|
|
|
Vero Beach, Fl - Ed. 03.19.2015
|
|
|
Happy Thursday, Flashers and fellow pollen allergy sufferers!
Whew!...The pollen count must be at an all time high. Since the official 'first day of Spring' is tomorrow, I guess it's to be expected, but with our recent windy days, you could actually see the pollen blowing around. My car was covered with it this morning from sitting outside. At least I guess we aren't as bad as Knoxville, Tenn. which is No. 1 in the country as the worst for spring allergies. This is according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation. The other worst cities are listed in a post below.
No city in Florida is in the top ten. That's just another reason that I'm happy to live in Vero, even with an occasional 'pollen storm'!
With the harsh winter that was experienced by so many this past year; Spring  couldn't come soon enough. Spring is such a beautiful and awakening time of year...Don't you think? As its colors begin to paint the white canvas left by winter, our surroundings are renewed and become vibrant once again. Spring serves as a symbolic reminder that nothing too terrible lasts forever. If we just hold on to hope, we will usually find that the beauty of a new day is just ahead. So if you're going through some tough times, hang in there FLASHERS. A new day is just ahead. Participate in the spirit of spring and take a heaping dose of 'hope' each morning! It will also do your spirit good to paint your own surroundings by planting some springtime flowers. You'll surely enjoy their beauty and the secret message of hope that they convey!
Happy Spring!
Valerie Watkins
Publisher
|
 |
|
WORST U.S. CITIES FOR SPRING ALLERGIES
.
Knoxville, Tenn. won't be bragging that it's No. 1 on this list of "most challenging" places to live if you have spring allergies. That's according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's ranking of 100 U.S. cities that was done in 2010. Here are the others that made the top ten:
,
1. Knoxville, Tenn. 
2. Louisville, Ky.
3. Chattanooga, Tenn.
4. Dayton, Ohio
5. Charlotte, N.C.
6. Philadelphia, Pa.
7. Greensboro, N.C.
8. Jackson, Miss.
9. St. Louis
10. Wichita, Kan.
For a complete list of the worst 100 cities, Click here.
No cities in Florida made the list until Jacksonville came in at No. 55!
|
LAST WEEKEND FOR SIDE BY SIDE
|
|
FLASH TIP OF THE WEEK
Problem Junk Drawer - No More
There's no need to get rid of your junk drawer, but clear it out when it gets too crazy to be useful. Take everything out and get rid of things like expired coupons and spare keys that you can't identify. You may want to put the kids to work. Buy a plastic tray with dividers or repurpose those baby wipe boxes or other rectangular containers. Let the kids group similar items together. This can be a fun job for children on a rainy day.
|
 |
WEEKEND PROJECT
Plan Now To Grow Your Own Easter Grass
Enjoy the wonders of spring by growing your own Easter grass. You can grow it in your Easter basket, flower pots, egg carton or a container that you might want to transform into a centerpiece. Set your imagination free on this one! It takes at least 10 days to get a good batch of grass started. So, plan ahead.
What you'll need:
Cellophane or piece of plastic for baskets
Grass seed, rye seed or wheat seed
Vermiculite or potting soil
Clean spray bottle
Water
A sunny window
- Cut your cellophane or plastic large enough to line the basket plus stick out over the top edge by about one inch. If you use colored cellophane. Make sure you use one piece to prevent leaking.
- If you can get it, fill with vermiculite which is much lighter than soil, and is available at gardening departments. It also stays moist easily.
- Cover the top with the seed, sprinkle a 1/4 inch layer of vermiculite over the seed, and water it with the spray bottle. Mist every day.
|
 |
 |
 |
|
WE DIDN'T USED TO HAVE AN INCOME TAX
The year 2013 marked the 100th anniversary of the modern income tax which is the major source for revenue for the federal government today. Prior to ratification of the 16th (income tax) Amendment in February 1913, the federal government managed its few constitutional responsibilities without an income tax, except during the Civil War period. During peacetime, it did so largely - or even entirely - on import taxes called "tariffs." Congress could afford to run the federal government on tariffs alone because federal responsibilities did not include agricultural subsidies, welfare programs, Social Security or Medicare and the many other departments and programs we have today. Now you know!
|
|
 TAX TIP
Income Tax time is less than a month away. The real estate site Trulia has some suggestions that might ease the pain. It seems there are real estate deductions that are frequently overlooked. To read more Click here.
|
 FLASH VIDEO OF THE WEEK
.
In honor of spring....Enjoy this time lapse video of spring flowers sprouting through the snow. All I can say is
nature is AMAZING!!
|
|
FLASH BEAUTY TIP OF THE WEEK
Sponsored by: Center for Facial Aesthetics 
Choose The Right Cleanser
Foaming cleansers use a surfactant or synthetic detergent that produces bubbles when vigorously rubbed between the hands with a bit of water. This may seem like a good thing - but those with dry skin might find this removes too much of the skins natural oils. These are best suitable for oily skin.
Cream cleansers don't foam and bubble up. Also referred to as a milky cleanser, cream cleansers resemble a thinned lotion. Some cream cleansers aren't as stripping as foaming cleansers, and are more suitable for dry skin.
Cleansers with chemical exfoliants work by dissolving the "glue" that holds the skin cells together, thus allowing them to slough off. As you cleanse your skin is exfoliated each time you cleanse. Some chemical exfoliants contain salicylic acid or glycolic. These are best suitable for aging, dry or acneic skin.
Cleansers with physical exfoliants, which contain small grains or particles skin you massage them mechanically remove the dead skin cells on the surface. However, their efficacy depends, not just by how long they are massaged onto the skin, but also by the size and shape of these particles. Nut shells and fruit pits can, for instance, have uneven surfaces that can tear up the skin, doing more damage than good. These are best suitable for skin that is not sensitive or skin with rosacea.
|
|
 TODAY'S CHUCKLE
A man was recovering from minor surgery with a local anesthetic when the nurse came in to check on him.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"I'm okay," he said, "but I didn't like the four letter word the doctor used during the surgery."
"Oh, dear! What did he say?" the nurse asked.
"Oops!"
|
|
WE LOVE OUR FLASHERS WHO DON'T KEEP US A SECRET! PLEASE SHARE US WITH EVERYONE!
.
Click below to follow us on Facebook where there's a lot more in store! :)
|
FISH CALENDAR
The darker the fish...The better the fishing!
|
|
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Pizza on the Grill
The weather has been gorgeous for grilling outside, so here's an idea we hadn't heard of before from WebMD!
A grill's intense heat is a lot like a restaurant pizza oven. Keep all your toppings light and cook them beforehand so they heat evenly on the grill. Lightly brush the crust with oil and sear both sides on the grill. Next, add the toppings and cover the grill. Cook about 3-7 minutes. Every minute, rotate the pizza 90 degrees to prevent burning. Whole-wheat crusts are healthier -- some recipes are specially made for grilling. Flash found a slideshow with recipes for lots of unusual toppings,...like a 'breakfast pizza' with scrambled eggs and bacon and Brie and Mozzarella cheese. It could be fun to make on a weekend! To view the recipes, Click here.
|
Congratulations to John Carroll High School student, Gina Carvelli, who received the Congressional Medal Award at a ceremony at Palm Beach State College on March 8, 2015. The ceremony recognized 83 award recipients from Palm Beach, Martin, and St. Lucie County. Gina was the only St. Lucie County high school student to be recognized. She is pictured here with presenter, Congressman Patrick Murphy after receiving her award for voluntary public service, physical fitness, and personal development.
|
Indian River Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce that its local  Reuse contest winner, Allan and Betty Botwinick won first place and $1,000 in the 2014 National Reuse competition sponsored by The ReUse People of America. Pictured above is their creative and quite unique alligator table entry. Congratulations Allan & Betty!
Pictured L to R:
IR Habitat President/CEO Andy Bowler, The ReUse People of America President Ted Reiff, Betty Botwinick, ReStore Manager Dave Sneed and Allan Botwinick
|
 |
|
 Indian River Medical Center announced this week that the hospital exceeded state benchmarks set by the Florida Surgical Care Initiative (FSCI) in two key areas. IRMC scored number one in the area of lowest death or serious morbidity in colon surgery and number two for lowest death or serious morbidity in surgery in elderly patients.
IRMC joined FSCI in an effort to annually track and improve on its past results and be part of the effort with other participating hospitals to improve care across the state. The FSCI includes hospitals of all types and sizes.
"Indian River Medical Center actively joined this effort because by working together, hospitals and surgeons can measurably improve the quality and safety of surgical care for our patients," said Charles Mackett, MD, chief medical officer.
The data is based on collection periods January to December 2013. Data is compiled in a blind study in which hospital names are not revealed but ranked based on hospital codes.
|
|
Pictured below are winners from last weekend's Art Under the Oaks
|
|
Please email us if you have a problem with the above link.
|
TRY OUT OUR BULLETIN BOARD
|
HAVE EVENTS TO ADD TO OUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR?
Click Image To Share Your Events.
Some items might be considered advertising.
(If that's the case, we will get in touch with you.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
