The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida

When did you last visit a museum in Florida? People love Florida for its awesome climate, friendly community, and beautiful beaches. However, only a few people know that the Sunshine State also has some of the best museums in the country. Cliff Davis, a longtime resident of the Tampa St. Petersburg area, has some recommendations regarding the local museums. St. Petersburg Florida is known for its thriving art community. Here, we will highlight just one of the many amazing art museums in St. Pete.

The Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida

This museum, established by Margaret Stuart, and opened in 1965, plays host to thousands of items dating from the era of antiquity to the present day. It is home to great pieces of art, including works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, and Paul Cézanne. It also has a attractive sculpture garden, which means you can enjoy the outdoors while marveling at stunning sculptures that line the garden. Furthermore, it has an extensive photography collection that will amaze you.

The success of this museum encouraged its management to expand the space to accommodate more people and art collections. In December 2006, the management team embarked on an expansion program that cost $21 million. Because of this expansion, the museum doubled its size. At present the complex has a huge library, a café, and an amazing museum shop. As you can tell, this museum has everything you need if you love art. It has paintings, photographs, sculptures, a picturesque café, a library focusing on art, and a place where you can buy artwork.

The next time you visit St. Petersburg and want to experience some of the arts, consider a trip to this museum

The Overwhelmed Child Welfare System

As an advocate for children and child welfare services, Cliff Davis is concerned about the overwhelmed state of the foster care system. The children pay a hefty price for the shortcomings of the foster care program. There are a number of reasons for the current problems faced by child welfare departments. Here, we will examine some of the primary issues and seek to understand how we might begin to correct them.

Sadly, some children placed in foster care live in unsafe foster homes where they experience further abuse. Often, children bounce from home to home, with little stability. The long-term impact can be devastating for these kids. Why does this occur?

It is generally not a matter of uncaring child welfare workers. In fact, most people working in this field have a genuine desire to help kids. The problem is an issue of caseload. Child welfare workers are given an extraordinary number of cases to handle. It is not humanly possible for them to give each case the necessary time and attention. In addition, there is a lack of training and education for child welfare workers. Without suitable training, they simply are not capable of performing the job correctly.

There is an enormous turnover rate for child welfare workers. It is as high as 70% yearly in some states. This creates more instability and uncertainty in the lives of children. Information is not easily exchanged between former employees and new employees. Children are consistently dealing with strangers, rather than a stable advocate working for their best interest.

What are the solutions? An obvious answer is to increase funding for the child welfare system, providing an adequate number of workers and giving them correct training. Lowering their caseload and increasing their income would decrease turnover rates tremendously. Simply put, we need more child welfare workers with higher-quality training. The best way to accomplish this is by appropriately funding the foster care system.

If you are interested in helping, please contact your local child welfare office and remember to support politicians who will fight for children’s services and implement programs you believe in.

Tough Mudder Obstacles

Clifford J Davis is a philanthropist, a state-certified contractor, and a self-employed real estate developer who recently helped build a 20,000-square-foot custom home in Tampa, FL. Cliff Davis enjoys athletic competitions and has competed in ironman and Tough Mudder contests.

A 10- to 12-mile mud race and obstacle course, Tough Mudder is designed to be a challenge that emphasizes cooperation and fellowship. The race is held at locations throughout the United States, including central Florida, an approximate two-hour drive from Tampa, FL.

After completing the course, participants receive a cold beer and take part in social events. The competition is always adding new obstacles, with a few noted below.

- Block Ness Monster – 60 feet of slick barrels through which competitors must push and roll.

- King of the Swingers – a rope swing that can be reached only by jumping from a 12-foot platform.

- Backstabber – a 12-foot peg wall that competitors must scale.

- Cage Crawl – 60 feet of fence with only a few inches of air above a watery trench. Participants must lie on their backs and pull on the fence to drag themselves to the finish.

Foster Care - Keeping Kids Off the Streets

One of the primary risks for homeless children is child sexual exploitation. Unfortunately, it is common for kids to get caught up in this industry when they are living on the streets. Foster care is a solid solution to this problem, but many children fall through the cracks. Here, we will examine the problem, causes, and possible solutions to the issue of child sexual exploitation.

How does this even happen? There are four main systemic causes of child sexual exploitation.

• Poverty - Generational poverty and homelessness clearly put youth at risk. Transient, homeless children are prime targets for this illegal industry.
• Family - Dysfunctional family life can create immense trauma for children. This may include mental, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Children often intentionally leave home to escape the dangerous environment. Alcohol and drug abuse are common in these circumstances.
• Media - The media has an impact on young people. They often glorify sex, drugs, and violence.
• Demand - Sadly, there is a demand for child sex exploitation.

What are the solutions?

• Communication - There is a serious lack of information sharing between organizations. Social workers, educators, physicians, juvenile justice workers, and child advocacy groups need better communication.
• Funding - There is a lack of financial support for programs to help these kids. We need more trained professionals.
• Education - The school systems often do not recognize problems and have no comprehensive method for helping the children. Furthermore, we need to educate the public about the problem.
• Decrease demand - Tougher laws to punish adults involved in the child exploitation industry would be helpful in reducing the demand.

The foster-care program is an important piece of this puzzle. Keeping kids off the street is the first defense against child sexual exploitation. Creating a tighter net, to avoid children slipping through, would help them remain safe. This is a systemic societal problem that needs to be approached from various angles. If you are interested in helping, contact your local child welfare office.

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!

Windermere ALF Prepares for Grand Opening

This Assisted Living Facility is complete and we are now preparing for the grand opening.

Unique Roofing Challenges in Summer

Summer is here and with it comes some unique roofing challenges. One primary concern in the warm months is ponding water on flat roofs. Ponding water is defined as any water that stands for more than 48 hours. Standing water on a roof can be dangerous and damaging. It is important to understand the consequences of ponding water in the summer, what causes it, and how to fix it. Here, we will examine all these points.

• Mosquitoes - Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes in the summer months. In fact, new york health codes prohibitponding water from April 1 to October 31. Mosquitoes carry a variety of diseases, including the west Nile virus. Because of this,ponding water on flat roofs is a health hazard first and foremost.
• Algae and vegetation - Plant life thrives in warm moist environments. Stagnant water on a roof in the hot summer sun is a perfect place for plant life to grow. Algae and vegetation growth is accelerated during the summer months. This is not just unattractive; it can often cause significant damage to a roof.
• Leaks - Ponding water on a roof can create devastating leaks. Even a small leak can create enormous problems. If a leak goes undetected for a long period of time, it may cause the roof to lose its structural integrity. Water damage can also spread to other areas of a home or building causing further injury.
• Reduces lifespan - Ponding water significantly decreases the performance and lifespan of a roof. In fact, many roof manufacturers void their warranty in the circumstance of ponding water. This is because the flat roof membrane is especially vulnerable to standing water.

Causes

There are a number of factors that lead to stagnant water to pool on a flat roof.

Insufficient drainage

This is the most common reason for a roof to hold water. It is generally not difficult to fix inadequate or obstructed drainage. Scheduled maintenance can help to avoid this situation. However, when it does occur, a thorough cleaning of the gutters and drains will typically correct the problem.

Design

Sometimes pooling water is caused by a design flaw in the roof. This is a more complex problem to solve.These design flaws include poor deflection, sag in the roof structure, incorrectly sized roof, and improperly placed drainage.

Insulation

Compressed or saturated insulation is another common cause of stagnant water on flat roofs. Compression usually occurs when roofing materials are too heavy or during construction when hefty equipment is placed on top of it. Saturation generally occurs because of a leak. Insulation is often very sensitive to water and quickly deteriorates when it becomes wet. The compression or saturation of insulation causes an indentation in the roof where water can pool.

Correcting the problem

The key to correcting a stagnant water problem on a flat roof is to act quickly. You will need to diagnose the problem in order to determine the optimal solution. Some of the most common corrections include:

• Adding roof drains

• Using tapered insulation

• Selecting the best membrane

Standing water on a flat roof can cause significant damage. In summer, it becomes especially important due to increased health risks and rapid growing algae and vegetation. Allowing ponding water to go unchecked in the summer is a serious health hazard and can create enough damage to compromise the structural integrity of the roof. Stagnant water should not be taken lightly and should be dealt with immediately, especially during the warm months of the year.

Traversing Tough Mudder’s Most Challenging Obstacles

Tampa, FL, developer Cliff Davis has spearheaded numerous construction projects, including assisted living facilities and shopping centers. In addition to his Tampa, FL, building activities, Cliff Davis is passionate about fitness and regularly competes in triathlons and endurance events such as the 10-12 mile Tough Mudder race.

Considered one of the world’s most challenging obstacle races, the Tough Mudder incorporates more than two dozen military-style obstacles within extremely muddy terrain. These include the Twinkle Toes, a slippery log bridge that is often strategically placed after an obstacle designed to deplete energy and traverses cold water The key to this obstacle is maintaining steadiness and balance, with yoga-style diaphragm breathing recommended.

One of the unique aspects of the Tough Mudder is that it requires teamwork and the 12-foot wooden Berlin Walls are nearly impossible to scale without a boost from a teammate. The key to getting through this obstacle its to push a couple of teammates to the top, who can then pull the rest up. Other classic obstacles in the Tough Mudder include the Electric Eel and the Boa Constrictor.

Affordable House Staging Tips

Staging a home is a crucial part of selling a house. Potential buyers will examine every little detail of the home. It is your job to make the home appear as pleasant as possible, without being deceptive or hiding serious flaws. Here are a few affordable ways to improve the overall appearance and value of your home.

Bathrooms

There are a number of things you can do to spruce up a bathroom. First, it needs to be spotless. A dirty, grimy bathroom is a big red flag and could cost you a sale. Scrub the walls and shower door. It is not usually necessary to replace a shower door if you can give it a thorough scrub. The tile int he bathroom is also very important. If it is outdated, consider painting it to give it a more modern appearance. This is more affordable than replacing the tile. Replace old vanity style sinks with pedestal sinks. This opens the space and displays the square footage of the bathroom.

The master bedroom

This room should appeal to both men and women. Do not decorate in a way that is too gender specific. Paint the walls a neutral color and choose bedding that is appropriately matched.  

Kitchen

Consider staining kitchen cabinets rather than replacing them. Stainless steel appliances are very popular, so if replacing appliances it might be a good investment to choose stainless steel. New kitchen appliances typically bring high returns. Avoid making fresh hardware holes when possible. Place hardware in holes that already exist.

Refinish wood rather than replacing

If you have old hardwood floors, sand and refinish them rather than replacing them. It is much more affordable to refinish than replace. This is also true of outdoor decks. A nice deck can be a great asset to a home if it is in good condition. However, an old deck can be an eyesore. Refinish your deck to give it a fresh look.

If you are serious about selling a home, you should make staging a priority. This includes the interior and exterior of the home. Curb appeal is just as significant as the interior of the home.  

4 Minerals Needed for Optimal Health

Minerals are a crucial part of optimal health. Each serves an important purpose, even trace minerals play a significant role. While the human body uses minerals for hundreds of different processes, the primary function is to assist in metabolism, water balance, and bone health. Here, we will look at four minerals and the significant role they play.

--Boron: Primarily known for improving bone health, brain function, anti-aging practices. It has also been used to treat alzheimer’s disease, and it can decrease muscle pain.

--Calcium: One of the most well-known minerals, it also boosts bone health and prevents osteoporosis. Additionally, it relieves arthritis, improves dental health, and relieves insomnia. It is sometimes used to prevent or treat obesity, colon cancer, acidity, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

--Manganese: This mineral is vital for managing metabolism, osteoporosis, decreasing fatigue, reproduction, sprains, inflammation, brain function, and epilepsy.

--Copper: This is another well-known mineral that can improve brain function. It also soothes arthritis, assists in skin care, reduces throat infections, balances hemoglobin deficiency, prevents heart diseases, and increases immunity. It is often discussed in conjunction with the uptake of iron and the facilitation of proper circulation.

These are just four of the many minerals needed for good health. There are a number of ways to include minerals in your regular diet. Of course, you can always take a supplement if you feel you are not getting sufficient minerals in your diet. It is also important to understand your body’s needs and take care not to over consume minerals. As with most things in life, balance is the key.

10 Essential Items to Include in Your Family Preparedness Emergency Kit

One of the key elements in preparing for a disaster or emergency is to have an emergency kit in your home. This kit is a crucial part of family preparedness. It is not difficult to create. It simply takes some time and thought. When putting your kit together, there are 10 essential items that should be included.

1. Food - You need enough non-perishable food items to feed your entire family for at least three days.
2. Water - The recommendation is that you have 3 gallons of water for each person and pet in your family. This will give everyone sufficient water for three days.
3. Medication - Any prescription medication that you or a family member requires should be included in your kit. A one week supply of these medications is generally acceptable. Over-the-counter medications that your family commonly uses should also be included.
4. Basic supplies - This includes things like candles, matches or a lighter, flashlight, scissors, batteries, and other small basic items that your family may need.
5. First aid - Your first aid items should include sterile bandages and gauze, antiseptic, band-aids, antibiotic ointment, and burn ointment. Latex gloves and adhesive medical tape are also useful.
6. Clothing - Each member of your family needs one outfit. They also need durable shoes, long underwear, and rain protection.
7. Personal hygiene - Include personal hygiene products for your family. This includes toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, and any toiletries that your family commonly needs.
8. Cleaning - Important cleaning items to include are trash bags, disinfectant, and soap.
9. Documents - There are many vital documents you need to keep in your emergency kit. The primary documents are social security cards, birth certificates, medical records, bank records, a list of emergency phone numbers, and any photo IDs like passports and drivers license.
10. Cash - Keep a moderate amount of cash in your emergency kit.

There are a number of other miscellaneous items that you will need for an emergency situation. These 10 items are the essentials for your basic emergency kit. It is not expensive or time-consuming to put these things together. Protect your family and begin your family preparedness planning today.