South West Florida 6

INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2023

In life there are constant changes, so too in the world of interior design. Trends are always shifting. The themes for 2023 seem to be: Sustainable living and health & wellness designs. There has been a move away from minimalism to individualism which has created more personalized and decorative styles. In this new, post-Covid world, there have been many changes to the way we live, both inside and outside of the home. Many of us spend much more time in the house, so people have adjusted their priorities in the way the home is used.

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Kitchens are central to this new lifestyle and the open kitchen is an important aspect of this new trend. Most desirable are large islands that seat the family comfortably and provide lots of workspace. Upper and lower cabinets of different colors are in fashion as are stainless steel cabinetry and fixtures. To update a kitchen, a coat of paint can completely change the feel and be extremely cost effective. Lighting is also a key component, particularly if natural light is not available. A growing number of homeowners are installing led lights underneath their cabinets to illuminate the kitchen counter top.

With so many people still working at home, a designated office is often a necessity and needs to be incorporated into the design of your home. First of all, it should be comfortable and functional. It is desirable to have natural light and natural materials wherever possible. Try colors that are inspired by nature for a calming environment. For a more dramatic approach, an interesting background wall color can be useful for

With a new focus on wellness and healthy living, more attention is paid to comfort and overall well-being. (.

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all of your zoom meetings.

Furnishings will feel more organic with the use of cotton, wool, and velvet fabrics. Of course fabric decisions can depend on the location within the home; it’s recommended that the home match its natural environment. There is still a movement toward coordinating the indoor and outdoor environments. Arches and architectural details are in as are soft edges, curved sofas, and personal pieces.

Multi-function rooms that cater to entertainment and exercise are in vogue. More people will want media rooms for movies and games as well as gyms and saunas.

Mud rooms and laundry rooms are no longer just utilitarian spaces. Today, homeowners want these spaces to coordinate with the rest of the home. Sometimes they even want to accommodate a pet with a special tub. Think about maximizing natural light throughout your home. Big open

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The focus of home design in 2023 is a calm, comfortable environment in harmony with nature that incorporates work, entertainment and relaxation spaces.

windows which bring in natural light can improve mood, focus and sleep patterns which will improve one’s health.

It looks like 2023 may bring with it the end of the white wall trend. Currently, designers are reporting

clients wanting jewel tones in blues, greens and even rust, which creates a cozier environment. This is part of the eco-friendly trend of the last few years which incorporates elements of nature. Gold will also be popular as an accent color.

It is important to revisit one’s estate planning periodically, as both circumstances and laws can change without notice. If you do not have an estate plan, it is time to create one. You probably have more assets than you think.

First of all, estate planning is an opportunity to designate who will receive your assets upon death or incapacitation. It will also allow you to designate a guardian for your children. With the advice of counsel, your plan will manage assets to minimize estate

taxes, gift taxes and any other tax issues. And most importantly, a good estate plan will avoid disagreements between heirs and probate which can be time consuming and expensive.

Begin with an assessment of all your assets, including your home and other real estate, art, collections, vehicles, and jewelry. List your checking and savings accounts, investment accounts, life insurance policies, IRA or 401 accounts and ownership interests in any businesses. Estimate the value in order to divide among your heirs.

SEVERAL DOCUMENTS:

A COMPLETE ESTATE PLAN INCLUDES

POWER OF ATTORNEY

A durable power of attorney allows a person of your choosing to handle financial, legal and other matters if you are otherwise incapacitated. It remains in effect until death or revocation.

REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST

A revocable living trust is an instrument that allows the owner (grantor) of assets to establish a trust for beneficiaries with the help of a trustee. You can be your own trustee with an alternate upon death or incapacity. This document can be amended or revoked as needed. The most important aspect of a consuming and expensive probate.

MEDICAL CARE DIRECTIVE

A living will specifies your wishes for medical care. A medical power of attorney gives authority to a trusted person to make decisions if you are unable.

WILL

A will, though desirable, is not essential if you have a revocable trust. The main reason to write a will is to include assets which may not be included in one’s trust. A will is meant to simplify things. You can designate child custody and also the recipients of your most valuable possession, such as cars, jewelry or other personal items.

COUNTRY CLUB

Weddings

Looking for an elegant and classic wedding venue to celebrate your big day? Country clubs are ideal for a variety of reasons.

Here are some reasons why country club wedding venues are among our favorites.

IT’S A CLASSIC VENUE.

A country club wedding has long been a time-honored tradition for couples with family ties to a members-only venue. Childhood memories of playing tennis or learning to expertly hit 18 holes can add sentimental meaning to a country club wedding. A country club also provides a familiar, picturesque venue. Expansive green spaces pair up with a stately ballroom to offer a magazine-worthy setting for a large indoor-outdoor wedding. Not a member of a nearby club? Some clubs are open to the public for

events, while some private clubs will allow non-member weddings if the couple is “sponsored” by a member—meaning you just have to know someone who can connect you with the club’s in-house wedding planner.

IT OFFERS A ONE-STOP-SHOP.

Like a hotel, a country club often has many wedding services on-site. Catering, flowers, linen rentals and even the wedding planner may all be available for one package price that can reduce planning time and stress. All you have to do is worry about finding the perfect country club-appropriate wedding attire for you and your wedding party.

IT’S A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE A RAIN BACKUP PLAN.

Maybe you’ve always dreamed of getting married in an outdoor ceremony—but then the skies open up right before you walk down the outdoor aisle. A country club offers the peace of mind of a rain plan with multiple ballrooms, dining rooms and other suitable indoor venues that can work as a stand-by on your big day.

IT CAN ACCOMMODATE MANY SIZES OF WEDDINGS.

Those aforementioned outdoor spaces, ballrooms and dining rooms also mean a country club can accommodate a variety of wedding sizes. Want an intimate wedding for 20? That gazebo in the formal gardens might make a great place for your I Do’s. Is a wedding for 250 of your friends and family more your style? Many country clubs can host very large weddings in their wow-worthy ballrooms, too.

TWO WORDS: LAWN GAMES

Those green spaces can do a lot more than hold chairs for your wedding ceremony. The large swaths of grass at a country club are a great space to entertain your guests with classic games like croquet, boccie ball and corn hole. And don’t let the golf course go to waste! A round of golf for your guests should definitely be in order at some point during the wedding weekend.

Bianco, Katie (2017, March 8). 5 Reasons to Get Married ... at a Country Club [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/5-reasons-to-get-married-at-a-country-club

2023 PGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

JAN 5 - 8, 2023 Sentry Tournament of Champions Plantation Course at Kapalua, Kapalua, Maui, HI

JAN 12 - 15, 2023

JAN

JAN 25 - 28, 2023

FEB 2 - 5, 2023

FEB 9 - 12, 2023

Open in Hawaii Qu Waialae Country Club, Honolulu, HI

* Schedule subject to change

Insurance Open Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course), San Diego, CA

Pebble Beach Pro-Am Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, CA

Phoenix Open TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course), Scottsdale, AZ

FEB 16 - 19, 2023 The Genesis Invitational The Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, CA

FEB 23 - 26, 2023 The Honda Classic PGA National Resort (The Champion), Palm Beach Gardens, FL

MAR 2 - 5, 2023

MAR 2 - 5, 2023

MAR 9 - 12, 2023

MAR 16 - 19, 2023

MAR 22 - 26, 2023

MAR 23 - 26, 2023

MAR 30 - APR 2, 2023

APR 6 - 9, 2023

APR 13 - 16, 2023

APR 20 - 23, 2023

Puerto Rico Open Grand Reserve Golf Club, Rio Grande, PUR

Brehm $666,000

Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, FL Scottie Scheffler $2,160,000

THE PLAYERS Championship The Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, MS Cameron Smith $3,600,000

Valspar Championship Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course), Palm Harbor, FL

World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play Austin Country Club, Austin, TX

Corales Puntacana Championship Puntacana Resort & Club (Corales Golf Course), Punta Cana, DOM

Burns $1,404,000

Ramey $ 666,000

Valero Texas Open TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course), San Antonio, TX J.J. Spaun $1,548,000

Masters Tournament

Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, GA Scottie Scheffler $2,700,000

RBC Heritage Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, SC Jordan Spieth $1,440,000

Zurich Classic of New Orleans Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head Island, SC P. Cantlay/X. Schauffele $1,199,350

2023 PGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

DATESTOURNAMENT

APR 27 - 30, 2023

Mexico Open at Vidanta Vidanta Vallarta, Vallarta, MEX

MAY 4 - 7, 2023 Wells Fargo Championship Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC

MAY 11 - 14, 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson TPC Craig Ranch, McKinney, TX

MAY 18 - 21, 2023 PGA Championship Q Oak HIll Country Club, Rochester, NY

MAY 25 - 28, 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, TX

JUN 1 - 4, 2023

JUN 8 - 11, 2023

The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, OH

* Schedule subject to change

RBC Canadian Open Oakdale Golf & Country Club, Toronto, Ontario, CAN

JUN 15 - 18, 2023 U.S. Open The Los Angeles Country Club (North Course), Los Angeles, CA

JUN 22 - 25, 2023

Travelers Championship TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, CT

Burns $1,512,000

Horschel $2,160,000

Fitzpatrick $3,150,000

Schauffele $1,494,000

JUN 29 - JUL 2, 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, MI Tony Finau $1,512,000

JUL 6 - 9, 2023

JUL 13 - 16, 2023

JUL 13 - 16, 2023

JUL 20 - 23, 2023

JUL 20 - 23, 2023

JUL 27 - 30, 2023

AUG 3 - 6, 2023

AUG 10 - 13, 2023

AUG 17 - 20, 2023

John Deere Classic PC Deere Run, Silvis, IL J.T. Posto $1,278,000

Barbasol Championship Keene Trace Golf Club (Champions Course), Nicholasville, KY Trey Mullinax $666,000

Genesis Scottish Open The Renaissance Club, North Berwick, SCO Xander Schauffele $1,400,000

Barracuda Championship Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood), Truckee, CA Chez Reavie $666,000

The Open Championship Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, Wirral, ENG

Cameron Smith $2,500,000

3M Open TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, MN Tony Finau $1,350,000

Wyndham Championship Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, NC

Tom Kim $1,314,000

TPC Southwind, Memphis, TN Will Zalatoris $2,700,000

FedEx St. Jude Championship

BMW Championship Olympia Fields Country Club (North Course), Olympia Fields, IL Patrick Cantlay Patrick Cantlay

2023 LPGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

2023 LPGA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE SOUTH WEST FLORIDA

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

AUGUST

AUG 26 | INTERNATIONAL CULTURE FEST

Enjoy a family fun journey of international cuisine, cultural crafts, live performances, educational activities & more! Presented by Fishermen’s Village and The Cultural Heritage Center of Southwest Florida.For more info visit: fishermensvillage.com

SEPTEMBER

SEPT 16 | HISPANIC FESTIVAL

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage at this Free family and community event - Food, Art & Music Festival FORD’s Taste of Latino Festival. Free Family Festival. Bring Your Lawn Chair & Enjoy, a beautiful day filled with LIVE Music & Dance performances! Opening Ceremony for 2023 Hispanic Heritage season, TOP Latino Chef Contest and 2023 Florida Latino & Latina Lideres will be recognized and awarded on Stage! For more info visit: tasteoflatino.com

SEPT 23 | KEY LIME FESTIVAL

Fishermen’s Village annual Key Lime & Tropical Fest has become a highly anticipated event each year! For more info visit:

https://tinyurl.com/44a9dw3v

OCTOBER

OCT 13 - 15 | ROCKTOBERFEST

Fall means it’s time for Rocktoberfest! No matter where Oktoberfest is celebrated, there are common ingredients: lively music, mouthwatering food, big, big pints of beer, family and fun.

October 13-15, 2023, Paragon Festivals with the Downtown Sarasota Enrichment Association bring an authentic 3-Day Oktoberfest experience coupled with fantastic live musical performances! For more info visit:

https://tinyurl.com/mpdm39ym

OCT 20 - 29 | OKTOBERFEST

Every October the German-American Social Club brings Munich to Cape Coral for one of the largest events of the season. With three

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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE SOUTH WEST FLORIDA

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

stages and two dance floors, the oom-pah music never stops. And neither does the food. With heaping platters of sausages and schweinshaxe to stacks of potato pancakes and schnitzel, it’s a good thing there’s plenty of beer to wash it all down. For more info visit: capecoraloktoberfest.com

NOVEMBER DATES | TITLEHERE

With displays in the water, throughout Centennial Park, and on the Streets hosted annually in November - This is the biggest showing of boats, boating products and all things marine in Southwest Florida. Attendees will find hundreds of boats, more than 130 boat lines, expanded in-water displays, and a huge display of boating accessories and fishing tackle. For more info visit: goboatingflorida.com

NOV 24 - 26 | FOOD TRUCK RALLY & MUSIC FESTIVAL

The rally will offer a diverse selec-

tion of food trucks, each ready to provide a unique culinary journey. From local favorites to exotic dishes, there’s something to satisfy every palate. As you sample the cuisine, you’ll be serenaded by the sounds of our Music Festival. So, bring your family and friends and join us for an unforgettable weekend of food, music, a marketplace of arts, crafts and specialty products and community spirit at the Sarasota Food Truck Rally & Music Festival.For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/5bpm9wu2

DECEMBER

DEC 1 - 31 | FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Get into the holiday spirit this year! View over one million traditional Christmas themed lights and decorations throughout Fishermen’s Village.For more info visit: fishermensvillage.com

DEC 1 - 3 | SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL

This event will offer a variety of seafood, cooked fresh on site.

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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE SOUTH WEST FLORIDA

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

Seafood dishes are prepared using fresh, local and sustainable ocean resources from the Florida Gulf Coast. Bring family and friends to enjoy fresh seafood and outstanding live musical performances. For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/5d3587j7

JANUARY

JAN 5 - 7 | SEAFOOD FESTIVAL

Enjoy foods cooked fresh onsite with a variety of side dishes and of course – desserts! For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/3ssjhknk

JAN 19 - 21 | TRUCK RALLY & MUSIC FESTIVAL

Sarasota, we’re back with another culinary and musical extravaganza! This time, we’re bringing the party to St. Armands Circle Park. Warm up your January with the St. Armands Food Truck Rally & Music Festival! For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/9b5h724c

FEBRUARY

FEB 3 - 4 | ARTFEST

ArtFest Fort Myers decorates our downtown riverfront with exceptional artwork and entertainment. The festival includes art competition, art demonstrations, sidewalk chalk competition, a free children’s craft area, and the 5-K Publix Run to the Arts on Sunday morning. Bring the entire family to this fun free event to enjoy and purchase the works of fabulous professional artists! For more info visit: artfestfortmyers.com

FEB 18 |

EDISON FESTIVAL

Named as the largest night parade in the Southeast year after year, the Grand Parade is a two-hour extravaganza featuring national participants & local marching bands, floats, local government and law enforcement officials, clowns and much, much more. For more info visit: edisonfestival.org

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LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE

SOUTH WEST FLORIDA

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

FEB 23 - 25 | SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL

Select from delectable foods cooked on site incorporating the freshest ingredients by local restaurants and food purveyors. A variety of seafood entrees and vegetarian dishes will be available, along with a diversity of side dishes and desserts, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Gather family members and friends to enjoy the food, music and beautiful views of downtown St. Petersburg. Enjoy – relaxing! And as an added bonus: shop a marketplace of arts, crafts and fine products between musical performances!

For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/2s2ufumy

MARCH

MARCH TBA | CUBAN SANDWICH FESTIVAL

Celebrate a delayed Hispanic Heritage at the Southwest Florida Cuban Sandwich Festival!

For more info visit: cubansandwichfestival.com

MARCH 1 - 10 | COUNTY FAIR

Southwest Florida & Lee County Fair will feature activities like the fun talent contest, youth citrus project, fashion review competition, chicken bbq cook-off, youth royalty, hay bale decorating competition, and club booth competition.For more info visit: swflcfair.com

MARCH 22 - 24 | MUSIC FESTIVAL

If you want to relax, kick back and partake of great music and food – we have what you need! Join us for the weekend at the Fort Myers River District Music Festival. We create a masterful event and look forward to seeing YOU – the most important ingredient! For more info visit: https://tinyurl.com/598kf98p

APRIL

APRIL TBA | FILM FESTIVAL

The Sarasota Film Festival lasts just over a week and celebrates the recent works of both wellknown and new artists of the film

LOCAL EVENTS GUIDE SOUTH WEST FLORIDA

PLEASE NOTE: WE’RE AWARE THAT THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES ARE LIMITING MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE AS WE ALL PRACTICE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING. DUE TO THE CURRENT OUTBREAK, MANY EVENTS HAVE EITHER BEEN CANCELLED, RESCHEDULED, OR CHANGED TO VIRTUAL EVENTS. PLEASE VERIFY ALL EVENTS PRIOR TO ATTENDING. THANK YOU.

industry. The festival features many different kinds of movies, including drama, foreign, short films and comedies. Grab your popcorn and enjoy! For more info visit: sarasotafilmfestival.com

JUNE

JUNE 23 - 30 | SUMMER FEST

MAY MAY TBA | TACO FEST

The most anticipated taco festival of the year is taking place at the Manatee County Fairgrounds! Get ready for an action-packed day filled with a variety of tacos, margaritas, assorted beers, delicious indulgences, music and all around fun for the family. Come hungry, get ready for the Manatee Annual Taco Fest!. For more info visit: manateeannualtacofest.net

Join us this year for Southwest Florida’s Premier Charity Boat Fun Run! Proceeds will go to Suncoast Charities For Children. Participants in this year’s boat race will enjoy the inviting waters off Sarasota while supporting the community. For more info visit: suncoastsummerfest.org

JULY

JULY 4 | INDEPENDENCE DAY

MAY 22 - 26 | FILM FEST

Come to the annual Fort Myers Film FEstival! Screenings, panels, events and gatherings will be held at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and other venues around town. For more info visit: fortmyersfilmfestival.com

Independence Day, commonly referred to as Fourth of July is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. We celebrate July 4th in Bradenton & Sarasota Florida with fireworks, parades, backyard BBQ, fairs, baseball games, shopping for great deals, or enjoying a nice evening out with friends and family. For more info visit: https://bit.ly/3t45qfA

2024 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

* Schedule subject to change

22Thu, January 25, 20247:30

23Fri, January 26, 20243:00 pm

24Sat, January 27, 20247:30 pm

25Sun, January 28, 20247:30 pm

Mixed Doubles Semi /Women’s Doubles Final / Men’s Singles Semifinal

Women’s Singles Final /Men’s Doubles Final

Mixed Doubles Final /Men’s Singles Final

2024 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

2023-24 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

2023 GRAND SLAM TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

- TRAVEL TO -

If you haven’t been to Africa and are looking for an amazing experience, consider a safari. The only question is where to start, as there are many African countries with amazing national parks and various wildlife, all of which can provide a once-in-alifetime vacation. The top countries for safaris are Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

MASAI MARA

JUNE - OCTOBER

Masai Mara National Reserve is the most famous. It is known for its herds of plains’ game which include Masai lions, African leopards and Tanzanian cheetahs. The park is also home to the annual migration of zebra, gazelle and wildebeest to and from the Serengeti in Tanzania.

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LAKE NAKURU ANYTIME

Lake Nakuru National Park is known for pink flamingos flocking along the shore of the lake. Also notable are the park’s white rhinos, warthogs, giraffes, zebras, hippos, ostriches and lions.

AMBOSELI

JUNE & OCTOBER

Amboseli National Park is best known for its view of Mount Kilimanjaro and over 300 species of birds. You will also see zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, lions, cheetahs, buffalo, jackals, giraffes and leopards.

TSAVO

MAY - OCTOBER

Tsavo National Park, which is made up of two smaller parks, is the largest in Kenya and also the most remote. Famous for elephants playing in the Galana River, you will also find 500 species of birds and also giraffes, gazelles, lions, antelopes, impalas, hyenas and oryx.

SAMBURU ANYTIME

Samburu Game Reserve is known for rare species such as Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, and the Beisa Oryx. It is also home to around 900 elephants as well as lions, leopards, cheetahs and over 450 bird species. It is also famous for Kamunyak, the lioness that adopted 6 baby oryx.

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Tanzania

There are 22 national parks in Tanzania, making it difficult to decide where to go. Serengeti, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, and Ngorongoro are the largest and most popular destinations and are often toured together along with Lake Manyara National Park. You will spot the big five mammals - buffaloes, elephants, rhinos, leopards and lions as well as giraffes, zebras, hippos and 500 species of birds on your nature walk, game drive, or in a hot air balloon.

LAKE MANYARA

JUNE - OCTOBER

Lake Manyara Park was established to protect large herds of elephants and is also famous for tree-climbing lions. With its beautiful setting on the lake, it is perfect for viewing pink flamingos and over 400 species of birds.

NGORONGORO

APRIL - MAY

The Ngorongoro Conservation Centre (world heritage site) is known for the Crater which was formed when an ancient volcano exploded and collapsed on itself, creating vast plains that attracted wild life. The big five can be viewed here as well as black rhino. The Massai tribe still grazes their livestock here. Also, the Olduval Gorge is found here. This is where the Leakeys, in 1959, discovered evidence of human origins, fossilized bones, and stone tools dating back millions of years.

TRENDS FOR 2023 Health Food

Rarely do we think about what is trending in the world of food and drink, but there are organizations that study this issue constantly, including Whole Foods, Innova Market Insights and even Martha Stewart herself. The current trend seems to be towards a focus on healthier eating due to an interest in sustainable agriculture, climate change and possibly as a result of correcting those bad habits acquired during Covid lock down.

In the drink space, mocktails, or virgin cocktails, have become more and more popular for health reasons, even spawning a number of new establishments devoted exclusively to alcohol-free night life. This trend expands well beyond Shirley Temples and there is an emphasis on alcohol free cosmopolitans, margaritas, mojitos

and other more original creative drinks. As an example, Whole Foods points to yaupon, a caffeinated plant, to be brewed for tea and also used in new mocktail creations. Also growing in popularity are milk substitutes like oat, soy, almond, and even potato. They are typically lower in fat, sugar and are also cholesterol free.

In the world of foods, there has been significant and growing interest in nutrition and sustainability. We will be interested in more natural less processed foods as well as more traditional ethnic menus. Plant based foods will be a growth area as the number of vegans has increased significantly and most of us have cut down on meat consumption for health and environmental concerns. We will want more locally produced ingredients due to interest in climate change. There is actually a new word for this - glocal. Think global and eat local!

Plant based pasta made from chickpeas, cauliflower and zucchini are already popular but new ones made from hearts of palm and green

bananas are coming. And of course there is spaghetti squash which is the true vegetable pasta. Plant based meats have been available for quite some time but expect to see more plant based chicken and cheese.

Interestingly, mushrooms are of particular interest as they are actually a super-food and contain so many necessary nutrients such as vitamins B and D, potassium, and antioxidants that can reduce signs of aging. With over 400 species, there is always a new one to try and the latest trend is toward oyster and trumpet mushrooms. What makes mushrooms such a versatile substitute is they are naturally chewy, crisp up when cooked, and absorb a variety of sauces. Don’t forget the portobello, which is a great meat replacement or even king oyster mushrooms as a replacement for scallops.