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Summertime Fun at Weedon Island Preserve This June, Weedon Island Preserve invites visitors to explore aspects of nature by offering events and programs that include hiking, canoes and feathered friends. Most events are free, unless noted otherwise, and registration is required. Weedon Island is only a short 45 minute drive from the New Tampa area! Thurs., June 16, 9–11 AM––The “Weedon Walkabout” hike (best for ages 6 and older) takes participants through coastal mangroves and upland ecosystems to learn about the coastal environment and the early residents of Weedon Island Preserve. A hat, closed-toe shoes and water are also recommended. Saturdays, 9–11 AM––Weedon Island Preserve visitors can learn about the early residents of the preserve during a guided hike (best for ages 6 and older) through the coastal uplands and boardwalks of the mangrove forests. Thurs., June 23, 10:30–11:15 AM––The preserve’s smallest visitors, ages 3 to 5, can hear a variety of
stories and participate in hands-on activities that connect them to the environment during “Wee-Time at Weedon.” Fri., June 17, 10–11 AM–– “Discover Composting” will be presented by a Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Extension Agent and will teach participants about composting methods. Sat., June 18, 9–Noon––Residents are invited to join UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County Florida Sea Grant Agent, Libby Carnahan, for “Paddle the Preserve.” Participants will paddle through mangrove tunnels and out in the bay to seagrass flats and discuss the ecological benefits of seagrass. This event is $20 for adults and $10 for youth ages 10 and over. Sat., June 18, 10–11 AM–– Robert Austin, Ph.D. and Phyllis Kolianos, M.A., will discuss the trials and tribulations of the preservation of the Weedon Island saltwater dugout canoe and the knowledge that has been gained from the preservation effort. Sat., June 25, 9–11 AM––The
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UF/IFAS Extension program “Life of Lichen” will explore unusual organisms during a classroom/outdoor activity. Participants will study the natural history of lichen and take a stroll to view them around the Education Center. Best for ages 12 and older. Weedon Island Preserve protects more than 3,700 acres of natural ecosystems and is located at 1800 Weedon Drive NE in St. Petersburg. The preserve is operated under the Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Department and is open to the public seven days a week, including holidays, from 7 a.m. until 15 minutes before sunset. Its many outdoor activities include walking trails, a fishing pier, and a canoe/kayak launch. UF/IFAS Extension Pinellas County offers classes, programs and activities at the Cultural and Natural History Center, which features the
permanent exhibit Connecting People and Place, an art-inspired, hands-on educational exhibit, which reveals the area’s history, ecology and people. Other exhibits include: Uncovering Past Cultures, Understanding Culture Through its Pottery, A Gallery of Memories, Mischief and Movies, Discovery of Hidden Worlds, What a Watershed Is and a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Institution’s collection of Weedon Island artifacts. The center is open Thurs. to Sat., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed all Pinellas County holidays. Register for events and programs at www.weedonislandpreserve.org.
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Community Calendar & News Briefs Chapel is equipped with a state-of-theart infant security system.
General Federation Women’s Club – Woman’s Club of New Tampa
Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Has Captured Women’s Highest Recommendation Hospital receives 2016 Women’s Choice Award for Obstetrics Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel has received the 2016 Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s Best Hospitals in Obstetrics. This is an evidence-based designation reflecting exceptional clinical performance and women’s preferences. The Women’s Choice Award identifies the best hospitals nationwide that are women-friendly and align with women’s healthcare needs and preferences. The America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics designation identifies the country’s best healthcare institutions based on robust criteria that consider patient satisfaction, patient recommendation rating and what women say they want from a hospital. “Women choosing us as the hospital to welcome their babies into the world is the highest honor we can receive. This award is another reflection of that honor, and we pledge to keep earning it every day,” said Denyse Bales-Chubb, CEO and President of
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Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. The Baby Place at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel opened with the hospital in 2012, serving women and babies throughout Tampa Bay. It is made up of 11 all-private rooms for women to labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care. About The Baby Place at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel The Baby Place is Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel’s state-ofthe-art obstetrics center, pairing expert care with leading-edge medical advancements. The Baby Place offers moms and their babies an optimal experience amidst a warm and compassionate environment, providing an overnight space designated for family and anytime visiting hours. Each room is private, featuring spa-like amenities including a Jacuzzi tub or walk-in shower, 42” flat screen TV, Wi-Fi and more. Additional features include wireless fetal monitoring, which allows moms to get out of bed and walk around while their care team closely monitors both mom and baby. The Baby Place at Florida Hospital Wesley
GFWC-WCNT (General Federation Women’s Club – Woman’s Club of New Tampa) has had an incredible year! In the past year, we have grown from 30 members to 42! We have given our time and support to 21 local organizations, (VA Hospital, John Knox Village, Bridging Freedom, Children’s Cancer Center, to name a few) and have donated over $2200 locally and internationally through the Peace Corps! We recently had the privilege of participating in Paint Your Heart Out Tampa! PYHOT is a city-wide program that enables citizens, businesses, clubs and organizations to lend a helping hand to low income, elderly citizens in our community. What a great day! We will have our summer luncheons in June and July. June 15th @ The Cantina Mexican Grill & Bar on Cross Creek Blvd. at 12 noon. July luncheon TBA. You are invited to join us to come and see what GFWC-WCNT is all about! GFWC-WCNT is a great way to get involved in our community, have fun and make new friendships!
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Please check out our website or our Facebook page for date, place and time of July luncheon. We will resume our meetings beginning August 17, 2016 – May, 2017. GFWC-WCNT invites you to join our volunteer/service club! We meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the New Tampa Regional Library on Cross Creek Blvd. from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Please check out our website at gfwcwomansclubnewtampa.com or Facebook page – GFWC Woman’s Club of New Tampa. Submitted by Debbie Ferri , PR\Communications
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Action Air - Call Today! Cool Today! We Guarantee It! A true family business that genuinely cares about its customers, Action Air Conditioning, Inc. has been a staple in the Tampa community for the past 28 years and has continued to provide the best products and services available, while maintaining a very fair price! Built upon the simple operating philosophy of honesty, integrity, and reliability, Action Air is proud to hold true to the same philosophy each and every day. Offering a wide range of heating and cooling solutions, whether you need repair, installation or annual maintenance, their expert technicians will deliver quality you can count on and their level of professionalism always ensures greater results. Action Air founder David Russell stresses the significance of having a large brick and mortar building and encourages all potential and existing customers to stop in and say hi. He says, “I would like to personally invite you to our showroom, where you can find all of the latest high-tech thermostats, dehumidifiers, air cleaners, and HVAC systems that are on the market today. Our showroom
is what really distinguishes us from other AC competitors. You wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it first, so why buy an air conditioning system without seeing it run? When you come in here you can see and test real operating units for yourself, giving you the comfort of knowing the system you’re getting before you buy it. You’ll learn a lot and probably have fun too!” And if you ever do take time to
visit their 25,000 Square foot building, located on the corner of Busch Blvd and Armenia at 8926 N Armenia Ave, I’m sure you will be as pleasantly surprised as I was to notice the numerous family and team photos that line the walls of this wellmaintained showroom. First impressions are everything, and this really says something about the values that this company upholds. With one of the largest parts
departments and inventory selections in town, if you need a part or system, chances are Action Air will have it. Action Air is a Daikin Comfort Pro and Lennox Premier dealer. They offers the best in heating and cooling for all different budgets and needs.
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Action Air founder David Russell with his son Chris, who is the VP of Marketing & Sales
Action Air is proud of their 25,000 square foot showroom located on the corner of Busch Blvd and Armenia at 8926 N Armenia Ave
with pride. David says, “We are proud to say that over 50% of our employees have been a part of our company for over 18 + years, and that’s only because many of the others have since retired. We treat our workers like family, and we believe that translates into customer satisfaction. We don’t find good technicians. We create them.”
system. Service agreements are transferrable. Action Air offers many different service agreements to meet your needs and budget: Bronze - $117 - Tune up - 20% discount on repairs - Priority service Silver - $165/ $132 to renew - Tune up - 20% discount on repairs - Priority service - Never an overtime charge - Drain service warranty Gold - $274/ $191 to renew - Tune up - 20% discount on repairs - Priority service - Never an overtime charge - Drain service warranty - 2 FREE co-pays on warranty and insurance claims - No parts handling fee from manufacturers
They also offer some of the best replacement warranties in the industry, including certain systems that come with a 12 year worry-free warranty. That means that if the unit breaks at any time during that 12year period, Action Air will replace or fix that unit at no charge to you. Action Air also offers 100% financing, with low payments and no interest options available. Striving for excellence in all areas of business, Action Air has won numerous awards over the past 28 years. Just take a look at their showroom, where the awards hang
Protect yourself against unexpected repair bills with energy savings agreements for your AC. Regular maintenance keeps your system running efficiently, saving you money on utility bills. Potential problems can be prevented or corrected early. Proper servicing extends the life of your heating and air conditioning system. Plus, regular maintenance keeps your manufacture’s warranty in force. Other benefits include fewer repairs and improved capacity from your
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Action Air Service Agreements
As successful as Action Air has been over the past 28 years, the company believes in giving back to the community that has supported them. Action Air is currently partnered with the Humane Society, and sponsors
other community organizations as well, including little league baseball, and local churches and schools. If you are looking for the ultimate in home comfort, reliability, and worry-free operation, Action Air Conditioning is sure to meet and exceed your expectations! Give them a call today and experience the difference of dedicated attention, prompt response, quality products and experienced technicians. “We handle jobs big and small with unfailing commitment to excellence, and are always ready to face new challenges and add new clients to our long list of satisfied customers,” says David. “If you are in the market for a new system stop by and visit our showroom, you’ll be glad you did! Call Today! Cool Today! We Guarantee It!” Look for their ad in this issue to receive $30 off any service (no minimum purchase necessary). Action Air Conditioning, Inc. is located on the corner of Busch Blvd and Armenia at 8926 N Armenia Ave in Tampa. They are open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. with 24-hour same day emergency service available. For more information please call (813) 935-6644 or visit www.ActionAirConditioning.com.
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Kids and Canines - An Assistance Dog Training Program Believing in kids and empowering them to take control of their lives, one dog at a time, Kids and Canines unites at-risk students and dogs in their unique program that is truly making a difference in Tampa Bay community. Located on the Dorothy Thomas campus in Tampa, Kids and Canines was originally founded in 1998 with a grant from the Justice Department. The sole purpose of this program initially was to help truancy students, founded upon the belief that giving these kids the responsibility of training and caring for a dog would help to keep them in school - and it worked! When the grant was not renewed, the program was continued as a part of the school program at Dorothy Thomas, and the success rates have been through the roof! “The program has grown significantly since its inception,” says Jo Deck, Chairman of the Board for Kids and Canines. “We are now a 501(c)(3) organization, which we felt was necessary in order to be able to significantly grow the program.” Kids and Canines is an elective that students at Dorothy Thomas School can apply for. Jo says, “This is a class and our textbook is the dog. There is an academic side, but the
most important things that we teach include how to not only show love towards a dog, but how to love yourself. Through this, the students learn how to properly deal with anger management and self esteem issues. The kids that we see have very serious behavioral issues; many have dropped out of school and have some sort of social problems or personality disorder. Most are referred to Dorothy Thomas by either the school counselor or their own personal child counselor.” Once a student gets accepted into the program, they sign a contract, which holds them accountable for taking care of the dogs. They are taught how to train the dogs, as well as how to groom, feed, and properly care for them. This encourages the kids to come to school, and gives them a reason to show up, because they know their dog needs them, and if they don’t come, their dog won’t get the necessary attention it deserves. In addition to the obvious benefits, this program gives these children so much more! It teaches them unconditional love and gives them self worth, helping them to build their self esteem and give them purpose in life. It teaches them the
importance and power of education. These dogs need the kids just as much as the kids need the dogs. “The program has been a huge success, and the bond between the children and the dogs has proven to be enough to keep these at-risk kids in school,” says Jo. Student Esme, is just one of their many success stories. Jo says, “When she first came to us, Esme had such bad self esteem that she didn’t come to school for over a year. Working with the dogs and the bond she formed helped her learn unconditional love. She also learned acceptance without judgement; the dogs relied on her on a daily basis; they needed her. Esme is now an ace groomer and teaches grooming to other students in the program. She has been in program for over three years and is going to Gaither High School next year. Her goal is to one day be a Vet assistant. And actually, she was recently adopted and both of her parents are teachers at the Dorothy Thomas School. This has given Esme stability, love and acceptance in ways she has never had before. Esme has done an amazing job of turning her life around!” Kids and Canines is helping to change the lives of these students;
and it doesn’t end there! Not only has their program helped the students by giving them accountability, companionship and purpose, but the dogs that they train go on to become service and therapy dogs for those Jo Deck, Chairman of the Board for Kids in need. “It is a winand Canines win situation,” says Jo. “This program not only benefits the kids, but it also benefits the person who gets the dog. The kids train the dogs with the hopes that their dog will go on and do even greater things in the community. Our dogs are trained to be service and therapy dogs and are placed with many different types of people, such as those suffering from Parkinson’s, MS, or younger children with Autism.” Since its inception, Kids and Canines has placed 86 dogs throughout Tampa Bay and surrounding communities!
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which you can help. The first is simply making a donation. That can be done on-line or by sending a donation directly to the program. There are different levels of giving that are outlined in their Sustainer Program, including a $5000 donation to sponsor and name a dog! You are able to follow the dog through its training and will receive reports as to the how your sponsored dog is doing, as well as progress pictures. With this, you have the ability to come visit the dog at any time. All donations made go to helping the at-risk children improve their lives. Jo says, “The current Board of Directors is a very active board and committed to the success of the Kids and Canines Program. They are focused on raising more funds and helping more at-risk students change their lives!” Kids and Canines is currently in desperate need of a van. Even having done a very successful fundraiser to raise funds for a new van, they have had difficulty finding the right van for the right price. Ideally, they need an 89 passenger van - preferably a Ford T150, or a van with specifications similar. If you can help or know someone who can help in this area, please call (813) 558-5406.
Volunteers Wanted! Due to their rapid growth over the past few years, Kids and Canines is constantly looking for volunteers. Their biggest need is for puppy sitters. Jo says, “Being a puppy sitter is such a wonderful experience. As a puppy sitter you would temporarily look after a dog when a puppy raiser has to go out of town. We are also looking for puppy raisers. A puppy raiser is someone who agrees to house the dog full time for 18-24 months as they are being trained. Everything is paid for food, vet bills, leashes etc. - and all you
have to do is be able to drop them off every morning before school and pick them up after. Essentially it’s just like dropping your dog at day-care.”
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Donations and Sponsorships Needed Kids and Canines is doing so many great things for the community, but in order for them to continue doing what they are doing, they rely on generous donations and sponsorships from caring individuals who want to help make a difference. There are many different ways in
Kids and Canines Summer Camp Program June 21st, 27th, July 11, and July 18th Every summer Kids and Canines hosts a summer camp, providing them the opportunity to offer their services and training programs to the community. This program is completely open to the public and is for anyone, ages 10-16, who wants to learn how to properly care for a dog, including grooming, basic training skills, and arts and crafts activities that are dog related. The camp is held weekly, Mon. - Thurs. 9:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. and is $225 per week; due to limited availability and high demand, campers can choose to enroll in a maximum of 2 of the 4 weeks. Week two is full; but all other weeks still have openings. For more information or to enroll, please call the office at (813) 558-5406. “Our primary focus is to change the lives of at-risk children,” says Jo. “We turn around lives every day. Our mission is: Believing In Kids * Empowering Lives * One Dog At A Time!” For more information about Kids and Canines please call (813) 558-5406, visit KidsandCanines.org or find them on Facebook.
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Budget Blinds - Continued Excellence, from Inspiration to Installation! By Marcy Sanford After 20 years in the corporate world and numerous relocations, Jim and Elaine Trotter found themselves faced with another move. Elaine said, “We realized we did not want to leave the Tampa area and owning a small business had always been a dream of ours. After a lot of research, we thought Budget Blinds would be a great fit for our goals and lifestyle, and we were right. We have been able to invest in the local community by growing a team of dedicated employees who feel the way we do giving great service, at a great value, while offering continued support, and giving back to the community which supports us.” Thanks to their hard work, dedication to customer service, and superior Budget Blinds interior design products, the Trotters have seen their list of satisfied customers grow, and have also earned a few awards along the way, including the recent
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distinction of having two of their three franchises, out of 1000 Budget Blinds franchises nationwide, in the top 20. Budget Blinds has earned a reputation for staying up-to-date on the most current trends and styles, and for being an innovator in home décor and window coverings. Several years ago, they added the Inspired Drapes Collection to provide customers with another beautiful and affordable option. “Inspired Drapes is one of our newest brands,” Elaine explained. “Our customers had been asking for a beautiful drapery line and this is it. It is amazing. We offer a complimentary design consultation. Our style consultants will bring our fabric samples to you - just like they do with our shutters, blinds and shades. We will help you design a complete ‘dressed’ window to coordinate with your furnishings and decor.”
is making it even easier and more affordable for you to get the designer look you want. Just like their blinds and drapes, Budget Blinds has rugs to fit every room and every budget. In addition to being available in a wide variety of beautiful patterns, colors, and styles, the rugs at Budget Blinds are available in many different sizes. They are also happy to order a rug sample so you can see exactly how it will look in your home. Smart Home Consultants Budget Blinds has always been up-to-date with current styles and looks. With their new Smart Home by Budget Blinds product line, they are on top of the latest trends in home innovations as well. “Our franchise has been chosen as 1 of 15 initial test markets,” said Elaine. “We completed training from the team at Lutron and are now excited to bring affordable smart home solutions to the Tampa area. We have just earned our official
certification as Smart Home Consultants. What this means is we have the knowledge and technology to offer our clients automated shading and lighting, and suggest compatible temperature control in their homes. In other words, at the touch of a button on a remote control or smart phone, you will be able to raise and lower your shades, turn your lights on and off, and adjust your thermostats - even if you are away on vacation.” By 2020, most American homeowners will have some element of whole home automation. Budget
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New Tampa Lifestyles
Budget Blinds Now Offers Rugs! Now with the addition of a new line of decorative rugs, Budget Blinds
Budget Blinds has earned a reputation for staying up-to-date on the most current trends and styles, and for being an innovator in home décor and window coverings. Blinds is on the cutting edge of this trend. Imagine being awakened in the morning by natural sunlight as your blackout shades gradually rise. Or with the press of a button changing your home's ambiance to "dinner time" mode after the sun has set. Budget Blinds is able to help their clients create their very own perfectlysmart home.
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As strongly as they believe in being innovators, providing the very best in home design products, Budget Blinds also believes in providing outstanding customer service. Elaine said, “Our team is committed to great customer service, wonderful design, and beautiful window coverings. We don't just sell blinds and walk away. We build a relationship with our
customers backed by continued support and warranties. We recently had a client who took in a foster dog several months after having us install new blinds in her home. The dog destroyed the blinds, but since she had chosen our Signature Series Blinds, we were able to replace them free of charge.” Budget Blinds offers the best warranties in the business and they stand behind their products. Since Budget Blinds has some of the strongest buying power in the industry, their manufacturers give them amazing exclusive products and warranties, such as their 5 year "no questions asked" warranty. This exclusive warranty goes above and beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, against any defects, and gives customers an added peace of mind. If something happens to your window coverings in the first 5 years, Budget Blinds will give a free one-time replacement for that window covering no questions asked. The Trotters and Budget Blinds are also committed to supporting their community. In addition to supporting the Habitat for Humanity, Metropolitan Ministries, the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and Prelude to a Cure, the Trotters and Budget Blinds
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support Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), an organization that builds specially adapted, mortgage- free homes for severely injured Veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Corporate wide, Budget Blinds has pledged to give $1,000,000 over 3 years in products and services to HFOT. “Jim and I wanted to contribute since several HFOT homes have been awarded in the Tampa area,” said Elaine. “We started a campaign last year to contribute $1 to HFOT for every window covered and in 2015 our team was able to contribute $13,000. We will continue our campaign in 2016 and cannot wait to see what we will be donating to our local area.” When you are ready to make changes to your home décor, contact an interior decorator innovator and business you can trust - give Budget Blinds a call. The Budget Blinds showroom at 1208 W. Fletcher Ave. is open Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Sat. Call (813) 9685050 to schedule a free in-home consultation or visit BudgetBlinds.com/NorthTampa for more information.
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RE/MAX Realtor Lori Crawford Sponsored Wine Pavilion at St. Pete’s Festivals of Speed
Realtor Lori Crawford Mulit-Million Dollar Producer and member of the RE/MAX 100% Club, Realtor Lori Crawford loves finding her clients the perfect solutions in Real Estate, whether they are selling or buying, and she likes to make things happen fast. Lori also loves fast cars, stating, “My son and I both have a huge passion for fast cars!” So when the opportunity arose to be a part of the 2016 Festivals of Speed held in early
April in beautiful St. Petersburg, Lori made a fast decision and sponsored the Wine Pavilion. Lori and her husband Jeff have been to several of the Festivals of Speed events over the years and were happy to be a part of this year’s excitement in St. Pete. Some of the cars featured at this year’s event were valued at over 1.5 million dollars! Lori’s husband Jeff and her son David helped her during the event,
along with Ashley Lynch and Mike and Rachel Kloepfer. Lori invited some clients to participate and bring their cars, and had on display a Rossion and Ultima GTR. “It was one of those perfect days when it all came together,” says Lori. “I had a great team of people that worked with me that day. David and I loved the cars, so of course we had to take an hour to walk around and see them.”
Lori Crawford has 18 years of experience in Real Estate and holds a license in Florida and Georgia. Last year as a single agent, Lori sold $10 million in Real Estate and was awarded the Re/Max 100% Club. Find more information about Realtor Lori Crawford at www.TrinityEastLakeRealEstate.com, call her at 727-234-8002, or email LTCrawford01@aol.com.
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