Vol. 9, Issue 11, November 2016
EAST LAKE AREA
Your community. Your magazine.
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The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 Homes In East Lake & Surrounding Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To: Anchorage, Bay Arbor, Boot Ranch, Brookers Landing, Crescent Oaks, Cypress Cove, Cypress Lakes Estates, Cypress Run, Cypress Trails, Deer Hollow, Grey Oak, Eagle Cove, Eagle’s Cove at Lake Tarpon, Eagle Ridge, Eagle Trace, Eagle Watch, East Lake Oaks, East Lake Woodlands, Hunters Wood, Keystone Bluffs, Keystone Palms, Keystone Ranchettes, Lansbrook, Lansbrook Village, Meadow Ridge, Nature’s Watch, Oak Hill Acres, Pine Ridge, Regina Estates, Ridgemoor, Tarpon Woods, Wentworth, Whispering Lakes, Woodfield
Dance Excellence Ballroom
See “Dance” on page 26.
Michael and Michelle bought a home in Westchase knowing that they would be remodeling the bathrooms. Though the home wasn’t old, it had basic contractorgrade plumbing fixtures, lackluster design, and the previous owners faltered on upkeep as well. The master bath had a major leak that even ruined the floors in the master bedroom. Michael searched Angie’s List and called several companies to come out and meet with them, but the stellar reputation of Yeager and Company stood out. When they met Yeager and Company’s Vice President Melanie Carter, who heads up the kitchen and bath remodeling division, their decision was made. Michelle shares, “When I met Melanie for the first time, I told my husband, “I want to go with them! Melanie is very warm and friendly and I felt comfortable with her. My husband is savvy with design and she listened to us and really complemented the ideas we’d already thought of.” See “Yeager & Co.” on page 30.
Happy Thanksgiving.................3 Calendar & News Briefs........4-5 Salon Metro..........................6-7 Brightwater Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley....8-9 Triton Insurance Group....10-11 Wollinka, Wollinka and Doddridge.....................12-13 SAT and ACT Improvement...14 Grout Tech.......................16-17 Personal Touch Kitchens...22-23 Dogism..................................32-33
The Community Dining & Business Guide that your neighbors READ!
ECRWSS
By Kim Thomas
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Postal Customer
Yeager and Company Specializes in Wood Flooring, Kitchen & Bath Remodels, and EXCELLENCE on Every Job!
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185
Since opening two years ago Dance Excellence Ballroom has been helping people of all ages fulfill their dreams of elegantly gliding across the dance floor. “We have classes for all ages, all levels, and all interests,” says owner Stefan Dobrev. “We teach everyone: very successful CEOs who want to learn how to dance with their spouse, older adults looking for a fun way to exercise, singles who want to start a new activity, and children who are just learning to dance. The one common thing we hear from everyone is, ‘I wish I had started earlier.’” If you, or someone you know, has always dreamed of learning the art of ballroom dancing, don’t waste
anymore time, schedule an introductory class at Dance Excellence Ballroom where they will dance with you, talk to you about your goals and interests, and help find the best class for you. Located in Oldsmar at 3730 Tampa Road Dance Excellence Ballroom is a welcoming, fun place for anyone who is interested in learning how to ballroom dance. And thanks to Stefan, his wife and dance partner Traci, and the rest of the expert instructors, the students at Dance Excellence Ballroom have formed a supportive community. “Many of our students socialize outside of class or go to dinner after class. We also have socials and dances throughout the year so they have another way to
Dated Material Please Rush!
By Marcy Sanford
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NOVEMBER 2016
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
From The Editor Kim Thomas
Happy Thanksgiving – Enjoy Your Time Spent With Loved Ones This year has slipped by so fast and it’s hard to believe that it is already time for the Holidays. We want to let our readers and our advertisers know that we really appreciate you. We are thankful for you. We are just as excited about sharing community events and giving you an inside look at the businesses who serve you, as we were when the first New & Lifestyles to serve East Lake rolled off the press almost nine years ago. With growth comes change, and we have definitely experienced both, especially in the past couple of years. A recent name change, to the new Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles, for all seven of publications is representative of this publication’s growth, now in all three counties of the Tampa Bay Area, with coverage from South Tampa out to Land O’ Lakes, to East Lake in North Pinellas and Trinity in West Pasco. It is an honor and privilege to help put this publication together, and personally, I am thankful to know and love the people I work for, the Selby
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and O’Reilly families, because they are honest, hardworking, and like the many small businesses that advertise with us, they put in long hours and plenty of sacrifice for the good of the company. Our graphic artists are amazing and I am thankful that they can work their magic – once Dave made a Styrofoam food container disappear like magic from a photo an advertiser sent of a high-end kitchen. Our art guys also are tech-smart and I am thankful for Tony, who has helped me get back online more times than I should admit! Our writers, some of whom have been with us since the first publication printed, keep the pulse of this publication strong and for them, I am eternally thankful for I couldn’t do my job without them. Some of our writers have been writing for our advertisers since the first run of this paper – Julie Kanehl, Dara Tucker and my daughter Katie Thomas, and Marcy Sanford has been writing for us almost as long. I
hope they know how appreciated they are for their timeliness, work ethic and their true desire to help local businesses succeed. The remarkable thing, even though they all have other jobs and very busy lives, when they sit down with our advertisers, their focus is on the task at hand. Dara Tucker recently let us know that due to her busy work schedule as a teacher and her girls’ busy afterschool schedules, that after eight years she wouldn’t be writing for us. But I am so thankful for those eight years that we had her and I hope Dara will send me some community interest stories! Please keep sending us your community events and uplifting news. We are thankful to hear from you, East Lake residents! Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles. We wish you a holiday season filled with joy and special moments with your loved ones.
East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Directly mailed once a month to nearly 15,000 households in zip code 34685, 34688 & 34677 220 Safford Ave. S. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (727) 943-2946; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@nnlflorida.com Editorial E-mail: editorial@nnlflorida.com © 2016 East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is published by Ads 2 Publications, Inc. Publisher Correspondents Tim Selby Julie Kanehl General Manager Katie Thomas Marcy Sanford Jim O’Reilly Art Director Editor Dat X. Do Kim Thomas Graphic Artists Advertising Sales Dat X. Do Matt Selby Tony Sica Tim Selby Accounting Manager Jim O’Reilly Doreen Selby Jared Nager Linda Veiga Nothing that appears in the East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The management of East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is always happy to accept outside editorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outside editorial submission and advertisement deadlines. East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles will not return unsolicited editorial materials. East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. East LakeArea Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is published by Ads 2 Publications, Inc.
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E AST L AKE A REA
Calendar & News Briefs
2016 Holiday Baseball Camp Held by Dan Genna who has 25 years’ experience coaching Little League, AAU & High School baseball DATES: DEC. 27th – 30th, Tuesday – Friday, 9 AM – 12 PM LOCATION: East Lake Little League Sports Complex AGES: 6 – 14 (campers will be grouped by age and skill level) COST: $130. Make check payable to Dan Genna. Mail check and registration form to: 669 Lora Lane, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688 CAMP HIGHLIGHTS: Camp T-shirt; Drills and Skills; Individual Instruction; Team Fundamentals; Speed, Agilities & Conditioning; Games; High School & College Style Workouts CAMP NOTES: Wear baseball pants, t-shirt & cleats. Bring water & snack. Don’t forget the sunscreen! Space is limited, register early. E-mail dgenna@tampabay.rr.com for the waiver and for answers to any
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additional questions. Pinellas: Volunteers needed for Holiday Lights The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation is seeking volunteers to staff multiple positions and shifts during the annual Holiday Lights in the Gardens event from Friday, Nov. 25 through Saturday, Dec. 31. Volunteers can choose one or more shifts that run nightly from 5 - 9:15 p.m. More than 450 volunteers are wanted as entertainers, greeters and gift cart attendants during the fiveweek event. The foundation is looking for talented musicians, dancers and performers to provide entertainment that enhances the excitement and joy of the season. Volunteers interested in being a greeter will welcome visitors, accept donations, stamp hands and provide directions. Gift cart volunteers will sell holidaythemed items from an outdoor gift cart.
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For more information and to volunteer, contact Richard Berube, Volunteer Coordinator for the Florida Botanical Gardens, at rberube@pinellascounty.org, or call (727) 582-2247. Since 2000, the Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation has brought the magic of the holidays to Pinellas County residents and visitors with the Holiday Lights in the Garden event, which is the foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year. Every dollar raised goes to maintenance and improvements to the gar-
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dens, as well as maintaining and bringing new, exciting displays for next year’s Holiday Lights event. The Florida Botanical Gardens is located at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo, with an alternate entrance at 12211 Walsingham Road. The gardens remain open from 7 a.m. until dusk every day, with free admission during daylight hours. For more information about the Florida Botanical Gardens, visit www.flbg.org, or call (727) 582-2100.
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Salon Metro Where Artistry Meets Precision for Life Changing Style Change! By Kim Thomas If you are looking for an upscale home salon – one where friendly professionalism meets precise artistry in hair color and design – then make an appointment at Salon Metro, located on Tampa Road in Oldsmar. Under new ownership for nearly a year, Salon Metro continues to gain notice with new clients, and the growing team is receiving wonderful reviews. European born, and a Londontrained Master of Vidal Sassoon, Salon Metro owner Michelle Tonking is very sure of her artistry, and her experience has earned her the right to be unapologetically proud. Michelle has had the phenomenal experience of presenting a model with her design to the late Vidal Sassoon himself. In fact, Michelle achieved Regional Finalist for
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the Wella Trend Vision Competition in London for three consecutive years, which is no small feat when you consider there are less than 20 stylists chosen out of thousands of entrants. An artist and entrepreneur, Michelle opened her first salon at the young age of 24 and owned two successful salons in the UK. She shares, “My first salon was Bauhaus in Exeter City. I turned from urban to rural when I opened Sketch in Budleigh Salterton.” Michelle enjoyed those years, adding, “I became and listened to my true artist inside as I had Nature with me for my inspiration.” Now in Tampa Bay, Michelle has taken the technical skill and knowledge she gained during her years of training under London Masters at Vidal Sassoon (becoming a Master herself), and has mentored her handpicked team. By sharing her
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experiences and vast knowledge, Michelle avails to her team an education beyond what is provided at even the very best schools. As a result, Salon Metro’s clients enjoy a worldclass experience. Michelle doesn’t just copy the latest precision cuts, she designs cuts that others copy. She expounds, “I’ve studied geometry, and I look at the disconnections and all the angles when I am creating a design. I am an artist who has trained in my discipline for more than 20 years.” Her past includes many experiences that others can only dream of achieving, and many – such as the opportunity to work under the direction of Vidal Sassoon himself – that will never come again. Reminiscing of her years training at Vidal Sassoon, Michelle says, “It was such a fabulous opportunity to be so creative. It is a
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great experience mixing with other artists.” Michelle also went to LA to do a fabulous photo shoot with Sebastian, where she created a calendar for the company. She adds, “It was amazing to work with such professional models.” Michelle is truly an artist and upon meeting her and sitting in her chair, you realize she is studying your features, finding the most pleasant points of reference and creating in her head a hair design that doesn’t just flatter, but rather defines your best features. “I don’t just look at the shape of a person’s face, but also their neck, the width of their shoulders and their body proportion.” The lines of a Sassoon haircut are like arrows pointing out your best features. Michelle compares designing a precision cut with having a custommade designer suit or dress, yet it can
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color can make you look 10 years younger. Clients tell us all the time that we’ve changed their lives by giving them a completely new style.” The day I was in the salon, a man who is a new client left Michelle a voicemail literally stating, “Thank you! You have changed my life!” Men are often not sure where they should go when they want services that the corner barbershop doesn’t offer, and Salon Metro is an excellent choice for professional men who value precision haircuts and color that looks natural. Salon Metro offers a full selection of services. The salon can accommodate wedding parties and offers the latest in up-do styling for all special occasions. Salon Metro is the home salon for those who desire artistry, precision and professionalism. Treat yourself to the Salon Metro difference. Salon Metro owner Michelle Tonking with the late Vidal Sassoon make you look younger immediately, costs less than a designer suit, and you will wear it every day! “The right hairstyle is the cheapest facelift you will ever get,” says Michelle. “The right cut and
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Salon Metro is located at 4009 Tampa Rd., Suite 7 in Oldsmar. Hours: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday – Friday, and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit salonmetrohair.com or call (813) 855-0400.
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The Brightwater Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley Client-Focused and Target-Based for Excellence in Service By Kim Thomas Like the many families and individuals they serve, the financial advisors in The Brightwater Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley in Palm Harbor have unique and diverse experience. As a team within the Wealth Management division of Morgan Stanley, the group of seven includes five financial advisors who have worked together in some capacity since the late 90s. What is great about the individuals comprising their investment team is that they respect one another and recognize the strengths that each brings to the planning table. The result is a wealth of knowledge that benefits the varied financial goals of the families and individuals they serve. Combined, The Brightwater Wealth Management Group provides years of experience in wealth management to their clients, and they have access to the broad scope of resources in evaluating and selecting investments that only an industry leader such as
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Morgan Stanley can provide. The level of experience and commitment of members of The Brightwater Wealth Management Group is impressive; in fact, the team includes three Certified Financial Planners (CFP®), and two Family Wealth Directors (earned by a very small percentage of Morgan Stanley Advisors). Target-Based Comprehensive Wealth Management Focusing on helping clients to invest according to individual goals, The Brightwater Wealth Management Group has created what they term Target-Based Comprehensive Wealth Management, which basically means they seek to find out the long-term financial goals of each client and help them to achieve those goals through varying market conditions. This involves helping clients in three stages of their financial life: Wealth accumulation, the transition period where clients go from saving to creating income during retirement, and the golden years where they prepare for the expenses associated with
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aging to planning where their treasure goes. Senior Vice President, Michael J. Scott has more than 30 years of experience in investment management, asset allocation and fixed income securities and has extensive experience in conservative investing and income strategies. “I feel the accumulation years for a client are the most important,” says Michael. The Brightwater Wealth Management Group “We do a comprehensive at Morgan Stanley in Palm Harbor interview with the client to (CIMA®), Certified Financial Planner determine the long term retirement (CFP®), Financial Advisor, explains, goals such as income needs, desired “As investors, we all have blind spots. purchases such as a boat, RV or a vacaOur goal is to help clients identify and tion home. We determine their risk avoid those overlooked risks. Most of comfort, and complete a financial plan our clients have surrounded themselves to accomplish the goals. This is not a with advisors as they have accumulated one person process, we work hand in hand with the client’s CPA, Attorney or their wealth, and we have the experience to help them navigate emotional other parties who can help us increase financial decisions.” the odds for a successful outcome.” Ted has more than 21 years of Senior Partner, Ted H. Pohl, Cerwealth management experience concentified Investment Management Analyst
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trating on financial planning, investment management, asset allocation and risk reduction strategies. He says, “Our goal is to help our clients structure their assets to meet their liquidity needs, provide income and grow their asset base to meet their lifestyle, legacy and charitable funding goals.” Passionate in his role as a credentialed Family Wealth Director, Ted not only helps families structure their financial and estate plans, but also enjoys helping clients pass along the meaning of wealth to their children. He explains, “Often children who inherit the hard-earned wealth of their parents don’t always fully understand the sacrifices they have made to accumulate it.” Additionally, family members mature differently and need structures in place to help protect their inherited assets. Erick Swinson, Financial Advisor, brings 16 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry. As one of the team’s Portfolio Managers he has an extensive background with fixed income research and investment manager analysis. Erick says, “Having access to world class investment solutions is only the beginning. We sort through the numerous investment options, reduce them down to a manageable level, and then build a portfolio that achieves the client’s goals with the least amount of risk.” This planning often includes business owners. “We help clients to plan 10-15 years ahead for what they want to achieve when they exit from their business,” says Erick. Charting the Next Course Today’s retiree is capable of so much more. They have a different attitude and state of mind about what life should look like in retirement. Senior partner Linda Goodson, Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Financial Advisor, is a seasoned professional with more than 28 years of experience in the financial industry. She enjoys working with her clients in meeting their personal goals not only during the accumulation stage, but also, during the transitional period into retirement. Linda shares, “One of my most rewarding experiences is when I have been working with a couple for a while, and we finally get to the year they are ready to retire. Helping them make that transition from saving to using the funds we have saved can be a tough, scary transition for many people. It is a great feeling of accomplishment, seeing them comfortable and enjoying their retirement years.” Linda shared an experience, “I have a client who sold his business. One of his biggest goals was
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to help his children right away.” Keeping his long-term goals and personal needs for retirement in mind, Linda helped him, and he in turn, was able to set his children up in new homes and fund college for his grandchildren. “Now,” adds Linda, “his children have their own businesses and we are helping them to build their personal legacies.” Wealth retention is a concern for most of The Brightwater Wealth Management Group’s clients, whether that involves cautious investing, passing on assets to future generations, insurance solutions for managing risks, or protecting themselves from catastrophic expenses. The Brightwater Wealth Management Group understands that every family has its own dynamics, its own joys and its own problems, and there are many times when their experience is invaluable in providing comfort when there are difficult financial decisions to be made.
nate their stress and find solutions to their problems.” The Brightwater Wealth Management Group works together closely to provide quality solutions delivered with excellence. Their goal is simple: “We want to be the ones you call when there is a financial decision to make. We want to simplify the complexities of managing your financial life.” The Brightwater Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley is located at 4114 Woodlands Parkway, Suite 200, in Palm Harbor. Please call (727) 773-4622 to schedule a consultation or for more information.
Investment Management Consultants Association, Inc. owns the marks CIMA®, Certified Investment Management AnalystSM (with graph element)®, and Certified Investment Management AnalystSM. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the US. ©2016 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.
Legacy and Quality of Life in the Golden Years Financial advisor Daniel C. Richardson brings more than 30 years of experience in Wealth Management to the team and has earned the designations of Family Wealth Director and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®). Dan is skilled in trust and estate planning and says, “I have many senior clients who are concerned about the golden years, I ask them what they want out of retirement and what keeps them up at night. I work with them to put plans into place to eliminate the concerns and I am with them along the way making sure their wishes are granted.” Sometimes, for Dan, that means going far beyond his duties as an Advisor. One of his clients who passed away has a disabled daughter who needs fulltime care. Concerned, she asked Dan to oversee not only her finances, but also to make sure her daughter receives the quality care she deserves, as a special needs person. Planning can cover unexpected and expected events and provide cash flow for lifestyle and healthcare needs. Dan says, “I frequently visit my clients in their homes and I work together with their children and caregivers to keep an eye on things; to make sure not only their investments are safe but they are as well.” Assisting the five Financial Advisors of The Brightwater Wealth Management Group are Consulting Group Analyst Jon Cooney and Senior Registered Associate Patricia R. Guillereault, who says, “I really enjoy helping the clients. I find it satisfying to be able to elimi-
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Triton Insurance Group: More Options, More Savings By Julie Kanehl Triton Insurance Group is changing the way local residents look at insurance. Why? One of the reasons is that Triton Insurance Group has working relationships with more than 33 top insurance carriers in the state of Florida. (That’s almost all of them!) That means that their customers can shop all of those companies at once by working with the experienced and easy-going staff at Triton Insurance Group. With the ability to see what each insurance policy costs across the board, Triton makes it easy to choose the policy that best suits each customer’s needs, and save money at the same time. With Triton, customers get more options and more savings. Offering affordable rates on nearly every kind of insurance policy out there, Triton Insurance Group specializes in homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance, auto insurance, umbrella, personal and commercial insurance. Triton Insurance Group is committed to partnering with their
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customers to find the best insurance policy for their individual needs. Mike Hills, Regional Vice President of Triton Insurance Group in Trinity, says, “Other companies can only offer you the best of their options. Their best may be the best from only one, two, maybe four or five companies. We compare 33 out of the 36 companies total in the entire state, giving our customers a wider range of choices.” In fact, it’s shocking to see how wide the price range is for similar policies across the board. Mike can quickly look up a home and demonstrate the scope in terms of pricing and coverage. For example, looking at a home that was built in 1968, down in St. Petersburg, the homeowner’s policies ranged from $900 to $5,000 a year. That’s a huge difference! Mike says, “We fit the best premiums, underwriting guidelines and needs of the customer together, and we find savings.” Local clients, like Kim Acheson, are really happy to have found Triton
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Insurance Group. Acheson said, “Finally an insurance agent that looks out for their customers, instead of raising premiums year after year. We’ve been with Mike Hills and Triton for over four years now and are thoroughly pleased. They continually try to maintain or lower our auto and home insurance rates.” Let the Triton Family Take Care of Your Family Attending a recent SBA S.C.O.R.E. meeting With Triton, every file, is: Dennis Mitchell, SCORE Director; Mike every policy and every renewal Hills, SCORE Pinellas Insurance Advisor; is given the same attention that Gill Byrd, Guest Presenter and former NFL they would give to their own Pro, and Cliff Sullivan; SCORE Director family members. Mike and his wife Sandy opened the Trinity and replacing it with more options Triton Insurance Group in 2008. Toand more savings. They don’t stop gether, they work closely with clients there, the Triton difference goes beto accommodate them individually. yond the broad range of options and Their daughter, Tiffany Firlik, is an ex- prices, and becomes a personal relaperienced Underwriter, who knows tionship that clients can count on, bethe ins and outs of insurance like the cause their family is working to take back of her hand. Together at Triton, care of yours. they are replacing the cookie-cutter, Firlik says, “Come to us, you’ll one-size fits-all approach to insurance, get more than 32 Homeowner’s insur-
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ance quotes, and we offer 17 different auto insurance companies to choose from, including Nationwide, Liberty Mutual, Hartford, Progressive, Mercury and more. All the big names.” Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Mike Hills has always been a creative force and an entrepreneur. His first company was a scuba diving shop in Buffalo. Yes, that’s right, and he made it a success! It’s his down-earth approach that is so appreciated in the insurance business, as well as his dedication. Mike is a member of something called the East Lake C.E.R.T. Team (Community Emergency Response Team) in Palm Harbor. This amazing organization provides community training in medical & first aid, search and rescue procedures, and more, to help prepare individuals in emergencies and disasters. On top of that, Mike is a Resource Advisor for S.C.O.R.E. (Service Core of Retired Executives), which offers education and resources to entrepreneurs in our area. Mike attributes his success in business to the efforts of Buffalo SCORE in 1985, saying, “If it wasn’t for S.C.O.R.E., my first business would have been a failure.” Now he takes part of this organization and pays it forward! Triton Insurance Group Supports Our Community! Mike and his wife, Sandy founded a local non-profit organization called H.E.L.P. Now
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LLC, aimed at helping the real people all around us who need help. Just a few months ago, the H.E.L.P. Now Project donated a $10,000 check to the widow and family of fallen officer, Charles Kondek, who lost in life in the line of duty. Mike says, “The H.E.L.P. Now Project is the vehicle to allow businesses, organizations and individuals to take an active and participating role in giving back to their communities and HELP change people’s lives.” Recently promoted to Diamond Level by American Integrity Insurance, it’s the people they help every day that makes them feel most rewarded. Dedicated to the community and involved in charity work, the Hills family and Triton Insurance Group have already earned the respect of many in our area. Nearly 4000 customers in Trinity have already chosen Triton Insurance Group, so when it comes down to choosing a company to trust, Triton Insurance Group in Trinity is ready to give their customers more one-on-one time, more options and, of course, more savings. To find out how much money you could be saving on your insurance, call Triton Insurance Group at 813-948-5987 or visit www.tritoninsurancegroup.com. Triton Insurance Group is located at 8824 BELAGIO Drive, in the Trinity Professional Center, near the intersection of Mitchell Blvd. and Little Road in Trinity.
TEAM TRITON: Mike and Sandy Hills, Tiffany Firlik, Stephanie Sims, and the office mascot Toten
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Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge, Protecting the Interests of Clients in Pasco for 45 Years By Kim Thomas Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge P.L. (WW&D), is in its 45th year as a law firm in Pasco County and has been a valuable resource for many individuals and families in the area by providing exceptional legal counsel regarding estate planning, elder law and real estate law, as well as legal services that benefit businesses such as corporate matters, asset protection, and tax reduction strategies. As our area continues to develop, it is good to know that the law firm that was one of the very first in the New Port Richey/Trinity Area is still standing strong and protecting the interests of an even broader scope of clients throughout Pasco, Northern Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties. Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge has fully staffed offices in Trinity and Palm Harbor and satellite offices in Carrollwood and Clearwater, making it very
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convenient for clients. There comes a time when everyone needs a lawyer to help protect them – whether it is for business and real estate matters, or personal matters such as wills and trusts, or most important, making sure wishes are known and followed as far as the care and guardianship of children in the event of the death of both parents. Not easy to think about, but it is irresponsible not to think of these things. “I have worked with three generations of some families,” says Attorney David Wollinka, who joined his father’s law firm in 1987, after earning his Juris Doctorate degree in 1986 from University of Florida’s Levin College of Law. David’s father, Attorney Jerome Wollinka, started the law firm in a rented building in 1971 in New Port Richey, when the area now known as Trinity was farmland and pastures. David chuckles remembering his first Christmas home from college
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Attorneys Ryan Doddridge (left) and David Wollinka (center) and the team at Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge are committed to their clients when his dad recruited him to move the law office to its first “home” in Holiday, into a small building that they were proud to own – not rent – and where they stayed from 1980 until the spring of 2007 when Wollinka & Wollinka relocated to Trinity. Together the father and son team had built a stellar reputation for their law firm, and as the community expanded, so did Wollinka &
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Wollinka, leasing a second office space in Palm Harbor in 1993 before building an office there in 2000. And in 2010, the law firm opened a satellite office in Carrollwood. In 2011, Attorney Ryan A. Doddridge joined the firm and it became Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge. Last year was a busy one for Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge, as they relocated their Trinity office into a brand
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new building in February 2015. Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge continues to put their clients’ interests first, and is currently installing upgraded technology that better allows them to fully integrate the multiple offices, and the cutting edge technology makes their clients information more secure than ever. Like David, a Florida native who graduated high school in Tarpon Springs, Ryan grew up with sand in his shoes from beautiful St. Petersburg. He’s also a Gator, having attended The University of Florida as well as Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law. An asset to the firm and an asset to the community, Attorney Ryan Doddridge is proud to serve the community just as Jerome Wollinka did, as president of the West Pasco Bar Association, which is in its 50th year! Ryan also is a member of the Trinity Rotary Club, the Clearwater Bar Association, West Pasco Estate Planning Attorneys Association, West Pasco Real Estate Council, and the Suncoast Guardian Association. He also recently served on the Board of the North Suncoast Estate Planning Council. Family is important to both of
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these attorneys, who have families of their own, and they truly understand what is at stake when helping families to protect their assets. Having worked with so many different clients throughout the years, they have seen what can happen when circumstances change and legal documents aren’t modified quickly. Family dynamics change, and the decisions that were originally made may need to be changed as well and it’s important to notify your attorney. “Every five years, we offer free reviews to our clients where we discuss any change of circumstance and if there needs to be any changes in who you’ve designated as your fiduciaries. They also provide services with regard to Medicaid, incapacity planning, and special needs trusts, and much more. Whether you’d like to make a simple will for your family, create a trust for your children, or divide a complicated estate, Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge can help you protect your wishes, your dignity, your legacy, and even minimize stress for your loved ones. Another area of interest that Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge are keeping a close eye on for clients are
the inevitable changes in tax laws that will happen regardless of who wins the Presidency. “We anticipate substantial changes to estate planning due to expected changes in the tax laws after the election,” says Attorney David Wollinka. “We have a list of clients that we are now identifying that may need an update to their documents.” Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge, Your Ally in Real Estate, Corporate Matters & Asset Protection With the growth in our area, there are many Real Estate transactions taking place and if you are considering buying, selling or leasing residential or business property, Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge should be on your radar. “Oftentimes, if people would just reach out to us before signing documents, it could have saved them thousands of dollars,” says Attorney Doddridge. “With both buyers and sellers, one of the things we find is that people will avoid seeing an attorney even for basic information and it ends up costing thousands more because now they are in litigation rather than negotiation.” Entrepreneurs work hard to build up their businesses, so it is imperative that those businesses are protected – that means separating your personal finances from your business finances, so that something that happens personally or at home doesn’t affect the business and vice versa. Many good people have lost more than their business from a lawsuit stemming from some-
thing that happened at their company. It’s best to be prepared, and to have attorneys like Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge at your side. While there’s no way to predict the future, they can help you protect your assets. In addition to the attorneys at Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge, the staff is also knowledgeable and dedicated to clients. Whether you’re looking towards the future, protecting what you have, or building a business, it’s important to have a reputable law firm by your side to represent you, protect your assets, and guide you through the complicated and changing laws. Go with the law firm that has built its reputation by providing legal counsel backed by experience, integrity and dedication for 45 years – make an appointment with the attorneys at Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge. Wollinka, Wollinka & Doddridge has multiple locations for your convenience. The main office is located at 10015 Trinity Blvd, Suite 101 in Trinity (phone: 727-937-4177). The fully staffed Palm Harbor office is located at 3204 Alternate 19 North (phone: 727-781-5444). The Carrollwood Satellite Office in Tampa is at 13801 N. Dale Mabry Highway (phone: 727-937-4177). The Clearwater office is located at 325 N. Belcher Rd. (phone: 727-7815444). Log on to www.wollinka.com for additional information.
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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: EXAM COMPARISONS By Dr. Wayne Adams NEXT EXAM DATES...SAT: Dec 3rd and Jan 21st, ACT: Dec 10th and Feb 11th Wondering if the SAT or the ACT is the better exam to take? Here’s a brief comparison by test section. SAT (Writing and Language) vs ACT (English). These test sections are about the same because “grammar is grammar” and the logical sequencing of sentences, words, and phrases functions on a standard set of analytical rules. SAT (Essay) vs ACT (Essay). These essays are very different, with the SAT being more difficult. The SAT is a combination of an AP Language and Composition Rhetorical and Analytical essay requiring 55 minutes. To score well, a student needs to know and to use key elements such as theme, thesis, syntax, diction, tone, mood, similie, metaphor, alliteration, and persuasive elements. I have had excellent results using a comprehensive critical thinking, analysis, chronological writing pattern, and writing template using question sequences to help my students organize and then express their thoughts well. The ACT is a “compare and contrast”
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essay requiring 35 minutes with a brief statement of a situation, three differning perspectives, and more stylized response. I have had great success with a “fill in the blank” approach using a standard structure and supporting quotations. SAT (Reading) and ACT (Reading). These sections are very different, with the SAT being more difficult. The SAT has different types of reading passages with 9 – 11 questions per passage. Half of the questions are either “terrible two’s” with an answer and then separate selection of the best support for that first answer, and “vocabulary in context”. The remaining questions involve different types of analysis, critical thinking, and often making inferences by “reading between the lines”. The ACT has four sub-sections that require “speed reading the passage first” and then answering a wide range of questions. On the ACT, the answers are there and the key is to find them. SAT (Math) and ACT (Math). Both exams test arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. The major difference is that the average length of an SAT question is 6 – 7 lines with some questions over 15 lines, while the
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average length of an ACT question is 3 lines. So the SAT takes additional skills in reading, sorting out the important facts, translating into mathematical problem, and solving … which takes more time. My students tell me the ACT Math is definitely easier. ACT (Science Reasoning). Only on the ACT exam, this section has nothing to do with knowing Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or other sciences. It is essentially another Reading section where the student finds answers from charts and graphs, experiments, and differing opinions of scientists about a topic. Speed reading does not help much, as it does in the Reading section, but “bottom up” reading for key concepts and ideas is essential. Net Result: The Shift to ACT Continues. The two key reasons continue to be that the ACT Exam has changed little (except for the essay), is totally acceptable as a standardized exam for college admissions officers, and if a student takes the ACT then that student does not have to take any SAT Subject Tests (as most top colleges require for full consideration). And More Students are taking my combination ACT and SAT Prep Class
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that saves 15 class hours from preparing separately for each exam. If you would like to talk with my further about your student and my classes, please contact me at 727-2530639 or at wwa0811@mykolab.com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the top SAT and ACT Tutors in the country and a former Dean of a Graduate School of Business and Full Professor. His students have been admitted to Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, Princeton, Cornell, Duke, U Chicago, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Georgia Tech, UCLA, USC, Boston College, Northeastern, UF, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Gulf Coast, St. Leo’s, New College of Florida, U Miami, FIU, and many other colleges and universities; often with academic, athletic, or music scholarships. Normally, student scores increase 200 to 350 points on the SAT (Writing, Reading, Math, and Essay), and 4 – 8 points on the ACT. He has degrees and advanced studies from Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Columbia International, and Luther Rice. He is at wwa0811@mykolab.com or at 727253-0639.
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Save Time and Money with Grout Tech By Kim Thomas 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 fraction of the cost. Grout Tech is a family owned business serving Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties. With over ten years of experience in the industry, Grout Tech specializes in cleaning and sealing tile and grout, re-coloring grout, re-caulking showers and tubs, and repairing grout and broken tiles. Grout Tech will 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. “Our bathroom tile was over 40 years old it was looking grungy and very dull. We called Grout Tech
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After
Before
Before
After
With the help of Grout Tech, even the dirtiest and oldest of floors can be restored and renewed to their original beauty and splendor. 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,” John shares. BJ 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 serv-
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ices 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. Because grout is a porous material, trying to remove stains is seemingly impossible. 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).
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Once the sealer is applied the grout lines will be permanently 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. 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 regrouted. They also re-grouted the tub, shower and base of our toilet in
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our bathroom. They were fantastic! Not only were they professional and reliable but they also completed the job much faster than we had anticipated.”
Excellent Service Leads to Referrals 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. Doris Strathearn, another Grout Tech success story, said that before calling Grout Tech her bathroom and guest bathroom shower and floor grout had deteriorated over time and the tiles were dull and stained. “The tile was in good condition but it was stained so we had Grout Tech come out and clean them and they turned out very well.” They were so pleased that they have already referred Grout Tech to neighbors in their community. Grout Tech can also remove and re-caulk around sinks, baseboards, tubs and showers serving to clean up
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old moldy areas and keep your dry wall free from water damage. From old to new in just one day! 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.
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TRINITY DENTAL CARE (727) 372-2001 ING EPT
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Saturday Appointments Available TWO Locations! • 1843 Health Care Drive, Building #1 Trinity, FL 34655 (at the corner of Mitchell Blv & Little Rd, behind Walgreens)
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EXP. 12/31/2016. Monday-Friday. New patients only. Cannot be used with insurance or any other offer. Present coupon at time of service.
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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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Love Your Kitchen with a New Design from Personal Touch Kitchens! By Katie Thomas Personal Touch Kitchens in Palm Harbor is the company to call when you want to make the most of your kitchen. A hub of activity, the kitchen is where everyone tends to gather, whether it’s for homework and snacks, conversation over dinner, or during the midst of a party – people gravitate toward the kitchen. When looking for a new home, the first thing people look at is the kitchen, so if your kitchen isn’t exactly what you’d be looking for if you were moving, why not change it? Personal Touch Kitchens can help design a kitchen that will reflect your lifestyle and flow seamlessly with the rest of your home. With a goal to help people achieve beauty and functionality, Personal Touch Kitchens works one-onone with customers and has an extensive selection of countertops,
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cabinetry, fixtures and hardware to choose from. Furthermore, their designers have expertise and experience in creating fabulous kitchens for customers throughout the Tampa Bay Area, and they can take the stress and uncertainty out of designing and choosing the best products for the kitchen of your dreams. Personal Touch Kitchen is operated by Cheryl Colvin and Kimberly McMann; the two make a strong design team, giving customers focused attention, listening to what they want, and coming up with a functional, beautiful design plan right down to the backsplash and accent lighting. The beautifully merchandised showroom at Personal Touch Kitchens is the perfect place to get ideas and make a plan to coordinate your cabinets, countertops, backsplash and accessories. Kim and Cheryl will help you find
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options that fit your budget and style ideas. They cater to clients’ specific needs every step of the way – from visiting their homes to nail down the perfect design, to making sure the installation is seamless and timely. They make it a goal to take the stress out of remodeling so their clients can carry on with their busy lives while
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Cheryl and Kim work to make sure every detail is thought of and attended to. Jan Wiesler loved her experience with the company, and said, “I wanted a new kitchen and bath, but since I travel so much, I was having trouble figuring out how to get it all scheduled. Cheryl coordinated all the work
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electronics, pot and pan organization or a beautiful way to display glasses and dishes, Personal Touch Kitchens wastes no space and helps you get organized with ease!
and kept in touch with us along the way regarding progress and what to expect. She also kept in touch with contractors to make sure they worked around our schedule and everything went very smoothly. The results are beautiful and I am happy with my new cabinets, granite and flooring. The high level of service and commitment from Personal Touch Kitchens has been evident from the beginning, and I believe anyone would experience great value from hiring them.” Personal Touch Kitchens sells sev-
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eral brands of cabinetry and countertops to meet customers’ unique style and budget goals. Most lines carried are American made and come with a lifetime warranty. Cabinetry can be used not just in the kitchen, but also in bathrooms, laundry rooms, home offices or entertainment areas. Perhaps one of the best aspects of working with Personal Touch Kitchens is that Cheryl and Kim can help you organize your space with creative solutions. Whether you need spice storage, a place to charge your
Heat Up the Kitchen with the Hottest New Trends! Personal Touch Kitchens’ design team is savvy when it comes to color, texture and design trends, and their favorite thing is to provide customers with a kitchen remodel that truly fits their lifestyle needs and personal style. A great way to integrate personal style with an updated kitchen is by using the hottest design trends. “Painted cabinets continue to be timeless with white and antique white being the number one and two choices throughout the country,” says Cheryl. “Our cabinet manufacturers have introduced new shades of white that are softer than stark white, and these have become extremely popular. Grey continues to be popular and has really become the new tan.” Another trend in kitchens is having an island in a different style, either with different cabinetry or countertop. “Accents in rustic woods for islands and open shelves are right on trend and warm up the room,” says Cheryl. “Shaker style cabinets continue to be strong; however, the simple traditional raised panel door styles have come back.” Countertops are the crowning touch on your cabinets and offer yet another way to make your kitchen unique. A popular choice for countertops is quartz due to its simplicity, easy maintenance and non-porous surface that does not require sealing, but there are many easy-care, durable choices at Personal Touch Kitchens. “Brands such as Cambria have developed beautiful granite-looking materials that offer movement, texture
and depth to a kitchen,” says Cheryl. “Another brand, Caesarstone, excels in a marble look with a quartz material.” The marble look is extremely popular. Recently, some of the more exotic granite choices have made a comeback and coordinate well with rustic accents and the farmhouse kitchen look. One theme that never goes out of style: Classic, clean and simple leads the way in choice for remodels. Cheryl says, “Seventy percent of people who walk in want something simple. They want their kitchens to look pretty, be functional and have a look that will stand the test of time in design.” From the smallest of starter homes to full-out custom kitchens in multi-million dollar homes, Cheryl and Kim are a dream design team. “We can do as little or as much as needed,” says Cheryl. “We have many skilled contractors we work with or we can recommend one and let the client oversee the project. We work with our clients to ensure they get the remodel that they want at a budget they can afford. Each remodeling project is different and so we make sure our clients get the individual, personal attention they deserve so they are happy when their remodel is complete.” Personal Touch Kitchens is located in the Palm Harbor Commons near Nebraska Avenue at 33478 US Highway 19 N. The showroom is open Mon. – Fri., 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat., or by appointment. You also can schedule a free in-home design consultation. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.ptkitchens.com or call Cheryl at (813) 777-5947 or Kim at (508) 8406764.
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“Dance” Continued from page 1 practice and enjoy dancing and a formal end of the year banquet to celebrate everyone’s accomplishments.” Classes for All Ages: Recently Dance Excellence Ballroom began offering classes for children. “We are the only studio in the area that offers classes for children,” said Stefan. “Not only are ballroom dance lessons a great physical activity for children but they also provide many great social lessons.” In addition to the physical benefit, ballroom dance lessons teach children manners, social skills, discipline, and communication skills while improving their coordination, creativity, and cognitive abilities. “Because you learn both roles in ballroom dance and have to reverse your steps, you work both sides of the brain” Ballroom dance classes have the same benefits for older adults. “Many doctors recommend ballroom dance as a very good exercise,” said Stefan, “because it works out both your mind and body.” According to Psychology Today,
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and several scientific studies the combination of exercise, social interaction, and concentration in learning a new skill increased levels of confidence and happiness. In addition, it has been shown that dancing also: • Increases confidence • Decreases stress hormones and depression • Improves mood and physical health • Encourages mindfulness and self-awareness Dancing is the hottest new
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Traci Cleary and Stefan Dobrev medicine and it’s flying off the shelves! The BEST part is all you need is your body and some favorite tunes! “Ballroom dancing is for everyone. You don’t have to be a superstar – but you can be if you want to. We take time to talk to our students so we know their goals. Our goal is to provide excellent service and
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dance lessons at all times. We want to help people learn how to dance and enjoy life.” Dance Excellence Ballroom offers both private and group lessons. Private lessons can be tailored to your specific goals and needs. In the group lessons, you’ll still get personal attention and instruction from
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professional dance teachers but you’ll also learn how to dance in a group. Finally you can practice your moves at a practice party. You can take lessons with a partner or on your own. Classes for Special Occasion Dances: In addition to social dancing, Dance Excellence Ballroom can help you train for competitive dancing or can teach you a dance for a special occasion like a wedding or anniversary. “We love working with couples to
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help them learn dances for special occasions. They can bring us the song they want to dance to and we will create a choreographed dance just for them. It can be as simple or as elaborate as they want. We can even have group lessons for the entire wedding party to learn a dance or dances. Our private dance parties are a great place for the couple to practice their dance in front of a group before the big day.”
Expert Dancers and Teachers: Stefan has won many awards and competitions during his more than 30-year dance career including Top Teacher in the Southeast region and National Top Teacher from the Casanave Awards. Many of the instructors at Dance Excellence Ballroom have won teaching awards. All are certified and licensed, train 5 days a week, and take recertification classes every 6 months. The teachers come from various dance backgrounds but all share a love of ballroom dance and the desire to help others learn.
Perfect Holiday Gift: If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a loved one or friend this holiday season, consider giving them a gift certificate to Dance Excellence Ballroom. It may be the best gift they ever receive. Dance Excellence Ballroom is located in the Oldsmar Plaza at 3730 Tampa Road, Suite 7. They are open Monday through Friday 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information about group or private lessons or dance parties, visit www.danceexcellenceballroom.com or call 813- 814-0099.
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HERITAGE SPRINGS
3/3/3 2550 htd sq. This 3 bedroom 3 full baths + office has formal living & dining rooms, kitchen w/wood cabinets & solid surface counters. Master bedroom w/pillars for that extra touch, 2 walk in closets master bath w/ dual sinks, toilet closet, Jacuzzi to relax in. Two guest bedrooms that have their own private bath. Extended lanai w/pavers and a tranquil view of the pond to enjoy! $360,000.
3/2/2 2308 htd sq ft. This home offers fabulous views of a pond practically from every window! Formal lv & DR rooms w/wood flooring, kitchen w/solid surface counters overlooks family room. Master bedroom w/walk in closets, master bath w/garden tub, walk in shower. Oversized 2 car garage, enclosed a/c lanai for that extra room for entertaining. $310,000.
1954 htd sq ft - 2/2/2 + den/office Just move right into this home that has formal living & dining rooms that has plenty of room for all your pieces. Kitchen has white cabinets w/raised panel doors w/pullout shelves & a large breakfast nook area. The master bedroom has a large walk in closet and the master bath has dual sinks, linen closet and a walk in shower w/glass block for easy care. There are double pocket doors to the den/office w/newer carpet. A hallway leads you to the guest bedroom and guest bath w/tub w/shower. Just off the living room you have French door that leads you out to the extended screened lanai w/a serene view of the pond that you and your guest will enjoy! $260,000
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“Yeager & Co.” Continued from page 1 Michael and Michelle hired Yeager and Company to remodel all three bathrooms in their home, and to replace the wood flooring in the master bedroom. The water damage in the master bath was severe, requiring it to be gutted down to the wall studs, but Michelle and Michael could not be happier with the complete redesign of the space. “Yeager and Company was more expensive than some of the other companies, but for us it came down to quality of work and knowing that the owner is going to be on the job,” says Michelle, adding that owner Jim Yeager regularly stopped by to check on the progress of his crew. “The whole team was excellent! I just love them! They are just good people. We never worried about people in our house because we knew we were getting the best-of-the-best! They made the whole process easy and it was a very positive experience. The crew even took their shoes off!” Like many other customers who have given Yeager and Company fivestar reviews, Michael and Michelle have shared their experience with oth-
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ers, stating, “We’ll be return customers for sure! We’ve decided to remodel the kitchen next. We told neighbors and friends about Yeager and Company and we’ve seen their trucks on our street.” Why Choose Yeager and Company? Truly encompassing everything that a longstanding family-owned company should, Yeager and Company has continually provided outstanding workmanship and service since it was founded in 1944. Rave reviews helped to build the company, which has held an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau since 1944. Today, you’ll find endless five-star reviews online for Yeager and Company, which has been voted the best wood flooring company in Tampa for nine years straight by Angie’s List members. Yeager and Company is owned and operated by Jim Yeager and his wife Susan. Jim gives much credit to the talented team that keeps earning Yeager and Company five-star reviews with their exceptional service, design experience, and craftsmanship. Not only that, the Yeager and Company team is friendly and pleasant to work
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with. They strive to make every project as easy as possible for the homeowners. Often, it is an easy decision to go with Yeager and Company, as it was for Michael and Michelle, who immediately knew they wanted to work with Melanie Carter on their bathroom remodeling projects in their Westchase home. Yeager and Company started out specializing in wood flooring back in 1944 and still sets the standard for quality wood flooring. “We’ve never had a down year,” says Jim Yeager. “We still do a ton of floors, more than ever, and we now offer sanding and refinishing services for hardwood floors; we have three trucks on the road just for that.” Yeager and Company Brings the Floor Store to Your Home! Yeager and Company may have stayed the same in many ways – the integrity, friendly service, exceptional craftsmanship, superior products – but it has definitely morphed with the times to offer today’s busy professionals the ultimate in service and convenience. Yeager and Company offers a FREE Shop-At-Home service in the Tampa Bay Area that is second to
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none! Yeager and Company’s website puts it well: Yeager Flooring Company will bring our floor store to your door within one hour! Yeager’s Shop-At-Home service is simply the best way to select the right flooring for your space, bringing samples from a great number of quality wood tiles, hardwood planking, hand scraped wood floors, tile, carpet, laminate, designer vinyl or hardwood
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ceiling removal and knockdown application for drywall finishing. With a licensed electrician, plumber, and interior designer working with the company, Yeager & Company has your remodeling needs covered. Yeager and Company is sought out by discerning homeowners in some of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Florida for their expertise in designing super elegant bathrooms and superbly functional yet beautiful kitchens. Yeager and Company works with all types of homeowners, from remodeling projects and flooring in moderate Westchase residents Michael and Michelle love their newly remodeled bathroom, neighborhoods to those thanks to Yeager and Company! that are worth millions. Though many of Yeager flooring samples. They will even meas- modeling project, from the floor up – and Company’s projects are in upure your floor while they are at your from the design to the custom cabiscale homes, the company was built home or office and provide you with a netry and light fixtures, to the final on providing the best-of-the-best in no-obligation new flooring estimate. coat of paint. Yeager and Company inproducts and service to average As a state licensed general constalls: Windows, doors, stairs, crown homeowners and you can bet that tractor, Yeager and Company provides molding, baseboards, chair rails and your project is important to Yeager every service you need for your repavers, and they even provide popcorn
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and Company. Every job, big or small, has to get the stamp of Jim Yeager’s approval. Vice President Melanie Carter brings her own strengths to the company and the customers love working with her. Jim says, “Melanie is excellent at helping customers with design when they are remodeling and shows them the possibilities for opening up their space. She comes up with total facelifts for the homes of our customers.” Whether you are building a new home, remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, or wanting beautiful wood flooring, the experts at Yeager and Company aim for perfection. To arrange a Shop-At-Home appointment, call Yeager and Company, Inc. at 813-918-2737 or 727375-7813. Yeager and Company’s showroom is located at 2310 Success Drive in Odessa and is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. There also is a Spring Hill location at 4200 Commercial Way which is open Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. 4 p.m. Visit www.yeagerflooring.com for additional information.
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Make Everything Taste Better with some Heavenly Heat! By Matt Selby
Heavenly Heat wing sauce and marinade is fantastic! I may be a little bias because Davis Salo, the creator of Heavenly Heat is a good friend of mine but I think it’s the best stuff in the world! Not only is the hot sauce an old family recipe that tastes amazing, but David’s story is even more incredible. Let’s talk about how Heavenly Heat LLC was born! It all started with prayers, love and support from others. In 2012 a hot sauce owner by the name of David Salo was ready to move into the retail market and had been searching for the right person to help take him there. Little did
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David know at the other side of the state was a desperate mother praying for a way to pay medical bills and help her son survive, this was Josie. Josie is Nathan’s mom and Nate had been battling brain cancer that he was diagnosed with on August 28th 2012. David and his family held a benefit for Nate to help with his medical bills and the event was a great success that helped the family pay off a large bill accumulated from the All Children’s Hospital. This was so helpful to Josie, Nate and his family. A fellowship of love, prayers and passion formed within the two families. Through conversations and listening to each other’s stories and goals David and
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Josie discovered they shared something more than just the goal of helping Nate. Josie worked in retail and had most of her life to David’s surprise. As David and Josie continued to discuss his current Nathan Dodds and David Salo business plan they both realized that we come up with the name you not only did God send David into ask? Nate picked the word their lives but by David doing an HEAVENLY because he felt God act of kindness, God also brought had brought us together and Josie into his life to help him HEAT because the sauce is not achieve his goals. David’s goal was HOT, it just had a beautiful, to be in retail grocery stores, yet flavorful heat with every delicious was in several smaller grocery locations for years. David was soon bite. In July 2014 we had our prayers answered and was granted a to find out that his goal was larger meeting with Publix in which we than just grocery stores, it was to were able to get our product into help others in need. 320 stores. Well the moral of the story It has been a long road, goes like this, after over almost two David and Josie have worked very years “Heavenly Heat Wing Sauce and Marinade” was born. How did hard to get this far and still have a
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long way to go, but we have more ideas and bigger plans for the company. We believe it’s way bigger than us and this opportunity will give us at Heavenly Heat, a way to give back to other children in need. The support we have had from our families and friends is astonishing. People believed in us and supported us through thick and thin and here we are a little over a year. Big plans for Heavenly Heat and Nate’s future because when it was all said and done David Salo gave Nathan Dodds 49% of his
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company to show his love for the cause. Not only will Nate have support for his medical bills he will also have support and a career for his future. Nathan now even works at Publix just like many local teenagers have before him. Please support our local hero David Salo and Nathan Dodds by picking up a few bottles of Heavenly Heat today at your local Publix! Look for it in the meat section and if you can’t find it there then go ahead and ask the store manager for assistance!
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