(NAPSI)—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that there are more than 38 million drivers age 65 and older. Age is not the only factor that can impact driving abilities, but it is an important one. There is evidence that most people experience age-related declines in physical and mental abilities. These changes—which can affect everything from vision to how quickly you can make decisions—influence how well you can drive. They can also be difficult to address for yourself or with older people you know, since driving often represents freedom, independence and control.
But transitioning from driving doesn’t mean you have to lose these things. Your health care providers or Area Agency on Aging (www.eldercare.gov) can point you toward a range of transportation alternatives in the community. The first step toward finding those tools is recognizing when you might need them.
Signs that an Older Adult’s Driving Skills Need Testing Continue reading
(NAPSI)—We all love art—music, painting, literature, theater, dance. All these things bring us joy and enrich our lives. But art also plays a very important role in healing. Art therapy is becoming an increasingly effective way to treat trauma, especially among our country’s wounded warriors. Music, writing and visual art therapy programs at military care facilities are proving beneficial in producing calming effects for those suffering from brain injuries, post-traumatic stress syndrome and other conditions.
According to the Defense Department, nearly 350,000 U.S. military personnel have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries since 2001. Though modern military equipment and body armor have reduced mortality rates, roadside bombs and other explosive devices have inflicted injuries that have our service members struggling to function once they get home.
Studies have shown that creating art can decrease stress hormones, which can relax and lessen anxiety. Service members often deal with a complex set of feelings and emotions because of what they have experienced in combat, and that makes it difficult to relate to friends and family members. The invisible wounds can lead to feelings of shame, guilt and identity crises that might cause them to retreat and engage in isolating behaviors. Creating art to express feelings and help them externalize what they might have repressed for a long time can help service members resume a normal existence. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—While many people are familiar with the phrase “strength is in numbers,” not everyone realizes the important role community and social interactions play in achieving exercise goals and balanced nutrition.
“Group exercise and nutrition planning offer a variety of benefits you might miss out on if you choose to go it alone,” explained Dr. John Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., Chief Health and Nutrition Officer, Herbalife, “A consistent schedule, exposure to a social and fun environment, and accountability for participation are just some of the benefits.”
A support system and social activity group can be good for you in several ways:
Surrounding yourself with like-minded people can help you stay on track.
You can have people encourage you if you start to self-sabotage your nutrition plan or diet. Continue reading
Elaine Maiellaro
Ron Maiellaro
The Florida FAIRtax Educational Association is an all volunteer, non-profit, educational organization dedicated to teaching people about the only REAL federal tax reform program, the FAIRtax which would replace the federal income tax with a consumption tax. Mark Gupton has been the Managing Director of FFTEA for more than a decade and has decided to retire from FFTEA effective July 1 of this year. The Board of Directors of FFTEA has decided to transform the role of Managing Director into the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. At their recent annual Board meeting in Ocala, the members of the Board elected Ron Maiellaro of Ocala as President, Dr. Karen Walby of Clearwater as Treasurer and Elaine Maiellaro of Ocala as Secretary. As of this writing, the position of Vice President is open. Ron & Elaine Maiellaro have been volunteers with FFTEA for eight years and are dedicated to informing as many Floridians as possible of the great value of the FAIRtax for our country. They are both humbled and excited to lead this valuable organization toward the final goal of eliminating the federal income tax and the IRS and implementing the FAIRtax across the United States.
These hatchlings were taking over one of my Bell Pepper plants. It was so unusual I had to take a picture and share. It would not have been long and they would have devoured the rest of the plants. All I can say is Sevin Dust! I am Tom Loury Publisher and know no one sees me as a Gardener, but I am really having fun with my garden. And the bell peppers and tomatoes are delicious.
The CEP/Ocala Chamber celebrated the opening of Columbia Bank with a Ribbon Cutting and open house. Pictured is the Ribbon Cutting and as you can see everyone was excited and having fun.
Columbia Bank formed in Lake City (Columbia County) in 1911 and has remained a true community bank for 105 years. Up until 2017, the only branches were in Lake City until Ocala and Gainesville joined the ranks for a total of six locations in three counties. Columbia Bank believes “slow & steady” is the best path, but hopes to add another Marion County branch in the next two years.
Columbia Bank is led by CEO K.C. Trowell. The Ocala branch consists of Teresa Stephens (Market President), Felecia Judge (Branch Manager), Lakisha Carpenter (Asst. Branch Manager), Britany Harrell (Head Teller), Katie Ragdale (Loan Assistant), Sarah Fern, Jared Shorb and Debbie Muir finish the team as Personal Bankers.
Welcome to Ocala!
Florida lawmakers filed more than 3,000 bills in 2017 and fewer than 250 passed both chambers of the Legislature before it adjourned its annual session. I filed 39 bills this session. Of those, 8 passed both chambers in their entirety, a few others were passed with language in other larger bills.
We passed SB 312 this year which will require state, county, municipal, or other law enforcement agencies that conduct lineups to follow specified procedures. This provision will minimize cases of misidentification and strengthen cases that have used best practices. The Governor signed this into law on June 14th.
I was able to pass SB 436 this year, which will protect all students and school personnel in their choice of religious expression. This legislation makes it clear that the Legislature supports the constitutional rights of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion for everyone associated with our public school system. This bill protects the expression of all religious beliefs, and protects a student’s decision not to express any religion. The Governor signed this bill into law on June 9th. Continue reading
I am having a terrible time understanding why all of the Republicans are not rallying around the Trump Team. They don’t have to like the man to get things done for the people of our country. Furthermore the Left is committing borderline Treason. The BIG SYNDICATED NEWSPAPERS owned by the Left are printing Fake news. Also the big networks are producing Fake news. I believe when they do that it should be considered Treason because of the intent. It is being done to disrupt our country and even cause someone to kill our representative in the Republican Party. The election is over! One Congressman decided he did not sign up to be threatened and has decided to get out.
I was talking to a retired nurse and the conversation came around to the babies that are in trouble at birth. As I understand it, a mother that is on Crack Cocaine comes to the hospital in Ocala to give birth because where they live they will be arrested and the baby will be taken to Child Services. As it looks like to me, the baby beginning life under these circumstances, doesn’t have a chance. Continue reading
Tallahassee, FL- With the conclusion of the 2017 Legislative Session, Representative McClain is proud of the unified approach House members took with their fellow House members to solve important issues that affect every day Floridians. He helped to pass meaningful tax cuts including an increase in the Homestead Tax Exemption, which is projected to save Floridians about $644.7 million, because Floridians are better stewards of their dollar than the government. Representative McClain also stood against corporate welfare and supported Florida’s future by voting to increase K-12 spending.
“At the end of Session it was good to see Tax Exemptions and a budget passed that we can work from without causing unnecessary debt, as a fiscal conservative, I can stand behind that.” Continue reading
We are #1 (or at least a finalist)! I am very excited to share that the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) has been named a finalist for the 2017 Chamber of the Year award, presented by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. The CEP along with the other three finalists for the award will be celebrated at a special event on Tuesday, July 18, in Nashville, Tenn., with the winner to be announced that evening.
This is an incredible testament to the success of our partners and leadership in implementing their vision with our Moving Forward campaign. We are excited for this recognition and to shine a light on the great work being done in this community.
Chamber of the Year is the nation’s only award recognizing the leadership role chambers have in their communities. Those honored with the Chamber of the Year designation have demonstrated organizational strength and made an impact on key community priorities, such as education, transportation, business development and quality of life.
Chambers of commerce interested in competing for the award must first qualify by participating in a vigorous, multi-stage process. Organizations entering the Chamber of the Year competition must meet minimum thresholds in at least three of five key performance areas, including net revenue, net assets, membership account retention, and membership dollar retention. Continue reading
