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

Tips for Learning to Barefoot Water Ski

Cliff Davis, pictured here, is an avid water skier. Growing up on the lakes of Tennessee and then enjoying the Florida waters as an adult, skiing has always been a big part of his life. Barefoot skiing in particular, is one of the ways Cliff enjoys his time on the water. Learning to barefoot water ski is not easy and requires significant time and practice. Here are some tips to help you learn how to barefoot water ski.

Boom

Using a barefoot boom is the quickest and easiest way to learn how to barefoot ski. It is not required, but it will make the learning process go more quickly and smoothly. Cliff used a boom to learn how to barefoot and found it extremely helpful.

Get on your feet

There are multiple ways to get up onto your feet without a boom. Some people use a deep water start method, and others start on a kneeboard or wakeboard.

Body position

Your body position is crucial in barefoot skiing. Do not plow your feet. They should glide across the water. If there is a lot of spray coming from your feet, then you are likely pushing too hard. This causes strain on your arms and back. When your spray is light, you know you are in the correct body position.

Gear

There are a number of training tools available and gear specifically designed for barefoot skiing. One of the most important items you will need is a barefoot wetsuit. The wetsuit used for barefoot skiing has special design features. For example, it is thicker in certain areas like the seat. It should also fit extremely well, so not to allow water inside. For this reason, your barefoot wetsuit should not be shared with others. It should fit your body and frame perfectly.

Barefoot water skiing is a fun and exciting hobby. It is not something to rush into. Take your time, practice and learn how to do it properly so you can fully enjoy the sport.  

Do You Really Need to Stretch Before Exercising?

For years, we have heard that it is important to stretch before exercising. Now, research suggests that stretching is unlikely to prevent injury or improve performance. However, there are benefits to stretching, whether it be before or after exercise.

Flexibility is the primary benefit to regular stretching. Obviously, flexibility is more important in certain activities than others. For example, a dancer needs more mobility than a jogger. So, depending on the activities you wish to pursue, you may or may not need to implement a stretching routine. If you often feel stiff or unable to move fluidly while participating in specific activities, then stretching could undoubtedly help.

Types of stretching

• Static - Static stretching occurs when a muscle is extended to the point of mild discomfort and the position is held for approximately 30 seconds.
• PMF- (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) - This type of stretching involves contracting and releasing a muscle while in a stretching position.
• Dynamic - Dynamic stretching is gentle repetitive movements. For exapmle, arm swings. In this situation, a person gradually increases the range of motion.
• Ballistic or bouncing - This type of stretching involves getting into a stretch position and then bouncing to increase range of motion.

Static stretching is the most common form, and most researchers have placed their focus on this type of stretching. While there are clear benefits to performing stretches, primarily increased mobility, it is not likely to prevent injury or improve your overall performance. Unless of course performance relies heavily on flexibility. Many people stretch before exercise out of habit, and that is great. It certainly won’t hurt to loosen your muscles and prepare for exercise.  

Reaching Out to At-Risk Youth

Cliff Davis has long been an advocate for children. Assisting at-risk kids is an important way to build communities and strengthen society as a whole. It is often difficult to know what these children need and how to help them. Below are a few key elements to consider when reaching out to at-risk youth.

Lasting relationships with adults

It is crucial that these kids have long-lasting relationships with adults. It takes time to build and maintain trust. In order for a child to listen and take advice from an adult, they need a strong and reliable bond. Teachers are often great mentors, but children move on to higher grades and lose contact with previous teachers. There is a high rate of turnover in the field of social work, so again it is challenging for children to create and keep relationships with social workers. In order to reach these kids, we must find ways to create sustaining relationships with them.

Realistic goals

Media portrayals of extraordinary lifestyles make children believe these careers are common and attainable. Having unrealistic goals causes kids to become discouraged when they eventually realize it is unlikely they will ever reach their dreams. This is not to say that children should not be challenged. They should set high goals within realistic boundaries. Not everyone will be a professional athlete or famous musician. This is the reality, and these kids are especially vulnerable to believing media hype.

Plans

Young people need to know their destination and understand the path to arrive there. Otherwise, they are left wandering aimlessly. They require guidance by being shown a specific plan and understanding the rewards of arriving at their desired destination in life.

Engagement

Children should be fully engaged in their communities. They must feel that they are a part of something. Positive reinforcement and a sense of belonging are significant factors in a child’s success.

There is no exact science to reaching at-risk children. These are just a few important factors that can help. The real key is to simply get started. Take that first step and reach out to a child in need.

3 Tampa Bay restaurants Cliff Davis recommends

Cliff Davis, a longtime resident of the Tampa Bay area, has experienced the majority of local cuisine options. He is certainly not a food critic, but he dines out nearly every evening and has gained some valuable insight into Tampa restaurants. Below are three eateries Cliff highly recommends.

Bern’s steakhouse - This establishment has been open since the 1950s. In addition to their extraordinary cuisine, they also offer an enormous wine selection and world-famous desserts. Steaks are cut to order and vegetables are locally grown.

Oxford Exchange - This restaurant focuses on providing simplicity through fresh, seasonal, local, and organic ingredients. It is a great spot for a weekend brunch or afternoon tea.

Charley’s Steakhouse - This steakhouse has been named one of the top 10 in America. Their primary focus is on the meat. They aim to offer the highest quality steaks. Their tremendous effort in providing the best beef is evident in their extraordinary steaks.

Whether you are visiting the Tampa area or a resident looking for a new dining experience, Cliff recommends you try these three restaurants.

Benefits of Domestic Adoption

Cliff has long supported children's services, including adoption. When it comes to adoption, potential adoptive parents have two options at their disposal: international or domestic adoption. Of course, there are pros and cons with each. Here, we are going to focus on the advantages of domestic adoption and why, where possible, you may want to select this route.

International adoption laws change at a rapid pace

More and more countries are starting to ban international adoption. Russia is one of the latest countries to do so. This means that there are fewer and fewer options available for those who wish to adopt abroad. In addition to this, many people have found that they are a decent way into the process and the law changes. This means that the money and effort that they have spent up until that point has been completely wasted.

Medical information

Chances are if you adopt internationally you are not going to have access to the medical information of the biological parents. This is because most children are only put up for adoption if they are an orphan (i.e. their parents are dead, or the child has been abandoned). Medical information of parents is incredibly important.

Bonding

Generally speaking, the children that you adopt internationally are not going to be new born. They may have lived in an orphanage for a while. This means that they are going to have very little interaction with people. It is not that the caregivers do not care, it is more the fact that they have dozens of children to look after which can be quite testing. It is not uncommon for children adopted internationally to have attachment issues later on.

When you adopt domestically, you are, in many cases, allowed to be present at the birth of the child. This means that you will be able to start that bonding process right away. This is incredibly important to the development of your child.

Adoption story

Sooner or later, your child is going to wish to know more about their birth parents. If you adopt them from overseas, you will probably not have that information to hand. Many people want to know why they were placed for adoption. It helps with their psychological wellbeing. When you adopt from the United States, you are going to be told exactly why the child has been placed for adoption. In many cases, the birth parent will also remain in touch with you. This means that your child will be able to meet their birth parent far easier later on.

Of course, these are just the positives. There are a few downsides to domestic adoption (a longer process). However, for the majority of people, adopting from within the United States should be more than sufficient.

Avoiding Muscle Fatigue During a Triathlon

Triathlons are endurance events. Combating fatigue is a significant factor in completing a race. Muscle fatigue, in particular, decreases competitor performance. There are a few things you can do to avoid muscle fatigue. Below are a few tips to help you in this area.

• Diet - it is important to give your body the necessary nutrients. Start by maintaining a well-balanced diet. This includes complex proteins, vegetables, fruits, and carbohydrates. Eat a light snack approximately two hours before a race. You do not want to compete on a full stomach nor an empty stomach. You should consume more carbohydrates in the days before an event.
• Hydration - It is vital t to remain hydrated throughout the competition. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and sports drinks to replace lost electrolytes.
• Aerobic exercise - Your lung capacity significantly affects performance and fatigue. Your muscles need increased oxygen to endure throughout a competition. Your lungs should be in peak condition to accomplish this task. Increase aerobic exercise to build up lung capacity.
• Form - Having proper form during a race saves energy. Make sure that you are swimming, running, and cycling with correct form. The more efficiently you perform, the less energy you deplete.

These are just a few ways to prevent fatigue during triathlons. Always use good judgment when it comes to preparing for an event. Pay attention to your body and the signals it gives you.

How to Reduce Jet Lag

Jet lag is an inevitable part of international travel. Cliff has dealt with this problem on numerous occasions. While there is no definite "cure," there are some things you can do to reduce the effects of jet lag. Below are a few suggestions.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine

It is best to avoid alcohol and caffeine during your flight. These substances affect your ability to sleep, and they disturb your body's natural rhythms. When you reach your destination, you can consume some caffeine to help you stay awake until the local bedtime.

Sleep on the flight

Overnight trips are best when traveling internationally. Do your best to sleep on the flight. Taking sleep medication is not recommended. However, melatonin is a natural sleep aid that assists your body in determining appropriate sleep-wake cycles.

Go outside

Upon reaching your destination, spend as much time as you can outdoors. This helps your body recognize natural environmental cues. The best way to adjust to a time zone is to emerge yourself into the environmental cycles.

The solution to jet lag is adapting to the new time zone as quickly as possible. Do not try to stay on your local time while you are away. Reset your clocks and watches to the time of your current location. Force yourself to live and function appropriately for that time zone.

Benefits of Practicing Yoga

Yoga has become a popular method of exercise in the united states. The mental and physical health benefits of this practice are numerous. Many athletes work yoga into their regular exercise routine. Here are just a few benefits of practicing yoga.

• Stress relief - This is probably the most well-known reason to practice yoga. It has a calming effect much like meditation. It involves slowing down and focusing on your body.
• Flexibility - Yoga involves a lot of stretching and increases your range of motion. It improves flexibility and mobility.
• Strength - Many of the postures in yoga strengthen the body and relieve muscle tension. This practice is known for working every muscle in the body. Muscles that would not typically get exercised are utilized in yoga.
• Breathing - Lung function is improved by the slow, deep breathing in yoga.
• Weight loss - Some people do not realize that yoga aids in weight loss. It reduces cortisol levels and burns calories.
• Circulation - Yoga poses encourage the body to efficiently transport oxygenated blood to the body’s cells.

Yoga is a great way to maintain and improve your health. It can be a strenuous, tough workout or a more relaxing experience. As with any practice, it takes time to become proficient. However, you can obtain the benefits of yoga by simply starting a regular routine.

The Difference Between Open and Closed Adoption

A frequent question asked by those interested in adoption is “What is the difference between an open and closed adoption?” As a birth parent or adoptive parent, it is important to understand the differences between these two types of adoption.

Identifying Information

The primary characteristic that sets these two adoption options apart is information and how it is shared. In a closed adoption, identifying information about the birth parents and adoptive parents is sealed. This includes the original birth certificate. While both parties will have plenty of information about the other, it will not be identifying information. Things like last names and addresses are not exchanged. Open adoption on the other hand, allows for identifying information to be exchanged. This provides some level of contact between the adoptive parents and birthparents.

Contact

A closed adoption prohibits contact between the birthparents and adoptive family. In some cases, the adoption agency will facilitate updates to the birth parents. However, the birth parent has no direct contact with the adoptive family. An open adoption does allow for direct contact. The level and frequency of contact varies greatly depending on the circumstance. Generally, the terms of contact are worked out before the adoption is finalized. It could be one phone call per year or an in-person weekly visit. The birth parents and adoptive family negotiate the level of contact to make sure everyone is comfortable with terms.

It is crucial that you know which type of adoption you are seeking before you begin the process. Whether you are a birth parent or adoptive parent, take the time to consider the options. Once the terms are set and the papers are signed, there is no turning back. So, make absolutely sure you are comfortable with the terms and type of adoption you have chosen.

If you are interested in adoption, as a birth parent or adoptive family, Cliff recommends Destiny adoption services in St. Petersburg, FL.