Increasing Safety for High School Football Players

Football is a full-contact sport, and injury is often part of the risk. With the increased knowledge of concussion rates, many high school football associations are implementing rules to keep players safe. A number of states already have regulations in place regarding this issue.

One of the methods for reducing head impact is to limit full-contact practices. Several schools have restricted full-contact practices to twice per week. Most coaches feel they can have productive practice sessions without full contact. There is no guarantee that this method will reduce concussions, but logic says fewer head impacts will result in fewer concussions. Linemen are most vulnerable to head impact, so they receive the most protection frp, these practice restrictions.

Of course, safety gear is crucial in football. It is important, especially for young people, to have proper equipment. While injury is a real risk for players of any full-contact sport, there are ways to help avoid getting hurt. School districts understand their responsibility to protect players. New restrictions are being implemented, not to intentionally inconvenience coaches or players, but rather to increase safety for the players.

Facebook Plans to Build Apartments in Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley in California is experiencing a serious housing crisis. With the expansion of large tech companies like Google and Facebook, housing prices have been pushed up and locals are being forced out of the area. Facebook has plans to expand their business property with the addition of two new buildings and a hotel. This project has many people concerned about the impact on the local housing market.

In order to help offset some of the negative effects of expansion, Facebook has decided to build apartments. They have agreed to build 1,500 units, making 15% of these available to low and middle-income tenants. The units are not specifically for employees. They are open to the public to rent. This seems to be a step in the right direction. However, it will not solve the problem entirely. Local governments are considering an extra tax for tech companies to help with the housing crisis and homeless population. This tax could possibly be avoided if more companies did their part to assist in providing a solution to the problem they created.

It will be interesting to see how tech giants and local governments tackle the housing issues in Silicon Valley. For whatever reason, this area is the headquarters of most large Internet companies. Their employees tend to have high incomes, and the demand for housing is overwhelming. It is important for businesses to take part in the community and lessen their negative impact on the natives.

Safety Tips for Enduring the Extreme Summer Heat

 

The United States is getting hit with some serious high temperatures. This is common in the late-summer months. Very high temperatures create dangerous conditions, especially for those most susceptible like the elderly and young children. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and even strokes are results of intense hot weather. Every year, there are a number of fatalities associated with these heat waves. It is vital, even for healthy individuals, to take certain precautions in order to remain safe in drastic conditions. Here are a few tips to help you survive the summer heat wave.

Clothing - It is helpful to wear loose clothing that allows your skin to breathe. Light colors are also preferable. Wear a hat or carry an umbrella to protect exposed skin.
Hydrate - Drink a lot of water. It is crucial to hydrate your body in extreme heat.
Medications - Understand what affects heat may have on your body if you take medications. Your doctor will be able to answer any questions. It is common for certain medications to cause negative reactions when the body overheats.
Time - Avoid physical activity, especially outdoors, during the hottest part of the day. Morning and evening are the cooler times to be outside.

Be sure to check on friends and loved ones who may be particularly vulnerable during heat waves. The weather may have them incapacitated, so it is important to stop in and see how they are doing. Do not assume that because you are young and healthy, you are not at risk. extraordinary heat can be very dangerous for all of us. Take the proper precautions to remain safe this summer

Considerations at the Start of the Adoption Process

 


An alumnus of the University of Tennessee with a BS in engineering, Tampa, FL-based Clifford (“Cliff”) J. Davis is the real estate developer behind numerous Publix-anchored shopping centers throughout FL. Passionate about children-focused charities, Cliff Davis of Tampa has supported Gift of Life Adoptions.

Entailing a multitude of considerations, adoption requires follow-through on the part of those who start the process. The first thing that members of the adoption staff at Gift of Life Adoptions do when they meet potential parents is to discuss the resources available to them. At this point, would-be adopters will open up about the financial and emotional support available to them, and afterward, the organization’s staff will provide recommendations.

Beyond the first meeting, the organization’s staff is available via various media to answer any questions aspiring parents may have, giving them all the information they need to make informed decisions. Moreover, if the Florida Department of Children and Families was not involved in the lives of the parents before commencement of the adoption process, it will remain uninvolved once the process is underway. It should also be noted that there is no cost associated with the adoption process.

Fresh Water Swimming Risk - Brain Eating Amoeba

The headlines are horrifying, and true. There are, in fact, brain eating amoeba living in many freshwater swimming locations. This does not mean people should stop swimming. It is simply a matter of understanding and avoiding the risk.

First, let’s evaluate the realistic risk. This type of infection is excessively rare, averaging about two cases yearly since the 1930s. Considering the number of people who swim in freshwater, this is an extremely low number. It grabs headlines because it is so uncommon and awful. Much like shark attacks and plane crashes, rare but terrifying.

The amoeba thrives in warm freshwater. It is most commonly found in the southern part of the United States because it requires warm temperatures. It enters the brain through the nasal cavity. Water must be forced deep into the nose in order for the amoeba to flourish and move to the brain. So, simply holding your nose when jumping into the water could prevent this infection. Nettie pots have also been linked to this type of infection. You should always use distilled water with a Nettie pot.

This infection moves quickly and has a 97% fatality rate. It typically starts with fever and headaches. Within five days, it intensifies causing delusions and brain swelling. The patient is often deceased within two weeks of exposure to the amoeba.

Simply keeping water out of your nose will prevent this infection. You can even wear a nose plug if you are extremely concerned. Understand that the risk is low, but it does exist.

Health Benefits of Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a bright-red fruit packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Besides being tasty, there are numerous health benefits inside this little fruit. Here, we will look at some of the primary health reasons to consume pomegranate.

• It has anti-inflammatory properties that help protect against  cancer and a variety of other chronic diseases.
• It has anti-angiogenic elements, which may assist to prevent the growth of tumors by decreasing blood supply to the tumor.  
• It is one of the rare foods that contain natural aromatase inhibitors. Meaning, they reduce the production of estrogen, which can decrease the risk of breast cancer.  
• It helps prevent against heart disease and high blood pressure.
• It improves memory.

These are just a few health benefits of pomegranate. Many people choose to drink pomegranate juice. However, you can also eat the fruit and add it into your diet in a variety of unique ways.   

Below is a video of a Pomegranate cheesecake recipe, Yum!

Promising Research for Alzheimer’s Vaccine

Cliff Davis, an advocate for the elderly and Alzheimer’s patients, is excited to hear the news that a vaccine is in development for dementia patients. Scientists in the US and Australia are diligently working on the vaccine. They expect it to be tested on humans within the next two or three years.

The vaccine is projected to prevent Alzheimer’s and may even reverse early stages of the disease. Alzheimer’s is caused primarily by broken-down proteins in the brain. The vaccine works to remove these proteins, thus preventing or reversing the disease.

This is a huge breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research. The US is investing large amounts of money toward the development of this vaccine. The positive impact it will have on the elderly is immense. The outlook for this vaccine looks extremely promising and if development proceeds as expected, it will shape the lives of seniors for generations to come.  

A news report about this development:

The Rise of Co-working Office Spaces

Co-working office spaces are thriving. This trend has developers looking closely at the movement. Co-working spaces generally refer to community office spaces where a variety of individuals share membership and come together to work. Members typically include freelancers, self-employed people, and even small groups of corporate employees.

Co-working is more than just a shared office space. There are specific ideals behind the movement. There is an emphasis on community, openness, collaboration, accessibility, and sustainability. Members often sign a manifesto agreeing to uphold these qualities within the workspace.

There are numerous reasons for the popularity of co-working environments. First, workers report a greater feeling of authenticity. Because there is no competition and typical office politics, people feel they can be more at ease and authentic. Most co-working spaces are accessible 24/7. This means people can work at any time, giving them immense flexibility. However, having an actual office gives them much needed structure. Many freelancers and self-employed individuals find it difficult to create necessary structure in their work schedules while working from home. The strong sense of community is another benefit coworkers find helpful.

Additionally, large corporations are investing in the use of these co-working spaces. It is not uncommon for a company to send certain individuals or groups to these spaces. It seems to help spark creativity and gets employees out of the mundane environment of the corporate office.

Real estate developers are watching this trend and beginning to realize the potential. This is a new sector that could prove to be profitable as more people work remotely and freelancing becomes the norm. Traditional office spaces may be a dying breed over the coming decades.

Tampa's Healthy "Fast-Food"- Fresh Kitchen

Cliff Davis has been a resident of the Tampa Bay area for three decades. He has experienced much of the local cuisine. There are a variety of restaurants from which to choose offering a wide range of options. As a health enthusiast, Cliff likes to eat nutritional meals. This can prove challenging when eating at restaurants. However, South Tampa “fast food” restaurant,Fresh Kitchen, offers healthy and quick meals.

It is considered fast food because you do not sit down at a table and order from a server. Customers stand in line, place their order and receive their food. The quick service, however, does not deduct from the high-quality food offered.

Fresh Kitchen is specifically designed to provide healthy meals. All ingredients are fresh, hormone and antibiotic free. It is not the cheapest fast-food restaurant available because healthy fresh ingredients are generally more expensive than their unhealthy counterparts. Customers don’t seem to mind paying a little more for higher-quality food. This restaurant is a big hit among Tampa Bay residence. Many believe it fills a much-needed void.

Fresh Kitchen also boasts a wide range of healthy desserts. Every item includes ingredients that offer some health benefit. They do not use traditional butter or refined sugars. Instead, they use ingredients like almond butter and natural sweeteners. They are very creative with their dessert recipes so that the final product is tasty and healthy.

Another popular offering is their juice selection. They hand-press a variety of fresh juice daily. They make and bottle the juice in-house. This is a truly unique characteristic. As one would expect, they do not sell soft drinks or other unhealthy traditional drinks.

If you live in or visit the Tampa Bay area and are seeking a healthy quick meal or snack, consider visiting Fresh Kitchen.

Image located from: https://www.facebook.com/eatfk/  

Why This May Be a Great Time to Invest in Real Estate

Cliff Davis, experienced real estate developer and investor, knows the importance of evaluating a variety of factors to determine the best time for investing. As economic conditions improve in the United States, circumstances arise to make real estate investing profitable. A number of factors are in place at the present moment which make the real estate market look good for potential investors.

• Low interest rates - Interest rates are incredibly low right now. Lower rates mean lower payments, which allow investors to maximize profit.
• Banks are lending - After the collapse of the real estate market in 2008, banks were hesitant to lend. That has shifted, and banks are loosening their belt once again.
• Low prices - Real estate prices hit a significant low in 2011 and 2012. Prices have risen again but there are still incredible deals out there. You can find low prices if you are willing to put in some effort.
• Technology - Advancements in technology have made the real estate industry more efficient. Investors no longer have to drive around for hours searching for properties. It is much easier to locate and manage properties today. This includes everything from advertising, finding maintenance workers, and document management. The possibilities are endless.
• Free information - In today’s digital age, knowledge is free. Anyone can simply go online and gather needed information. This has opened the door for virtually anyone to participate in real estate investing.
• The future - There is no guarantee for the future. Any investment can drop. However, the overall outlook for real estate looks promising over the next decade.

These are just a few reasons, now may be a great time to invest in real estate. There is no “safe” investment and real estate is no exception to that rule. But, if you are considering placing your money into real estate, now may be a great time.

The Value of Youth Organized Sports

As a father of four children and a sports enthusiast, Cliff Davis understands the value of youth organized sports. There has been much debate about this subject because of overbearing parents and coaches who force children into activities. However, this is not the norm. Most parents, coaches, and children enjoy a healthy relationship with organized sports. Kids receive numerous benefits from involvement in these activities. Here are some of the primary benefits that children can expect to gain from participating in organized sports.

1. Fitness - Kids today have become sedentary with so many screens and indoor activities. Sports provide a great way for children to get needed exercise. This helps to avoid obesity, which leads to diabetes and heart disease. Physical fitness is crucial for children, much like it is for adults.
2. Mental health - Studies show that organized sports help children relieve anxiety and depression. It improves self-esteem and teaches leadership and coping skills.
3. Cooperation - Team sports teach children the value of teamwork. They learn how to interact with others to achieve a common goal. This also fosters a sense of belonging.
4. Academic success - Studies show that kids who are involved in sports are less likely to drop out of school or get in trouble. Basically, it keeps them busy and creates a desire for success. Most sports teams require that children maintain an acceptable grade-point average in order to participate.
5. Socialization - Sports give children the opportunity to socialize in a positive environment with other kids. Often times these relationships are deep and long-lasting because the kids have worked together as a team to achieve goals. Kids do not get as many opportunities these days to socialize during school hours. And when they do, it is sometimes negative interactions. Sporting activities provide positive social interactions.

We must not lose sight of the many benefits provided by youth organized sports. Of course, one must balance sports with other life activities. Anything can become unhealthy if it is not taken in moderation. It is also helpful to allow children to voice their opinion and determine which sports they want to play and when they want to stop.