Vol. 8, Issue 6, June 2017
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Your community. Your magazine.
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The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 20,000 Homes In Odessa, Lutz & Land O’ Lakes Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To: Ashley Lakes, Ballantrae, Belle Meade, Calusa Trace, Canterbury, Cheval, Citrus Greens, Concord Station, Devonwood, Dolce Vita on Lake Keystone, Echo Lake, Farmington Village, Fern Glenn, Grey Hawk at Lake Polo, Heritage Harbor, Ivy Lake Estates, Keystone Groves, Keystone Manors, Keystone Reserve, Keystone Shores, Lake Charles, Lake Church, Lake Parker Estates, Lakeside Grove Estates, Northlake Village, Northbridge at Lake Pretty, Northton Groves, Oakstead, Orange Blossom Creek, Reflections, Steeple Chase, Stillwater, Stonegate, Suncoast Crossings, Suncoast Meadows, Swan Cove, Van Dyke Estates, Van Dyke Farms, Villa Rosa, Wyndham Lakes
Make Sure Your Garage is Hurricane Ready with The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay By Marcy Sanford Hurricane season is here and while you may have stocked your pantry with water, canned goods, and batteries, have you thought about your garage door? “If your
garage door was installed before 2010, it probably does not meet current wind codes,” said Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay Sales Manager Robert Pallone. “It is important to have you garage door See “Overhead Door” on page 22.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Today’s Foster Parents..................3 Calendar & News Briefs...............4 TCBY of Trinity.........................6-7 Suncoast Urgent Care...........10-11 Cool off at a Florida Spring..12-13 Action Air..............................14-15 Tarpon Fishing Tampa Bay.. 18-19 Grout Tech............................24-25 SAT/ACT Tutoring...................28
ECRWSS
See “Premier Choice” on page 26.
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For 17 years John and Donna Bonneau co-founders and brokers of Premier Choice Properties have been delivering exceptional service and extraordinary results. Whether you are buying or selling a home, you can
count on the Bonneau Team to always deliver. They have sold almost 1,000 homes in the area – no one knows the GREATER TAMPA BAY Real Estate market better than they do. Specializing in popular relocation communities in Lutz, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, South Tampa and the
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By Marcy Sanford
The Community Dining & Business Guide that your neighbors READ! Dated Material Please Rush!
Exceptional Service & Extraordinary Results
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From The Editor Kim Thomas
Today’s Foster Parents Today’s foster families are skilled, valued partners who parent, nurture and advocate for children in their care, and who mentor and support the child’s birth parents. They leave lifelong impressions on children in their care and are privileged to positively impact the futures of children and families in our community. Today’s foster parents are business owners, soccer moms and retirees. By day, they teach school, sell real estate and work construction. By night, they read bedtime stories, help with homework and give hugs. They work as partners with birth parents, case managers, guardian ad litems, schools and judges to nurture, love and advocate for children in their care. Steps to Foster Get started by calling 866-2330790 to sign up for a free Orientation. Get information at an orientation that will explain what is needed to become a foster parent and answer your questions. Once you return a few
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forms, the next step is training. Get trained at no cost to you with classes called Professional Parenting. This 24-hour course will teach you about children in foster care, grief and loss, the professional team, and much more. Get licensed to ensure that you, your family, and your home are prepared and safe. This will include a home study and background screening of all household members at no cost to you. If favorable, your home will be licensed to accept children into your care. A home study process is required. A favorable home has enough bedroom space for each foster child. They may share a bedroom with your child or another foster child of the same gender, but must have a bed of their own. A foster child may not share a bedroom with any adult nor can the adult move out of their bedroom and sleep on the couch to make room. Foster parents can own or rent their residences, so long as the environ-
ment is clean and safe. During the home study process, you will be asked to have a health inspection done in your home to make sure it is free of potential dangers. It must have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, and pets must be vaccinated and not present a danger to children. Foster parents must be healthy and emotionally stable and are asked to complete a physical exam or provide medical clearances. Thorough background screenings are conducted on all prospective foster families, including Abuse Registry, local criminal and federal criminal clearances (fingerprinting). Background screenings and child abuse clearances are required for all household members. Foster parents must have adequate income to meet their own family’s needs. Foster parents are given stipends called “board rates” for the substitute care they provide; however, the monthly board rate is not income. Foster parents can be single, married, divorced or in a domestic partnership. (Please see page 4 for informational meeting dates.)
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Directly mailed once a month to over 20,000 households in zip codes 33556, 33558 & 34638
220 Safford Ave. S. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (813) 928-6124; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@nnlflorida.com Editorial E-mail: editorial@nnlflorida.com © 2017 Tampa BayNews & Lifestyles is published by ADS 2 Publications, Inc. Publisher Tim Selby General Manager Jim O’Reilly
Correspondents Julie Kanehl Marcy Sanford Katie Thomas
Editor Kim Thomas
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Odessa, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes Area
Community Calendar & News Briefs Foster Parent Information Meetings 1st Monday Monthly, 6 PM–– Eckerd Kids and Eckerd Community Alternatives are seeking individuals and couples who are interested in learning more information about becoming Foster Parents. The Orientations offer the opportunity to learn more about the needs facing Pasco County children who have experienced issues of abuse and neglect within their biological families. The Orientations last 2 hours and are completely free. Participants are never obligated to become Foster Parents as a result of their attendance. The Trinity Orientation is located at 7916 Evolutions Way, Suite 102. Orientations begin at 6 p.m. every 1st Monday. Questions: Contact Diane Johnson at 727.456.0600 (Ext. 2085) or e-mail her at djohnson@eckerd.org NAMI Pasco Support Meetings *NAMI CONNECTION RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP is a structured closed group, open only to those with a mental illness diagnosis. This group for individuals 18 and
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older, interested in the recovery process, sharing coping skills and being with others who understand the daily challenges of living with a mental illness and is facilitated by trained peers. Additional Information: NAMI 727-992-9653 or www.namipasco.org *1. Every Wednesday & Thursday, 7-8:30 PM, at WellCare Office, Southgate Shopping Center, 5113 US Hwy 19, New Port Richey *2. 2nd & 4th Friday of each month, 2-3:30 PM, at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel *3. 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month, 7-8:30 PM, at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, Shoreline Café Meeting Room, 14000 Fivay Rd, Hudson **NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP is for family members and caregivers of someone with a mental illness diagnosis **1. 2nd & 4th Mondays, 6:30–8:30 PM at Medical Center of Trinity “West Campus,” 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey **2. 1st & 3rd Tuesday each
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month, 7–8:30 PM––Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, Shoreline Café Meeting Room, 14000 Fivay Rd, Hudson **3. 1st & 3rd Tuesday each month, 7–8:30 PM at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel Additional Information: NAMI 727-992-9653 or www.namipasco.org GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club Honors Veterans GFWC Woman’s Club meets yearly to visit, respect and honor veterans interred in the 1st Baptist Church
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of Land O’Lakes Cemetery. The ladies place fresh flags on each veteran’s grave as they reflect on the sacrifices made in service of their country each Memorial Day. Find membership info online: gfwclutzlandolakeswomansclub.org
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TCBY of Trinity is the Perfect Spot for a Cool Summer Treat! By Christina Aguis Every time customers walk into TCBY they are greeted with friendly faces and a variety of flavors to choose from out of the self-serve machines. It’s been almost six years since TCBY of Trinity opened and owners Jay and Patti Silar, along with daughter Jenifer Mills, work every day to give their customers The Country’s Best Yogurt, which is what TCBY stands for. It all started for the Silars in August of 2011 when they opened shop in Mitchell Ranch Plaza, to give them something to do. “It really started with the idea of a hobby for my mom and dad,” said Mills. “It gave them something to do and it gave me something to do. I was a stay at home mom and hadn’t worked for years. It got me out of the house and gave us all a purpose.” The idea originated while Jay and Patti were visiting their grandchildren in Charlotte, North Carolina. The girls had asked to go to a new frozen yogurt store for dessert, which
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featured an array of toppings and was self-serve. “We all knew TCBY from the 80s,” said Mills. “My dad thought the store in Charlotte so neat and he was really impressed, so he looked into a franchise.” Patti and Jay said that the store is really Jenifer’s and that they started it for her. “Jenifer has been on the ground floor from the beginning,” said Patti. “She does it all.” The three split time at the store amongst each other, while Jenifer does the marketing, social media, and payroll. “It’s fun,” said Mills. “I come in to help the employees open and leave around 1:30 to pick up my daughter from school. We’re not here at night because we trust our employees to do their job, but we are always a phone call away.” Patti stressed that one of their main goals is to give students an opportunity for a first job. “It’s tons of fun,” said Patti. “They get to meet and talk to people
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but there’s work too.” Employee, 18-year-old Kamren Powers, has been working at TCBY for almost two years and said that he loves the environment that TCBY provides. “TCBY is a really fun place to work,” said Powers. “There are a lot of friendly people and I think that we provide something that other frozen yogurt places don’t.” What most people don’t know is that TCBY has their own, patented yogurt, where most frozen yogurt stores buy their yogurt from various suppliers. With their own TCBY yogurt and multiple flavors to choose from, it’s easy for the Silars to pick what goes into the machines, especially when something is in season or is in popular demand. “We have core flavors that we have to have in the store, like Chocolate and Vanilla,” said Mills. “Every other flavor is based on what the customers want. We once took out Cake Batter and had just about a riot.”
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There are five machines that fit two flavors, giving customers 10 flavors to choose from. In addition to the core flavors, others vary from Greek, dairy free and sorbets; they also
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To make the frozen yogurt even more delicious, TCBY has over 50 toppings to choose from. provide the old-fashioned handscooped yogurt. “We change them seasonally,” said Mills. “Fruits are big right now and we’ll get into pumpkin in the fall and usually a mint in the winter.”
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Right now the store’s newest flavor is a no-sugar-added, non-fat Mint Chocolate Chip and their special flavor for June is Strawberry. To make the frozen yogurt even more delicious, TCBY has over 50
toppings to choose from. “We don’t really rotate toppings except for fruits in season and maybe holiday candies,” said Mills. “We have a big variety but it’s what the people like and our fruit always has to be fresh.” Besides having fresh fruit everyday TCBY has a variety of different chocolates to choose from. “It all goes back to chocolate,” said Mills. They go through about five to ten pounds of peanut butter cups a day, but they also have some healthy options. “Let’s be honest, this ain’t a place for dieters,” said Patti. “But we try to have some healthy toppings like granola.” Although they don’t change the toppings much, their newest topping is Fruity Pebbles cereal. “One lady insisted on the Fruity Pebbles,” said Mills. “So we tried it out and everyone has been loving them.” “Fruity Pebbles has definitely earned a spot on the table,” agreed Patti. TCBY also offers banana boats for
banana splits, milkshakes, and pints of their frozen yogurt. It’s all about the customers for TCBY. On top of giving the flavors and toppings that everyone wants, they also added a new app to give their customers rewards that will come into affect June 1st, called the Level Up App. “The new app offers more rewards for customers then just coming in and buying something,” said Mills. “They get points for getting the app, their birthday, and inviting people to join the app.” Mills added, “Our store will offer a newer Rewards Card for customers who don’t have a cell phone.” If you’re ready for a summer full of rewards, visit TCBY in Trinity for a variety of cold treats. TCBY of Trinity is located at 3140 Little Road in the Mitchell Ranch Plaza. Hours: Mon. – Sun., noon – 10 p.m. daily during the summer months of June, July and August. Call (727) 375-1177 for more information and check out TCBY of Trinity’s Facebook page or websitewww.tcbytrinity.com for upcoming events and flavors.
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Suncoast Urgent Care – A Trusted Provider in Trinity for a Decade By Kim Thomas Many in the West Pasco and North Pinellas areas already know Suncoast Urgent Care and its friendly staff and doctors, but it may come as a surprise that July will mark a decade that this family-oriented emergency medical practice has served the community. Located at Trinity Village Center just off of State Road 54, Suncoast Urgent Care is the perfect answer to the question of where to go when you have an emergency that doesn’t require the hospital. It is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Founding physicians Peter C. Duic, MD and John P. Opyoke, MD are residency-trained in Emergency Medicine and are board certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Opyoke and Dr. Duic are trained to handle the gamut of medical emergencies and they designed Suncoast Urgent Care to be equipped to treat nearly all non-life threatening emergencies. Furthermore, Drs. Duic and Opyoke and their medical staff provide the community with convenient and competent health and wellness care which includes the effective weight loss program Doctor’s Choice Weight Loss. Suncoast Urgent Care has continued to grow to meet the needs of the community; its staff now includes physicians, nurse practitioners, RNs, medical assistants and x-ray technicians. Trusted by the community for the past decade since Suncoast Urgent Care opened its doors, it has seen over 125,000 repeat visits at its Trinity location alone. When recently speaking with Dr. Duic, it was hard to believe nearly ten years have gone by since he and Dr. Opyoke opened the doors to patients
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Co-Founder Dr. Duic (3rd from right) and some of the professionals who are part of the Suncoast Urgent Care team in Trinity on July 16, 2007. At the time, the doctors’ families were so young; their children were still preschoolers. Former Emergency Department physicians, they drew upon their extensive ER experience to build an urgent care facility that offers modern technology and good oldfashioned care along with hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate! Equally important, Suncoast Urgent Care is immaculately kept. Drs. Duic and Opyoke’s vision has always been to provide both the care and the environment in which they would want their own family members to be treated. “We’ve stayed true to our original mission – to treat our patients like we’d treat our family,” shares Dr. Duic, “but I think we now have an even deeper understanding of what it is like for our patients. Over the past
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ten years our own families have gone through some stressful medical issues and it really makes you think of what the patients and their families are going though. We focus on making our patients feel comfortable and providing good care, which includes prompt care. Our providers listen and give patients the time they need and help us understand what’s going on.” Suncoast Urgent Care is not meant for life-threatening emergencies – for a life and death situation a patient should go to the hospital ER. Rather, Suncoast Urgent Care provides quality medical care in a state-of-the-art facility for patients who are sick or injured who do not require the Emergency Room. A visit to Suncoast Urgent Care is far less costly to the patient than a visit to the hospital ER and, as one of their slogans says, they treat everything
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from “Common Colds to Broken Bones.” Many parents bring their children to Suncoast Urgent Care for school and sports physicals and the quieter summer months are a great time to get ahead of schedule with a thorough, quick and convenient $29 school or sports physical. Young athletes often spend more time practicing during summer months and parents know that bumps, bruises, sprains, and breaks are sometimes an unwanted part of the game. Your child will receive quality care quickly at Suncoast Urgent Care. “We treat a lot of sports injuries,” says Dr. Duic. “We have an x-ray machine on site and are humbled to receive lots of referrals from local sports clubs. We are very familiar with pediatric injuries which may be different from adult injuries due to growth plates.”
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throughout Pasco and Hernando Counties,” says Dr. Duic. “We have a strong relationship with the school boards, the police and fire departments as well as some big employers including UPS and Target.”
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In some cases, more extensive imaging is necessary. Suncoast Urgent Care has affiliations with off-site radiology providers who offer more advanced imaging, such as CAT scans and MRIs, on the same day, if needed. Digital medical records allow for images to be viewed easily from one provider to the next and make it possible for the doctors to receive report studies back on the same day. In addition, should a patient benefit from seeing a medical specialist, the providers at Suncoast Urgent Care are familiar with specialists in the area and will do their best to help patients schedule an appointment as soon as possible. On-site digital x-ray, EKGs, lab testing, IV fluids and medications from an onsite pharmacy at each location make it even more convenient
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for patients and helps cut down on travel, time, and cost. Also, Suncoast Urgent Care’s onsite lab provides immediate results for Strep, Mononucleosis, Flu, urinalysis and more.
Businesses Partner with Suncoast Urgent Care Many local businesses have chosen to partner with Suncoast Urgent Care. The practice offers Occupational Medicine which includes pre-employment drug screens, random and “Under Suspicion” drug testing as well as treatment for work related injuries for local retail, service, industrial and corporate clients; they also handle workman’s compensation cases and provide physicals for the Department of Transportation. “We work with big and small businesses
In addition to providing a wonderful urgent care facility both here in Trinity and in Spring Hill, Drs. Duic and Opyoke created a personalized, physician assisted weight loss program that helps clients turn their health around. Dr. Duic speaks about Doctor’s Choice Weight Loss: “Our philosophy is to make it as simple as possible. After an initial consultation, we design an individual weight loss program for clients that will guide them toward their weight loss goals. Simple meal plans are provided to assist with not only food preparation, but also with shopping for easy-to-prepare meals. Nutritional counseling is provided, free of charge at the client’s request.”
Suncoast Urgent Care is Available When Your Family Physician Can’t Be There have been many occasions over the past ten years when my own
family has turned to Dr. Duic and Dr. Opyoke at Suncoast Urgent Care, from needing checking out after a car accident to viruses, flus, bad sprains and high school sports physicals. It isn’t that we don’t have a great primary care physician, we do, but often emergencies, fevers and sickness happen after doctors’ offices close or on the weekend. At the patients’ request, Suncoast Urgent Care will share any findings with the primary care physician and they have a great relationship with many physicians in the area. In fact, a lot of primary care physicians in the area refer their patients to Suncoast Urgent Care when they are away on vacation or out of their offices for training. When you need a doctor right away or want to save yourself the expense of the hospital ER for a minor injury, turn to Suncoast Urgent Care. Suncoast Urgent Care has two locations: 10730 SR 54, Ste. 104, in Trinity and 4112 Mariner Blvd. in Spring Hill. Hours are 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Mon. – Sat., and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sun. Call (727) 3723888 to reach the Trinity office. Log on to SuncoastUCC.com for additional information.
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Cool Off With a Trip to a Florida Spring! By Katie Thomas June is here and we are in the full swing of summer, which means soaring temperatures for Tampa Bay Area. With record highs, locals are looking for ways to cool down and enjoy the sunshine without breaking the bank or burning to a crisp! Luckily, Florida is home to more than just beautiful beaches - we are blessed with gorgeous natural springs that offer cool relief with 72-degree water year round! From Homosassa to Gainesville, you can find glorious cool freshwater springs to enjoy with your family on less than a tank of gas! Grab your masks and snorkels and get ready to jump in and cool off! Where in the Heck is Chassahowitzka?! A short drive north on U.S. Highway 19 will bring to you to the Chassahowitzka River, known the locals as The Chaz. Offering picturesque views of Old Florida with oak-lined paths, drive down Miss
Maggie Drive and you’ll find access to one of Florida’s hidden gems. The Chaz is part of The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge and offers visitors the opportunity to camp, hike, swim, snorkel, canoe and more on the clear, cold waters of the river. Dog and family friendly, The Chaz is home to vast expanses of hardwood swamps, clear as crystal springs, salt marshes and the occasional manatee or otter sighting! Known as a paddler’s paradise, The Chaz is the perfect spot to escape the Florida heat and reconnect with nature. One of my favorite spots on The Chaz is Seven Sisters Springs, which is just a short paddle down the river. Seven Sisters is a collection of seven small springs that connect on one of the small creeks of The Chaz. You will find one large spring that allows you to easily swim through the limestone opening if you dare. More experienced freedivers can be seen snorkeling through the six other springs that connect with entrance and exit spots not recommended if
you are not an experienced diver or have any type of claustrophobia. I’ve snorkeled through the tunneling beauty of Seven Sisters and the ethereal experience is one that cannot easily be matched. While paddling The Chaz, make sure to check out The Crack. It takes some time to paddle back to but you’ll find a cool spring to snorkel around, see tons of wildlife and there is even a rope swing for the brave (careful though)! Real Florida Mermaids at Weeki Wachee! Weeki Wachee Springs, located in Hernando County, is one of Florida’s more well known springs and family travel destinations. In 1947, Weeki Wachee aired its first mermaid show in the underwater theater that is located in the basin of Weeki Wachee Springs. Soon after the first mermaid show, Weeki Wachee became one of the most popular tourist destinations in Florida and since its opening, the mermaids and
Katie swinging over “The Chaz” the spring have become Florida legends. “Once a Mermaid, Always a Mermaid,” is a long said motto of all the girls who have performed with tails in the ancient spring. Visitors can enjoy the mermaid performance, paddle the river, take a riverboat tour, swim at Buccaneer Bay (complete with spring fed water slides) and view abundant flora and fauna. Rich in Florida history, beauty
paddleboard, kayak or canoe is highly recommended for those looking to swim in the water and for more upclose encounters with manatees – but not too close – remember these gentle sea mammals are protected. While visiting Kings Bay make sure you don’t miss out on Tarpon Hole, Mullet’s Gullet and Little Hidden Springs which are all accessible by boat.
and tradition, Weeki Wachee is a must visit for families on summer break! Kings Bay in Crystal River – Home to the West Indian Manatee! One of the best places in Florida for up-close manatee encounters is located in Crystal River. Kings Bay in Crystal River is home to over 30 known springs, including Three Sisters, which is one of the best places
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for manatee viewing in Florida. Three Sisters Springs offers boardwalk nature trails that are handicap accessible for those looking to see the springs from land. You can also paddle into Three Sisters Springs from a boat launch that is located in Hunter Springs for an even closer interaction. During the summer months, you can expect to see around 30 manatees a day throughout Kings Bay. Renting a
Ichetucknee State Park – Pristine, Clear and Wild! One of the most pristine, untouched and well-preserved rivers in Florida has to be the Ichetucknee. Paddleboard, canoe, kayak or tube down the Ichetucknee River for a relaxing, gorgeous and fun adventure. You will love the crystal clear water on The Itch (a local name) and enjoy the cool temps of the spring-fed river. For access to the river and Blue Hole Spring (the main spring) visit Ichetucknee Springs State Park. You can picnic, take a nature walk and enjoy access to the river and spring from two different entrances located at the north and south ends of the park. Blue Hole is the largest spring on The Itch and pours out 26,668
gallons of water per month! Snorkelers and swimmers love the clear, blue spring during summer months. Blue Hole is located in a beautiful wooded area, offering lots of shade and bird watching. Certified Scuba Divers can dive the cave located in the spring and check out Blue, Gray and Loft room caverns! To tube the Itch, you can rent a tube at one of the local tubing outfitters along the highway. They will tie your tube to your car and send you on your way. Make sure to grab some hot boiled peanuts off the highway for a real taste of Florida! The float can last from 1 to 4 hours depending on your launch point; just ask one of the park rangers to help you find the best launch point for you and your crew! Old Florida Awaits! Florida is more than beaches and palm trees and during the summer, a visit to the springs and rivers under a shady oak canopy is the best way to beat the heat! From manatee and otter sightings to cool blue water and cypress trees – Old Florida is waiting for you this summer! Info: FloridaSprings.org
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Action Air Conditioning: “Call Today! Cool Today! We Guarantee It!” By Katie Thomas Servicing the Tampa Bay Area for nearly 30 years, Action Air Conditioning, Inc. provides efficient and professional service so you can receive ultimate comfort in your home. Offering the community everything from AC repair and installation to annual maintenance and new systems, Action Air has cooling and heating solutions for you at a fair price. Action Air Conditioning owner David Russell built his company upon the simple philosophy to serve the community with honesty, integrity and reliability. David founded the company in 1988 and in the beginning his focus was to provide great service to the residential replacement market. In 1990, David joined up with Frank Lipp (senior advisor) who brought fifty years’ experience to the company. Frank and David worked together and built off each other’s strong character traits, growing and expanding Action Air. In 1993 David made the choice to only sell the best energy efficient
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products available that came with the best warranties in the business. Since that decision, Action Air Conditioning has become one of the largest HVAC dealers in the Tampa Bay Area, complete with a gorgeous showroom that allows customers to test, hear, and feel air conditioning units before they make a purchase. David encourages all potential and existing customers to stop in and say “hi” and visit the 25,000-sq.-ft. showroom, located at 8926 N. Armenia Avenue on the corner of Busch Boulevard. “I would like to personally invite you to our showroom, where you can find all of the latest high-tech thermostats, dehumidifiers, air cleaners, and HVAC systems that are on the market today. Our showroom is what really distinguishes us from other AC competitors. You wouldn’t buy a car without test-driving it first, so why buy an air conditioning system without seeing it run? When you come in here you can see and test real operating units for yourself, giving you the comfort of knowing the system you’re getting before you buy
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it. You’ll learn a lot and probably have fun too!” Action Air Conditioning boasts a well-stocked parts department, and a large inventory. The chances that Action Air will have a part you need for your system are high and you can always expect a fair deal! Action Air is a Daikin Comfort Pro and Lennox Premier dealer, so you can trust you are receiving the most innovative
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systems on the market. Known for offering some of the best replacement warranties in the industry, Action Air provides warranties that offer peace-of-mind. Some systems come with a 12-year worry-free warranty, which means that if at any time your system breaks during a 12-year period, Action Air will replace or fix it for you free of charge! Action Air also offers 100%
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financing, with low payments and no interest options available. The Action Air Conditioning team always strives for excellence and 100% customer satisfaction. David says, “We are proud to say that over 50% of our employees have been a part of our company for over 18 years, and that’s only because many of the others have since retired. We treat our workers like family, and we believe that translates into customer satisfaction. We don’t find good technicians. We create them.” Action Air Conditioning believes in preventive maintenance, which will prolong the life of your unit. David says, “Regular maintenance keeps your system running smooth and efficiently, which ultimately helps you save money on your utility bill.” In addition to lowering your utility bill, regular maintenance checks and upkeep ensure that your warranty is applicable. Luckily, Action Air offers several service agreements to customers that are fit to meet your personal needs and budget: The Bronze service agreement ($117) offers a tune up, 20% discount on repairs, and priority service. The Silver ($165/ $132 to renew) offers a tune up, 20% discount on repairs,
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priority service, never an overtime charge, and drain service warranty. The Gold service agreement ($274/ $191 to renew) offers everything the Silver package has, plus 2 FREE copays on warranty and insurance claims, and no parts handling fee from manufacturers. As Floridians, we know how important it is to be able to step inside our homes to escape the hottest months of summer and right now is the time to get your unit checked, diagnosed and serviced. David and the Action Air team realize that without the business and trust of this community, their success would not be possible. This is why Action Air gives back to the community in the best way they can. Action Air is currently partnered with the Humane Society, and sponsors other community organizations as well, including little league baseball, and local churches and schools. Whether the job is big or small, Action Air Conditioning takes action when it comes to keeping you and your family cool. From repairs and maintenance to a showroom with the best units on the market, Action Air’s dedication to customer service is above-and-beyond.
Action Air founder David Russell with his son Chris, who is the VP of Marketing & Sales “We handle jobs big and small with unfailing commitment to excellence, and are always ready to face new challenges and add new clients to our long list of satisfied customers,” says David. “If you are in the market for a new system stop by and visit our showroom, you’ll be glad you did! Call Today! Cool Today! We Guarantee It!”
Action Air Conditioning, Inc. is located on the corner of Busch Blvd. and Armenia Ave. at 8926 N. Armenia Ave. in Tampa. Office hours are 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. with 24-hour same day emergency service available. For more information please call 813-935-6644 or log on to www.ActionAirConditioning.com.
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Target Tarpon in Tampa Bay By Captain Matt Selby The Tarpon bite is on fire in Tampa Bay and surrounding areas from now until the end of June. Local guides and recreational fishermen alike chomp at the bit for this time of year, and for good reason; Tarpon fishing is addicting, plain and simple. All it takes is a large fish, maybe a 100 pounder or so, to grab your bait and start it’s unrivaled arial show as she attempts to throw the hook for even the most seasoned angler to be “hooked” on tarpon for life. When Tarpon feel the sharp steel of the hook, this fish has a propensity for skyrocketing from the water and ejecting both bait and hook high into the air. Even when an angler was lucky enough to survive this first burst of acrobatics and succeed in finding a place for the hook to imbed in the Tarpons hard mouth, only then did the angler truly understand the awesome strength of the mighty Silver King! If the hook sticks, an angler can prepare for a back-breaking 30 minute or longer fight! “There’s no feeling like it! Adrenaline pumps through my veins
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so hard sometimes my body starts shaking when a Tarpon finally takes the bait,” says John Swan of Tarpon Springs. Tarpon weren’t always a sought after game fish in our area, in fact, my grandfather would rather net up some mullet to throw on the smoker than break his back for a fish that offered no food value. He also never had the opportunity to battle a Tarpon on rod and reel as a younger man or I have a feeling his thoughts on targeting Tarpon would be different. In fact, I even shared his same views on Tarpon fishing until I hooked into my first large fish floating a live grunt in the Florida Keys about 15 years ago. In 1885 William H. Wood and his massive Silver fish made international headlines after being landed on rod and reel for the first time on record in an area now called “Tarpon Bay” of southwest Florida. This was the start of a brand new big-game fishing frontier in the state but it wasn’t until the late 1960s that Tampa Bay anglers learned that the silver sided giants could be found in plentiful numbers right here at
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home. Boca Grande, about an hour and a half south of Tampa is world renowned for the very best Tarpon fishing on the planet! Ask any serious Tarpon fisherman where their favorite place to target Tarpon is and Boca Grande usually comes out of their mouth with a big smile. Schools of well over 10,000 migratory fish show up in the Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor starting in April and by this time of year the pass
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can look like a parking lot on the weekends with well over 100 boats at peak fishing hours sharing the same space. Tensions can be high and “road rage” type scenes are common if a boater runs over the line of a fisherman’s hooked up fish. Boca Grande, especially the pass is no place for newbies and an experienced charter captain is almost a necessity. My friend Captain Mike Manning of Action Fishing Adventures has over 20 years of experience in the waters off Boca Grande. When I want to catch big Tarpon in Boca Grande, I charter Mike. Yes, you heard that right, Mike’s so good, other fishing guides, such as myself, charter him when they want to catch big Boca Grande Tarpon! Fishing for Tarpon near the Skyway bridge in Tampa can also be a little crowded at times but weekdays are perfect! This time of year, very much like in Boca, Tarpon are feeding on blue crabs being swept out of the flats and out into the deeper passes. Tarpon by the thousands set up shop in these locations looking for an easy meal. Presentation is of the utmost importance when Tarpon fishing. This means understanding how the fish feed and how to set up your drift
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so that your bait looks like every other little crab being flushed out with the tide. Screw this up, and you’ll be one frustrated fisherman. Tarpon are happy to bite if everything looks right, get it wrong (and that’s easy to do) and you may not see a bite all season. Like all fishing, trial and error plays a big role in the success an angler will experience. Some people use Bobbers but I prefer a balloon because I can easily adjust the depth of my bait onthe-fl y. In my opinion, live bait is king but a well presented swim bait like a 7 or 9 inch Hogy lure or a hard bait such as Pauls unfair Mullet 120 by Unfair Lures are some of my favorite choices. Tarpon numbers are bouncing back to record highs now that catch and release has become common practice for the magnificent Silver
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King of Game Fish. It’s beyond frowned upon to take these beautiful fish and kill them just for a picture or to have them stuffed and mounted. A quick boat side picture is more than sufficient to keep the memory and if you really want to commemorate the fight, have a replica fish mount created. They can be created by a simple picture and/or measurements. If you would like to go fishing with me in Tampa Bay or search for Tarpon along the beaches you can contact me at matt@nnlflorida.com or if you want to go fishing in Boca Grande with Captain Mike Manning of Action Fishing Adventures you can call him directly at 727-2438918. Find me on Facebook @ EpicSportsFishingTampa
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“Overhead Door” Continued from page 1 inspected annually to make sure it is structurally sound and can handle hurricane force winds.” The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay has been serving the Tampa Bay Area since 1951. The family-owned business is a Red Ribbon distributor of Overhead Door products and provides a fullline of residential garage doors, commercial overhead doors, roll up doors, and industrial doors. Additionally, The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay can install access controls, gates, hurricane shutters and panels, and garage door screens. They can also service all makes and models of garage doors. Residential Garage Doors: The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay always provides free estimates and information about garage door repair or replacement. Robert says installing a new garage door is one of the number one ways homeowners can increase the value of their home. “A new garage door
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can make a dramatic difference.” The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay offers a huge line of faux wood doors to choose from as well as custom doors that can have any look you desire thanks to advanced 3-D printing. There are great new extra features offered with garage doors now that you’ll love. With a battery backup you’ll be able to open your garage even if the electricity is out.
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Wi-Fi connections allow you to open or close your garage from your phone and advances in insulation can help keep your garage cool during the hot summer months. The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay can even show you how your new garage door will look on your home thanks to an interactive computer program. “The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay was very professional
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and expedient,” said customer Bud H., “from the customer service call to the great service that Roderick provided.” In addition to rave reviews from Tampa Bay residents, The Overhead Door Company has a long list of corporate and government customers who rely on them to keep their garage doors opening and closing smoothly – The City of Tampa Fire Department, Raymond James stadium, Amalie Arena, Tampa International Airport, and many restaurants around town. They offer 24-hour emergency service for residential and commercial customers so if your garage door gets stuck at midnight, they’ll be there to help. Commercial Garage Doors: As Tampa’s oldest garage door company, The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay is a welltrusted name in the community. In addition to making sure the city’s firefighters can make a smooth exit to help them get to calls when it’s time, they have helped many restaurants add a wow-factor to their design with custom doors. World of Beer and Brass Tap are just a few
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The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay has a long list of corporate and government customers who rely on them to keep their garage doors opening and closing smoothly examples of restaurants that have turned to The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay for custom glass garage doors that open up and instantly expand the restaurants’
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seating areas. In addition to beautiful glass doors, with new 3-D printing technology, The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay can put almost any design on a door.
Garage Door Repairs: No matter the make or model of your garage door, The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay can repair it. “If it has anything to do with a
garage door or opener, we can help,” said Robert. And with 24-hour emergency service, they will be there to help you any time of the day or night. They also offer planned maintenance programs. “With annual service you can dramatically head off any problem before it happens,” said Robert. Owner Bob Briesacher and The Overhead Door Company employees believe in giving back to the community. They are very actively involved with Metropolitan Ministries, the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If you would like to improve your home’s safety, efficiency, and overall look with a new garage door or if your old one needs repairs, you can turn to the oldest and largest, most trusted name in Tampa – The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay. The Overhead Door Company of Tampa Bay is located at 7701 Ann Ballard Rd. For more information, visit www.overheadtampa.com. To schedule a service call or a free estimate, call (813)-885-3667.
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Grout Tech - Your Tile and Grout Specialist! By Katie Thomas Grout Tech is a family owned business serving Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Grout Tech specializes in cleaning and sealing tile and grout, re-coloring grout, re-caulking showers and tubs, and repairing grout and broken tiles. Throughout the years, Grout Tech has grown through its many referrals from happy customers. People really appreciate that Grout Tech saves them time and money, but it is the excellent service provided that has really helped this business grow. You may think you need an entire new floor due to broken tiles or just overall dinginess, but Grout Tech asks you to consider saving money and time by using their cleaning and repair services. Grout Tech can renew existing grout and tile to its original beauty by cleaning and maintaining the tile and grout lines. John Cole and his wife were ready to re-tile their entire bathroom before calling BJ at Grout Tech. John shared, “Our bathroom tile was over 40 years old it was looking grungy and very dull. We called
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After
Before
With the help of Grout Tech, even the dirtiest and oldest of floors can be restored and renewed to their original beauty and splendor. Grout Tech and we are extremely pleased with our results! We saved so much money by having the grout in our shower resurfaced and the tile cleaned and it looks brand new.” Before you spend thousands of dollars remodeling and re-tiling your bathroom or kitchen be sure to call Grout Tech for a FREE estimate on cleaning or repairing old dingy tile and grout. Grout Tech can breathe new life into your existing tile work, making everything shine like new at a
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fraction of the cost. The floors in our homes, especially in heavy foot traffic areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms, take a daily beating. After a few years, they just aren’t as beautiful as they once were. To renew the dull back to beautiful, Grout Tech works with you to find out what fits your budget and which services will get you the most bang for your buck. Because grout is a porous material, trying to remove stains is
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seemingly impossible. Grout Tech owner BJ explains, “Color sealing grout lines is one of the many services we offer and it is definitely the most effective way to create a perfect, new look.” Using a step-by-step process, Grout Tech begins by using a cleansing product to remove all bacteria and surface dirt with special machinery. They will then apply a color seal (of your choice). Once the sealer is applied the grout lines will be permanently
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Before protected from any stains. The color seal also guarantees against cracking, chipping and peeling. Additionally, they will also cosmetically fix or replace chipped or cracked tiles, making your bathroom or kitchen tile like new again. BJ from Grout Tech is happy to set your appointment, come out and give you a free estimate. She stresses, “It is important for me to be respectful of our customers’ time so I will always arrive at the time we set.” In addition to always arriving in a timely manner, BJ says that they can keep their prices low because they are a family owned business and not a franchise. She explains, “What many
people don’t understand is that franchises are often forced to charge more for their services because they have to maintain their franchise fees, but not with Grout Tech.” Not only does Grout Tech keep its rates competitive, but the company will also honor any other quote as long as it is in writing. Carla Bartow, a satisfied customer, shares her experience, “When BJ came out to give us a quote, she looked at the job and I could tell immediately that she knew what she was talking about. We had our family room, kitchen and dining room re-grouted. They also regrouted the tub, shower and base of
our toilet in our bathroom. They were fantastic! Not only were they professional and reliable but they also completed the job much faster than we had anticipated.” Repeat customer John C. says, “I had Grout Tech come out to my place three years ago. The service was excellent and the price was great too. I recently rehired Grout Tech to come out to complete my other two bathrooms, which they’ll begin working on in June. I chose Grout Tech once again because their professionalism and skill is unbeatable.” Another satisfied client, John F. says, “My wife and I had a bad experience with a grout service
company we hired off Craigslist. The work was terrible and they lacked professionalism. My wife found Grout Tech and we were so happy the connection was made. Grout Tech worked miracles on our floors and solved all our grout and tile problems. They performed work for us back in 2014. We loved that they were great with our pets and felt really comfortable having them in our home working. We hired them again in 2016 due to their excellent service and we were again completely satisfied with the service they provided. I wouldn’t consider using any company other than Grout Tech.” If you need assistance in cleaning and sealing tile and grout, re-coloring grout, re-caulking showers and tubs, and repairing grout and broken tiles Grout Tech is at your service! If you are tired of scrubbing until your hands are sore trying to clean stained, old grout, call Grout Tech today! It is amazing just how much better your bathroom and kitchen areas look with crisp, clean grout lines! To find out more about Grout Tech’s services or for a free estimate call BJ at 727-768-6828.
TRINITY DENTAL CARE (727) 372-2001 ING EPT
ACC IENTS NOW W PAT NE
Toll Free: 1-888-tooth AK www.trinitydentalcare.com
We perform the following procedures: - Preventive Dentistry Dr. S. Shayes - Dr. A. Eskandari - Crowns, Bridges - Dentures, Partials, Repairs - Tooth Colored Fillings - Gum Treatment #DN15492 #DN15013 - Nitrous Gas (Happy Gas)
- Root Canals - Teeth Whitening - Dentistry for Children and Adolescence - etc.
Saturday Appointments Available TWO Locations! • 1843 Health Care Drive, Building #1 Trinity, FL 34655 (at the corner of Mitchell Blv & Little Rd, behind Walgreens)
• 20729 Center Oak Drive, Tampa,FL 33647
HEALTHY GUM CLEANING
$69.99
(D1110)
EXP. 7/30/2017. Monday-Friday. New patients only. Cannot be used with insurance or any other offer. Present coupon at time of service.
NEW PATIENT SPECIAL Exam (D0140) and X-Ray (D0272 or D0220)
$39.99 EXP. 7/30/2017. WEEKDAYS ONLY. New patients only. Cannot be used with insurance. Coupon needs to be presented at time of service.
The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for another service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted or reduced fee, service, examination or treatment.
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“Premier Choice” Continued from page 1 Westchase areas, they are regularly recognized as one of the top producing agents in the Greater Tampa Association of REALTORS®, are Platinum Top Selling Agents, and thanks to their excellent client relations have received the prestigious Pulse of the City News Award for Outstanding Customer Satisfaction three years in a row. “I met Donna and John over a year ago when they helped me purchase a townhome in Hampton Lakes,” said WellCare Health Plans Vice President Tim Mullen. “They were helpful in not only finding a great place to live but helping me get a return on my investment. Recently they helped me sell the townhome and find a beautiful home in Tampa for my family. They have guided me in making the right decisions with my townhome to maximize my investment. In less than a year, I had over 13% return on my investment. I highly recommend Donna and John to anyone who wants to buy or sell property.” The Bonneau Team provides
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concierge service to each client. From small bungalows to expansive custom homes, when you work with John and Donna, you have the benefit of having a full team of professionals working for you. In addition to unmatched marketing insight and knowledge, they can help you connect with stagers and interior designers who will make sure your home is ready to show and experts who will make your home
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buying or selling experience smooth and hassle free. “We sell homes. Lots of homes,” said John Bonneau. “Big homes, medium homes, little homes. That’s because we’ve got marketing savvy and the know-how to use it. That’s why we are one of the best. For 17 years the names John and Donna Bonneau have been synonymous with successful real estate transactions and
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results. We are a trusted advisor to our clients, optimizing the value of their home sale, negotiating the winning contract for purchase, and we are with them every step of the way throughout the process. Today, more than ever, we are committed to providing the excellent service, expertise, dedication, and integrity you deserve and expect from your professional REALTOR®.”
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“We started Premier Choice Properties to be the best-of-the-best,” said Donna. “The way homes were marketed 15 years ago does not always work now. Your videos and photos should really showcase the home and use social media to your advantage. We are always working, always trying to expand our knowledge and stay ahead of the curve in terms of marketing. Everything we do, we go all out. Our web presence, social media marketing, digital marketing campaign, video, print media, and photography are second to none. That’s what separates us and why our
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marketing gets results.” John and Donna are equally as committed to helping everyday heroes. Before moving to Tampa from the Washington, D.C. metro area, John was prior military and law enforcement and now is proud that through Premier Choice Properties he’s able to help those who give so much and make our communities a better place to live. The Bonneau Team offers an Everyday Heroes Rebate to military personnel, veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, first responders, doctors, nurses, health care providers and teachers.
They will receive a rebate of 25% of Premier Choice Properties’ gross commission at closing. “This is our way of giving back to the courageous men and women who serve and protect our country and community every day,” says John. “Our program is a great way for Everyday Heroes to maximize their purchasing power.” Your home is your biggest asset. You should use an expert with local knowledge and a proven resume of sales to protect you and your investment. Whether you are ready to sell your home or looking to buy a new one, you can count on the Bonneau
Team. Their effective marketing strategies and knowledge of the area have proven to get the best results for their clients time and time again. Once you begin working with John and Donna, you’ll see why they are one of the most trusted teams in real estate. Premier Choice Properties is located at 12551 Bassbrook Lane in Tampa, in the Hampton Lakes Town Center. For more information, please contact John or Donna at: Office (813) 855-8000, Mobile or text (813) 767-9937, email: bonneauteam@aol.com or web premierchoiceproperties.com.
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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: SUMMER STRATEGIES Summer in Florida … hot, humid, and a great time to prepare for the SAT and ACT Exams with available time and the new SAT Exam on August 26th, and first ACT Exam on September 10th. Rising seniors like having the time to really focus and study with results known early in the fall. If strong, then no further prep or tests are needed; if not quite what desired, there is time to take it again. Rising juniors like to see how well they can do, plus this is a perfect time to prep for the PSAT in October and have the best shot at a national merit scholarship. Rising sophomores like the preparation, especially those aiming for “Top 25” or “Top 10” colleges and universities and possibly major scholarships. Some very good news is that the SAT finally gave in to pressure and added an exam in August. Results will be back in time for UF admissions the first of November and applications for early admission to other colleges and universities, which has been a major problem with the SAT in prior
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years.The first ACT Exam of the fall is always scheduled for the early September. I have many options for summer preparations. First, my prep classes can be taken individually, or the SAT and ACT can be combined which saves 15 class hours from taking them separately because of their overlapping material. My classes can start in June after the last ACT exam on June 10th, or in July or early August, depending upon whether a student wants to take one or two classes a week, and how we need to schedule around family vacations, jobs, or other time requirements. Make sure and check when your high school begins classes in early August because they keep starting earlier and earlier each year. Classes can be private or semiprivate, and my maximum class is three students. Often, students have friends or “study buddies” they would like to prepare with. I do like to schedule our Dress Rehearsal Exam and follow-up Review shortly before the actual exam. If you would like to talk with
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me further about your student and my summer classes, please contact me at 727-253-0639 or 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, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to eight of the top ten universities in the country, seventeen of the top twenty-five, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Air
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Force and 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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