Vol. 12, Issue 03, March 2019
Your community. Your magazine.™
®
The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 18,000 Homes In Trinity & 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
Family-Owned Roofing Company Goes Above and Beyond in Community By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Imagine being in the roofing industry and maintaining a spotless standing in the community for over 60 years. Founded in New York in 1952 by Santis Squitiro and relocated to Florida in 1974, Acoma Roofing Inc. is a family-owned business now operated by sons San and Steve
in Oldsmar that prides itself on its exceptional customer service and a blemish-free reputation. Acoma Roofing Inc. is a commercial, industrial, and residential roofing installer, specializing in roof installation, repair and maintenance. They are certified installer and provider of new and reroofs of all types of roofing.
A GAF Master Elite® Contractor since 2008, requiring proper licensing and adequate insurance, a proven reputation and commitment to ongoing professional training, Acoma Roofing Inc. is guided by the mission of providing
RCI Flooring is Proud to Be ‘My Floor Guy’ By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Owner Chris Ramsay-Care doesn’t mind if you can’t recall his name, but if you’re anything like his other customers, ten years later his name still appears as ‘my floor guy’ in your cell phone. Chris is proud of the reputation he’s built in the industry with his family-owned and operated flooring company, RCI Flooring. See “RCI” on page 18
only superior customer service. Experienced estimators will come out to a homeowner’s residence and provide a costfree, no-obligation evaluation of the roof. See “Acoma Roofing” on page 22
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor..............................5 Drive Away Cance Golf Outing.......6 Dress For Success.......................8-9 The Crooked Wood.................12-13 Capital Millwork.......................16-17 St. Patrick’s Day at Mulligan’s......25 SAT and ACT Improvement.........27 Tech Talk with Bob.......................28
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March is all about women, so let’s empower them!
Empowerment is defined as “the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights,” (Oxford Dictionary). Women empowerment is a key factor when it comes to economic growth, gender equality, political stability, and social transformation. What better Month to raise awareness to the empowerment of women, than the month of March, in which we celebrate National Women’s History Month? National Women’s History Month was established by presidential proclamation in order to draw attention to and improve the focus on women in historical studies. As recently as the 1970’s, women’s history was virtually an unknown topic in the K-12 curriculum or in general public consciousness. To address the situation, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978 in an effort to begin adding women’s history into the educational curricula. As the word spread rapidly across the nation, state departments of education encouraged celebrations of National Women’s History Week as an effective means to achieving equality goals within classrooms. By 1986, 14 states had already declared March as Women’s History Month. In 1987, Congress then declared the entire month of March
as National Women’s History Month in perpetuity. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women. Last year, President Donald J. Trump said in a proclamation issued on February 28, 2018, “Women are leaders in a range of fields, from business and medicine to government and the arts. And My administration is committed to creating conditions that empower women to achieve even more.” The National Women’s History Theme for March 2019 is: “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence.” This year we honor women who have led efforts to end war, violence, and injustice and pioneered the use of nonviolence to change society. From women’s rights and racial justice to disarmament and gun control. the drive for nonviolent change has been championed by visionary women. We encourage all of our readers to observe this month and to celebrate appropriately by being respectful towards women, helping them when necessary, cheering them on, complimenting them sincerely, praying for them, and sharing resources with them. We hope you can do this not only in March, but every month of the year. When women feel empowered, they believe in themselves and their ability to control their personal and professional lives. Always act toward others as you would have others act toward you.
Carla Selby
In memory of John Kubek and Mike Millian Sponsored by the JK Cancer Fund, Inc. 727-862-2100 www.jkcancerfundinc.org When: March 24, 2019 11:00 am: Registration 12:30 pm Shotgun Start Dinner, Awards & Raffles Following Scramble Rules & Hole Prizes Where: Seven Springs Golf & Country Club 3535 Trophy Blvd., New Port Richey, FL 34655 More information, to
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register and pay, please visit: www.jkcancerfundinc. org Questions? Email: sue@millian-aire.com call: (727) 809-1695 About JK Cancer Fund, Inc. The JK Cancer Fund Inc. is a Nonprofit Organization started in 2010 by Cody Millian as his senior project for Mitchell High School. Cody started the first Drive Away Cancer Golf Outing to keep the memory of his grandfather, John Kubek, alive. John was one of the most amazing
people Cody knew, and he died of stage four cancer in his bones, liver, and lungs. But the Drive Away Cancer Golf Outing has become so much more and has taken on a bigger meaning. In 2011, Cody’s mom was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer and in 2014, his other grandfather, Mike Millian, passed away from cancer. Cody’s passion for Drive Away Cancer gets stronger all the time. The JK Cancer Fund gives back 100% to local charities in our community including:
• Funding the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Program at the James P. Gills Family YMCA in Trinity. The program helps survivors who have gone through cancer treatment regain their muscle strength and flexibility while building a strong sense of connection with other survivors. • The Cheval Cares 5K Family Runs benefiting the Pediatric Cancer Foundation • Making Strides Against Breast Cancer • Pasco Pediatric Foundation Golf Tournament
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MARCH 2019 7
Dress For Success
Empowering Women to Rise and Succeed
by: Lisa Stephens
For many, what we decide to wear each day is a simple question that leads us into our closets to make our selections among the variety of options available to us. Yet, for others, who are seeking an opportunity to better themselves or better the living conditions for their families, this question is a daunting and confidence debilitating dilemma. For many women across the Tampa Bay area, DRESS
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FOR SUCCESS has been there for them. This not-for-profit organization has enabled women to go out and gain employment, or further their chances of advancement in their current employment situations. Their mission statement is “To empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.” The Tampa Bay branch of this
incredible organization has done just that, and more. Executive Director of the Tampa Bay affiliate, Katie McGill, began her relationship with DRESS FOR SUCCESS - Tampa Bay as a volunteer on their Advisory Board. With years of
nonprofit experience behind her before taking on this role, this organization captured her heart. Katie explained this organization began in 1996 when three nuns started the effort in the basement of their church. When Nancy Lublin received
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a $5,000 inheritance from her great-grandfather, she wanted to do something with those funds that would be lasting. She teamed up with three nuns in her area and created a boutique in the basement of a church in the Manhattan, New York area. Fast forward to today; DRESS FOR SUCCESS is now available to women worldwide seeking economic development and an opportunity to better themselves personally. In the beginning, the effort was to provide a suit to women who were set to go on a job interview. This met the need of many women who were not economically advantaged to afford a new suit to go on a job interview. The scope of DRESS FOR SUCCESS has since expanded and now provides clothing, shoes, purses, and accessories to women who have set interviews for potential jobs and are yearning to make the best first impression possible. Today, DRESS FOR SUCCESS has 150 affiliate chapters in 30 different countries. According to Katie, the Tampa Bay affiliate was the first in Florida and just tenth of the overall affiliates world -wide, since its’ founding, for women to go to seeking help. Who can seek the help of this incredible opportunity? According to Katie, it is, “Anyone who can get here from around the Tampa Bay area.” They receive referrals from numerous organizations around the Tampa Bay area. If women are seeking help getting a job or rebuilding their lives, they can call the office directly to be directed to an
organization that can help them seek an opportunity with DRESS FOR SUCCESS. Originally, the organization helped women from ages 18 to 38. However, in recent, they have discovered an opportunity and need to help older women as well and this organization has risen to meet the needs of those as well! Katie stated, “I’ve seen homeless women with a PH. D. searching for jobs. We want to help all women seeking employment.” She further explained DRESS FOR SUCCESS works with numerous area organizations who refer clients to them. Clients will receive a phone call to set an appointment to meet with a personal shopper to select the best outfit for that interview they have scheduled. At that initial appointment, the client will work the personal shopper to select an outfit, purse, and accessories for their initial interview. The purse will include a personal note of encouragement to the receiver. If the person gets the job, they are welcome to return to DRESS FOR SUCCESS to select an additional six outfits to get them started in their career. Meeting the Needs of others McGill notes two special opportunities available to women at DRESS FOR SUCCESS. For women seeking employment, she references their “Going Places” program. This is a seven-week program focusing on the efforts of gaining employment. The program includes interview training, both face to face and telephone interviews, coaching and even dress
rehearsals for women seeking employment. Their “Professional Women’s Group” is a support for those women already employed but are seeking coaching opportunities on how to get a raise, promotion or how to excel in their current positions. McGill has many success stories to share. She shares the story of “Tina” who spent 38 years in prison and one of her first stops from behind bars was DRESS FOR SUCCESS. McGill advised her, “You can’t get clean until you come clean,” when advising Tina on her hopeful interviews to get a job. Tina went through the DRESS FOR SUCCESS program and now is employed as a supervisor at her current place of employment. “Nicolet,” from their Professional Women’s Group,” has exceeded as well. This is a group of already employed women. They meet to hear encouraging speakers to motivate attendees. Each year, one woman from the group is selected to attend a leadership summit. After they return, they are granted $500 to work on a community service project that will better their community. Nicolet created a project than enabled elderly in her community to garden. “She created elevated garden boxes that allowed elderly in wheelchairs to garden again!” said McGill. This enabled the elderly in local senior communities to get out and plant and garden, which also served as great hand therapy for those participating. How You Can Help The current needs of DRESS FOR SUCCESS are monetary
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donations to keep these programs going. They also seek toiletry items such as deodorant for incoming clients. Another need is dry snacks. “A snack for me is a meal to someone else,” said McGill. Bottled water and packaged snacks are always welcome. Clothing and accessory donations are always welcome. Monetary donations would help them continue the programs they currently offer. McGill’s motivation comes from her own experience. It could have been me walking through that door seeking help. I know what it’s like to be unemployed or to cry through the night over something. I don’t ever want to forget that.” Thank you, Katie McGill, and DRESS FOR SUCCESS for being there for so many in need in the Tampa Bay area! For more information or donation and volunteer opportunities, visit tampabay.dressforsuccess.org. For those seeking local help through this organization, call 813-259-1876.
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The Crooked Wood - A Fresh New Concept To The East Lake Area
By Carla Selby Conveniently located at the Tarpon Woods Golf Club there is a brand new, innovative restaurant, where delicious dishes, unbeatable entertainment, and top quality service await for you. The Crooked Wood Bar & Grill opened its doors in August 2018 and has quickly become one of East Lake’s hidden gems by offering a refined spin on bar food at an unmatched location. “The main concept was to develop a sports bar that was able to stand out by serving fresh food made from scratch with high-quality ingredients,” says the owner, Brandon Kalp, who has extensive experience in the restaurant industry. “Nobody should have to settle for fried onion rings and greasy, previously frozen processed foods, and we’re here to offer the community a healthier and tastier alternative. In sum, we are a high-quality spin on the traditional sports bar.”
No Membership Required To Visit Not a member of the Tarpon Woods Golf Club? No Problem! No Membership is required to visit The Crooked Wood Bar & Grill. Open to the public seven days a week for lunch and dinner; they offer an extensive selection of dishes, including scrumptious appetizers, fresh salads, homemade soups, sandwiches, hot dogs, juicy burgers, flatbreads, and seasonal signature dishes. They also offer incredible daily specials and fantastic sports packages for those big game days. “The food at Crooked Wood is just fantastic, period!” says frequent customer Jeffrey R. “Start with the pub nachos, and top their creamy mac and cheese topped with your favorite protein, you will not regret it. It is the best Mac and Cheese ever! I enjoy the fact that the owner stopped by our table and talked about how they make everything fresh and specifically recommended several dishes for our party. He stopped by after our selections were made to make sure everything was looking and tasting great. The grilled wings with honey BBQ were amazing; the meat was falling off the bones. I want to come back every day so that I can try everything on the menu. It is
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my new favorite place in town, hands down.” Start your meal with one of their “Shareables,” like the Pub Nachos (chips or fries); topped with IPA beer cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeño and your choice of bison chili or season bison, the Paleo Platter; green apples, smoked gouda, mixed nuts, sliced turkey & sliced top-round, or their famous and mouth-watering Grilled Wings (traditional or boneless); with your choice of sauce (mild, hot, Florida fire, bbq, honey bbq, kc bbq, Thai bbq, teriyaki or Caribbean Jerk) or dry rubs (garlic parmesan, chipotle ranch, sweet & smokey bbq, or everything bagel) served with celery, carrots and your choice of ranch, orange cheese or blue cheese. Enjoy a creamy She Crab Soup with big chunks of jumbo lump crab, take a big bite of a juicy Kobe or bison burger, transport your taste buds to Nashville with their Momma’s Mac and Cheese topped with Deep-friend chicken tenders smothered in Buffalo sauce, or experience a Maine retreat with their fantastic Lobster Roll. Finish your meal with one of their magnificent desserts, like Chef Dave’s famous Walnut Whiskey Bundt Cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream or their delicious Cannoli tartlet. Are you into unique adult beverages? Enjoy a delicious Watermelon Margarita, a Blueberry Mojito or a refreshing Coconut Rum Runner. The Crooked Wood also offers an excellent variety of craft and bottled beers, as well as red, white and sparkling wines. Their drink prices can’t be beat, starting at only $5.00 for top-shelf liquor and $20.00 for whole bottles of wine every day! The Crooked Wood has something for everyone to enjoy, and the Tampa Bay community is taking notice. With an outstanding score of 4.9 out of 5 stars in online reviews, people are raving about The Crooked Wood all over the internet. “What a hidden gem! Food is amazing—very fresh and innovative menu,” says recent customer Lexa S. “Our server was top notch, so friendly and accommodating. We had the seafood nachos, which had chunks of fresh crab, lobster, and shrimp—delicious! My husband’s bison burger was juicy and cooked perfectly. My buffalo mac and cheese was so flavorful, and the pasta was done al dente. Dessert, a chocolate mousse pyramid, was a beautiful presentation and tasted as good as it
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looked. My compliments to the chef and staff! Prices were great too. All five of us raved about our meal and can’t wait to come back.” The Crooked Wood is the perfect place for a quick lunch, a romantic date night or a fun night out with friends. “We have over thirty TVs, pool tables, darts, and fantastic live music several nights a week. We’re like a playground for grownups,” says Brandon. “Our renovated patio is the perfect place to relax, eat some amazing food, and enjoy all the elements of nature that the golf course and our fountain garden have to offer. We have also added lights to the patio that create a wonderfully romantic atmosphere at night and a comfortable, private sectional. Aside from the beach, no other place in town has a better outdoor patio than we do!” “I want to give a special thanks to all of those people who have reached out and supported us, even before we opened,” says Brandon. “We have felt so welcomed and have had the pleasure to meet some of you. We appreciate you all very much and look forward to seeing you!” The Crooked Wood is located at 1100 Tarpon Woods Blvd. Palm Harbor, FL 34685. Make sure to like them on Facebook so you can stay up to date with their daily specials and live music schedule. The Crooked Wood is available to host your special event, private party or even your dream wedding. They also cater. For more information, please call (727) 240-4866 or visit them online at www.thecrookedwood.net For Advertising Info 727-943-0551 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com
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Capital Millwork – Your Friendly One-Stop Home Finishing Center By Tom Bostock
Tired of running around, roaming the aisles in a big box store, searching for an employee and finding out that you know more about the location of things than he does? I know I am. I’d be willing to bet that everyone who is reading this article has also experienced this same situation at least once. If you live in the Tampa Bay area, and are looking for millworkrelated home improvement products and services, you have a viable option with Capital Millwork: If you are building a new home, moving into one that is “new to you” or just want to freshen up the decorative trim, doors or windows of your present one, you owe it to yourself to visit the professionals at Capital Millwork and take the worry out of your project. As their website proudly notes, it’s “Your Hometown Finishing Source,” (capitalmillwork. com). The great folks at Capital Millwork are offering a rare commodity in today’s fast-paced digital, self-serve era, good, old-fashioned, service with a “Capital S.” When Florida native, Bob Koch, and Washington state transplant, Heather Link first opened Capital Millwork in January of 2009 at its current location, 32704 US 19 N. in Palm Harbor, they had one goal in mind, to provide quality millwork products and the education to make customers informed buyers. A long-time carpenter and general contractor, Bob willingly shares his woodworking skill with the
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shop’s do-it-yourselfers, most recently teaching one home owner how to cope a joint creating a gap-free molding corner. If you are curious, just ask. Bob said that the customer nicknamed him “the trim whisperer.” Keith Sontag was also part of the original startup. Essentially a native, he moved to Dunedin in 1967 from Missouri. Before starting with Capital Millwork, he spent many years fabricating custom doors and providing building materials locally. Our professional sales staff has well over 100 years of industry experience, the majority of which was spent in Pinellas county. Are big stores always cheaper than the little ones? I’ve heard it said that you can save money there. Did you know that you can buy standard moldings at Capital Millwork for substantially less than some of the large local retail/commercial outlets in the Tampa Bay area? Capital Millwork’s showroom selection of door hardware, doors, windows, moldings, Cabinetry Hardware, and other millwork-related products is amazing. Not sure what to select… Try out trim samples and cabinetry hardware at home free of charge. Surfing internet sites can be confusing. At Capital Millwork, their vast selection of cabinet hardware allows you to realize the true designs, sizes and finishes before your purchase. They take the guesswork out of the equation. Considering the personalized service
and hardware loan program, you might think the prices wouldn’t be competitive. The truth is that Capital Millwork regularly beats those online prices. If you want it, they have it or can get it for you. When they expanded from a single storefront to their current 3400 square feet, Heather and Bob made sure that
they had access to a huge number of manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that their customers desires would always be met. Not aligned to any one brand, Capital Millwork can order products from a myriad of providers to meet your every need. Are they really as good as this article indicates? Listen to what a few of their
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many satisfied customers, your friends and neighbors, had to say about innovative, cutting-edge Capital Millwork: D.B. from Palm Harbor complained that her new furniture was covered with cloths because of the painter still working in the house. There was one bright spot in her day, however, “boy do I have beautiful handles on my center kitchen island! (some things just come natural to me with Capital Millwork in my life) Thanks.” An excerpt from an online review by a Dunedin resident says it all: “They carry a vast array of specialty hardware that is not only utilitarian, but beautiful. With so many options on display, one can actually hold items in your hand to see how they would feel in everyday use. We were able to select kitchen cabinet pulls and front door hardware that perfectly accent our home. We love
our custom wood entry doors, chosen after several options were presented to us in picture form. Pictures were taken of our home and then the doors that were possibilities were superimposed so that we had a better idea of the final product.” Are you considering replacing some of the old exterior doors or windows in your home? Do you know if you need a permit or a license? Are there any regulations that your installation might be in violation of? Do doors and windows have Florida Product Approval? These are just some of the questions to consider when upgrading or remodeling. Bob, Heather and the knowledgeable, friendly folks at Capital Millwork stay informed about changes in the laws, ordinances and regulations that effect the products that they sell. They happily share that information with every
one of their customers. If it is millwork-related, Capital Millwork should be your destination for the finest in quality, professional millwork products and world class customer service. Installation is available through a select group of their proven sub-contractors.
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Product delivery is also available for a nominal fee. Call, come by, or visit us online today. Make your vision a reality with Capital Millwork, 32704 US 19 N, Palm Harbor, Call: 727 772 7703 Website: (wwwCapitalMillwork.com).
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“RCI” continued from page 1 His customers know that he’s honest and dependable, so much so, that Chris and a project manager are on-site at your home or business while the project is being completed, assuring it is done to his high standards and your satisfaction. He’s not trying to compete with the impersonal big box stores. He doesn’t have to. Word of mouth referrals and recommendations, as well as return customers, has kept him busy since 2007. Though he may not always be the lowest price in town, his prices are fair, competitive and he’s not going to cut corners to do a cheap job because it’s his reputation on the line. Often, Chris is called in to repair the installation of his cheaper competitors. He had two other locations, his flagship store in New Port Richey and a third location in Brooksville, but he closed those because he didn’t want to miss out on being Dad to his two young daughters. “I wanted to be Dad more than anything else so we now have one store and we do much better out of this location than we ever did out of the three because,” he paused, “there’s only one me.” He chose the Palm Harbor store because of its great location at 33937 US Hwy 19, centrally-located 20 minutes between Tampa and Clearwater. “It’s a nice community around here.” At RCI Flooring, customers can customize their flooring vision in a pressure-free, relaxing atmosphere, enjoying complimentary water, coffee, and donuts. “Our goal is to build relationships with our customers. We try not to make the used-car salesman approach. I want to be an educator rather than a salesman. I want to prequalify a customer based on our conversation, whether they have kids or pets – what their living environment is – then I can guide them to the most appropriate product for them.” Customers can select from over 1,000 different SKUs of flooring product, from hardwood, laminate, carpet, and tile to the popular pet and kid-friendly, waterproof wood-looking plank. Every project is customized to the customer as nothing is housed in the store. By not inventorying the products, there is no pressure to push a particular product to meet a commission – as with other stores.
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Chris explained that over half of his current business comes from luxury waterproof planking. “It looks like wood, but it’s 100% waterproof,” he said and joked, “it’s life-proof. It comes in different styles and aesthetics to suit every home. You could take a piece of it and submerge it in a bathtub full of water, and still install it in your floor without any issues. “Whatever you want, that’s what you get. We’re not hard-selling a particular item or particular product. We make the shopping experience comfortable and personable. People send in friends, family, and neighbors because we’re not a high-pressure service. We all our customers to come in and pick what’s right for them, what’s suitable for their environment. Every home is different. We let the customers tell us what they want, and we try to educate them on what would work best for them.” Chris encourages customers to take home full-size samples of flooring to view in the lighting in their own home, and merely return when finished. Doing so allows customers to work by the process of elimination in making their selection, and ensures they are thrilled with their new floors. “It’s like picking paint. It’s essential to look at samples in your own home and at different times of the day, to appreciate the true scope of color within the floor. Our
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showroom ’s well lit, but it’s fluorescent lighting in here, and often alters the true color of the samples. Often, when you look at a sample here, it may have a slight yellow hue to it; when you get it home, the yellow is gone, and you can now see the true color of the floor as it will appear in your home. It will look completely different in the lighting of your own home. We recommend you take home a dozen (samples) and move them around different rooms at different times of the day to get a full sense of the true actual scope of the color.” RCI Flooring also offers complimentary, no-obligation consultations at your home. Nearly half of Chris’ business comes from repeat customers, and women are his largest demographic, which works perfectly as RCI Flooring is located amongst by a hair salon, nail salon and other businesses geared towards women. “Even though our location is a little bit of the road, we are in the perfect location. We’re a small business, so we’re a little different from the big box stores. We offer a service they can’t compete with because of the service we provide and not using subcontractors. Everything is in-house,” Chris explained. “We’re very much about the personal service that we offer that the big box stores can’t offer. We’re on-site making sure everything goes smoothly, and we do a final walk-through before the customer pays the balance to make sure that everything is their liking. We offer 0% financing and convenient online payments. We try to make it as customer-
friendly and easy as we can. Our goal is to make a customer for life and make me their ‘flooring guy’ forever.” RCI Flooring is open Monday through Saturday 9am5: 30 pm. Enjoy a special promotion on waterproof wood-look and tile-look flooring in March with 12-month interest-free financing and save $300 off any project $3000 or above. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, visit rciflooringcenter.com or find RCI Flooring on Facebook.
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“Acoma Roofing” continued from page 1 With sixty thousand re-roofed homes since its inception, Acoma Roofing Inc. is proud of its longevity in the industry and recognition for going above and beyond for its customers. Should a problem arise, the issue is taken care of with transparency. In 63 years, the company has never had a complaint filed with the licensing board or the Better Business Bureau. Whether you seek to know the condition of your roof or have immediate plans to replace it, Acoma Roofing Inc. will give you a roof assessment – an analysis of shingle, tile, metal, and flat roofing roofs. With their excellent quality artistry and proper maintenance, the average lifecycle of a shingle roof is up to 25 years; a tile roof 20-35 years; a metal roof up to 50 years, and a flat roof 10-15 years. Acoma Roofing Inc. can help you reduce your energy costs and keep water and moisture that can cause serious wood rot and mold. If your Homeowners Association requires roof cleaning, Acoma Roofing Inc. technicians can remove fungus from shingles and tile with safe, effective low-pressure cleaning. San explained that there are unprincipled businesses that will take advantage of the client’s lack of understanding of the process. Price should not be the deciding factor when hiring a roofing contractor. Always research your roofing company by reading reviews and checking with the Better Business Bureau and Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board. San stressed
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that there are several important questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor before you make a decision: Do they hire subcontractors? Do they carry workman’s comp with all workers names listed? Do they carry liability insurance? Can you get a list of employees that will be working on your roofing job? He also said to ask if the company trucks will have the business name on them to help identify subcontractors. Subcontracting is illegal unless the subcontractor has a roofing license and puts the homeowner at risk. It is important to review the contract before you sign it, make sure any required permits are in place, know the Florida Construction Lien Law, and don’t pay in cash.
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“We don’t use subcontractors,” explained San. “Our people are employees, with healthcare and 401(k) plans. They’re covered by workers’ compensation and liability. They’re trained and certified installers for GAF and other manufacturers. Our trucks are emblazoned with our name, license, and phone number, and our people wear Acoma Roofing uniform shirts. Customers who hire us know they’re not getting subcontractors, and that’s important. Roofing companies who use subcontracted labor are breaking the law and setting up homeowners for liabilities from non-payment to hospital expenses if a worker is hurt on their property.” San recommends not waiting until the rainy season to consider a roof replacement. Storms can delay installation. The best time is November through March, the drier season. Acoma Roofing Inc. is proud of their involvement in the community. Though 8 on Your Side typically covers unscrupulous business practices, in 2017, they covered the feel-good story of Acoma Roofing Inc. and its supplier. Acoma Roofing Inc. and their supplier came to the aid of a family that had no roof due to their trust in a dishonest roofer and the companies replaced their roof without cost. That isn’t the first time Acoma Inc. has given away a free roof. They participated in No Roof Left Behind to provide a roof to a lucky winner. “There are lots of fly-by-nights in this industry. When we see someone being taken advantage of, we have to make it right again.”
Honest business practices, integrity, transparency, and excellent reputation in the industry, coupled with excellent customer service has helped Acoma Roofing Inc. continue to be a name positively recognized throughout Tampa Bay for over 60 years. For more information about Elite Roofing, please visit acomaroofing.com or for homeowners interested in a free estimate, call 727-733-5580.
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24 MARCH 2019
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PARTY BY THE GREENS AT MULLIGANS ST. PAT’S BASH
The seventh annual St.
Patrick’s Day BASH takes place at Mulligans Irish Pub at Wentworth Golf Club on Sunday, March 17th with Irish Music, food and drink specials all weekend, kids’ activities, and fun for all. It is family and pet friendly in an indoor and
outdoor setting overlooking the greens. ****Membership not required!**** The Green Beer flows all day Saturday and Sunday along with Irish Food & Drink Specials. Guinness pints and Jameson are $5 all weekend. On Sunday the 17th, a tasty Irish Buffet runs noon to 10pm with Corned Beef & Cabbage, Shepherd’s Pie, and Bangers &
Mash offered for $15.95 ($9 for kids under 10). There will be a Beer Garden, Bounce House and Face Painting (Noon-4pm) and music & dancing starting with Kimi Tortuga from Noon to 2pm, Scott Fallon from 2-5pm, and Nightly Brew from 6-9pm. Prizes and giveaways will be given for best costumes and those having the most fun! A $5 cover starts at 1pm on Sunday. Everyone is welcome “on the greens”, too, at Wentworth’s public driving range and 18-hole golf course. A “Going for the Green” Golf Tournament starts at 9am on Sunday, March 17. The tournament is a 2-player scramble format. The $60 entry fee includes range balls, an Irish Buffet, a beer, prizes, raffle and return coupon. Call 727 942- 4760 or stop by the Pro Shop to sign up. Mulligans offers a huge indoor and outdoor venue with
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an original Irish Pub, a banquet room for 100 overlooking the golf course, a covered outdoor veranda, and outside seating by the greens. It’s all part of Wentworth Golf Club and makes for the prettiest and “greenest” setting you will find for a fun St. Patrick’s Day. Mulligans Irish Pub at Wentworth is open to the public 7 days a week from 11am to 9pm (8pm on Sun/ Mon and later for events). Call (727) 942-4760 x28 or visit www.wentworthgolfclub. org. 2990 Wentworth Way, Tarpon Springs, the first light south of Tarpon (Keystone) Avenue off of East Lake Road. Free parking and admittance through the Wentworth gates. The Mulligans Irish Pub at Pebble Creek Golf Club in New Tampa and at Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O Lakes will also hold a similar St. Patrick’s Day BASH.
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26 MARCH 2019
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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: SCORING TODAY AND TOMORROW By Dr. Wayne Adams
Upcoming Spring Test Dates in 2019: SAT on May 4 and June 1, and ACT on April 13 and June 8. Note: students are already reserving class times for the two summer exams: ACT on July 13, and SAT on August 24. As you all know by now, my overall purpose of the SAT and ACT Classes is to help my students prepare for their best possible futures … which includes doing their best on these exams. Recently I read an excellent article on BBC News titled, “Can you ‘robot-proof’ your career?” A recent study by McKinsey & Co, one of the top three consulting firms in the world, where I have been a consultant in their Los Angeles office, estimates that robots (particularly Artificial Intelligence) will displace over 800 million workers globally by 2030 (only 12 years away). I don’t think this is some type of “scare tactic”, because other surveys such as from Pew Research confirm the trends. The impacts are already happening from low-skill jobs flipping burgers to high skill jobs like accountants, attorneys, engineers, medical doctors, and different types of programmers. The best analogy in the article is the conclusion of this article: “So perhaps it is not enough to help workers survive a musicalchair job market. Maybe they need to survive in one where the
chairs are constantly moving?” What does this mean for our classes, and for college and graduate school educations of our students, and for a world where skills become obsolete in only a few years … not 20-30 years as in prior generations? Here are some of the “lifeskills” my students learn in our prep classes: How to triple the speed in learning and keeping vocabulary in their minds for years; How to “read for what they really need” at speeds from 750 to 1500 words a minute; How to “reverse engineer” many types of studying to learn at double to triple the normal rate; and How to develop and use new “mental attitudes” to dramatically reduce test anxiety, work in their “best productivity zone”, and change their whole mental perspective on taking exams and performing in the real world. Their world of tomorrow will require they continually learn quickly, remember more of what they study, constantly adapt, flourish in an era of accelerating change, re-invent themselves many times in the workplace, be flexible in finding and pursuing opportunities, and especially maintain their “mental attitudes and edge”. All of these are part of our SAT and ACT Prep Classes, and it is a real joy and privilege to help my students in all of these ways. As for the results … well … they speak for themselves as my students “score their best”
as part of obtaining their best future educations and ability to do their best, survive, and thrive where their chairs are constantly moving. If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727-2530639 or send me an e mail at wwa0811@mykolab.com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200 – 350 points on the Writing, Reading, Writing and Essay, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to eight of the top ten universities in the country, eighteen 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,
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UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Service Academies: Navy - Air Force - and Merchant Marine 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 Berklee 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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TECH TALK With Bob The Computer Guy -By Bob Dalles Today’s Topic: Smile when you open your refrigerator.
We’re all accustomed to the convenience of the light in our refrigerator turning on every time we open the door. Now, cameras inside your “smart” refrigerator can take pictures of your food inside each time you open the door. Your
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refrigerator may be able to tell you when something has expired. The technology exists where you can connect to your refrigerator through an app on your phone that lets you view the contents inside while you are at the grocery store. Your refrigerator learns what you use, how often, and when you are running out of something. You can link your refrigerator to your bank account and have your refrigerator automatically order your groceries for you; and then alert you on your computer or smart phone. More of our everyday devices have become or are becoming “smart.” Items you wouldn’t expect, like your new washing machine, may now connect to the internet. Be aware that it’s not just your refrigerator and washing machine but a myriad of products on the market today that can connect to your wireless network. Some examples (and this is the short list): cameras (not just security cameras but cameras in appliances, like
your refrigerator); doorbells; exercise bicycles; home theater systems; lamps, light bulbs, and other automated lighting equipment; door locks; kitchen appliances; set top TV boxes and HDMI sticks; baby monitors; smart (bathroom) scales; lawn sprinklers; smoke alarms; smart TVs; thermostats; washers and dryers; wrist watches; speakers; network extenders; video gaming systems; medical equipment like CPAP machines, insulin pumps and even pacemakers; garage door openers; pool pumps and heaters; digital assistants that listen for your voice commands; and so many more. Estimates expect up to 50 billion devices to be online by the end of the decade! It is easy to get caught up in how cool this technology can be. While your fridge can provide you with helpful information when you’re at the grocery store, its programming also sends details about your usage to the fridge’s manufacturer. Perhaps
how often you open the doors, your preferred temperature settings, how well the compressor is running, how much ice it’s making; how often you change the water filter; anything its manufacturer has instructed it to monitor. It collects this information and regularly transmits it across your wireless (Wi-Fi) network, through your internet connection, to servers waiting to analyze your data. So, the next time you open your refrigerator door… SMILE, you may be getting your picture taken. Have a tech question? Email it to TechTalk-TBNL@ BobTheComputerGuy.NET. Questions will be selected by the popularity of a topic and answered in this column. If you have a more urgent need or have a unique situation you may schedule an appointment with one of my Professionally Certified Technicians by calling 727-534-4000. Until next time, stay safe on the internet!
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30 MARCH 2019
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CATCH THE WAVE SEASON Don’t miss out on Wave Season! Put simply, Wave Season is like Black Friday, except three months long and for cruises!
Hands down, Wave Season is the best time of the year to book a cruise. With access to many diverse offers, cruise enthusiasts (that’s you!) can expect to see not only hot fares but extra perks such as: • Onboard cash credits • FREE gratuities • Unlimited FREE drinks • Specialty dining packages • Shore excursions • FREE upgrades Many cruise lines are also giving guests
a choice of these amenities, increasing their value to customers and under- standing that every traveler ’s vacation needs are different. Booking early in Wave Season also allows guests to have first pick of the best staterooms. With so many cruise lines offering their best deals of the year, you may find yourself feeling over whelmed with options as you consider different destinations, cruise lines, ships, amenities, staterooms and itineraries. This is when an expert Vacation Consultant would be your best advocate! They will take a world of choices and help you navigate towards the cruise that’s best for your individual needs.
Plus, add Expedia® Extras on top of the cruise line’s offers on many sailings. Explore all the offers and don’t hesitate to ask your Vacations Consultant for
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help when planning your dream vacation. Call Pinnacle Travel right now for details! (727) 330-2040.
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