Vol. 7, Issue 11, November 2019
®
Your community. Your magazine. ™
The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 Homes In Carrollwood, Lake Magdalene & Avila
CoreLife Eatery - Healthy, Fresh Food That Powers Your Life By Carla Selby Conveniently located in the heart of Carrollwood at the Palms of Carrollwood Shopping Center, there’s CoreLife Eatery; a fairly new spot that brings together scratch cooking with flavorful sourced ingredients, and a fast, casual service line for a healthy and affordable eating alternative. It is the ideal
spot for those health-conscious individuals (with or without food allergies) that want to enjoy fresh and flavorful meals without having to worry about GMOs, antibiotics or highly processed ingredients. An estimated 12 million Americans suffer from food allergies. Dairy and wheat are just a few of the foods that can See “CoreLife” on page 24
Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy: Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence By Kelly Stuart Williams, MA
beyond Greater Tampa Bay. If you have attended a Broadway show You would be hard-pressed or boarded a cruise ship; if you to find a resident of Carrollwoodenjoy collegiate or NFL games; Northdale whose lives have and if you watch Netflix, cable, not been touched by Mary Jo’s or broadcast television; you have Performing Arts Academy (MJPAA). probably experienced the legacy Though based in Northdale, of Mary Jo’s. Mary Jo’s influence reaches far See “Mary Jo’s” on page 18
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Editor.................................................5 Your CBD Store in Carrollwood.......................6-7 Wild Birds Unlimited..................................10-11 Infinite Edge Learning Center....................12-13 Opportunities to Gather and Give............14-15 Tech Talk with Bob.....................................20-21
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Do you have a little extra space in your home, a bit of free time, and some love to share? If so, consider becoming a foster parent for a litter of homeless kittens. With the arrival of “kitten season” in early spring, animal shelters and rescue organizations are flooded with kittens who cannot be put up for adoption until they are eight weeks old. These groups rely on the assistance of volunteer foster parents to save lives by providing temporary care. Not only does becoming a volunteer foster parent help busy humane organizations, but it can also be great for you, too. Perhaps you are considering adopting, but aren’t sure if a kitten is right for you. Maybe you travel, and can’t have a “permanent” pet. Or maybe you just want to experience the joy of kittens again and again. I know I did and found a permanent memer of our family in the process; a gorgeous polydactyk cat I decided to adopt and named Santiago, like the main character in the famous Hemingway novel “The Old Man & The Sea.” Whatever your reason, you are sure to find that fostering is one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences there is, I can tell you from my own experience. I volunteered with St. Francis Animal Rescue for several months, and watching these baby kitties go from barely eating on their own to running around in their new families’ homes was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Sadly, due to my husband’s allergies, I had to stop fostering, but I still feel very strongly about this particular organization and would like to take this opportunity to share a message in the name of St. Francis: Following last year’s hugely successful premiere KittyCon, St. Francis Society Animal Rescue announces its second annual fan convention devoted solely to the love and rescue of cats. KittyCon Tampa Bay 2019 will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel Tampa Airport - Westshore on Saturday, November 30, 2019 from 11am6pm and Sunday, December 1, 2019 from 11am-5pm. This year’s theme is Meowy Catmas and the fun and informative weekend will feature vendors, entertainment, expert
speakers on cat care and hot rescue topics, Kitty Kosplay, charity auctions, kids’ activities, free product samples and giveaways, cat yoga, and more. Last year’s most popular attraction, the Adoption Room, will be once again filled with adoptable rescued kittens and cats seeking forever homes. The documentary film, “The Cat Rescuers”, will make its Florida premiere at KittyCon. Tickets are on sale now online at: KittyConTampaBay.org. Advance purchase for adult 2-day tickets is $35/$60 at the door. Advance 1-day adult tickets are $20/$30 at the door. Children 12 and under advance 2-day tickets are $8/$20 at the door, and 1-day advance are $5/$10 at the door. For VIP Supporters advance purchase only tickets are $120 for adults and $20 for children and include entry to the White Cat Winter Wonderland Lounge and all VIP privileges. Why would a cat convention concentrate on rescue cats? “Since there are so few events to benefit cat rescue, St. Francis Society, the largest all-volunteer animal rescue in the area, is proud to take the lead in producing KittyCon Tampa Bay,” said Kathy Walvoord, President and Cat Care Coordinator of St. Francis Society Animal Rescue. “The proceeds allow us to continue the lifesaving work we do for neonatal kittens, and sick, injured, and homeless cats in the community.” Established in 1997, St. Francis Society Animal Rescue (SFSAR) is the oldest and largest foster home-based animal rescue in the Tampa Bay Area. It is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue dedicated to saving and improving the lives of homeless cats and, when possible, dogs by providing healthcare and placement into suitable forever homes. SFSAR receives no government funding and depends solely on the generosity of donors to save the lives of cats and dogs who would otherwise be surrendered to shelters, euthanized, or left to die. Press contact: Annette Ngo, (813) 9225102, kittyconpress@stfrancisrescue.org Website: KittyConTampaBay.org Carla Selby.
Your CBD Store in Carrollwood By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Ronda Musca, the woman behind the creation of Stretch Rx, doesn’t stop. She founded her company in ___ to fill a void and provide an alternative solution to chronic pain, muscle tightness, and poor balance. Stretch Rx offers hundreds of satisfied clients therapeutic stretching and massage therapy on a heated ionic BioMat, providing far infrared rays and negative ion therapy, reflexology, and ionic foot bath to release and detoxify the body, as well as private stretching classes. Providing pain relief and healing options still wasn’t enough for Ronda. In 2018, after the urging of her staff to try CBD oil, Ronda was highly skeptical but decided to test a general CBD product to unexpected and positive results. Ronda began integrating CBD into massages and reflexology sessions for her clients, fieldtesting on those interested in trying the new addition. It was met with tremendous success, but that still didn’t satisfy her. Though she was using safe, wholesale topical CBD pain salve, since she didn’t make the product, she wasn’t able to decide what elements went into a batch. In mid-2018, Ronda began working with a manufacturer to perfect a small-batch CBD full-spectrum (.3 or under THC) topical salve that combined the benefits of organic essential oils, menthol, and arnica with the pain and inflammation relief of CBD. She resolved her dilemma by creating her own brand, Joint Jam, that launches in November 2019. “We have Joint Jam which is a CBD pain salve. We took all the pain-relief products that people were using and formulated one that uses all natural and organic ingredients. You don’t need a prescription for this. It won’t make you high. People are
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afraid of that,” she explained. “We use organic essential oils, hemp grown without synthetic herbicides and pesticides, CBD produced in in small batches and third-party tested, which makes us different from what you might find in many stores. Many have added chemicals in them. Ours is natural, without synthetic fillers, the real deal, and it works.” An added benefit of the product’s use for pain and inflammation is skin relief. Ronda’s clients have seen dramatic reductions in psoriasis, splotched skin, and crepe skin. Client Douglas Palamara said that his feet caused him extreme pain. Using the topical CBD in reflexology treatment provided intense relief. “Between the ionic foot bath and CBD foot reflexology, it’s great. I used to have plantar fasciitis. I put my shoes on and walked out of here. I didn’t even notice any problems with my foot. Before that, I was going for about a year and a half getting cortisone shots from the foot doctor, and it didn’t help. This worked.” Before releasing her CBD infused Himalyan and Epson salt bath soak, Salt Buzz, to her line, Ronda tested the product’s effectiveness on her husband. For 45 minutes, he unknowingly relaxed in the Salt Buzz. That evening, he slept soundly and even overslept the following morning. “One of the benefits of CBD is it promotes relaxation and helps anxiety. I saw it firsthand, unsolicited, on my husband.” Salt Buzz was added to her growing line of products. “We also have a bubble bath, Bubble Buzz. You get the same benefits as soaking in the salt, but it makes a great gift, as well. It has essential oils – lavender and eucalyptus. It has the same relaxing, calming effects as the Salt Buzz.” The therapists at Stretch Rx incorporate the CBD products into the massage therapy,
reflexology and ionic foot bath sessions. The bath salts and salve are excellent for those suffering from the pain of arthritis. Ronda recommended first soaking hands in the Salt Buzz then applying
Joint Jam. A client’s mother, who railed against CBD, followed these directions without knowing the product her daughter was giving her contained the pain relief plant. A few days into starting the regimen, the mother
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didn’t ask her daughter for her pain pill, a day later, her mother was holding a book for the first time in a long time. She’s now hooked on the benefits of the allnatural CBD pain relief. “The mother’s caregiver texted the daughter, ‘It’s so funny how your mother is saying she’s heard about all this marijuana lotion, how it’s ridiculous, it’s bad
for you and makes people high’ as I’m slathering the CBD salve on her hands. She’s soaking in it, and she doesn’t even know it,’” shared Ronda. “We have really been able to hit all aspects of people’s discomfort. It’s shocking to me how well it’s working, and I was very skeptical. I had to see that it worked, and it did. I’m really pleased with the
results people are getting. This product is family-friendly. From the accountant to the mom to grandma, it’s for everyone. It’s really been so gratifying.” New CBD products available are the Joint Jam topical salve, Salt Buzz bath salts, and Bubble Buzz bubble bath. For the holidays, a travel pack containing all three will be
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available for gift-giving. For more information about the Palm Harbor, Westchase, or Naples location, visit StretchRXFlorida.com. To make an appointment seven days a week, email StretchRX@gmail.com or call 813-382-2363 Monday through Friday between 9 am and 5 pm.
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Wild Birds Unlimited - “FALL” in Love With Birding This Season By Carla Selby
With hundreds of bird species native to the state, Florida is a bird lover’s paradise, and fall is a great time to feed and watch your backyard birds! The autumn migration season is here and is an exciting time for birding. Millions of birds are on the wing, covering thousands of miles across oceans and continents. With migrants on the move, your local birding site can become dynamic overnight, with an abundance of new species to identify. After some time you will start to identify your favorites sparking interest on how to keep them coming back. If you’ve been considering joining the ranks of the 47 million birders in the United States, there’s no better time than the present to take the plunge—or at least dip your toes in. Birds are easy to attract and fun to observe. They provide hours of enjoyment and a special connection to wildlife even in heavily urbanized areas. You don’t have to stray far from your own home to go birding: any green space or open water source will do. Whether you’re a “Bird-ginner” looking for your first pair of binoculars, or an experienced birder in search of a specific type of bird food, Wild Birds Unlimited, located in the Village Center of Carrollwood, has everything you’ll ever need to make your experience an unforgettable one. Longtime bird enthusiast, Lucy Polak, has been a customer since 1997 when they first opened their doors. When the original owners decided it was time to retire, Lucy jumped on the opportunity. After working years in corporate America, she found herself in between jobs. You don’t always understand why things happen but in this case, it was clear. Lucy purchased Wild Birds Unlimited 4 years ago this month, and this past May the store celebrated its 22nd anniversary! The amazing passion this store has for nature comes from deep within and shortly after retiring the previous owner made a return to his roots. “The previous owner still works here, so long-time customers still have a close bond with him,” says Lucy. You can find him working alongside her assisting
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their customers in making their yard a beautiful bird haven. “We absolutely love Wild Birds Unlimited,” says frequent customer Karen M. “The staff is so helpful, friendly and extremely knowledgeable; always eager to assist and answer any of your questions! They are very experienced in the field and offer helpful suggestions and recommendations! They offer everything you can imagine for feeding your outdoor birds, butterflies, squirrels and more… Lucy, the owner, is enthusiastic about her business and goes out of her way to assist you, as does every sales associate working at this store! Really worth giving them a try. You will be so happy when you have so many different specifies of birds as they come in flocks, and even bring their babies after they learn to fly! Happy birding from an extremely happy customer!” Birding is not a difficult hobby, you just need the right supplies and information. Wild Birds Unlimited is the place to find that! “In the cooler months we do monthly presentations on a variety of nature-related themes,” Lucy added. “We always have a great turnout, the community has been very supportive, and I truly appreciate that. Our seed characters
are coming in November; everyone always loves them.” Although it takes time and dedication, the benefits of bird feeding are something that you can enjoy far beyond the company of your feathered friends. For Tony L. birding became a way to connect and bond with his young daughter. “I’m not much of a bird guy, but since my daughter is a big bird girl, I guess that automatically makes me a birdman,” says Tony. “I’ve become more of a bird lover since the super friendly staff at Wild Birds Unlimited educated me on my purchases. We have a flat hanging feeder that feeds many bird families and a few squirrels. Of course, my daughter has managed to name them all! It’s great entertainment for both of us and an amazing bonding experience. We truly appreciate the educational component of shopping at Wild Birds Unlimited. I highly suggest that you shop here, and I encourage you to ask a lot of questions. They are very helpful.” Wild Birds Unlimited is your onestop shop to turn your backyard into the relaxing oasis you have always wished for. Many people who have come into the store curious about what is inside have
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later become very passionate about attracting birds. The staff at Wild Birds Unlimited is very knowledgeable and able to help you connect with nature whether you’re a beginner or expert. They carry the best bird food available in Tampa Bay. Most of the products are made in the U.S.A. and many of the houses and feeders are made from recycled materials. Some bird foods from other places include fillers that the birds won’t really eat. Every ingredient in the bird food at Wild Birds Unlimited is a seed or grain that birds love to eat. They make sure that all the food is suited for this area and that it will attract the birds you want to see. The food is always fresh and it comes from farms that do not use insecticides. In addition to a wide variety of beautiful bird feeders, houses, nesting boxes, Wild Birds Unlimited carries field guides to help you identify the birds you will see, nature lotions, yard décor, and children’s books. The goal at Wild Birds Unlimited is to help you enjoy the benefits of birding by bringing people and nature together. The knowledgeable staff is excited and ready to help engage you and the next generation of birding enthusiasts. Stop by today and unleash the beauty of
color and music birds will bring to your home.
Daily Savings Club: The Next Great Thing
We’ve discovered something that rivals the greatness of sliced bread. It’s called Daily Savings Club®, and it allows you to save every day on the best bird food in town. For an annual membership fee of only $25, you’ll receive 15% off regular, every day bird and wildlife food prices and an additional 5% off sale prices of bird and wildlife food at the Wild Birds Unlimited store of purchase. So as prices rise around us all, you’re guaranteed to get the best price on the best bird food in town - every day. Now that’s a great deal. And by joining the Daily Savings Club, you’ll get a $10 Bird Buck for every $200 dollars you spend on any merchandise in the store. You’ll also be rewarded with a FREE gift as well as Clubmember-only specials. So take a seat sliced bread. There’s a new “greatest thing” in town. And it’s only happening at Wild Birds Unlimited. Stop by the store this month for all of your nature needs and be sure to ask us about joining the Daily Savings Club. You and
your birds will be glad that you did. Wild Birds Unlimited is located at 13140 Dale
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Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618. Please call (813) 280.9970 for more information.
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Infinite Edge Learning Center: Home of Perfect SAT and Subject SAT Scores By Kelly Stuart Williams, MA Infinite Edge Learning Center (IELC) is a privately owned center that specializes in customized, one-on-one lessons for all subjects for students grades K-12 and under graduates in college. Established by Ozra & Sobi Jabbari in 2007, IELC continues to be a premier provider of customized tutoring. The staff and students continue to achieve superior results, making our legacy a proud one. “In the graduating class of 2019, we have students who received academic scholarships to many universities…including Duke University, Washington University, Berkley, Rice, UCLA, and NYU, and many students received full scholarships to USF, UF and UCF,” said Ozra. She added that, in some cases, scholarships were valued at $75,000 per year
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Unlike many learning centers, IELC prides itself on customizing curriculum to fit the particular needs of the student. Accordingly, the following process has been established to ensure the greatest learning impact: 1. Assessment to determine academic strengths and challenges; 2. Evaluation to determine a grade equivalence to focus on areas where improvement is needed and strengths from which to build; 3. Design of an individualized, student-based learning intervention and strategy. As there is no one-size-fits all strategy for all learners, IELC recognizes that no two students are alike. There are different learning styles, so IELC designs different learning strategies that accommodate those styles. As well, the program is scalable and adaptable. As opposed
to creating one, static strategy, the tactics grow and change along with the learner. IELC continuously assesses progress to maximize achievement as well as retention and comprehension of academic knowledge. In the United States, math learning doesn’t always add up. According to the US Department of Education, “…only 33 percent of eighth-graders tested proficient in math at grade level.” Responding to that discovery, US News and World Report published the following, “Too much of our instruction is based on getting as much information into kids heads as quickly as possible, because standards must be met and tests must be taken. This style, however, doesn’t lend itself to retention or a depth of understanding that lets students apply their knowledge to new types of questions.”
Infinite Edge Learning Center takes all of the information that students have memorized and helps them process it. Ozra Jabbari said that students need extra help—to learn how to problem solve instead of simply learning facts and information. “…a solid foundation in math is essential…If your child passed algebra or geometry with a C or an incomplete understanding of the concepts; they probably need some extra help. Algebra will be used again and again in the future, especially on the SAT and ACT, in college algebra and calculus, even college graduate exams such as the GMAT and GRE.” And while achievement tests and college entrance exams are important, problem solving skills are predictive for overall success in a person’s life. “Math is so much more than just numbers and
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symbols. It’s logic and critical thinking. It’s problem solving. It helps us understand our world in deeper, more meaningful ways. And it may affect how successful we are in that world. For example, one researcher analyzed the educational outcomes and math scores of several thousand students. After crunching the numbers, he declared that, even without considering any other factors, math achievement alone explained “…about a 30% to 60% range of variance in the chance of being on track to college readiness.” In his view, math wasn’t the only factor influencing college readiness, but it was one of the more important ones.” www.renaissance.com And as problem solving skills affect our lifelong learning and success, Ozra said that it doesn’t happen overnight, “If you want to learn to play the piano well, you have to practice every day…It’s the
same with learning.” She added, “A full test preparation program at Infinite Edge takes several months. Cramming all that information in a few weeks won’t yield the same results.” There are many tutoring programs in Tampa that focus only on math skills. However, IELC focuses on the whole student, and that includes mastery of other subjects as well. According to McGraw-Hill Education, “Language is essential to all aspects of learning… Teachers use language when explaining math concepts to students, while students need language skills for developing and testing hypotheses. Students also use language to demonstrate their understanding of mathematical reasoning, concepts and procedures.” A student from Infinite Edge, Kristopher Sealy, said, ““Infinite Edge has taught me a lot about what areas to work on and has helped me get better scores in English and Math.” “Kids have so much access to computers and tablets now, that they don’t spend a lot of time reading,” said Ozra. “Especially as they get older, they’re too busy with social media to pick up a book.” She added that the FSA standards require reading comprehension and analytical skills in addition to mathematical problem solving skills; all must be mastered for standardized testing and lifelong success. Science and Social Studies tutoring also is available. “At Infinite Edge, even standardized test prep is personal. It’s offered in one-on-one sessions, or small group sessions with just two or three students. “This personal attention yields amazing results, where Infinite Edge Learning Center continues to be known as the “home of the perfect SAT and ACT,” said Ozra Infinite Edge Learning Center is located at 17419 Bridge Hill Ct., in the Tampa Palms Professional Center near Freedom High School. To learn more about how Infinite Edge can help your child, call 813-971-6500 or visit InfiniteEdgeLearningCenter.com.
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Opportunities to Gather and Give this Thanksgiving Month By Lisa Stephens
While we gather around our tables this month to celebrate Thanksgiving, there are many opportunities in the Tampa Bay area to reach out and help others in need. Just a small amount of your time can go further than you think for someone else. November is also filled with lots of opportunities for families and friends to gather at a number of fall festivals! Mark your calendars now to get out and about to help someone else and have a little fun as well!
Lend a Hand……or Foot
Meals On Wheels of Tampa - Did you know that Meals On Wheels of Tampa serves 850 people a day Monday through Friday? It takes eighty-four drivers to deliver the home-cooked meals that have been prepared in the Meals On Wheels kitchen. A quick drop off and friendly smile is all that’s required. This privately funded organization needs drivers to make deliveries-and Thanksgiving Day is no exception! Can’t drive that morning? Drop off your homemade holiday card(s) to their offices at 550 W Hillsborough Avenue, Tampa and it will be delivered with the food on Thanksgiving Day! This is a great opportunity for kids to get creative and bring a smile to someone they don’t even know. To volunteer, go to their website at www.mowtampa.org to fill out an application. Publix Food for Sharing Holiday 2019 Bundles - Publix makes it easy for you to lend a helping hand. As you go through the
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checkout line, take the opportunity to donate while you’re there. From November 6 until November 17, you can select the size food package you would like to donate. Prices range from $5.07 for the smallest package to $13.58 for the largest. The food bundles are donated to local food banks, pantries and nonprofit organizations. Westchase/WOW Food Drive - What started out as an Eagle Scout badge project years ago has become one of the largest community-wide food drives in the bay area. Residents leave nonperishable food items from the shopping list at their mailboxes on Sunday, November 24 and volunteers will drive the neighborhoods collecting them. Not a resident but still want to contribute? Your
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business or organization can become a corporate sponsor by offering to match donations. Previous matches have been 1 can of food for every turkey donated, one turkey for every 100 residentdonated turkeys, etc. Volunteers are needed to help load trucks as well. This is a great opportunity for families, scout groups, youth organizations, etc. Contact WOW editor Chris Barrett if you are interested in volunteering or becoming a corporate sponsor. YMCA 5th Annual Goody Goody Turkey Gobble - Lace up your running shoes and lend a foot to this highly attended event! Proceeds of this event support the YMCA Livestrong program. Livestrong is a twelve-week program for cancer
survivors and their families. Cancer treatments can be tough on the body and this program helps those who have become deconditioned and chronically fatigued from treatments. Survivors are offered free or low cost customized exercise regimens to meet their individual needs. Participants meet in small groups with certified fitness instructors. The event takes place on November 28, Thanksgiving Day and features 8K, 5K and 1 mile runs. The race begins at Amalie Arena and goes down Bay Shore. To sign up, go to www.runsignup.com
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“Mary Jo’s” Story Continued from page 1 As the studios motto states, “It’s so much more than dance…Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy’s success stories are not only found on the resumes of those who’ve pursued their passion as a career, but in the hearts of every student who attends the Academy.” (mjpaa.com) The mother of an MJPAA alumnus shared the following story, “Our eight-year-old daughter was a true tomboy who had lots of motivation to be an actress but little poise or stage presence. What she lacked in poise and presence, she learned at Mary Jo’s. Our daughter brought the desire, and MJPAA brought the skilled and caring faculty. At age 23, she has performed on the set of Ozark, Stranger Things, Ballers, Bloodline, and many more. We credit her success to the expert faculty and confidence-building environment of Mary Jo’s.” At Mary Jo’s the heartbeat and pulse of the studio, and what makes the academy a space so many people call home, is the focus on not just the art, but also the artist. Owner and Artistic Director Mary Jo Scanio said, “I started dancing when I was four (4) years old, and then continued on to become a Dance Major in college. I was dancing professionally; however, I found that I loved teaching. Having the opportunity to pass the arts along to children became, and still is, my passion.” As a performing arts academy, MJPAA features classes in Music, Instruments, and Voice; Acting and Theater, and Dancing. Classes and private lessons are offered in voice and music for ages five to adult. And there is a program designed for infants
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to five-year-olds. Music Together® was developed with the understanding that music is key in developing language, speech and reading skills in early childhood. “A 2016 study at the University of Southern California’s Brain and Creativity Institute found that musical experiences in childhood can actually accelerate brain development, particularly in the areas of language acquisition and reading skills. According to the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation (NAMM Foundation), learning to play an instrument can improve mathematical learning and even increase SAT scores.” (usc.edu) In addition to assisting with early childhood development, music education has been demonstrated to assist in all areas of school readiness and social-emotional development in children. As well, music education for adults has been proven to prevent memory loss and strengthen memory skills. (www.brighthorizons. com) “Playing a musical instrument throughout life is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. This has been attributed to the ability of musical training and performance to increase the resiliency of the brain.” (www. hindawi.com) MJPAA Theater Instructor, Sheri Whittington, discussed how theater education also helps with confidence, learning and child development, “Among other things, it builds strong communication skills and teaches how to work well with a team. Down the road, it will make them a better public speaker, problem solver, and leader in any profession they choose.” Tiffany Sotelo, the mother of MJPAA students wrote, “My
children enjoy the instructors who go the extra mile to ensure their success.” Among our cultural concerns for youth are childhood obesity, lack of confidence and problem solving skills. Mary Jo’s music, theater, and dance education addresses all three. Utilizing large motor skills, balance, coordination, flexibility, and cardio, dance classes include Ballet, Jazz, Hip Hop, Acrobatics, Modern Dance, Tap, Musical Theater, and many more. These classes have been proven to improve
a child’s social, emotional, and physical health. Classes are offered yearround in a wide variety of styles and disciplines. Children of all ages and abilities have the chance to learn new skills, improve those they already have and express themselves through dance, all while creating long-lasting friendships and building their character. “We are always looking for progressive new ways to enhance our instruction and come up with exciting fresh and modern programs to offer,” said Mary
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Jo Scanio. In a public funding environment where many
of our public schools have been forced to cut music education and performing
arts programs, it’s comforting to know that convenient and affordable training is available in our Carrollwood-Northdale community. According to The National Assessment of Educational Programs in the Arts, student exposure to the arts education in schools has steadily declined since 1997…It is estimated that a majority of Fine Arts Departments in public schools have adopted funding and/or program cuts since 2010. Everything except core academic subjects is starting to be considered a perk. (www.nemc.com) For over 40 years, Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy has been a well-known and respected name throughout Tampa Bay and beyond. Its legacy continues in the lives of children who grew up in Carrollwood-Northdale. Thirdparty validation includes being listed among Dance Spirit
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Magazine’s top dance schools since 2004, and MJPAA was voted one of the top 50 dance schools in the country. The Academy remains one of the Federation of Dance Competition’s Top 25 schools in the Southeast Region. This December, many of the MJPAA students will be sharing their talents with our community in two separate performances. Beauty and the Beast will be held at HCC’s Mainstage Theatre Ybor on Saturday, December 7, and The Nutcracker Ballet will be presented at USF Theatre 1 on Saturday, December 21. Tickets for both shows will be available online at MJPAA. com. Mary Jo’s Performing Arts Academy is located at 15906 Mapledale Boulevard in Northdale. For more information, visit MJPAA. com or call 813-969-0240.
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TECH TALK With Bob: Farewell Windows 7 By Bob Dalles There have been notices of this online, in the newspapers, magazines and television. Come January 2020, Microsoft will no longer be supporting Windows 7. So what does this mean if you currently use Windows 7? Quite simply, Microsoft does not intend to make any more repairs to problems found with the Windows 7 operating system. They would love for you to upgrade to their newest Windows operating system; currently Windows 10. But they will no longer provide repairs to Windows 7 with patches and updates. Patches and updates are fixes for vulnerabilities discovered in Windows 7.
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Microsoft has been providing these weekly since Windows 7 was released back in 2009. Patches and updates deal with issues usually concerning your computer system’s performance and security exploits that have been recently discovered and repaired by Microsoft. These patches and updates are vital to keep your computer running smoothly and securely. You have probably been receiving these every week, perhaps without even knowing it. Your computer usually receives them in the background while your computer sits idle or while you are doing some light computing work. This is accomplished through the service referred to as “Windows Update.” So for most users it’s a no-brainer.
The danger of Windows Update being a no-brainer is that some users are not aware of the importance of keeping their Windows operating systems current. If you were not connected to the internet you would not be as much of a target to cyber criminals and therefore would not need to be as concerned about keeping your Windows operating system up to date. But since you
probably do have an internet connection, you will become more and more vulnerable to cyber criminals, as each week passes, once Microsoft’s support ends. Now don’t be alarmed thinking that, all of a sudden, your computer is going to stop working in January. Your computer will continue to work just as it does today. The exception being that after January 14th you will become an easier target for cyber criminals. It has always been my company’s policy to not recommend unnecessary upgrades to clients. Just because a manufacturer releases a new version of something doesn’t mean you need to upgrade to it right away. Plus,
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I prefer that my clients not spend money on upgrades until they really need to. You need to upgrade when it is feasible both financially and from a security standpoint. So, if you are currently using Windows 7 this is my recommendation to you. If your computer never connects to the internet, and all of your current programs and devices are functioning properly, then you are in good shape. Leave well enough alone. There is little chance your computer will be involved in a cyber attack. However, if your computer is connected to the internet, you must upgrade. I would also recommend that you not hesitate and start planning for this now so you have a smoother transition. If you would like our help call 727-534-4000. Be Safer Out There! Never enter confidential
information into any web site until you know the web site and your computer system is safe. 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. Have a tech question? Email it to TechTalk-TBNL@ BobTheComputerGuy.NET. Questions will be selected by the popularity of a topic and answered in this column. If you have a more urgent need or have a unique situation you may schedule an appointment with one of my Professionally Certified Technicians by calling 727-534-4000.
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“CoreLife” Story Continued from page 1
cause reactions in both adults and children. Often, it’s not easy to figure out which foods contain ingredients that may trigger a reaction. At CoreLife Eatery, you can rest assured that your health is their number one priority. “Truth is that what you eat every day is the ultimate performance enhancer. Your energy levels are directly connected to what you put in your body. So our mission is to deliver that fuel to you with nothing but high-quality ingredients,” says Corelife Eatery VP of Operations, Daniel Lett. “All CoreLife Eatery foods are free of trans fats, artificial colors, sweeteners, other artificial additives, and GMO’s. We put a lot of emphasis on caring for people with food allergies.” Featuring green bowls, grain bowls, broth bowls, hearty salads, and delicious made-from-scratch beverages, CoreLife is the perfect place for those eating gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, keto and more. But don’t let that scare you away, as a meat-eater myself, I highly enjoy their food and protein options, and feel full and guilt-free after I’m done. “Creating a menu that is both healthy and delicious is the main goal of CoreLife Eatery,” says Daniel. “We want people to be able to enjoy a healthy, fresh meal without sacrificing the flavor. Everything we serve is homemade and good for you. Even our drink selection is all-natural. I recommend trying our Apple Cider Green Tea, is one of our best sellers.”
Nothing is frozen or reheated
“We don’t have any freezers or microwaves in the store. Everything, from our protein to our vegetables, are delivered fresh daily,” Daniel says. “The chicken and steak used are sustainably raised and never given antibiotics or hormones. Our broths are made in house and slow simmered
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all day for maximum taste and nutrition. All of our drinks are naturally sweetened and without artificial flavors.” Daniel highly recommends incorporating bone broth into our dietary routine due to its incredible health benefits. “Collagen is vital to our digestive tract health. The glucosamine in bone broth can actually stimulate the growth of new collagen, repair damaged joints and
reduce pain and inflammation,” said Daniel. This fabulous and fresh concept opened its doors on October 5th, 2018 in the heart of Carrollwood, and has received a ton of positive feedback and community support since then. “Great experience!” says customer Isaiah Hogan, about his recent visit to CoreLife Eatery. “From the start, the staff was welcoming and explained
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I love that there’s so much variety too! My absolute favorite place now!”
the level of quality ingredients, making it easy for us to order. I had one of their steak bowls with sweet potatoes, which was very flavorful. They also have a large selection of cold teas, lemonades, etc. We chose a ginger lemonade sweetened with agave, it was very good. I personally have a few allergies (gluten, milk, eggs) and the menu ensures you know what is contained in the meal with no surprises. This is the perfect mix of great food and friendly staff. I highly recommend it!” “Amazing food! I love that it is all organic and NON-GMO,” said 5-star
online reviewer, Jessica R. “There’s no added salt to the rice or quinoa. Carrollwood has needed a place like this for a while.
Catering, Private Parties & More
Hosting an event, work function, or private party? CoreLife now offers CoreLife is more than catering services with free just a restaurant, it’s a delivery within a 15-20 mile radius. They have recently lifestyle. hosted many local events, Get a workout and a great meal when you attend including several CABA luncheons. one of the many wellness CoreLife Eatery is events at Corelife Eatery. located at 13149 N Dale Previous and future events Mabry Hwy, Tampa, include Pop up workouts FL 33618. Please call with DEFINE Carrollwood, (813) 442-8687 or Yoga, Gladiator workouts, visit corelifeeatery.com for and more. “We have also more information. You can partnered with a nutritionist order online through their and a chiropractor who joins website or through their us at different events and app. Just enter your info, offers professional advice to place your order, and pick our customers,” says Daniel. it up. That easy!
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