attention to something of importance that also takes place during this beautiful spring month, Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Many states and counties have taken steps to raise awareness regarding Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Declaring May “Lyme Awareness Month” is one move to help remind people spring is here, ticks are out, prevention, and proper education are your best tools to staying healthy. With the spread of the disease to all 50 states, Lyme awareness, education, and early intervention are critical. Even though Lyme disease may not be common in Florida, you can still get infected. Take it from someone who is currently battling this debilitating and life-altering condition. Please be prepared and learn the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. If you have symptoms such as; high fevers, chills, body aches, weight gain/loss, TMJ, headaches/ migraines, extreme fatigue, muscle and joint aches, arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly on the knees and other large joints, severe inflammation, heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, and problems with short-term memory amongst others, please contact your primary physician. Ask him or her to advise you and refer you to a Lyme Disease specialist near you. If you’d like to personally talk to me about my Lyme disease journey and the doctors that have helped me, please feel free to email me directly at carla@nnlflorida.com. You are not alone! Fighting Lyme has been an uphill battle, but with the proper diagnosis and treatment, you’ll be one step closer to a healthier you. It’s been tough to open up to everyone about this, but if I can help raise awareness with my own story, then so be it. The COVID pandemic is still in full force, but there are many kinds of diseases still out there that can also mimic similar symptoms. Proper diagnosis is key. If your health fails, it can overshadow everything else that’s going on in your life. Please take care of yourself, eat a healthy diet, make sleep a priority, find a fitness habit that works for you, and don’t get too stressed out. Stress can wreak havoc on your body. Treat everyone with kindness, starting with your own self. Until next time,

Carla Dubis Tedeschi

Renaissance Relocates Amid 2021 Challenges Tickets on Sale NOW The show will go on! The Bay Area Renaissance Festival has relocated to the spectacular, ancient forest of Withlacoochee River Park. Please join us as we partner with Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources for a once in a lifetime celebration. This year the Festival has relocated from MOSI. Join the Villagers of Fittleworth and Queen Katherine Parr and her court as they invite one and all to the magical 16th Century European village featuring 4 stages of exciting entertainment including: musicians, magicians, jugglers and mimes. Over 100 artisans fill the Festival marketplace to display and sell their handcrafted goods for a truly fabulous and endless shopping experience.

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Patrons will interact with memorable characters and enjoy full-contact live armored jousting, 6 theme weekends, and fabulous food fit for a king or queen! The first weekend of the 2021 Bay

Area Renaissance Festival kicked off on Saturday, April 17th and will run 6 weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) through May 23rd. A festival tradition for over 40 years, the Bay Area Renaissance Festival brings some of the most

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unique entertainment, shopping and educational opportunities. Each weekend features a different theme that connects specialized entertainers, vendors, and artisans

who help bring the theme to life! This year’s theme weekends are: Wine, Romance & Song, Pirates & Pups, Barbarian Brew, Shamrocks & Shenanigans, High Seas Adventure and

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Wonders of the World. The 43rd annual Bay Area Renaissance Festival runs 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. rain or shine. The festival is located ¬at Withlacoochee River Park 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd, Dade City, FL 33525. At the gate: Adults $22.95; Children 5-12 $14.95; four and under are free. Free parking, rain or shine. Tickets are on sale now and are available online at: https://www. etix.com/ticket/v/18455/bay-arearenaissance-festival For additional information including safety precautions and frequently asked questions, visit the webpage at: https://www. bayarearenfest.com or call the office 1-800-601-4848 for more information. We can’t wait to Celebrate! Huzzah!

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“Hands at Heart” continued from page 1

to let go, relax, breathe and

truly take care of themselves,

inviting in goodness and selflove. My tagline has always

been, be calm in your heart.” A large part of Hands

at Heart Yoga is yoga in

the workplace. Amy and

her teachers travel to local

businesses to teach yoga to their employees.

“Yoga in the workplace

brings nothing but positivity.

It boosts morale, productivity, attendance and helps to

promote healthier living in a

team bonding and motivating environment,” she explained. “When you do yoga once or twice a week with the

same group of people in

an office setting, you get to see how yoga affects

everyone individually. From

the office yogi who can now

sit Indian style on the floor in

comfort to the yogi that gains immeasurable confidence

from doing a headstand for the first time in 50 years to

the yogi that begins to take

on healthier eating habits - its all positive growth in some

way, shape or form, and such a beautiful transformation to be a part of. The fact that I own a studio filled with amazing instructors adds to the

multitude of benefits. Students don’t only learn from my

knowledge and expertise; they get to work with all of us.”

Amy is an active member

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of the Upper Tampa Bay

Chamber of Commerce and is a firm believer in giving back to the community. For this

reason, Hands at Heart Yoga

has been hosting blood drives for seven and a half years and continues to bring in recordbreaking numbers, and has

been known to quadruple a normal drive.

The OneBlood Buses will

be onsite on May 23, 2021. This FREE celebration will

feature 45-minute snippets of a wide variety of yoga

classes beginning at 9 am. The blood drive itself will

run from 10 am-4 pm. Food and drink will be provided by Stix Billiards Oldsmar

and Edge City BBQ and Tap. Live music will be provided

by local artist Haley Meehan beginning at 11 am.

“We ask that you pre-

one such event, the 108 Sun

well as reserve the spot for

Event, to be hosted at RE

www.OneBlood.org,” said

5-8 pm. This event will be

the potential to be a hero and

a 108 Mala Bead Mantra

“What an amazing

HandsAtHeartYoga.yoga, as

Salutation Summer Solstice

experience this will be

your OneBlood donation at

Oldsmar Park on June 19,

Summer Solstice is a time of

Amy. “Not only do you have

donation-based and end with

save three lives with your one

Chant.

as the sun is setting. The

celebration - celebrating the

sun and its life-giving energy,

as well as a time of everything being in full bloom.”

blood donation - you as the donor burn 650 calories, as

well as reduce your chance of heart attack or stroke by up

to 80%. The life that you save may be your very own.”

Hands at Heart Yoga will

also be partnering up with

the nonprofit Oldsmar Cares and the City of Oldsmar

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regularly featured on the yoga

than ever to take care of you.

other talented instructors.

handsatheartyoga.

change the entire big world

events like guided meditation

Hands at Heart Yoga

the ability to invite change,

Gogh, Couples Yoga, and

enjoy her ad special of a Buy

into our own world and

Amy is excited to be

able to share her studio with Monthly special workshop

studio’s Facebook page @ If you are new to the

We don’t have the ability to

located on the southeast

out there. Still, we do have

and Tampa Road in Oldsmar

and painting with Art to

community, Amy invites you to

goodness, and positivity

Intro to iRest Yoga Nidra

One Get One Free class.

surrounding community.”

with Yoga with Forest are

Hands at Heart Yoga is

“Now is the time more

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corner of Race Track Road

at 13946 West Hillsborough

Avenue. To learn more or to schedule classes, visit

handsatheartyoga.yoga or call 727-337-4266.

MAY 2021 9

SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS?

By Dr. Wayne Adams

Spring and Summer Exam Dates: SAT: June 5th, August 28th; ACT: June 12th and July 17th. As most of you know, my aim in our classes is to help my students and their families have the best possible futures, including doing their best on the SAT and ACT Exams. This is why I include five of my special books/guides in the courses: How to Achieve and Maintain your Peak Mental Performance on the SAT, ACT, and Life’s Exams; How to Write College Admission Essays Colleges Will Love (including 40 sample essays); Negotiating with Colleges (that has helped my families save $1,000 to $10,000 a year in college costs); How to Survive and Thrive as a Freshman at a Secular University; and Dream Colleges and Universities: The Top 25, 5 More, and Top 5 in Florida. During my many years of tutoring, I have talked with admissions officers at Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, University of Florida, FSU, and many other schools. One of my questions was always, “What makes the difference in admitting new freshmen?” The answers were surprisingly similar. The first three were class standing, GPA, and SAT/ACT scores. Then the officers went on to explain that for most applicants, these three were very similar because students tend to self-select out if they were not in the needed ranges. The fourth is the quality and originality of the college application essays. This is the first time an admission officer learns something about the student and their ability to think, organize, write, and create something special that will grab attention. The standard, “academic” essays don’t cut it. The fifth is a big differentiator! Is this student “lopsided”? By this, I mean have they shown a special skill, interest, passion that has enabled them to really stand out much higher than their peers. For example, one student from Russia who went to Yale with our daughter came from an average “American school” in Russia, had mediocre SAT scores, and would not have been admitted … EXCEPT … he had created a computer algorithm at age sixteen and sold it to a large, international corporation for over $1 million US. This student would be admitted anywhere he applied because he was outstandingly “lopsided”!

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I am happy to provide college admission counseling and help as part of my courses that many others charge thousands of dollars. This is part of my commitment to my students and their families. As we look towards the summer Rising seniors are looking to achieve scores so they will not have to take the exams during their senior year. Rising juniors like to prepare for exams when they do not have the pressures of regular high school work as well. Rising sophomores like to get an idea of what lies ahead, and to start preparing. If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727-253-0639 or send me an e mail at wwa0811@mykolab.com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200 – 350 points on the Writing, Reading, Writing and Essay, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to 8

of the top 10 universities in the country, 18 of the top 25, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Naval - Air Force - Merchant Marine Service Academies, Penn State, LSU, Auburn, UF, U Miami, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, FIU, New College of Florida, Stetson, and Julliard – Manhattan New England - and Berkley Conservatories of Music. Many have received academic, athletic, or music scholarships. This year, he also tutored three juniors who scored at the national merit finalist/semi-finalist levels on the most recent PSAT. He is a former Dean of a Graduate School of Business and Full Professor, and began college teaching at the University of Maryland in 1968. He has degrees and advanced studies at Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Columbia International, and Luther Rice.

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Tech Talk with Bob: Malware Basics Malware stands for malicious software. It is designed to break into and possibly harm your computer system, or even your online identity, without you knowing. Malware almost always hides itself. Some will even take control of your computer. There are many different types of malware which includes: viruses, Trojans, logic bombs, adware, spyware, rootkits, worms, etc. These terms can sometimes be confusing. So, let’s discuss a few. Viruses can be difficult to identify. They are sneaky and come in many different forms. A macro virus will exploit applications. When activated, it can cause significant damage and spread itself to other computers. For example, it can send itself as an attachment to all e-mail addresses in your address book. Sometimes a virus can be nothing more than an annoying pop-up on your computer screen. Other times its malicious code can be extremely dangerous because it can also purposely delete files from your computer’s hard drive. A Trojan is named after the Greek Trojan horse. A Trojan can be innocently mistaken to be an application like a screensaver or a game that you may un-

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knowingly download and run because it looks cool or is fun to play. This type of malware is usually a free program you see on a website or is often recommended via email from a well-intentioned friend who is obviously ignorant of the threat it presents. Trojans do not typically harm your computer’s operation. They create a backdoor into your system giving an attacker access and complete remote control of your computer, without you ever knowing. Spyware is any application which sends private information about you without your consent or knowledge. Spyware tracks and reports back to its attacker data about your online digital activities. Information such as which websites you visit and for how long. They can even record your keystrokes to steal your login credentials (username & password). In addition to building a digital profile on you, spyware can steal your entire list of contacts (with all your friends’ & families’ personal information) and serve them up on a silver platter to the attackers, courtesy of an unprotected computer. Creating a malware defense strategy is the first

step in protecting yourself. Second, do not rely solely on new out-of-thebox anti-malware software. All anti-malware software needs to have its settings properly configured to provide you with the highest level of protection possible. It is best to have a certified professional configure this software as soon as it is installed. And of course, it is best to install this software before your computer contracts a malware infection. Third, keep the software up to date. Be Safer My Friend. It is your responsibility to protect your personal network, your computer’s operation, and your data. Whether you are a business or non-profit, even a home user, who keeps records about clients, customers,

club-members, prospects, employees, vendors, sales, budgets, inventories, taxes… you get the idea; cyber criminals will exploit any easy, unprotected system. How safe is your system? My staff and I are here to keep your computer safer and keep you up and running. If you question your computer’s safety or performance, please have a professionally certified computer technician check it. Should you need a certified professional, call us now at 727-534-4000. We’ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades. We Keep You Safer In Your Digital World!

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JACOBSON CULINARY ARTS ACADEMY AT TARPON SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL In the state-of-the-art kitchens students receive careeroriented instruction in both classical and modern culinary arts with an emphasis on the skills needed to succeed in the Hospitality Industry. The Chefs and student of JCAA are proud to have BergHOFF as a sponsor of our program and the student tested recipe of the month. If you would like to learn more about our program, please go to www. jcaachefs.com Fresh Berry Scones • 4 cups all-purpose flour • 2 Tablespoons baking powder • ½ teaspoon salt • ½ cup sugar • 8 ounces unsalted butter cut into 1” cubes

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• 2 large eggs • 1 ½ cups buttermilk • 2 Tablespoons lemon zest • 2 cups of fresh berries, or dried berries • ¼ cup heavy cream • ¼ sugar for dusting Preheat oven to 375. In a mixing bowl of a food processor combine flour, baking powder, salt, and butter. In a small bowl rub together, the lemon zest and sugar to release the oils from the lemon zest. Add to the flour mixture in the processor. Pulse several times until butter is the size of a small pea Remove from processor and put into a large bowl. In a small bowl combine eggs, and milk together. Add to the flour mixture. Mix with together until all ingredients are wet.

Do not overmix. Add berries, fold in gently. Sprinkle a small amount of flour into surface, remove dough from bowl with spatula. Flatten and shape into a rectangle, cut triangles

with bench scraper of knife. Place on greased sheet pan. Brush tops with heavy cream and sprinkle with sugar liberally. Bake 20 – 25 minutes until golden brown.

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Safe Joint Replacement Solutions for Joint Pain When you’re healthy and moving well, you may not give your joints much thought. Your shoulders and elbows lift and reach, your hips swivel and sway and your knees and ankles carry you up the stairs and down sidewalks. But when arthritis, injury or another illness or condition affects these important structures, you may find your life limited. The activities you love — from gardening to cradling a child to just getting into a bath or shower — grow difficult. And while you might have felt you had to put some health concerns on hold for a while, we want you to know we are here to heal and keep you safe whenever you’re ready. If you’re experiencing joint pain, our orthopedic

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specialists are here to offer solutions. While they often aim to use conservative treatment first, there are times when partial or full joint replacement represents the best option. When Joints Break Down Normally, joints allow you to travel through your day with fluid motion. But wear and tear over years of use, diseases like osteoarthritis or injuries can increase pain, swelling and stiffness. Your orthopedic specialist may first try conservative treatments. These can include: • Braces, canes or other aids • Injections • Medications and vitamin supplements • Physical therapy • Rest From there, your

orthopedic specialist might recommend a minimally invasive procedure to realign your joints, fix them in place or reconstruct them. But sometimes, these measures aren’t enough to get you moving freely again and your physician may recommend joint replacement

surgery. How Joint Replacement Surgery Works With joint replacement surgery, your orthopedic surgeon removes a damaged joint and puts in a new one made of plastic, metal or ceramic parts.

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surgeon will replace your painful joint with a new, manmade one through a surgical procedure. You’ll begin your recovery and rehabilitation and physical therapy at home or in a clinic. Often, physical therapy will begin the day after your operation. Depending on your condition and procedure, you might even move or begin exercising again, with guidance, the same day of your surgery. AdventHealth North Pinellas is now offering the innovative Mako™ Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery. This advancement in joint replacement surgery transforms the way total knee, partial knee and total hip replacements are performed, by giving surgeons the ability to plan your procedure ahead of time through a specific 3D model of your hip or knee. Clinical studies have shown patients who had a partial knee replacement with Mako™ experienced less pain in the days and weeks following surgery than with a conventional knee replacement. Once you’ve chosen your care plan and arrive to the hospital, you’ll receive medicine so you don’t feel pain. Then, your orthopedic

How to Know When Joint Replacement is for You Working closely with your health care team is the best way to know if joint replacement surgery is a solution for your joint pain. To assess your condition, your orthopedic specialist may first recommend a serious of diagnostic tests or procedures to examine your joint health, including: • Placing an arthroscope — a small, lighted tube — into your joint • Testing a small sample of your tissue • Using X-ray or another technique to look at your joints Your orthopedic specialist is there to answer all your questions about managing your pain and choosing a treatment. If your physician suggests joint replacement,

he or she believes this offers you the best chance to reduce your pain and increase your comfort and mobility. Your medical team will work with you to schedule your surgery. In most cases, there’s no need to delay. In fact, waiting on surgery may prolong your pain and make everyday activities increasingly challenging. Easing Your Concerns About the Safety of Medical Care You might feel concerned about coming into the hospital for surgery — and we understand. So, we want you to know your health and safety matter more to us than anything else. With that in mind, we’ve made some changes to our hospital policies and procedures to keep you safe. You’ll notice them when you come into your physician’s office, undergo diagnostic testing or arrive at the hospital for surgery. These include appropriate protection, safe and separate care, social distancing practices, thorough screening, and visitor limitations. We’re Here for You When You’re Ready If you’re experiencing joint pain, it could be time to consider healing. And when you’re ready to trust

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our leading orthopedic experts, they will be here for you with a compassionate spirit, pioneering surgery options and safe facilities and practices. Learn more about our Orthopedic Care and how we can help you restore your vibrant, active life please contact Laura Kozenieski, our Orthopedic Nurse Navigator at Call727-942-5074. AdventHealth North Pinellas Now Offers Virtual Talks AdventHealth North Pinellas has transitioned its health talks to an online platform. The free health talks will be broadcasted on AdventHealth North Pinellas’ Facebook page. Physicians will speak on a variety of topics, including joint pain and why you shouldn’t delay your care. Registration is recommended. Upcoming virtual health talks: • Don’t Delay Your Care – Wednesday, May 26th, 12pm, with Michael Longley, MD, Chief Medical Officer Visit Facebook.com/ AdventHealthNorthPinellas. com. To register for this virtual health talk, call 844504-9378 or visit https:// www.adventhealth.com/ hospital/adventhealth-northpinellas/events.

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Decorating Den: Home Open Floor Plans Create a Livable Comfortable Place Your home should be a place you can relax, where you can just throw all worries out the window and enjoy your own space. What better way to do so than with an open floor plan – a cozy, fun approach to setting up your living area. Unsure of the perks that it can bring to your home? Keep reading for some tips and insights into the world of open floor plans. What is an open floor plan? A common misconception of an open floor plan is that the entire house is free of any walls – but in fact, you can actually make your space as open or as closed off as you’d like. Maybe you want to integrate your kitchen and your dining room, and maybe

you’re feeling extra social and want to throw the living room into the mix. With endless possible combinations, an open floor plan allows you to open up your space as much or as little as you’d like. Okay, so what are the benefits of having an open space? The reasons here are plentiful. Having fewer walls and more combined rooms helps lead to a greater sense of community within the home, even if it’s just amongst family members. It’ll also make it much easier to keep an eye on any young kids you might have running around the house, without confining them to one room. Open floor plans can also

lead to increased real estate value The high desirability of this style can lead to higher offers and more competition for your house once if you eventually put it on the market. the added bonus of using this shared layout for multiple purposes, such as combining an entertainment space with a more social room. How popular are open floor plans right now? Open floor plans have become much more common as of late, with their modern twist on home setup and abundance of benefits. The elimination of walls adds to a feeling of openness, allowing for more social interaction. Not to mention the fact that a small space can be made to feel

much larger when the walls are taken out – giving you the opportunity to take advantage of all of your space. Taking advantage of an open floor plan can bring your home to life. What about furniture and decor? If you want your open floor plan to really work, you need to have a good strategy in terms of your furniture setup and your decor composition. Keeping one color scheme throughout your home will really help to bring your connected (but separate) rooms together. It is recommended to try to incorporate some substantial furniture arrangements. By adding more furniture in a

strategic way, you’ll be able to bring your rooms together while still providing some substance. With this, keep your layout sensible by bringing in pieces that will add to overall functionality. Think about what you want to see from room to room. Do you want to be able

to see your stove from your couch? Is the television visible from the kitchen table? These are questions you should be sure to answer, as they’ll keep your home practical and transitional. What is it that makes an open floor plan so cozy?

Open floor plans are especially cozy because of the way that they tie together so many crucial areas of your home. This brings in more of a conversational environment, especially as the kitchen tends to be involved in every open floor plan setup. Since the kitchen tends to be the

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focal point of socialization in a home, combining it with a living or dining room (or both!) helps to keep relaxation and comfort levels high. Looking to remodel your space? Contact Decorating Den design consultant today at 727-789-4886

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