Lawrence, KS June 2024

LET THE CAPITAL CONCIERGE HELP YOU WITH RETIREMENT OPTIONS

In today’s ever-evolving workforce landscape, retirement planning is crucial for individuals at every stage of their careers. Whether you’re self-employed, a small business owner, employed by a corporation, or just starting a career, understanding your retirement options is essential for securing your financial future.

CONTRIBUTION LIMITS:

Evaluate the contribution limits of each retirement option to ensure you’re maximizing your savings potential.

CATCH-UP CONTRIBUTIONS:

Many types of retirement plans offer higher contribution limits for individuals over the age of 50. Contact your advisor to find out if this opportunity applies to you.

TAX CONSIDERATIONS:

Understand the tax implications of each retirement plan, including tax deductions, deferrals, and withdrawals.

EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS:

If applicable, consider employer contributions, as they can significantly impact your retirement savings.

ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS:

Assess the administrative requirements and costs associated with each retirement plan, especially for self-employed individuals and small business owners.

By comparing retirement options across different employment scenarios, individuals can make informed decisions to secure their financial future and achieve their retirement goals. Remember to consult with a financial advisor to tailor a retirement plan that aligns with your unique circumstances and objectives.

My Father

Dear Readers,

It is with profound admiration that we celebrate men and Father's Day. My father, Gabriel De Tommaso, was a remarkable individual whose journey epitomized the tenacity, intellect, and heart of a first-generation American.

Born into a family that emigrated from Italy in 1920, Gabriel carved a path of unprecedented academic and personal achievements. He became the first in his family to graduate from high school and later ascended to the pinnacle of educational excellence with a PhD in Polymer Chemistry. He and my mother had four children. Living in Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, we kept the traditions of Italy alive in our home. His story is not merely about personal success but is a testament to the power of education and the spirit of perseverance. As we talk to the entrepreneurs in Lawrence this month, I am reminded of my own family and their struggles to make a new home in the USA.

My father's life story is a beacon of inspiration, showcasing how leadership by example can profoundly influence the next generation. Like his story, this month, we feature courageous men in our community who have forged a new path. We are reminded about risk and reward from Pendleton's, Sunflower Provisions, Trivedi Wine, Karl Ramberg, and The Capital Concierge. So many have a passion and move forward in life to bring us joy, assistance, and support. I am reminded daily that we live in a community of true entrepreneurship.

We did have a tough time picking who we wrote about because there are so many here who fit the description of an entrepreneur. If I had unlimited funds and pages, I would write about every entrepreneur's journey, contribution, vision, and impact on our community. We only hope to continue this journey. Telling the stories of our community is the most pleasurable aspect of the City Lifestyle journey in Lawrence.

As we move forward, please engage with us about the businesses, people and organizations that impact your lives. We don't live forever, but as KU's Coach Q often says, "We rise by lifting others up."

Happy Father's Day.

DENISE DE TOMMASO, PUBLISHER

June 2024

PUBLISHER

Denise DeTommaso denise.detommaso@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Linda Ditch | linda.ditch@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Meredithe McCormick meredithe.mccormick@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Nathan Hutchcraft | nathan@fabuluxmedia.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Denise DeTommaso, Linda Ditch

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Anthony Fergola, Kristol Kumar

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Emily Lisenbee

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise.

3:5-6

4106 W 6th St, Suite C Lawrence, KS 66049

Phone is 785-841-6776

jmoravec@amfam.com

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY FERGOLA

THE POSITIVITY COACH

KU BASKETBALL'S FRED QUARTLEBAUM SPREADS INSPIRATION BEYOND THE COURT

Coach Fred Quartlebaum (better known as Coach Q) is KU's Director of Basketball Operations

FRED QUARTLEBAUM

KU’s Director of Basketball Operation

Fred Quartlebaum is known by many names. Officially, he’s KU’s Director of Basketball Operation, but most people call him Coach Q. He’s also known as the Motivation Monday guy for the uplifting text messages he sends to hundreds of people each week. Some people call him the Positivity Pole guy after he started posting his weekly message on a neighborhood light pole during the COVID pandemic—and still does. He also shares his message in a weekly social media video.

Coach Q is also an author. His book, “The Positivity Tribe In the Locker Room,” co-authored with Christopher J. Wirth, follows a fictional basketball team on their journey to the National Championship game. Though the book is about sports, it inspires everyone to follow their dreams.

Lawrence City Lifestyle talked with Coach Q about his positivity mission and its importance to him.

LCL: HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN A POSITIVE PERSON?

Coach Q: A lot of my personality comes from my mother. She’s a breast cancer survivor, and I recall being 13 years old and just seeing staples across her shoulder and through her chest. She had to feel depressed. Anxiety. Stress. I’m sure she had all those emotions going on then. But as a young kid, I recall how strong

she was, and even though she was going through a personal challenge, she just continued to smile and be positive. Maybe behind closed doors, it was different, but she was such a strong lady in front of me and the people who came by the house. She continues to impact our world in so many ways. She’ll be 80 in August, and she bowls twice a week. She’s a fireball.

LCL: SO, DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR MANTRA THAT YOU FOLLOW? DOES IT CHANGE?

Coach Q: It has evolved, obviously, throughout my lifespan, but I always reflect back to the belief that service to others is what we’re here for. Giving back and having a great attitude to me are the highlights of being a great human.

LCL: HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH DIFFICULT DAYS?

Coach Q: I try to go back to trigger words that have helped get me back to center. I have buzz words: Gratitude is probably the most important. When things were tough, I think, be grateful, and that kind of brings me back to thinking, ‘OK. Get over yourself, Bud! Stop sulking. Stop pouting. Life is pretty good, man. Yeah, you know, be grateful. OK. Alright, let’s go. Let’s go. Let’s go. No pity party.’

LCL: HOW DO YOU HELP THE BASKETBALL TEAM DEAL WITH DIFFICULTIES?

Coach Q: I start in the summertime when it’s nice and beautiful. The sun is out. You’re wearing flip-flops and shades. Everything’s great.

But understand what’s coming. In the next few months, it’s going to rain. There are going to be storms. There could even be an avalanche. What we’re doing here this summer is to prepare the best way we possibly can to face these storms, to fight through these storms, to plow through these storms. And we’ve all had them, whether it be losses on the court or in life.

We’re preparing to be strong, preparing to lean on one another and to comfort one another. You know, all these difficulties are going to come up. So, how do we respond when things aren’t going well, whether it be individually or collectively? I always go back to our values. Our expectations are that, regardless of the circumstances, we will show up for one another. We’re going to show up for ourselves. It’s non-negotiable.

LCL: WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO CO-AUTHOR THE BOOK?

Coach Q: Becoming an author never crossed my mind. But [co-author Christopher Wirth] kept after it, and I finally said, “You know what, Chris, this could be a cool idea. It could probably help a lot of organizations, companies, teams, and just people in general. It really could be impactful.”

The storyline is great. It’s obviously about basketball, and it deals with the ups and downs of the season. But there are also ups and downs in life too, so I think it definitely connects in so many different ways.

LCL: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF A POSITIVE LIFE?

Coach Q: I think it starts with the fact that we are all gifted. We’re gifted the opportunity of life. I start my day by thinking, “Thank you for the blessing of life and the opportunity to do something with my life.” And I always believe if I can do three things every single day that impact the world, which is our community, uplift my family, which is my home, and work to become the best version of myself daily, I think I’ve had a good day.

I also believe that, like anything else in life, you must practice gratitude. You have to practice patience. You have to not shy away from difficulty and challenges because on the other side of those challenges is probably where you want to be. Those moments are the growth moments. The goal moments. And we know that our time here is limited. We all have expiration dates. For while we have the opportunity, let’s go for it.

Coach Q’s book is available at The Raven Bookstore on Mass Street and on Amazon. To find him on social media, search for @qfit50 on Instagram and @fq212 on X.

Coach Q in his office showing the posters that highlight the KU baskeball team goals.

ARTICLE BY DENISE DETOMMASO AND LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY FERGOLA AND KRISTOL KUMAR

Agricultural Entrepreneurs

BUILDING BUSINESSES OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE

The term entrepreneur covers many business categories. In the Lawrence area, several successful businessmen found success in the agricultural world. Here are four who have found satisfaction in careers requiring time spent digging dirt, planting seeds, and raising animals.

“That's part of the fun: being able to know your customers and feel their appreciation for what we are doing.”

John Pendleton

Pendleton’s Country Market

When John Pendleton started working his family’s farm more than 40 years ago, he enjoyed growing the more traditional Kansas crops of corn, wheat, milo, and soybeans. He loved running the combine at harvest time, describing it as being like a sporting event. Everyone worked together as fast as they could to get the crops on their way to the grain elevator.

In an effort to diversify their income, Pendleton and his wife, Karen, decided to focus on growing vegetables and flowers. Today, Pendleton’s Country Market is known in the Lawrence area for the quality produce sold at their farm store, the Lawrence Farmer’s Market, and through Pendleton’s CSA program.

“I can’t say vegetables are easy to grow,” Pendleton says. “They’re physically harder, but we have the opportunity to retail our products instead of selling them wholesale. Karen and I love going to the farmers market because we can stand in one place and see our friends. That’s part of the fun, being able to know your customers and feel their appreciation for what we are doing.”

Pendleton has two key goals beyond selling produce. One is connecting people back to the farm. He points out that when he first started, it wasn’t uncommon for farm visitors to get lost in the nostalgia of remembering time spent on their grandparents’ farm as children. Now, young people are further removed from farm life. Their grandparents live in a condo, not on the farm.

“You hear about droughts and low prices with cattle. Stuff like that. It makes the nightly news, but you’re not as connected to the farm as people used to be,” Pendleton says.

He tells the story of four people standing out in the asparagus field one day long after the season was over. He went out to see what was happening and recognized some longtime customers. They introduced their friends from New York, saying, “We wanted to show them our asparagus farm.”

“They get it!” he says. “I want them to feel like this is their place. I love that approach.”

Pendleton’s second goal is to keep farming long enough for his grandchildren to be old enough to experience it. He explains, “I want them to do a little bit of work, learn the work ethic, and understand Mother Nature and how everything works together.”

Pendletons.com

John Pendleton

“If you want good food, you cannot cut corners...This takes passion at every step.” Michael Beard

Scotty Thellman and Michael Beard

Sunflower Provisions

Two local entrepreneurs, farmer Scotty Thellman and chef Michael Beard, forged a unique partnership in 2014 to create Sunflower Provisions. This culinary oasis is a source of local and sustainably raised produce, proteins, and groceries. It offers clients access to fresh fruits and vegetables and quality meats year-round, along with specialty groceries. Every dollar spent directly supports local farmers, ranchers, distributors, bakers, processors, and artisans.

Beard owns Meat LLC, and Thellman owns both Juniper Hill Farm and Pines Garden Center. Their collaboration brings local foods as well as specialty imports to restaurants and homes in Lawrence, Kansas City, Topeka, Manhattan, Eudora, and Wichita. With an unwavering commitment to sustainability and quality, the partners meticulously source meats, cheeses, specialty food items, and fresh produce. This ensures that each product that graces their shelves is not just delicious but also imbued with flavor, integrity, and a sense of place.

One of Sunflower Provisions’ distinguishing features is its wholesale distribution services. Partnering with restaurants and stores throughout Lawrence and beyond, they provide a steady supply of premium meats and vegetables. This partnership is not just a business transaction but a testament to Sunflower Provisions’ role as a trusted ally in the culinary world.

Moreover, Sunflower Provisions’ storefront in North Lawrence welcomes food enthusiasts and connoisseurs, inviting them to explore a treasure trove of culinary delights. Whether you’re searching for artisanal cheeses, handcrafted charcuterie, butchered meat cuts,

Scotty Thellman and Michael Beard of Sunflower Provisions

“Most importantly, we plan to continue to find ways to bring high-quality food, vegetables, groceries, plants to the community...” Scotty Thellman

local produce, or ready-made meals prepared with care and attention to detail, Sunflower Provisions has something to tantalize every palate.

Beard says, “If you want good food, you cannot cut corners. I often think of the entire line of people who touch the food from the day a calf is born, or a seed is planted to the harvest, transport of the ingredients, to the person preparing the meal.  This takes passion at every step.”

As Lawrence continues to evolve and grow, Sunflower Provisions remains steadfast in its mission to celebrate the richness and diversity of the local culinary landscape. With each product they offer and each connection they forge, they pay homage to the spirit of community, craftsmanship, and culinary excellence that defines Lawrence and sets it apart as a destination for food lovers near and far.

Both Beard and Thellman have a vision of the future that includes continued growth and expansion, such as providing access to their commercial kitchen space to other growing food artisans.  And now, with the acquisition of Pines Garden Center, the vision is year-round access to wonderful food and educational opportunities that surround the food supply chain, as well as access to beautiful plants and gifts.

“Most importantly, we plan to continue to find ways to bring high-quality food, vegetables, groceries, and plants to the community in creative ways and to find ways to assure affordability for all,” says Thellman.

SunflowerProvisions.com

“We want to be known to the community as a welcoming place to enjoy and spend time together.”

Maulik Trivedi

Trivedi Winery

Trivedi Winery opened its doors in December 2019, just before the pandemic gripped the world.  The winery’s roots can be traced back to a picturesque six-week bicycle tour through Germany’s famed wine regions. This transformative journey not only introduced Maulik Trivedi and Jodi Palmer to the rich winemaking culture but also sparked a life-changing career pivot.

Trivedi, originally a biotechnology R&D professional, was captivated by the sweet Rieslings of the Mosel region and the fruity Dornfelder reds of Rheinland-Palatinate. This newfound passion and the warm hospitality experienced in the small German towns planted the seed for what would later become Trivedi Winery. Upon returning to WinstonSalem, NC, Maulik transitioned from biotech to the wine industry, arming himself with knowledge through courses in enology and viticulture at Surry Community College.

In 2016, the couple returned to Lawrence, spurred by Jodi’s employment at LMH Health. With the unwavering support of local businesses, friends, and institutions, they purchased a farm in 2018. This farm would soon transform into a vibrant vineyard and winery, a testament to the power of community and the spirit of Lawrence. Today, Trivedi Winery not only cultivates wine but also fosters community ties, making it a pillar in Lawrence’s local agriculture scene.

The vineyard boasts 352 Chardonel grapevines, a hybrid of Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc, chosen for their resilience in the continental climate of Kansas. These vines yield grapes that mirror the elegant taste of their Chardonnay parent, adapting beautifully to their new home. Beyond grapes, the farm is also home to an orchard with 50 apple trees and 35 pear trees, featuring varieties specifically selected for crafting hard cider and perry (pear cider), such as Ashmead’s Kernel, Golden Russet, and Thorn.

One of the fun things about the winery is the vision for it to be a place to spend time with friends, family and community.  Groups can go to the winery to listen to music, play games, taste local charcuterie, or simply sip wine while enjoying a picnic overlooking the lovely views.

“We want to be known to the community as a welcoming place to enjoy and spend time together,” says Trivedi.

TrivediWine.com

Maulik Trivedi of Trivedi Winery

Salute! 2024

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SUPPORT FOR COTTONWOOD INCORPORATED

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY COTTONWOOD INCORPORATED

ARTICLE BY DENISE DETOMMASO

Salute!, a three-day festival of wine, food, and fun, takes place this year starting Thursday, July 11th. This is the primary fundraiser for Cottonwood Incorporated, which helps the organization continue its mission of providing quality support and services to individuals with disabilities. The event offers something for wine lovers of all levels and tastes, with more than 1,500 people traveling from near and far to attend. The schedule includes:

MASS ST. MOSEY

Thursday, July 11th, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Enjoy a summer evening stroll down Mass Street while sipping wine or beer.

Thirteen locations between Sixth and Tenth Streets will provide a taste of red and white wine, plus a food tidbit from a local caterer or restaurant. One spot will have beer for tasting. Guests will receive a gift bag and souvenir glass when they check in. Tickets are $60 and are limited to 500.

WINEMAKER DINNER

Friday, July 12th, starting at 6:30 p.m. with reception and dinner at 7 p.m. at The Oread Hotel

The evening features an elegant multicourse menu paired with wines from J Lohr Winery. A winery representative leads the participants through the pairings. Only 125 tickets are sold for the dinner, making it an intimate gathering.

THE GRAND TASTING AND AUCTIONS

Saturday, July 15th, from 6 to 10 p.m. at The Oread Hotel

The Salute Grand Tasting and Auctions offers guests a unique opportunity to sample more than 200 wines, beers, or spirits and taste cuisine from area restaurants. The evening features both a large silent auction and a fabulous live auction with over-the-top items to bid on, including 17 bona fide 100-point wines, giftware, trips, and other choice products and services. The live auction is led by the Nigro Brothers Charity Auctioneers. Five hundred tickets are available and cost $75.

Visit SaluteWinefest.com to order tickets and learn more about the weekend.

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KRISTOL KUMAR

KARL RAMBERG'S NEW BOOK SHARES HIS STORIES TO INSPIRE OTHERS

LIFE IN STONE

Karl Ramberg is a hard hewer. For decades, he has been a stone mason and stone carver in Lawrence. His work is on display in places from buildings and walls to sculptures outside of KU’s Natural History Museum. Lawrence City Lifestyle recently sat

stone carving. What interests me is how do you incorporate stone carving into that modern aesthetic.

LCL: WHAT DREW YOU TO STONE CARVING?

Ramberg: A lot of it was my teacher,

“I WOULD HAVE SOME ADVENTURES, AND I'D WANT TO REMEMBER THEM.”

down with Ramberg to discuss his new book, “Stone Diary: Confessions of a Hard Hewer” and his life in stone carving.

LCL: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A STONE CARVER?

Ramberg: Oh, almost 40 years. The thing I’ve been trying to do with stone carving more than anything is bring it back into the world of architecture. You know, stone carving was a part of architecture from the very beginning. The man in the cave carving on the stone walls. Then, it became a part of the architecture in cultures all over the world. The Greeks. The Romans.

But then the 20th century came along, and the modern movement of architecture came along, and it was all but forbidden to use stone carvings in ornamentation of any sort. You just want that sleek, modern look.

But, you know, that was the 20th century. We’re in the 21st. What’s next in architecture, and can stone carving be a part of it? That’s really the essence of what I’ve been trying to do with

Eldon Tefft. He just made it really interesting and engaging.

My sister, Laura, studied with him, and that’s how I got to know him. After she graduated, she made these beautiful pieces, but they were to be cast in bronze, and she couldn’t afford the casting. So I said, well, let’s build a foundry, and we’ll just cast them. Of course, I knew nothing about how to cast bronze, and that’s how Eldon became my teacher. I just went to him and started asking questions. His answer was to hand me a book that he wrote about bronze casting and foundry design. Pretty soon, he ran out of books. So he said, “Just come up, and I’ll put you to work.”

It was never taking a class. I just would help him with whatever he was doing. And I did that until his death.

LCL: GROWING UP, DID YOU HAVE A DREAM OF WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE?

Ramberg: Oh, I thought I’d be a writer. My oldest brother, that was his creative work and I wanted to be like

CONTINUED >

my oldest brother. And I had a couple of uncles that would write poetry. And that was the influence. And I was always a reader from a very early age.

Then, sometime in high school, I started banging on guitars. And so then my dream was music. I went off to music school in my mid-20s for a little bit, and for the longest time, music was my focus on creative work. I was fully engaged with being a musician. I used to give concerts at the Art Center every few years.

I haven’t done one for a long time. And part of that is my hearing impairment. Music doesn’t sound right to me anymore.

LCL: HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK?

Ramberg: Thirty to forty years. I would have some adventures, and I’d want to remember them. So I’d sit down at the computer and type up a story. For the last ten years, I told myself every winter that I would put the stories together and make a book when it was too cold to work. And the winter came along, and I’d get an indoor job. Or the winters were only four days, and then it’d be warm enough to be back working. But this year, there were three weeks in January when it was so cold I couldn’t do anything else.

ARTIST’S

“THE PEOPLE OF LAWRENCE HAVE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE...”

LCL: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW?

Ramberg: The people of Lawrence have been so supportive of me. Whatever my creative work has been, they’ve just always been there to support me, and that has made it just such a delight. And they not only support what I’m doing. They also inspire me with the work they do. Lawrence is such a creative place, and it’s just fun to be a part of it.

Ramberg’s book is available at The Raven Bookstore and Cottin’s Hardware on Mass Street and on Amazon.

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY FERGOLA

Enhancing Men's Health

When addressing men’s health, the conversation typically revolves around dealing with heart disease, low testosterone, diabetes, and orthopedic issues—bad knees, back, and hips. Also, unlike women, who are accustomed to annual physicals to keep on top of topics such as gynecological care and cancer prevention, men don’t go to the doctor until something is seriously wrong. Suggest an annual physical to most men, and the response is often, “Why?”

Dr. Neela Sandal, M.D., founder of Atma Clinic, feels men should be able to shoot hoops with friends, toss their children (or grandchildren) in the air, workout at the gym, or get in a round of golf feeling great, whether they’re 35, 45, or 65. If fatigue, aches, and pains are getting in the way, then it’s time to find out the reason.

“It’s fairly well known that men don’t go to the doctor, and there’s a fair reason for this,” says Dr. Sandal. “Most doctors don’t have anything to offer men. Men generally are a little bit more ready to suck it up and just put up with it. I don’t feel great, but I don’t feel bad. And so they won’t go to a physician who tells them, ‘Yeah, you don’t feel bad. You’re fine.’

“What’s missing is health-focused care. Their healthcare needs, their optimization needs, go unmet. I think that’s where I would like to see healthcare go because men don’t really have a connection with most doctors unless they have a serious health illness. Why should you go to the doctor? The answer is because you want to optimize your health. Because you should feel like you did when you were 25. You’re 45? You should still feel 25.”

The Atma Clinic’s philosophy is to promote health instead of just treating illness. This happens by combining conventional Western medicine with Eastern medical traditions such as herbalism, energy therapy, and Chinese medicine. Their patients come in for various reasons, including to stay in the best health possible and looking for answers to why a man may feel he has slowed down or lost a step in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

Dr. Sandal notes, “As our study of human longevity progresses, we understand there’s a huge difference between biological and chronological age. If someone can be 56 and have the biology of a 30-year-old, you know we should push for that. There’s no reason we should wait until we’re keeling over to ask for help. I think this is one of the central challenges in men’s health in general. Men don’t like to ask for help, period.”

When a man makes an appointment at the clinic, the first thing that will happen is figuring out why they don’t feel at their optimal level of health and energy. Often, it’s not uncommon that the issue is a combination of stress, sleep deprivation, family obligations, and dissatisfaction with work. Sometimes, it’s not lifestyle things, but the body’s chemistry. Perhaps an infection is still hanging around, or it’s the natural reduction of testosterone or adrenal gland function. Once the why is answered, steps are taken to correct the issues.

DR. NEELA SANDAL, M.D.

founder of Atma Clinic

“Men should feel comfortable coming to the clinic because we know how to solve their problems,” says Dr. Sandal. “We listen. We understand that the feeling of not being perfect should be fixed. Our goal at Atma Clinic is to empower people to fix themselves. We know how to work with men to help them feel powerful. We help them feel empowered in their health rather than having a physician who gives them a pill.”

He also adds, “Men need better healthcare. You don’t feel great? OK, go to your doctor. And if your doctor doesn’t know how to treat that, go to a different doctor. Find a specialist who can help you focus on feeling excellent. A doctor who focuses on wellness and maintaining your health and longevity, not just someone who will see you for 15 minutes and do some basic labs. We can go way, way deeper than that. You deserve it.”

To learn more about Atma Clinic’s approach, go to AtmaClinic.com . Sandal also has a YouTube channel: YouTube.com/@NeelaSandalMD

Perfecting Your Golf Swing

ARTICLE BY DANIEL SCHOWENGERDT

Whether you are a new golfer or have been playing for decades, we all want the same thing—to be a single-digit handicap (or better). In some professions, golfing with clients is a must, and slicing off the tee box can kill the deal.

01. Get fit for equipment.

If you’ve been playing with the same clubs for 5+ years, it’s time to take advantage of the new equipment. Newer clubs have lower and deeper center of gravity (CG), creating an easier launch off the face. Even off-center strikes can produce a straight shot with the right set of clubs. Any major golf store will fit you for free—just make sure you get the correct length club and size grip. The clubs don’t swing themselves, so don’t neglect instruction and practice, but getting the right equipment is a vital piece of the puzzle.

On drivers and hybrids, some of the newest equipment have premium shaft options off the rack. Generally, a $300 driver has a low-grade $15 shaft that you should change. The shaft is the engine of the club, so getting custom shafts will add distance and forgiveness—guaranteed.

As for the putter, you use it more than any other club in your bag on every round of golf. It should be the most tailored club in your bag.

02.

Read quality golf books for a higher golf IQ.

There are thousands of golf books, but don’t worry, you only need to read a handful of them to up your golf IQ. Here are some top reads:

Short game: Dave Pelz’s Short Game Bible by Dave Pelz Mental game: Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella Mechanics: Practical Golf by John Jacobs Ball flight laws: The Practice Manual by Adam Young (only read the first 50 pages)

03.

Practice your short game every day.

You don’t even have to spend time away from your family while practicing if you don’t have a golf simulator. You can practice putting and chipping on the carpet while watching TV with your family.

Chipping and the bump and run: The only mechanical advice I will give is the most important lesson you can learn in the short game. When you miss your approach shot you must be able to chip the ball within 8 feet of the hole for a one putt. Try this shot from Dave Peltz’s short game book. It gets me up and down from 25 yards out to just off the green.

It’s a new year and we have exciting things coming up. Look for updates about our grand opening ribbon cutting event.

Join us at the Eldridge House Grille for a heavenly experience with our made in house desserts by Sous Chef Paula. Treat yourself to a variety of delectable sweets that will leave you wanting more. Secure your table now and get ready for a truly satisfying indulgence!