Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles. East Lake. Vol. 12 , Issue 8, August 2019. by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Vol. 12, Issue 08, August 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

Choose Hot Tuna Sushi Bar & Grille for Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, and More! By Carla Selby Hot Tuna Sushi Bar & Grille is already known as one of the hottest sushi restaurants in town, but did you know that some of their most popular dishes include steak, scallops and homemade chicken wings? It’s true, and while the sushi is delectable, the rest of the menu is just as worthy! “We are more than just a sushi place. We have steak, chicken, shrimp, teriyaki bowls, bento

boxes, and other tasty entrées,” says owner Hanh Ho, who runs the place with her family. “Some people don’t like sushi, so we strive to offer many options, so people in your party aren’t feeling left with only sushi to choose from.” Open since 2013 for both lunch and dinner, Hot Tuna Sushi Bar & Grille is one of those unique dining experiences that can be perfect for a quick lunch with See “Hot Tuna” on page 14

Modern Tech for Pain-Free Treatment at Tidewater Foot and Ankle Associates By Deborah Bostock-Kelley

Dr. Megan Johnson

Tidewater Foot and Ankle in November 2018, and has Tidewater Foot and Ankle been practicing in the Tampa Associates, the name a callout Bay area for five years. to the coastal Chesapeake, An avid sportswoman Maryland region where its her whole life, she sustained founder was born, strives to numerous ankle injuries in her fill a need in the Westchase youth treated by a local foot community where Dr. Megan and ankle specialist. She has Johnson has set down roots. experienced rehabilitation On staff at Mease firsthand and she knew that Countryside Hospital despite being in a maleand Countryside Surgery dominated profession, Center, Dr. Johnson opened See “Tidewater” on page 18

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor..............................5 ADVENTHEALTH B.E.S.T. Program...6-7 Tech Talk with Bob.........................8 Vivid Theatre Productions........10-11 Grout Tech...............................22-23 SAT and ACT Improvement....24-25 Drinking With Purpose...........28-29

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Hi readers! I have been focusing my editorials on bringing awareness to specific causes and movements every month. In July I focused on Minority Mental Health Awareness, and I received a lot of positive feedback and heartfelt written letters from readers who felt moved or identified with my case. I want to say THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart, for your caring words and for sharing your own personal stories with me. It’s a good feeling knowing that what you write can touch people, even if it’s just one person, makes it all worth it. August happens to be National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Immunization, just like Mental Health, is a very delicate subject, but I still wanted to bring it to your attention. There seems to be a strong immunization opposition with the “anti-vaxxers” movement, and while I am pro vaccines, I respect both sides. I believe it is the parent’s right to choose what they think is best for their child. I know parents who vaccinate without hesitation and those parents who are afraid to vaccinate both have their children’s best interest at heart, so I am not here to judge, just to share my own point of view, which I hope you can respect as well.

As I said, I am provaccines and believe them to be beneficial for kids, adults, and even our pets, after all, they are our family too. Thanks to vaccines, we can protect young infants against whooping cough and other preventable life-threatening diseases. Pregnant women can pass on protection to their newborns by getting vaccinated against whooping cough during their third trimester every pregnancy. Family members and caregivers can strengthen that protection by getting upto-date on the whooping cough vaccine, which helps prevent the spread of this life-threatening disease to infants and their mothers. Whooping cough is just one of several vaccinepreventable diseases that threaten Americans. Outbreaks continue to occur, and many vaccinepreventable conditions remain common. That is why I urge the members of our community to be persistent in raising awareness about immunizations and encouraging timely vaccination. No child or adult should ever lose their life from a preventable disease. Let’s all use this month to raise awareness about

vaccines and share strategies to increase immunization rates in our community. Here are just some ideas on how to do this: • Talk to your relatives, friends, and coworkers about how vaccines are not only for children. Shots can protect people of all ages from dangerous diseases like the flu, measles, and pneumonia. • Get a flu vaccine every year, and encourage others to do the same. Remember, it is not just about protecting yourself. Getting a flu vaccine can also help protect others you may come into contact with, especially young children and individuals with compromised immune systems who are at higher risk of getting sick. • If you own a business, please invite a doctor or nurse to speak to your employees about the importance of vaccines. • Big on social media? The American Academy of Pediatrics is encouraging you to take photos and use the hashtag #Ivax2Protect when you share vaccine information content on your social media accounts. As always, thanks for your support and readership. Carla Selby.

ADVENTHEALTH PROVIDES TAMPA BAY TEENS WITH THE ‘B.E.S.T’ EXPERIENCE TO FIND CAREERS IN HEALTH CARE Dr. Dexter Frederick and his Brain Expansions Scholastic Training (B.E.S.T) Program offers a unique opportunity to teens to get hands-on experience in the hospital.

AdventHealth hosted the 8th year of the Brain Expansions Scholastic Training (B.E.S.T) Program which provides hands-on health care experience to 85 teens across Tampa Bay. The B.E.S.T Program encourages

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high school and middle school students to focus on careers within the health care sector. Students participate in either a four, two, or one week program where they are immersed in hands on workshops which

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include lab work, triage, suturing, and shadowing hospital staff on rotations. The B.E.S.T Program was offered at AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Tampa, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills. “We’re honored to expand the B.E.S.T Program to provide this unique, hands-on health care experience to more than 80 young people pursuing their passion of finding professions within the medical field,” said Dr. Dexter Frederick, founder

of the B.E.S.T Program. “It’s quite the experience to see countless students go from not having any idea on how to take the first steps to start a career to having a clear vision for their future because of this program.” B.E.S.T. has developed, guided and mentored hundreds of high school students who are now doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals. Over 96% of the students who attend the B.E.S.T. Program go on to college to achieve their dreams.

About AdventHealth West Florida Division (Formerly Florida Hospital) The West Florida Division of AdventHealth has some of the nation’s brightest medical minds making lifesaving breakthroughs with surgical pioneers, scientists and researchers using leading edge technology and innovation to deliver our brand of whole-person care. Our network of care includes AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Connerton, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Lake Placid, AdventHealth North Pinellas, AdventHealth Ocala, AdventHealth Sebring, AdventHealth Tampa, AdventHealth Wauchula, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills, as well as three freestanding offsite Emergency Rooms including AdventHealth Central Pasco ER, AdventHealth Palm Harbor ER and AdventHealth TimberRidge ER. We are more than hospitals, as we have a robust system of care including specialty acute care, over 200 primary care and specialty employed physicians, Express Care at Walgreens clinics, urgent care centers, wound care, physical therapy and home health care. AdventHealth is a faith-based not-for-profit health care system with a mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ. AdventHealth has hundreds of care sites and nearly 50 hospitals across the United States. For more information about AdventHealth, visit AdventHealth.com, or Facebook.com/AdventHealth

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Tech Talk with Bob: Smile when you open your refrigerator. By Bob Dalles 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 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 8 AUGUST 2019

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 (WiFi) 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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Vivid Theatre Productions Strives to Give Voice to Women in Inaugural Season By Deborah BostockKelley

Vivid Theatre Productions’ mission statement reads, “when likeminded individuals come together to make art, we truly create something honest, sincere, and thoughtprovoking. Through this and every aspect we allow our audiences to be not only engaged, but also immersed in the true magic and art form of theatre, through which we can truly experience every facet of the human condition.” Conceived out of the desire to create a semiprofessional theatre company that is the antithesis of repeated themes of recent musical and nonmusical productions, founder Drew Eberhard has a vision. Like Kevin Costner’s famous, oftrepeated quote from “Field of Dreams,” Drew knows “if you build it, they will come.” And building it, he is. With a solid background working in theatre and Bachelor’s degree in theatre from Ball State University in Indiana, Drew is looking to take his company to the next level. Drew seeks only plays and

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musicals that create an extraordinary theatre experience, fostering a culture of collaboration with his cast and crew, creating theatre that resonates with timeless stories and universal truths. “We don’t want to always do the same type of shows and cast the same people. It’s allowing a different perspective in theatre in Tampa Bay area,” he explained. “Vivid Theatre Productions is doing stories that are culturallyrelevant, grounded in the idea of providing thought-provoking work and doing it in an artistic manner.” A traveling company – one that does not

have a set venue – Drew is excited to be able to bring theatre to a diverse groups of people throughout Tampa Bay, depending on the venue location. In July, Drew gave Tampa patrons a taste of what is to come with the musical cabaret Broadway Miscast, a fundraiser for the inaugural season, hosted at Powerstories Theatre in Tampa. An entertaining mix of twenty-six different Broadway shows, a diverse variety from Pippin and Newsies to Hadestown and Hamilton, the cast from teen to adult sang parts for the opposite gender. A testament to Drew’s recognition in

the theatre community, joining Drew for the fundraiser on stage were the talents of Brilee Gold, Sean McKinley, Heather Mendoza, Kidany Camillo, Lena Morrisseau, Jason Ensor, Erica Garraffa, Topher Warren, Chonesty Montgomery, Sonali Balan, Bri Filippelli, some wellknown voices in Tampa Bay musical theatre. “We had a great night taking popular known Broadway songs and flipping them, giving a performer a chance to sing a role that they normally wouldn’t get cast in singing,” he said. Vivid Theatre Productions’ season will consist of two musicals and four non-musicals.

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Following the theme of “A Season of Extraordinary Women,” Drew’s inaugural season will showcase and empower women, in strong contrast to the current political landscape of devoicing women. His second season speaks to revolt, revolution and standing up for what you believe in. “In many stories women tend to be looked past in a male-dominated society. I don’t feel like women’s stories are being told in the right manner or being told enough,” he said. “It sets us apart from other companies because of the different variations of the shows we’re picking. I’ve talked to people in the area who have seen or heard my announcement of the season and of all of the theatres in the area, my theatre seems to have the most unique and well-rounded shows. I picked my shows to give for not only the relevance, but to give the audience something to take away and make them think.” Opening with Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage at Stageworks Theatre, 1120 East Kennedy Boulevard in the Channelside District on September 6-15, the season follows with In the Blood by Suzan-Lori Parks on November 8-17; Sweat by Lynn Nottage on March 6-15, 2020, and A Doll’s House Part 2 by Lucas Hnath on June 5-14. Two musical are planned in the schedule, but until licensed, Drew will not reveal. Having worked in 2018 as an actor in an alleged semiprofessional company that took advantage of its talent, Drew has firsthand knowledge of what not to

do when forming his own theatre company. “I’ve been successful getting all the rights for all the nonmusical shows, have financials in order, working on sponsorships, and have our venues. I will announce my musicals once I have the rights. It’s the steps that one needs to take to succeed because I’ve learned from having been through the ringer from a new company I thought was headed in the right direction, but was not. We’re doing things the right way from the beginning to make sure this succeeds for the long-term.” A prism logo represents Vivid Theatre Productions and Drew explained the significance of both the design and the company name. “When you refract light from a prism, all different colors and aspects of light are reflected. The name Vivid was selected because we are pushing cultural relevance to the forefront of the spectrum. In doing so, we are inviting people from all backgrounds, all genders, and all walks of life to help tell these stories.” To learn more about the Vivid Theatre Production’s first season and upcoming auditions, visit www.vividtheatreproductions.org or follow on Facebook.

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Hot Tuna

Continued From Page 1 friends, a relaxing dinner with your family or a romantic date with that someone special. Conveniently located at 3689 Tampa Road in Oldsmar, Hot Tuna features beautiful lighting, a stylish sushi bar, miniature rock gardens and intimate table settings in a tastefully decorated fashion. Upbeat music plays throughout the restaurant at the perfect level; guests feel as if they have entered an upscale, yet casually swank restaurant. The staff is always attentive and charming and make you feel welcome the moment you walk in. Hanh and her relatives share a dedication to always serving fresh food with top-quality ingredients, and when it comes to sushi, freshness is vital. Hanh says, “We are all about quality first, and our fish is always fresh.” She adds, “We have a simple principle, being a family-owned business, that we do what’s right. I believe in good karma, and when you do things the right way, you’ll reap the benefits.” Well, it’s the customers who seem to be reaping the benefits at the restaurant! The food is seriously scrumptious. There’s truly something on the menu for everyone, even those in your party who haven’t learned to love sushi yet! When you go to Hot Tuna Sushi Bar & Grill, the meal is more than lunch or dinner; it’s an opportunity to reconnect, enjoy the beautiful food on your plate, and to eat with all of your senses. Lunch specials are served MondayFriday from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm and feature many delicious options like the Teriyaki bowls, which are served with steamed rice, veggies and your choice of meat for less than $10.00! Combo Bento Plates are served with steamed rice, house salad, half a California roll and your choice of Panko Chicken, Korean Short Ribs, Panko Crab Cake, Sushi & Sashimi or Shrimp and Veggie Tempura. And they are all under $10.00! They also have a lunch special that includes two classic rolls and soup or salad, also for under $10.00! “This is the best sushi spot in Oldsmar, hands down,” says Local Food Guide Paul H. “Their food is incredibly fresh, and they offer a great drink

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selection. They have great happy hour sushi specials with a friendly wait staff. This place is perfect for a date night or a healthy and delicious lunch. Hot Tuna has quickly become our go-to sushi place due to the consistent quality and incredible service.” Hot Tuna features a delicious array of cold and hot appetizers. Traditional favorites include; steamed edamame, tuna tataki, gyoza, and homestyle

eggrolls. If you’re into seafood, I suggest you try the T-N-T mussels with Japanese wasabi mayo and wasabi tobiko or the Panko Crusted Crab Cakes. Customer favorites include the stuffed mushroom caps, tempura fried and stuffed with signature spicy tuna mix topped with garlic-teriyaki drizzle and the Hi-Five with rice, tuna, fresh salmon, whitefish, shrimp and krab stick nigiri. Salads at Hot Tuna are crafted to

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C.R., “The fish is very fresh, which is the most important thing when eating raw fish. They offer a great selection of rolls and surprisingly low prices for such high-quality sushi in such nice decor and atmosphere. Service was perfect. Greeted at the door and seated by a friendly host. Our server was perfect! Nice, attentive, and super helpful. We will become regulars here now as the whole Hot Tuna experience was fantastic from start to finish.”

Drinks, Desserts, and More!

Hot Tuna offers an outstanding selection of Sake. Sake can be enjoyed hot or cold; it all depends on your particular preference. Recently they started offering a wide variety of Japanese beers from the Kiuch Brewery like the White Ale and the Red Rice Ale Kitachino Nest. Do you have a sweet tooth? I do too! Leave room for their fantastic Tempura Ice Cream. Creamy vanilla ice cream wrapped in pound cake and fried to perfection then drizzled with chocolate and strawberry syrup over a slice of pineapple and surrounded by mountains of whip cream. Yum!

Hot Tuna Specials

perfection. My favorite is the Sunomono Salad, with sliced cucumbers and assorted fresh seafood with rice wine vinaigrette. If you like Salmon, I suggest you try the Popeye’s Salad, with spinach, broiled salmon, crispy onions, sliced almonds and strawberries with raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

Love Sushi? You’ll LOVE Hot Tuna!

Local food guide Jeff R. says, “5-star sushi, 5-star service. Hot Tuna blows away 99% of other sushi places on the west coast of Fl, and in Tampa Bay.” There are nearly 50 sushi rolls on the menu to choose from, so whether you’re coming for a roll or two or want to partake in the famous Hot Tuna Party Boat, a.k.a. “The Ship Load of Sushi,” which serves

four people, there’s sushi here to suit every taste. My favorite sushi rolls include; the Volcano Roll; tuna, cream cheese, cucumber topped with avocado, baked seafood dynamite, ell sauce, and spicy mayo. The SUMO SLAM Roll; made with Krab delight, tempura shrimp, asparagus, topped with fresh salmon, avocado, eel sauce, and spicy mayo. The Scorpion roll; made with crab claw, cucumber, avocado, tempura shrimp, topped with tuna, jalapeño, black tobiko, and paprika oil. And last but not least the Hawai’i Five-O Roll; prepared with tempura shrimp, cream cheese, sweet potato fries, asparagus, topped with mango, avocado, tempura chips, and coconut marmalade. It’s as exotic and unique as it is delicious! “Outstanding sushi!” says local guide

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Hot Tuna has fabulous food and specials for you every day! Happy Hour is from 5 – 7 p.m. every Monday through Friday and features ten different Happy Hour Classic Rolls for $4 each, $1 nigiri (with rice) pieces and $2 sashimi (no rice) – these specials are for dining in only, and there is a $10 minimum order. Half-priced Appetizers are offered Monday through Friday from 8:00 pm to close. As well as 2 for 1 Saketinis & Sake Sangria, $2 House Wines, $2 Domestic and $3 Imported Beers.

Enjoy the modern style and freshness of Hot Tuna Sushi Bar & Grille, located at 3689 Tampa Road in Oldsmar. Hot Tuna is open Mon. – Thurs. From 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–10 p.m.; Fri. from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5–10:30 p.m.; from 12 –10:30 p.m. on Sat; and 12–9 p.m. on Sun. For more information, call (813) 818-TUNA or visitwww.hottunasushi.com for the full menu! Hot Tuna gift cards are great gifts!

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Tidewater

Continued From Page 1 podiatry was how she would help others. “The number of women in podiatry is growing; however, in this region, it is a predominately male field. I think some people are looking for female doctors, so I think that I am filling that need in the area. I also chose Westchase because I wanted to practice close to home.” After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree from Towson University, Dr. Johnson received a medical degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, IL. She went on to complete a 3-year Foot and Ankle surgical residency in Washington, DC. with specialized training in limb salvage at Georgetown University Hospital.

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However, Dr. Johnson treats all conditions of the foot and ankle, including conservative and surgical care of tendon and bone injuries, fractures, sprains, Achilles tendon tears, arthritis, heel pain, plantar fasciitis, nerve pain, wounds, ingrown toenails, skin conditions such as plantar warts and fungal toe nails, and elective procedures like bunion correction, hammertoe correction, and removal of neuromas (painful, enlarged nerves in the foot). Other common conditions diagnosed and treated by Dr. Johnson include infections related to diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, and neuropathy. She is proud to distinguish herself from others in the field by offering her patients the latest state-of-the-art in-office technology like EPAT shockwave therapy and Laser therapy. Using acoustic waves, EPAT

(Extracorporeal Pulse Activated Technology) helps to restore the body’s normal healing processes and tissue regeneration. “I offer alternative treatment options that patients may not have had available to them before. I

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use EPAT for tendon problems, heel pain, plantar fasciitis, and neuromas. EPAT provides excellent results with no downtime,” she said. “I also perform laser treatment for fungal toenails and for treatment of chronic pain. Patients are pleased with the results when after months of selfcare or other treatments fail.”

that patients really do appreciate the time I spend with them to help them fully understand the problem.” Dr. Johnson admits that her true passion is sports medicine. Having completed many halfmarathons, she stresses that foot or ankle pain is not normal, and should always be evaluated.

[More information on EPAT and Laser therapy can be found at https://www.tidewaterfoot.com.] Dr. Johnson stresses that education and time spent with the patient is the key to success.

“I strive to provide complete expert care of the foot, ankle, and lower leg for patients of all ages and activity level. Westchase and Tampa Bay is such an active community, and I intend to keep it that way.”

“It is imperative to explain to the patient what exactly is going on with the foot and ankle both anatomically and mechanically, how we are going to make it better, and how we are going to prevent the problem from coming back in the future. I think

Tidewater Foot and Ankle Associates is located in Westchase Commons at 13019 W. Linebaugh Avenue, Suite 101, Tampa, FL 33626. Hours of Operation are Monday through Wednesday 9am - 5pm and Friday 9am - 3pm, closed

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Thursday and weekends. For more information on Dr. Johnson and Tidewater Foot and Ankle Associates, visit https://www. tidewaterfoot.com or on Facebook.

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Grout Tech - Your Tile and Grout Specialist! 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 17 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. Jeremy G. 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 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.” BJ is happy to set your appointment, come

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out and give you a free estimate. She stresses, “It is important for me to be respectful of our customers’ time so I will always arrive at the time we set.” In addition to always arriving in a timely manner, BJ says that they can keep their prices low because they are a family owned business and not a franchise. She explains, “What many people don’t understand is that franchises are often forced to charge more for their services because they have to maintain their franchise fees, but not with Grout Tech.” Not only does Grout Tech keep its rates competitive, but the company will also honor any other quote as long as it is in writing.

perfect, new look.”

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

Kathy G., 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

Using a step-bystep process, Grout Tech begins by using a cleansing product to remove all bacteria and surface dirt with special machinery. They will then apply a color seal (of your choice). Once the sealer is applied the grout lines will be permanently 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.

room, kitchen and dining room re-grouted. They also re-grouted the tub, shower and base of our toilet in our bathroom. They were fantastic! Not only were they professional and reliable but they also completed the job much faster than we had anticipated.” 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. Grout Tech’s success stories say that before calling Grout Tech, their bathrooms, guest bathroom showers and floor grout, had deteriorated over time and the tiles were dull and stained. “The tile was in good condition but it was

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tubs and showers serving to clean up old moldy areas and keep your dry wall free from water damage. From old to new in just one day! To find out more about Grout Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services or for a free estimate call BJ at 727768-6828.

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stained so we had Grout Tech come out and clean them and they turned out very well.â&#x20AC;? 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,

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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT

by Dr. Wayne Adams

Fall Exam Schedules: SAT: Oct 2nd, Nov 2nd, Dec 2nd; PSAT primary date Oct 16th; ACT: Sept 14th, Oct 26th, Dec 14th. As many of you know, at the end of my first class session for the SAT, PSAT, and ACT Prep Classes, I always ask my student, “What surprised you most about our first class?” Often the answers fall into these major types: “How fast it the time passed.” “How much I learned.” “That I reall enjoyed it.” “You are not at all what I expected.” and “I realize now just how much I don’t know.” About a month ago, a new student answered, “How much you helped me with ‘how to learn.’” This was the first time any student had said this, so I sat back and thought about it. Then I realized he was absolutely right. Most SAT and ACT Prep Classes only cover “what to learn”, which is important. But over the past 10 years I have concentrated a great deal upon “how to learn” with

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many proprietary techniques to help my students learn their “what’s” as quickly as possible, plus having more “how to learn” techniques to help them throughout high school, college, and life. These techniques include vocabulary “word splitting, sound associations, visualization, and using emotion as “memory glue”, “reverse engineering”, “miss and correct using the rules”, “hardest ‘curve balls’”, “speed-read for what you need”, “bottomup” reading, and “subsection concentrations”. Additional techniques beyond the exam prep include how to take notes, rapid mnemonic summaries, concentration, final review, and finding your best “final exam study cycle”. On occasion I hear back from a student then in college and they mention how much these techniques have helped them since our classes. For a tutor, that’s always great to hear. And as you also know, when I am asked, “Wayne, what do you do?” most

expect the answer, “I am a tutor.” Instead, my answer is, “I help my students have their best possible futures which includes doing their best on the SAT and/or ACT Exam.” Isn’t that the way it should be? Now that school has started and most schedules have settled down, we can all take a long, relaxing breath and think about the fall. Seniors and their parents are thinking about applying to colleges, the SAT and/ or the ACT Exam, FASFA forms, and Bright Futures and other scholarships … on top of all the academics and activities that constantly demand attention. The “gorilla in Florida” is the rock-hard deadling of November 1st from UF. Most other schools are fine with a January 1st application and standard exam scores following soon behind. For those wanting to apply for Early Option or Early Decision, most of these probgrams are fine with exam scores coming in late November through December – but make sure

to check the dates with your target schools to be absolutely sure. Know that for most top schools, applying for Early Option or Early Decision triples the chances of being accepted compared to Regular Admission because so many schools fill up to 75% of their Freshman Class spots before Regular Admission begins, and far more students apply for Regular Admission. Juniors and Sophomores are simply looking forward to successfully completing their fall term, and doing their best on the PSAT coming in mid-October. Many are already preparing for the SAT and/or ACT exams. On occasion, I have tutored seventh graders for the SAT and ACT, and it is becoming more common for me to start with ninth or tenth graders as well. Also, I help with college application information, ideas about possible schools, coaching for students in how to study most effectively, and special negotiating points. For example, you may

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be surprised to know that, if a family has a relatively low EFC (expected financial contribution) on the FASFA Form, it costs less to attend Eckerd College (a private school in St. Petersburg) than to attend USF. The reason is that Eckerd covers a very large percentage of the difference between their posted price and the EFC, while USF does not. Many private colleges cover high percentages of the difference. And if your student is admitted to Harvard, Yale, or other top universities and the family makes less than around $65,000 a year, it is a “free ride” because they have huge endowments and invest in their students. Their admissions are “need blind”. Families making between $65,000 and

$150,000 pay 0 – 10% of all costs (tuition, fees, room, and board). This is why it can cost family less for their student to attend Harvard (and many other “Top 25” schools” than going to UF, FSU, or any other Florida public college with 100% Bright Futures Scholarship because board in Florida is not covered and runs $14,000 - $18,000 a year. More than 60 percent of Harvard College students receive financial aid, and the average grant this past year was over $40,000. Families with students on scholarship pay an average around 12,000 annually toward the cost of a Harvard education. Check it out! If You Would Like To Talk More About How I Can Help You, please contact me at 727-253-0639 or at

wwa0811@mykolab.com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200 – 350 points on the Writing, Reading, 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, seventeen of the top twenty-five, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Air Force and Merchant Marine Service Academies, Penn State,

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LSU, Auburn, UF, U Miami, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, FIU, New College of Florida, Stetson, and Julliard – Manhattan - New England - and Berkley Conservatories of Music. Many have received academic, athletic, or music scholarships. This year, he also tutored three juniors who scored at the national merit finalist/ semi-finalist levels on the most recent PSAT. He is a former Dean of a Graduate School of Business and Full Professor, and began college teaching at the University of Maryland in 1968. He has degrees and advanced studies at Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Columbia International, and Luther Rice.

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Drinking With Purpose

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley

A chiropractic student and foster parent, and a California commercial realtor, two 29 years olds on two very different career paths, had their lives changed by mother. Not the capital M Mother, but the kind used to create a delicious, healthy live sparkling fermented drink called Sunny Culture. In 2015, Rany Bochi had been perfecting a water kefir recipe in his mother’s kitchen, testing flavors out on friends and family, not really thinking beyond his familiar circle. Unlike dairy kefir which is detrimental to anyone with lactose intolerance or the bitterness of pungent vinegar-based drinks, water kefir is fermented by filtered water, organic superfoods, and organic cane sugar which is used to feed the mother culture. Caffeine free, glutenfree, and organically certified, with no added sugar post fermentation, water kefir is functional and refreshing. “We found a product that combines the benefits of all. As a non-dairy kefir, it still has the wide spectrum probiotic, but it has a lighter, refreshing aspect unlike other

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beverages,” said Rany. “Many moms who wanted to give something healthy to their kids haven’t been able to do that because of caffeine or high sugar. We’re like a probiotic fruit juice for kids.” Rany reached out to his childhood best friend and his passion and enthusiasm about this new product motivated Patrick Whitner to change careers to become a partner and official taste tester of the fledgling new company. “When we tried the Hibiscus that’s when we looked at each other and we knew we had a product that could go to the mass consumer,” said Patrick. The next step was trialing the water kefir at the Hyde Park Farmer’s Market. From the many raves and positive reviews of local taste testers, Sunny Culture was officially born. “Our goal first and foremost is to educate about the importance of gut health. We are part of the solution and we get excited when people intake a variety of different fermented foods. We want our company to be part of our customer’s healthy lifestyle.” said Patrick. “It’s a privilege to be part of that for

people.” Named Sunny Culture – a callout to the Sunshine State – the bottle features a symbolic mangrove tree representing strong roots. This Tampa Bay independent business has a mission to make gut health accessible to all, especially children, and particularly children in low income areas. The startup’s goal is to partner with local organizations that work with foster children and local schools to provide probiotics to children. “Most kids in low income areas are eating many processed foods. A little bit of probiotics go a long way, especially because of the wide spectrum nature of our live probiotic.” Recently certified organic, bottled in eco-friendly glass in flavors of Ginger, Blueberry, Elderberry and Hibiscus, each product is handcrafted locally. Never using any concentrates or extracts, Sunny Culture is made from real blueberries, elderberries, hibiscus, and ginger. “We use whole organic real ingredients – the way it’s supposed to be,” he said. “We call it ‘no shortcuts.’ That’s how you get the true benefits of all the ingredients.

We want to be the probiotic of choice and provide a guilt-free sparkling water experience.” Some customers drink Water Kefir as a refreshing beverage while others drink it for the functionality. “Each flavor that we’ve chosen is with functional intention,” Rany explained. “The biggest thing we are trying to do is to encourage people not only to drink our product because it is refreshing, but also to drink with purpose.” Rany and Patrick chose water kefir product rather than another dairy kefir because the sugar in commercial dairy kefir was alarming. “We’re kind of the stepping stone for people to start experimenting with fermented foods. We call it ‘the gateway to fermentation.’ Probiotics are a big part of digestion as a whole and we are extremely passionate about sharing that message with our community.” Sunny Culture’s Hibiscus is featured in Hibiscus Negrone, a signature cocktail at the Hall of Franklin. The team is also looking to expand into other bars as healthy mocktail options for non-drinkers. Already successfully

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sold in local yoga studios and health food stores like Abby’s Health and Nutrition, Duckweed Downtown, Rollin’ Oats Market, Lucky’s Market, among several others, Sunny Culture is celebrating a local Metro launch in Whole Foods in South Tampa, Carrollwood,

and Clearwater locations. “We hear stories at farmer’s markets – that’s why we, the two founders, are out there in the Florida sun every weekend,” said Patrick. “It’s about us being able to connect with the community and listen. It’s humbling

when we hear testimonials about our products and it just ignites our fire even more why we are doing what we are doing and why we changed both of our lives to go on this mission together. We want to be part of people’s lives. That’s a gift to us. We

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don’t take that responsibility lightly.” To learn more about Sunny Culture visit drinksunny.com, facebook. com/sunnyculture or Instagram.com/sunnyculture.

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