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From The Editor Matt Selby
Happy Holidays!
pick out for people either don’t fit, they secretly will never wear them or they flat out don’t like it. Of course, our local businesses love the boost in sales, and the simple act of gift giving helps keep many fine retailers afloat. I don’t mean to take anything away from that, I just want you to remember how precious the time with your family and loved ones is, so much more than any perfectly wrapped cashmere sweater. Christmas and other holidays are a time of the year where you get to build memories for years to come. I’ve been so fortunate to have such a large, close family who has brought so much love and joy to my life. I truly hope each one of you reading this has had similar great experiences and this Christmas doesn’t fall short on wonderful loving moments that will become happy memories with the people you love the most. In late October, my Grandfather, Charles Selby, suddenly passed away. We all knew he was sick, but an aggressive form of Pancreatic Cancer took him before anything could have been done. This Christmas will not be the same without him. I’m thankful for all the memories
It’s that special time of year again already. Now that we’ve all had a chance to be thankful, the Christmas season is in full swing. Decorations are going up (or they’ve been up since Thanksgiving!), children are visiting with Santa, and people are working on their gift lists for their loved ones. As the years go by, I feel like the Holidays come faster and faster. It seems like just yesterday I was scrambling around doing my lastminute shopping for last Christmas. If you didn’t know this about me already, I’m a 6th or maybe even 7th generation Tampa Bay native, and I’m proud to say that I have a family that loves this city. So much so, that there’s around 40 of us that live within an hour of each other, so getting together for the holidays has always been a special time for all of us. It’s not so easy on the wallet, but it’s worth it. During this time of year, it’s easy to forget what the Christmas spirit is all about. Even if it’s not from the religious aspect, which sadly very many
people disregard these days. It’s easy to get stressed out trying to find those “perfect” gifts from the “perfect” store and wrap it in the “perfect” gift wrap, which makes zero sense to me. I mean seriously, women (usually) spend so much time, money and effort on wrapping paper consciously knowing that it will be torn to shreds. I guess that’s just one of those things us, simple men, may never understand. I can appreciate all the hard work and effort though. To be honest, when I wrap my own gifts, it looks like a 5year-old did it. In fact, I believe last year I overheard someone talking about my gift-wrapping skills when they said “Oh my goodness, how cute! I wonder which kid wrapped those?” This kid, this 28-year-old first grader. Anyway, gift giving is a big part of being in the holiday spirit, but it seems to consume so many of us. It’s especially fascinating considering so many of us never really apply what we learned from the year before. Which is the plain fact that half of the things we
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we all shared with him over my past 28 Christmases, but losing someone you love is never easy. My family finds comfort in knowing he’s in a better place enjoying what is sure to be an amazing Christmas party in heaven. So with that in mind, make sure you don’t forget to tell the people close to you how much you love them. The love you share with family and friends is what the holiday season is all about. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and have a fantastic new year!
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¡CUATRO Restaurant & Bar at TPC Tampa Bay! Fresh, Seasonal Chef Creations – Open to the Public! TPC Tampa Bay is considered one of the most beautiful and exciting 18-hole resort golf courses in Florida. The gorgeous landscaping that winds through natural wetlands, cypress trees, lagoons, oaks and abundant wildlife areas is the perfect backdrop for a top-rated round of golf. TPC Tampa Bay’s masterful design provides a spectacular place for golfers, but also holds a gem of a restaurant that is open to the public and a delight to enjoy. ¡CUATRO Restaurant & Bar at TPC Tampa Bay is a modern restaurant, designed to bring people together to enjoy the fresh seasonal flavors curated by Executive Chef Benjamin Clark. Offering outstanding lush views of the course and delectable culinary creations, ¡CUATRO ignites all the senses with unexpected flavors in classic dishes that are made with Florida’s finest ingredients! ¡CUATRO’s menu is as impres-
sive as its atmosphere, which includes a luxurious marble bar, mid-century modern design, and stunning views. Menu items are top-notch! Chef Ben trains his staff to make superb fare from scratch with seasonal ingredients that are fresh from Florida. “I was hired as ¡CUATRO’s Executive Chef last October and began diligently working on making our menu a true culinary experience. I changed the menu three or four times to get it to meet my standards and I still work on it weekly to provide the freshest inseason ingredients available. We take tips from our customers and staff to provide our guests with what they love.” Ben has ingrained in his staff a mindset that meets his own – his philosophy for creating masterful food aligns with what his father taught him as a kid. “My dad always taught me to do what I love and put passion into my work. I teach my staff that putting love and effort into each dish makes all the difference. Training a staff that is
able to retain that mindset is a big accomplishment and I am proud of our back-of-house and front-of-house teams. They really care about the food and people have began to notice the consistency and hard work that goes into making and serving each dish.”
Ben was born in Cincinnati and moved to Tampa as a kid, staying put to plant his roots after graduating from high school. Ben shares, “I took a liking to cooking at a young age. My grandmother was Italian - she was always cooking something delicious. My
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By Katie Thomas
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¡CUATRO Burger with House Chips (Black Angus, white cheddar, sautéed onions, bibb lettuce, heirloom tomato, chill dill pickle and potato roll) On Mondays, ¡CUATRO offers the burger with Chips for only $6 ALL DAY!
Every Tuesday, enjoy an Assorted Taco Menu all day along with ¡CUATRO’s lunch and dinner menus. 2 Tacos for $8, 3 for $10, chips & salsa included!
Smoked BBQ Pork Flatbread is not on the menu but the kitchen makes it for anyone who asks, because it has a cult following due to ¡CUATRO smoking their own meat! Comprised of 12-hour house smoked pork butt, shaved red onion, picked cilantro, white cheddar, & house BBQ Sauce.
mother and father also loved to cook, so I spent a lot of time with them as a family in our kitchen.” Ben played baseball in college, but after tearing his shoulder, he reevaluated his career plans and decided to enroll in the culinary program at The Art Institute of Tampa. Ben’s first internship was with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he cooked on a mass scale for luxury suites. His internship afforded him the opportunity to cook quality food on a large scale, as well as work for private parties and as a private chef. After graduating and finishing his first internship, Ben worked at Cafe DuFrain on Harbour Island in Tampa. This was his first experience in making all menu items entirely from scratch. While at Cafe DuFrain, Ben gained invaluable experience training under the guidance of Executive Chef Ferrell Alvarez, who now runs Rooster & Till in Seminole Heights. “Ferrell is one of the most talented chefs I have ever met. He taught me that putting a little bit of extra love into each dish goes a long way. I learned a lot from him and probably owe most of my culinary career to him. He taught me to make
everything in-house, which I have implemented at ¡CUATRO. From making our own pickling brine and cheeses to smoking all our meats in house – taking the extra time to create fresh items that are handcrafted by our team makes all the difference in flavor for our guests.” “I get asked a lot what kind of restaurant we are. I don’t want to pigeonhole us into a group, so I tell people that we make really good food with the freshest available ingredients and do our best to perfect our items by making as much as possible in house. We are so lucky to live in an area where we have some of the freshest providers. From fresh seafood straight from the Gulf to locally grown vegetables from small Florida farms – our local vendors are leaps and bounds better than any importers.” The kitchen team at ¡CUATRO goes above-and-beyond when it comes to cooking, plating and serving food. They smoke their own brisket for chili, brine their corned beef, cure their own bacon, smoke all their BBQ, make all soups and dressings from scratch in-house and even make their own line of cheeses, which include queso fresco and ricotta. They are cur-
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rently perfecting their in-house mozzarella, so keep an eye out for madefrom-scratch mozzarella dishes soon to come on the menu! When your chef takes four days to turn pork belly into bacon in his very own in-house smoker, you know the quality is stellar! Chef Ben’s menu is his life’s work, and as his father taught him, he puts every ounce of passion and love into each dish that comes out of ¡CUATRO’s kitchen, so guests always receive the best. In addition to the restaurant and bar menu, Chef Ben has updated the banquet menu for large events held at TPC Tampa Bay and for catering. Ben says, “Our banquet menu is phenomenal and 99% of the time, I work one on one with our customers to customize the banquet menu selection to their liking. When someone calls about a banquet or private dinner, I tell them they can get ideas off the website, but I work with them through email to come to a finalization that they really love and suits their tastes.” ¡CUATRO Restaurant & Bar is a family friendly neighborhood locale that is open to the public and a perfect
retreat for golfers. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and even a kid’s menu – there is something for everyone to enjoy. The ingredients are fresh and each item made is created with skill, forethought and artistry. Make your reservation today for a spectacular New Year’s Eve Dinner at ¡CUATRO! There are two seating times, 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and for only $50 per person, you will enjoy a three course meal that includes salad, the main course, dessert, and a glass of champagne, house wine or draft beer. You can view the New Year’s Eve menu on ¡CUATRO’s website. And if you don’t have a sitter for the kids, ¡CUATRO has made special arrangements to provide a babysitting service in the banquet room, so parents can truly relax and enjoy a special New Year’s Eve celebration. ¡CUATRO is located at TPC Tampa Bay at 5300 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road. They are open Mon. – Fri., 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sat., 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sun. 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. For more information, please call 813-949-1486 or log on to www.cuatrotampa.com .
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Community Calendar & News Briefs December Activitiy Schedule for Grace Lutheran Church Grace Lutheran Church at Carrollwood, located at 3714 West Linebaugh Avenue has many activities free and open for the public to enjoy in the month of December. Happy Birthday Jesus will be on Sunday, December 18 at 9:45 a.m. to celebrate Jesus birth. Children will be treated to a birthday party with cake, punch, stories, crafts and games. Adults may enjoy coffee, cake and fellowship. Christmas Eve Services will be on Saturday, December 24. There will be a Family Service at 5:00 p.m in the main Sanctuary and a Quiet Christmas Service at 6:30 p.m. in Grace Memorial Chapel with communion. Carols & Candlelight Services are at 8:00 & 10:30 p.m. with communion in the main Sanctuary. All are welcome to celebrate Christmas Eve at Grace. On Sunday, December 25 at 10: a.m. there will be a celebration of Jesus birth with Christmas carols and hymns sung with communion. If you have any questions or
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need further information please contact the church office at 813961-8747 or visit our website at www.gracetampa.org
Film Bar Mondays Where: The Bricks Ybor, 1327 E. 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605 What: Drinks, great conversation, meeting new friends. Film Bar Mondays is where the local South Tampa community comes to connect, relax and welcome new folks to the Florida Film scene. IT’S FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYONE. When: Every Monday Hours: 6:00pm - 12:00AM
A Retelling of a Christmas Carol Where: Carrollwood Players Theatre What: An adaptation of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from an embittered, ungenerous creature into a giving, caring human being at the hands of three spirits, who, one Christmas Eve, show him what life means. Join us for a magical retelling
of the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge. When: December 2, 2016 December 18, 2016. Fridays and Saturdays - 8pm and Sundays 3pm\Tickets $23, $20 seniors, students, and military More info visit: https://carrollwood-playerstheatre.ticketleap.com/a-christmas-car ol-holiday/dates
Christmas Town Returns to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Where: Busch Gardens 0 19165 McKinley Dr. Tampa, FL 33612 What: Christmas Town, returns to Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay with two million twinkling lights, festive treats, holiday entertainment and unique attractions, including the allnew addition of the beloved Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Meet Santa, watch Yuletide shows and enjoy thrill rides in the dark, beginning Nov. 25 through Dec. 31. Christmas Town is included with any annual pass, Fun Card or day admission and is open from 10:00am until 10 p.m. on select dates. Visit ChristmasTown.com for
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more info.
Children's Art Spot at the Tampa Museum of Art Description A free drop-in art program. Let your children explore their creativity by creating an art project. No registration required. Projects will vary week to week to tie into the exhibition on view at the museum. More Information Date(s): August 13, 2016 December 31, 2016 Hours: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Location: 120 W Gasparilla Plaza Tampa, FL 33602 www.tampamuseum.org
Santa’s Flight Academy at International Plaza Description Santa’s Flight Academy will be available exclusively at International Plaza from Friday, Nov. 11 through Saturday, Dec. 24. "Santa’s Flight Academy" is a one-of-a-kind, immersive holiday experience that combines a giant reimagination of the North Pole with
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state-of-the-art technology to enable children to become a member of Santa’s flight crew. Partnering with an elf – either Sleigh Mechanic George, Flight Director Sparkle or Reindeer Caretaker Flash – each child will help ready Santa’s sleigh so he can deliver presents to children around the world. For more information, visit: http://shopinternationalplaza.com/santa Other special Santa events include: Pet Photos: Nov 13 & 20, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Signing Santa Say: Nov 20, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Due to the unprecedented nature of the experience and anticipated high demand, visitors are encouraged to pre-register children for a Santa’s Flight Academy entrance badge online via each shopping center’s website, or through the mobile app available for both Android and iPhone platforms. Registration will also be available onsite at Santa’s Flight Academy kiosks located in each shopping center.) Visit: http://shopinternationalplaza.com/santa More Information Date(s): November 15, 2016 December 14, 2016 Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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Location: 2223 N Westshore Blvd Tampa, FL 33607 http://shopinternationalplaza.co m/santa
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Description When Paul O'Neill first conceived Trans-Siberian Orchestra, his goal was as straightforward as it was incredibly ambitious. "The whole idea," he explains, "was to create a progressive rock band that would push the boundaries (of the genre) further than any group before... Way, way further." With more than 10 million albums sold, TSO has inspired generations of fans to rediscover the multi-dimensional art form of the rock opera. Meanwhile, on the road, they have become one of the world's top acts, with Billboard magazine naming TSO as one of the top touring artists of the past decade -- a $20 millionplus production that has played to over 100 million people in 80+ cities, selling more than $280 million worth of tickets and presenting $11 million to charity. More Information Date(s): December 18, 2016 Hours: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM Admission: $32 - $71.25
Location: 401 Channelside Dr Tampa, FL 33602 http://www.amaliearena.com
The D-10 Society's Celebration of NYE: An Evening of Opulence in 1960s Havana Description The D-10 Society would like to cordially invite you and your guest(s) to join us for its NYE celebration: An Evening of Opulence in 1960s Havana. Although it is "Havana," dress to impress! This themed-event will benefit Kids First, a nonprofit organization. 100% of net proceeds will be donated. Come join our intimate setting with 350 exclusive guests. Dance the night away to a variety of great tunes (including tunes that fit the theme, tunes requested by guests, and some of the best current music). After all of that dancing has you thirsty, head over to the open bar and quench your thirst with a variety of tasty beverages. The event includes a 4 hour open bar, along with the option of purchasing drinks for an hour before and after, should you choose to begin the evening early and party all night long. The location is the beautiful Vault building in downtown Tampa http://www.thevaulttampa.com/ located at 611 N. Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602. Tickets may be purchased at www.thed10society.shindigg.com Admission Price: $150-$250 per person* Highlights of the evening include: -An Open Bar from 8:30 pm 12:30 am (including premium liquors, domestic & import beer, mid-range wine) - Cash bar from 7:30 - 8:30 & 12:30 - 1:30 -Hand-passed hors d'oeuvres, carving stations, and a dessert station -A midnight champagne toast -Non-cash casino-style gaming -Live band, DJ Music, dancing, and entertainment VIP Section Reservation (a separate ticket/admission purchase is required) - 4 sections with space for 6 - 10 available at $732 (includes 22% gratuity). Up to $500 is tax deductible
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- 1 large upstairs room with space for 20 - 25 available for $1830 (includes 22% gratuity). Space has private glass with view of main party area downstairs. Up to $1500 is tax deductible -Reservation includes table-side bottle service from 8:30 - 12:30 -Optional bottles may be purchased from 7:30 - 8:30 & 12:30 1:30 *Purchase early to secure the lowest price. Space is limited and will sell out in advance. This is a cocktail formal/black tie optional event. The 21 and over age limit will be strictly enforced. A 60s Havana theme dress is suggested but not required. Guests are encouraged to use Lyft, Uber, a Taxi, or secure a designated driver. For additional information, please call 731-468-6310 or email d10tampabay@gmail.com More Information Date(s): December 31, 2016 Hours: 7:30 PM - 1:30 AM Location: 611 N. Franklin Street Tampa, FL 33602 http://www.d10society.org
Florida Wind Band Celebrates the Season with Performance Sun., Dec. 18, 7:30 PM––Location: USF School of Music Concert Hall. Florida Wind Band celebrates the season with “Tidings of Good Cheer,” a program of musical favorites to ring in the holidays. Bring the whole family for an evening that is sure to put you in the holiday spirit with classics such as The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky, The Holly and the Ivy by Chip Davis (made popular by Mannheim Steamroller), and Leroy Anderson’s A Christmas Festival. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and will be accessible on the day of the concert at the School of Music Box Office. The price is $10 for students and seniors, $15 general admission. Group Rates are available. Contact us at 813-5319252 to make arraignments. Group rates are not available at the Box Office or through Ticketmaster. For additional information, log on to Floridawindband.org .
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Build a toy with Santa at MOSI It looks like too many boys and girls have been good this year, because Santa is running out of room at the North Pole and he’s adding an extra Santa’s Workshop at the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) in Tampa. He needs your help to make sure his elves can make all of the toys they’ll need for this holiday season. Included with MOSI admission, kids can come to the Idea Zone® creativity lab and make real toys to take home and give to family and friends. Santa’s Workshop at MOSI starts on “Black Friday,” November 25, 2016 and continues through January 3, 2017. Santa himself will visit the workshop during the first three weekends in December (see below for details). Idea Zone® at MOSI will become a Minecraft-inspired winter wonderland, complete with a cubic Christmas tree and Minecraft model train. With help from MOSI’s elftrained staff, guests can get
Santa Claus is opening Santa’s Workshop inside MOSI! Come create a real toy to take home and give as a gift.
hands-on with: • Cardboard creatures – Transform ordinary boxes into real moving machines and make anything from a flapping bird to a dancing elephant. • Retro toy-building classes Spark your imagination and learn woodworking skills as you saw, sand, and hammer toy trains, cars, and other playful inventions. • Santa Sleuths - MOSI’s Elf on a Shelf has raided MOSI’s secret stocking full of 3D-printed toys. We’re looking for a few good Santa Sleuths to join in our reindeer game
and help find the lost toys hidden around MOSI. • Live science shows - MOSI’s STEAMpunks science educators have a toy-box full of science demonstrations to go along with the holiday. Santa will be back at MOSI for brief 90-minute visits on Dec. 17 and 18. “To me, the best kind of gift is a gift you make yourself – especially if you’re a kid. Santa’s Workshop at MOSI gives kids the chance to
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show their creative sides and make something memorable and unique for a friend or family member, instead of only choosing a gift off a shelf,” said Molly Demeulenaere, MOSI President & CEO. No reservations are necessary and hands-on Santa’s Workshop activities are included with MOSI general admission. MOSI is open every Tuesday through Sunday and is closed seasonally on some Mondays; visit mosi.org for daily hours.
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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: EXAM COMPARISONS NEXT EXAM DATES...SAT: Jan 21st, ACT: Feb 11th Wondering if the SAT or the ACT is the better exam to take? Here’s a brief comparison by test section. SAT (Writing and Language) vs ACT (English). These test sections are about the same because “grammar is grammar” and the logical sequencing of sentences, words, and phrases functions on a standard set of analytical rules. SAT (Essay) vs ACT (Essay). These essays are very different, with the SAT being more difficult. The SAT is a combination of an AP Language and Composition Rhetorical and Analytical essay requiring 55 minutes. To score well, a student needs to know and to use key elements such as theme, thesis, syntax, diction, tone, mood, similie, metaphor, alliteration, and persuasive elements. I have had excellent results using a comprehensive critical thinking, analysis, chronological writing pattern, and writing template using question sequences to help my students organize and then express their thoughts well. The ACT is a “compare and contrast” essay requiring 35 minutes with a brief statement of a situation, three differning perspectives, and more stylized response. I have had great success with a “fill in the blank” approach using a standard structure and supporting quotations. SAT (Reading) and ACT (Reading). These sections are very different, with the SAT being more difficult. The SAT has different types of reading passages with 9 – 11 questions per passage. Half of the
questions are either “terrible two’s” with an answer and then separate selection of the best support for that first answer, and “vocabulary in context”. The remaining questions involve different types of analysis, critical thinking, and often making inferences by “reading between the lines”. The ACT has four sub-sections that require “speed reading the passage first” and then answering a wide range of questions. On the ACT, the answers are there and the key is to find them. SAT (Math) and ACT (Math). Both exams test arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. The major difference is that the average length of an SAT question is 6 – 7 lines with some questions over 15 lines, while the average length of an ACT question is 3 lines. So the SAT takes additional skills in reading, sorting out the important facts, translating into mathematical problem, and solving … which takes more time. My students tell me the ACT Math is definitely easier. ACT (Science Reasoning). Only on the ACT exam, this section has nothing to do with knowing Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or other sciences. It is essentially another Reading section where the student finds answers from charts and graphs, experiments, and differing opinions of scientists about a topic. Speed reading does not help much, as it does in the Reading section, but “bottom up” reading for key concepts and ideas is essential. Net Result: The Shift to ACT Continues. The two key reasons continue to be that the ACT Exam has changed little (except for the
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By Dr. Wayne Adams
essay), is totally acceptable as a standardized exam for college admissions officers, and if a student takes the ACT then that student does not have to take any SAT Subject Tests (as most top colleges require for full consideration). And More Students are taking my combination ACT and SAT Prep Class that saves 15 class hours from preparing separately for each exam. If you would like to talk with my further about your student and my classes, please contact me at 727-2530639 or at wwa0811@mykolab.com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the top SAT and ACT Tutors in the country and a former Dean of a Graduate School of Business and Full Professor. His students have been
admitted to Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, Princeton, Cornell, Duke, U Chicago, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Georgia Tech, UCLA, USC, Boston College, Northeastern, UF, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Gulf Coast, St. Leo’s, New College of Florida, U Miami, FIU, and many other colleges and universities; often with academic, athletic, or music scholarships. Normally, student scores increase 200 to 350 points on the SAT (Writing, Reading, Math, and Essay), and 4 – 8 points on the ACT. He has degrees and advanced studies from Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Columbia International, and Luther Rice. He is at wwa0811@mykolab.com or at 727253-0639.
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Trinity Family Physicians Recognizes Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award Winner Andre Kirwan of No Strings Attached By Julie Kanehl Local physicians, Stephanie Eldridge, MD and Amir Shirmohammad, MD are a husband and wife team who started Trinity Family Physicians many years ago with the sole purpose of making a difference in the lives of the families they treated. Trinity Family Physicians is now a thriving and busy practice that hundreds of families turn to when they need medical care. Growing up here and now raising their own family here, the doctors at Trinity Family Physicians are heavily involved in the community, and they wanted to create a way to recognize local individuals who make a positive impact on the Tampa Bay Area, so they developed the Tampa Bay Making a Difference Award. Trinity Family Physicians proudly announces that the next Tampa Bay
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Making a Difference Award winner is Andre Kirwan of No Strings Attached, a charity in every sense of the word. No Strings Attached is a completely non-profit organization that gives to those in need on Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings without receiving a single thing in return, hence the name, No Strings Attached. And The Winner Is: Andre Kirwan of No Strings Attached Andre Kirwan, MBA, and Vice President of The Bank of Tampa is considered a Superman by many, but he’d probably describe himself more as a Clark Kent, or even more likely, as just “Pastor Kirwan.” A Youth Pastor at MorningStar Church, Kirwan is humble, giving, inspiring and sincere. In his spare time, he coaches football at Berkeley Prep, is President of the Warrick Dunn Foundation, and of course, he is 100 percent devoted to
Andre Kirwan helps to distribute clothing to those in need through No Strings Attached charity No Strings Attached, which collects and donates thousands of items to homeless people on Thanksgiving Day and on Christmas Day. Every year,
No Strings Attached donates things that people in our community truly need: Socks, coats, clothes, shoes, underpants, and prayer – a lot of prayer.
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friend and right-hand-man in this ministry, Dr. Neal Sayers. Sayers collected donations all-year-round at his office, and his motto was “Go big or go home, baby.” When he brought his motto to No Strings Attached, more and more people benefited. His legacy now lives on through his children, who come out each year to support the homeless. For Kirwan, his loss cuts deep, but through his life and even his passing, more and more people have come out to answer the call of the needy and joined forces with No Strings Attached. Partnering with other ministries in the area, such as Dressed for Success (which helps men and women find clothing suitable for job interviews), Trinity Café, Hyde Park United Methodist, Open Arms, True Holiness Church, Martha Shepley, and The Prince of Peace Ministry, no suitable donation goes to waste. Anything that is left over is donated or kept for the next giveaway. If you would like to support this great organization through your donation of items, resources or simply your time, visit www.nosacares.org and become part of the difference in the Tampa Bay area. Dr. Shirmo and Dr. Eldridge would like to take this opportunity to thank Andre for his hard work and dedication. Trinity Family Physicians hopes that this story inspires others in our community to pursue their passion and answer their own calling to help make our community better by Making a Difference in Tampa Bay! Trinity Family Physicians has
No Strings Attached Truly Makes a Difference in Tampa Bay No Strings Attached was born nearly a decade ago, when Kirwan woke up overcome by the realization that he had blessings in spades that many others didn’t have. That November morning, he received a calling to give to others what many took for
granted, so he emptied his closets, called his friends and asked them to do the same. His vision didn’t involve money; it involved actually getting out there into the community and giving – pure and simple. “I realized that we were forgetting traditional values. We live among so much surplus,” says Kirwan. “So, I decided to put my time where my mouth is, and spend time with these people in their circumstances, roll up my sleeves and look these people in the eye, sit down and listen to them, then give them what I can.” Together with his network of friends and family through the many organizations that he worked with, No Strings Attached began to make a difference in the community. Kirwan talks of hugs he received from people who were down on their luck, people who hadn’t had a clean shirt, or even a clean pair of underwear for so long. These are the things that we take for granted; yet, there are people in our community who view these things as blessings and privileges. Kirwan says, “Last year we surpassed 40,000 items donated between Thanksgiving and Christmas and had over 70 volunteers that helped us serve a record 500 plus recipients on Christmas morning alone! We have come a long way from year one, 2007, when 1,448 items were distributed. Together, we have reached new heights, and every single item donated matters and will go to good use. No donation amount is too large or too small.” In 2012, Kirwan lost his good
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Kirwan says, “Family is first for me. My brother, sister, mom and dad paved the way for me,” He adds, “God has wired me to realize that it’s not about me. Instead, I want to leave a legacy of the heart, and I try to leave everything I touch a little bit better.” When interviewing Kirwan for this article, he deflected any praise toward God and to his parents, who worked hard and set an example for him. His father worked in the train and airline food service industry to put himself through medical school, and his mother worked as a nurse. Together they worked hard to provide for their family, and they were able to put Kirwan into private school at Academy of Holy Names in Tampa, then Jesuit High School, and eventually Stanford University. Originally intending to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a doctor, Kirwan found himself heavily recruited to play football, which he did professionally in the Canadian Football League for eight years. After he retired from football, he went into banking as a way of helping people. He recently earned his MBA from USF, and is deserving of this award for his true dedication and commitment to others.
become a dedicated site to drop off clothing and other items for Andre Kirwan and No Strings Attached. Dr. Shirmo says, “We will collect items for the entire month of November and December until we close for the Christmas Holidays. We will continue to do this annually and help Andre and his charity Make a Difference in Tampa Bay!”
Nominate Someone for the Next “Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award” Trinity Family Physicians’ Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award will continue to honor individuals who make a difference. If you know someone who makes a difference in the lives of others in Tampa Bay, Trinity Family Physicians and Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles want to hear from you! Please submit your nominees (and tell us why they qualify) for the next Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award by email at editorial@nnlflorida.com. Trinity Family Physicians and Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles ask that you please share your thoughts and comments with us on our facebook pages: facebook.com/trinityfamilyphysicians and facebook.com/neighborhoodnewslifestyles. Trinity Family Physicians is located at 1817 Cypress Brook Drive, Suite 101 in Trinity, FL. Log on to trinityfamilyphysicians.com for additional information about Dr. Eldridge and Dr. Shirmohammad. VOLUME 2 ISSUE 12
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Wheelchairs 4 Kids Seeking Sponsors and Foursomes for 2nd Annual Kimberly Knorr Memorial Celebrity Golf Tournament Wheelchairs 4 Kids 2nd Annual Kimberly Knorr Memorial Celebrity Golf Tournament presented by Ferman Business Elite Tampa is currently seeking sponsors and foursomes for the event labeled one of the best charity golf tournaments in Tampa Bay! The tournament is scheduled for January 26th at Cypress Run Golf Course in Tarpon Springs. The 2nd Annual Kimberly Knorr Memorial Celebrity Golf Tournament is named in honor of Kimberly Knorr, who was a founding board member and president of Wheelchairs 4 Kids. She passed away suddenly on June
23rd, 2015. She was only 45. Kim was an amazing woman who gave so much to make Wheelchairs 4 Kids such a success. Her husband, Randy Knorr, two-time World Series champion and current Assistant GM of the Washington Nationals, chairs this event. We will have athletes from the world of s28-29ports participating including Vinny Testaverde, Steve DeBerg, and Ian Desmond. Sonny’s will provide lunch and Cypress Run will host an Awards Dinner. Vendors on the course include Tito’s Vodka, Great Bay Distributing, P.F. Chang’s and Bonefish Grill, to name a
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Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
(L)Randy Knorr, chairman and 2-time World Series Champion, and MLB first baseman Ryan Howard, currently with the Philadelphia Phillies.
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Wheelchairs 4 Kids is dedicated to improving the lives of children with physical disabilities by providing wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications as well as other assistive devices at no charge to the families. Many children in the United States faced with living with physical disabilities are in wheelchairs that are too small, in disrepair, or do not fit the needs of the child. Not only is it unsafe for a child to be in a chair that is inadequate for their needs, but it can impact their health in numerous ways including scoliosis, respiratory problems and pressure sores. Additionally, families are faced with trying to care for their special needs children in homes that have not been modified to meet their specific circumstances. Children outgrow their wheelchairs before government or insurance programs will allow for a replacement. Your sponsorship can help Wheelchairs 4 Kids continue to help these children.
Vinny Testaverde and Aiden We are honored that Ferman Business Elite didn’t hesitate to be the Presenting Sponsor. Foursomes are $750, and singles are $200. Early booking discounts are available through November 12th.
few. Due to the caliber of our celebrities and the quality of our tournament, we attract foursomes from some of the best known businesses in Tampa Bay! It is a great networking opportunity!
Sponsorship Opportunities! Wheelchairs 4 Kids is seeking sponsors. There is a sponsorship opportunity to fit any marketing budget. Available sponsorships range from $100 for a Hole Sponsor to $5,000.
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For more information on purchasing sponsorships or a foursome, please visit Wheelchairs4kids.org (Wheelchairs the number 4 kids dot org) or call 727-946-0963.
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