Vol. 9, Issue 2, February 2021
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Your community. Your magazine. ™
The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 Homes In Carrollwood, Lake Magdalene & Avila
Sleep Better Tampa Provides Safe HomeBased Sleep Apnea Service During Covid By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Did you know that you have a greater risk of severe complications from Covid if you suffer from snoring or untreated sleep apnea? “When it comes to talking about Covid complications and sleep apnea, there’s a huge correlation,” said Dr. Juliet Bulnes-Newton, founder of Sleep Better Tampa (part of Westchase Esthetic Family Dentistry, a practice she owns and operates with Dr. Laura Goodwin). Dr. Juliet Bulnes-Newton, a local sleep expert and American Board of Dental
Sleep Medicine (ABDSM) Diplomate, has practiced dentistry for over 20 years, with a focus on dental sleep medicine for nearly a decade. She founded Sleep Better Tampa as part of Westchase Esthetic Family Dentistry, a practice she owns and operates with Dr. Laura Goodwin. If you or a loved one have difficulty sleeping, snore frequently, still feel tired upon waking, or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a safe, nonsurgical treatment is available as an alternative to the often noisy and sometimes expensive CPAP machine. Sleep apnea is a serious See “Sleep Apnea” on page 16
Dr. Juliet Bulnes-Newton
Tampa’s Centrally Located Country Club and Championship Golf Course:
The Place to Meet, Play, Celebrate, & Stay! By Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi When Dale Mabry Highway was a two-lane road that led motorists into the “country” lined with orange groves, the Carrollwood Village Golf and Country Club was built in 1972. Not only was it the largest Country Club community in Greater Tampa Bay, but it included 27 holes of Championship Golf that brought
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Editor................................................5 Tech Talk with Bob........................................................8 SAT/ACT Improvement.................................14-15
golfers and home builders to the area of Northwest Hillsborough County, known as Carrollwood Village. Over the past 47 years, the iconic Carrollwood Country Club (CCC) has become inextricably tied to one of Tampa’s most coveted communities, Carrollwood. Nearly every story of growing up in Carrollwood includes
See “CCC” on page 12
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February is Full of History! I want to start by saying Congratulations to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on their incredible and historic 2021 NFC Championship win. Since Tom Brady signed with the Bucs this offseason, not one but three professional Tampa Bay teams have made it to their respective championship matchups. My beloved Tampa Bay bolts ended the 2020 season as the Stanley Cup champions after beating the Dallas Stars. The Tampa Bay Rays made it to the World Series in October but fell to the L. A Dodgers, and now, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have a chance to win the Super Bowl this February. Go Bucs! Besides football, February is full of romance and food. Many of the days celebrated in national monthly events during February are food-oriented; I see you “Valentine’s Day” and “Chocolate Lover’s Month.” If you’ve read any of my previous articles and editorials, you know how big of a foodie I am, but this is not my focus. February also happens to host “American Heart Month” and “Black history month,” a couple of important causes that I wanted to bring awareness into. Focusing on your heart health has never been more important. Heart disease is the No.1 killer of Americans. People with poor cardiovascular health are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The good news is that heart disease is preventable in most cases with healthy choices, which include: • Not smoking. • Maintaining a healthy weight. • Controlling blood sugar and cholesterol. • Treating high blood pressure. • Getting at least 150 minutes of moderateintensity physical activity a week. • Getting regular checkups. Research shows that we’re more successful at meeting personal health goals when we make them “public,” which gives us a sense of accountability. So if you’re
on social media, that means sharing your personal goals on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social platforms. Share your health goals with your relatives, friends, and acquaintances using hashtag #AmericanHeartMonth and #OurHearts, and see what others all over the country are doing to reach their goals. Bring awareness to the importance of having a self-care routine and inspire yourself and others to have a healthy heart! Since 1976, every American President has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The Black History Month 2021 theme, “Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity,” explores the dispersion and diversity of Black families across the United States. February is an opportunity to honor Black Americans’ too-often neglected accomplishments in every area of endeavor throughout history. Some ways to celebrate Black History Month include but are not limited to; Supporting an African American business. Visiting a Black History or Civil Rights Museum in your local area. Donating to a Black charity or non-profit organization. Signing up to mentor an African American child in your community. Calling out racism and prejudice in your community. Reading books and articles on Black leaders, authors, and other historical figures, amongst others. I hope you’re all still finding ways to stay positive, strong, and healthy throughout these unprecedented pandemic times. I know we were all hoping and expecting COVID19 to stay in 2020 and be over by now, but it’s still in full force. Please continue to do your part, and continue to make smart and healthy choices for yourself and your loved ones. Until next time,
Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi
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By Bob Dalles
Tech Talk with Bob: Upgrade Safely
If you just got a new computer or are thinking about upgrading to a new system, you might just have a need for my team. Clients have found peace of mind with these two services we offer businesses and individuals. Data Transfers: If you are upgrading from an older computer to a newer one, you probably want to have all of your personal data transferred from your old computer to your new computer too. A lot of folks ask me if we can move their existing data (music, pictures, documents, videos, etc.) from their old computer to their new computer. We do this routinely. Clients tell me countless stories of data losses from attempting to transfer their files without using the proper techniques. We will safely and securely move your data quickly and painlessly. If the reason you are getting a new computer is because your old computer will not boot up, I usually can still recover your data off of your old dead system. Once you have upgraded to your new computer and have successfully transferred all of your pictures, documents, and other personal files over to it, what do you do with your old computer? First, never throw your old computer into the trash. It needs to be disposed of properly and responsibly because it contains elements that are not safe for our environment. In addition, most municipalities have laws
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and impose fines in regard to the proper/improper disposal of these items. Second, your discarded computer has a disk drive in it (hard disk drive/solid state drive) that stores your information, including your personal data. Even if you delete your personal files, there are still methods cyber criminals can use to extract data that you thought was permanently erased. Therefore your data on your old computer sitting by the curb or in a dumpster can be intercepted by anyone willing to rummage through your trash from the time you throw it out to the time it gets to the landfill. That is why I also offer my clients… Safe and Secure System Disposals: Let me explain the process. First, we remove the disk drive mounted inside your computer that actually stores all of your personal data and private information. It is usually in the form of a hard disk drive or solid-state drive. Second, we disassemble and dispose of the remaining components through proper industry channels we have in place. At this point all that is left is your old disk drive. Finally, we place that drive into an industrial shredder that converts the drive into a pile of rubble. There is no way any data will get into the hands of anyone, let alone cyber criminals, through an old computer we discarded. We can provide you with this quick and easy way to dispose of your old environmentally toxic computer. Plus, you also
have peace of mind knowing that the data that was on your old computer is safe and inaccessible because your computer has been dismantled and its disk drive is no longer in one piece. Cyber criminals 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 system 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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“CCC” - Story Continued from page 1 fond memories of swimming for the Carrollwood Village Swim Team (CVST), attending a special event in the CCC banquet rooms, or spending Independence Day on the CCC golf course where Tampa’s best community fireworks light up Carrollwood the Saturday before the 4th of July. Conveniently located only 20 minutes from Tampa International Airport, CCC remains central and provides the best of a Country Club lifestyle in the heart of one of America’s fastest-growing communities. Whether you are looking for a place to play, a place to meet, a place to celebrate, or a place to stay, CCC has something for all interests and ages. Carrollwood Country Club is known as Carrollwood’s meeting place for the North Tampa Bar Association, the Carrollwood Rotary Club, the Carrollwood Area Business Association (CABA), and many other business, civic and charitable groups. With 5000+ square feet of meeting space, gourmet cuisine, and expert concierge staff, CCC has earned its reputation as one of Tampa’s favorite meeting venues. Whether in the quiet of a distraction-free meeting room, the Casual Bar & Grille, the Formal Dining Room, or on the spacious outdoor terrace, members confidently host and entertain their clients and guests in their Home Club. “The service is phenomenal, and the bartenders are top-notch!” says Woodrow S. Customer Barbara K. agrees, saying, “Beautiful golf course and friendly atmosphere.” For members who look for variety and travel options outside of their Home Club, CCC is part of the 20+ affiliate club groups of Concert Golf properties. Members enjoy knowing that their Home Club’s quality and the benefits of their CCC membership will be matched by reciprocal clubs that span from America’s East Coast to as far west as Phoenix, Arizona. And for those seeking a Florida “Staycation,” few local clubs offer the kind of “Stay and Play” accommodations of Emerald Greens Condo Resort on the property of Carrollwood Country Club. Elegant condo-style accommodations are provided in 50 condominiums decorated like a golfer’s lodge. Additional amenities include golf packages, a business center, transportation arrangements, tee times, and luggage/golf club storage. Not only do members enjoy hosting their business colleagues at Emerald Greens, but CCC is also often the first choice for visiting family members or guests attending special events ranging from
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weddings, graduation parties, banquets, or quinceaneras. For nearly five decades, Carrollwood Country Club has been the first choice for Club members and community members to host their special events in one of four (4) distinctive banquet rooms, including the spacious terrace overlooking the perfect background of the golf course. Many prefer hosting their holiday parties at CCC, where they enjoy the convenience of having a gourmet chef and concierge at their disposal. Each event features access to an onsite coordinator and catering staff who oversee every detail. Customer Kelly W. recommends CCC stating, “What a great place to hold special events. Thank you to the catering managers and event planners. We will be back soon!” For the gourmet or the wine connoisseur, CCC features Bacchus Wine Dinners, including a perfectly paired, fivecourse dinner with featured wines. For music lovers, CCC includes live music every Friday and special events like “Hot Night in Havana,” that feature dinner, dancing, drink specials, and live entertainment. Daily specials include 2 for Tuesday, Wednesday is Mexican Fiesta night featuring delicious tacos, burritos, chimichangas, taco salads, and Margarita specials. Thursday is Prime Rib Night, Friday Live Music, and Saturday Apps & Taps.
The Tennis & Aquatics Center (TAC) offers many opportunities to burn some of the calories from the CCC’s gourmet cuisine and libations. There are eight (8) tennis courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a Junior Olympic-sized, heated swimming pool. Kids enjoy the Splash Pad & Playground, and many children learn to play tennis, swim, or golf in Kids Camps and the Resort Sports Camp. With 27 holes of Championship Golf, CCC includes three (3) challenging courses: Cypress, Meadow, and Pine. It’s hard to believe that the lush greens of CCC are a short drive from downtown Tampa. Reflecting the best that Florida has to offer, the Pine course features seven water holes, with the ninth being an island green. Many golfers have been drawn to CCC to play its renowned golf courses, and many stays to enjoy Tampa’s most centrally located “country club.” Conrad F. compliments the golf course saying, “the course is in great condition, and the greens are outstanding.” With COVID-19, CCC is taking extra precautions to ensure everyone’s safety, such as face mask requirements, social distancing, and extra cleaning and sanitation. For more information or to become a member, contact Membership Director Renee Constantine at 813-9611881 or renee@carrollwoodcc.com.
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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: THE MENTAL SIDE By Dr. Wayne Adams When I started helping students learn and achieve optimum performance at the college and grad school level many years ago, I was committed to the idea that half of optimum performance was mental. This has proven correct! All of my students today know that I firmly believe HALF OF THEIR ACHIEVING THEIR BEST SCORES on the SAT or ACT is MENTAL … and HALF is academic foundation, test “smarts”, strategies, specific knowledge, and techniques. In our classes, we incorporate many ways to Achieve and Maintain Your Peak Mental Performance Zone which has proven extremely helpful for my students. These principles and practices are incorporated into all areas of our classes, and I now have written an 18 page Guide which every student receives as part of the class.
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Not long ago, I asked one of my top-scoring students (SAT 1540) if he had test anxiety. On the surface, he was very calm and focused, so I would never have guessed his answer. “That is my biggest problem on these exams.” At the other end of the spectrum, another student had been going through a very difficult time outside of our classes and it spilled over into his taking a baseline exam. About halfway through, he totally broke down, started crying, and kept repeating “I can’t do this. I can’t do this.” Of course, we stopped and talked about what was happening in his “real life”, he calmed down, reestablished his zone, and moved ahead. In the middle was a young lady, very calm on the surface with a quick mind that thought on multiple tracks at the same time. During the first part of our first class, a “get to know you and hear the philosophies
underlying the class” for my students and their parents, I asked if she ever had test anxiety. It was like she had been struck by lightning. She nodded vigorously while her mom spoke at the same time saying, “She gets so nervous the night before an exam that she can hardly talk or think, and has a very hard time going to sleep.” We all have some test anxiety before a big exam, we are all human. But how we manage this and turn it into peak mental performance throughout the test is very important. Very few of my students ever say they never get nervous, sometimes lose focus, go down “rabbit trails” in their thinking, and other symptoms of losing their peak mental performance zone. The differentiating factor is how much this disrupts their ability score at their best, and how they can handle it when it happens. FULL ANXIETY RANGE CHART: We begin by
understanding what can happen just before and during the exam by reviewing my Full Anxiety Range Chart. This can range from the right balance of calm and a little anxiety in or peak performance zone, through multiple attacks by what we call “Gremlins” that can take some students “down the rabbit hole” mentally, emotionally, and even physically. The key is understanding these are all attacks aimed at the Will, and then how to stop them in their tracks. YOUR TEST TAKING PERSONALITY: Part of our thinking is guided by each student determining their “Test Taking Personality”. While there are many personality evaluations and classifications, none I have found focus specifically on test anxiety and peak mental performance zones. So I created four major types: Oh Wells, Intuitives, Logicals, and Perfectionists. Each has specific
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strengths and weaknesses related to scoring on exams, and many students have traits from several types. These four types span all test taking and learning levels ranging of my students from IBs, Cambridges, APs, AVIDs, general student population, public high schools, private high
schools … to those qualifying for additional time on the exams (Section 504 students) including those with ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Asperger’s. FOURTEEN THINGS YOU CAN DO: Once understanding what can happen and test taking personalities, our next step is how to use the 14 Things You Can Do During The Exam In Your Seat to stay in your peak mental performance zone and, if needed, quickly reestablish it. We also practice these during our baseline exams and Dress Rehearsal Exam. One of the things I really like about the mental preparation
part of our classes is that what my students learn can help them the rest of their lives: high school, college, graduate school, and especially “life situation” exams which we all face from time to time. As all of my students and their parents know, my ultimate goal is for each student and family to have their best possible futures, including doing their best on the SAT and/or ACT Exams. If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727-2530639 or send me an e mail at wwa0811@mykolab.com. 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
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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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“Sleep Apnea”
- continued from page 1 sleep disorder that happens when your regular breathing is interrupted during sleep. Through Sleep Better Tampa, adult patients can be fitted with an oral device that repositions the mouth to increase airflow while sleeping. It gently moves your jaw forward, lifting the palate and preventing your tongue from falling backward. The device keeps your airway open throughout the night, so you continue to get oxygen to properly breathe. It fits snug to your teeth, so there is no risk of swallowing the device. “In the simplest of terms, it’s like a mouthguard, but there is so much more to it than that,” said Dr. BulnesNewton. If you fear CPAP, which is commonly prescribed
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for consistent breathing through the night, this safe and affordable FDAapproved option is available at Sleep Better Tampa. Most medical insurance carriers and Medicare cover oral appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea. The device
is custom-fabricated and custom-fitted for each patient - no one size fits all. It can be used for sleep apnea and snoring prevention. Some signs of sleep apnea include difficulty sleeping, insomnia, excessive daytime drowsiness, falling
asleep unintentionally during the day, loud snoring at night, waking up at night short of breath, gasping for breath while sleeping, and headaches upon waking because you are not getting enough oxygen to your brain throughout the night. Dr.
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Bulnes-Newton recommends getting tested for sleep apnea if you are experiencing these symptoms. “Short-term, you wake up with headaches. Long-term, it affects the endocrine system. You are at greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, and, for a man, impotence. All these are directly correlated to sleep apnea. Anything you expect your brain to do, it needs oxygen to do it,” she said. “We encourage anyone who might be considering a sleep study to follow-through with the testing. When you already have a disorder where you’re not breathing properly,
it can be scary. It’s really important to be diagnosed and treated.” Issues with the endocrine system also make it harder for people with sleep apnea to lose weight. Dr. Bulnes-Newton said, “They can be dieting, exercising, eating right, and providing their body with all the appropriate nutrients, but if their endocrine system isn’t getting enough oxygen, it’s an uphill battle.” She explained that, as a dentist, she sees daily the causes of sleep apnea.
“We also look at anatomy. Are the patients’ tongues taking up a lot of space? Are we having difficulty looking down their airway? Do they have trouble when we lean them back being able to breathe properly? Do they feel like they are choking even if there is no procedure being performed?” Dr. Bulnes-Newton said, “We see a lot anatomically that there could be something going on.” Dr. Bulnes-Newton works hand-in-hand with cardiologists, sleep physicians, pulmonary doctors, primary care physicians, and ENTs to create the best treatment plan for patients. “I work with the patients that suffer from obstructed sleep apnea who either fail at their CPAP or, for whatever reason, choose not to use it. We’re here for those who seek alternative care to treat their sleep apnea,” she said. “This is a device approved by the FDA as a medically-necessary device, meaning it’s covered by your medical insurance, including Medicare. This is not something that is run through your dental insurance.” Studies show that before age 50 more men suffer from obstructed sleep apnea than women. At 50 and beyond, the numbers are equal. “We tend to see more
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men that are noticing daytime sleepiness. They want to work better and perform better at the office. They want to have more energy for their families, and they want to stay alive. Let’s be honest, if your brain is not getting oxygen, untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications and a shorter life span.” Dr. Bulnes-Newton said. “When I treat a patient, I know I’m adding an average of eight years to their life.” “For the majority of the process, patients don’t really have to leave their house. We’ve minimized visits to our office. If someone needs to be tested, we will facilitate having a sleep test sent directly to their home. They can have everything done from the comfort and safety of their house. They don’t need to go to a physician, a sleep center, or a sleep lab where they could be exposed.” During the pandemic, Dr. Bulnes-Newton follows strict CDC and ADA guidelines for office team and patient safety. To learn more about the sleep apnea device through Sleep Better Tampa, visit https:// sleepapneasolutionstampa. com/ or call 813-60-SLEEP (75337). Westchase Esthetic Family Dentistry is located at 10131 Wilsky Blvd., Tampa.
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