Lutz/Land O' Lakes/Odessa - Vol. 5, Issue 2, February 2014 by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

LAND O’ LAKES . LUTZ . ODESSA

Vol. 5, Issue 2, February 2014

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The Business & Dining Magazine Directly Mailed To 20,000 Homes In Odessa, Lutz & Land O’ Lakes Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To: Ashley Lakes, Ballantrae, Belle Meade, Calusa Trace, Canterbury, Cheval, Citrus Greens, Concord Station, Devonwood, Dolce Vita on Lake Keystone, Echo Lake, Farmington Village, Fern Glenn, Grey Hawk at Lake Polo, Heritage Harbor, Ivy Lake Estates, Keystone Groves, Keystone Manors, Keystone Reserve, Keystone Shores, Lake Charles, Lake Church, Lake Parker Estates, Lakeside Grove Estates, Northlake Village, Northbridge at Lake Pretty, Northton Groves, Oakstead, Orange Blossom Creek, Reflections, Steeple Chase, Stillwater, Stonegate, Suncoast Crossings, Suncoast Meadows, Swan Cove, The Eagles, Van Dyke Estates, Van Dyke Farms, Villa Rosa, Wyndham Lakes

Get a Bright, Healthy Smile While Relaxing at Your Appointment with Diamond Dental Group By Julie Kanehl

Donna’s Cleaning Angels – Bigger & Better Than Ever!

Classical Preparatory School..3 Calendar.............................4-5 Rizzotto Tax Advisory....10-11 MacKinnon Jewelers Donates to RAF Pinellas....................12 Westchase Music School..14-15 Medical Center of Trinity..18-19 Sound Exchange.............22-23 Attorney Patricia Ferrari.......26-27 Donna’s Cleaning Angels (photo courtesy of Acotto Images)

ECRWSS

See “Cleaning Angels” on page 28

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Postal Customer

Surprise! Company is coming. Are you ready? Or, will you have to cancel all plans, call in sick and do an emergency hide-and-slide, and not-sothorough cleaning? If you are ready for your home to be company-ready, or sparkling clean for your own enjoyment, call Donna’s Cleaning Angels. You’ll love the results after a team of the angels tackle the dirt and grime of everyday living, leaving your home sparkling clean. Your cleaning angels will leave no dust behind! Donna’s Cleaning Angels is a local, full-service cleaning company

whose seeds were planted with love 23 years ago by Donna Ferrante. First it was love of family and the need for extra money that prompted the single mother to start a small side business cleaning houses. Love of family grew to love of clients and the self-fulfillment that comes from doing for others. Donna’s kids even helped out in the early years – her son, then 11, and his friend put fliers on cars at the Sunday services. Feeling that

The Community Dining & Business Guide that your neighbors READ!

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185

By Kim Thomas

See “Diamond Dental” on page 30.

Dated Material Please Rush!

(L-R) Natalie, Stephanie, Jennifer, Dr. Hillel Abramov, Linda, Marina

Nothing makes you smile more than a little confidence, and a healthy, beautiful smile gives you a huge boost in that department! If smiling more is one of your New Year’s Resolutions, then you need to check out the Diamond Dental Group located at 18869 S.R. 54 in the Sun Lake Plaza in Lutz, next to Publix. Convenient to Land O’Lakes, Trinity, and Odessa, The Diamond Dental Group is committed to making their patients smile. The dental industry has grown to encompass everything from fighting cavities and getting those necessary fillings and crowns, to becoming a transforming and rewarding experi-

ence that can include teeth whitening, orthodontic services like braces and Invisalign, and complete cosmetic makeovers. Add in dental implants, oral surgery and dentures and you realize just how far the dental field has grown. That’s why it’s important to choose a dentist who is educated and experienced in all of these specialties and prepared to make you as comfortable during your visit as possible. The Diamond Dental Group is the perfect solution for all of the smiles in your family, from first cavities to braces, and fillings to dentures. An expert in traditional and cosmetic dentistry, Hillel Abramov, DDS, is unique in his passion for the industry and his

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From The Editor Kim Thomas

New Charter School Opening in 2014 Classical Preparatory School By Kim Thomas Classical Preparatory School, set to open in Land O’ Lakes in the fall of 2014, will be the first public school in Florida to offer students a classical education. The classical style of education dates back to the time of Socrates and Plato and is designed to teach analytical and critical thinking, while also encouraging students to focus on building their characters to become self-reliant, responsible and trustworthy citizens. Classical Preparatory School will encourage in its students the character traits of humility, perseverance, responsibility, respect, selfcontrol, citizenship and trustworthiness. The school will be located in Pasco County, Florida, about 1/2 mile east of the State Road 52 exit of the Suncoast Parkway at 12830 Shady Hills Road. This property has already

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220 Safford Ave. S. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (813) 928-6124; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@neighborhoodnewsfl.com Editorial E-mail: editorialdept@neighborhoodnewsfl.com © 2014 NeighborhoodNews & Lifestyles is published by ADS 2 Publications, Inc. Publisher Tim Selby General Manager Jim O’Reilly Editor Kim Thomas Advertising Sales Manager Matt Selby Advertising Sales Jim O’Reilly Linda Veiga Alexis Selby

received county zoning approval for a charter school. A building rendering will be released in the near future. The board members include Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, Christina Johnston, and Anne Corcoran, a mother of six, an attorney in Pasco and wife to State Representative Richard Corcoran. When Lutz-based Berean Academy closed in 2011, Corcoran spearheaded the move to find a way to provide a tuition-free, classical education in a public school setting so that

all children centrally located to the school could have the opportunity to thrive in this type of learning environment. “I find schools such as Brooklyn Latin, Washington Latin, Great Hearts Academies, and Ridgeview Classical inspiring,” explains Corcoran. “Each started as a charter school in their community not too long ago with the vision of providing an excellent liberal arts education. In just a See “Classical Prep” on page 6.

Correspondents Julie Kanehl Lenay Ruhl Marcy Sanford Katie Thomas

Dara Tucker

Art Director Dat X. Do Graphic Artists Dat X. Do Tony Sica Accounting Manager Doreen Selby Billing Assistant Tina O’Reilly

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Community Calendar New Tampa Players presents...THE MIRACLE WORKER by William Gibson, Directed by Tom Bronson The Miracle Worker tells the story of Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing at 19 months due to illness, and Annie Sullivan, the extraordinary teacher who taught her to communicate with the world.

Two young ladies, Shelby Zimmerman and Tallulah Nouss, will share the role of Helen Keller, and will perform in different shows. Director Tom Bronson has the actors wear a headset and blindfold as a tool to during the rehearsal process to assist Shelby and Tallulah to understand the experience of being blind and deaf. Showtimes are: Friday, February 28 at 8PM; Saturday, March 1 at 8PM; Sunday, March 2 at 2PM; and

Friday, March 7 at 8PM; Saturday, March 8 at 8PM; and last show is Sunday, March 9 at 2PM The Miracle Worker will be presented at CrossPointe Church of the Nazarene, 919 Debuel Rd. in Lutz. Tickets: $12 - $15 - Contact New Tampa Players for group rates. For tickets or more information: www.newtampaplayers.org; call (813) 386-6NTP (6687) or email: boxoffice@newtampaplayers.org Van Dyke Church Garage Sale Mar. 7, 8–3 PM, Mar. 8, 7-1 PM–– This annual church-wide garage sale is open to the community. All proceeds benefit Van Dyke Church’s high school Atlanta mission trip. Donations are welcome, including furniture, from March 3-6, 8 AM to 5 PM. Location: Van Dyke Church, 17030 Lakeshore Road, in Lutz. Call Maryse Diemert at 813-968-3983, ext. 130 for large pick-ups. Visit www.vandyke.org for more info. Real Ideas Conference Mar. 20-21––Annually, the Real

Ideas conference provides practical tools and inspiration to church staff, leadership teams, and volunteers. Keynote speakers include Bill Hybels, Matthew Hartsfield, Ken Davis, and Jorge Acevedo. Conference cost includes 4 main sessions, 4 breakout sessions, and meals. Location: Van Dyke Church, 17030 Lakeshore Road, in Lutz. For more information, call Karen Peel at 813-968-3983, ext. 145 or visit www.realideasconference.com. This & That Sale Feb. 22, 8 AM – Noon––By the ladies of Trinity Lutheran Church; held on the church lawn at 3050 Starkey Blvd. in New Port Richey, at the intersection of Starkey Blvd. and Town Ave. Interested vendors can rent a space for only $10; please bring your own tables. To reserve a space, call in advance C. Nauman at 727-364-4667. 2014 Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce Events The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce announces dates for 2014 Community Events. The chamber has a long tradition of partnering with and providing events that engage local citizens and showcase the goods and serv-

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ices in our area. March 14, 15––Business Expo at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex March 15––Taste of the Town May 16––Golf Tournament at Heritage Harbor Golf & Country Club June––Awards & Installation Banquet October––Dancing With Our Stars at Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel Nov. (tentative)––Flapjack 5K at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex December––Traditions on the Green at Land O’ Lakes Community Center. For more information contact the chamber office: 813-909-2722 or office@CentralPascoChamber.com. Alzheimer's Family Organization 2014 Pasco Challenge Mar. 8––The Alzheimer's Family Organization will hold its Annual 2014 Pasco Challenge at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey. This year’s event is presented by Brighthouse Networks. Over 600 participants will run, cycle and walk for “THOSE THAT CAN’T REMEMBER.” Competitive events include 5K & 10K Foot Races.

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Non-competitive events include a One Mile Walk/Fun Run and a Bike Tour. The Alzheimer’s Family Organization is seeking sponsors, teams and participants for this event. Monies raised will benefit individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their families in Pasco County and Central Florida, supporting the Alzheimer's Family Organization, People Helping Families, and providing support services and educational programs including Respite Care Assistance, Wanderer’s I.D. Program, Support Groups, Caregiver/Professional Educational Seminars and more. For more information about the Pasco Challenge or to register, call the AFO at 727-848-8888, toll free at 888-496-8004 or visit online at www.alzheimersfamily.org. West Pasco Quilters' Guild 2014 Biennial Quilt Show Fabric in Motion - Sew Many Quilts Mar. 14, 15, 9 AM–5 PM, Mar. 16, 10 AM–4 PM––The Fabric in Motion will have "Sew" Many Quilts to choose from. Over 400 quilts will be on display. Quilt appraisals by Brenda Grampsas. Guild Boutique; Silent Auction; Youth Challenge Quilts; Free Lectures and Trunk Shows. Live Large Quilt Auction on Sunday. Lots of ven-

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dors! Great food - Door Prizes - Kid's Activities - Free Quilt Lectures - Technique Demos. The Fabric in Motion event will be held at the New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center, 6630 Van Buren St. in New Port Richey. Daily admission: $7 or $10 for multi-day pass. “The Price is Right – Shop Local!” Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce Announces 2014 Community Business Expo! Fri. Mar. 14, 4–7 PM & Sat. Mar. 15, 9 AM–3 PM––Open to everyone in the community this premier event shines a spotlight on the business and service “stars” in the Northern Hillsborough/ Central Pasco area. This two day event is FREE to the public and will be and is held at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. Discover hometown treasures, Visit & Win and don’t miss the Taste of the Town on Saturday! This year’s theme, “The Price is Right – Shop Local!”… is all about showcasing the products and services of our local businesses while giving the public and opportunity to see what we have in our own backyard. Sponsorships and Booth Space avail-

able; but are limited and will go fast! Visit www.CentralPascoChamber.com for an application or contact the office at 813-909-2722, or you can e-mail Office@CentralPascoChamber.com. Ready for Kindergarten? Hammond Elementary School, 8008 N Mobley St, Odessa, held their annual Kindergarten Round Up Monday, February 3, 2014. The event showcased a day-inthe-life of a kindergartner at Hammond and everything needed to enroll your student for the 20142015 school year. Please find registration requirements, transportation

services, and guidance program information by visiting the school web site at: hammond.mysdhc.org or call 813 792-5120 x 229.

NAMI Family & Friends Support Group Meetings Pasco County NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers support group meetings for *family and friends of those with mental illness, and for ** those living with mental illness, including all brain disorders, including, but not limited to OCD, depression, bi-polar, schizophrenia, multiple personalities and more. Info: 727-9929653 or www.namipasco.org. *Family & Friends Support Meetings *2nd & 4th Mon., 7:30–9 PM–– at Medical Center of Trinity West Campus in Conference Room C, 5637 Marine Pkwy, New Port Richey *1st & 3rd Tues., 7–8:30 PM––at North Tampa Behavioral Health, 29910 SR 56, Wesley Chapel. **NAMI CONNECTIONS (Recovery support group for those living with mental illness) **Tuesdays, 7–8:30 PM––at NAMI Pasco Office (in Jallo Plaza), 6480 Land O’ Lakes Boulevard **Wednesdays, 7–8:30 PM––at Medical Center of Trinity Center West Campus Conference Room C, 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey Additional Info: 727-992-9653

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“Classical Prep” Continued from page 1 few years, they have achieved a great degree of success. Their academic results are a mirror of a deeper achievement –– instilling in students the ability to think critically and analytically about all areas of their lives. And this view of education can make learning really electric, wake up students to realize the world is a fascinating place with endless possibilities and complexities and questions which should be considered. And once a student figures this out, they become more engaged in the learning process, and, hopefully, stay that way throughout their lives.” Charter schools are public schools and as such, comply with the class size amendment so there will be no more than 18 students per class in grades k-3 and no more than 22 students per class in 4th grade and up. Academic expectations will be high for students. Middle school students will be required to take two logic courses and high school students will take four years of math, science, English and history, along with classes in fine arts and humanities. Latin also

will be required of Classical Preparatory students, beginning in the 3rd grade and continuing through 8th grade.

ing was delayed for a year for planning), Classical Preparatory has availability for up to 342 students in grades kindergarten through eighth. The school plans to add a grade level each year over the next four years, going up to twelfth grade. In its fourth year, the school is approved for up to 518 students. In the event that more students apply than there is room for, a lottery will be conducted by a third party and applicants will have an equal chance of being admitted through the random selection process. Siblings of lottery-

selected students will be automatically selected to ensure that the needs of the families in attendance at Classical Preparatory School are met. There are two Information Meetings for Parents, at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Tues, Feb. 18. There is limited space, so it is important to RSVP online at www.ClassicalPrep.org where it takes less than one minute to fill out the webform. The meeting location is Pasco County Senior Service Center, 6801 Wisteria Loop in Land O’ Lakes.

Room for 342 Students (K-8) in 2014 The school’s open enrollment period began January 6th, 2014 and will end March 3rd at 5 p.m. To complete an enrollment application, click on “How to Enroll” on the top of the home page (classicalprep.org) and complete a separate form for each child you wish to register. With a four-year contract approved by the Pasco County School Board (it was approved for five years but the open-

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The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group “Your Partners in Tax & Retirement Planning” With the 2013 tax return deadline looming, it is a perfect time for those age 60 or older to take advantage of a flat-rate $69 fee to have their income taxes prepared and filed with a company that is trusted for going the extra mile for its clients. Tax Preparation Special…Not Just for Retirees Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group extends their $69 flat-rate fee for federal returns (state returns are included if applicable) to Government Employees and Municipal Workers, Teachers, Law Enforcement Personnel, Firefighters/EMT’s, Retired and Active Military of ANY age. All tax returns are prepared by one of the experienced Tax Preparers, CPAs or IRS Enrolled Agents. About Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group At Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group you will find an experiencd team of financial, tax, insurance, and legal professionals that bring a combined 70+ years experience in educating clients on important subjects including: reducing asset risk and unnecessary taxes, diversifying portfolios, importance of wills/trusts and planning for income during retirement. The firm is committed to providing exemplary service while displaying the highest standards of ethics and professional knowledge. They are approved members of the National Ethics Association and the National Association of Tax Professionals. Edward G. Rizzotto, Owner and President, is an Insurance Agent and Financial Representative who holds both a state-regulated license to offer insurance products and a securities license to offer specific investment products. The Rizzotto Team Ed Rizzotto, Owner/President, moved to Florida 42 years ago from New York, grew up in Pinellas County and has been a Trinity resident since 2000. He is a graduate of Clearwater Central Catholic High School and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from NationalLouis University in Evanston, IL. Ed also served both active and reserve duty for 13 years in the U.S. Coast

Guard. He started his Insurance and Financial career over 20 years ago as an agent for Allstate Insurance, then promoted to Agency Manager, responsible for overseeing 22 agencies in Southwest Florida. In 1999, he joined a local retirement planning firm, where he helped hundreds of people with tax and retirement planning for over 6 years. Ed Rizzotto enjoyed the opportunity to benefit the community, and was determined to create a complete local business where he could help clients (both pre-retirees and current retirees) save money on their taxes and better manage their portfolios, plan for the future and focus more on enjoying their retirement years – and The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group was established in 2006. Lorrie Rizzotto, Director of Marketing, joined the firm in 2009 as Director of Marketing. Lorrie already had an impressive career in the marketing industry. Specializing in corporate incentive and meeting planning, she worked at Allstate’s Regional Florida office for 11 years, and then became an Independent Meeting Planner with HelmsBriscoe, a national event planning company based out of Scottsdale, AZ where she achieved “President’s Club” status in Top 50 in the country. Currently she handles all marketing, networking, event planning and the firm’s year-end client appreciation gala. She and Ed will be married 25 years this November and have two teenage children. Dori Greeson is the Administrative Assistant and Office Manager at Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group. When you call our office you are always greeted with a warm reception from Dori. Given the title “Vice President of First Impressions” by Ed Rizzotto, Dori demonstrates the most exceptional skills in making clients feel comfortable during both their visits to the office, and on the phone. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the office and tax season, sponsored events and assists in the planning and coordination of our year-end client appreciation gala. Dori is a licensed Life and Health Agent. “When Dori was added to our team, we not only gained, but each of our clients did as well,” says Ed Rizzotto. On her off

time she ministers with her husband in Florida prisons and short term mission trips to such places as Mozambique, Vietnam and Jamaica. Dori lives with her husband (L-R) Ed Rizzotto, Lorrie Rizzotto, Gene, and is Robert Brooks, Nayda Stern, Brett Anderson, mother of two Dori Greeson, & CPA Anthony Tropeano grown sons, Benjamin and Robby. Professional) and attends many IRS Nayda Stern, IRS Enrolled sponsored educational courses Agent, has more than 20 years of inthroughout the year, including the come tax preparation experience and Annual IRS forum. Nayda, originally holds the designation of IRS Enrolled from Buffalo, New York is a graduate Agent. This enables her to represent of New York University School of EdRizzotto Tax Advisory Group clients ucation. She resides in Land O’ before the IRS. In addition to her exLakes, FL with her husband Alan. tensive tax preparation experience with Brett Anderson, Tax Preparer, a national firm, she has taught basic brings over 13 years of tax preparation and intermediate income tax courses experience to the Rizzotto Tax Advifor those who wanted to learn to presory Group’s clients as he worked for pare taxes. Nayda is a member of one of the largest CPA tax and acNATP (National Association of Tax

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counting firms in New York State, specializing in payroll, bookkeeping, investment and estate planning for many small businesses and individuals, also working with many non-profit organizations and auditing of many schools in New York State. Brett prides himself in serving our clients with great care and attention to detail. Brett, originally from Gloversville, New York holds a degree in Business Administration and resides in Bayonet Point, FL with his wife April and daughter Divia. Alton Scott, Insurance Consultant, brings over 14 years experience in the banking, insurance and financial services industry. As an Insurance Consultant, Alton holds a state-regulated life and health license and a securities license to provide certain investment products. He brings extensive knowledge to our clients in the areas of health insurance, medicare supplements and medicare advantage. Alton resides in Land O’ Lakes, FL with his wife and two children. Robert Brooks, Retirement Consultant, joined Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group in 2013 after 16 years with a top national insurance corporation. As an independent Retirement Strategist and state licensed Insurance Agent, he provides our clients with valuable services related to planning before and during retirement. Robert’s personal and business philosophies are based on responsibility, honesty, integrity, and building strong client relationships. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Robert and his family have strong roots in the Tampa Bay area. He attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, and graduated in 1993 with a B.A. degree in Business Management with a concentration in Finance. After college, he returned to St. Petersburg where he began his career in the insurance industry, receiving numerous awards and additional

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certifications throughout the years. Currently, he is pursuing additional education in investment advisory management. Robert and his wife Tammy, reside in St. Petersburg and have two children. The key to helping clients deal with today’s economy and prepare for the future…education. Knowledge is power! With an uncertain economy in our future, many retirees and baby boomers are concerned about whether their pensions and retirement savings will last the rest of their lives. Whether you are already retired, or within five to ten years of retiring, you need to know how to protect your money and understand how tax laws will affect your retirement. In addition, there are often legitimate adjustments that can be made now to reduce tax liabilities of which many people are unaware. With roughly 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 today and about 10,000 more will cross that threshold every day for the next 19 years, many are looking for the answers on when the best age is to take social security, the thresholds of when social security is taxed and how to not outlive their retirement assets. “If clients are already collecting social security when they come to us they want to know how they can reduce or eliminate taxes on not only social security income, but their overall taxes as well,” says Ed Rizzotto. “We spend many hours with our clients to put sound plans in place by sharing ‘real time’ tax, income and social security analysis through some of the most sophisticated software. “We want our clients to leave our office with a better understanding on what their income needs will be in retirement, and how to control, reduce or possibly eliminate taxes.”

Ed Rizzotto Concierge Level Service While taxes are a large part of The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group, the majority of their clients also utilize the firm’s other services including investments, retirement planning, long term care, annuities, life insurance, wills and trusts. Clients have access to experts in the fields of taxes, finance, insurance, and the services of elder law attorneys who handle wills, trusts and overall estate planning. Ed says, “Clients like the opportunity we provide to get everything taken care of in one place.” “When people come in to see us,” says Ed, “the first thing we do is dedicate an hour or of our time to complete an overall review that covers the last couple of years, including going over their tax returns in detail, studying their portfolios, and discussing their important concerns to determine how we can help them. Then, at a follow-up appointment, we present a thorough plan for them.” The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group offers guidance to each investor based on their unique investment profile while focusing on their financial goals. “Many people are concerned with the economy right now and preservation of funds is very important,” says Ed. “Saving on taxes, reducing or eliminating taxation on social security and protecting the financial wellbeing of a spouse after another’s death – those are things that my clients are concerned about. Today, people also want alternatives to the low interest rate environment provided by CDs and money market accounts. Those clients looking for something more tangible to invest in are turning to us for precious metals and other conservative investment vehicles of which they may have been previously unaware.” Rizzotto explains that being involved with his clients in all the key areas of tax returns, insurance needs

and investments allows his team to keep a keen eye on each client’s bottom line. “We’ve had people who had other advisors and financial planners who convinced them to make changes, not aware of the tax impacts,” says Ed. “To me the tax return is the most important document the client owns, that’s why it is the first thing we look at when the client meets us for their initial appointment. If there is an investment or change that could cause a taxable event – we know that up front.” Retirement Planning…Not Just For Retirees While The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group’s area of expertise over the years has been working with retirees we also work with clients of all ages in the area of retirement planning. “You’re never too young or too old to start saving for retirement,” says Rizzotto. We have found that many people we meet that are still working have changed jobs about every five to seven years, and many of those people left their retirement plans at their old employers (i.e. 401k, 403b, and 457 plans, etc). Many of these plans can be rolled over to individual IRAs or Roth IRAs, thus giving the client more control and the ability to have someone to advise them. We feel it is also imperative for those people ages 59 -1/2 or older who are still employed to become educated on a very significant act signed into law by congress over seven years ago that changed the rules governing IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s and 457 plans, what their options are and what they can do to prepare for their family’s financial future. The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group is located in the beautiful community of Long Leaf in the Florida Design Consultants Center at 3030 Starkey Boulevard in Trinity. They also have a second location in Pinellas County at 1034 Belcher Road South in Largo. Call (727) 683-9119 or visit www.rizzottotax.com for more information or to schedule an appointment. Securities offered through MidAmerica Financial Services, Inc l www.mfsinvest.com. 2230 E. 32nd Street, Suite B, Joplin, MO 64804 l 888-526-2001 l Member FINRA & SIPC l MidAmerica Financial Services and Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group are not affiliated.

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MacKinnon Jewelers Gives to RAF Pinellas Making it Possible to Deliver More Smiles! By Kim Thomas Tom MacKinnon and his staff at MacKinnon Jewelers in Trinity found a way to turn their holiday celebration into a fundraising opportunity to support a local charity that delivers flowers to those who need something positive to smile about. MacKinnon Jewelers hosted “Jewels for a Cause” featuring a trunk show by the famous jewelry designer Phillip Gavriel, who donated 10 percent of every purchase from his line to Random Acts of Flowers Pinellas. Tom MacKinnon matched him dollar-for-dollar and thanks to the success of the Jewels for a Cause event, Tom MacKinnon and Patrick Lainhart of MacKinnon Jewelers presented a check on January 13th for nineteen hundred dollars to Random Acts of Flowers Pinellas. There to accept the check was the founder of Random Acts of Flowers (RAF), Larsen Jay and RAF Pinellas Director of Mission Fulfillment Monica Kok

and RAF Pinellas Advisory Board President Pam Ora. “I am proud to be able to give to this amazing charity organization,” said Tom MacKinnon. “It gives to all types and it brings smiles to everybody it touches – including all of us.” “It’s a universal gesture,” said RAF Founder Larsen Jay, (L-R) Random Acts of Flowers Founder Larsen Jay, RAF Pinellas Director of Mission Fulfillment Monica Kok, RAF of the charity’s misPinellas Advisory Board President Pam Ora, Tom MacKsion to collect and re- innon of MacKinnon Jewelers in Trinity, Florida, and cycle donated flowers MacKinnon Jewelers’ Associate Patrick Lainhart from weddings, memorial services, quets to deliver to local hospitals, hoswholesale florists, grocery stores and pices and assisted living facilities to churches, and even from individuals those who need an emotional boost. who have used flowers for a special oc“I designed the program not to casions. True to RAF’s motto, “Recybe based upon money, politics or relicling Flowers…Delivering Smiles,” the gion,” shares Jay. “We are using what flowers are then refashioned into bouwould otherwise be trash.” Larsen

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started the 501(c) (3) charity in Knoxville, TN with the mission to improve mental health through the power of giving flowers. After sustaining life-threatening injuries in July 2007 and being on the receiving end of cards and flowers, he realized how uplifting it was. When Larsen was finally able to leave his room, he noticed that many other patients did not have visitors or flowers – the very thing that helped him so much. Within moments the first “random act of flowers” delivery was made, with Larsen repurposing his own flowers and delivering them to patients in nearby hospital rooms. The memories of how a simple gesture touched his fellow patients compelled Larsen to form Random Act of Flowers in 2008. You can see a video of him telling his story at RAFPinellas.org. If you have vases you’d like to donate, MacKinnon Jewelers has agreed to be a drop-off location. Find out how you can donate flowers, hold a vase drive or volunteer, by calling Random Acts of Flowers Pinellas Director of Mission Fulfillment, Monica Kok at 727-754-7974 Mon. – Fri., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. or email monica@RAFPinellas.org.

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Hitting the High Note! By Erin Aldrich Want to get your kids excited about music? Look no further than the newly opened Westchase Music School! Boredom has no place in this state-of-the-art music school, and with their 15 fantastic instructors and fun teaching methods, your child will be excited and motivated to take lessons. Westchase Music School offers a broad spectrum of musical lessons, including, piano, flute, euphonium, guitar, harp, clarinet, bass, piccolo, saxophone, violin, organ, keyboard, drums, trombone, tuba and voice. Husband and wife, Rick and

Helen Foessett have a true passion for music, accompanied by years of experience and a fantastic vision for Westchase musical talents. In addition to this new location in Westchase, they also own and operate a successful music school in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their musical vision in Charlotte holds true for this second location as well, and Helen, who has been teaching music for over 25 years, hopes to experience the same success that her husband and she have had in North Carolina since opening five years ago. Westchase Music School offers lessons for children as young as three, up to adults of all ages, and tailors their

lessons to the individual abilities and goals of each student. There is no limit to the genres of music a student can explore here, from rock to Broadway to classical, and everything in between. At Westchase Music School, they understand the importance of matching each student with a teacher and Helen and Rick take special care while pairing students with potential instructors. “Our teachers understand how to reach the students on their level to keep them both interested and motivated,” added Rick. The music instructors at Westchase Music School are highly qualified, and a majority of their teach-

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ers have achieved their Masters in Music. Helen says, “Most of our instructors have over 15-25 years experience from a broad range of unique backgrounds. Some are Band Directors, and others are current teachers in the Hillsborough County and Pinellas County public and private school systems.” Helen is very thorough in the hiring process and hires teachers that have extensive experience as well as a great love of music. She adds, “This brings strength to our program because some music schools hire those who simply have a passion for music, but we believe methodology and experience are just as important.” Westchase Music School is unique in so many ways! First off, whereas many music schools only offer 30-minute lessons, at Westchase Music School each lesson is 45 minutes and includes a 15minute interactive lab that allows the student to explore exclusive music technology. The lab portion of the session also provides facts about music history, composer knowledge, and instrument identification, and keeps a personal record of the students’ progress and their understanding of

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music methodology. The labs are ageappropriate and are focused on specific learning techniques suitable for each age group. Second, Westchase Music School uses only high-quality acoustic instruments, allowing the student to truly experience and appreciate the real instrument. Third, students are enrolled on a monthly basis so there is no long-term contract. Finally, many families are concerned with the expense of having to purchase an instrument for their child to take lessons; not an issue here – Westchase Music School provides instrument rentals through the Music and Arts Rental Program. Instruments can be rented for as little as $6.75 a month and they also offer a rent-to-own option. Once enrolled, you will not be disappointed in both the affordability and accessibility of lessons and the musical environment is both welcoming and inspiring to all who enter. Taking lessons at Westchase Music School has many great advantages, and students are more motivated to learn when surrounded by others who share in their excitement. They also provide free Saturday

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morning ‘master classes’ that are offered to all enrolled students. These classes are designed to inform students about the practical side of playing an instrument. Topics covered in these classes include how to string a guitar, cleaning of instruments, and more.

Music Marathon So maybe this all sounds great to you, but still your child is not sure what instrument they would like to play? Why not set your worries aside and take advantage of a unique program called Music Marathon. Created as a way for students to try out a variety of different instruments, students choose four of any of the instrument lessons available at the school and explore one each week for four weeks. Following the program, students will have a better understanding of what they want and can then choose their favorite to continue in a private lesson setting. This is a terrific way to introduce a variety of musical instruments to a student that is undecided and it is also beneficial to the parents who would really like their child to play a specific instrument. This way they choose something they really like and anxiety takes a back seat! The Music

Marathon Class is also available to adult students.

Pre-K Music Program Westchase Music School also offers an incredible Pre-K Music Program for groups of children ages 3 – 5. This program is nationally accredited for Pre-School Music by MENC. When younger students begin in this setting, it sets a foundation for a smooth transition into private lessons. Using real acoustic instruments, the focus of this program is on reading music and music teaching and the Pre-K class performs at all recitals, which is something unique to Westchase Music School. Convenience – families are welcome to enroll up to 4-5 children or family members (including mom or dad) to take lessons all at the same time. Westchase Music School understands that parents are busy – driving their kids around – and, with 15 teachers on staff, they make it convenient for any parent to enroll all their kids in private lessons at the same time with different teachers, saving parents time. Westchase Music School also has a family discount for enrolling more than one family member and each newly enrolled student receives a free music

tote. Currently they are working on a scholarship fund for both enrolled students and students in the public school system. “It is important to us that we are not just a business within the Westchase community, but that we truly become a part of it,” says Rick. Starting in October, music students will travel to local nursing homes and share their gifted musical talents. They also would like to become involved in public and private schools in the area and welcome any opportunity to visit and speak with students about music. Westchase Music School welcomes you to stop by any time for a walk-around tour. They are centrally located in the heart of Westchase, on the corner of Countryway Blvd. and Citrus Park Dr. near the Upper Tampa Bay Public Library at 11301 Countryway Blvd. in Westchase. There are three different and easy ways to register for lessons – online via their website, by phone and in person. For more information or to check out weekly promotions, please call (813) 925-0102, or visit online at www.WestchaseMusicSchool.com or find Westchase Music School on Facebook.

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Medical Center of Trinity Advanced Cardiac Services Close to Home By Kim Thomas “Time is Muscle!” declared Medical Center of Trinity’s Director of Education, Janet Baile, RN, MSN, at a recent meeting where I had the opportunity to sit down with members of the Cardiovascular Team, all of whom were excited to share the news of the addition of open heart surgery services this month at Medical Center of Trinity – a perfect way to honor patients during February’s American Heart Month. Now, HCA West Florida offers two stellar heart surgery centers right here in Pasco County – at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point to the north, and right near your own neighborhood at Medical Center of Trinity, which is strategically and conveniently located in the tri-county area of Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough on State Road 54 near Little Road, and just minutes from East Lake. When you or

someone you love needs immediate, life-saving measures, and when “Time is Muscle,” it is good to know that you can receive the best possible advanced cardiac care – including open heart surgery – right in your own community. Not only was Medical Center of Trinity built to exceed stateof-the-art standards, every room is private and every need of patients and their families has been anticipated and provided for. Fast response time was a hot topic around the table with members of the Cardiovascular Team at Medical Center of Trinity. These folks know that when it comes to heart attacks, every second saved means more heart muscle saved and a better outcome for the patient. In meeting with these dedicated healthcare professionals, one point was driven home over and over – everyone needs to recognize the symptoms of heart attack and act immediately, not hesitating to call 911!

The above images are from a stent procedure performed on a 70-year-old male to unblock a vessel. The procedure was performed and the patient was stable 32 minutes after coming to Medical Center of Trinity. Leela Beers, MBA and Director of Business Development, Cardiovascular Services, advised, “People having chest pain tend to deny that it could be more, but you shouldn’t hesitate to call 911. It’s better to be wrong than long – we are shaving off seconds, not just minutes. Patients with heart attack symptoms need a highly experienced

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team including very experienced physicians. We have that here. We also have dedicated leaders and the support that we need. Medical Center of Trinity invested $3,000,000 in additional open heart equipment. We have this new service to keep our community in our community.” While open heart is new to the

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Symptoms of Heart Attack • Mild chest pressure, squeezing or discomfort • Nausea • Pain that travels down one or both arms • Jaw pain • Fatigue • Anxiety • Back pain • Shortness of breath • Feeling of fullness Medical Center of Trinity will glow red every night in February to raise heart disease awareness.

building, it is not new to the Cardiovascular Team involved, which has four Medical Directors including: Marshall DeSantis, MD Cardiothoracic Surgery, the Medical Director of Open Heart Surgery; Najam Javeed, MD Interventional Cardiology, the Medical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab; Sudhir Agarwal, MD Interventional Cardiology, the Medical Director of the Chest Pain Center and Carlos Bayron, MD Interventional Cardiology, the Medical Director of the STEMI Committee. In addition to the four Medical Directors and the aforementioned Leela Beers and Janet Baile, the Cardiovascular Team includes: Administrative Director of Surgical Services Lisa Richardson, MHA, RN, CNOR; Director of Cardiac Catheterization Bobbi Altman, RN-BC, BS, RCIS; Director of Emergency Services Jennifer Hatch, RN; Director of ICU/CVICU Patricia Plue, RN, MSN, MHA, CCRN; and Director of CVCU Lizette Otero, RN, BSN. Medical Director of Open Heart Surgery, Dr. DeSantis comes to Medical Center of Trinity from Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point where the first open heart procedure at the hospital was performed in November 1989. Dr. DeSantis, who has performed more than 4,000 Open Heart surgeries, says, “This is going to be a great addition for patients and their families in Southern Pasco and Northern Pinellas.” Dr. Bayron says, “The collaboration by community, administration, physicians and everyone involved has set us on the path to offer a quality open heart surgery program to our community.” And Dr. Javeed adds, “I know it will be a high quality program and serve our community just right.” Dr. Agarwal took a lot of time to explain the process that Medical Center of Trinity is going through to beNeighborhood News & Lifestyles

Sudhir Agarwal, MD Medical Director Chest Pain Center

Carlos Bayron, MD Medical Director STEMI Committee

come an accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC). “The criteria is very strict,” he explained. “There are eight key elements that must be met and in order to maintain accreditation from the SCPC, every hospital has to go through the accreditation process every three years.” Every team member has worked diligently to make sure every facet of cardiac care merges seamlessly, knowing that faster response times save lives. Patients arriving with chest pain are seen immediately and every case is reviewed to make sure that every second is utilized, giving patients the best possible shot at a great outcome – a strong, healthy heart. “We can have a team ready in the ER within minutes once we know we are getting a patient with a heart attack,” explained Dr. Agarwal. “EMS actually sends us the EKG while the ambulance is still in motion because every minute counts. If a patient comes in with chest pain, they are priority number one. That applies, whether that patient walks in the ER or comes by ambulance.” The difference is - besides the obvious that EMS personnel are qualified and have life-saving equipment – if you call 911, the EMS crew will also be able to perform an EKG that can be immediately transmitted to the hospital allowing them to be ready for you prior to your arrival and giving them vital information during transport. Dr Agarwal says, “That is why it is an important part of our community education to teach people to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heart attack so they will call 911.” Excellence is what the Cardiovascular Team has come to expect, with the STEMI Team at Medical Center of Trinity exceeding national standards. The STEMI Team responds to patients exhibiting symptoms of segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or more simply put, heart attack. Medical Center of Trinity is proud of its response times and outcomes for patients needing life-saving

Marshall DeSantis, MD Medical Director Open Heart Surgery

Najam Javeed, MD Medical Director Cardiac Catheterization Lab

stents to open blocked vessels in the heart, and rightly so. Nancy Maysilles, Chief Nursing Officer at Medical Center, states, “If a person lives in this area and they are having chest pain, this is the hospital to come to. The ER is completely capable and there are a lot of elements to consider. Pasco County EMS is wonderful and has electronic communication directly with us from the field. Once we get a patient in the ER, it is a matter of minutes before they are in the cath lab [when needed].” The STEMI Team at Medical Center of Trinity not only boasts excellent response times, but also good outcomes for cardiac care patients. Dr. Agarwal explains, “When a patient comes in with chest pain, basically the goal is to open the blood vessels as quickly as possible. The national average [from intake to Stent procedure] is within 90 minutes, but we are doing very well here, averaging less than 60 minutes from the time the patient enters the ER. We are one of the best in the area.” To have a stellar program, education is a key component. Director of Education, Janet Baile, elaborates, “We have cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and cardiac anesthesiologists teaching our nurses, and all of our RNs are trained according to the gold standard of the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Medical Center of Trinity is actually a training center for the AHA, which is difficult to achieve and something we are very proud of.” Director of Cardiac Catheterization Bobbi Altman says, “A lot of our RNs are nationally certified in their specialty and our doctors [in the heart program] are Board Certified in Cardiology and Board Certified in Interventional Cardiology, which is an advanced certification.” In going forward with offering advanced cardiac services, Medical Center of Trinity’s goal is to meet the highest standards in and out of the operating room, from the nursing and

surgical staff, to the way patients are treated after surgery through cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac procedures currently offered at Medical Center of Trinity are open heart surgeries (targeted to start mid-February) including coronary artery bypass and valve repair or replacement, vascular services, minimally invasive cardiac catheterization and diagnostic testing. The future of Medical Center of Trinity will no doubt offer even more advanced medical services. Marketing Director Mary Sommise says, “Our goal is to keep adding programs and services that will allow the residents of this area to stay close to their families and friends while receiving advanced medical care right here in the community.” Community education is another important service provided by Medical Center of Trinity, which continually offers educational seminars on a variety of health topics including heart health. For American Heart Month, several educational seminars are offered. All presentations are at 12 p.m. at the Medical Center of Trinity. A light lunch will be served. Reservations are required and can be made at 727-834-5630. On Feb. 19, “Heart and Soul” will be presented by Carlos Bayron, MD Interventional Cardiology, who will discuss recent scientific findings are linking music to hearts and heart health. In fact, the beat of your heart may be more closely connected to musical beats than you know. On Feb. 27, “I’m Having A Heart Attack; Now What?” will be presented y Rias Ali, MD Interventional Cardiology. Participants will learn that not all heart attacks have shooting pain down your left arm. Many times, the signs and symptoms are ignored and blamed on stress and fatigue. Know the warning signs and know what to do when you, or someone near you, are having a heart attack. On Feb. 28 – “The Way to Your Heart from Your Wrist: Cardiac Catheterization Reinvented,” presented by Rami Akel, MD Interventional Cardiology, will explain a new approach to Cardiac Catheterization through a small artery in the wrist and the benefits to patients. Medical Center of Trinity is located at 9330 State Road 54 in Trinity. For more information, visit www.MedicalCenterTrinity.com.

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SOUND EXCHANGE A Collectors’ Store That Cares About Local Collectors By Pam Sica The first of three Sound Exchange stores opened its doors in North Tampa in 1987 (Brandon in 1992, Pinellas Park in 2001) and for the past 26 years they have offered an unparalleled selection of new and used CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, vintage stereo equipment, and many other unique items. According to General Manager Ron Wayne, Sound Exchange is the only real full service record store left in this region, with regular shoppers hailing from a broad nine county area. These long-time devotees know what a veritable treasure Sound Exchange is; one that we are so fortunate to have right here in our backyard. Sound Exchange has new releases as part of their vast inventory of new products, but, in addition, they have also found a unique service that allows people to sell their whole collection or single unwanted items for cash or

store credit. As a result, they have a great selection of vintage and out of print items that complements their new inventory, resulting in a unique and constantly changing blend of new and old stuff. Best of all, most used items sell for half the cost of the same item if it were new, even less in many cases. Hundreds of new items come to their stores every day, so regardless of your entertainment needs, there is a good chance that Sound Exchange has it or will have it in one of their three stores. If not, you can shop at their on-line warehouse of new items, which compares to Amazon in size and selection. And worst case, if it is not available anywhere, you can reserve the next copy that comes into their stores when you use their “Want List” feature. Just sign up for an item and they email you when it arrives! So, how has Sound Exchange managed to stay around all these years? Ron maintains, “We know what to buy and are willing to pay the

Sound Exchange has an unparalleled selection of new and used CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, vintage stereo equipment, and many other unique items. highest prices for those items so we get the best stuff.” In addition, he says, “Our sophisticated computer system is able to track comparable prices globally so that we can ensure

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that our pricing is competitive, typically 10-20% below prices you might see on eBay, for instance.” Sound Exchange has developed a brilliant website that is user-friendly,

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A masterfully restored Antique Edison record player from 1918 customer-oriented, and more importantly, shows you their in-stock inventory, even new arrivals and soon-to-be available items. It is super easy – once

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you view their inventory in all three of their locations, reserve the items you wish to purchase and select the store of your choice for pickup. This feature has excited passionate collectors who shop on their website every day waiting for particular titles to come into inventory. Sound Exchange protects their local loyal customers because they do not ship, which means that only

local shoppers can take advantage of their selection. Sound Exchange is truly a local collector’s Mecca! Whether you’re online or instore, you will find something else that sets Sound Exchange apart – their wonderful selection of vintage stereo equipment! Have you ever wondered what to do with your dust-collecting old record player, turntable, reel-toreel tape deck, speaker, receiver, or amplifier? Sound Exchange has an answer for you. You can sell it to them for cash and free up space in your home, or they can restore it for you, thereby creating your own family heirloom. Unlike most electronic repair shops that only fix the electronics, Sound Exchange can do the entire job by cosmetically restoring the unit, too. One quick look at the hundreds of restored items available for sale will give you a good idea of what yours could look like. I was quick to notice the antique 1918 Edison record player that they had masterfully restored inside and out. It rivaled any of the items that were on display at the Edison Estate that I visited down in Fort Myers last month. Sound Exchange is passionate about bringing old equipment back to

life and back into everyday use. Ron says, “This was great stuff back in the day and can be great stuff once again.” For a modest $25 bench fee Sound Exchange can give you an estimate of what it will take to restore it to your liking, which is applied to the cost of the repair if they do the work for you. Visit www.SoundExchangeTampaBay.com for more details. So, whether you’re a passionate collector looking for CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, out-of-print items, music and movie related books and vintage stereo equipment, or are a novice like me just browsing for a good deal, Sound Exchange is your ultimate choice. Visit them on their website or come on into one of their stores and buy, sell, and trade to your heart’s delight. It’ll be sure to make your day! Your local Sound Exchange is at 14246 N. Nebraska Avenue between Fletcher and Bearss next to the Salvation Army store and Malibu Grand Prix. Store hours are Mon. – Sat., 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sun. from 11 a.m. – 7 pm. Call (813) 978- 9316 or online at SoundExchangeTampaBay.com.

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Clients From All Walks of Life Turn to Attorney Patricia Ferrari for Help in Designing a Plan to Protect Assets By Marcy Sanford As I was walking into Attorney Patricia Ferrari’s office, her client was thanking her profusely and telling her how impressed and thankful she was for the personal attention and help that Patricia was giving her. With more than 30 years as an attorney and more than 15 years in private practice, Patricia Ferrari has a long list of clients who are thankful for her help in protecting and preserving their assets. A little more than a year ago, Patricia opened a new office at the Oakstead Professional Center on State Road 54 so she can better serve clients in this area. “I worked as in-house legal counsel for several different insurance companies for part of my career, but I missed my private practice and went back to that in 2007. I enjoy the personal connection you get when you

help people one-on-one. Whatever your financial situation is, you want to be sure that you have a plan in place to protect your assets as you get older and ensure your wishes are followed if something happens to you. Business owners, especially, need to have a plan in place to protect their assets in the event of a lawsuit.” Patricia’s focus is on designing asset protection plans to meet her clients’ unique Attorney needs and individual goals. Everyone from business ownPatricia Ferrari ers to retirees, young families to working professionals can benefit from running a business. There are dozens of an asset protection plan. different structures and methods that Business Owners: If you are a busican be used to protect your assets such ness owner, you know that insurance as Limited Liability Companies, Limited does not cover all the risks involved in Liability Partnerships, Family Limited

Partnerships, Corporations, International Asset Protection Trusts, and Irrevocable Domestic Trusts. Patricia has more than 25 years of experience in assisting business clients

with asset protection. She makes sure her clients understand all of the options and works with her clients to design an asset protection plan that meets their businesses’ needs. “Many times insurance does not cover all the liability exposures that businesses face,” says Patricia. “I can help business owners navigate and understand Florida laws to make sure their business is safe.” Families: If you have children, you need to have a plan in place in case something happens to you or your spouse. At the very least, you should have a will naming the person who will be the guardian for your children. “Without a will, the court appoints a person,” says Patricia. “When the court is involved, the selection process can be lengthy and expensive and take an emotional toll on your children.” Sometimes the person who would be best suited for raising your child is not the best person to also handle the finances. Patricia says that with a will you can name a person as guardian of the children and another person as guardian of the children’s property. Additionally, if you have a child with special needs, a Special Needs Trust will allow you to protect the financial interests of your child by allowing parents or caregivers to access money now to

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care for the child without affecting the child’s eligibility for Medicaid or other governmental benefits in the future. Retirees: If you are nearing retirement or retired, you want to make sure that you have enough money to live comfortably. You also don’t want to get in a situation where your assets are eaten up by long-term care needs. You want to make sure that in the event of incapacity, your loved ones do not incur the expense and time-consuming process of having the courts establish a guardianship. Finally, no matter what your income level, you want to protect your estate and loved ones from the time-consuming and expensive costs of probate. There are many options available to achieve all of these goals, including but not limited to the use of an Enhanced Life Estate or “Lady Bird” Deed, Revocable Trust, Marital Deduction Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate Power of Attorney, Miller Trust, and various other ways to maximize and protect your assets. Patricia makes sure her clients understand all of the options available and designs a plan that meets their unique and individual needs. Patricia Ferrari is a resident of Land O’ Lakes. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois and The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. She

has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1982, is a member of the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar, and a member of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. Call Attorney Patricia Ferrari today to find out how she can help secure your family’s future. Her

office is located at 19439 Shumard Oak Drive, Suite 102, at the Oakstead Professional Center on SR 54 in Land O’ Lakes. For more information about her practice and services she offers, visit www.PatriciaFerrariLaw.com or call (813) 597-8348.

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“Cleaning Angels” Continued from page 1 she’d found her true purpose, Donna devoted herself to growing her client base. She saw that by providing a stellar cleaning service, she was instrumental in helping people to enjoy their homes again. At one of her first cleaning jobs, she bonded with an elderly lady under Hospice care and she was the inspiration behind the name of the company. Donna is still emotional as she recalls bonding with her client and giving her a crystal angel. Just before passing, the lady referred to Donna as her cleaning angel. Years later, after falling and breaking her ankle, Donna hired her first employee. Now, bigger and better than ever, with 22 employees and 23 years later, Donna has built the number one cleaning service in Tampa Bay, which offers exceptional service and a superior outcome. The fully licensed, bonded and insured company provides you with a team of “cleaning angels” who are background checked, drugfree and covered by worker’s compensation. They also adhere to all OSHA rules. This is important for Donna’s employees’ protection, as well as her

clients’ protection. “I have one customer who [previous to hiring Donna’s Cleaning Angels] had hired an individual who did not carry workman’s compensation,” explains Donna. “This person was not wearing non-slip shoes and ended up falling while cleaning the shower and hitting her head sustaining a serious injury. She sued the homeowner and won. My clients don’t have to worry about that because I carry the liability.” Donna’s Cleaning Angels work as a team, and they are always presentable and friendly, with matching uniforms and non-slip shoes. They bring everything they need to provide you with an exceptional cleaning. Donna explains, “My teams come in with a large canvas kit with all of their cleaning supplies, all of which are of the highest quality and kept in separate plastic bags. The cleaning teams are trained on what products to use. We never use bag-less vacuums because they are unsanitary. Our vacuums are commercial grade, and include a stair vacuum, an upright vacuum and a canister vacuum. The bags are changed often and they are checked and wiped down before every clean.” Donna continues, “I offer a very unique and personable cleaning serv-

ice. My teams spend twice the time as other services for less money. There is a lot more to providing a good cleaning service than just the cleaning. It’s the care and professionalisms that comes from all of us, from management, to the scheduling, down to the teams who reDonna’s Cleaning Angels will make your home shine ally care about doing and free up your time for better things than cleaning! a great job.” The cleaning teams check off a list, homes of folks from as far away as Alaska and even Canada! Of course, it covering everything from baseboards is the locals who first embraced Donna to the ceiling fans to the stainless steel and her Cleaning Angels. Steve Fiske, hood over the stove. A team leader is President of the North Pinellas Reon every job. “The girls are happy gional Chamber of Commerce and when they work together,” says Honorary Mayor of Palm Harbor, says Donna. “It’s safer for them and they that he loves coming home knowing have good energy together.” Plus, the teammates hold each other accountable that Donna’s Cleaning Angels have made his home into his own little slice and checks behind each other to make of heaven, and recommends Donna’s sure nothing is missed. Comment Cleaning Angels to everyone as a decards, meetings with the staff, and tailed cleaning service. client calls to make sure the job was “This is not a cleaning service that done correctly also help ensure cusis done at four o’clock,” says Donna. tomers are not only happy with the first “My office manager Brandy – who by cleaning, but every cleaning with the way is outstanding - and I are here Donna’s Cleaning Angels. from seven a.m. until eight or nine at The angels clean the Florida

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night. I have been doing this for 23 years and I have plenty of references to provide people with, not only from customers but from many businesses in the area who know of me because I support other local businesses and restaurants.” At the end of the day when it’s time to unwind, relax and enjoy a great meal, Donna and her partner Steve frequently dine at local restaurants, including Central Park Restaurant in New Port Richey, where they love to sit and chat with the owner Chris Michael. “We’ve found that we have some of the same customers,” says Donna. “And we agree that we are fortunate to advertise in Neighborhood News & Lifestyles and we absolutely love the staff there.” Donna has had many articles in Neighborhood News & Lifestyles and says there are many times when people find out the name of her business and say, “Oh I hear good things about your service.” She says, “I have one new client who told me she’d been reading my stories for five years now. She said, ‘I knew that one day when I needed to hire a cleaning service, it would be you.’ Then she gave me a big hug and said that she felt like she’s known me

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for a long time.” Another client called Donna after she heard two ladies at a doctor’s office in Palm Harbor talking about what a great job Donna’s Cleaning Angels do. People like knowing Donna’s background and the work ethic she learned from her hard-working Italian and French Canadian family in the small town of Gorham, in the white mountains of New Hampshire where her family has owned an Italian restaurant for over 67 years. Donna explains, “The dedication and success in my cleaning business is due to the closeness of my wonderful family. I am proud and honored to say that I am following in the footsteps of my parents and grandparents. We know how to cook, clean and we give 100 percent to the business.” Reflecting, Donna says, “At the end of the day I thank God for my blessings – the great people who work for me, a great business, my health, my home, my loved ones and my family. God bless you all.” If you are ready for a heavenly clean, please call Donna’s Cleaning Angels at 813-475-5958 or at 727-942-8289; servicing Pasco, Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties. Gift certificates are available.

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“Diamond Dental” Continued from page 1 excitement about where it’s going. He has been practicing dentistry for 13 years. Many patients rave about Dr. Abramov’s easy-going nature, which they say will put you right at ease. Patients don’t even need to sign in because Diamond Dental Group is the kind of family-friendly practice where they know you by name. Dr. Abramov was born in Israel, and his parents moved to New York when he was a teenager. A fast learner and a hard worker; Abramov worked with his family in the jewelry business while he went to school. Perhaps that’s why he wants to deliver the diamond standard to his patients. After graduating with an Undergraduate Degree from Hofstra University in New York, he completed his Dental Medicine degree at SUNY Buffalo in 1999. Dr. Abramov performed his residency at Queens Hospital, and was later invited back to teach there. His primary focus during that time was orthodontics, which is why he proudly offers both traditional braces and Invisalign options for his patients. In 2007, he and his family moved to

Florida and in 2010 Diamond Dental Group was born. A member of the American Dental Association, Dr. Abramov can truly offer high quality dental service for every member of the family. No matter what your smile may need, Diamond Dental Group is prepared, and the doctor and his staff make going to the dentist an enjoyable and stress-free experience. Dr. Abramov clearly loves what he does, and he says, “I’m thrilled about this practice. It feels like we’ve made a difference in people’s lives. It’s exciting!” He is excited, and he and his staff have a lot to be excited about! The reviews for Diamond Dental Group are very positive. They even earned a spot on the coveted “2013 Best of Lutz/Land O’Lakes” list, set up by the US Commerce Association. Patient Ronnie Stone said, “Most people don’t like going to the dentist much and I can sometimes understand that, but I think that is because they haven’t found “the right dentist” just yet. When you find a diamond like Dr. Abramov – or some of us just say Dr. Hill – you know you have found the best. When you go to visit, it will be just like visiting family!”

Dr. Abramov’s lovely wife, Linda, who has an extensive background in Business Management and Finance, helped to create the Diamond Dental Group, and of their many priorities, they wanted a practice that would make it as easy on their patients as possible. Starting with their fabulous location, the Diamond Dental Group provides 24-hour emergency service, offers appointment times on Sunday, accepts most dental insurance policies and even offers payment plans. Dr. Abramov says, “My job is to lay out the options for my patients. I spend a lot of time telling them what works and what doesn’t work, and then my staff and I utilize insurance as best as we can.” He adds, “I have hired an excellent staff and I use only the best materials. I’m even planning on upgrading to a 3D machine scanner, which will give me a three-dimen-

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sional layout of your mouth so I can map out nerves and create surgical plans where necessary.” The entire staff at Diamond Dental Group works to make your experience a comfortable one, and just recently Dr. Abramov completed a course on sedation techniques. He says, “My technique is very good, but I want to offer sedation so that I can offer more sophisticated procedures and surgeries, as well as help those patients who would prefer to have it.” The Diamond Dental Group provides both traditional and cos-

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metic dentistry for the entire family. That means that Dr. Abramov can help your smile to be both healthy and beautiful. Cosmetically, he offers an array of options for patients that include using tooth-colored dental materials for fillings, which can dramatically change the way your smile looks when you talk and laugh. Gone are the days of metal fillings! Additionally, patients can choose from affordable, but powerful whitening options, orthodontics and “accelerated orthodontics,” which provides the same results but in a lesser amount of time. Tooth bonding, partials, bridges, veneers, dentures and tooth implants are also cosmetic approaches that can make a big difference in your smile. In fact, if your dream is a complete smile makeover, Diamond Dental Group is your place. When you make your appointment, the doctor will give you a

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comprehensive smile assessment and talk to you about your many options. Patient Jen Rivera said, “Absolutely the BEST dental office we’ve ever been to! We love, love, love, them!” Diamond Dental Group is located at 18869 S.R. 54 in the Sun Lake Plaza in Lutz. Schedule an appointment at 813-527-6900. For more information, please visit www.diamonddentalgroup.com or you may email them at info@diamonddentalgroup.com. Diamond Dental Group hours: Monday from 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.; 8:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. on Friday; closed on Saturday; and their Sunday hours are 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. The doctor is available for emergency services 24 hours a day, and can be paged at 813-332-0067.

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