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 Electric Vehicles or Bust? Despite the fact that inflation has hit an all-time high of 9.1%, not seen in decades, and the cost of gas and groceries are escalating by the day, we now are being” encouraged” to buy electric cars, cars with non-recyclable batteries, along with the purchase price being in the $60,000 range. The grids in both Texas and California are overwhelmed and its citizens have been asked to abbreviate the charging on their EV’s. The government believes that this sacrifice will free us of fossil fuel dependency, and yet battery operated vehicles also release emissions. What source of energy fuels the electric chargers? Yes, even chargers will have to have fossil fuel back up as do solar panels. We will ultimately become even more dependent on China and Korea for the metals that make the batteries for EVs. Fossil fuels bring prosperity to nations. The consumer has the “right to choose”. Our government should promote policy that benefits; not harms its citizens. Pam McAloon Palm Harbor Florida
 I served at the Army General Counsel’s office at the Pentagon just weeks after the September 11 terrorist attacks. I went on to serve as senior Republican Healthcare Advisor in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, and lastly, I was one of the youngest Partners ever at K&L Gates, a global law firm. I know the story of struggles and being from a place where the government takes away your rights, and that's why I'm running, to make sure America never becomes that!
In my career, I've been grateful to give back to the country that has given me and my family so much. Because of my personal connection to diabetes, I am especially proud of the work I did to successfully lobby Congress to get funding for Diabetes Prevention Programs in all 50 states with 12 programs right here in Pinellas County. If I am so fortunate to serve you in Congress, you can rely on me to be Pro-Term Limits, Pro-Finishing the Wall to protect our homeland, Pro-Life, Pro-Second Amendment, Pro-Election Integrity and Pro-Opening up all our pipelines to give Americans relief at the pump. Governor Ron DeSantis needs a reliable partner into help him fight the culture wars on be Congress half of our children and grandchildren. If I'm elected, I hope to serve you in that capacity in Congress. Please follow Makki me for on Congress Facebook, or e-mail Instagram me and directly witter: amanda@amanda-makki.com with any questions or if you'd like to host a Meet & Greet for me. I'm asking for your vote on August 23, 2022! Blessings, Amanda Makki  Amanda Makki is a GOP candidate for Congress in Florida's 13th District. An attorney and conservative national commentator, Amanda is a strong conservative with a proven record of fighting for the values and principles that made America the greatest country in the world! Amanda Makki on SVA Radio 106.1FM & 1340AM Tampa Bay 2/28/2022  
your home office, such as a blue or a green, that inspires productivity and creativity. And if you have an art studio inside a spare bedroom, make your walls just as artful with a splash of colors or perhaps even a mural. Get your kids involved Painting your mobile home, both the exterior and interior, can be a great project for the kids to get involved in. While your kids can take a paint roller to the walls, you can fill in corners and apply painters tape, making a paint job more efficient. Just make sure that you teach proper painting safety, including proper ventilation and wearing old clothing in case of paint stains. Consider temperature control It’s a well-known fact that many colors of paint can affect the temperature of your home – especially when it comes to exterior paint. When painting your manufactured home, keep in mind that lighter colors will reflect rays of sunlight – thus making a colder home more likely. The opposite happens with darker-colored homes, as they absorb the sun’s rays and can cause warmth. Keep it Simple Sometimes, you might just want to paint a room as simply as possible – and that’s okay! Don’t feel like you must follow any of the above tips if they don’t personally call to you. If you’d rather paint the interior of your manufactured home with just a simple color for each room, then paint that room just one color! It’s all about what makes your manufactured home, your manufactured home. If you’re getting ready to paint your manufactured home, don’t forget to check out these other tips on selecting interior and exterior paints for your manufactured home as well as how to paint vinyl mobile home walls.  https://www.seniorvoiceamerica.org/featured
http://www.svatampabay.com/ Senior Voice America MobileHomeSales@SeniorVoiceAmerica.org 813-693-5511 ABOUT ANNA
Anna Paulina Luna is a strong independent leader, earning her stripes by serving her country, not by serving herself. Raised by a single mother in Southern California's low-income neighborhoods, Anna learned that she must work hard and be independent to succeed. Although never married, Anna's mother and father separated when she was very young. Anna's father suffered from severe drug addiction and, early on, had asked her mother to have an abortion. But Anna's mother chose life. As a result, Anna and her mother were on their own. During Anna's childhood and teen years, her father struggled and spent time in and out of incarceration. Most of how her communication with him during these times was through letters to jail and collect calls. Her grandmother died of HIV/AIDS contracted from heroin use. By age nine, Anna had experienced an armed robbery and survived. While Anna was on campus at one of the six high schools she attended, a fatal gang shooting occurred. Her young cousin was murdered while Anna was a teenager. And as a young adult, Anna was the victim of a home invasion. These types of stories are all too common in America's low-income, inner-city communities, like where Anna grew up. Anna's way out was joining the military. While serving in the United States Air Force, Anna met her husband, Andy. He is a Bronze Star recipient who earned a Purple Heart when enemy combatants shot him in Afghanistan. After recovering, Andy redeployed to fight ISIS in the Middle East. After his injury, Anna and Andy became involved with several veteran-focused and veteran-led non-profit organizations, including one whose mission is to end child trafficking through rescue and recovery operations. As she became more deeply involved in that work, Anna began to use her social media platform to speak out against the problem of human and child trafficking across the southern border. And she was shocked to be immediately be attacked as a racist and called "white-washed" due to her light skin - despite being a 2nd generation American and a descendent of Mexican immigrants on her mother and father's side. She resolved to speak out even more about the humanitarian crisis enabled by porous borders. And people began to take notice. Just as Anna was to begin medical school, Charlie Kirk reached out and asked her to join Turning Point U.S.A as the National Director of Hispanic Engagement. Faced with a tough choice, Anna consulted with one of her mentors, a neurosurgeon, who counseled her that she would impact far more people's lives for the better by shaping legislation than she could in an entire career as a physician. And so, she chose to begin her career as an advocate. As her profile rose, Anna was somewhat surprised that the elitists who run most of America's big media outright refused to let her share her right-leaning views on border security, the failings of the welfare system, and many other issues. She was particularly shocked at their treatment of her as a mixed-race minority herself. That was Anna's "aha" moment. Anna decided to run for Congress because she recognized that the media had to cover what was going on in Capitol Hill. As someone who has lived experience with the problems that plague many of America's communities, especially low-income and minority ones, Anna is committed to showing people that there is another way and that big government is primarily the problem, not the solution. Anna believes the far-left wing that now controls Congress, along with its elitist media enablers, does not truly value Americans – impoverished minorities – for anything more than their votes. As a mixed-race female who fought her way out of poverty by joining the United States military, Anna developed her political beliefs due to her own lived experience. Anna knows the leftist power structures will stop at nothing to keep someone who looks like her and grew up as she did from being able to impact public policy if they have right-leaning beliefs. And Anna knows that it is because she can directly contradict their false narratives about far-left ideologies like open borders, defund the police, government dependency, and overtaxing/overregulating being helpful to people trapped in communities like where she grew up. Nobody is hurt more by these types of radical policies than the tens of millions of poor and often minority Americans trapped in inner-city cycles of poverty and violence perpetuated by decades of failed big-government policies. Anna learned that the hard way – through her lived experience. Anna is running for Congress because she wants to enact reforms to create real solutions for these types of real-world problems. She will fight every day against the elitist political establishment that has for far too long left average Americans behind. Anna's Plat Form Improve Services for Veterans Anna Paulina Luna experienced firsthand the pitfalls of our veteran care policies after enemy combatants shot her husband in Afghanistan. As a strong advocate for veterans, Anna will fight to ensure that they get the care, appreciation, and honor deserved. Fight Government Corruption Anna Paulina Luna wants to end the corruption that plagues our system. She will support any ban on Congress or its employees becoming lobbyists to cash out after leaving office. She will also work to enact term limits for elected officials. Protect Beaches & Coastlines Anna Paulina Luna is determined to ensure our community continues to capitalize on the robust tourism economy. She will fight to protect our beaches, coastlines, and preserve our natural environment, without raising taxes. Fight for Fair Trade Deals Anna Paulina Luna will fight for fair trade deals that put American workers, goods, and the American economy first. Invest in Infrastructure & Technology Anna Paulina Luna will champion improvements to our current bridge and roadway systems through increased infrastructure and technology investment. Lower Taxes & Cut Unnecessary Regulations Anna Paulina Luna will fight to lower taxes and cut senseless regulations to create more jobs and boost the economy. Support Law-Enforcement & First Responders Anna Paulina Luna knows we must keep our communities safe to strengthen our economy and improve our quality of life. She will fight for law enforcement and first responders to have the resources they need to protect us and ensure that true bad actors are held accountable. Strengthen Social Security & Medicare for Seniors Anna Paulina Luna is committed to strengthening social security and Medicare for our seniors to ensure their viability over the long term. Anna will focus on driving down the cost of health care, including prescription drugs, to bring the cost of Medicare under control. Medical Freedom Anna believes people should decide for themselves what the best way to be protected from COVID is, and they should not be forced to get vaccinated. Everyone should talk to their doctor and decide what is best for themselves and their families.  Choosing the right doctor is one of the most important decisions people can make for their health. If you are unsure who to turn to for your general care, experts point out that internal medicine specialists, or internists, specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a broad spectrum of illnesses that affect adults through-out their lives, making them the right choice for many adults. Before selecting an internal medicine doctor, it’s helpful to learn a little bit more about their training and specialties. Trained to care for adults, many general internal medicine doctors, or general internists, practice in an office-based setting as primary care physicians for adults, following patients from their teens through their senior years for ongoing medical care. Other general internists spend the majority of their time caring for hospitalized patients in the role of a hospitalist. Due to the broad, intensive nature of core internal medicine training, which requires a three-year residency program after graduating from medical school, general internists aren’t limited to one type of medical problem or organ system, making them especially well-qualified to care for patients with complex conditions or multi-system diseases. “Comprehensive education and training make the internist particularly suited to care for the whole per-son,” says American College of Physicians (ACP) President Dr. Robert M. McLean. “Many patients appreciate the tailored prevention and treatment plans that internists can provide. From the internist’s perspective, we value long-term relationships with patients and working closely with them to pro- vide compassionate, quality care.” While training of general internists does not include pediatrics, obstetrics, or major surgery, patients requiring those services can turn to their general internist for recommendations and referrals. Internal medicine is a wide-ranging field, as many subspecialty areas of medicine require internal medicine training as a foundation, including allergists and immunologists, cardiologists, critical care doctors, endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, geriatricians, hematologists, hepatologists, infectious disease doctors, nephrologists, oncologists, pulmonologists, rheumatologists, and sleep medicine physicians. Training to become an internal medicine subspecialist is both broad and deep, and includes a three-year residency program plus one to three years of fellowship training, depending on the subspecialty. General internists even receive some training in each internal medicine subspecialty during their three-year residency program. To learn more about internal medicine, visit acponline.org, the website of ACP, a membership organization rep-resenting internal medicine doctors, and the largest medical specialty organization in the U.S. “With such in-depth training in the complete care of adults, internal medicine specialists and subspecialists are excellent choices to help patients navigate the increasingly complex world of medical care,” says Dr. McLean, a rheumatologist. “Whether you are healthy or have a chronic illness such as diabetes, cancer or heart disease, an internist can provide comprehensive, coordinated care.”  
Father’s Day began in 1910, two years after the first official celebration of Mother’s Day in the U.S. The holiday began thanks to a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, who had been raised with her siblings by her widower father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart. Inspired by how her father rose to the challenge of parenting alone, Sonora Smart Dodd thought there should be a special day to recognize dads as well as moms, according to History.com.
She campaigned local government officials, churches and other local organizations, and in 1910, Washington state celebrated its first official Father’s Day on June 19, marking the first Father’s Day celebration in the country. Over the next several decades, Smart Dodd continued her campaign to make Father’s Day a nationally recognized holiday. Multiple presidents, including Woodrow Wilson and Calvin Coolige, recognized the significance of the day, but it wasn’t until 1970 that Congress passed a joint resolution that would authorize the president to designate the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. “The President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling on the appropriate Government officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on such day, inviting the governments of the States and communities and the people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies,” the resolution read, “and urging our people to offer public and private expressions of such day to the abiding love and gratitude which they bear for their fathers.” 
 Vivian Hafer, 77, of Douglassville and Betty Weisser, 84, Exeter Township roll out the dough to make pretzels at Berks Encore in Birdsboro as part of an activity Monday celebrating National Pretzel Day. Mary Heffelfinger, 99, Birdsboro, politely declined to put her fingers in the gooey pretzel batter, but that didn't mean she wouldn't eat them after they were baked and served. "Nooo, I never made them, but I eat them," said Heffelfinger at a National Pretzel Day celebration that attracted about 25 seniors on a rainy Monday morning at the senior citizens' center at Berks Encore in Birdsboro. Besides making their own pretzels, seniors received six cases of pretzels for the event from Unique Pretzel Bakery, Muhlenberg Township. Some of the bags were to be distributed to Meals on Wheels clients. Seniors also planned to make a cream cheese dip. "I've already done my share of cooking," said Heffelfinger, who will turn 100 on May 25. "How do I like 'em (pretzels)?" she repeated. "With a good apple, that's how I'll eat pieces of pretzel." Of course, good teeth and the ability to swallow are needed to do that, as Heffelfinger learned in a trivia questionnaire conducted by Carol Smith, center manager: "President George W. Bush once choked on a pretzel and momentarily lost consciousness." That's darker pretzel lore. Accentuating the positives of pretzels was the immediate task at hand. Unlike Heffelfinger, Vivian Hafer, 77, Amity Township, and Betty Weisser, 84, Exeter Township, didn't hesitate mixing it up with pretzel batter. "When you roll them, it just gets a little sticky, that's all," said Weisser, who grew up in Reading, once known as the proud pretzel capital of the nation. Weisser recalled buying bags of broken pretzels for a nickel on Cotton Street during the Great Depression. "I think they are really good for you unless you eat too much salt," she said. "What do they call a pretzel without salt?" Smith asked. All was quiet. "You know, like an old man without hair," she said, giving seniors a hint. Still no speedy answers. "Baldies," she said loud enough to raise a round of laughter and maybe even a few hairs. Smith went on to tell seniors that pretzels are a $550-million-a-year business and that 80 percent of all pretzels are made in Pennsylvania. The biggest pretzel ever made was 40 pounds and 5 feet across, she said. "The average American eats between one-and-a-half to two pounds of pretzels per year, but around here we're supposed to eat 12 times that amount," Smith said. That's quite a twist on pretzel consumption on National Pretzel Day. It makes you wonder: How much did Berks County seniors eat when they recently observed Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day? By Bruce R. Posten Reading Eagle Originally Published: 4/27/2010 https://www.seniorvoiceamerica.org/ https://www.svatampabay.com/ 813-693-5511   https://www.amandamakki.com/ Meet Amanda MakkiAmanda Makki is a GOP candidate for Congress in Florida's 13th District. An attorney and conservative national commentator, Amanda is a strong conservative with a proven record of fighting for the values and principles that made America the greatest country in the world! As an infant, Makki and her family escaped an oppressive religious regime in Iran after the Revolution in 1979, to come to America. With the little resources they could quickly scrape together, they escaped to come to the Land of Opportunity, where anyone with a dream and a good work ethic could become successful. While Makki’s father studied to become a surgeon, her mother was a childcare provider and delivered Yellow Pages to provide the family’s income. Makki witnessed her parents drive to succeed and commitment to the American Dream, which motivated her to start working at the young age of 15. As a Farsi language speaker, Makki served at the Army General Counsel at the Pentagon just weeks after the September 11 terrorist acts. Makki went on to serve as senior Republican Healthcare Advisor in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, and before the age of 40, became one of the youngest partners at K&L Gates, one of the nation’s premier law firms. Makki grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland and is a graduate of the University of Maryland, where she obtained her degrees in Finance and Business Management and the Catholic University of America where she obtained her law degree. Makki is also proficient in Spanish. Amanda is frequently brought on for her expertise as a Republican Attorney and Strategist on national networks such as Fox, Newsmax, CNBC International, BBC, Sky News and Fox Business. She has resided in St. Petersburg, Florida since 2015 and enjoys fishing, biking and golfing. She is active in her faith and worships at Starkey Road Baptist Church. https://www.seniorvoiceamerica.org/featured  Deputy Michael J. Magli was killed Feb. 17, 2021, while trying to stop a fleeing pickup truck driven by a man accused of driving drunk.  D'Ann Lawrence White TARPON SPRINGS, FL — A year after his death, Pinellas County sheriff's personnel are remembering Deputy Michael J. Magli, who was run down by a man accused of driving drunk while Magli was attempting to stop the driver from harming anyone as he speeded down East Lake Road as the rush hour was beginning. On Feb. 17, 2021, Magli parking his cruiser across East Lake Road and was placing stop sticks in the road to blow out the tires of speeding car when the driver struck him with his pickup truck. Magli was pinned beneath his cruiser and died at the scene. After hosting fishing and golf tournaments, along with other events in the year since Magli's death, the sheriff's office is continuing to raise money for Magli's wife and children through the Deputy Michael J. Magli Memorial Fund. In December, the sheriff's office in collaboration with the nonprofit Saving A Hero's Place, dedicated an honor chair to Magli, symbolic of "saving his place" in the history of the sheriff's office. The honor chair is located in the main lobby of the sheriff’s Largo administration building in front of the Wall of Honor. Saving A Hero’s Place crafts honor chairs for first responders who have died in the line of duty.  "Some will say that Michael was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I say nonsense," Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said. "Deputy Michael J. Magli was in the right place at the right time doing what cops do every day throughout this country: protecting others, even if it means grave personal danger to themselves."
The sheriff's office posted a tribute to the fallen deputy on its Facebook page Thursday. See related stories:
"Deputy Magli and his family will always have a place in our hearts at the PCSO, and each year on this day, we will honor his sacrifice," Gualtieri said. He added that Feb. 17 "will always be our darkest day." "This is the first line-of-duty death in the sheriff’s office’s 109-year history," he said. "We never wanted this day to come, but we will continue to remember and honor Deputy Magli’s life. His name will be inscribed on our memorial in front of the sheriff’s administration building, but more importantly, his name will be inscribed in our hearts forever." Gualtieri said Magli's death is a reminder of the sacrifices his deputies make every day. "Their mission is to protect and serve the citizens of Pinellas County, and they put themselves in harm’s way to save lives," he said. "Their oath is not limited to working hours; they are committed to protecting the public 24/7 and have a duty to act when evil enters their path." Magli had been with the sheriff's office since 2013, and Gualtieri said his example is a reminder that a deputy's responsibilities go beyond his official duties. It "involves matters of the heart. He cared about people and went out of his way to show it, whether it was telling a fellow deputy a joke when they felt down, taking extra time on a domestic call to ensure the couple was OK, or simply giving a citizen a bright smile as he crossed their path," Gualtieri said. Robert Allen Holzaepfel was charged with first-degree murder, DUI manslaughter, driving while his license was suspended, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage and aggravated fleeing and eluding police officers following Magli's death. At the time of the crash, Holzaepfel had a blood-alcohol level of .230 percent. Under Florida law, a driver can be declared legally drunk with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent. Gualtieri said Magli's wife, two daughters and parents will "never be the same over some drunk who's got 16 felony convictions and who's driving with a suspended license, who's fleeing from the cops, who's driving like a maniac." Those interested in donating to the memorial fund can drop off contributions at any SunTrust bank location or can mail a check to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Fiscal Affairs Bureau made payable to the Memorial for Michael J. Magli, P.O. Drawer 2500, Largo, FL 33779-2500. SENIOR VOICE AMERICA - TODAY !!! (MONDAY THE 31ST) 4PM
TAN TALK RADIO NETWORK WTAN AM 1340 FM 106.1 Clearwater/St. Petersburg/Tampa WDCF AM 1350 FM 102.3 Dade City WZHR AM 1400 FM 104.3 Zephyrhills/Wesley Chapel http://www.svatampabay.com/ https://www.seniorvoiceamerica.org/ https://www.seniorvoiceamerica.com/ 813-693-5511  Home health care company to lay off nearly 700 in Tampa BayBayada Home Health Care will close offices in Clearwater, Brandon, Port Richey and Brooksville.
By Jay Cridlin Published Earlier todayA New Jersey home health care company will close four of its seven Tampa Bay offices this spring, eliminating nearly 700 local jobs. Bayada Home Health Care, headquartered in Moorestown, N.J., with more than 350 offices, will shut down operations in Clearwater, Brandon, Port Richey and Brooksville, according to a notice filed with the state. The offices provide Medicaid care and support throughout Florida. According to the letter, the closures will eliminate 306 jobs in Brooksville, 150 jobs in Brandon, 144 jobs in Port Richey and 79 jobs in Clearwater. Another three remote jobs in Tampa were also cut, bringing the total to 682. Ninety-six percent of those cuts were home health aides. The letter, dated Jan. 19, did not offer a reason for the office closures, but said they would take place by April 1. In a statement, a company spokesperson blamed the “difficult decision” on “several external forces.” “Our current Bayada clients and employees are our top priority during this transition,” the statement read. “We are working closely with our key referral partners to help ensure our clients have continued care. We’re also working closely with impacted employees as they seek new opportunities, including roles at other Bayada locations throughout the state.” Founded in 1975, the privately held Bayada has 26,000 employees in 22 states and eight countries. After the closures, it will still have six offices in Florida, including in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sun City Center. “We remain committed to our work in Florida and will continue to grow our presence here across our various lines of business to help our clients live at home with comfort, independence and dignity,” the company’s statement read. http://seniorvoiceamerica.org/ http://www.svatampabay.com/ http://www.getsva.com/ 813-693-5511 
Along with taking your medication as prescribed, some lifestyle habits can help manage your risk and help you live a longer, healthier life like watching what you eat, getting more exercise and managing stress.
Make Healthy Menu Choices A healthy eating plan is a well-rounded diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables (at least 4-5 servings each day). In fact, researchers at the University of Columbia found each daily serving of fruits or vegetables was associated with a 4% lower risk of coronary heart disease and a 5% lower risk of stroke. Other smart choices for your menu include nuts and seeds, whole grains, lean proteins and fish. Limit sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and fatty or processed meats. Get Moving You likely know exercise is good for you, but an Oxford University study revealed simply swapping 30 minutes of sitting with low-intensity physical activity can reduce your risk of death by 17%. Mortality aside, in its Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services noted physical activity offers numerous benefits to improve health, including a lower risk of diseases, stronger bones and muscles, improved mental health and cognitive function and lower risk of depression. The greatest impacts come from getting the recommended amount of activity: at least 150 minutes of moderate activity, 75 minutes of vigorous activity or a combination of those activities per week. Be sure to discuss with your doctor which activities may be best for you. If you're having trouble getting motivated, small steps like walking your dog can lead to big changes over time. A scientific statement from the American Heart Association on pets and heart-health showed dog parents are more likely to reach their fitness goals than those without canine companions. Reduce Stress Constant or chronic stress can have real consequences on both emotional and physical health. In fact, research shows chronic stressors like long work hours, financial stress and work-life conflict may be as risky for health as secondhand smoke, according to a report by the Behavior Science and Policy Association. Aside from the direct toll on your body - including elevated risk for heart disease and stroke from high blood pressure, depression or anxiety - stress can lead to unhealthy habits like overeating, physical inactivity and smoking. Exercise is an effective way to keep your body healthy and release stress. You might also consider incorporating meditation and mindfulness practices into your day to allow yourself a few minutes to distance yourself from daily stress. Research compiled by the American Heart Association suggests meditation can reduce blood pressure, improve sleep, support the immune system and increase your ability to process information. Another powerful tool to fight depression, anxiety and poor sleep, according to researchers at the University of California-San Diego, is practicing gratitude or thankfulness. Start by simply writing down three things you're grateful for each day. Learn more about managing your cholesterol and habits to protect your heart health at heart.org/cholesterol. How a Major Health Event Can Reveal Unknown Risks Before his stroke, Lee Stroy, a father of five, considered himself to be a healthy person. "My gauge of being 'healthy' was my ability to wake up in the morning, get to work, take care of my family and live another day to do it again," Stroy said. "That is, until I couldn't." In December 2014, Stroy woke up disoriented and scared after suffering a stroke at just 38 years old. He quickly discovered he had undiagnosed hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol. "It surprised me to learn there are often no visible symptoms for high cholesterol until a heart or stroke event," Stroy said. "Unfortunately, I was not diligent about my annual check-ups, so my health setbacks provided me with a huge wake-up call." Stroy decided to take control of his health and this marked the beginning of a major lifestyle transformation. The first change was quitting smoking. Next, he began incorporating exercise into his daily routine, initially with simple exercises from occupational therapy. Eventually he worked up to walking several miles a day. Stroy also gradually made changes to his diet and went from being a meat eater to vegan. He also attends regular doctor's visits to keep tabs on his progress. "While it was no easy feat to make such drastic lifestyle changes, they are now second nature," Stroy said. "Don't put off or be afraid to go to the doctor. You could catch something early and be able to make changes that save your life." http://www.svatampabay.com/ http://seniorvoiceamerica.org/ http://seniorvoiceamerica.com/ 813-693-5511 The Franciscan Center presents “Aging Gracefully”, a six series Zoom program beginning January 13th. Sign up for one or all of the series at www.franciscancentertampa.org. Each program is $15.  Aging Is Not for Sissies Thursday, January 13 from 2-4 p.m Maureen Connors, Ph.D. Bette Davis said it best! As we age, we realize more and more that aging requires a renewed grace and courage. Certainly, these past two years have required us to be anything but “sissies”. How do you stop yourself from being a “sissy” when you are in pain, lonely, or experiencing some other dark emotion? What helps you be brave?
How Do We Truly Age Gracefully? |
 COMMENTARY Rich LOWRY King Features President Joe Biden wants to bring the same discerning, common-sensical governing style to American child care that has his job approval rating in the low 40s. In other words, look out below. The child care proposal that House Democrats have written into Biden’s Build Back Better “human infrastructure” bill may be the worst feature of the nearly $2-trillion legislation, and that’s saying something. It is high-handed and prescriptive, constitutes a new front in the culture war via an expanding welfare state, will likely increase the costs for middle-class and upper-middle-class parents, and may have an unconstitutional provision to boot. The proposal reflects the preferences of two-earner, professional couples in the Acela corridor inclined toward expensive, formal, all-day child care, and would make a large step toward enshrining them as the national norm. There is no doubt that there is a significant demand for child care. Roughly half of married and single moms with children under 5 work full-time, and about 40% of working moms pay for child care. But it’s a mistake to believe that all parents want to be in the work force, with their kids in standardized child care programs. According to a 2019 Gallup poll, 50% of mothers of children under age 18 would prefer to stay at home taking care of family over having a job. A survey from the populist think tank American Compass found that 53% of married mothers prefer the model of one parent working and one parent staying at home in families with children under age 5. Those parents who have to work or choose to work use all sorts of child care options, from relatives to smaller home-based day cares, to non-profit or for-profit day care centers. There is a pronounced class divide here. As Patrick Brown of the Ethics and Public Policy Center points out, white children of parents who don’t have a college degree spend most of their hours per week with their parents; only 30% of children with college-educated parents do the same. What the Democratic proposal would do is put an enormous thumb on the scale toward for-profit centers. It would pour hundreds of billions of dollars, not into supporting the varying choices of parents, but into pushing the current archipelago of diverse options into a one-size-fits-all system defined by the government. The proposal would boost the pay of child care workers significantly, seeking to make it equivalent to elementary school teachers, and add new regulations best sustained by for-profit centers. It would thus bring the progressive model of constricted supply leading to increased cost that characterizes the housing, education and health care sectors to child care. The left-wing policy analyst Matt Bruenig caused a stir when he warned of spiraling costs from higher pay and new regulations. He noted that the proposal’s subsidies to families are phased-in based on income. This means that, depending on the proposal’s final design, unsubsidized families could be exposed to increased costs without getting additional government help. He cited the hypothetical of a dual-earning family that feels the squeeze of increased costs, so one spouse quits to lessen the household’s income and qualify for subsidies. “Normally people who quit jobs to take care of their kids do so in order to save the money they’d have to spend on child care,” he wrote. “Under this plan, they have to quit their job in order to afford child care!” On top of this, the House proposal prohibits government funds to upgrade child care facilities from being spent on facilities “used primarily for sectarian instruction or religious worship.” This is a clear shot across the bow of church-based child care, one unlikely to pass muster with the Supreme Court. Biden’s presidency so far has been a long exercise in ideologically driven governance removed from reality. The child care proposal is no different. Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review. http://seniorvoiceamerica.org/ http://www.svatampabay.com/ http://www.getsva.com/ 813-693-5511 |    |
by Jean Mlincek
Ah, Christmas! What memorable stories it has inspired, from Charles Dickens’ reformation of grouchy Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” to Dr. Seuss’ zany and wild-eyed Grinch who tried to steal the joy of this celebrated holiday from the inhabitants of Whoville.
Although these stories have entertained us for decades, the biblical account of Jesus’ birth remains the greatest story ever told. Every December, local churches recruit wannabe wise men and shepherds and search their youth groups for a demure yet beautiful Mary and, of course, someone always seems to lend the stiffest baby doll on the planet to debut as the infant Jesus. Several years ago, my church added “live” sheep - little tots dressed in wooly costumes - to its amateur cast. The main thing I remember about the re-enactment of Jesus’ birth at the time of that addition was the one little sheep who went astray.
At first, four-year-old Cindy followed the script like a sweet little lamb should, tailing a deacon-turned-shepherd down the church aisle to the manger scene, where Mary and Joseph stood like cardboard cut-outs, never moving or blinking once during the entire 12-song cantata. I am sure the real Mary looked adoringly upon her God-in-the-flesh Son, but I understood why our Mary may have found it difficult to muster even a faint smile for what seemed to be a two-by-four wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Baby lamb Cindy was adorable in her faux fleece and like most little kids, she knew she was a hit in her oversized wooly costume with floppy ears. Although Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus were in the spotlight, the three lambs that “grazed” to their left were equally captivating. At mid-point, however, baby lamb Cindy had obviously had enough of being sidelined, and wandered from the flock, down the stage stairs, and stood center aisle, scrutinizing the spectacle before her as if she were the director. Then she turned and began weaving in and out of the pews. The congregation couldn’t help but be amused by this errant lambkin and found it difficult to focus on the Holy Family with such an animated and adorable sheep on the loose.
After sitting briefly with her grand-mother, Cindy was on the move again. At first, it looked as if the little lamb was going to re-join her flock, but, no, she headed straight for the stoic Mary and her cuddled infant. While the reserved cast looked on speechless and immobile, little sheep Cindy got right in Jesus’ face . . . and pressed her nose against his!
At first, this intimate gesture seemed comical, if not profane, but in that unscripted moment, an epiphany of Christmas truths became evident. This was God and humanity connecting. This was joy unspeakable. This was the revelation of child-like faith in full measure. This was a pre-dawn meeting of Shepherd and sheep. This was spontaneous worship versus liturgy. Even the stoic Mary broke into a Mona Lisa half smile. There was a new energy in the cast, the choir, the audience.
It was, and remains to this day, the best Christmas play I have ever witnessed - all thanks to Cindy, the adorable, unpredictable, stray sheep.
Jean Mlincek is a freelance writer who resides in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Ah, Christmas! What memorable stories it has inspired, from Charles Dickens’ reformation of grouchy Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” to Dr. Seuss’ zany and wild-eyed Grinch who tried to steal the joy of this celebrated holiday from the inhabitants of Whoville.
Although these stories have entertained us for decades, the biblical account of Jesus’ birth remains the greatest story ever told. Every December, local churches recruit wannabe wise men and shepherds and search their youth groups for a demure yet beautiful Mary and, of course, someone always seems to lend the stiffest baby doll on the planet to debut as the infant Jesus. Several years ago, my church added “live” sheep - little tots dressed in wooly costumes - to its amateur cast. The main thing I remember about the re-enactment of Jesus’ birth at the time of that addition was the one little sheep who went astray.
At first, four-year-old Cindy followed the script like a sweet little lamb should, tailing a deacon-turned-shepherd down the church aisle to the manger scene, where Mary and Joseph stood like cardboard cut-outs, never moving or blinking once during the entire 12-song cantata. I am sure the real Mary looked adoringly upon her God-in-the-flesh Son, but I understood why our Mary may have found it difficult to muster even a faint smile for what seemed to be a two-by-four wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Baby lamb Cindy was adorable in her faux fleece and like most little kids, she knew she was a hit in her oversized wooly costume with floppy ears. Although Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus were in the spotlight, the three lambs that “grazed” to their left were equally captivating. At mid-point, however, baby lamb Cindy had obviously had enough of being sidelined, and wandered from the flock, down the stage stairs, and stood center aisle, scrutinizing the spectacle before her as if she were the director. Then she turned and began weaving in and out of the pews. The congregation couldn’t help but be amused by this errant lambkin and found it difficult to focus on the Holy Family with such an animated and adorable sheep on the loose.
After sitting briefly with her grand-mother, Cindy was on the move again. At first, it looked as if the little lamb was going to re-join her flock, but, no, she headed straight for the stoic Mary and her cuddled infant. While the reserved cast looked on speechless and immobile, little sheep Cindy got right in Jesus’ face . . . and pressed her nose against his!
At first, this intimate gesture seemed comical, if not profane, but in that unscripted moment, an epiphany of Christmas truths became evident. This was God and humanity connecting. This was joy unspeakable. This was the revelation of child-like faith in full measure. This was a pre-dawn meeting of Shepherd and sheep. This was spontaneous worship versus liturgy. Even the stoic Mary broke into a Mona Lisa half smile. There was a new energy in the cast, the choir, the audience.
It was, and remains to this day, the best Christmas play I have ever witnessed - all thanks to Cindy, the adorable, unpredictable, stray sheep.
Jean Mlincek is a freelance writer who resides in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Snowball Cookies soft and tender,
buttery and super moist
– INGREDIENTS :
1 cup pecans, chopped.
2 cups all-purpose flour.
2 tsp pure vanilla extract .
1/2 cup powdered sugar.
1 cup softened butter.
A pinch of salt.
– INSTRUCTIONS :
- Blend softened butter with powdered sugar using an electric hand- mixer.
- Add vanilla extract , then add dry ingredients : flour, salt, and chopped pecans.
- Form dough into small balls and place on prepared cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes in 350 degrees F .
Remove the cookies from oven and top with powdered sugar
SERVE AND ENJOY !!!
http://www.getsva.com/
http://www.SeniorVoiceAmerica.org/
http://www.svatampabay.com/
Office 813-693-5511
buttery and super moist
– INGREDIENTS :
1 cup pecans, chopped.
2 cups all-purpose flour.
2 tsp pure vanilla extract .
1/2 cup powdered sugar.
1 cup softened butter.
A pinch of salt.
– INSTRUCTIONS :
- Blend softened butter with powdered sugar using an electric hand- mixer.
- Add vanilla extract , then add dry ingredients : flour, salt, and chopped pecans.
- Form dough into small balls and place on prepared cookie sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes in 350 degrees F .
Remove the cookies from oven and top with powdered sugar
SERVE AND ENJOY !!!
http://www.getsva.com/
http://www.SeniorVoiceAmerica.org/
http://www.svatampabay.com/
Office 813-693-5511
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