N5-Juno Beach Living-Vol.562

If you’re experiencing problems with your hearing, then your life may not feel the same as it once did. Being unable to fully hear the words of your loved ones, either in person or over the phone, is not only discouraging and frustrating, but also incredibly harmful for your brain’s health.

Thankfully, for all of your hearing needs, you don’t need to look further than the one-stop shop at Professional Audiology Associates in Jupiter! For everything from hearing evaluations and tinnitus relief to hearing protection and hearing loss treatment, Gabrielle Poplarchick, Au.D., CCC-A — the audiologist at Professional Audiology Associates — is available to compassionately and comprehensively help you to rediscover your life as it was before your hearing issues began.

How It Works

A common misconception about hearing challenges and hearing loss is that you can simply purchase a hearing aid, put it in your ear, and be on your way. But, as Dr. Poplarchick explains, “The follow-up care is really what keeps that hearing aid working, functioning, and helping you as the patient to hear the best you can. So, it’s not like putting on a pair of glasses and everything is crystal clear.” If you want your hearing (and life in general) to return to normal, then you need to work with a trusted and knowledgeable professional like Dr. Poplarchick, who will ensure that your hearing aids are always customized speci cally for you and your unique needs.

As a part of Hearing Health Connection and Alpaca Audiology, Professional Audiology Associates also has a network of trusted sister of ces located in the Northeastern

By Gabby Gregory

part of the United States. This network is especially advantageous to patients who travel to or split their time between our area and Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia. “If patients came here,” explains Dr. Poplarchick, “then they’ll be treated the exact same way if they are visiting an of ce that is part of Hearing Health Connection.” She adds, “All of a patient’s warranties and services will be honored at that sister clinic because it’s part of our parent company.”

What to Expect

As a new patient, your rst visit to the Professional Audiology Associates of ce, which is handicap-accessible, will be easygoing and uncomplicated.

Acadia, the of ce’s friendly receptionist, and the knowledgeable Dr. Poplarchick will both warmly welcome you to the practice. From there, the doctor will take you back to her of ce to go over your comprehensive case history, asking questions to determine what problems you are experiencing and why. Next, you and Dr. Poplarchick will enter the testing room, where the doctor will look into your ears. As she looks inside your ear, she projects an image of it onto a large TV in the room so that you can follow along with her diagnosis. The doctor will also check the pressure in your ears to ensure that there are no issues, such as uid behind your eardrums. Finally, you will undergo a full and complete hearing test inside the comfortable, handicap-accessible examination booth.

Once your hearing test is completed, you and Dr. Poplarchick, along with any family or friends who are with you, sit down again to discuss the results and determine whether you are a candidate for hearing aids. If not, then your next step may just be a referral to an ear, nose, and throat doctor. But, if you do qualify for hearing aids, then Dr. Poplarchick will demo a pair of hearing aids with you right then and there! In this way, you get a feel for how hearing aids work and feel so that you can make an informed decision about what’s next for you.

When you get hearing aids from Professional Audiology Associates, you don’t just receive a generic, one-size- ts-all solution. Dr. Poplarchick orders hearing aids that are made speci cally for you, your wants, and your needs. Once your personalized hearing aids arrive, they will be custom- tted to your ears by the doctor.

Ultimately, if you have hearing loss, then the absolute best thing to treat and resolve it is to get hearing aids! Why? Because untreated hearing loss signi cantly impairs the brain, and has been proven to increase the risk of heart disease, social isolation, diabetes, depression, cognitive decline, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and dementia.

The Follow-Up

With hearing aids, Dr. Poplarchick explains, “Follow up care is what’s really, really important because it’s an adjustment period.” Indeed, once you have your hearing aids, your brain has to get used to hearing sounds that it has not heard in, probably, quite some time. It will take a few tweaks to the hearing aids to get everything just right, but once it’s all settled, patients “see the difference right away,” says Dr. Poplarchick.

From there, every six months, you should de nitely be receiving a check up of your ears, as well as a cleaning of both your hearing aids and your ears. It’s important to maintain these appointments because the doctor will not only make sure that your ear is clean, clear, and healthy, but will also look over your hearing aid’s cleanliness. “It is a tiny little electronic that you’re wearing in your ear. It’s prone to moisture, wax, and dust, so you de nitely want to keep it in good shape,” explains Dr. Poplarchick.

Additionally, you should get a hearing test each year to keep up with any changes to your prescription. Of course, if you are noticing any changes on your own, then Dr. Poplarchick encourages you to contact the of ce at your earliest opportunity so that they can adjust your hearing aids accordingly.

For any and all of your appointments, Dr. Poplarchick encourages you to bring along a trusted family member or loved one, especially if they live with you. “It’s de nitely helpful to have that extra person with you because there is a lot of information,” she says, continuing, “And, if you live together, then they’re experiencing those frustrations with you.”

Schedule Your FREE Hearing Evaluation

The bottom line is that when you cannot hear, your brain is not working properly. And, when your brain doesn’t work properly, you put other aspects of your health at risk! Beyond those potential physical implications are the social ones, too, wherein you lose parts of your life that you once loved and cherished, like interacting with your family at a large gathering or enjoying a conversation with a friend over lunch in a crowded restaurant.

Let Dr. Gabrielle Poplarchick, Au.D., CCC-A at Professional Audiology Associates help you to rediscover your life by restoring your hearing! Your initial hearing test is always free, and the of ce accepts insurance. If you don’t have insurance, then you can also nance your hearing aids using HealthiPlan or CareCredit.

“We are here to help you,” Dr. Poplarchick af rms, adding, “And we want to have that positive impact on your quality of life. Whether you do need hearing aids, or you need a referral, whatever it might be, we just want to get you the help that you’re looking for.”

Professional Audiology Associates, which is a part of Hearing Health Connection, is open Mondays-Fridays from 9AM-5PM.

FREE Hearing Evaluation

Wetypically associate tacos with Mexican cuisine, but we don’t have to… at least, not with Taco Shack now in town!

Taco Shack has been a popular spot in Downtown Stuart for 10+ years, with many locals citing it as their all-time favorite place to go for one-of-a-kind, handcrafted tacos and cuisine. Abby and I, in fact, have been to the Stuart thow the new Jupiter location stands up to its predecessor!

For a comprehensive sampling of Taco Shack’s dips, you have to order the three amigos appetizer (sm. $12; lg. $17). A pile of homemade, endless “famous shack chips” comes with generous bowls of salsa, guacamole, and queso. The chips themselves are quite tasty, with a delightfully audible crunch, and once you start experimenting with the dips, not to mention the many hot and pepper sauces available on your table, the chips become absolutely addicting!

The queso was my absolute favorite of the three dips, as it was thick, rich, creamy, and, of course, cheesy. It had a very subtle heat, so it’s a crowdpleasing option, especially amongst kids. For spice lovers, the salsa offered much more of a kick, and one that lingered, at that. This satisfying spark

FULL BAR & GRILL LIVE MUSIC!

rst “wows” your palate, then slowly fades into an ever-so-slight sweetness that leaves you wanting to go back for more. Those looking for lighter, brighter avors will appreciate the freshness of the guacamole. The plentiful chunks of avocado were perfectly ripe, and tasted even better once we squeezed more of the limes on the side over them. This dip is great for a hot day, especially if you’re eating on Taco Shack’s large outdoor patio, as one bite will cool you down instantly.

For the main event, Abby took advantage of the restaurant’s awesome taco deal, which allowed her to choose 2 gourmet tacos and a side ($14). Her gringo beef taco came loaded with tender ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, fresh pico de gallo, cabbage, and cilantro. It was nished with a “delightful” lime crema, which Abby said “elevates it from being just a standard, boring beef taco. It adds a nice little zing!” In fact, she even squeezed more lime over the taco because she liked the taste so much.

“The Sticky” taco offered a totally different avor pro le, one “reminiscent of American comfort food culture,” commented Abby. Crafted using homemade, lightly-fried chicken tenders, the taco is also stuffed with rich gouda cheese, mild green onions, and candied jalapenos, then nished with a honey jalapeno drizzle and a wedge of lime. “It’s almost like a

chicken and waf es dish,” Abby said, “but in taco form!”

For vegetarians, I recommend the chipotle cauli owerstuffed avocado ($8.95), which is fresh and lling. Two halves of a vibrantly green avocado are served over shredded lettuce, then topped with buttermilk-fried cauli ower orets, sweet raisins, tangy queso fresco, a sultry chipotle crema, fresh cilantro, and “smoked special seasonings.” I was especially impressed by the non-greasy, crunchy cauli ower, which brought every ingredient together on the plate. Once you get a full bite with a little bit of everything, you experience a bright, sunny burst of sweet, slightly spicy, and herbaceous avors.

I also ordered some items à la carte for Abby and me to share: two gourmet tacos —the Thai basil shrimp ($7) and Da Philly ($5.75) — and a Mexican street taco with birria ($3.50).

I cannot recommend the Thai basil shrimp taco enough… it’s a tasty fusion of Asian and Mexican avors that is, ultimately, super fun to eat! The perfectly rm shrimp is smothered in Thai peanut and sweet chili sauces, then topped with fresh basil, chopped peanuts, cabbage, cilantro, and lime. This taco offers a really lovely, crunchy texture, as well as a delectable combination of sweet, salty, and nutty avors. If you enjoy shrimp, then this one is de nitely for you!

More of a meat eater? Try Da Philly, which is the favorite taco of Lou Lentine, the owner of Taco Shack. This juicy

with Gabby & Abby

marinated steak taco is lled with bell peppers, onions, American cheese, lettuce, and hot chili peppers for a twist on the Philadelphia classic. Or, if you want something with more straightforward avors, then select the birria Mexican street taco. The double tortillas are satisfyingly crispy, and the über tender shredded beef within brilliantly shines on its own, with a luscious umami avor. This taco looks simple, but it’s anything but… it’s a must order item.

Taco Shack’s new Jupiter location, Abby and I concluded, does the original Stuart restaurant justice. Their lighthearted, fun atmosphere remains intact (and is further enhanced with a full bar!), and their one-of-a-kind tacos and meals offer exciting combinations of cultures and avors. So, the next time you’re craving tacos, think outside the box and go beyond the status quo… visit Taco Shack in Jupiter!

Taco Shack is located in the downtown Abacoa area at 1155 Main Street in Jupiter.

The restaurant is open Sun. - Thurs. 11AM-9PM; Fri. - Sat. 11AM-10PM For more information or to place an order, call 561-508-3789 or visit taco-shack.com

By Gabby Gregory

Every 5,000 miles, like clockwork, you take your car to get its oil changed and tires rotated. It’s basic, routine maintenance, but that consistent attention and upkeep is vital for your vehicle to run e ciently, especially over a number of years. Your body, much like your vehicle, requires regular care and treatment to keep it healthy. And, again like your automobile, your body needs support from someone other than yourself, a professional who can guide it to achieving its utmost abilities and to retaining its peak performance.

Getting older, playing sports, or having a condition like sciatica or arthritis shouldn’t hold you back from living your life! You can feel like your younger self again, the one who didn’t feel any aches or pains when walking, running, jumping, or even sitting… all you have to do is visit Stretch Zone.

Drew Brees, former quarterback of the New Orleans Saints, is the newest partner at Stretch Zone who advocates for people to regularly get stretched. A er personally going to Stretch Zone for an assisted stretching session, Drew was impressed with the uniquely e ective and nationally accredited Stretch Zone Method®, which is administered by a highly-trained and Stretch Zone-certi ed stretch practitioner.

Here’s How It Works:

1.) Your rst session begins with lling out an intake form and having a consultation with your experienced and knowledgeable stretch practitioner. Based on your medical background and your personal goals, the stretch practitioner will personalize the ensuing 30-minute assisted stretching session to meet your individual needs. On subsequent visits, you’ll simply do a check-in with the practitioner to update your medical pro le with any recent changes and/or any new pain or discomfort that you might be experiencing.

2.) e stretch practitioner initiates the rst steps of the approved Stretch Zone Method®, utilizing Stretch Zone’s special patented

straps to encourage your body to relax and ease into the stretches. You won’t nd these straps anywhere else! Comparable to a thunder jacket for your pets, they are meant to calm your mind so that your entire body is perfectly loose, thus allowing the stretch practitioner to stretch your body to its full potential and, as a result, provide you with both preventative maintenance and pain relief.

3.) Assisted stretching (a/k/a passive stretching) is di erent from physical therapy in that your body is being stretched by someone else, you’re not actually doing any work. roughout your 30-minute session, the stretch practitioner will be steadily interacting one-on-one with you, ensuring that you are completely comfortable and not experiencing any pain. Ultimately, you are in control of the stretch, even as your practitioner guides your body through each and every step, because you tell the practitioner when you feel your best stretching position. e more you communicate, the better results you’re going to get!

Take advantage of Stretch Zone’s incredible New Year Special: get one FREE 30-minute stretching session! Anybody and everybody can and should be stretched. In fact, one Stretch Practitioner I spoke with at Stretch Zone says, “98% of the people I see in front of me really need to be stretched. is is something you should not live without.” Remember, it’s just like getting your oil changed! Plus, celebrities and professional athletes have been getting stretched for years, so it’s time for the general population to be clued into the secret!

Get Stretch Zone’s New Year Special for yourself or get them for a friend or loved one… what better way to say you care than to give the gi of making life easier, of feeling healthier, lighter, and younger, and of feeling like yourself again?

CONNECT TO YOUR COMMUNITY

WITH MY LIVING MEDIA

Florida’s #1-direct mail and multimedia marketing company, My Living Media offers the best opportunities for business owners to connect with their communities!

For 46 years, My Living Media’s premier Living Magazines have been a trusted publication for hundreds of thousands of loyal readers across Southeastern Florida to find everything from local home improvement and medical services to neighborhood restaurants and real estate opportunities. As a result, My Living Media is the go-to resource for both Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County residents to shop local… and save money!

Every two weeks, My Living Media direct mails 99+ unique, glossy-print magazines to affluent homeowners in highlytargeted communities within 5 counties: Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach. We also offer select magazines on racks at popular public locations in Indian River and Okeechobee counties. In total, My Living Media reaches over 300,000 homes on the Treasure Coast and

in Palm Beach County bimonthly!

Of course, every business has a story. Why not tell yours? My Living Media’s leading editorial and advertorial opportunities within the Living Magazines allow you to attract even more people to your business as you separate yourself from the competition. Let your local communities know what makes you so special! Our advertisers already have extraordinary ROI… imagine how a well-written and beautifully-designed 2-page spread boosts that response. Better yet, call us! We’ll be happy to share our success stories with you.

In addition to the beloved Living Magazines , My Living Media designs, prints, and direct mails glossy postcards and insert flyers & menus. With these highquality print products, your business can target specific zip codes on the Treasure Coast and in Palm Beach County every two weeks. Reach the right clientele at exactly the right time!

My Living Media’s digital, social, and mobile marketing opportunities

are the perfect complement to your print advertising campaign. As a locallyowned and operated multimedia marketing company, My Living Media prides itself on providing our advertisers with comprehensive, competitively-priced solutions to connect with their communities. To deliver this value, My Living Media offers free digital, mobile, and social media marketing posts and pages for each and every one of our direct mail clients to reach countless South Florida residents beyond our circulation areas. We love small, local, and familyowned businesses… your success is our passion!

51 Boston team, for short DOWN

1 Day light?

2 “-- Had a Hammer”

3 Relating to Plato’s teacher

4 Dugout seating

5 Plumbing woe

6 Einstein’s birthplace

7 CBS logo

8 Semitic language

9 Region

10 Sediment

11 Seeger or Sampras

16 Winslet of “Titanic”

19 Pen uids

20 “Huh?’

21 Sitarist Shankar

22 Odometer reading

23 On the rocks

25 Cracker spread

26 Natives of Rome

27 Poet Sandburg

28 Young foxes

30 Borscht veggie

33 Gushes with pride

34 Street edge

36 Bakery array

37 Canyon sound 38 Incite

39 Actor’s quest 40 Gulf War missile

42 Old CIA foe 43 -- -de-France 44 Zodiac cat 45 Superman foe Luthor

For What It’s Worth

It appears that my last two columns regarding the di culty which many patients are facing when attempting to make an appointment with their physician, or attempting to get someone to call them back regarding their medical issues, from doctors who are employed by the large hospital(s) in our communities have struck a nerve. I am used to receiving responses (thank you very much) from some of my articles, but never have I received so many at one time, and they keep coming. I thought this was a big problem for me personally, but apparently, it is an even larger problem than I thought. e emails that I have received are upsetting and at times heartbreaking. Elderly people without a doctor, when their physician of many years suddenly takes a leave of absence or retires, with no one to replace them. People who have to wait months, some nearly a year, to get on their physician’s schedule for treatment, some without the resources to know where to turn, and without guidance from the very institution with which they placed their trust.

In my opinion, and the opinion of others, the system is broken. We all deserve better than this. When people are sick, when people are hurting, when people expect to be treated, and are turned down, they feel abandoned, lost, bewildered, and angry. What’s worse, many of you have asked me to help. I wish I could, but like you, I don’t know where to turn. Still, since I have some public

by Dr. Melfi, Ph.D.

voice, and a conscience that realizes we all have to do our part to help, I reached out to the hospital to see if they employed a patient advocate who could eld all the calls/complaints and frustrations, and guess what? I found a department that allegedly can help. It is known as the Patient Experience O ce, and the phone number is 772-223-4995. A er two phone calls and several hours later, my call was returned by a very nice woman who was willing to give me the opportunity to voice my concerns. She said she understood the frustration of having to wait for appointments for months, or having a doctor who no longer works there, nor replaced, leaving patients without a physician. She told me her o ce is open to any and all concerns, and she does what she can to allay those concerns, and will contact individual physician o ces to attempt to get earlier appointments.

When I asked her why there is such a long wait to get appointments, even for long-standing patients with doctors of record, she said that with the growth of the community and the large in ux in the population coming to Florida, there are simply not enough doctors to see patients. I nd that answer truthful, but frankly, unacceptable. She also stated that many doctors have le this facility, and have not been replaced, but that they are “working on it.” I don’t doubt what she says is true, but why are doctors’ leaving, and by leaving, I mean leaving our community unattended? Something has to change. is should not be accepted

as the new normal. Sick people need to get well, it’s as simple as that. e question is, how can we do that without appointments or physicians? I am all for nurse practitioners. I am a nurse, rst and foremost, but nurses are not doctors, regardless of how intelligent they are (and they are!).

As well, I reminded the woman I spoke with that at the least, the front line of sta workers elding calls should be held to a higher standard of professionalism, by being kind, considerate and courteous, not rude and dismissive, like some of you have encountered. She agreed. So how much can she help? I don’t know, but personally, I still have to wait until the end of August to see my physician, even though I have been a patient of his for the past ten years.

For What It’s Worth, l appreciated her empathy on behalf of all of us, but it didn’t get me into my doctor any sooner. Maybe a few letters to the administration would be the incentive for change. en again, maybe not.

Nader Anthony - Lic# P002749

By Gina Zuk

The Florida lifestyle provides us with a host of options for getting from point A to point B... from scooters to speed boats, we’ve got them all! e golf cart in particular has, with all of the gated communities in the Sunshine State, become an easy and convenient way to get around the area. Golf carts aren’t just for private neighborhoods or the links though; in fact, they have even become a quick way to tote the kids to and from the bus stop every day! Do the prices at the pumps tempt you to put the car in the garage for a while? Head to Ace of Carts, the area’s largest golf cart superstore with the best selection of golf carts, golf cart accessories, and top-notch service!

Ace of Carts is a family-owned and operated business led by Nick Rotundo and his dad, Rock Rotundo. Nick and Rock were in the automotive business together before making the move from upstate New York to south Florida seven years ago. Nick explains that a er moving, his family had a di cult time purchasing a golf cart for his grandmother, who had moved into a gated community. So, Nick and Rock ventured into the golf cart sales business together, becoming an authorized retailer for ClubCar, Yamaha, Icon, and Polaris Commercial golf carts.

In 2018, the Rotundo family moved the business to its current Stuart location (formally Tri County Golf Carts). Ace of Carts now employs over 30 sales, service, and customer care personnel, and is the highest volume sales dealer of golf carts in the area! In addition to golf carts, Ace of Carts has an inventory of electronically-assisted bikes (ebikes) for the bike rider who wants a more comfortable option when it comes to pedaling uphill.

Aside from their vast inventory, Ace of Carts is the go-to source for many Palm Beach, St Lucie, and Martin County residents due to Nick and Rock’s industry experience and dedication to exceptional

service. In these challenging times of supply and demand, the service team at Ace of Carts does everything possible to guarantee that customers have their service and sales needs met. Ace of Carts’ factory-trained technicians have the knowledge to provide quality diagnostics, service, and repair for any golf cart. ey realize that golf carts are important to lifestyle routines, so they make timely service a priority.

One of many happy Google reviewers says of Ace of Carts, “I purchased my Club Car cart from Ace of Carts about four years ago and have been supported by them the entire time. If I have questions, I receive answers by a call or text immediately. ey truly want the entire experience to be as close to perfect as possible. Nick and the entire family are fantastic… and I like supporting a family business…”

In addition to their Stuart location, Ace of Carts has expanded to two more locations, one in Daytona Beach and the other, newest one in Tequesta, the Grand Opening of which is later this month. Tequesta’s premier 3,000 square foot showroom will still have the same o erings as the other locations, but will be more focused on the customer experience. Nick explains, “ e Tequesta location will be geared more toward the golf customer.” ere will be a digital golf simulator on the premises, along with other interactive displays and attractions that customers can explore while shopping for carts and accessories! Nick adds, “ e customers will leave the store more informed than when they walked in.”

Like Ace of Carts’ other locations, the Tequesta location will provide FREE cart pick up and delivery with almost every sale. Ace of Carts also o ers 0% nancing for 48 months on select products, making it easy to purchase a golf cart that will absolutely be the envy of the neighborhood.

Find the perfect golf cart at Ace of Carts, and stay tuned for the Tequesta Ace of Carts Grand Opening!