East Lake - Vol. 7, Issue 8, August 2014

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Vol. 7, Issue 8, August 2014

Your neighborhood. Your magazine. The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 Homes In East Lake & Surrounding Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To: Anchorage, Bay Arbor, Boot Ranch, Brookers Landing, Crescent Oaks, Cypress Cove, Cypress Lakes Estates, Cypress Run, Cypress Trails, Deer Hollow, Grey Oak, Eagle Cove, Eagle’s Cove at Lake Tarpon, Eagle Ridge, Eagle Trace, Eagle Watch, East Lake Oaks, East Lake Woodlands, Hunters Wood, Keystone Bluffs, Keystone Palms, Keystone Ranchettes, Lansbrook, Lansbrook Village, Meadow Ridge, Nature’s Watch, Oak Hill Acres, Pine Ridge, Regina Estates, Ridgemoor, Tarpon Woods, Wentworth, Whispering Lakes, Woodfield

“Don’t Ever Give Up!” By Katie Thomas

Jack Fessler

The phrase, “Don’t Ever Give Up!” is one that The Fessler Agency, Inc. President Jack Fessler uses frequently. Jack’s heartfelt “Don’t Ever Give Up” attitude is encouraging to his clients, his employees and even to himself. If there is one thing that Jack Fessler has learned, it is to keep pushing ahead in life. Whether it is in the competitive world of insurance or on a personal level, he knows that tough times never last tough people do. One just has to keep moving forward with determination and drive because we all have one shot to be our greatest selves. Jack began working at an insurance agency in 1963, and quickly

learned the ropes, enabling him to advance within the company, which he outgrew after 21 years. At that point, Jack started his own insurance agency, so he could ensure that each agent was holding up his motto and values. Jack says, “Together is a wonderful place to be,” and he truly strives to incorporate this into his professional and personal world. With a goal to train his agents with his own values and treat clients with the best service possible, Jack always has your back. You can count on his professionalism, knowledge and grit to help you deal with all matters in insurance. Along with his son Case, Jack works hard to prove to each customer that the best service possible is provided See “Fessler Agency” on page 34

The Community Dining & Business Guide that your neighbors READ!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: HCSO Tournament Results.....3 Community Calendar.............4 Clearwater Lady Bombers...8-9 Family Tips for School ...10-11 Dance Evolutions...........14-15 Victory Gymnastics.........18-19 EL Center for Implants & Restorative Dentistry.....22-23 One Hour Air.................26-27 The Property Doctors.....28-29 Tampa Bay Rays.............30-31 4 G Data........................36-37

ECRWSS

The Fessler Agency Inc. – Insurance, Bonds, Employee Benefits

See “Dr. Albert” on page 40

Postal Customer

Dr. Albert is at it again! This popular local orthodontist doesn’t just create beautiful smiles, but he really brings the smile factor! Albert Family

Orthodontics has offices in Palm Harbor and Trinity, where patients are treated like royalty. They love that Dr. Albert not only provides exceptional orthodontic care with the best in orthodontic treatment technology and

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

By Kim Thomas

Jeremy M. Albert, DMD, MS

bert was very patient with our care! LOVED the before and after shot...you could really see the progress! Don’t hesitate...go see Dr. Albert and his staff TODAY! I think I am going to be NEXT!” Another happy mom, Julie Postoskie, also gives Dr. Albert a shining review, “An absolutely wonderful experience at Albert Family Orthodontics! We are very pleased with the high level of quality care our son has received over the last two years. Dr. Albert is not only and kind and patient doctor, but a community leader. The incentives he offers his patients as well as his practice’s generous community donations are commendable. His staff is always friendly and professional. The payment plans offered make quality

Dated Material Please Rush!

Creating Smiles is Dr. Albert's Mission: Possible!

perks like memory foam dental chairs that are super comfortable, but he also brings fun to orthodontics with great contests and giveaways! Like this year’s 3rd annual “Summer of Music and Smiles” contest, which this year gives patients a chance to win tickets to Luke Bryan and One Direction! Creating beautiful smiles is more than a job for Jeremy Albert, DMD, MS and his fantastic team at Albert Family Orthodontics. Dr. Albert truly enjoys bringing happiness to others as his patients can tell you. Jennifer McCoy writes in an online review, “Couldn’t be happier! The ENTIRE staff is warm and friendly! My children who are NOT in braces want to go to the appointments to enjoy the lobby - warm cookies, video games and a movie! My son’s teeth and smile look amazing––and Dr. Al-


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Annual HCSO Fishing Tournament is a Huge Success! Raising $17,500 for the Judeo Christian Health Clinic, the Annual HCSO Fishing Tournament, held on June 21 in our very own beautiful Tampa Bay, was a great success, and anglers from all over the Bay came together to do what they love best – fish! Spending a beautiful day on the water, anglers baited their hooks and hoped to catch the big one – a prized tagged fish worth $25,000. Although the tagged fish was never found and swims on uncaught, there were many other great prizes awarded that day to anglers who caught the biggest fish of the three tournament species –Snook, Redfish and Trout.

Winners are as follows:

Snook Category 1st Billy Alstrom 38 3/4 in 2nd Tom Stringfield 38 1/4 in 3rd Grabiel Himbera 37 1/2 in

Redfish Category 1st Matt Yaquinto 48 in, 2nd R.J. Brown 44 in, 3rd Chad Wiggins 33 in

Trout Category 1st Phil Bauman 25 in, 2nd Nancy Bauman 23 3/4 in 3rd Steve Robinson 23 1/2 in

Slam, Winner The Slam Winner, awarded to the team with the longest combined total length of all three fish, was proudly won by Team Hot Pass, whose Snook, Redfish and Trout measured in with a combined total of 88 1/2 inches – wow! There were also awards given to the single fish category, for anglers who caught the longest fish in each of the three categories.

After returning from the water, anglers enjoyed a delicious dinner and some exceptional raffle giveaways, including a brand new boat! All in all, this tournament was so much fun, and although The Neighborhood News & Lifestyles Fishing Team didn’t catch the biggest fish, we sure did enjoy our time on the water. Watch out anglers, next year we are coming for the win!

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles Directly mailed once a month to nearly 15,000 households in zip code 34685, 34688 & 34677 220 Safford Ave. S. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (727) 943-2946; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@nnlflorida.com Editorial E-mail: editorial@nnlflorida.com © 2014 Eastlake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is published by Ads 2 Publications, Inc. Publisher Correspondents Tim Selby Alexis Selby General Manager Julie Kanehl Katie Thomas Jim O’Reilly Dara Tucker Editor Art Director Kim Thomas Dat X. Do Advertising Sales Graphic Artists Matt Selby Dat X. Do Tim Selby Tony Sica Jim O’Reilly Accounting Manager Jared Nager Doreen Selby Linda Veiga Nothing that appears in the East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The management of East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is always happy to accept outside editorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outside editorial submission and advertisement deadlines. East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles will not return unsolicited editorial materials. East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. East LakeArea Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles is published by Ads 2 Publications, Inc.

This years annual HCSO Fishing Tournament raised a whopping $17,500 for the Judeo Christian Health Clinic! East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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don’t miss out! The East Lake Community Library is located at 4125 East Lake Road in Palm Harbor. For further information or directions, please call (727) 773-2665.

E AST L AKE A REA

Community Calendar

Tarpon Springs HippieFest Aug. 16, 4–10 PM––The Tarpon Springs Merchants Association is hosting a HippieFest that will be held in the Historic Downtown, 111 E. Tarpon Avenue, and the Sponge Docks, 828 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs. There will be Food Trucks, Beer Truck, Bands, Vendors, VW Beetle Club, Best Dressed Hippie Contest and many of the shops in the Historic Downtown & at the Sponge Docks will stay open into the evening. This is a free family event. Additional information www.TarponSpringsFloridaUSA.com or contact Rea Sieber, 727-641-8012.

2014 Club Corp Charity Classic Sept 5, 11, 12––This annual event offers “An Evening of Tennis” on Friday, Sept. 5, the “Iron Chef Competition” on Thursday, Sept.11 and “A Day of Golf” on Friday, Sept. 12. The 2014 Club Corp Charity Classic is presented by: Rainmaker Irrigation &

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Landscaping, Inc. to benefit Wounded Warrior Project, Augie’s Quest and Employee Partners Care Foundation. All events will be held at East Lake Woodlands Country Club and are open to the public. To participate, go to clubcorpcharityclassic.com or call 727-784-8576. (see ad on page 5).

Tickets on Sale for Library’s Scottish Tea Fundraiser Sun., Sept. 7––A “Wee Bit of Scotland” Family Tea is coming to the East Lake Community Library in celebration of Grandparents’ Day on Sunday, September 7; there will be two sittings: 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are $25 per person, $10 for children ages 6 & under. All proceeds will be used for the renovation and enhancements to the Children’s Area. Tea and refreshments will be served, and participants can dress in period costumes. Tickets may be purchased at the library during regular business hours - seating is limited so

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Trinity Marketplace Sept. 6, 10 AM – 3 PM––Small and local businesses are gathering together for the Trinity Marketplace to showcase and sell their products at the Trinity Meeting Center, located at 7813 Mitchell Blvd, #106 in the Trinity Commons Plaza in New Port Richey, Florida. Please stop in to see the great offerings from local business like Time for Wine, artists and photographers, as well as Scentsy, Origami Owl, Avon, Pampered Chef, ThirtyOne Gifts, and more. There are raffles and drawings for great items from these fabulous companies. “We are excited to help showcase these great entrepreneurs at the Trinity Marketplace. It is a wonderful opportunity to support local businesspeople, all in one place.” Joanne Krapf, the owner of the Trinity Meeting Center explains, “We hope to make it a regular event at our facility.” For directions or more informa-

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tion, please email events@TrinityMeetingCenter.com or call 727.375.9700.

Nar-Anon Meetings The Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction. As a twelve-step program, we offer our help by sharing our experience, strength and hope. Website: Naranonfl.org; Help Line: 1-888-947-8885. Tuesdays, 6:45 PM––All Saints Church, 1700 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs Saturdays, 10 AM––United Methodist Church, 207 Buckingham Ave., Oldsmar Wednesdays, 8 PM––Asbury United Methodist Church, 4204 Thys Rd., New Port Richey *NEW NARATEEN MEETING Mondays, 7 PM––Crystal Beach Community Hall, 517 Crystal Beach Ave., Palm Harbor Mondays, 7 PM––Turning Point, Mary Martha Bldg., 6227 Sheldon Rd., Tampa Tuesdays, 7 PM––Hope Church, 5107 Lutz Lake Fern Rd., Lutz * Narateen (same location, day and time)

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WOW! Clearwater Lady Bombers “00” Win USSSA Girls Fast Pitch World Series at ESPN Wide World of Sports! By Kim Thomas

Above: Lady Bombers “00” and their coachs celebrate a season of hard work and good plays! Left: Coaches (L-R) are: Tim Zweig, Jason Jarnagin, Tom Sladden and Bryan Williams

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“This is a great hometown win – great motivation!” said proud mom and local business owner Michelle Dumovich, of M.D. Complete Fitness. Michelle is one of many proud parents who recently watched their daughters pull together as team to take it all the way to the number one slot when the Clearwater Lady Bombers “00” ruled the field, winning the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) Girls Fast Pitch World Series at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando! The Clearwater Lady Bombers “00” fast pitch softball team has 13 players – 12 are in 8th grade and 1 is in the 7th grade. The girls, ages 13 and 14 years old, are from all over the Tampa Bay area, but play in the Clearwater Lady Bombers organization, run by president Tony Grat. The players are: Athena Andrews, Natalie Zweig, Jenna Wojnar, Kendyl Crean, Gillian Sladden, Grace Hastings, Anna

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“Dumo” Dumovich, Bayley Williams, Morgan Dansby, Mia Merson, Devyn Howard, Lauren Jarnagin and Jane Wickett. “The ultimate goal for our players is a college scholarship,” said head coach Tom Sladden, who couldn’t be more proud. “Most of the team has been together for the past three years.” In addition to Sladden, the team coaches are Jason Jarnagin, Bryan Williams and Tim Zweig. Coach Sladden gives the break down, “We played in the 2014 USSSA Fast Pitch World Series in Orlando, against a field of 53 teams from around the Nation. We played at several different complexes around Orlando/Kissimmee, including the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Disney. Our team went 9 and 0 in the tournament, even though it was double elimination, we didn’t lose a game. The last 4 victories came on the last day of the tournament. We scored 71 runs while allowing only 7! We had

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


5 shutouts in the 9 games and committed only 4 errors. The scores of our games were: 14-0, 13-3, 12-0, 2-0, 51, 14-2, 3-0, 4-1 and 4-0 in the championship game. We played teams from Georgia, Chicago, Indiana, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and South Florida. The West Virginia team – the Baseburners – we defeated twice, the

last one was the championship game, 4-0.” Sladden added, “All of the 13 girls had huge contributions and 2 of our players were recognized for outstanding performances – Jenna Wojnar was named the Overall Tournament MVP and Natalie Zweig was named Best Offensive Player.” Looking forward to more winning seasons; there is only a short break for these young athletes. Coach Sladden knows what it takes on the part of the team members and their parents, stating, “We will take a couple weeks off, then its back to work for the Fall/Winter season. Fast pitch travel softball is a year around sport. I would like to thank the parents of all the players for all of the sacrifices made for the girls throughout the year.” Congratulations Clearwater Lady Bombers “00” from all of us at Neighborhood News & Lifestyles!

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Family Tips for Making This School Year the Best Yet! By Julie Kanehl It’s official! While it’s still hot, hot, hot, summer is at an end and school begins Monday, August 18th for both Pasco and Pinellas Counties! Here are some tips to help make this the very best school year for your entire family! Be prepared! It’s fair to say that we spend a lot of time, effort and money getting our kids ready to go back to school each August! From backpacks and school clothes, to school supplies and electronics, but the real key to a successful school year is to stay informed, involved and organized! Did you know that each district website has a school calendar that’s available to parents? Putting those important dates onto your calendar is a great way for families to know exactly when to expect teacher planning days, know when the school breaks land, and a great way to decide when to take that family trip out of town! Another excellent way to stay ahead of the game is to go to “Meet the Teacher” day! This is really an awesome way to start the year out

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strong, because it helps your child gain confidence and it eases first day of school jitters! Also, come to “Open House” which usually takes place a few weeks after school starts, and is the perfect time for your child to show off some of what they’ve accomplished so far! The little ones really love showing off some of their art projects and having you sit at their desk! Do you have children in middle school or high school? These events are just as important for older students! Meet those teachers, follow along with your child’s schedule, and walk in their footsteps for an evening. It’s amazing what you’ll learn. Also, it’s a great way to get on the same page with the teachers. As the students get older, the teacher’s expectations rise. It’s good to know which teacher accepts late assignments, for example, and which teacher doesn’t. If you’re involved and know the rules, it helps your child to succeed and take responsibility for their own efforts in their education. Additionally, don’t expect to have a parent/teacher conference at an event like “Meet the Teacher Day” or “Open House.” These events are very limited for time, and teachers want to schedule a specific time so that they

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can speak to you about your child in a quiet, confidential manner. Also, it’s also important to give your teacher some time for early assessments to come in before asking how they are doing in school, so take heart, don’t worry, and stay positive! Stay Connected & Get Involved! Don’t forget to make sure that your child’s teacher has your up-todate contact information! Staying in touch with your child’s teacher is an important way to keep on top of any changes at school, as well as any upcoming events that might not be on the school calendar like field trips, class parties, and unit tests. Also, take note of any way that your child’s teacher prefers to be reached. Some teachers prefer phone calls, while others are perfectly happy to communicate via text or email! The more involved you are, the less likely it is that your child will fall behind! Are you able to help out at school, even a little bit? Become a school volunteer! Even if you work full-time and don’t have a lot of time to spare, being a volunteer is a great way to help out. There are opportunities throughout the year, and any help

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is always appreciated! It’s easy to sign up; simply go to the district’s website and register as a volunteer. Once you’re an approved volunteer, you can be involved in any capacity that works with your busy schedule. Set the Bar High! It’s no secret among educators that students will rise to the occasion when you set the bar high, so do the same for your children at home! It’s okay to expect A’s! Always encourage your children to do the very best they can do on each assignment and test. With all of the drama and politics in the media about education, it’s often tempting to throw your hands in the air at times, but what does that teach your child? Teach them to find the answers by asking the right questions, Instead of “I don’t get this!” ask them specifically what they don’t understand. Perhaps it’s multiplication tables, or algebra, or a paper on the state of Florida. Regardless, take the time to help them learn how to do research. Teach them how to study by introducing flash cards, playing educational games, and enticing them to succeed in a way that makes sense to them. Once these skills are learned,

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


they will become more independent and successful! Guess what? It’s ok if you don’t know how to do your child’s homework! Here’s a newsflash: You’re not supposed to be doing your child’s homework! So how can you help when everything has changed? Well, ask your child to bring textbooks home if they don’t already. If they don’t know how to do it, you can show them how to look it up in their book (the old fashioned way!). If it’s not in the book, there are plenty of resources online related to the Common Core Curriculum. You can even ask for help from your child’s teacher if this is a problem that your child seems to have on a regular basis. Everyone is busy and our lives are hectic, but homework time can be less stressful if you schedule a time for it each day, and work to find a balance that works for your family. At homework time, keep a close eye on their school planner! Don’t just sign it and hand it back, because that’s where all of their important information is supposed to be. If it’s empty, or doesn’t match up with the homework they are bringing home, look into it. If they “did their homework already,” make sure to look at it! If used properly, the school plan-

ner is your best gauge for how your child is doing in between report cards, and a great way to communicate with the teacher. Some schools even have an online database for each student – if that’s the case, make sure to log on regularly! At the end of the day, you know your children best! You know how they learn, what frustrates them and what motivates them, so if you are there to guide them and teach them, they will overcome any obstacle that they face at school. Stay Positive! Embrace your child’s education as best as you can! Meet the teachers, and say positive things about them around your children. Also, say positive things about your children to their teachers! Be pleasant and upbeat when you talk about education, and try to be patient when you’re helping your children with projects and assignments. It’s not easy, but at the end of the day, we want our children to have a love for reading, a positive attitude toward learning, and a good work ethic. No one is more essential to your child’s success than you! So, thank you for all that you do, and have a great school year from your friends at Neighborhood News & Lifestyles!

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Dance Evolutions Inspires, Teaches & Prepares Dancers for the Future

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ance Evolutions has been inspiring young dancers to stretch, learn, grow and succeed in a myriad of dance styles for nearly ten years. Dance Evolutions has been called the go-to dance school to prepare young dancers in our area who may want to earn dance scholarships, intern with the best dance companies, and ultimately make their dance dreams come true. Whether your child just wants to try a tap class, or you’ve got a child who aspires to be the Prima ballerina, Dance Evolutions will offer the safe, personal instruction that your child deserves. It is the perfect dance studio for both recreational dancers and those who want to dance professionally. “I want all students of all skill sets to be able to enjoy my and my faculty’s love for dance, says owner Diana Reichardt. “All teachers have degrees or professional backgrounds in dance.” Located at 40349 U.S. Hwy 19 in Suite #402 (behind Tarpon Lake Center) in Tarpon Springs, Dance Evolutions is convenient to East Lake, Trinity, Palm Harbor, Holiday, New Port Richey and beyond. Diana Reichardt is a talented and experienced ballet, pointe, modern, and ballroom dancer, whose dance ed-

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ucation and real-world experience make her an excellent teacher and counselor of others who wish to succeed in this competitive field. Diana earned her degree in dance from Florida School of the Arts, where she earned a full scholarship and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1993. Upon graduation, she moved to Orlando to dance professionally with the Southern Ballet Theater. While there, she was given the opportunity to become part of the faculty, and she taught at a number of studios in Orlando, building teams, and introducing the modern art genre of dance to many students. Dancing professionally for many years, Diana returned to the Tampa Bay Area where she began to teach and compete in the ballroom dance genre. In the “American Rhythm” style, Diana traveled throughout the Southeastern United States, placing within the top five in her first competition, and holding her title for four straight years. Not willing to stop there, she decided to follow her lifelong dream of owning a studio, and today, Dance Evolutions is the hub of hundreds of students who proudly call Dance Evolutions their dance home.

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Stephanie, a student at Dance Evolutions, said, “Miss Diana creates a fun learning environment for her students and is sure to teach them everything there is to know about the dance industry. She runs her studio in a very efficient way and makes sure she knows everyone personally that walks through the studio doors. Dance Evolutions is the best place to be for anyone with a passion for dance that wants learn, and enjoy learning while they’re at it. This studio is like a second home to me and it truly is the best in this area.”

Dance Eolutions Puts Safety First! Dance is a sport – it absolutely is! It takes athleticism, technique, passion, endurance and years of training to compete with the best of the best. That’s why it’s so important for dancers to learn the proper way to dance from the beginning. Diana says, “With so many new dancers being inspired by the dance competition shows on TV, we see people trying to copy those experienced dancers without learning the proper technique.” To help prevent injuries, Diana installed $25,000 worth of Omara Sprung Floors to

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

allow the dancers to move without putting undue pressure on their knees, backs and ankles. Diana says, “These floors absorb the shock of jumping and are safer for kids, and that’s important to me.” Julia said, “My daughter has been with Dance Evolutions for over seven years and we could not be happier. Diana’s commitment to her students is remarkable. I would not take my daughter to another studio because Diana ensures that she is safe both physically and mentally. Her growth as a dancer is because of Diana’s experience and creativity.” Committed to dance education and technique, Dance Evolutions has eight instructors who have the same passion for safety in their classes. In addition to ballet, pointe, modern and ballroom dancing, Dance Evolutions also offers tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, Latin, swing and tumbling. While some studios are focused primarily on their team students, Dance Evolutions is focused on providing an education for everyone, and providing the opportunity for students to earn scholarships if that’s what they choose to do. That said, last year, their ballet won the overall high score at one of their competitions, so while team may

not be the only thing that Dance Evolutions does, they certainly have a solid competition track record. Diana says, “We have a dance team that we are very proud of! But, our main goal is to prepare dancers to dance professionally. At the end of the day, trophies are great, but it is a solid dance education and keeping them safe and healthy that will help them to withstand a dance career in the end.” She adds, “Dance Evolutions is a technique-based school that aims to culminate a joy and love and respect for the arts, while building camaraderie and friendship.” Dance Evolutions Open House on August 23rd Offers Big Savings! Every year, Dance Evolutions offers an Open House where parents and dancers alike can come and see the facility, meet the staff, and save big! Stop by during Open House and new students will receive $20 off of registration, as well as buy-one-get-one September classes. Existing students will receive 20% off September tuition on the day of Open House––and, bring a friend with you who registers, and save an additional $10! One last thing: Boys can buy-one-get-one free all year long, so if your son loves to dance, you can sign him up for Hip Hop and Tumbling for the price of one! Mark your calendar for Dance Evolutions’ Open House, August 23rd, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and register your tiny dancer, or yourself – classes are available for moms and college students too – for a year of dance fun! Dance Evolutions is located at 40349 US Hwy 19, Suite #402, in Tarpon Springs, behind Tarpon Lake Center, and is open Mon. – Thurs., 4–9 p.m. For additional information, please call the studio at (727) 938-9008 or visit the website at www.danceevolutions.com.

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“Your Educational Treasure Chest of Gold!” By Kim Thoma At Victory Gymnastics Training Center, the core belief is that “Movement is the architect of your child’s brain. The pathway to an undiscovered ‘Educational Treasure Chest’ is hidden in the beam, bars, mats, trampoline, vaulting horse, and our coaches’ hearts.” The coaches and staff at Victory Gymnastics Training Center know that gymnastics is much more than a sport, it is a way to teach children to draw upon the treasures within themselves––those hidden gems of determination, honor and triumph that will empower them to conquer the balance beam in the gym, and also equip them to handle other challenges that will

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come their way. Co-owned by Head Coach Viktor Savitski and Business Director Tanya Wray-Savitski, Victory Gymnastics Training Center has the goal to develop a world-class training program to continuously produce Local, State, Regional, National and International competitors. “We are very proud of the outstanding achievements of our gymnasts,” says Tanya. When you walk into Victory Gymnastics Training Center in Oldsmar, you know this is a gym that embraces its gymnasts! The reception area is filled with trophies and plaques honoring the stellar accomplishments of the gymnasts who train there. The 13,000-square-foot gym is

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well equipped for the girls and boys to train on the balance beam, bars, floor and vault. Boys of age 5+ are trained by “Oldsmar Boys” Gymnastics that is located within Victory’s gym. Students of every skill level are welcome at Victory Gymnastics Training Center, and are challenged to push themselves, receiving guidance from experienced coaches. Dedication, desire, courage, respect and a serious work ethic are some of the traits the coaching staff wishes to instill in its young gymnasts. And I do mean young! Children can start learning as early as 18 months old in the “Parent and Me” class. From toddlers who are just learning to tumble, to those who aspire to

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win championships, Victory Gymnastics Training Center offers training for USAG Girls’ Competitive Gymnastics Program, Girls’ Recreational Gymnastics, and Tumbling. Private lessons are available, as well. Victory’s Pro Shop is stocked with essentials like hand tape and snazzy leotards, and plenty of snacks and drinks. A Birthday Party Room is brightly decorated and doubles as a lunchroom during summer camps, and sometimes it’s a quiet place for parents to catch up on emails, or they can enjoy watching from the spacious observation area. Many students who train at Victory Gymnastics Training Center excel at the sport of gymnastics. In fact, Victory sends congratulations to its own

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


Lindsey Walker, a senior at Alonso High School and winner of the Gene Stowe Scholarship, who is walking on to University of Florida Gator Gymnastics team with a full academic scholarship! Lindsey is one of the coaches of pre-school and recreational classes at Victory and will be missed when she moves away to be a Gator! Head Coach Viktor Savitski is a former Elite gymnast from Ukraine and National Team Member with a Masters Degree in Physical Education. During the past 30 years, he has coached an Olympic Bronze Medalist, Wendy Bruce, Olympians Morgan White, Mohini Bhardwej, and National Champion Ashley Shible. Many

of his gymnasts have been awarded full college scholarships. Perhaps the best testimonies are the former students of Viktor, who are now bringing their own children to Victory Gymnastics Training Center. “Viktor did such a good job then and still does; he’s always been such a good coach,” says Jessica, who trained under Viktor and now brings her sixyear-old and three-year-old to Victory Gymnastics Training Center, where she knows they will thrive. The coaching staff is excellent; each with amazing accomplishments of their own that are too lengthy to list here, but their full bios can be viewed online at victorygtc.com. In-

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

structors are USAG Safety Certified, background checked, and those coaching at competitive levels, have completed specialized training as part of the criteria necessary to coach at the competitive levels. Gymnastics is more than a sport – it can enhance the “brain/body” connection, help to develop social and organizational skills, improve sensory processing, postural control, bi-lateral integration and body awareness. Plus, these kids are having a lot of fun! In addition to gymnastics and tumbling classes for all skill levels, Victory Gymnastics Training Center also offers varies seasonal camps: Summer, Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring

camps, Birthday Parties, Open Gym’s times and gym rentals. And, you can sign your child up for a FREE TRIAL CLASS, or if you have a toddler, try the “Parent and Me” class as a great way to bond with your child and help them to dig from the “Educational Treasure Chest of Gold” at Victory Gymnastics Training Center. Victory Gymnastics Training Center is located at 805 Stevens Avenue in Oldsmar. To schedule your child’s “Free Trial Class,” please call 813-925-0060 or visit online at victorygtc.com, where you can submit your inquiry as well, and view detailed information about Victory’s gymnastics programs.

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East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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East Lake Center for Implants & Restorative Dentistry

Helping People Smile Again! By Julie Kanehl East Lake Center for Implants & Restorative Dentistry is a state-of-theart dental facility that is designed to care for patients who want an experienced dental specialist who understands the delicate science of dental implants, cosmetic and restorative dentistry, sedation dentistry and more. Located at 3488 East Lake Road, Suite 401 in Palm Harbor, East Lake Center for Implants & Restorative Dentistry offers a wide variety of dental services from regular cleanings and fillings to dental surgeries that can have a huge impact on the quality of a person’s life. Have you met Dr. Mehta? Mayur J. Mehta DDS, MDS has been providing excellent dental care to patients in our area for more than 20 years. Dr. Mehta attended Gujarat University in India where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Dentistry in 1982, as well as a Master’s degree in Oral and Maxillo Facial Plastic Sur-

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gery in 1984. Soon, Dr. Mehta was invited to serve as an associate professor in Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery at B.E.A. Dental College and Hospital in India where he wrote many articles that were published in medical journals all over the world, including the United States. Dr. Mehta moved to Florida in 1988 where he continued his education by earning his Dental Degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville. Next, he headed up to the Medical College of Georgia where he completed postgraduate studies in implants under the sponsorship of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. To sum it up, Dr. Mehta has received very extensive, hands-on education that spans three decades, two countries and a number of universities. Dr. Mehta is a Diplomat of American Board of Oral Implantology and also a Diplomat for The International Congress of Oral Implantologists, a Life Fellow of The International Association of Oral & Maxillo Facial Surgery, and a Fellow of the American

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Mayur J. Mehta, DDS, MDS and his team are ready to help with your dental care and show you why Dr. Mehta’s patients love their dentist! Academy of Implant Dentistry. Clearly dedicated to furthering his education in his field, Dr. Mehta’s goal is to help his patients have a better quality of life. Patient Stephanie Keskinen said, “Dr. Mehta and his staff are absolutely amazing! From the moment you walk into the reception area you

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are immediately greeted with a warm welcome. The hygienists and dental assistants are phenomenal with a friendly, gentle touch. Dr. Mehta has been my dentist for the past few years and has never pressured me to do procedures that were not necessary, so I have utmost trust in his care. I

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


procedures like crowns, fillings, veneers, ZOOM Whitening, Lumineers, dentures and dental implants, to preventative and restorative procedures, East Lake Dental Care is really a one-stop dental shop. So, if you’re looking for a dentist that will take care of your preventative care and fillings East Lake Center for Implants & Restorative Den- now, but will partner with you as your dentistry is located at 3488 East Lake Road tist for the long-term, Dr. Mehta and his would recommend [him] to any of staff will be prepared and ready to my family, friends, or colleagues!” meet all of your dental needs for East Lake Center for Implants & many years to come. Restorative Dentistry’s facility has all Cheryl Malloy said, “I have only of the technology “in-house” to make positive things to say about my dentist, your dental visit a breeze. No more Dr. Mehta. He is highly recommended having to run to different places for x- and respected in his field, and is very rays, root canals or CT scans. Addicompassionate about his work. He has tionally, if you have any interest in the finest group of people working for sedation dentistry, Dr. Mehta and his him in his office and they are all sensistaff are able to provide many options, tive to the needs of the patient.” including IV sedation, oral sedation and nitrous oxide. Get a Smile Makeover! Performing a myriad of dental If you don’t love your smile, do treatments ranging from cosmetic something about it! The dental field

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

has come a long way in the last few decades and there are a lot of affordable options out there! You can whiten, brighten, create and even replace teeth that are not aesthetically pleasing. What’s more, if you are missing teeth, are struggling with dentures, or have a hard time eating because of your teeth, Dr. Mehta can fix all of those things at once by giving you dental implants, which happen to be his area of expertise. You don’t have to hide your smile! Dr. Mehta says, “I enjoy giving people the teeth that they always wanted, but never dreamt they could have. It’s more than a physical change, but a psychological change that builds confidence!” One patient said, “I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am with my new dentures. My old ones were ill-fitting; they gagged me and broke on a piece of bread. My new ones look just like my real teeth, and they are not just for show. They actually work for eating. Dr. Mehta gave me pecan brittle to test them out on. It was delicious and my new teeth chewed it right up. I actually look forward to seeing him and the ladies in the office. I’m taking my 12-year-old daughter there and recommending him to all my friends, family and co-

workers. I just can’t say enough nice things about him. If you’re afraid of the dentist, go see Dr. Mehta, you’ll never be afraid again.” My grandfather used to say, “My teeth are like the stars! They come out at night!” With the technology available today, patients can replace missing teeth with dental implants, which look and perform just like your regular teeth, without any of the hassle of dealing with dentures. Dr. Mehta says, “Implants are better than teeth in a certain way, because they don’t decay, they won’t break down, and they look great.” You don’t have to be a millionaire to have beautiful teeth. Even the implants are affordable. Dr. Mehta says, “If you can afford a bridge, you can afford an implant. We also offer financing, so people can have the smile they want that is both beautiful and functional for the long term.” East Lake Center for Implants & Restorative Dentistry is located at 3488 East Lake Road, Ste 401 in Palm Harbor. They are open Mon. – Fri., 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., and by appointment only on Sat. Call (727) 785-7461 or visit them online at www.eastlakecenterforimplants.com “Like” them on Facebook and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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Don’t Sweat This Summer! One Hour Air is “Always on Time…or You Don’t Pay a Dime!” By Katie Thomas We are in the full swing of summer and it is a hot one! Luckily, One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating serves North Pinellas and Pasco Counties – from neighborhoods right here in Trinity and New Port Richey, to nearby Tarpon Springs, East Lake and Palm Harbor out to Port Richey and Land O’ Lakes – with quick, efficient and reliable service 7 days a week every day of the year! So if you start having air conditioning problems, you won’t have to sweat it out and suffer, One Hour Air is backing you up with customer service that excels in every possible way and if they miss their appointment time, you don’t pay a dime! Reliability and trust are the building blocks that One Hour Air uses as the foundation of their business. Family owned and operated, One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating in Tarpon Springs brings family value and complete customer care to the community. Run by the O’Kelley fam-

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ily since 2010, One Hour Air’s team is composed of Ed O’Kelley, Kim O’Kelley and Corey O’Kelley; truly a familyrun business with traditional business values of treating customers fairly in every respect. Ed is an experienced electrical engineer and Corey has a background in business and finance. Sales and Marketing Director Kim O’Kelley had been working in the air conditioning business for many years when she learned about One Hour Air. “I was really impressed with their code of ethics, values and beliefs. They really believed in taking care of their customers. After my first training, I came home and told my family all about the company.” So when the opportunity came to become the new owners of One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, the O’Kelley family decided to take an already great business and make it even better. “Our main concern is customer service,” says Ed. “We do our dead level best to make sure everyone is happy, including our employees.”

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That commitment to excellent service is probably why, in just four years, The O’Kelleys have turned One Hour Air in Tarpon Springs into a thriving success. Customers have spread the word that One Hour Air is dependable and honest, growing the company’s customer base through many referrals. Satisfied customer Ryan Bailey says, “We have dealt with several local air conditioning companies over the last 15 years while living in the Bay Area and One Hour Air was by far the best of them all! We were well pleased with our experience from the first appointment made over the phone, to the very last handshake with Ed O’Kelly after all the work was com-

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pleted. Our A/C problem was identified quickly and everything was explained thoroughly. We were provided with several options and never felt pressured. We were impressed with the professionalism, demeanor and attitude of each and all the technicians. Ed kept in contact with us throughout the process and made sure we were completely satisfied with every aspect of the installation and services provided.”

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


Ed not only strives to make employees happy, he also makes it his personal mission to provide each customer with a personalized experience, which is one of the reasons One Hour Air is ranked within the top five for the nation’s customer service satisfaction rating by Net Promoter Score (NPS), receiving the President’s Award at the annual conference for having the top NPS score for all 300 One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating franchises in the United States. Businesses that NPS rates over 65 are considOne Hour Air is there for you – keeping you ered to provide world-class service - One Hour Air has cool with service that is excellent & fast! been ranked with an 88 out of 100, phenomenal! One Hour Air team Ed and Kim As well a high NPS rating, One both agree that without the high Hour Air is a proud award winner of quality professionals working together Angie’s Super Service Award for 2013 for One Hour Air, the company and 2012! The Super Service Award would not have reached such great is Angie’s List’s highest honor and success and high ratings or customer puts One Hour Air in the top five perservice. Ed says, “Our employees cent of companies on Angie’s List. In help us become successful. They have 2012 One Hour Air received great attitudes and strive to give great “Medium Size” and “Overall” Busicustomer service. We are only as sucness of the Year by the Tarpon Springs cessful as our employees make us, so Chamber of Commerce. In addition we want them to be happy, skilled and to the awards One Hour Air has reprofessionally trained.” ceived, the true testament to their su-

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

perior service comes from customers. Frank Petracsek says, “One Hour Heating and Air go above-and-beyond to make sure I am satisfied. The service they provide is exceptional and they are ridiculously quick to respond. I recommended them to anyone I meet. I find today more companies are forgetting about how important it is to be kind to your customers. This is where One Hour Air in Tarpon Springs shines!” If you are in need of air conditioning and heating services, One Hour Air is your reliable and trustworthy neighborhood go-to! One Hour Air is committed to helping their customers at any time of the day or night. When it’s time to choose, install or maintain your air conditioning system, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating is a company that you can rely on and trust. From installation, repairs, maintenance, and system replacement, to new equipment orders - One Hour Air does it all. When you call One Hour Air, they will conduct a free, no-obligation, no-pressure estimate and discuss everything with you including energy-saving tips, possible tax credits and information about the importance of having the right kind of equipment. Plus you will receive the best warranty in the

business! There’s a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, as well as a guarantee that they will be on time, because they know that your time is valuable. Customers simply come first at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating. One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating is located at 1787 South Pinellas Ave, Suite #400, in Tarpon Springs. For a free estimate or for more information, please call (727) 940-9250 or visit online at www.OneHourAirWestPasco.com. One Hour Air is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

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Before

After

Want a Home Makeover? The Property Doctors are on The Case! By Julie Kanehl Do you ever watch those home makeover shows and wonder what your house could become? With the right contractor and the right designer, any home can become a showcase, and you don’t have to break the bank or win a spot on a design show to make your dreams a reality, just call The Property Doctors! Located right here in the East Lake area, The

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Property Doctors are a husband and wife team, Jeff Mullins and Libba Phillips, with a shared passion for creating unique spaces, custom kitchens and amazing, customized additions to the home. Jeff and Libba are sought out for their unique ability to decorate keeping the flow and the feel of the space in mind. The Property Doctors are on call, renovating and redesigning properties all over the Tampa Bay Area.

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Does your home feel outdated? Do you wish you had a kitchen that met your family’s needs? Have you always dreamed of an enclosed porch or a game room? These things can become a reality when you have a contractor like Jeff Mullins (#CRC1330824) on your side. With 25 years of experience in both residential and commercial construction in his back pocket, Jeff is the man for the job. He has experience renovating

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everything from historic landmark homes to penthouses for the rich and famous, so whether you want to renovate one of your bathrooms or your entire home, Mullins is up for the challenge. He can either follow your specs exactly or bring his creative abilities to the project to completely re-envision the space just like they do on the design shows. Always wanted a secret passageway? Want to build a false wall? How about creating a loft? With a contractor like Jeff, your home can truly become your castle. Add in the vision, education and design intuition that Libba Phillips brings to the project, and you’re bound to have a home that not only looks fantastic, but actually feels fantastic as well. Have you ever walked into a home and felt cozy and warm instantly? Have you ever had the opposite feeling? The feel of a home goes hand-in-hand with the look of a home, and that is where Libba’s expertise in feng shui can make a world of difference when building, renovating or redecorating a home. Feng shui isn’t some crazy fad; it’s actually an ancient art that fuses the way a space looks and feels. Imagine how your body feels when you have a kink in your neck – every-

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


band received three excellent job offers. Positive energy goes a long way and feng shui is a potent tool, when used by a professional such as Libba. “ Libba graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1990, and her fine art photographs have been featured in various galleries and publications across the United States. In fact, Jeff is also an accomplished musician and painter, so it’s safe to say that when you hire The Property Doctors, you’re hiring experts in the field who have that desired culmination of education, experience and pure artistic talent to bring to each of their projects. Jeff Mullins & Libba Phillips thing is off. When your home has a kink, it doesn’t feel or function properly. It’s that same principal that has helped houses feel like homes and become more beautiful and functional in the process. Rosa Berman from Palm Harbor said, “My husband and I are very new to feng shui. Thanks to Libba, we have learned a lot and are enjoying the benefits of positive energy in our home. We made just a few simple changes and within a week my hus-

Renovate & Revitalize Your Home The truth is, you can fall in love with your house all over again by reimagining your home. Think outside the box! Do you have a formal living room that you never use? What could it be instead? Do you have a great back yard, but no way to enjoy it? Or perhaps you’d like to finally replace that door, install those floors or resurface those ceilings. Whatever your house needs, Jeff is ready. Chris and Fran Carlsen said,

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

“Jeff completely renovated our kitchen, repaired our family room wall as a result of a broken pipe, installed our laminate floor, and replaced the door to our pool area. Jeff is professional, detail oriented, trustworthy, dependable, fairly priced, and exceeded our expectations on every level. We give Jeff 5 stars!” Libba says, “What Jeff is really great at doing is listening to his clients. Whether he’s working on an interior or an exterior space, he really listens, takes copious notes, and really looks at it with an architectural mindset.” She adds, “He’s also really good at helping clients balance what their dreams are, with what creatively makes sense in their home.” From bathrooms to kitchens, from ceilings to floors, and from back decks to major facelifts, The Property Doctors believe that every home has the potential to be a dream home. One of the homes that Jeff really enjoyed working on was a traditional style home whose owners always wanted a craftsman style home. Jeff and his crew were able to give their home the facelift and add the craftsman features that they always wanted! Susan Clark said, “Jeff Mullins re-

cently did some remodeling in my high rise condo. I was totally pleased with the quality of workmanship and with the speed in which he completed the work. He was punctual and came when he said he would. Jeff had a broad range of knowledge regarding remodeling and it was immediately apparent that he was very experienced. I was impressed that he was so neat during the work, using drop cloths to cover the floors and them folding them up neatly and out of the way when he was no longer working in that area. I recommend Jeff Mullins with no reservations.” The truth is, the sky’s the limit, and with The Property Doctors on call, you can rest assured that whatever project you have in mind will be addressed with care, experience and respect. So, call The Property Doctors today, and make your home into your dream home. The Property Doctors can come to the rescue of any home in the Tampa Bay Area. Owner Jeff Mullins is a Florida State Licensed Contractor #CRC1330824. For more information, call (727) 6393089, or visit the website, www.thepropertydocs.com.

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By Alexis Selby Surrounded by a stadium full of cheering fans, nothing beats the excitement of watching your home team play on the Tropicana Field. Whether you are out having a fun family day, enjoying a night out with friends, or going on a casual date with your significant other, Tropicana Field provides the perfect backdrop for a great experience and a whole lot of fun! And, with new cheaper pricing, including tickets starting at only $10, the Rays have made it more affordable than ever for you to watch your team live and in person. New this season, the Rays began offering Flex Packs, which gave fans the opportunity to pre-pay for 3, 6, or 9 games ahead of time, at an even better discounted price, and pick any of the games they would like to see for the season. They also offer discounts on group tickets and other great packages. The Rays certainly don’t hold back when it comes to giving back to the fans. Widely know for their fan giveaways, the Rays are always finding unique ways to thank their fans and give incentives for those who show up early to the games by giving away freebies for the first 10,000 fans that walk

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through their doors. Past prizes include: derby-style hats, which they gave away on Mother’s Day, bobblehead dolls, stuffed animals, and my personal favorite- DJ Kitty toques, which were a huge hit amongst fans.

Sunday is Family-Day at the Tropicana Field! A great way to incorporate everyone in your family, the Rays have brought back a returning tradition with their Family Fun Days, which is held every Sunday they have a home game. Featuring free parking for cars with four or more passengers, giveaways for kids 14 and under, and a variety of free activities for kids on the concourse, these events provide affordable fun for the whole family – from young children to the young at heart. Extra entertainers are also provided on Sundays, including face painters, airbrush tattoo artists, magicians, mimes, stilt walkers, jugglers and balloon artists, as well as complimentary concourse activities, courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times, such as grand slam alley, power alley batting cage, speed pitch, Raymond's art studio and Topps make your own baseball card. After the game children will also

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Photo Credit: Steven Kovich / Tampa Bay Rays

Evan Longoria is an active member of the community and volunteers much of his time helping local children throughout the Bay. have the opportunity to run the bases and dance around at the DJ Kitty Kid's Party!

Tampa Bay Rays – The Best of the Best! Boasting one of the best records in the league – including making the playoffs four times in the past six years – you have more reasons than ever to come watch the Rays play. In fact, the Rays have won more games since 2008 than any other team in the league, with the exception of the Yankees – who have won just a handful more, despite an astronomical $900million spending gap between the two teams. In addition, they have accomplished five 90-win seasons in the past six years, which is more than any other team in the MLB, and quite possibly in the entire sport. So, when you go watch your home team on the Tropicana Field, you truly are watching one of the best teams in the Nation!

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So Much More Than Just A Baseball Team Your local hometown baseball team, the Tampa Bay Rays, have become a huge part of this community in more ways than one and as impressive as they are on the field, what they do outside of the stadium is just as amazing! Mentors, teachers, and “heroes,” the Rays organization provides much more than just athleticism and entertainment – they are community impact leaders who actively strive to make a lasting difference in the Tampa Bay area. Taking a hands-on approach to supporting the community, in addition to the Rays Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that raises money to help support youth education development programming, the players and their wives, as well as many of the corporate employees, dedicate their time to helping individuals, families and organizations in the

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


ognize that giving back is just as important as the sport they play and that without you – their fans, their community – what they have accomplished would never have been possible; which is why they give back to the Tampa Bay area, not just to show gratitude and thanks, but because they want to make a difference in the lives of those around them! “At the end of the day, the name on the front of their jersey means more than the name on their back,” says Mark. “When people see our logo and our brand, I hope we’ve done enough for them to say, ‘that’s my team and those are my guys’. That

means everything to us!” From playing on the field to volunteering in your community, the Rays truly are your hometown team! So, what are you waiting for? The season is almost over. Round up your friends and family today and come on down to the Tropicana Field to cheer on your very own Tampa Bay Rays and enjoy some good ol’ American fun! The Tropicana Field is located at 1 Tropicana Dr. in St Petersburg. For more info on upcoming games or to purchase tickets please visit RaysBaseball.com.

Photo Credit: Skip Milos / Tampa Bay Rays

Joe Maddon is really engaged in helping the homeless and every year hosts Thanksmas, where he helps feed those in need! community through their numerous charities, volunteer programs and partnership affiliations. “We are really proud to be community impact leaders,” says Mark Fernandez, Senior Vice President of the Rays Organization. We take our responsibility seriously and are always looking to find ways to form meaningful partnerships within the com-

munity. Giving away the money is easiest part, but the most meaningful thing that we do, in addition to being an ongoing funder, is to be actively engaged in the community.” An inspiration to our youth, the players are a true testament to the notion, that if you dream big and work hard, anything is possible. Furthermore, in all their success, they also rec-

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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“Fessler Agency” Continued from page 1 his agency. “We live in a consumer driven world,” says Jack. “Consumers want facts and support. We at Fessler work to be proactive, so if something does happen we can support you in the legalities. We never want things to go wrong, but as life is, it happens. Insurance allows you to cover yourself and your family in case of incident. More so than ever, the written word is pertinent to protecting yourself and we are here to help you do it right.” There is a reason that Jack Fessler adopted the “Don’t Ever Give Up” attitude and decided to live by it. Jack underwent a life-changing event in 1962 at age 20. He was working on a storm sewer pipe when a piece of clay was dropped from a bulldozer and broke his back in three separate places. Paralyzed and wheelchair bound, Jack knew it was time for a life transformation if he were going to become a successful man. Jack will tell you that he is living proof that nothing can stop you from succeeding in life. “It takes vision,” says Jack. “Visionary people can see things and they take all the steps to make their plan happen. From budg-

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The Fessler Agency has been a trusted company in the Tampa Bay Area for more than 30 years! eting and sticking to my core values I have grown my company from a small agency to a well respected million dollar reputable agency.” Thirty Years and Counting at Fessler The Fessler Agency recently celebrated its thirtieth Anniversary as one of the Bay Area’s most prominent and helpful insurance agencies. “It is a huge deal to us that our family company has survived for thirty years,” says Jack. “We owe our successes to the hard work and dedication pro-

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vided by each team member. We look out for people’s best interest and that is what has helped us become what we are today.” More than half of Fessler’s staff has been with the company for over ten years and at least five employees have twenty years invested in The Fessler Agency. Jack often rewards his employees with incentives and benefits to do the best job they know how. One year he sent a handful of employees on a shopping spree with a week’s pay just because, as Jack says, “they deserve it all.” Known as a fantastic

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boss who truly cares, but will also push you to your best like a bulldog, Jack is well-respected and applauded by his many employees and peers. “I think it’s time to get back to treating people the way we’d want to be treated,” says Jack. “We know that it’s the experience clients receive from us that makes the difference and sets us apart from other agencies.” The Fessler Agency strives to leave each client thinking and saying, “Wow! That was great service!” Jack personally motivates his employees and talks to them about their

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


goals and objectives in life. “I am willing to provide the education, pay and know-how to each of my employees,” says Jack. “In return I ask for energy, competitive drive and integrity because if I hire them they are responsible for upholding the reputation I have built for myself.” When hiring agents, Jack looks for the following traits: energetic, dependable, determined, focused, intuitive, loyal, honest, persistent, punctual, responsible, love working with people and good judgment. Jack says, “Skills are actions that anyone can learn, but good moral standing, a personality and great judgment are character traits that are the most important in hiring. Raw everyday intelligence is far more important than skills.” Jack’s openness to grow his company with people who have the character traits that match his own is undoubtedly one of the many reasons The Fessler Agency is held in such high regard in the Tampa Bay Area. One client, Villazon & Company, wrote Fessler saying, “You walked us through each step of the claim compilation and filing process. When negotiations hit the proverbial

snag, you cleared up the stalemate and negotiated a fair settlement, that put Villazon in the same position as it would have been had the disaster not occurred. The promises you made when you became our agent were more than amply fulfilled. We are certain, that given the opportunity, you can do the same for any client, present or future, that you have done for Villazon.” The Fessler Agency is here to help you and has your back in any situation. Specializing in commercial insurance, personal insurance and employee benefits, The Fessler team will help you understand insurance and give you a full range of options for your life or business. Let us protect your life and everything in it.

abled vet or wounded warrior to help out with a deal that can’t be beat, so if you know of anyone who meets the criteria, contact Jack! He says, “We can make a better world by helping community.” The Fessler Agency participates in community events and fundraisers throughout the year and looks forward to keeping involved with charities. To date, Fessler is affiliated with Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure, Relay for Life in Oldsmar, Make A Wish Foundation (raised $7,000) and is a part of the Upper Tampa

Bay Chamber of Commerce. Jack Fessler’s life experience has helped him build and grow The Fessler Agency into what it is today – a fully capable insurance agency with an outreached hand for community involvement. Get to know Jack and his team of agents on a personal level. The Fessler Agency is located at 3165 McMullen Booth Road, G-2, in Clearwater. Call (727) 726-3377 for more information or visit online at www.fessleragency.com.

You Don’t Know Jack! …But You Should! If you haven’t met Jack Fessler, you should get to know him. His vibrant personality, patriotism, community outlook and sharp business sense are not only impressive, but inspiring as well. A little side note: Jack is selling his car soon, which is fully handicap accessible. He is looking for a dis-

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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Rely on 4G Data “4 All Your IT Needs” By Kim Thomas Combine a proactive work ethic with leading knowledge in current Information Technology (IT) and you will discover 4G Data; a company with 30 years of IT sales, support, and networking. Located in the Shoppes at Boot Ranch Plaza on East Lake Road in Palm Harbor, 4G Data is a computer repair company and is able to provide any repairs needed for laptops, computers, iPads, tablets, printers and more. 4G technicians are experts in the design, installation, maintenance and repair of computer networks. Essentially, 4G Data becomes a small business’ personal IT department, allowing a business to stay focused on the job instead of IT maintenance and solutions. “We introduce clients to new technologies that save them an average of 30–50% each year,” explains owner Michael Cusumano. “We’ve proven that proactively managing your network always costs less than reacting to problems after they occur. We’ve bundled our revolutionary Flat-Rate I.T. Support program with our Proactive

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Network Monitoring Service, providing you experienced IT Support to maintain and protect your network 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, 365 Days a Year! We can provide your organization with Fortune 500 level Help-desk support on a full time basis for a fraction of the cost of an on-staff IT employee.” Cusumano has owned and operated 4G Data’s Tampa Bay division since 2008. He began working for 4G in 1996 – the longevity and dedication Michael has invested in 4G Data has allowed growth in slow economic times and he has built the local 4G Data into the highly acknowledged company that it is today offering customers an even wider range of services. For instance, 4G customizes and installs state-of-the-art home theater systems. Wireless technology has never sounded or looked better. With 4G’s expertise, your home becomes your own private theater at the touch of a button. Let 4G show you how high definition and surround sound can transport you without ever leaving your easy chair.

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The 4G Data team is passionate about helping small businesses to become and stay successful by providing secure IT support. Cusumano explains, “Businesses have had to close down due to a catastrophic loss of data. We want to prevent that from ever happening.” 4G Data will install security, backup and anti-virus solutions to keep your computers at home or in your business operating at an optimal level. 4G Data can teach you daily maintenance tips for your computer, such as how to delete cookies and run a free tracking program. 4G is encouraging clients who are still using Windows XP to consider an upgrade. Cusumano explains, “You may ask, ‘Why should I upgrade?’ First and foremost, this is a security issue. Windows XP-based machines will still work, but Mi-

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crosoft will no longer roll out security updates for the Operating System. That means your computer will be more susceptible to hackers and other scammers, who could exploit bugs that Microsoft is no longer fixing to gain access to your machine and steal your personal information.” Changes are going to happen with technology and that is why 4G Data educates clients on how to use and maintain their systems. Cusumano says, “We want to be proactive, not reactive!” Ensuring your residential computer and business office is running smoothly and without kinks early

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


on is safer, smarter and thriftier than looking past potential problems which may lead to the crash of your computer or network. An IT Experience Like No Other 4G Data in Palm Harbor offers FREE evaluations to all residential clients. When you drop off your equipment, 4G’s technicians will evaluate your problem and have a solution within a few hours. 4G’s standard turnaround time for repairs is less than 24 hours. Clients will enjoy an IT experience like no other. Once your equipment is repaired, you will be able to test it out in a relaxing atmosphere;

the ambiance of a comfortable couch and a hot cup of Joe will make you feel like you are at home. Focused on customers’ convenience, 4G offers free WiFi and expanded hours, 9AM – 7PM on Monday through Thursday and 9AM – 5PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Another key to 4G Data’s popularity with customers is the dedication that Michael Cusumano and his team have to some basic core values that they instill not only in their personal lives but also in their professional lives. 4G promises: Accountability, Commitment, Community, Efficiency, Integrity, Leadership, Passion, Respect, Service Excellence and Teamwork. “I will not try to sell the most current expensive programs to a customer,” says Cusumano. “It is more important to have IT programs that run smoothly and work seamlessly with the clients operating environment.” 4G Data is aware in what is happening in the technological indus-

try and will help you make decisions that are smart and right for your individual needs. Information Technology Services 4G Data focuses on providing quality products and superior service for their customers’ IT needs, specializing in technical services, technical sales, HIPAA compliance, software, networking solutions, warranty services and servicing residential clients. 4G Data offers clients the option to drop off equipment at the store or they can come to you. Their engineers are highly trained to keep up with the constant changes in technology, and all engineers are bonded and insured. At 4G Data, you will find experts who address IT problems with solutions that are effective, reliable and secure. Cisco, Xerox, Fujitsu, Compaq, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Lexmark, Microsoft, Okidata, SonicWALL, Symantec, Lenovo, Toshiba, Sony, Apple, and Dell are just a few of the products that 4G Data specializes in, enabling them to provide each customer with the best program/brand to fit his or her specific needs. 4G honors all major manufacturer’s warranties and provides war-

ranty parts free of charge for Cisco, Compaq, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Lexmark, Okidata, SonicWALL, Lenovo, Toshiba, Sony and Dell. 4G Data performs warranty service according to each company’s warranty statement and adheres to the manufacturer’s policy. Mission Statement: Personal honesty and integrity are the foundation of our business. Customer Service is our way of life. 4G Data is an exciting place, where teamwork is the main component of success. We work hard... and we reward hard work. Great things happen when we listen to our customers. Our doors are always open! 4G Data is dedicated to following their business philosophy and achieving a level of personal service that is second to none for all your technology needs. 4G Data is located at 318 East Lake Road in Palm Harbor. For all your Information Technology needs call (727) 938- 6093 or visit www.4GTampa.com for additional information. 4G Data is open 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Mon. – Thurs., and from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Fri., Sat. and Sun.

TRINITY DENTAL CARE IES C N RGE ME! E M E ELCO W

(727) 372-2001 Toll Free: 1-888-tooth AK www.trinitydentalcare.com

We perform the following procedures: - Preventive Dentistry Dr. S. Shayes - Dr. A. Eskandari - Crowns, Bridges - Dentures, Partials, Repairs - Tooth Colored Fillings - Gum Treatment #DN15492 #DN15013

- Root Canals - Teeth Whitening - Dentistry for Children and Adolescence - Invisalign (the clear braces) - etc.

Evening & Saturday Appointments Available 1843 Health Care Drive, Building #1 Trinity, FL 34655 (at the corner of Mitchell Blv & Little Rd, behind Walgreens)

• Nitrous Gas (Happy Gas) • Warm blankets, neck rolls and head phones in everyroom • 12 Month Interest Free Financing Available • Most Insurances Accepted • Evening & Sat. Appts. Available • Now Accepting Care Credit ®

NEW PATIENT SPECIAL Exam (D0140) and X-Ray (D0272 or D0220)

$39.99 EXP. 9/30/2014. WEEKDAYS ONLY. New patient only. Cannot be used with insurance. Coupon needs to be presented at time of service.

The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for another service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted or reduced fee, service, examination or treatment.

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AUGUST 2014

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


3/3/3 plus office/den - 2514 htd sq ft Shows like a model formal lv & dr rooms, kitchen overlooks family room, master w/sitting area, two guest bedrooms w/their own bathrooms, extended paved lanai w/view of the pond. $345,000

2/2/2 1556 htd sq ft. MASTER PIECE & MODEL PERFECT. 18" tile flooring in all main areas, wood cabinets w/pullout shelves, granite counters wall oven, cook top in kitchen which overlooks the family room Formal lv & dining rooms w/soaring lace ceiling, plus much more! $215,000

3/3/3 plus office or den - 2515 htd sq ft Formal living & dining rooms w/wood floors, Kitchen w/granite counters & backsplash, wood cabinets overlooks family room w/tile flooring. Oversized screened lanai w/5 ceilings fans w/a spectacular view of the golf course plus an outside patio to enjoy the sun! Too many extras to list. Its a must see for $390,000. 1710 htd sq ft - This townhome shows like a model! from the quaint courtyard to the superb view of the pond & Golf course you won't be disappointed. Foyer w/crown molding & tile flooring which flows into the dining room & the kitchen which has white cabinets w/raised panel doors & glass doors to display your pieces, pullout shelves, corian counters w/breakfast bar. Living room w/crown molding, gas fireplace w/wood mantle & designer style laminate flooring. The master is on the first floor w/custom valances & a pocket door leads you to the master bath w/dual sinks w/corian counters & white vanity & new walk in shower w/frameless shower door, linen closet & walk in closet. 1/2 bath is just off the foyer for your guests. Upstairs there are two generous sized bedrooms w/guest bath w/shower & tub. This home has many new features including new roof w/solar fan, designer lighting & fans plus much more! $234,900

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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AUGUST 2014

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“Dr. Albert” Continued from page 1 orthodontic care affordable to all. We will miss our visits to his office. Dr. Albert Family Orthodontics comes highly recommended in this household.” While kids absolutely love Albert Family Orthodontics, it’s perfect for adults too. Casey Odell writes, “Teeth came out PERFECT! Love the results! I was a little nervous when I first made an appointment, seeing as how I am a little bit older, but I couldn’t be happier! The office is nice, clean, and modern. Staff and Dr Albert were super friendly, helpful, and ready to answer any questions and work with you. I will be recommending anyone and everyone that needs a perfect smile to come here!” Dr. Albert grew up locally and truly has become a leader in the community, where he now lives with his family. An alumnus of local East Lake High School, Dr. Albert now brings his services to the Pasco and Pinellas communities as a specialist in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. A graduate (with honors) of The University of Florida’s College of Dentistry, he also completed

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his Orthodontic Residency, received his Orthodontics Certificate, and earned his Master’s of Science Degree from UF. This year, Dr. Albert was privileged to take part in two important outreach projects that provided free dental care to Floridians and abroad in Haiti. Mission Possible! Locally, Dr. Albert joined other dental professionals to provide free dental care to 1,660 people at the first Florida Mission of Mercy (FLAMOM) event, which was held at the Florida State Fairgrounds on March 28-29 of this year. Dr. Albert says, “With the help of over 1,400 volunteers, we provided 8,000 dental procedures equaling approximately $1.1 million dollars’ worth of free care.” When Pastor Douglas Poole of Cypress Meadows Community started planning a mission trip to Haiti, Dr. Albert stepped up to volunteer along with other members of his church, not really knowing what to expect. They went to an outskirt community on the northwestern coast of Haiti where people haven’t received much outside help due to the remote location. Dr. Albert explains, “It was a leap of faith. There

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Dr. Albert feels priveleged to have been able to go and help people in Haiti and local people in need at the Florida Mission of Mercy event this year was no setup other than a chair, instruments and anesthetic, but we were still able to help a lot of people. I pulled 39 teeth; extractions are a great way to help people in those circumstances because it eliminates the pain and prevents infection.” Dr. Albert is thankful to the many local dentists who donated toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss. “We had three large suitcases full of donated supplies from our generous local dentists. It is sad to say, but for a lot of the children there, they did not have their own toothbrush or any way to

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clean their teeth. They were clutching those toothbrushes like the best gift you could imagine!” Dr. Albert is humble about the great success of Albert Family Orthodontics and is very appreciative of his patients and the community’s trust in him. So, he does his best to give back – both to his patients and the community. Brilliantly, he blends contests with community outreach, such as the recent Pet Palooza contest. “Our patients posted pictures of themselves with their pets and had a chance to win gift cards to PetSmart,

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


and for every picture posted, we donated $3 to the Humane Society. It was another way to get people engaged and a neat and fun way to give back to the community.” Once again this year, Albert Family Orthodontics held its “Making a Change” contest for local schools and was able to give $1,000 to Dayspring Academy, $250 to Seven Springs Middle School, and $250 to River Ridge Middle School. “I went to each school and met with the principals to give them the check personally,” shares Dr. Albert. “They had immediate needs and I was so

happy that we were able to help.” To decide the winners of the “Making a Change” contest, Albert Family Orthodontics lists all of the schools in the area that their patients go to on its facebook page, and people vote for their favorite school. The top three schools with the most likes are then entered into a random drawing for the top prize. Some of Dr. Albert’s contests are just to give back to his patients, like a recent contest that utilized the popular website Pinterest. “Re-Pin to Win” was super easy; all that was required to be in the running to win an Xbox One was to re-pin a graphic design provided by the Albert Family Orthodontics. The “Summer of Music and Smiles” contest, though, is a definite favorite of patients of all ages. This year’s concerts to win include four tickets to Luke Bryan’s September 6

East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

concert and four tickets to One Direction on October 3. The “Summer of Music and Smiles” contest runs from July through August, and to enter, Albert Family Orthodontics’ patients just post a picture of themselves on facebook and have their friends vote for them to win. Community is important to Dr. Albert, who is a member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Trinity. Every year, Albert Family Orthodontics hosts a “Candy Buy Back” after Halloween, where sweets are donated to troops stationed overseas. Albert Family Orthodontics also participates in Toys for Tots through the Salvation Army every holiday season. Besides all the fun and games, Dr. Albert provides conveniences that many other offices don’t have, from self check-in options and free Wi-Fi, to freshly brewed Keurig Coffee and freshly baked Otis Spunkmeyer choco-

late chip cookies. The wait is never long, and there is plenty of entertainment from the large flat-screen televisions to XBOX Kinect and iPad kiosks, loaded with the latest apps and movies. Patients and their families love Albert Family Orthodontics in Palm Harbor and Trinity! Albert Family Orthodontics is located in Trinity at Trinity Professional Place, 1806 Short Branch Drive, Suite #102, and in Palm Harbor at 2445 Tampa Road, Suite A. Both locations are open Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. The offices can be reached at (727) 376-2770 (Trinity) and (727) 7817475 (Palm Harbor) or visit online at albertfamilyortho.com where you will find more information. “Like” Albert Family Orthodontics on facebook to receive upcoming event and contest information!

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East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles


East Lake Area Neighborhood News & Lifestyles

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