Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles, East Lake, Vol.12, Issue 11, December 2019 by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Vol. 12, Issue 11, December 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

World Record Holder Increases His Drive with National Rejuvenation Centers By Ethan Lichtenberg Long Drive Champion and world-record holder for the fastest club swing ever recorded (227 miles per hour!), Ryan Winther, was tired. His motivation for competing, training, and business ventures were dwindling. The days of appearing on the Golf Channel driving a ball through their distance simulator to

the amazement of the hosts and crew seemed distant. Although still in shape, Ryan was not as strong and was putting on body fat despite a healthy diet. Ryan’s co-host on NBC sports, “Driven” golf show, Charlie Zamora, took notice. He knew former Olympic weight-lifting champion, Jeff Wittmer, who is the business manager for National Rejuvenation Centers,

St. Louis. He heard about the success of their protocols with Rejuvenation Medicine – the combination of bio-identical hormone optimization, personalized exercise, and nutrition pro-

Trinity Family Physicians Provides Personalized Care to Patients By Deborah Bostock-Kelley “Let Our Family Care for Yours” is the motto of Trinity Family Physicians founded by the husband and wife team of board-certified family physicians, Dr. Stephanie Eldridge and Dr. Amir Shirmohammad (Dr. Shirmo). The private practice has been serving elementary schoolers to senior citizens in Trinity and its outer lying areas since 2007. The couple follows the belief that each patient should be treated the same way they would take care of their own family. Recently expanded, Dr. Eldridge and Dr. Shirmo are excited about the coming new year and are accepting new patients under

tocols. Ryan agreed that something had to be done to get his drive back and called Jeff, who recommended See “NRC” on page 14

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor..............................5 Dr. Paula Nelson..........................6-7 Tech Talk with Bob.......................8-9 Oakdale Light Display..............10-11 SAT and ACT Improvement.....12-13 BHHS East Lake: “Teaming Up” for the Holidays!............................16 Let’s Face It Skin Care..............22-23 How to Avoid Holiday Scams...24-25

See “Trinity Family Physicians” on page 28

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Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year 2020! It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…. oops, is that even allowed to be said anymore? As the holiday season approaches, greetings and salutations tend to take a festive tone. In an effort to be more inclusive, many people have opted to say “Happy Holidays” over “Merry Christmas”. I choose to continue to wish everyone I know, and even strangers on the street, a Merry Christmas and that isn’t meant to offend anyone. Whether you’re Catholic, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, Atheist, Buddhist, etc., if you hear the words “Merry Christmas” this season, please understand, it’s expressed with happiness and compassion. This person is not trying to ruin your day or hurt you with two mere words. In fact, they are only trying to brighten your day with kindness and a friendly greeting. It is impossible for a complete stranger to know what specific holiday you celebrate or if you even if you celebrate at all. When someone you don’t know turns to you and wishes

you a “Merry Christmas,” you can respond in a couple of ways. One is by simply saying thank you and Merry Christmas to you as well. Or, if you feel so inclined and willing, let them know you don’t celebrate Christmas and/ or bring up your specific holiday. Let’s try to be thankful for the sincere joyful wishes and take this exchange as a teaching moment to share more about your holidays, religion or culture. Who knows, the friendly conversation and exchange of warm words could be the difference someone needs in their day. With that said, I hope you all have a wonderful time during the Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2020. Remember, it is never worth getting into debt to show people how much you care about them. We have plenty of wonderful businesses within the pages of all 5 of our publications that have many spectaular gift ideas and great offers for you to choose from! Thank you all so much for your readership and support through yet another year. See you in 2020!

Carla Selby.

When You’re Having an “Not-So Happy Holiday” by Dr. Paula Nelson By Dr. Paula Nelson The holidays are coming and while they can be fun, they can also cause a lot of stress for many couples. There are a lot of expectations about how the holidays should be celebrated. A lot of these expectations come from what we learned about the holidays when we were growing up. I recently saw a couple in my office who fought about who would be present to see the kids open gifts on Christmas morning. The wife was raised with both sets of grandparents present and the husband’s family had a more intimate Christmas morning with only the parents and the kids there to open the gifts. They were fighting about what they learned as kids rather than what they actually preferred to do as adults. Talk

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with one another about how the holidays were celebrated to get a better understanding of your partner’s experience and expectations. Here are some common issues that come up for couples: How much money should we spend? There are a lot of extra and unforeseen expenses during the holidays. Plan in advance and come up with a budget you both can agree on. Factor in gifts, travel, entertaining, and be sure to add a line item to the budget to capture unexpected expenses. Try to come up with a sum that lands in the middle: it might be more than one of you wants to spend but still less than the other would like. Your spending limit will be a difficult decision, but it will be the only one you face on this topic. Once you settle on

a dollar amount, you’re done. Agree not to complain, blame, or bring up the issue again. What if my significant other hates my gift? You can easily eliminate this stressor by giving each other a list of gift ideas. I know you want to be surprised and giving each other a list takes the spontaneity out of it. You

can get around this by putting a lot of items on your list and having your partner pick from the list. The key is communication rather than expecting your significant other to be a mind reader. A helpful hint is to go online and take the 5 love languages profile. The 5 love languages are words of affirmation, acts of service, receiv-

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ing gifts, quality time, and physical touch. If you know your partner’s love language, you might want to give a gift that speaks his or her language. I saw a couple in my practice where they didn’t speak one another’s love language. The husband’s love language was gifts and the wife’s love language was quality time. He gave her a beautiful piece of jewelry, but she was disappointed. She just wanted to spend some time alone with him during the holiday. What if my significant other doesn’t get along with my family (or visa versa)? If your family and your partner rub each other the wrong way because they disagree on politics, for example, vow ahead of time that neither of you will drift into political conversations or take the bait and argue about an issue. Come up with topics that

everyone should be able to weigh in on without conflict— like how adorable the newest baby in the family is or the promotion you’re up for. Have frequent check-ins so you know you have each other’s backs. The occasional hug if your partner looks stressed or taking a timeout goes a long way toward tackling family time as a team. Having an exit strategy ahead of time is another coping strategy. You may never convince your family to fall in love with your partner, but if you can get through the season without conflict, that’s a win. If you are experiencing holiday anxiety or depression, please get in touch with me. I’ll be happy to discuss how I may be able to help make the holidays happier for you. For a FREE phone consultation, call me today at 813-951-8889.

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Tech Talk with Bob: Farewell Windows 7 ..Continued I thought I was finished writing about Windows 7 in last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue, however, since it was published I have been receiving lots of phone calls with even more questions. If you or someone you know is currently running Windows 7 on their computer, you may have some of these same concerns. Will my Windows 7 computer stop working in January 2020? No. I have been getting a lot of calls about this. If you are running Windows 7 your computer is not going to

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suddenly stop working in January. Your computer will continue to function just as it does today. The

you will become an easier target for cyber criminals. Will I be able to move my pictures and other documents from my Windows 7 computer to a new computer? You sure can. A new computer is not much fun if you can not have your pictures and other stuff on it. If you are familiar with, and comfortable utilizing, external storage devices and manipulating file systems, you should exception being that after have no problem moving January 14, if you use your stuff onto your new Windows 7 and are concomputer. nected to the internet, Do I need to buy a

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new computer or can I upgrade what I have? That depends on the capabilities of your current system. I highly recommend that you sit down with a knowledgeable professional to help you navigate through your Information Technology (IT) situation. To make a well-informed decision, you need to look not only at the computer hardware itself, but the software you run, your networkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s configuration, and peripheral devices like scanners and printers, to see if they are also going to make the transition into Windows 10 smoothly.

A good tech can help you assess your system in less than an hour. If your computer is suitable for a Windows 10 upgrade, my tech can walk you through the software purchase directly with Microsoft. Then they can download and install it for you right on the spot. If thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what you need. If you determine that purchasing a new computer is the proper direction for you, my tech can help you shop online or at local stores to make your purchase. Want to know a secret? Techs know where the deals are. My techs have found clients

computer systems for less than $200.00. Unfortunately, I do not have the space to go into more detail here. So what I have done is written a checklist to help guide you through the Windows 7 phase-out. If you would like to get a FREE copy give me a call at 727-534-4000 and I will get that right out to you. I would also like to give a Big Thank You

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to all of my Clients and Readers. Your loyalty and continued support throughout the years is greatly appreciated. Please be sure to take the time to be grateful for what you have and cherish your time with family and friends. My wonderfully supportive family and incredible staff wish you and your loved ones Happy Holidays and a Healthy, Safe, and Secure New Year!

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The 43rd Annual Oakdale Light Display!

The Oakdale Light Display is among the largest and longest running home displays in the United States. It has become a tradition for many in the Tampa Bay area, but also draws some from other states and in a few cases, other countries. It has been ranked in the top three nationally by NBC Today Show, presented

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first in HGTVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All Out Christmas Special and featured in People Magazine. Each Year there are some display changes. Our highest number of lights has been about one-half million. There are walkways, fountains and a computerized light show, a huge

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collection of animated dolls, a snow man about three stories high and the most popular item: The large HO-scale model railroad. It can run 18 trains at one time. The layout included city and country scenes with an airport, flying planes and a working carnival. The kids love the double bubble machines and games. Three electric meters are needed to handle the power. Electric bills

have run as high as $4000. It is FREE and fun for the whole family. The Oakdale Light Display is open now and continues nightly though Friday, January 3rd from 6pm to 10pm (rain or clear skies). Visit the website for more information: www.ChristmasDisplay.org

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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: PLEASANT SURPRISE Dr. Wayne Adams NEXT EXAM DATES … The remaining fall exam dates are SAT: December 7; ACT: December 14. The first test dates in 2020 are ACT: February 8, and SAT: March 14. The remaining dates for the spring are SAT: May 2, and June 6; ACT: April 4 and June 13. For seniors, Bright Futures will accept SAT and/or ACT Scores from the last exams in June to qualify for scholarships next fall. Many students like to do some preparations over the Christmas Holidays when they are relative free of normal school requirements and get a headstart for spring. Tutoring over years has produced some very pleasant surprises along the way. In many ways they are “gifts” from my many students. When I began, and for every student since the

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first, I have always asked this question at the end of the first class, “What surprised you the most from this class?” Here are some of the typical answers: “How much I learned.” “How fast the time went by.” “That I could remember so much on the vocabulary review.” “This wasn’t boring.” “That it is so different from any other type of class I have ever had.” “You are so easy to work with.” Over the years, I have kept asking, “How can I help my students do even better on these exams? … and “How can I help my students and their families have their best possible futures?” The first part has meant continually trying new approaches and adopting those that work well. Not long ago, I created a special practice instruction with the toughest math questions I

could find, along with the answers, for the SAT and a separate one for the ACT. The results have been spectacular, often with students jumping another 30 – 50 points on the SAT and another 2+ points on the ACT from their previous “bests” in class. Recently, I built on this with a “step by step” math guide for every aspect of these

math tests using “hyper-notes” and memory aids. Many of my students come lacking some math foundations, usually built in the 6th – 8th grade, that hamper their speed and accuracy. Others simply need a “rapid review” because their math studies now really aren’t aimed at the SAT and/or the ACT. Again, the initial results have been excellent. Yet, to me, the most

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important gifts are when I hear from students and parents after they have taken the exam(s). Here are a few examples: Thank you, thank you Dr. A. Without you, I couldn’t have done it. I qualified for Bright Futures and now can go to college. Thank you with all of my heart.” (Student from Sickles HS) I wasn’t sure how much you could help when we started because my SAT was already so high. Went up another 150 points to a 1530. Also got a 34 on my ACT. Thank you so much. (Student from Berkley HS) As a top student in the IB program, I could not understand why I couldn’t break 1100 on the SAT and 23 on the ACT. Your classes showed me so many amazing ways to improve, and inspired me to really excel. How do a 1410 and 31 sound? Wow. (Student from Central Catholic HS) After failing the FCAT and being told I would not graduate with my class, you were my

last hope. I tried the ACT before and scored a 14. Took the ACT again in April as my last chance and got a 20. I am going to walk with my class! You found a way. (Student from East Lake HS) My girlfriend went to Julliard, and I had the performance skills and grades to go the next year. But my SAT score was way too low. After your class, it really went up and now I am going to Julliard. Thanks, Dr. A. (Student from Tarpon Springs HS) Over the years, I have helped many students from many high schools in the Tampa Bay area: Berkley, East Lake, Central Catholic, Mitchell, Tarpon Springs, Sickles, Calvary Christian, Countryside, Dunedin, St. Petersburg, Seminole, Clearwater, Farragut, Jesuit, Academy of Holy Names, Palm Harbor University, Gibbs, River Ridge, Bishop McLaughlin, and Land O’Lakes. And each of my students/ parents receive a copy of the following books I have written:

How to Write College Application Essays Colleges Will Love, Negotiating With Colleges (that has saved my students and families from $1,000 to $10,000 in annual college costs), How To Survive And Thrive Your First Semester At A Secular College, and Dream Colleges And Universities: Top 25, 5 More, And Top 5 In Florida. If you would like to talk with my further about your student and my classes, please contact me at 727-253-0639 or at wwa0811@mykolab.com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200 – 350 points on the Writing, Reading, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to all 5 of the Top 5 universities in the country, 9 of the top 10 universities in the country, 18 of the top twentyfive, most service academies, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard,

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Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), University of Virginia (honors), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Air Force, Naval, and Merchant Marine Service Academies, Penn State, Purdue, Ohio State, LSU, Auburn, UF (honors and regular admissions), U Miami, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, FIU, New College of Florida, Stetson, and Julliard – Manhattan - New England Berklee Conservatories of Music. Many have received academic, athletic, or music scholarships. He has also tutored three national merit finalists. 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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“NRC” story continued from page 1. that Ryan seek treatment from the founder of rejuvenation medicine, and author of the best-selling book “Rejuvenation; Real People, Real Results” Dr. Bartley Kerr at National Rejuvenation Centers in Palm Harbor. This was a pivotal and personal moment for Ryan. Still, he felt it necessary for others to see what he was going through and devoted an entire episode of “Driven” to his experience at NRC with Dr. Kerr. (The episode can be seen on NBC sports or YouTube https://youtu.be/ tBCNqjiFocI ). Initial blood work was reviewed, and it was found that not only was his testosterone low, but his cholesterol was also terrible. A plan was formulated

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for Ryan by Dr. Kerr and his medical team to not only get his drive distance back but to get his cholesterol under control and get “his drive for life” back. It worked! After only eight weeks, Ryan’s Total Cholesterol dropped almost 200 points from 349 to 166, his triglycerides dropped from 233 to 66, and his HDL “good cholesterol” rose 13 points from 30 to 43! “The energy and mood elevation is incredible!” says Ryan. “I am enjoying training again, and my head is clear, and I am focused. I am motivated again to set some big records! Most importantly, I am healthy as my cholesterol is back in line without taking cholesterol medication, and

my health insurance dropped my premiums thirty dollars a month!” “Hormone optimization is part of the puzzle, but Rejuvenation Medicine also focuses on the nutrition requirements of the patient and appropriate exercises to fit the patient’s needs,” says Dr. Kerr. “We revamped Ryan’s weight-lifting routine to focus not only on traditional strength movements but functional golf-swing specific movements as well to offer more club-head speed and flexibility. The nutrition component was tailored to Ryan’s need to maintain muscle mass and get slightly leaner. It is nice to see Ryan happy, recharged, and energetic!” National Rejuvenation Centers now has two locations: one in Palm Harbor,

Florida, and one in St. Louis, Missouri. Hormone optimization therapy is much simpler than you might imagine. When a person is in their twenties, everything seems to be synced up both physically and mentally. But as you get older, age begins to take a toll. It appears that young people have an unfair advantage in life. As you get older, you begin to hit a wall. Dr. Kerr says most of his patients explain the feeling as “blah.” If you’re a male or female over the age of thirty-five, the chances are that you know this feeling. You don’t necessarily feel terrible, but you don’t feel as good as you could either. NRC provides middle age and older patients the hormone values of those healthy twenty-year-

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Ryan Winther olds, who rarely get sick, have high metabolisms, and get results when they work out in the gym! These hormone levels are what Dr. Kerr refers to in his book as “optimal” levels. Your first visit with Dr. Kerr will be an in-depth health history and discussion with Dr. Kerr, and a medical examination will be performed by one of NRC’s doctors or nurse practitioners. Blood work is ordered

to determine health and hormone deficiencies. After the results come back, Dr. Kerr and his team at NRC develop a plan to get your hormones in balance with hormone optimization therapy. Once these hormones are back to the way they should be, he recommends a personalized nutrition plan and exercise programs. Within five weeks, most patients return to him feeling the way they did when

they were in their twenties, and many feel even better. Their blood profiles usually change for the positive, body fat is reduced, and muscle is generally increased, and the mood is elevated! Dr. Kerr told me, “the best part is that it doesn’t take working out countless hours and eating next to nothing! Because these men and women have the optimal hormone levels of athletic twenty-year-olds, but also have the muscle fibers of a person over forty, long hours in the gym are counter-productive. The majority of NRC’s patients exercise no more than three and a half hours a week with specific methods to maximize outcomes from their training.” He goes on to say, “People are often shocked by how much food they can eat while losing body fat on the program. They have to realize that since their hormones are optimal and they are exercising, they have to eat similar to athletes at the training table. Their metabolisms may be the best they have ever been, and healthy exercising adults need the fuel to keep them fit and healthy! Even better, hormone optimization will not break

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Dr. Bartley Kerr, owner and founder, National Rejuvenation Centers the bank and is more affordable than ever! Many people spend more each month on vitamins than NRC’s patients spend on their prescriptions! If you are tired, gaining weight, lost your libido, feel a loss of motivation, or just feel “off,” Rejuvenation Medicine may be right for you. Get your “drive” back, like long drive champion Ryan Winther, and be a champion in life! Call National Rejuvenation Centers today! National Rejuvenation Centers, LLC is located at 34278 U.S. Hwy 19 N. Palm Harbor, Fl 34648. Call 727785-5652, or visit www.nrcenters.com

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BHHS East Lake: “Teaming Up” for the Holidays!

Bob McCaffery, The McCaffery Team Leader is proud to announce the launch of the 2019 Holiday Gift and Food Drive by key members of his team in conjunction with Metropolitan Ministries of Tampa Bay. Two late November dates have been selected and promoted locally for drop off location at the Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/ Florida Properties Group office in Oldsmar to residents of East Lake Woodlands, Oldsmar and Palm Harbor, Florida as well as other nearby Florida residents. Signs like the one pictured here for drop off identification will be set up to encourage holiday food and gift donations for this important holiday volunteer effort. Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/Florida Properties Group and The McCaffery

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Team’s last promotion with Metropolitan Ministries was a successful effort. “Backpacks of Hope” this past August to provide disadvantaged children with needed back-to-school supplies. Fonda Dillard and Sharon Greenfield, two team members, were instrumental in making this summer program

successful. Two years ago The Berkshire Hathaway Home Services and the McCaffery Team worked together with Metropolitan Ministries for a Holiday Food and Gift Drive that generated a great deal of food and gifts to needy families in our local communities. Everyone on

the McCaffery Team is doing their part to keep the volunteer spirit alive by participating during 2019’s holiday season. We believe that team spirit and volunteering for special projects like this one is what helps define us as a true team. Happy Holidays from our team to yours.

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Glow on the Go throughout the Holidays Let’s Face It Skin Care Helps Clients “Show Their Glow”

always wanted. My skin care treatments are cusDuring the “most wontomized to be as unique derful time of the year,” as you are, and I only use we tend to take care of products and treatments everyone and everything that are safe for your else while overlooking skin.” our own needs. And Kristin added that when we slow down long she considers herself to enough to enjoy that be a “skin educator,” who office party or gift exviews each client as an change, we tend to over individual. A first apindulge. One of the first pointment at Let’s Face places that the stress of It includes a thorough the holidays shows is on assessment of a client’s your skin. That’s why individual concerns, and Kristin Fox, owner of Let’s together; Kristin and her Face It Skin Care (Let’s clients collaboratively Face It), invites you to join design a treatment plan her for Glow on the Go: to address those needs. a 30-minute, $39 facial “There is no one size fits that will make you look all; each client’s skin as ingood and feel good for dividual as they are,” said the holidays. Kristin. Conveniently lo A recent client, cated at 30669 U. S. Elixandra Bowles, left the Highway N. in Palm Harfollowing 5-Star review bor, Let’s Face It provides on Google Business, “I state of the art treatments scheduled an appointthroughout the year to ment with Kristin and was include specialty facials, a little nervous as I’ve microdermabrasion, skin always had problem skin. tightening, chemical I had the idea of either peels, scrubs, hair rederma-planing or doing a moval, and much more. chemical peel, and KrisLicensed Esthetician and tin advised me that she Owner Kristin Fox views didn’t think either would healthy skin maintenance be beneficial for me right as an important part of now. Instead, she gave optimal health, “I believe me a fantastic facial and that healthy skin is beauti- did some LED therapy ful skin, which is why the and extractions to “reservices I offer are deset” my skin. She also signed to bring your skin had a product available back to its optimal health for purchase to help with in order to give you the the redness I was expebeautiful glow you’ve riencing. I’ve been using By Kelly Stuart Williams, MA

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exfoliation, and lymphatic drainage. A client visiting the area from Boston, Alix Bigley, wrote, “I was visiting my parents in the area and decided I would go to Kristin because my mom’s skin has improved drastically since she has been visiting her for regular facials. This was obviously my first appointment with Kristin, and during our consultation before the service Kristin Fox, owner, I felt like she really was Let’s Face It Skin Care listening as I was telling her about my skin and it for three (3) days and absolutely love it. I will be skin challenges. She made returning to Kristin in the very helpful and insightful suggestions as far as what future for either microproducts I might want needling or a chemical peel and definitely anoth- to try and to avoid in my er facial. She is extremely regular skincare routine, and also what I might knowledgeable and paswant to ask my dermasionate about what she does. Thank you Kristin!” tologist…The facial itself was amazing. My pores Kristin Fox recommends that regular facials desperately needed to be unclogged and my skin be included in your overneeded some TLC. She all health maintenance went to town on the exprogram, and they are more affordable than you tractions—thank you!!— think. Investing in healthy and applied an amazing mask that left me feeling skin now can prevent supple and hydrated. The more costly treatments very best thing about down the road. Outthe experience was that comes of regular treatit cost me less than half ment includes cleansing of pores, ease of make-up of what I pay for a subapplication, anti-aging ef- par facial in Boston—and fects (smoothes wrinkles, her service is WAY better than anything I’ve been brightens complexion), skin tightening, skin tone able to find in my area of Boston. I’ll definitely be (decreases redness), skin back the next time I visit cell renewal from proper

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family in the area. Thank you, Kristin!” Never is the need for relaxation more important than during the holidays. Indeed, beauty is skin deep, and a Glow on the Go, 30-minute facial can help you slow down, rest, and rejuvenate. Lack of sleep, dehydration, and inflammation from over indulging results in dark circles

under the eyes, redness, and sagging skin. Facials can be more relaxing than a massage, and they don’t require your face to be squashed into a head rest. When you need to de-stress and relax, a facial will make you look good and feel good. While regular facials are an important part of overall health and beauty maintenance, after care

and daily skin care is integral. With the barrage of cosmetics and make-up on the market, clients can become more stressed trying to decide what products are best for their skin. At Let’s Face It, there is no pushing products; Kristin makes recommendations based on her clients’ individual concerns, and she recommends only those products that will help them reach their goals. Let’s Face It Skin Care features “Show Your Glow” Jane Iredale makeup, an exclusive cosmeceutical line that treats skin while leaving clients looking good with healthier skin. “Reveal your radiance with long-wearing, natural face makeup that is as good for the skin as it is beautiful to wear. Enhance your natural look

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with the skincare benefits and luminous, soft-focus effect of pure minerals: weightless makeup with concealer, foundation, and SPF all in one. Skin health is the ultimate foundation. - Jane Iredale Thrive through the holidays and throughout 2020 with facials and state of the art treatments from Kristin Fox, a Tampa Bay esthetician who has been nominated for Best of the Bay “Best Skin Care Specialist” for three (3) consecutive years. Get your glow on, and call Let’s Face It at 727600-4361, or schedule online at www.letsfaceit. today. At the 30669 US Highway 19, N. location hours are MondayFriday, 9am to 7pm and Saturday, 9am to 5pm. DECEMBER 2019 23

How to Avoid Holiday Scams

By Ethan Lichtenberg

Ahh, it’s that time of year again. Time for everybody to flood to the outlet malls and storefronts to buy things they really don’t need. This month-long span from Thanksgiving to Christmas, you can count on millions of people thinking they’re getting the best price for items that were just price gouged and then discounted. With millions of people running their credit and debit cards, it’s also the most popular time of the year for holiday scams. Holiday scams can range from skimming credit cards at stores, to fraud emails that put a virus into your laptop or phone, and make all of your sensitive information available on the dark web. To help you avoid the possible scams of the upcoming holiday season, we’ve compiled a few tips and tricks to keep you prepared. Charity Scams This is a classic holiday scam that comes back around every year without fail. It won’t result in you losing hundreds of dollars or having your identity stolen, but it will take some money out of your pocket that you thought was for a good cause. Around Christmas every year, the grocery stores become even more packed than they usually are, so

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charities set up bell-ringers to collect donations. While not every bell-ringer is a scam, be careful of the ones you give your money to. If there’s a jolly old man that looks like Santa Claus collecting out of a plastic bucket, that is probably not a reputable charity. Instead, that would probably be a charity to support old St. Nick’s Peppermint Schnapps addiction. The Salvation Army bell-ringers you can usually count on, but look for the signs of someone that may not be with a charity at all. Request the name of the charity or foundation, research it online and make sure it actually exists. Gift Cards Gift cards are one of the most popular options for presents during the holiday season. (Mostly from your Aunt Karen who doesn’t know anything about you).

This being said, scammers have come up with a new trick to steal your information. It’s quite an elaborate scam. Thieves will walk into retail stores and go to the gift card shelf to remove the decals where the PIN is. After gathering the information from the gift card, they then can cover the PIN back up with a similar looking sticker and put it back on the shelf. Next, they return to their computers and wait for someone to activate the card online or at the online checkout of that retailer. The scammers can then steal the information from that card and use it to buy items and resell them at a higher price; while you can kiss your gift card goodbye. Scammers are getting smarter, so you need to as well. When checking out gift cards, make sure the metal scratch-off decal looks normal and is fully covering the information under it.

Email/ Viruses Technology is rapidly changing. Our phones hold everything you need to know about us. Your name, your birthday, your pictures, your emails, your social media, and even your credit cards. While technology has made our world a more connected place, this can sometimes bite us in the “you know what.” Scammers are now devising entire websites and email marketing campaigns that have embedded viruses to steal your sensitive information. Most of these emails are easily catchable, but some are not. Look for companies that you’ve never heard of before. Most of the time, people know what reputable companies are because you’ve seen millions of commercials. Try sticking with companies you know and trust, and avoid opening the other emails altogether. Another trick,

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and head home to your family. Drink a warm cup of joe on the porch as the morning sun peeks it’s head out and evaporates the chill in the air. These are the moments you will always remember. With that said, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2020. Be safe everybody.

avoid deals that seem way too good to be true. Up to 90% off is not a thing for a typical company; this ploy could be a way for scammers to enter your hidden information. We all get hundreds of marketing emails a day, so be wary of the ones you open, and the ones you immediately delete. This year when you’re

running around the stores with the other million people walking stride for stride next to you, remember what the great Dr. Seuss once said; “Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store.” This holiday season, buy your friends and family experiences or simply arrive with good spirits and your company.

Oftentimes we forget the true meaning of the Holidays and the importance of the people around us. The ones who genuinely love us, do not need boxes and bags, or ribbons and bows. Instead, they want us to be around them. My greatest advice to avoid being scammed this holiday season is to skip the lines

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“Trinity Family Physicians”

story continued from page 1. their care. As part of their expansion, Trinity Family Physicians has brought on two Physician Assistants. Rachel Azzarelli and Ian Simpson have been accepted with open arms by patients of the doctors. Under their supervision, the pair have quickly become part of the practice family. “Their training and previous experience, coupled with their bedside manner, communication, and time spent with patients, has made them so well-received. In a short period, they already feel like family,” said Dr. Shirmo. “Their family and friends followed them to our practice. That’s a testament to who they are and how

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much they are trusted.” At Trinity Family Physicians, expert care is coupled with attentive physicians. As they own the practice, no one is forcing the doctors to move quickly from one patient to the next, to keep a corporate timetable. Dr. Eldridge and Dr. Shirmo, as well as their Physicians Assistants, are known for actually listening to their patients’ concerns, spending the type of quality time that other doctor’s offices sorely lack. From acne, diabetes management, immunizations, menstrual issues, postpartum depression, skin cancer screenings and treatment,

and wrinkles, Trinity Family Physicians literally has a patient covered, A to Z. A list a half of page long on their website showcases the vast number of issues they treat. The practice even offers nutrition counseling for patients seeking to lose weight. “We can help them change their lifestyle, along with eating the right diet, being more active, and taking the right supplements,” said Dr. Shirmo. “That is incorporated into care for other issues like diabetes. Nutrition counseling would be part of that treatment and covered by insurance. Most people think they have to see a weight loss doctor who will give you shortterm results. We’re looking

for permanent long-term results, and changing your lifestyle is the way to do it.” In addition, it is the fact that they care and how they care for their patients that makes all the difference. Sometimes, a home-bound patient or a patient with an incredibly demanding schedule still needs to see a doctor. Trinity Family Physicians makes a previously impossible option, a convenient and straightforward process. The doctors offer superior care to established patients through a new, state-of-the-art televisit service. The virtual appointment is as simple as downloading an app, scheduling tele-appointment and connecting with the doctors via laptop, desktop,

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Physician Assistants Rachel Azzarelli (left) and Ian Simpson (right) keep the continuity of care in top notch form and lend thier compassion, expertise and experience to the practice.

or smart device. Not all appointments require an in-office visit. Follow-ups, blood test results, medication followups, diabetes management,

follow-up nutrition counseling, and other non-urgent established patient care can be quickly addressed from the comfort of the patient’s home or

office. Any prescriptions and labwork needed can be sent electronically. As long as it is a private setting with a WIFI signal, a patient can have an appointment anywhere that is quiet and convenient for them, even in their car during a lunch break or a child’s sports event. “About 15 minutes prior to their appointment, they would login and fill out the appropriate paperwork, and they would be in cue to be seen by the provider. The doctor logs in and sees them through their device of choice. We can see them and talk to them and have a face to face conversation,” said Dr. Shirmo. “What’s nice about this is you can see the facial expressions of the patient. This allows us to connect with the human being on the other side.” The response to the tele-appointments has been overwhelmingly positive. One hundred percent of patients polled that have used the service would use it again. It has allowed patients who were not exceptionally punctual in returning appointments to be more attentive to their personal healthcare. “Compliance rates and satisfaction is higher. There are not many times that 100 percent of the people agree 100 percent,” said Dr. Eldridge. Dr. Shirmo explained tele-visits eliminate busy patients going to a walkin clinic where the doctor doesn’t know him or his history. “Who better than to take care of you than your own doctor?” asked Dr. Eldridge.

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“We know you. We have a history together. So who better to do a televisit than with us?” Expanded service hours also help to accommodate the busy schedules of their patients. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday. The doctors recommend calling early for extended hour appointments, as they tend to fill quickly. Just like families help one another, the doctors regularly support the community they work in through participation in local charities. When asked what makes a good day, the doctors did not hesitate in their response. “Every day, I know I’ve had a good day because when I can leave the practice and go home, I know that I can go to bed, knowing that I’ve done all that I can for my patients,” said Dr. Shirmo. Dr. Eldridge added, “You know you’ve had a good day when you’ve been able to do God’s work and help people through their toughest times, get them through struggles and illness. That always feels good.” Trinity Family Physicians is located at the corner of Trinity Blvd. and Duck Slough Blvd. at 1817 Cypress Brook Dr., Suite 101 in Trinity. The hours are Mon-Thurs 8:006:00 p.m., Friday 8:00-5:00 p.m. For more information, call (727) 834-8377 or visit their Facebook page or website at www. trinityfamilyphysicians. com.

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