September 2020
Volume 25, Issue 9
• CRESCENT OAKS NEWS • The Newsletter for the Residents of Crescent Oaks Community HOA Publishers, Inc. • 1313 N Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33607 • www.hoapub.com
STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH BY EMBRACING CULTURE by Family Features
The newsletter for all of River Ridge
One in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and adult African Americans are 20% more likely to experience mental health issues compared to the general population. “The factors that cause or exacerbate mental illness are often found in higher numbers among minorities,” said Dr. Rufus Spann, chief clinical officer with Henry Health, a culturally sensitive mental health organization. “Tackling this problem requires a unique understanding of cultural differences.” Organizations like Henry Health make access to mental health care accessible and convenient for minorities, removing barriers to seeking treatment. The organization offers culturally intentional care delivered by practitioners equipped to treat any population dealing with emotional and mental health issues, and believes effective care follows three essential principles: it puts culture first, is evidence based and is built on best practices. This means culture and life experiences are at the center of therapy. Patients can expect their narratives will be not only heard and acknowledged, but also put into perspective to help gain a greater understanding of their experiences. Research shows therapists whose patients perceive them as having cultural humility deliver improved therapy outcomes. That’s why Henry Health therapists complete training that equips them with the skills needed to effectively address issues of race, ethnicity, class and
culture. A scientifically validated tool measures therapists’ cultural responsiveness and provides education and coaching to improve their cultural humility. In addition to cultural considerations, therapy involves the noted clinical best practices of cognitive behavioral therapy and traumainformed care. Cognitive behavior therapy is a widely used therapeutic technique that has lasting impacts on mental health outcomes while trauma-informed care ensures patients have access to safe spaces to examine, process and transcend trauma. Volume 4, Issue 7 GETTING STARTED It’s normal to be unsure or hesitant about trying therapy. Some organizations even offer free 15-minute consultations so you can speak with a therapist before officially registering. When you are ready to start therapy, the process is usually simple. For example, through Henry Health, you begin with an online registration form, receive an email matching you with a therapist, login to the member portal to schedule an appointment and join your session from the convenience of a phone, tablet or computer. Visit henry-health.com for more information or to register.
COMMON STRESSORS Culturally responsive care can help improve a variety of stressors, including: • Anger • Trauma • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Domestic violence • Family and relationships • Money and finances • Race and racism • Health and illness • Jobs and career • Grief and loss • Substance use • Anxiety • Depression Continued on page 3...
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Important Phone Numbers:
2020 COVENTRY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Emergency:.......................................................................... 911
President and Chair of Welcoming
Pinellas County Request a Deputy:...................727-582-6177 Pinellas Sheriff’s Switchboard:..........................727-582-6200 Vacation House Checks:.....................................727-582-6177 Animal Control:....................................................727-582-2600 Wildlife Rescue:...................................................727-399-1525 East Lake Fire Department:................................727-784-8668 FDLE Sexual Predator Information:............... 1-888-357-7332
FDLE Website: www.fdle.state.fl.us
National Center for Missing Children:........... 1-800-843-5678 Pinellas County Emergency Management:.......727-464-3800
E-mail: ema@pinellascounty.org
Poison Control:................................................ 1-800-222-1222
Bob Thatcher
Dave Salladin
Vice President and Chair of Architectural Review
Gene Manley
Secretary/Treasurer
Frank Sanford
Director and Chair of Painting and Drains
Liz Valente
Director and Chair of Landscaping/Mailboxes and Irrigation
OTHER COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND BLOCK CAPTAINS Fred Avolio.................................... Chair of Appearance Marlee Ginsberg................. Dartford Dr Block Captain Art Snyder...................... Nottingham Dr Block Captain
Duke Power (power or streetlight outage):... 1-800-228-8485
Connie Martin................................... Property Manager
Pinellas County Utilities:....................................727-464-4000
connie.martin@fsresidential.com 727-299-9555, EXT6255
HOA Publishers: www.HOApub.com...................727-403-5506 Drivers’ Licenses:................................................727-725-7944
2020 CRESCENT OAKS
Automobile Registration:....................................727-464-7777
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Voter Information:................................................727-464-6108
Dave Brown................................................................. President
The deadline for articles in the next issue is
SEPTEMBER 20TH Submit yours: www.hoapub.com
Crescent Oaks assumes no responsibility for the advertising contents of its publication. No endorsement of any product or service is made by Crescent Oaks and none should be inferred. We reserve the right to reject any advertisement that we believe would not benefit the residents of Crescent Oaks. We do not knowingly accept objectionable or fraudulent advertising.
Maria Kokkinos DECOR
&
ORGANIZING
Frank Bagarella................................... Vice President, Security Irv Rosen.................................................... Secretary/Treasurer Lynda Kelly..................................Chairman, A.R.C. Committee Bob Patterson............................Director, Chair of Landscaping Arlene Miolla and Claire Segar................................Committee Connie Martin.................................................Property Manager connie.martin@fsresidential.com, 727-299-9555, EXT6255
• CRESCENT OAKS NEWS •
What is the number 1 problem people have when remodeling? STYLE AND COLOR PALETTE.
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The Crescent Oaks News is a FREE digital publication by HOA Publishers to all Crescent Oaks residents, paid for through ad revenue. Articles may be edited. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Views and opinions expressed are those of the writers.
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September 2020
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STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH ... continued from page 1
LIVE TO THRIVE Working constantly to get ahead without regard to the impact on your body, mind or productivity may produce the results you desire in the short-term, but the long-term implications are typically less favorable. Shifting your focus from the familiar grind to your mental well-being is a process you can tackle one step at a time. Get started with these tips from Men Thrive, a digital community designed by Black men for Black men that focuses on providing the tools they need to thrive rather than simply survive. CHECK IN Be honest with yourself about how and what you’re feeling. Acknowledge your feelings even if you can’t name them. It can be more powerful than you may think. Then schedule a wellness call to assess your current quality of mental and physical health. TALK TO YOUR TRIBE Decide what you need from the people closest to you and be that to them. Identify a moment you would normally say, “I’m good” when you’re actually not and talk about what’s on your mind. Be honest if you don’t know what to do with what you feel and acknowledge that you’re tired of ignoring it, bottling it in and feeling the pressure. SEEK CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE ADVICE Seek information and advice from an expert, like a therapist, who has professional and cultural intelligence that relates to your experiences and story. Research shows treatment outcomes greatly improve when cultural and historical knowledge are included in the approach to care.
ENGAGE IN THE PROCESS Place your focus on showing up whole, operating with joy and living with power. Aggressively pursue actions required to achieve a thriving lifestyle. JOIN A COMMUNITY A sense of community is essential to improving your mental health. A resource like Men Thrive can give you access to a community and a set of powerful self-mastery tools such as live segments, podcasts and guided meditation. Explore more advice and resources at MenThrive.com. Photos courtesy of Getty Images • #15362 • Source: Henry Health
HOW WE CAN CREATE A STRONG COMMUNITY by MyHOA.com A hive of bees is a perfect example of a community working together in harmony and for the common good of all its members. After all, a bee living alone can barely survive, let alone prosper. But in a hive made up of hundreds of other bees, each taking responsibility for the various jobs necessary for the survival of the community, the lone bee not only survives, it contributes mightily to the success of the hive. The secret of the bee’s success in living together in a close-knit community is that each bee not only understands the interrelationships that exist between it and the rest of the members of its community, but is willing to accept some of the responsibility for the hive’s prosperity by expanding their role in the community whenever necessary. As homeowners, we too can choose to recognize the interrelationships that exist between ourselves and our neighbors and how those interrelationships have a direct impact on our quality of life. We can also choose to take some of the responsibility upon ourselves to contribute to improving those relationships and in the process improve our community. In order for our community association to continue to protect, preserve and enhance our community assets and our property values, each member of our community has to acknowledge their role in our community and, at times, be willing to expand their role to take on some added responsibility. For example: We all must obey our governing documents, we agreed to do that when we closed escrow. By obeying
community rules and regulations, we contribute to our community and accept the role of a rule abiding member. Each year we conduct an Annual Meeting at which time we elect our Board of Directors, although we don’t have to participate in the election process, choosing to do so contributes to the success of our community. Our role as a rule abiding member expands to include that of a voting member. We also have the opportunity to attend our Board of Directors meetings in order to better understand the business decisions made by the Board. When we choose to attend those meetings, our role as a rule abiding, voting member now expands to include that of a participating member. And when we choose to serve on community committees or the Board of Directors, we accept another role and become a rule abiding, voting, participating and contributing member. So, let’s all work at recognizing what roles we can choose to accept in our community and, like the bee, work together at making our community the best place to live that it can be!
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4 WAYS TO HELP TRANSITION PETS TO POST-QUARANTINE ROUTINES by Family Features (Family Features) As states ease COVID-19 restrictions and people get out of the house to return to work, pets around the country may see their daily routines of hanging out with everyone come to an end. Some dogs and cats handle routine changes easily. For others, a routine change at home can cause behavior issues, nervousness or separation anxiety. A Suzy survey of 5,000 U.S. pet owners found nearly 70% of respondents are concerned their pets will have new or additional anxiety when they return to work. It’s important to prepare pets for changes in routine, especially those that are new to a home, for their well-being and harmony of the whole family. Consider these post-quarantine transition tips. MAKE A PLAN The key to any plan is making sure everyone knows what to do. This goes for veteran pet owners and the owners of more than 221,000 new pets adopted or fostered since March, according to the 24Pet ShelterWatch Report. Pet owners should agree on the plan for their pets and details should be shared with children who help with care. “Pet owners should make a plan with minimal and realistic changes to help their dogs or cats adapt to new routines,” said veterinarian Elizabeth DeLomba, MBA, senior veterinary services consultant at VetriScience Laboratories. “Start by offering your pets belongings that make them feel safe and comfortable and add small things that promote mental and physical stimulation.” PRACTICE THE NEW ROUTINE Ease your pet into being alone by spending short periods of time away from him or her both in and outside the home and work your way up to hours of separation. Use practice time to get your dog or cat used to what happens before you leave for work, comfortable with a crate or other safe space and acquainted with a new toy, treat or someone who will check on him or her during the day.
Before you leave, take your pet for a walk or play at home to get energy out prior to your departure. When it is time to leave, don’t make a big deal out of leaving. Say goodbye long before you leave then leave calmly. TRY A CALMING SUPPLEMENT The survey revealed that 65% of respondents plan to use a nutritional supplement to help their dog or cat cope with any anxiety a new routine brings. Over the counter calming supplements like VetriScience Composure chews can help pets relax during stressful times without changing their personality or energy level. Calming supplements come in bite-size chews or a liquid dosage and can help relieve stress for dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes. “Fear and anxiety disorders affect 23 million dogs in the U.S. alone,” DeLomba said. “Supplements may offer a convenient approach for managing separation anxiety and other behavioral issues. The ingredients in supplements work together to make a positive impact on behavior and anxiousness, which results in a calmer, more focused pet.” KEEP THEM STIMULATED Don’t let your dog or cat feel bored when home alone. Play music, keep a television on or use a white noise machine to create some constant sound. If your pet isn’t into watching television, keep him or her busy with a treat-dispensing toy that requires some work. Or stuff a toy with peanut butter, freeze it and give it to your dog when you leave. These ideas can help keep your pet’s mind stimulated and encourage him or her to focus on something other than being alone. Start thinking about a plan for your pet and ask your veterinarian if you have concerns about behavioral changes. Learn more and find the full survey results at vetriscience.com. Photos courtesy of Getty Images • #15314 • Source: VetriScience
September 2020
Crescent Oaks News
NEW FOOD TRENDS CAN SAVE TIME AND MONEY by Family Features
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SHRIMP SCAMPI Cook time: 20 minutes • Servings: 4 • 8 ounces pasta linguine • 2 tablespoons butter • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 1/2 cup dry white wine or seafood broth • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 1dash crushed red pepper flakes • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper • 1 1/2 pounds large or extra-large Aqua Star shrimp, shelled • 1/3 cup parsley, chopped • 1/2 lemon, juice only - Cook pasta according to package directions.
As families continue to adjust their meal routines amidst a worldwide pandemic, there are trends you and your loved ones can follow to improve your general health, maintain a budget and spend more time together. Home cooking: According to a study conducted by Hunter on how COVID-19 has changed home cooking, 54% of Americans are cooking more and 50% have more confidence in the kitchen. Many, perhaps for the first time, found that cooking at home and learning cooking techniques could be a fun family activity. Trusting frozen: Frozen foods have seen a renaissance in 2020. Many families discovered that new technologies allow frozen foods to deliver innovations in flavors, recipes, authenticity and affordability without compromising taste. For example, Aqua Star’s frozen Cutting Board Meal Kits are available at grocers nationwide and feature full chef-inspired meals like Chipotle Shrimp Street Tacos and Southwest Chili-Lime Tilapia. Saving money: It’s common knowledge for many consumers that eating at or ordering takeout from a restaurant is more expensive than cooking at home. Eating at home showed families just how much they could save, and this trend is likely to continue. According to a Simon-Kucher Restaurants Survey, 26% of consumers who ate meals from casual restaurants before the pandemic anticipate eating meals primarily at home for up to a year after lockdown. More seafood: According to a national survey by Aqua Star, one of the country’s largest seafood companies, 75% of Americans want to eat more seafood. Seafood provides nutritional benefits for a multitude of recipes, but many people don’t know how to prepare it. One of the easiest ways to introduce your family to seafood is through familiar comfort food recipes and convenient one-pan meals. Online grocery shopping: Nearly daily trips to the grocery store can be an expensive habit since impulse buying is a bane to healthy eating and saving money. As online grocery shopping grows in popularity, it provides families with a convenient, time-saving way to keep musthaves on hand without overspending at the store. Dinners with family: After years of families grabbing meals on the run, sheltering in place has brought many back to the dining room table. For a simple family meal that focuses on frozen seafood and pantry staples, try this recipe for Shrimp Scampi that involves just a few steps of preparation that can even allow kids to help in the process. If you don’t have time to cook, Aqua Star’s Shrimp Scampi MicroSteam Bowl is a simple way to enjoy the same flavors in minutes, from the microwave, with no clean-up required. Find more at-home seafood solutions at aquastar.com.
- In large skillet, melt butter and oil. Add garlic and saute until fragrant. Add wine or broth, salt, red pepper flakes and black pepper. Bring to simmer and reduce by half. - Add shrimp and saute until shrimp turn pink and opaque, approximately 2-4 minutes depending on size. Stir in parsley, lemon juice and cooked pasta. Photo courtesy of Getty Images (family dinner) • #15328 • Source: Aqua Star
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REQUEST FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT
In an effort to protect each individual homeowner’s rights as well as those of the homeowners collectively, it is a requirement of this Association that any homeowner considering improvements or alterations of the appearance of their real property submit a “REQUEST FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT” to the Board of Directors/Architectural Review Committee. This request must be in writing and must be approved in writing PRIOR to the commencement of work. Improvements requiring approval include, but are not limited to, painting or changing exterior surfaces, including walks and driveways; removing or adding to landscape; any outdoor addition; swimming pools or spas and irrigation wells. The Association reserves the right to ask any homeowner to remove any architectural change made without prior approval and/or in violation of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions. The Association also reserves all rights under law to enforce said Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions. Please submit the completed request form to:
CRESCENT OAKS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC. c/o FirstService Residential • 2870 Scherer Drive, Suite 100, St. Petersburg, FL 33716 Phone (727) 299-9555 Fax (727) 299-9556
Property Owner’s Name ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________________ Home Phone_______________________________________________________________________ Coventry Kingsbury Regency Briefly describe the improvement you propose. __________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Note: Please attach a sketch of proposed alterations and include samples of paint colors.
Location of improvement:
Front of House
Back of House
Side of House
Roof
Front Yard Back Yard Other________________________________________________________________________________________________ Who will perform the required work? Materials required for proposed improvements will include (check & describe where appropriate): Paint/Stain Color(s) ______________________________________________ Concrete________________________________________________ Lumber Type(s) _______________________________________________ Plumbing_______________________________________________ Brick Type(s)_______________________________________________ Electrical _______________________________________________ Other ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I understand that the Board of Directors and/or Architectural Review Committee will act on this request as quickly as possible and will contact me regarding their approval or disapproval of this request. I agree not to begin work on improvements until I am notified of the approval of the Board of Directors and/or Architectural Review Committee. Signature______________________________________________________________________________Date:________________________________ Approved______________________________________________________________________________Date:________________________________
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2020
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CURRENT BUYER & SELLER PERKS IN THE HOUSING MARKET By Paul & Denise Virgadamo Keller Williams Realty • 727-919-8994 info@teamvirgadamo.com • www.TeamVirgadamo.com
Today’s housing market is making a truly impressive turnaround, and it’s also setting up some outstanding opportunities for buyers and sellers. Whether you are thinking of buying or selling a home this year, there are perks today that are rarely available, and definitely worth looking into. Here are the top two.
considering today as they re-evaluate the amount of space they ideally need for their families. It is an opportunity not seen in 50 years, and one not to be missed if the time is right for you to buy a home. THE BIGGEST PERK FOR SELLERS: LOW INVENTORY Today, there are simply not enough houses on the market for the number of buyers looking to purchase them. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “Total housing inventory at the end of June totaled 1.57 million units, up 1.3% from May, but still down 18.2% from one year ago (1.92 million).” The red bars in the graph below indicate that the inventory of homes coming into the market continues to decline. It was low as we entered the pandemic and has reduced even further this year. Houses today are selling faster than they’re being listed, and that’s creating an even greater supply shortage (See graph below):
THE BIGGEST PERK FOR BUYERS: LOW MORTGAGE RATES The most impressive buyer incentive today is the average mortgage interest rate. Just last week, mortgage rates hit an all-time low for the eighth time this year. The 30-year fixed-rate is now averaging 2.88%, the lowest rate in the survey’s history, which dates to 1971 (See graph below):
This is a huge advantage for buyers. To put it in perspective, it means that today you can get a lower rate than any of the past two generations of homebuyers in your family if you decide to purchase at this time. In addition, the National Mortgage News notes how today’s buyers have increasing purchasing power due to these low mortgage rates: “Purchasing power rose 10% year-over-year…With interest rates hitting record lows, buyers were able to afford $32,000 “more house” as of July 23 than they could the year before with the same monthly payment.” This is a great perk for buyers who are hoping to potentially get more for their money in a home, something many are
The lack of inventory has been a challenging situation for a while now, and with low mortgage rates fueling buyer demand, inventory is even harder for buyers to find today. Buyers are eager to purchase, and because of the shortage of homes available, they’re encountering more bidding wars. This is one of the factors keeping home prices strong, an advantage for sellers. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR notes that this trend may continue, too: “Home prices rose during the lockdown and could rise even further due to heavy buyer competition and a significant shortage of supply.” With low inventory and high buyer demand, homeowners can potentially earn an increasing profit on their houses and sell them quickly in this sizzling summer market. BOTTOM LINE Whether you are thinking about buying or selling at home, there are some key perks available right now. Let’s connect today to discuss how they may play to your advantage in our local market. Theinformationcontained,andtheopinionsexpressed,inthisarticlearenotintendedtobe construedasinvestmentadvice.Wedonotguaranteeorwarranttheaccuracyorcompleteness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. We will not be liable for anylossordamagecausedbyyourrelianceontheinformationoropinionscontainedherein.
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