Vol. 9, Issue 4, April 2021
Your community. Your magazine. ™
®
The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 Homes In Carrollwood, Lake Magdalene & Avila
Trust the Experts at CMK Construction for All Your Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Needs By Tom Bostock When Manny and his wife Courtney started CMK Construction, it was with a commitment to quality products and outstanding customer service. Even though, according to their website, www. cmkconstruction.com, CMK Construction has been serving the Tampa area as the Kitchen and Bath Experts since 2004 and has over 17 years’ experience in kitchen and bath renovations, let’s find out what some of their friends and neighbors, their former customers, think of their own individual experiences with them from their testimonials on the CMK website:
Master Bath Remodel Carol S. 3 months ago:
“Thank you, CMK, for the great teamwork from start to finish. Salesman Jordan explained what needed to be
done, Natassa was great in helping with design. A special thank you to Eric and Jeff, who used their expertise and professional skills to create a beautiful Master Bath. They are the best of the best. The bathroom looks great and I couldn’t be happier.”
Kitchen remodel
John C. 2 months ago: “Folks, I’m not sure why you would call any other company in the Greater Tamps Bay area. CMK is the best. From Jessica, who came out and did the design. To working with Natassa in the showroom to pick out tile, grout etc.. Then Dylan working with us as the project manager. Man, I cannot say anymore about how they handled everything. Oh wait, how about Scott and Joe working on the project directly. You cannot and will See “CMK” on page 16
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Editor................................................5 Tech Talk with Bob...........................................8-9 Heart Health................................................12-13 SAT/ACT Improvement...............................14-15
2 APRIL 2021
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4 APRIL 2021
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Go Blue - April is Autism Awareness Month The fourteenth annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2021. Throughout the month, supporters focus on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, fostering worldwide support. Since COVID-19 became a global pandemic, socializing was put on the back burner, as well as many other activities involving large crowds. Many public events have been postponed or canceled, but being supportive and kind to those around us should never be put off. This 2021, we should be more committed than ever to be helpful towards those in need. The Autism community needs our constant support, kindness and compassion. If you’re active on social media, we invite you to post and use #LightUpWithKindness. How Can You Show Some Support aside from Hash tagging on social media? Puzzle Ribbon - The Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon is the most recognized symbol of the autism community not just in the United States but all over the world. Autism prevalence is now one in every 59 children in America. Show your support for people and children with autism by wearing the Autism Awareness Puzzle Ribbon - as a pin on your shirt, a magnet on your car, a badge on your blog, or even your Facebook profile picture - and educate folks on the potential of people with autism. Connect with your neighborhoods - Many Autism Society local affiliates
hold special events in their communities throughout the entire month of April. But if you can’t find an event that suits you, why not create your own and invite others? Autism-friendly and educational activities take place all month, aiming to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, foster worldwide support and inspire a kinder, more inclusive world. Some Tampa Bay local events and workshops include; Sensory Sensitive Sundays at Chuck E. Cheese. Events all Month. Please visit: https://www.chuckecheese. com/eve/sensory-sensitive-sundays/ All month - April 2021, Love Serving Autism. More details at: www.ustaflorida.com Please get in touch with me if you have any events you’d like to share with our community. Whether virtual or faceto-face, we’re always looking to support our community. f you’re able to, please donate to the Autism Society - your financial donation can help improve the lives of people impacted by autism. Every dollar raised by the Autism Society allows them to improve the capabilities and services of their over 100 nationwide affiliates, provide the best national resource database and contact center specializing in autism, and increase public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with ASD and their families. Until next time,
Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi.
6 APRIL 2021
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Tech Talk with Bob: Beware What You Post! Note From Bob: I AM NOT A LAWYER. Nor do I claim to be any kind of legal expert in any way. Do not rely on any of this information for legal purposes. It is intended for informational purposes only. Contact a legal professional should you have a need or concern to clarify any of the following you are about to read. And now on with the show… Social media websites can be a lot of fun. They can also be an excellent and efficient way to stay in touch with friends and family. They provide a platform to reach out and share your thoughts and ideas. A lot of people share their creativity online, whether it is writing articles, short stories, or poetry. Perhaps you may have shared your photography, paintings, sketches, or videos. Maybe you are a musician and want to share your songs. The popularity of these sites is obvious with the millions, and billions, of
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folks who use them daily. Social media websites can be a great outlet where you can tell your entire story, and usually for free. Ok, I know you are smart enough to realize that most free things in life come with a catch. Think about the websites you interact with and especially those sites where you post personal information about yourself. They usually have a “Terms of Service” or “Terms of Use” policy. If you use any social media websites, then you have agreed to their specific policy. Before most sites will let you post anything on them, you must agree to their policy terms whether you like them or not. Many social media website users have agreed to these policies without ever taking the time to read them. Are you one of them? Come on, you can tell me. I’m willing to bet you did not read their Terms of Use. If you didn’t, well, you’re not alone. Most people are so
impatient with getting setup on a social media website that they don’t always read the “fine print.” Sure, it’s in a small font and it’s long, so you just click “accept” and get on with your life. Right? Now, anything you post on their website is still your intellectual property, but now you have given them license to do pretty much anything they want with your stuff you post. Here is an excerpt from Facebook’s terms: “The permissions you give us. We need certain permissions from you to
provide our services: 1) Permission to use content you create and share: Some content that you share or upload, such as photos or videos, may be protected by intellectual property laws. You own the intellectual property rights (things like copyright or trademarks) in any such content that you create and share on Facebook and the other Facebook Company Products you use. Nothing in these Terms takes away the rights you have to your own content. You are free to share your content with anyone else, wherever you want. However, to provide our services we need you to give us some legal permissions (known as a ‘license’) to use this content. This is solely for the purposes of providing and improving our Products and services as described in Section 1 above. Specifically, when you share, post, or upload content that is covered by intellectual property
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rights on or in connection with our Products, you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sublicensable, royalty-free, and worldwide license to host, use, distribute, modify, run, copy, publicly perform or display, translate, and create derivative works of your content (consistent with your privacy and application settings). This means, for example, that if you share a photo on Facebook, you give us permission to store, copy, and share it with others (again, consistent with your settings) such as service providers that support our service or other Facebook Products you use. This license will end when your content is deleted from our
systems.” Facebook then goes on to tell you that even though you may have deleted your content and perhaps even closed your account; they still have license to your content if you have shared this content with another Facebook user who still has your content on their page. Now please understand, this is not an attack on Facebook or any other social media site. Regardless of the social media website(s) you may have joined, you will most likely find that these company’s policies are remarkably similar. And I certainly am not saying that social media sites
are looking to usurp your content. But you should be aware of what you are allowing others to do with your content when you post to these websites. I highly encourage you to become completely familiar with the polices of any websites in which you post content that is personal and/or intellectual property that you rather not license for free or for just anyone to use. You may not really care if any of your social media content is being freely used. However, you need to be aware of this, because someday you might prefer to be a little more selective about what you post online. Be Safer My Friend. Cyber criminals
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will exploit the easy, unprotected systems. Protecting your data is your responsibility, but you don’t have to do it all by yourself. My staff and I are here to help you navigate through these cumbersome and often confusing tasks. If you are not sure your computer is safe, please have it looked over by a Professionally Certified Computer Technician. If you need a certified professional, call us now at 727-534-4000. We’ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades. We Keep You Safer In Your Digital World!
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10 APRIL 2021
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Four Numbers to Know for Your Heart Health Your heart: It’s the engine that helps your body function and allows you to enjoy all life has to offer — from favorite activities to relationships with friends and family members. Heart disease affects approximately 84 million Americans and is the number one cause of death for men and women every year. Take control of your heart health by learning about four key numbers — and what you can do to keep them where they need to be. 1. Blood Pressure High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart failure and stroke. Also called hypertension, high blood pressure can cause blockages in the arteries, reducing the flow of oxygen to the heart and making it work harder. The American Heart Association released new guidelines for blood pres-
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sure and treatment. • Normal: Under 120/80 • Elevated: 120129/80 • Stage 1 Hypertension: 130-139/80-89 • Stage 2 Hypertension: Higher than 140/90
Your doctor will help you understand what these new targets mean for you and if any treatment is necessary. Treatment may include a heart-healthy diet, more physical activity or medication to help control your blood pressure.
2. Cholesterol Cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance that is found in the body and produced in the liver and other cells. It can also come from eating foods that are high in fat. High levels of cholesterol can
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cause blockages of the arteries, potentially leading to a heart attack. A desirable total cholesterol level is less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). An annual blood test can monitor your levels and help your doctor make recommendations tailored to your health. 3. Blood Sugar High blood sugar levels may indicate that you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, two conditions that can greatly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association considers diabetes to be one of the major controllable risk factors for heart disease. A normal blood sugar level after fasting is 100 mg/dL. 4. Body Mass Index (BMI) Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor in many life-threatening diseases, including diabetes, cancer, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome,
and heart disease. Your BMI is a calculation based on your height and weight and can indicate whether you are overweight or obese. People are considered overweight starting at a BMI of 25 and obese at 30 or higher. 15 Minutes Fifteen minutes is all it takes to save a life. That’s how long it takes to get a simple health screening that gives you the information you need to live a heart healthy life. Talk to your primary care provider about what preventive measures or screenings are right for you. Your doctor can also assess your heart health at your annual physical, an important part of managing your whole health. It’s just one of many reasons you should see a doctor in times of both health and wellness.
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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: IN THE AGE OF COVID 19 By Dr. Wayne Adams More and more, parents I talk with each month are expressing this concern as we continue this educational year of on-line and hybrid courses in most public and private high schools. Then invariably comes the question, “Can your SAT and ACT Courses help?” My answer is, “Yes they do, and have since I started tutoring years ago.” Many parents of my students have often said that what my students learn greatly helps them in their regular high school courses in multiple ways: critical thinking, speed reading,
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new strategies for quickly finding answers, detailed math review, and motivation. Recently I have had several students who were very bright, but their parents were very concerned about their “very relaxed motivation” and not really applying themselves academically. About halfway through the course, they realized the value of “doing their best”, which always involves the question, “How hard are you willing to work?” Many of you know that I do not give homework between classes, I give “suggestions”. One reason is because we never know
what life will bring the next few days or weeks, so I never want a student to “not to want to come to
class” because they haven’t done their homework. Another reason is because it gives me a quick indication
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of their actual motivation, no matter what they may say. Yes, actions do speak louder than words. When these two students saw how quickly they were learning, they started doing the “suggestions” and saw they were improving even more. They decided to see just “how high they could fly”, and their scores “took off”. In our classes, we have an interesting psychological track which begins during the first half-hour of our first class. The first question is, “Who is this guy who is the tutor?” As we get to know each other, invariably students relax as they hear about the foundations of our classes and how we will be working together. Second is, “Can you
help me?” The answer comes very quickly within the first half of our first class … a resounding “Yes”. Third is, “How much can you help me?” By the second or third class, their answer is “A lot!” Almost all of my students then take the fourth step which is, “Let’s see just how well I can do!” At the end of our first class, I always ask my student(s) what they found most surprising about the class. Here are some answers. “I learned so much so fast.” “The time went by so quickly.” “That I really enjoyed it.” “You are not like any other teacher I have had.” “When you said we would be working interactively, we actually did!”
The spring and summer test exam dates are as follows: SAT on May 8th, June 5th, and August 28th; ACT on June 12th, and July 17th. My seniors are focusing in increasing their scores to qualify for higher Bright Futures’ scholarships. They all understand that this is like having a job that pays them $50 to $100 an hour (tax free) to study and perform. The last exams they can take to qualify are the SAT on June 5th, and the ACT on June 12th. We laughingly call this, “Dialing for Dollars!” My juniors are seeing if they can score at the level where they will not need to take time from their senior year to study for these exams. It is not unusual for them to want to take an exam in early June, or the ACT in mid-July. Studying over the summer is also attractive because they do not have the pressure of regular schoolwork and can focus more on getting their best exam scores. My sophomores are preparing early for these exams, plus getting ready for their PSAT next October which is the only qualifying exam for National Merit Scholarships. To date, I have had three students qualify as National Merit Finalists. If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727-253-0639 or send me an e mail at wwa0811@ mykolab.com.
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Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200 – 350 points on the Writing, Reading, Writing and Essay, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to 8 of the top 10 universities in the country, 18 of the top 25, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Naval - Air Force - Merchant Marine Service Academies, Penn State, LSU, Auburn, UF, U Miami, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, FIU, New College of Florida, Stetson, and Julliard – Manhattan - New England - and Berkley Conservatories of Music. Many have received academic, athletic, or music scholarships. This year, he also tutored three juniors who scored at the national merit finalist/semi-finalist levels on the most recent PSAT. He is a former Dean of a Graduate School of Business and Full Professor, and began college teaching at the University of Maryland in 1968. He has degrees and advanced studies at Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Columbia International, and Luther Rice.
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“CMK”
- continued from page 1 not do any better. The professionalism, customer service, follow up as well as helpfulness on the entire process was awesome. If you choose a different team, I feel sorry for you... Ownership should be truly proud of these team members!!”
Galley Kitchen update Colleen M. 3 months ago:
“From beginning to completion of my galley kitchen, my experience with CMK has been phenomenal!!! Derrick the designer, Michael the project manager and Joe and Romy the contractors have conducted themselves in a courteous, professional manner and made me feel like my project was foremost.
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I couldn’t be happier with the personal attention I have received from Michael and Joe. I highly recommend CMK and will be using them on my future projects.”
Bathroom remodel
Bernardo C. 3 months ago:
“Our experience was excellent. This was directly due to the Project Manager Dillon and the incredible crew of Scotty and Joe that did the work from demo to finish. Very meticulous workers and Dillon was very hands on in supporting his crew.” These are not only ringing endorsements for the quality of work performed by CMK Construction, but proof of the professionalism of its in-house staff, from the sales agent to the designer of your project to the project
manager and installation workers. Separating themselves from the competition, CMK maintains two accredited designer professionals whose services they provide without charge to their customers. It is just one more way, CMK goes the extra mile for you! With a 5 out 5 ratings based on 59 reviews, their customers have given CMK Construction their unqualified approval, which explains their BBB accredited business rating of A+, 2020 People’s Choice Best of the Best Bathroom and Kitchen (Tampa Bay Times) and 2019 Angie’s List 2019 Super Service Award. Additional awards and accreditations have come from Home Advisor and Thumbtack. Manny explained CMK is under consideration for additional awards this year.
Known for their quality and committed to providing exceptional customer service, CMK offers you, their customers, a range of outstanding products for all your remodeling needs. They are especially proud of their Schluter certification. Schluter is a German company that has developed a waterproofing system that, when installed as part of your bathroom remodel, carries a
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lifetime guarantee. CMK continuously trains all its installation employees yearly on Schluter’s latest techniques. Manufacturers like Elysium, Delta, and Moen provide state-of-the-art faucets and hardware while industry leaders like Brizo, MSI, Cambria, Radianz beautify their kitchen counters. Matched with beautiful cabinets from Fabuwood, Wellborn, and R. D. Henry, an ordinary kitchen becomes extraordinary, your dream one. As the CMK website notes, “CMK Construction also sets itself apart as a kitchen remodeling company with multiple certifications. As a statedcertified general contractor that is Lead Safe Certified with the EPA, you can trust that your project is in the hands of a highly knowledgeable group.” Offering a full range of quality products for all your remodeling needs including kitchen and bath fixtures, countertops and kitchen cabinets, backsplashes, flooring and even under and over counter accent lighting incorporated into your design, your choices are many. It is obvious from my interview with co-owner Manny that he came by his love of remodeling and working with his hands naturally. When his father came
to this country from Greece, he began a painting business. Manny said that for him remodeling was a three-step process: consult, design, and build, with each an integral part of the finished product. During the consultation phase, customers meet with the team’s designers to decide what elements should be part of their design. They can choose to work with their designer’s suggestions or provide their own blueprint designs. CMK is perfectly willing to work with either. During the pre-construction meeting, they complete all plans, order materials that may not be in stock, and schedule the remodel for construction when they receive the material. To aid in the open communications process between their client and CMK Construction, they go one step further and assign an experienced individual Project Manager to each remodel. He is the contact person for each customer and is available to answer questions throughout the course of the project. This and a one-year workmanship warranty, besides individual manufacturer’s hardware ones, make up what Manny called CMK’s unique “peace of mind
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warranty.” The CMK Construction website explains why Tampa Bay consistently picks CMK Constructions for their remodeling needs: “That’s not the only reason that customers continue to hire our kitchen and bathroom remodeling company. We are a consistently top pick among Tampa homeowners because we offer a wide range of products and services. Whether you want a complete bathroom makeover or just a standalone service, you can expect beautiful and long-lasting results. We have all the knowledge, skills, and resources that we need to complete any of your renovation goals.” With so many competitors out there, it is sometimes difficult to know who to choose. Anyone can place an ad saying they are a bath and kitchen remodeling contractor but ask yourself if they have 17 years of proven satisfied customer experience, at workforce of at least 70 skilled employees, have won multiple customer service awards, earned several certifications, and offer the Shluter’s lifetime leakproof guarantee, to name just a few of the many advantages of working with the CMK Construction professionals. If you can’t say yes to each of those questions, you need to call CMK Construction today, your state certified general contractor, and enjoy your professionally installed remodel tomorrow. As Manny notes in the introduction to his website: “Your Tampa home is more than your refuge from the worldit is also one of your most important investments. That is why, when you are ready to invest in a bathroom remodel or a kitchen remodel, you need a remodeling contractor with a proven reputation for exceptional results.” Think CMK Construction. CMK Construction is moving to a new location at 13329 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33635 (813) 767 0646, but the showroom is still temporarily at 440 Roberts Rd, Ste #4, Oldsmar, FL 34677 (727) 513 3185. Call or visit today. Just a short drive from anywhere in the Tampa Bay area.
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