Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles - Carrollwood Vol. 7, Issue 12, December 2019 by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Vol. 7, Issue 12, December 2019

Your community. Your magazine. ™

The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 Homes In Carrollwood, Lake Magdalene & Avila

Club Pilates Carrollwood Celebrating 3rd Anniversary Club Pilates Carrollwood will be celebrating their 3-Year Anniversary in January. They’ll have great specials available to members and new members as well as free giveaways and health vendors. If you’ve been interested in learning more about Pilates, now is an excellent time to do so. During the past 3 years Club Pilates has gained a devoted and loyal following in Carrollwood. “I love this place! I’ve tried

almost all the niche studios and this has been by far my favorite (and most affordable),” said Robin D. “I don’t think at the end of a workout class I’ve ever said, ‘it’s already been an hour, can I stay for the next class?’ The classes vary so you never get bored, and no matter your fitness level, the instructors explain every move, help you as needed and explain the reason behind each exercise– See “Club Pilates” on page 24

Bishoff + Associates, PLLC: Certified Public Accountants Tampa Bay’s Tax Advisors and Your Financial Team By Kelly Stuart Williams, MA As we make our New Year’s resolutions for 2020, Duane Bishoff CPA and owner of Bishoff + Associates, PLLC (the firm)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Editor.................................................5 Dan’s Fan City..................................................6-7 Your CBD Store Carrollwood.....................10-11 Hancock Injury Attorneys..........................12-13 Oakdale Light Display................................14-15 Tech Talk with Bob.....................................20-21 Bleakley Bavol Denman & Grace...............22-23 How to Avoid Holiday Scams....................26-27

advocates that you include financial and tax planning in your “2020 vision”. With over 40 years of experience, Mr. Bishoff and his team are helping taxpayers and See “Bishoff ” on page 18

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CARROLLWOOD TAMPA BAY NEWS & LIFESTYLES VISIT US ONLINE AT: TBNEWSANDLIFESTYLES.COM

220 S. SAFFORD AVE. TARPON SPRINGS, FL 34689 MAIN OFFICE: 727-943-0551 FAX: 727-942-2432 ADVERTISING E-MAIL: INFO@NNLFLORIDA.COM

Publisher Matthew Selby

Art Director Tony Sica

Editor Carla Dubis

General Manager Jim O'Reilly

Advertising Sales Matt Selby Jim O'Reilly Mike Bird

Billing Managers Doreen Selby Tina O'Reilly

Photography by Mike Bird (c) 2019 Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles. All Rights Reserved. Carrollwood Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles is published monthly and distributed by the U.S. Postal Service to over 22,000 Homes in Carrollwood and surrounding areas. Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space. Nothing that appears in this publication may be reproduced in any way without consent of the publisher.

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year 2020! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…. oops, is that even allowed to be said anymore? As the holiday season approaches, greetings and salutations tend to take a festive tone. In an effort to be more inclusive, many people have opted to say “Happy Holidays” over “Merry Christmas”. I choose to continue to wish everyone I know, and even strangers on the street, a Merry Christmas and that isn’t meant to offend anyone. Whether you’re Catholic, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, Atheist, Buddhist, etc., if you hear the words “Merry Christmas” this season, please understand, it’s expressed with happiness and compassion. This person is not trying to ruin your day or hurt you with two mere words. In fact, they are only trying to brighten your day with kindness and a friendly greeting. It is impossible for a complete stranger to know what specific holiday you celebrate or if you even if you celebrate at all. When someone you don’t know turns to you and wishes

you a “Merry Christmas,” you can respond in a couple of ways. One is by simply saying thank you and Merry Christmas to you as well. Or, if you feel so inclined and willing, let them know you don’t celebrate Christmas and/ or bring up your specific holiday. Let’s try to be thankful for the sincere joyful wishes and take this exchange as a teaching moment to share more about your holidays, religion or culture. Who knows, the friendly conversation and exchange of warm words could be the difference someone needs in their day. With that said, I hope you all have a wonderful time during the Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020. Remember, it is never worth getting into debt to show people how much you care about them. We have plenty of wonderful businesses within the pages of all 5 of our publications that have many spectaular gift ideas and great offers for you to choose from! Thank you all so much for your readership and support through yet another year. See you in 2020!

Carla Selby.

Dan’s Fan City - These Fans Will Blow You Away By Ethan Lichtenberg In 1979, a man named Dan Hibbeln noticed the ever-growing want among people for ceiling fans. He had no idea how right he was about the need for fans. They began to pop-up in nearly every home to cool down spaces and combat the energy crisis. In the late 1970s, petroleum shortages made the need for energy greater than the energy that was being produced. This caused prices for oil and fuel to skyrocket, creating an economic disaster. The answer for many trying to save money was to buy a ceiling fan to cool their homes and lower costs. And so, along with his partner Georgia Wood, created the business that still rules the fan world today. The first store was opened in Clearwater, Florida, and was an immediate hit. So much so that within four months of the opening, a new location was

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opened in Seminole, Florida. Upon opening the second location, Dan Sr. said, “Well, here’s another fine mess we’ve gotten ourselves into.” Dan’s hunch that ceiling fans would become all the rage was spot on. In the beginning, Dan’s Fan City was a place where you could find all the best ceiling fans from other producers such as Hunter, Casablanca, and Emerson. The store was more like the Home Depot “light and fan” section that we know today. You could find everything that you needed but be limited to the options they had in stock and couldn’t personalize one for yourself. But in 1983, Dan purchased Gulf Coast Fans located in Safety Harbor, Florida. This would help the company stand out compared to the section at the hardware superstore. With the purchase of Gulf Coast Fans, Dan’s Fan City was now producing their fans as well. This meant customers

could come in and choose from their designs and change them to precisely what they want. The purchase also allowed Dan’s Fan City to control the quality of the ceiling fans they were selling. Often, fans (and all products for that matter) were made cheaply and did not last long. The idea of a boxed up fan that you saw a picture of on the outside of the packaging was giving way to a fan store in which you could change the details of the fan. From the blades to the lighting and style/finish. This was revolutionary and put Dan’s Fan City on the crash course to standing out amongst the monotony. Dan Hibblen Sr. was from rural Michigan and led a beautiful life there, where he invested in many businesses that proved to be a success. His granddaughter Jesi Hibbeln, the current advertising assistant at Dan’s Fan City, told me that Dan Sr. always

said, “I do not want to be in a business that is not fun.” Those words still ring true, and they were his main goal in life. A life worth living is a fun one. Dan was an avid deep-sea fisherman, something us Floridians can relate to. The ocean was calling his name, and so, he decided to move to Clearwater and began Dan’s Fan City, and partake in the best fishing the world has to offer. His kids Dan Jr. and Brenda Hibbeln were involved in the family business from the start and took over his role when Dan Sr. passed in 1999. Throughout the company’s time with Dan at the helm, his humor never wavered, and his family has continued that trend. Two of the proudest years in the company’s long history were 1987, and 2015. In both years, Dan’s Fan City would outgrow all the office spaces they had and expand exponentially. In 1987, with the enormous demand for

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bright and keeping up with the technological advancements of the world. Jesi continued to say that, “we will be opening a store in Atlanta in the New Year, and are actively looking to open a new location in Viera/ Merritt Island area.” With the future of the company in good hands, you can be sure Dan Sr. is looking on proudly as the business he began 40 years ago continues to grow. Head over and see the kind and honest people at Dan’s Fan City and experience the best way to buy a quality fan. ceiling fans, the areas they had were quickly overcrowded with the product. The purchase of a warehouse in Oldsmar, Florida, was a tell-tale sign at how successful business was. The warehouse in Oldsmar is still home to the corporate office today. In the following 28 years, the business would grow even further. Due to the sheer amount of freight trucks coming in and out of the warehouse, they needed to improve the warehouse’s flow. With a vast remodel, their goal was achieved, and the company grew once again. In the present day, Dan’s fan city is now made up of 39 stores throughout Florida and some up the East Coast of the United States. They have a full e-commerce site with all of the products through the website and sell online through Amazon and Home

Depot. The fans that consumers purchase are accompanied by installers that are trusted by the company and available for fixes as well. Most of the fans come with a warranty anywhere from 5 years to a lifetime. Before they replace fans, they troubleshoot the problem. If the fan is unable to be fixed and still under warranty, the fan is replaced. Along with quality products, Dan’s Fan City comes with a trusted team, and a fan that you know will keep your home as energy efficient as possible. As for the future, the company has many goals. Jesi Hibbeln tells me that, “we want to keep improving the technology in our fans. This will involve getting our fans synced with Wi-Fi, and giving our customers the features of a smart ceiling fan.” The future is

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Customer Reviews:

November 5, 2019, by Ruth M. (FL, United States) 5-Stars “Stunningly beautiful fan. Looks perfect in our great room and with the design of our home. Excellent service and fast shipping.” October 30, 2019, by Jimmie F. (FL, United States) 5-Stars “Great products and wonderful people to work with” Dan’s Fan City is located at 13192 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618. Contact them by calling 813-969-3095 or get more information by visiting: www.dansfancity.com

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Your CBD Store Showcases Benefits of Holistic Health with CBD By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Hidden from view on North Dale Mabry Highway, tucked into the back corner of a shopping complex, is a wellness shop like no other. From the relaxing blue-grey hue on the wall and the greenery throughout the store to the comfortable seating, expansive open layout, and pocket-sized, sweet, four-legged greeter, Your CBD Store makes you feel welcome as soon as you enter. This unexpected oasis in the heart of Carrollwood opened in September, thanks to the hard work and dedication of wife and husband team, Tiffany Martinez and Michael Maniscalco, as well as their family partners, Andrea and Dan Gysel, with an official grand opening in November. Tiffany has experienced first-hand, seeing the incredible results of using natural CBD. When the opportunity came to become an affiliate store of SunMed and SunFlora in Carrollwood, she and her husband jumped at the chance. As pet parents themselves, they selected the pet-friendly location because of its proximity to the pet shop in front of the plaza. “We love the family atmosphere, people walking around with their pets,” said Michael. Your CDB Store carries a curated variety of CBD products that Tiffany has personally vetted. With a background as a professional buyer, Tiffany travels to New York and Los Angeles to stay on top

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of the latest trends and bring only the highest quality, premium products to her customers and their pets. The couple is hoping to clear up confusion and misinformation about CBD and what exactly their store offers. “CBD won’t get you high, it’s not illegal, and it won’t make you unable to function,” explained Michael. “We are not a head or

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vape shop. We are a wellness boutique.” Unlike marijuana, nonpsychoactive CBD has zero THC in broad-spectrum CBD to .03 THC in full-spectrum products. CBD can be taken orally or topically. As the human body has a natural Endocannabinoid System, the use of CBD helps in several areas including providing restorative sleep, pain management, inflammation reduction, anxiety, and stress relief. It has been used in place of ADD/ADHD medicine in children, without the frightening side effects. Not only is CBD exceptional for humans, but their pets, as well. Michael relays a story of a customer’s elderly dog who couldn’t make it up to three flights of apartment stairs; the owner regularly carried the pet. He purchased a jar of CBD dog treats, and the results were

miraculous. Within days, the arthritic dog was acting like a pup half his age. Stairs were no longer an issue. “When you see that kind of experience with your pet, regardless of what your age is, it’s a great indicator of what it can do for you if you were to start taking it,” he said. “It helps you feel young again with fewer aches and pains with age. It’s a super anti-inflammatory agent. There’s no debate that our topicals reduce pain. We have athletes and parents for kids who use the topicals for sports injuries and post-heavy training. In about 10 minutes, the swelling has gone down, and the pain is minimized.” Michael and Tiffany feel that the shop can be beneficial to all customers, yet cater to those 55 and older that prefer a holistic lifestyle and a natural approach over medicine.

Regular use of CBD has been shown to drastically reduce the use of prescription drugs. Though there no contraindication with any medicine, as CBD can magnify the effects of medication, the couple recommends speaking to a doctor before starting a CBD regimen. “It fights nicotine cravings, helps with opioid withdrawal, and brings your body into homeostasis or balance,” said Tiffany. “It interacts with the immune, hormonal, and nervous system blocking pain receptors and is anti-inflammatory.” In Your CBD Store, CBD comes in dozens of varieties – a complete skincare line, bath bombs, lotion, massage oil, candles, sexual potency products for men and women, vaping cartridges, pain cream, chocolate, granola bars, nuts, gummies, candy, mints,

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lollipops, lemonade, tea, coffee, and pet treats. They also carry wellness mushroom products and hyperlocal honey from the Lowry Park area, as Michael is a beekeeper. For added convenience, once favorite products are determined, UberEats can deliver them to the customer’s door. Recently, at the USA-CBD Expo in Miami, Your CBD Store took home awards for Best CBD Tincture: Orange Flavor; Best CBD Vaping Cartridge: Pineapple Express, and Best CBD Topical: Topical Relief Cream. Despite not being required, Michael and Tiffany follow FDA regulations – all products are labeled to FDA standards. Customers can scan a product’s QR code and track the batch’s growth to sale. Your CBD sales and marketing manager, Dawn Hudson, is excited to have customers experience Michael and Tiffany’s shop. “Come in and visit. Take a free sample, and let’s see what we can do to help you.” Your CBD Store, Carrollwood, is located at 13721 North Dale Mabry Hwy. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and Sunday 12 – 6 pm. For more information, visit www. cbdstoretampa.com, or on Facebook or Instagram.

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“Sweet” Success with Hancock Injury Attorneys By Deborah Bostock-Kelley When you contact Hancock Injury Attorneys due to an injury, or someone’s life is lost from another’s negligence, you don’t meet with only a legal secretary or an insurance investigator. You meet with an attorney, and not just any attorney, the actual attorney who will handle your case, Mike Hancock. Boasting from your television screen and radio, most advertising “Big Law” attorneys promise individual care and a quick settlement of your case. They never mention, however, that the attorney in the ad may not be the attorney assigned to your case. At Hancock Injury Attorneys, whether it is at the hospital, your home or the office, you sit down and meet with attorney Mike Hancock for as long as you need, not only to answer all your questions but to get a

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full understanding of your case. While him and his team work on finding you the best resolution for your car accident or injury case, you can be assured that

Mike knows your name and that himself and your paralegal will be in consistent contact with you to keep you updated on your case - from the first handshake to the

settlement check, checking to see how you are doing during the process. “With Hancock Injury Attorneys, you are getting me.

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Other large advertising firms have 10 to 20 lawyers, and you never know who you will be assigned to or what level of experience that they have,” says Mike. “You never know if that attorney is fresh out of law school or has any experience in your type of case.” Backed by not only consistent five-star Google rating reviews and proven insight to handle your case, Mike has hands-on experience on the other side of the negotiation table. For the first eight years of his career, Mike Hancock worked for high-end insurance defense law firms, helping insurance companies retain their money in injury cases. He learned how insurance companies make decisions, what increases or decreases the value of a claim, and what motivates them to settle or try a case. “I learned the business from the insurance end, from defending cases for personal injury and wrongful death claims. I use that experience every single day. I was privy to internal discussions of what we call roundtable cases where we would get ready to mediate or try cases. The attorneys would sit down with the insurance adjuster and his supervisor and go over what they thought was important – good or bad – what I thought was important – good or bad – and come up with an evaluation. I was learning from the inner workings of the insurance company what motivates them to either pay more or less in any given case.” In 1996, he opened Hancock Injury Attorneys to apply his unique insider insurance defense background to help those injured receive the best possible settlement. Three years later, his wife Claire left one of the top plaintiff law firms on Florida’s West Coast to join the practice. Every week, injured people frustrated because they are being ignored by their advertising “Big Law” attorney, or tired of never being able to speak to an attorney, turn to Mike Hancock for help. “My experience with these clients has been no one called them back, they didn’t hear back from anybody, or they did hear back from

a case manager and never even spoke with an attorney, no one returns their calls and they don’t know what is going on. “In the legal field, advertising works, but a lot of promises are made and really aren’t even justifiable to make based upon how the lawyers in those firms actually work. They’re good at getting people in the door, but not so good about actually giving them a great experience.” When an advertising law firm attorney is handling, on average 300 cases, then it’s easy to become a case number and have the person behind the incident lost in the shuffle. “For them, it’s more volume versus quality in the results. When you’re handling that many cases, you don’t have time or resources to fight for the absolute best result possible that your client deserves.” Mike prides himself on providing his clients with a positive, transparent, and informative experience by being selective of the cases he takes on. That personalized care is why clients are eager to refer Hancock Injury Attorneys to friends, neighbors, and family in need of a highly-rated, reputable law firm. Frequently, clients themselves return to Mike for counsel when future incidents occur. Recently at the end of a case, when a client picked up her settlement check, she hugged Mike and thanked him for his work for her. She was so pleased with her entire experience with Hancock Injury Attorneys that she baked chocolate chip cookies for Mike and his staff. Later in the day, Mike saw another 5-star review appear on Google. “Seeing their happiness, the reactions, hearing the thank yous at the end of the process makes all of that hard work - designing the process from beginning to end - all worth it. I was able to give great service, and that makes me feel good.” For additional information or a free consultation of your case, visit www.HancockInjuryAttorneys.com or call Mike at 813-915-1110.

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The 43rd Annual Oakdale Light Display!

The Oakdale Light Display is among the largest and longest running home displays in the United States. It has become a tradition for many in the Tampa Bay area, but also draws some from other states and in a few cases, other countries. It has been ranked in the top three nationally by NBC Today Show, presented

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first in HGTVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All Out Christmas Special and featured in People Magazine. Each Year there are some display changes. Our highest number of lights has been about one-half million. There are walkways, fountains and a computerized light show, a huge

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collection of animated dolls, a snow man about three stories high and the most popular item: The large HO-scale model railroad. It can run 18 trains at one time. The layout included city and country scenes with an airport, flying planes and a working carnival. The kids love the double bubble machines and games. Three electric meters are needed to handle the power. Electric bills

have run as high as $4000. It is FREE and fun for the whole family. The Oakdale Light Display is open now and continues nightly though Friday, January 3rd from 6pm to 10pm (rain or clear skies). Visit the website for more information: www.ChristmasDisplay.org

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“Bishoff” Story Continued from page 1 small businesses become more proactive with their finances, and they have added financial coaching to their array of services. The firm’s services include tax preparation, tax planning, business analysis, and financial coaching. Clients receive ongoing coaching on implementing tax strategies, reading/analyzing financial statements, preparing cash flow reports, learning how to manage a business checking account, invoicing/bill paying, and employment issues (i.e., employees vs. 1099 contractors). With the ever changing tax laws, changes in interest rates, and uncertainty in the 2020 political season; you can take charge of your financial picture by partnering with the seasoned professionals

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at Bishoff + Associates. “We aren’t the CPA firm who says, see ya next year; we want to be your trusted advisor and coach all year long: your quarterback of your financial team,” said Duane Bishoff. Mr. Bishoff and his team work as client educators who are committed to staying on the cutting edge of IRS regulation which they share with clients. Duane Bishoff said, “The reason we enjoy doing this (especially this time of year), is seeing that look on our clients’ faces when we identify tweaks and quick moves which can bring a significant ROI on their tax return for their effort and time… well, it’s worth all of the time we’ve put into learning this craft.” For more financial tips ranging from estate planning to teaching kids about money, visit the Bishoff Blog: https://cpaoftampabay. com/category/blog/

Shayne Sunholm of CEO Clean Recovery Centers expressed his appreciation for the firm’s focus on client education, “Duane and his team do a tremendous job for us. In addition, they are very professional and cordial. Duane will always take the time to explain things, make recommendations. In short, we are extremely pleased with

their services and would highly recommend them to any business.” Like many of their small business clients, Bishoff + Associates is an entrepreneurial firm that has created an innovative program for businesses: Part Time CFO services that are provided through a membership retainer plan. “We are pleased to

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be able to offer the benefits of a CFO without the hefty price tag. Our Part Time CFO services provide valuable financial advice at a fraction of the cost – a perfect bridge to help a company’s growth,” said Bishoff. Faiek Zora, Aeronautical Systems Engineering, is a client who shared that the firm has helped his business grow, “It was difficult to find an accounting service provider for our unique business, but well worth the wait. We’ve worked with Bishoff + Associates now for several years and trust their team to meet our accounting solution needs. Throughout their time working with us, Bishoff + Associates has provided consistent quality solutions and service, helping our business to move forward. Many Bishoff + Associates clients shared that members of the firm are the “right” professionals who view each

client as an individual: not a number that comes up once a year around April 15. Julie Goddard, Center for Elder Management said, “I have known and worked with Duane for over 20 years. He does tax returns for hundreds of trusts for me every year then I never have to worry about anything. He is always, always responsive, he handles everything timely and his fees are more than fair. A great CPA and a great guy!” Located on 13306 Winding Oak Ct., Suite B in Tampa, Bishoff + Associates, PLLC is accepting new clients by appointment. Call them at 813-356-0400 to schedule your appointment, and visit them online at cpaoftampabay.com. Create your financial “2020 vision” with a CPA firm that functions as your financial quarterback to build your business and plan for taxes.

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Tech Talk with Bob: Farewell Windows 7 ..Continued I thought I was finished writing about Windows 7 in last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue, however, since it was published I have been receiving lots of phone calls with even more questions. If you or someone you know is currently running Windows 7 on their computer, you may have some of these same concerns. Will my Windows 7 computer stop working in January 2020? No. I have been getting a lot of calls about this. If you

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are running Windows 7 your computer is not going to suddenly stop working in January.

Your computer will continue to function just as it does today. The exception being

that after January 14, if you use Windows 7 and are connected to the internet, you will become an easier target for cyber criminals. Will I be able to move my pictures and other documents from my Windows 7 computer to a new computer? You sure can. A new computer is not much fun if you can not have your pictures and other stuff on it. If you are familiar with, and comfortable utilizing, external storage devices

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and manipulating file systems, you should have no problem moving your stuff onto your new computer. Do I need to buy a new computer or can I upgrade what I have? That depends on the capabilities of your current system. I highly recommend that you sit down with a knowledgeable professional to help you navigate through your Information Technology (IT) situation. To make a well-informed decision, you need to look not only at the computer hardware itself, but the

software you run, your networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s configuration, and peripheral devices like scanners and printers, to see if they are also going to make the transition into Windows 10 smoothly. A good tech can help you assess your system in less than an hour. If your computer is suitable for a Windows 10 upgrade, my tech can walk you through the software purchase directly with Microsoft. Then they can download and install it for you right on the spot. If thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what you need. If you determine that

purchasing a new computer is the proper direction for you, my tech can help you shop online or at local stores to make your purchase. Want to know a secret? Techs know where the deals are. My techs have found clients computer systems for less than $200.00. Unfortunately, I do not have the space to go into more detail here. So what I have done is written a checklist to help guide you through the Windows 7 phase-out. If you would like to get a FREE copy give me

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a call at 727-534-4000 and I will get that right out to you. I would also like to give a Big Thank You to all of my Clients and Readers. Your loyalty and continued support throughout the years is greatly appreciated. Please be sure to take the time to be grateful for what you have and cherish your time with family and friends. My wonderfully supportive family and incredible staff wish you and your loved ones Happy Holidays and a Healthy, Safe, and Secure New Year!

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Bleakley Bavol Denman & Grace Settle into New 28,000 Square Feet Corporate Law Office By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Conveniently located on Florida Avenue, just off the interchange of Interstate 275, is a 28,000 square feet behemoth, a masterpiece of architecture. Listed as an Omni Award-winner for best structure and design in the Southeast on Loopnet.com, its private lakefront property was built in 1994. For ten years, the impressive structure was the lavish corporate headquarters for NCO Financial. When NCO vacated in 2004, it sat abandoned for 15 years, subsequently fell into disrepair until Robert W. Bleakley, managing partner of Bleakley Bavol Denman and Grace, had the vision to relocate the expanding law firm to its sprawling space. Once the idea was set into motion, Robert and his partners Chuck Bavol, Ron Denman, and Robert Grace, worked with architect Chris Osborn, general contractor CSI, and Kristen McKinlay and Melanie Rose, owners of the luxury interior design firm McKinlay Rose Interiors, to bring his concept to fruition. Over the course of a year, they performed interior and exterior renovations throughout the property, transforming a dated stone

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and wood setting into a chic, modern, minimal glass and steel workspace in shades of grey, blue and white, for 20 attorneys and their staff. Today, the spectacular entryway boasts a stunning atrium with two colossal stainless steel water features, a circular reception desk, reception seating, tables for meetings, and a 20-foot screen, in an space large enough to host hundreds of people for parties, corporate training, continuing education, community events, and even weddings and receptions. In fact, just a few weeks after moving in, the firm hosted the annual banquette for North Tampa Young Life, and event attended by approximately 150. The firm is in the process of organizing its Holiday Open House, with the legendary “Black Honkey’s”, a local 9 member band performing in the atrium. The acoustics are so impressive that the group requested to use the space for future performances.“The guy came in here to look at the acoustic situation, discovered it was great and asked if I minded if he told others about our atrium.” The firm had been slowly transitioning to going

completely paperless, but some lawyers move faster than others. Robert used the move to force some of the firm’s slower evolving teams to make the paperless transition once and for all. Robert chose not to move any file cabinets to the new location. “The move forced us to rip the bandaid off and go paperless,” he explained. “From a legal pad and redwell paper files to a laptop with a thumb drive is a really hard transition for some of our attorneys, but we must get with the times. As of today, everyone is running in a paperless fashion.” Though Robert could

have selected any location for his firm, he chose the Florida Avenue location for its proximity to provide excellent legal counsel to Carrollwood, North Tampa, and South Pasco residents and busiensses, saving them the drive downtown to find full-service “AV” rated law firm, the highest possible rating on Martindale Hubbell’s lawyer rating system. With the new location comes expanded capabilities in trusted legal solutions. Whether business or personal legal assistance is needed, Bleakley Bavol Denman and Grace is ready to help their clients with Business and Corporate Law, Commercial

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Litigation, Construction Litigation, Drug and Medical Device Liability, Employment Practice, Estate Planning and Probate, General and Premises Liability Claims, Insurance Defense, Product Liability, Professional Liability Defense, Sports Law, Trademark and Copyright Litigation, Trucking, Cargo, and Automobile Liability Claims, Workers’ Compensation Defense, and Appellate Practice. “Between Bush Ross and Macon Georgia, we are probably the biggest firm traveling up the 75. You have to go all the way to Georgia to find a larger firm. This is an opportunity for us to serve with businesses, families, and partnerships that are in the growing markets of North Tampa, Pasco, and Hernando counties and beyond. We are unique in that a firm of our resources are located in their neighborhood. They can hire

a Tampa mid-sized firm, with credentials and resources, and experienced trial and transactional lawyers without having to go downtown.” Bleakley Bavol Denman and Grace prides itself in providing the personalized benefits of a boutique firm combined with the substantial experience of 20 attorneys. (Robert believes the firm will add five more attorneys over the next two – three years). When it comes to excellent client service and transparency, the firm places the burden of proof on itself. “We place the burden of proof on ourselves daily. That means that we have to – not just say it or write it – but we have to prove that we put our clients’ interests first from the minute that we’re assigned a case,” Robert explained. “You’re going to hire me, but before you pay me a dollar, let me see if I can get this resolved. We tell clients how the trial

process works, like when you think you are going to trial; you are really on a list on sometimes 50 other cases set for trial that period. It might take several rollovers, depending on what type of court you are in. We are honest and tell our clients that, yes, there is a cost to that. When we have the opportunity to get rid of the case, resolve the problem, if possible, before they even hire us or right after, we look for those opportunities in every step of the case, is there any way to get rid of this on our client’s terms? Proving we put our clients’ interest first is something we seek to make cultural in our firm, from the time we hire a new attorney, through our firm meeting, and in our mentoring sessions with our younger lawyers, we stress that we must prove ourselves daily to our clients.” Robert is excited about the opportunities the new space affords.

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“This is a place for our community, a home for our present and future attorneys and staff, and firm and a place we hope will be home to other experienced laywers seeking to make a lateral move for their own families and clients. This is a place that we want to work for the rest of our careers and hope the space will be an asset allowing us to continue attracting talented lawyers and staff to our firm.” Bleakley Bavol Denman and Grace is located at 15316 North Florida Avenue in Tampa. The firm is open from 8:30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with appointment times available outside regular office hours. For more information, to schedule a consultation or ask about renting the atrium space, please call (813) 2213759 or visit www.bbdglaw. com.

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“Club Pilates” Story Continued from page 1 what you’re working, why the right form is important. I do triathlons and Pilates has helped me with all three, getting stronger. It’s also helped me in day-to-day. Better posture and much less ‘morning soreness’ when waking up. Highly recommend checking out a class, but be warned, it’s incredibly addictive!” Bobbi writes-“I love it. It’s a total body workout. So much core strengthening. I have no more neck & back pain. All exercises can be modified, so all can do it. Teachers are all different but great workouts. My favorite is Wednesday morning cardio sculpt with Michaela.” Owners Nathan and Ayesha Philyaw love hearing comments like that from Club Pilates members and looks forward to spreading

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the joy and benefits of Pilates to new members in 2020. Both Nathan and Ayesha have worked in the healthcare industry for years as pharmacist but wanted to start a business that would help people stay healthy. “Club Pilates offers a chance for people to put their health first and to take care of themselves. It is time that you can give back to you. It has been a wonderful helping members achieve their fitness goals and building relationships in the community.” Pilates is a great exercise class that can really make a difference in your health and physique without taking a toll on your body. All classes at Club Pilates incorporate the reformer machine, which allows your body to work with resistance that can make you stronger and leaner in less time. Even though Pilates exercises concentrate on your

core, it conditions the whole body, even down to your ankles and feet. Over time you’ll gain leaner muscles and more flexibility. If you’ve never tried the Reformer machine, you’ll be amazed at how strong you’ll feel after one class. Pilates is good for people of all ages and different levels

of fitness. It can even help you recover from a sports injury and prevent future ones. Nathan says they have members as young as 12 and as old as 80 who come to the classes at Club Pilates in Carrollwood “Great instructors and staff, clean facility and convenient

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can take a free intro class to introduce you to the Reformer machine and proper technique.

Classes offered at Club Pilates include:

schedules,” said Lisa C. “Every class is a challenging but rewarding workout. I especially appreciate that the instructors are great about adjusting to seamlessly accommodate individual’s needs and injuries while maintaining a great overall flow to the class. After a month of attending classes regularly, I feel so much better and I can definitely say that

Club Pilates is an addictive game changer!” Club Pilates offers classes for beginners to advance and has private training for those looking to take their practice to the next level. There are only 12 participants in each 50-minute class so even during the group classes you’ll get plenty of personal attention. If you’re new to Pilates you

CP Reformer Flow – the signature Reformer class that will strengthen and lengthen your entire body. Instructors use the Reformer, springboard, EXO-Chair, Barre, TRX and more to give each class variety and effectively work out every muscle in your body. CP F.I.T. – mixes highintensity, calorie-blasting cardio work and lowerintensity, Pilates-based strength training. This boot camp style class burns more calories in less time. Cardio Sculpt – experience an aerobic workout that won’t stress the joints. This high energy, low impact class teaches you how to use the Pilates jumpboard to perform plyometric moves. CP Center + Balance – recenter and balance your body with deep stretches that will reduce soreness and muscle fatigue, improve performance, decrease risk of injury and increase blood flow to you muscles. CP Control – sculpts and tones your legs and glutes with a Barre workout that is exclusive to Club Pilates. Gliding discs, fitness balls and free weights will strengthen

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your entire body while the Barre exercises will increase your balance, stability and control. CP Restore – experience the benefits of foam rolling and myofascial release that combines Reformer movements and functionally programmed TriggerPoint Therapy. This signature class is proven to reduce cellulite and muscle soreness as well as increase performance and reduce the risk of injury. CP Suspend – a Reformerbased workout that combines Pilates work with the incredibly effective TRX suspension training system. Stability challenges will enhance strength, coordination, mobility and balance. This is an excellent class for all types of athletes including runners, golfers, tennis players and cyclists. No matter what your fitness goal, Club Pilates has a class for you. Make your health a priority in 2020. Visit Club Pilates Carrollwood today. Club Pilates Carrollwood is located at 13254 North Dale Mabry Hwy. They offer classes 7 days a week. For more information or to sign up for a class, call (813) 773-3880 or visit www. clubpilates.com/carrollwood. You can also visit their sisters studios located in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

DECEMBER 2019 25

How to Avoid Holiday Scams

By Ethan Lichtenberg

Ahh, it’s that time of year again. Time for everybody to flood to the outlet malls and storefronts to buy things they really don’t need. This monthlong span from Thanksgiving to Christmas, you can count on millions of people thinking they’re getting the best price for items that were just price gouged and then discounted. With millions of people running their credit and debit cards, it’s also the most popular time of the year for holiday scams. Holiday scams can range from skimming credit cards at stores, to fraud emails that put a virus into your laptop or phone, and make all of your sensitive information available on the dark web. To help you avoid the possible scams of the upcoming holiday season, we’ve compiled a few tips and tricks to keep you prepared. Charity Scams This is a classic holiday scam that comes back around every year without fail. It won’t result in you losing hundreds of dollars or having your identity stolen, but it will take some money out of your pocket that you thought was for a good cause. Around Christmas every year, the grocery stores become even more packed than they usually are, so charities set up

26 DECEMBER 2019

bell-ringers to collect donations. While not every bell-ringer is a scam, be careful of the ones you give your money to. If there’s a jolly old man that looks like Santa Claus collecting out of a plastic bucket, that is probably not a reputable charity. Instead, that would probably be a charity to support old St. Nick’s Peppermint Schnapps addiction. The Salvation Army bell-ringers you can usually count on, but look for the signs of someone that may not be with a charity at all. Request the name of the charity or foundation, research it online and make sure it actually exists. Gift Cards Gift cards are one of the

most popular options for presents during the holiday season. (Mostly from your Aunt Karen who doesn’t know anything about you). This being said, scammers have come up with a new trick to steal your information. It’s quite an elaborate scam. Thieves will walk into retail stores and go to the gift card shelf to remove the decals where the PIN is. After gathering the information from the gift card, they then can cover the PIN back up with a similar looking sticker and put it back on the shelf. Next, they return to their computers and wait for someone to activate the card online or at the online checkout of that retailer. The scammers

can then steal the information from that card and use it to buy items and resell them at a higher price; while you can kiss your gift card goodbye. Scammers are getting smarter, so you need to as well. When checking out gift cards, make sure the metal scratch-off decal looks normal and is fully covering the information under it. Email/ Viruses Technology is rapidly changing. Our phones hold everything you need to know about us. Your name, your birthday, your pictures, your emails, your social media, and even your credit cards. While technology has made our world

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a more connected place, this can sometimes bite us in the “you know what.” Scammers are now devising entire websites and email marketing campaigns that have embedded viruses to steal your sensitive information. Most of these emails are easily catchable, but some are not. Look for companies that you’ve

never heard of before. Most of the time, people know what reputable companies are because you’ve seen millions of commercials. Try sticking with companies you know and trust, and avoid opening the other emails altogether. Another trick, avoid deals that seem way too good to be true. Up to 90%

off is not a thing for a typical company; this ploy could be a way for scammers to enter your hidden information. We all get hundreds of marketing emails a day, so be wary of the ones you open, and the ones you immediately delete. This year when you’re running around the stores with the other million people walking stride for stride next to you, remember what the great Dr. Seuss once said; “Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.” This holiday season, buy your friends and family experiences or simply arrive with good spirits and your company. Oftentimes we forget the true meaning of the Holidays and the importance of the people around us. The ones who genuinely love us, do not need boxes and bags, or ribbons and bows. Instead, they want us to be around them. My greatest advice to avoid being scammed this holiday season is to skip the lines and head home to your

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family. Drink a warm cup of joe on the porch as the morning sun peeks it’s head out and evaporates the chill in the air. These are the moments you will always remember. With that said, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2020. Be safe everybody.

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