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The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about things to do in Florida are the theme parks, but did you know there are many other enjoyable destinations that can be reached all within a day’s time? Here is a list of 5 of these places, and why they’re worth checking out!
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AMENITIES • Pool • Cabana
AREA HIGHLIGHTS • Pedestrian Friendly Streets • Nearby Marina, Sea Plane Base,
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1. The Salvador Dalí Mu- dazzling beaches. From seum in Tampa its quaint local shops and restaurants to clear, blue Nested in St. Petersburg, water, Seaside feels like a the Dalí museum is a won- little utopia, perfect for rederful place to visit for art laxing and soaking up the lovers and others alike. Florida sun. This museum has the largest collection of Dalí’s 3. Wakulla Springs near work (outside of Europe!) Tallahassee as well as beautiful gardens and special exhibits. Another film location—The You are guaranteed to see Creature from the Black Lasomething breathtaking at goon—is Wakulla Springs this museum! near Tallahassee. Wakulla is one of the biggest and 2. The Beaches in Seaside deepest natural springs in Florida, filled with crisp, Perhaps best known for be- cool water. Enjoy taking a ing the shooting location of dip in the spring, a jungle the 1998 film The Truman cruise tour to discover the Show, Seaside, located in native wildlife, or staying Destin, is an incredible dis- at the historic lodge locatplay of New Urbanism and ed within the park. It’s less than 20 miles south of Tallahassee, so a trip to Florida’s capital city can be added to your itinerary!
golfing aficionados.
• Short Commute to Bustling Downtown Mount Dora
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on, including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities, are hotographs, features, colors and sizes are approximate for illustration purposes ximate. *Home Is Connected, A smart home is a convenient home setup where connected place in the world using a mobile or other networked device. Florida
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4. St. Augustine
5. Everglades National Park in Miami Aside from the theme parks, the Everglades is perhaps the most wellknown Floridian destination, but have you ever been? Take an airboat ride and explore the nation’s third largest national park and all of the native and endangered species and wildlife within. And because it’s in South Florida, the city of Miami is worth checking out too, from its art districts to the zoo!
Consider visiting St. Augustine, the country’s oldest city! Take a guided tour to see all the greatest landmarks, such as the Castillo de San Marcos and the famed Fountain of Youth. There are also premium outlets to get your shop- By: Raven Halle ping fix, and the World Golf Village is close by for
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I do not know, and nobody really can know for sure. However, I am absolutely convinced that real estate prices in central Florida will continue to increase substantially over the next 25 years, well past 2046! That means that if my sense is correct, and you are 30 years old today and own a home with a current value of $400,000, the value of In March 2005 I pubthat home when you lished a Coffee Hour turn 55 will be well over with Beat with the title $1 Million. However, “Homebuyer Beware,” where I warned readers this will not likely happen in a straight line about buying a home over the next 25 years they could not afford. and at times, your home To me, the writing was may have a lower value on the wall, and I foresaw a crash on the hous- in the future than today. ing market long before I continue to be very opsome of the famous economists had the same timistic for central Florida in the long run. As a idea. matter of fact, my group of companies has decidShortly after that preed to concentrate investdiction, the crash on the housing market did ing in real estate in central Florida. Selling our happen in 2007-08 and following. The housing real estate investments in Australia, Canada, bubble burst triggered China and Indonesia, we many to reach out, including a Swiss reporter, have shifted a significant who had discovered my portion of our focus to 2005 article and question the over 10,000 acres of why I made such a pre- land we own in central Florida. diction. With more than 30 years of experience as a real estate entrepreneur in central Florida and around the globe, I believe that I’ve developed a sense for the markets. And as of late, the current state of the housing market, interest rates and economy have people asking, “Will there be another crash like in 2007? Does it not feel like 2006? Will there be a recession? Will there be hyperinflation? Etc.”
HOWEVER, land, home and other prices have increased dramatically over the last year. Caution is always advised when the sky is the limit, although I do not see any reason for a housing price crash at this time in central Florida. In 2006 many homebuyers bought single-family homes for speculation reasons only. This is not the case today. As a matter of fact, there is presently a shortage of
homes all over the United States. There are other forces working, this time I do not think Florida’s economy and state of the housing market will cause a crash, but if tomorrow a large bank in Europe or Asia (and there are several larger than Lehman Brothers with thin capital) fails, and government, wherever it is, does not come to aid in time, then all bets could be off, as we saw in 2008-09. Florida historically and continues to be a fertile place for speculation. If it is too good to be true, we usually are in. So, I urge you to please not speculate with your home, the place you raise your family. It is not primarily an investment, it is a capital good, which you need to be able to afford in good and challenging times. Do not finance shortterm, because of lower interest rates and amortization. These loans are not made for people who cannot afford longterm rates and other conditions.
American Dream, many times renting your home or apartment is financially a better choice, particularly in a volatile market environment. For instance, if you are at retirement age, it may be wiser not to buy a residence, you want to stay flexible. Whether you need to quickly transition to a residential solution with less upkeep and more care like an independent living community or assisted living community or want the flexibility to travel, you do not want to be forced to sell your home at the wrong time in the market, because of another pressing need. Home prices will go up over the next 25 years, I am convinced, but they can as well go down at times. So, my caution from 2005, Homebuyer Beware, remains true, but for different reasons. Do not speculate with your home, purchase within your means and if you cannot, then rent! Happy 4th of July from My Family to Yours!
While ownership of a home is part of the
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Tavares Chamber Update
Hello from the Tavares Chamber- happy Summer! We don’t know about you, but we are ready for some Summer fun- luckily, there is SO much to do in Downtown Tavares! Please stop by www.tavareschamber.com and find out where we’ll be this month and register for our events. You can also visit our website (www. tavareschamber.com) to join the Chamber, and visit our Facebook page (@ TavaresChamberOfCommerce) for the latest news!
Photo from our March Monthly Luncheon. Photo Credit to Byron Faudie
Coming Events: • July 7th at 5:30 - 7:30 pm - Payroll Preparation – The Entrepreneur’s Obligations & Risks • July 8th at 7 - 8 pm - Find Your Competitive Advantage • July 14th at 1 - 2 pm - Make Your Website Work For You • July 14th at 6 - 7:30 pm - Cooking in an Instant • July 15th at 10 - 11 am - Living Your Best Life: Disaster Preparedness • July 22nd at 7 - 8 pm - Customer Retention • July 27th at 10 am - 12 pm - The Art of Grant Writing
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Utilizing the Power of Prayer All Year Did you know the United States has set aside a day for pause and prayer together every year since 1952? This year, National Day of Prayer took place on May 6—but as we know, merely one day of prayer isn’t enough. Our local communities, the nation, and the world should continue to look to God to guide our path and to bring hope, healing, and restoration.
as it sounds! Go on a walk or run while you pray for the people and places you see along your journey. Start off by asking God to make you aware of those around you, and be guided by the Holy Spirit. You could choose a specific scripture or verse for the walk, or get inspired as you journey along. For instance, pray for the safety of neighbors you see riding by on bicycles, or pray for the well-being of anyone who might sit on a bench you see on the trail.
Suggested areas to focus your prayer time on beyond your family, friends, and church include: • Government employees in local, state, and federal positions to lead with our nation’s best interests at heart, • Military members, both active and veteran, so they know their service is appreciated, • Men and women in the media so they may continue to shine a light on the truth, and • Educators, so they may continue to persevere through all obstacles and prepare the leaders of tomorrow.
Adopt Healthier Habits “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in the world, and all who live in it...” Psalm 24:1
Do we truly believe these words? Are we living our lives as people who believe that everything belongs to God? That would mean that our families and relationships are His, and our spirit, mind, and body are as well. While our bodies are not our own, The YMCA has been our attitude towards an organization that it should never be one has understood the of neglect. Recall in impact prayer can Genesis that God has have for more than Start a Prayer Journal called us stewards to 176 years. George Wil- Some find it easier care for his creation. liams, our founder, to concentrate and We must recognize knew it wasn’t the one stay focused if they Do the Hand Prayer who prays but the one write, so find a paper (Children’s Activity) that our bodies are, too, part of that comwho hears. George or notebook to write As you work look at had no idea he’d your prayers. Reyour hand as a guide mand and His crebe starting a global member to look back pray for the following ation. We only have one body this side movement by simply through your journal things of eternity: do one praying for those he to see how God has • Thumb: those closthing today to care worked with and inbeen working in your est to you like your for it well! Choose to viting them into a re- life. friends and family lationship with Jesus, • Pointer: people who go for a walk or hike on one of the scenic but this simple act led Submit a Prayer to lead and guide you, trails across Central to one of the largest the YMCA Prayer such as teacher, pasFlorida, check out our Christian nonprofits Wall tors, and coaches healthy recipes and dedicated to support- The Bible commands • Middle: local, naadd a healthier option ing every individual, us to carry one antional, and world to your weekly menu, no matter who they other’s burdens. Our leaders who have to are or where they virtual Prayer Wall make impactful deci- or come take a group exercise class at the Y. come from. Below are allows us to carry the sions every day a few activities you burdens of those in • Ring: all of the indiand your family can our community and viduals who may be do to remember to have other help carry sick, lonely, or strugrely on the power of our own burdens. Let gling prayer all year! us know how we can • Pinky: the smallest pray for you and see finger reminds us to Go for Prayer Walks how you can pray for pray for ourselves last It really is a simple others.
Coming together to create a healthy community
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Wellness with Jen: Summer Exercise I Don’t Wanna! Why? How?
The summer months tend to get crazy with juggling the kids being home or going to a different camp every week, vacations, family, holiday celebrations,… all the things. Juggling a crazy schedule can make it difficulty to keep up with wellness. The benefits of eating right (most of the time- everyone needs a cheat meal/ day) and exercising are endless, but how in the world are you supposed to fit exercising into your crazy, busy summer life as a Mom??
Regular exercise isn’t just about weight control. Exercising regularly can increase muscle and bone health, increase energy, help improve mood, promote better sleep, and increase the desire for time your special someone. Some things that you might not consider when it comes to exercise are that exercise can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improve skin health, improve brain health and memory,... The benefits truly are endless. Ok, ok, we know the benefits. Again, how in the world are you supposed to fit it into your hectic life? Well, basically, you find what works for you... Do you do better when you go to a gym or maybe even attend classes? Ok, so if you are a busy mom, you have the option to find a gym with childcare included and just take your kiddos with you, or you can find a time when someone can be with your kiddos while you go the gym. Maybe you get up and go early before everyone else wakes up. Maybe you go over your lunch break at work. Maybe you hire a babysitter a few times per week for some
mommy freedom at the gym. Easy peasy, just get there! And if you don’t have kids, well, then just make it happen when it fits into your schedule.
Do you prefer to exercise at home at your own pace and on your own timeline? This is what works best for me. With this option, you have the freedom to select your own program and your own timeframe. You can choose to find workout videos on YouTube, follow someone on Instagram that streams their workouts, use workout DVDs (Is this still a thing? Or am I just old?!), or you can use an on demand program. I used to use BeachBody On-Demand, and I really enjoyed it. However, when I was pregnant with my son, I wasn’t a fan of the program’s pre-natal workouts, so I began searching for new programs on YouTube. What I really like about this option, is that you can find an instructor that you connect with and follow them. When exercising at home, you have the ability to complete your workouts before everyone wakes up, during nap time, or even include your kiddos in your exercise program. I am not a fan of late night workouts, but some busy folks even choose to complete their workouts after the kids go to bed. Maybe you aren’t quite ready to schedule a formal workout like going to the gym, taking a class, or doing workout videos. That is totally fine. Why not start with a walk 3 times a week? Plop the kids in the stroller, turn on some high energy tunes, and head out for a walk. Make a deal with them that if they hang with you during your walking time, they can play at the
park afterwards.
I love nothing more than including my daughter in my workouts. My son is still a bit young, so it is hit or miss on how the workout with him will go, but a 15-month-old doing squats is one of the cutest things ever. Worst case scenario, if you can only fit a few squats, a few push-ups, and a few crunches into your day with your little one by your side, it is better than nothing, and you are providing an amazing example for your kiddos. When possible, nap time is a great time to squeeze in a kid-free workout from home. You find what works for you, and you make it happen. No excuses! The most important thing is that you start at the point that makes sense for you. You choose a routine that works for you and that you can continue with consistently. It is easy to make excuses. It is easy to say that you are too buse. It is easy to say you are too tired. It is easy to say that you will start tomorrow. Throw all of those excuses in the garbage and get started, TODAY! Follow me on social media or shoot me a message if you have any questions or concerns. Jen Cosby jcdiamondwellness@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/yljennifercosby https://www.facebook.com/groups/ oilshowyouthewayed/ https://www.instagram.com/jen_cosby/
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