Vol. 12, Issue 02, February 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
Let Strategic Tax Preparation Take the Stress Out of Your Tax Season!
By Lisa Stephens
On the heels of “the most wonderful time of the year” comes, for many, the worst time of the year…. tax season. Fortunately, Angela Santoyo of Strategic Tax Preparation is here to help. Since 1998, Angela has provided Palm Harbor and surrounding communities their tax preparation needs and
more! After graduating from USF, Angela gained valuable work experience at several different jobs before eventually accepting a position as an accounting manager at a local marketing company. In 1998, she went to work for herself by opening her own bookkeeping
See “Strategic Tax” on page 28
Angela Santoya, owner, Stategic Tax Preparation, and her loving, supportive family!
Yeager & Company Offers Customers Full Remodels of Kitchen and Bath By Deborah Bostock-Kelley
The Yeager & Company’s signature red, white, and blue trucks are regularly seen throughout Tampa Bay. Experienced sales associates and contractors are driving to customers in need of the highest quality and largest selection of flooring; yet, Yeager & Company offer so much more than flooring expertise. Though the family-owned business is well known for their fivestar reviews for flooring installation,
See “Yeager” on page 18
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor..............................5 1-800-GOT-JUNK?.......................8-9 Tech Talk with Bob..................12-13 AdventHealth North Pinellas Elevates Patient Care with New da Vinci® Robot...........................14 Hot Tuna - 5 Star Sushi, 5 Star Service...........................20-21 SAT/ACT Improvement...........22-23 Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco, Inc................................24-25
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February is National Heart Month The month of February has long been synonymous with tender heart shapes and the sensual color of red— thanks to the annual celebration of Valentine’s Day. But February isn’t just for lovers. It also reminds us to take care of our heart and consider our risk factors, because February is Heart Disease Awareness Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. My father was one of its victims, he was only 62 years old. Your risk of heart disease increases as you get older but believe it or not, heart disease can happen at any age. The good news? Some risk factors for heart disease and stroke are preventable when people make healthy lifestyle choices. Some risk factors for cardiovascular disease include; obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol or diabetes. So, if you want to stay on top of your health and try to avoid the risk of heart disease, there
are a few things you can do. Starting with not smoking, but if you’re already a smoker try your best to quit. If you are being treated for high blood pressure and cholesterol do your best to take your medications as prescribed by your doctor. Next, make heart-healthy decisions. Eat whole foods that are low in trans-fat, saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat. Condiment your proteins with spices instead of salt. When you’re preparing a meal, make sure to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables instead of carbohydrates. Finally, get moving! Living a sedentary lifestyle will put you at a much greater risk for heart disease. Try to get in at least 20 minutes of physical activity 4-5 days a week, then build from there. Manage your stress levels. Stress is linked to heart disease in many ways. It can raise your blood pressure. Extreme stress can be a “trigger” for a heart attack. Make sure you get enough sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep, you may raise your risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. Those three things can raise your risks for heart disease. How can you help
spread awareness? Here are just a few ideas: Encourage family members and friends to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise Motivate teachers and administrators to make physical activity a part of the school day. Encourage your children to play outside more often. This can help students start good habits early. Limit your alcohol consumption Maintain a healthy weight Ask your doctor to provide information about ways to prevent heart disease and share knowledge with your loved ones. If you’re a business owner, send out a newsletter about living a heart-healthy lifestyle. Use social media to spread awareness. Host a community event where families can be active while learning about local health resources. Visit www.heart.org/ en/affiliates/florida/ tampa-bay for more information of how you can join a culture of health in Tampa Bay. They host the Tampa Bay Heart Walk, a Tampa Bay Go Red for Women Luncheon, the Tampa Bay Heart Ball and more amazing events!
Carla Selby
6 FEBRUARY 2019
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FEBRUARY 2019 7
If You’ve Got Junk – We’ve Got the Solution:1-800-GOT-JUNK? By Tom Bostock It’s amazing how easy it is to collect unwanted junk without even realizing it. If it’s not the garage sale leftovers that didn’t sell, it’s the clothes that the kids have outgrown that got boxed up and stored in the garage for a later time than never came. Maybe, it’s the newspapers for the drive that were never collected. Here’s a thought: It’s just human nature to collect things, but wouldn’t it be nice if you could use your garage for your car again or the spare bedroom for something besides a storage room? If the thought of having waste your Saturday, taking
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unwanted stuff to the dumps and then waiting in line for your chance to finally place your junk in the appropriate bin for disposal is not your idea of a fun way to spend your weekend, why not call the friendly folks at 1-800-GOTJUNK? Owners Troy and Rachelle White enjoy a great reputation and take great pride in the quality of the junk removal services that they provide to both their residential and commercial customers. “We are committed to providing our customers with up-front rates, and ontime, friendly, professional service that exceeds their expectations,” says Troy.
“We even provide same day service. All you have to do is point at the pile of junk you want removed and we’ll take care of the rest.” If it fits in a truck, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? will remove it, quickly and safely. It doesn’t matter if it is a single item, a backyard or garage full, even an entire building. We will remove just about anything as long as it in nonhazardous. their trained employees will do all the heavy lifting for you. This is not 2 college boys with a pickup on a weekend. It is a fully licensed, insured removal company with the right equipment to do the job right, the first time, and every time!
If you are concerned about the environment and indiscriminately adding to landfills with your discards, owner Troy reassuringly noted that
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“more than 70% of what we haul away is recycled or reused.” His haulers do the sorting for you to determine where your junk should go. Recipients of your welcome, reusable items include: many local charities, a recycling center,
a transfer station, to be converted into energy for local consumption, or if there is no value or possible use, finally, to the dumps. Troy proudly notes that “nationwide, 1-800-GOTJUNK? has save more than 2.4 billion pounds of junk
from the landfill.” Even their company warehouse was expanded to give them the space to keep even more junk out of landfills. “Our employees will sort through your junk and pull out the pieces that can be reused, recycled, or repurposed so that you don’t have to.” Listen to what some of your satisfied friends and neighbors had to say about two of their experiences with 1-800-GOT-JUNK: “ I called and the same day, not even 3 hours later, Michael and Justin arrived. In less than 30 min they removed all the junk I needed hauled. They were absolutely AMAZING ! Pricing is fair for the amount of work that they do. They were understanding and didn’t pressure the sale. It was the best experience!” “I recently learned that they recycle our junk and don’t just dump it all at the landfill! Thanks for doing our part for us!! Every little bit helps.” :)” In addition to their widely recommended residential junk removal services, represented by the consistent 5- star ratings that they receive from homeowners who have used 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, the company works closely with a variety of commercial enterprises. If you are a general contractor, business owner, property manager, real estate agent or any commercial venture in need of hauling and clean up assistance, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has the experience and expertise
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to be the solution to your junk removal problems. Their commitment to excellence will be evident in the renewed condition of your property or facilities. “We remove junk from wherever it’s located, and we wouldn’t leave a dent or a speck of dirt behind.” Troy and Rachelle, owners of 1-800-GOTJUNK? have a strong commitment to the community that they serve. One of the best parts of their business, they say, is the relationships that they have developed and nurtured in the community. They appreciate their ability to help local non-profits like: Hope Children’s Home, Autism Awareness and Lighthouse Ministries, as well as the Pinellas County Youth Ranch. “We’ve enjoyed getting to know the customers that we’ve helped. Everyone has a different reason for wanting their junk removed and we help them all.” Don’t guess how much it will cost to clean up your debris, both residential and commercial. Do yourself a favor and call the experts at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? for a free, same-day, no hassle estimate with same-day removal services. Serving the tri-county area (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco), 1-800-GOTJUNK? is your source for all of your junk and unwanted removal needs. Call 1-800-468-5865 or visit their website at www.1800gotjunk. com/tampa for further information. FEBRUARY 2019 9
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FEBRUARY 2019 11
Tech Talk with Bob: THE CALL! Did you get “The Call?” By Bob Dalles [Note from Bob: Back by popular demand. Beware that a lot of people fall prey to these calls every day. I wrote this article six months ago. If you’ve already read it, I hope you will share it with someone you care about.] Did you get the call? If so, what did you do? Did your friends get the call? If so, what did they do? Maybe neither one of you got the call… yet. What will you or your friends do when you get the call? Well I am going to help you with this situation. This information can save you hundreds of dollars! Many criminals are working their way through the internet looking for people to scam. I
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personally have received “the call” several times myself. My dad received one last month. These scam artists will call you and identify themselves as representatives of a large company, like Microsoft, Apple, etc. The caller will tell you that a corruption was identified to be on your computer. They will then offer you a free scan of your computer to verify the corruption. Most people will be happy to agree to do this because it is FREE. For these criminals to run this free scan they must be in control of your computer. They ask you to log onto the internet with your computer, download a file and run it. The caller starts the scan. Now they have you. Once you download that file, you are in trouble.
You will be able to observe the scan from your computer screen. The caller will chit chat with you about the scan and then move the conversation to more personal information like your name, address, phone number and email address. When the scan is finished the caller will confirm that you have the corruption and assure you they can fix it right now. Most people
get worried when they hear there is a problem with their computer so they tell the caller to fix it. However, now the caller proceeds to ask for credit card information because they were not hired by Microsoft, Apple, etc. They want your money. Many people will pay and think everything is fine. Other people will say no because they thought that this was a free offer to find and fix the corruption. If you refuse to pay, the caller may make threats like saying your computer is going to crash or you may not be able to connect to the internet. The file they ask you to download and run to scan your system may actually sabotage your computer. So if you refuse to pay, you may have introduced
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the caller’s corruption into your computer. $299.00 is the typical amount they ask you to pay, however the amount will vary. Here’s the catch: The scan to confirm the existence of the “so called corruption” was FREE, to fix the corruption will cost you. Here’s the BIGGER catch: you do not have the corruption they are trying to convince you you have. This whole call is a hoax. They want to scare you into thinking you have a corruption and offer you a way to diagnose it for FREE. And then get you to pay for the fix. Many people become victims of this scam. It has been around for a long time because it makes these criminals a lot of money. Now that you are aware of this scam, you will not become one of their victims. So, what do you do when
you get this type of call? Hang up. As long as you hang up before downloading and running the scan file the caller instructs you to download. If you have already downloaded the scan file then you will want to immediately turn off your computer and contact an IT professional to look over your system to make sure it is safe to use. 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 727534-4000. Until next time, stay safe on the internet!
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FEBRUARY 2019 13
AdventHealth North Pinellas Elevates Patient Care with New da Vinci® Robot AdventHealth North Pinellas will be able to perform complex, minimally invasive surgeries using the state-of-the-art da Vinci ® Xi robot.
AdventHealth North Pinellas is the latest hospital in the West Florida Division to integrate the innovative da Vinci® Xi robot into the operating room. Surgeons trained on the da Vinci systems can view the surgical site using magnified 3D HD technology, allowing them to make more precise adjustments during colon, cardiology, bariatric and gynecological procedures, just to name a few. Robotic surgeries mean less blood loss, less pain, less risk of infection, minimal scarring, and a quicker recovery for patients. AdventHealth North Pinellas will use the da Vinci® Xi to perform general, urology, colorectal and thoracic surgeries. AdventHealth North Pinellas Surgeon Dr. Raj Kotak was the first to use the robot on January 3 during a successful gallbladder surgery. “Adding the da Vinci® Xi to our operating rooms enhances the quality of care we provide to our patients,” said Jason Dunkel, President and CEO of AdventHealth North Pinellas. “We have some of the brightest medical minds healing our community and we’re excited to have this state-of-the-art technology to ensure our patients are receiving the best care
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possible, while alleviating any additional down time following surgery.” AdventHealth is committed to investing in the most advanced technology and innovation to provide exceptional, whole-person care to every patient, every time.
About AdventHealth West Florida Division
The West Florida Division of AdventHealth has some of the nation’s brightest medical minds making lifesaving breakthroughs in the Greater Tampa Bay region. We are surgical pioneers, scientists and researchers with leading edge technology and innovation for the best medical experts to deliver our brand of inspired, compassionate care to every patient, every time. Our network of care includes AdventHealth Carrollwood, 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 also have post-acute care, physician groups, Express Care at Walgreens clinics, urgent care centers and home health care.
As part of AdventHealth, a faithbased not-for-profit health care system, our mission, Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ, is at the center of everything we do. AdventHealth has hundreds of care sites and nearly 50 hospitals across the United States, dedicated to treating body, mind and spirit and delivering whole-person care to our communities. For more information about AdventHealth, visit AdventHealth.com, or Facebook.com/AdventHealth, and for specific details on the West Florida Division of AdventHealth, click here.
About AdventHealth North Pinellas
AdventHealth North Pinellas,
located in Tarpon Springs, is a
168-bed, full-service hospital specializing in cardiovascular medicine, emergency medicine, orthopedics, wound healing, sleep medicine, women’s care, and general surgery including minimally invasive and roboticassisted procedures. AdventHealth North Pinellas has been nationally recognized by the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association, The Joint Commission, and The Leapfrog Group, for excellence in providing quality patient care. AdventHealth North Pinellas serves both the Pinellas and Pasco communities of West Central Florida. For more information, visit www. AdventHealthNorthPinellas.com.
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FEBRUARY 2019 15
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FEBRUARY 2019 17
“Yeager” continued from page 1 the quality craftmanship doesn’t stop there. Executive Vice-President Melanie Carter said, “We do more than just floors. We do kitchen and bathroom remodels as well.” Opened in 1944, this flourishing business, owned and operated by Jim Yeager and his wife Susan - Yeager & Company takes pride that their name is synonymous with quality craftsmanship, teamwork and designs to fit all size budgets. “We do full remodels and are expanding into being able to do full construction home additions – this year, as well,” said Melanie. Yeager & Company is recognized for their expert, friendly service, their integrity, exceptional craftsmanship, and superior products. As a certified state licensed general contractor, Yeager & Company provides every service you need for your remodeling project: cabinetry, doors, stairs, crown molding, baseboards and paint and they even provide popcorn ceiling removal and knockdown application for drywall finishing. Yeager also can work with insurance claims for water damage repair and assist with mold remediation. “As a general contractor, we can take care of all of the needs of a full-scale remodel,” she said. The company is proud to take the stress of having to deal with many different vendors out of customers’ hands. “We can do everything from getting the plumber in the home to do the cut and cap on the
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first day of demolition, setting up dust control, all of the tile work, cabinetry , all the way to getting final touches scheduled for frameless shower glass,” said Melanie. “All services are scheduled in-house using a combination of both preferred subcontractors as well as employees to complete the job. We can handle the job from start to finish.” Though Yeager & Company may not be the cheapest option in town, the quality of the work and the reputation that they’ve built over 75 years stands for itself. When they work in a customer’s home, they will do the work right. Yeager and Company is a Better Business Bureau accredited business with an A+ rating and recipient of 2007-2018 Angie’s List Super Service Award. “We go above and beyond, in many cases, of what the standard building code would require to be sure things are done as well as they can be considering industry standards,” she said. Customers get the satisfaction of working with a team that oversees the entire project and a company that stands behind the completed work. “You don’t have to be on the phone calling subcontractors. We handle all of that. The reputation that Jim has built over these many, many years is that when we come in and do a job, we do it right and we stand behind it. When it’s done, it’s a project that you are really proud of.” Whether clients have plans and a design in mind or need
BEFORE
AFTER
assistance with coming up with the perfect kitchen or bathroom concept, Yeager & Company’s expert team will help you create the remodel of their dreams. Melanie recommends when
choosing a general contractor that you do your research and take time to read reviews. It’s a relationship that is ongoing so be sure it’s the right fit for you. For customer convenience,
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BEFORE
free consultations can be scheduled on their website using an online calendar for Flooring and Remodeling appointments. Another reason Yeager & Company stands out from their competitors is their great number of repeat customers. Yeager & Company often has customers
who have work done on one home and when they move to another. “It makes us feel good that our customers don’t just use us one time, but use us on multiple projects,” she said. “People like that we’re family-run and the history that goes with that. The biggest thing that people take
AFTER
away from that is we’re not a flyby-night company. We’ve lasted through really difficult times in the economy and every year, we’re consistently growing and expanding. Call or book your online appointment with us today.” To arrange a Shop-At-Home appointment, call Yeager and
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Company, Inc. at 813-9182737 or 727-375-7813. Yeager and Company’s showroom is located at 2310 Success Drive in Odessa and is open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. Visit www.yeagerflooring.com for additional information.
FEBRUARY 2019 19
Hot Tuna - 5 Star Sushi, 5 Star Service
By Carla Selby
Today, meeting friends for sushi is almost as American as going out for a beer and a pizza. It’s proof positive that when we leave our hearts—and plates— open to other cultures, good things often come of it Located at 3689 Tampa Road in Oldsmar, there is a hot place for Sushi you, your friends and your loved ones need to visit if you haven’t done so already. Hot Tuna Sushi Bar & Grille is a must-see, must-taste restaurant that exceeds traditional sushi joints with a fresh contemporary style, and special twists on your favorite sushi rolls. The ambiance is perfect for a delicious and affordable lunch, a romantic date, casual dinner with friends or a fun family gathering. Tampa local and frequent customer Joanne C. says, “This is my favorite place for lunch in the city. I love the quiet serene atmosphere and the incredible lunch specials. Great date spot as well!” Hot Tuna Lunch specials are served Monday-Friday from 11:00am - 2:00pm and feature many healthy and scrumptious options like Teriyaki bowls, which are served with steamed rice, veggies and your choice of meat for less than $10.00! Combo Bento plates are also a fantastic affordable lunch option if you are anything like me, and enjoy trying a little bit of everything. 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 2 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 selection. They have great happy hour sushi specials with a really friendly wait staff. This place is perfect for a date night or a healthy and delicious
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lunch. Hot Tuna has quickly become our go to sushi place due to the consistent quality and incredible service.” Hot Tuna has been offering diners the tastiest, freshest and most beautifully prepared fare since opening its doors in May 2013. “5 star sushi, 5 star service. My family and I have been coming here for many years. This place blows away 99% of sushi places on the entire west coast of Fl, and in Tampa…” says frequent customer Jeff R on his recent 5-star Google review. “We only order the extravagant rolls, lettuce wraps, and ship cocktail every time. 100% recommend this restaurant if you are looking for awesome sushi. Service is superb. I am impressed by their consistency over the past five years.” Family owned and operated, Hot Tuna is meticulously ran by Hanh and her family, who combined forces from their previous experience in the restaurant business to bring this concept to life. Together, Hanh and the entire staff enjoy providing new spins on traditional
Asian cuisine. All chefs and sushi chefs have many years of experience, and their incredible talent and skills translates into culinary works of art that are fun, delicious and always fresh! “We rebuilt this entire place to be the perfect setting for Hot Tuna,” says Hanh. 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 menu at Hot Tuna offers diners a diverse selection of masterpieces. Hanh says, “We are more than just a sushi place. We have steak, chicken, shrimp, teriyaki bowls and other tasty entrées. 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.” Hot Tuna features a delicious array of appetizers. If you like seafood with a kick try the T-N-T mussels with wasabi Japanese mayo and wasabi tobiko. They are
amazing! I’m big fan of anything “tempura” style, so I tried the Udon Tempura, which consisted of a delicious bowl of seafood broth with udon noodles, served with a side of tempura shrimp and vegetables. The broth delicious and the tempura shrimp and veggies were perfectly light and crispy, and served with a delicious tempura sauce. Salads at Hot Tuna are crafted to perfection. My husband and I loved the Sunomono Salad, with sliced cucumbers and assorted fresh seafood with rice wine vinaigrette. We take our seafood seriously. My husband is a fishing guide, so he has taught me how to recognize fresh seafood at restaurants, and Hot Tuna definitely has some of the freshest fish we’ve ever had in the city. Hot Tuna’s signature sushi rolls are as beautiful as they are delicious. The Jade Dragon Roll was the perfect start to a wonderful sushi feast. Imagine the perfect combination of sesame tuna, asparagus, krab delight and cream cheese, topped with tempura chips, smelt roe, avocado and finished off with a sweet and spicy chili sauce…
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exotic new beers along with exotic sushi rolls was truly the icing on the cake. Speaking of desserts, we had the chance to fall in love with the delicious flavor of Hot Tuna’s Tempura Ice Cream. Creamy vanilla ice cream is 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!
Hot Tuna Specials!
YUM! All the flavors combined created an incredible explosion of flavor and the chili sauce gave this roll the perfect amount of spice. The Paper Crane Roll was extremely flavorful yet light. It consists of spicy tuna, atomic
aioli, white rice, spring mix, cucumber and daikon, all wrapped in thin rice paper and topped with a flavorful sesame chili oil. If you’re into fresh sushi but are tired of the same old rolls, give the Paper Crane a try.
The Scorpion Roll was the perfect combination of savory and spicy. A delicious work of art made with crab claw, cucumber, fresh avocado, tempura shrimp, topped with fresh tuna, jalapeño, black tobiko and paprika oil. The name got my attention; the taste made me a fan! The Volcano roll is a staple in the Sushi world, and the Hot Tuna version of this classic will not disappoint. Fresh tuna, cream cheese, cucumber topped with avocado, baked seafood dynamite, eel sauce and spicy mayo. Yum! We also had the opportunity to sample another roll, and my personal favorite of the day; the Pink Lady. This roll consists of Tempura shrimp, cream cheese, krab delight, asparagus, all wrapped in pink soy paper. Topped with special spicy salmon mix center and garlic teriyaki sauce. Hanh is very proud of Hot Tuna’s sake selections, and your server will be more than willing to explain the different tastes to help you find the perfect sake for your enjoyment. Sake can be enjoyed hot or cold, it all depends on your particular preference. Hanh also mentioned that they recently started offering a wide variety of Japanese beers from the Kiuch Brewery like the White Ale and the Red Rice Ale Kitachino Nest. I personally prefer beer over sake, so having the opportunity to try
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Hot Tuna has fabulous food and specials for you everyday! Happy Hour is from 5 – 7 p.m. every Monday through Friday and features 10 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. “This is the best place in town for sushi,” says customer and local food guide Nicole C. “And given how much my teenage son eats, I can afford to let him go at it and get as much as he wants during the Happy Hour Specials. I highly recommend you pay Hot Tuna a visit any day, but particularly during their Happy Hour.” Half priced Appetizers are offered Monday through Friday from 8:00pm 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!
FEBRUARY 2019 21
SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: TECHNIQUES AND CURVE BALLS By Dr. Wayne Adams Upcoming Spring Test Dates in 2019: SAT on March 9, May 4, and June 1. ACT on April 13, 2019, and June 8, 2019 Walking around International Mall over Christmas with my wife, I happened to see a news item about a sixteen year old in Kansas who would be graduating from both high school and Harvard University this spring. Harvard now has a full time extension school for both undergraduate and graduate degrees at a fraction of the on-campus cost. Checking further, other top schools like Yale are adding this option. Originally designed for students 21 years old and over who are working, now the admission age is being reduced to 18 years old with some exceptions such as the student in Kansas.
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Interesting how education continues to change and evolve, don’t you think? The SAT and ACT Exams are still with us, and will be for a long time. You may know that these exams are graded on a curve with the other students taking the same exam at the same time. So I believe higher scores are more likely in the spring when the “well prepared” seniors are no longer part of the “competition”. In Florida, we are very fortunate to have Bright Futures, with the legislature restoring the full scholarship awards last year for both Academic Scholars and Medallion. AcademicScholarsships cover full tuition and many other costs (about $24,000+ over four years), and Medallion Scholars cover 75% of tuition and some other costs (about $18,000)
a year. You can check the specific qualification requirements at their web site. Students also have until the last spring exam for the SAT and ACT to take and submit a score for consideration. The last SAT this year is on Saturday, June 2nd, and the last ACT this year is on Saturday, June 9th. With the new Bill on the way to the House,
double check this eligibility time to make sure it does not change. I have noticed an interesting trend among many of my students. Many test relatively higher on the verbal than on the math parts of both exams before we start. Yet when we work together, both areas improve … and often their math scores end up higher than their verbal scores. I think
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this is because of our adding a prep section with “the hardest SAT or ACT math questions with answers”. For students already strong in math, the increase in scores is even more noticeable because they have a stronger foundation to build upon. As you may remember from prior articles, there are five key areas for improving SAT and/or ACT scores. (1) Technique, where we learn the strategies and “tricks of test taking” that are foundational. (2) Not making SM’s (Silly Mistakes) which often are mis-reads or lack of focus. (3) “Curve Balls”, which are those questions seldom encountered but, when they come, a student must know exactly how to answer them – which usually hinges on knowing one additional step. (4) How well the student is guessing on exam day because
getting one more question right often increases a score ten points. (5) Strength of other students taking the same exam because of grading on a curve. Working on the hardest types of math questions that can be on the exam helps my students in several ways. First, they see that these problems are really easy if you know how to do them. Second, there is a growing sense of confidence that – no matter what the problem – they can get it right. And third, they realize the truth of one of my favorite tutoring comments: “An easy question is when you know how to do it; a hard question is simply when you don’t.” As students learn more about curve balls, there is one other major benefit. They are not having to guess as often. The net result is that I believe it is easier to score higher on the SAT and/or the ACT Exams in the
spring than in the fall (particularly early fall) because the competition is not as strong. And the addition of “hardest math questions” has enabled my students to improve even more than before. 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, 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,
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Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, UC Berkley, 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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Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco, Inc. Your Perfect Door and Window Solution
By Tom Bostock
The average window is warranted for 10 years while a door is approximately 20 years. Windows can begin to leak with age. Sliding door wheels, and entrance door hardware can wear out over time. If your house was built before 1988, you will probably be in the market for replacement windows and doors in the very near future, if you haven’t already made that investment. When the EPA created their “energy star” rating system in 1992, it rated the energy efficiency of all building products. Did you know that builders’ grade windows only had to meet the minimum standard to be considered “energy star,” since
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products were rated on a scale of 1 to 100? Your “energy star” home might not be as energy efficient as you think it is. That may be a problem for a lot of our local homeowners, but not if you live in the Port Richey area. Visit Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco, Inc., a one-stop shopping center, located at 7940 US-19 (727 841-9490) for your window and door needs. This family-run business, established 27 years ago, continues to offer custom doors, windows and accessories for their friends and neighbors, with smiling, friendly service. Are they any good? Their A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau is an indication of just how much they value your business, scoring an impressive 97 out of a possible 100!
Recommendations and reputations are a company’s lifeblood. If you check online Yelp, you can read some glowing testimonials about the service and products that you can expect from Custom Windows and Doors and
of Pasco, Inc. Peter L. contacted them when he was referred by several neighbors who had used their services. He was rehabbing a house at the time. “They were better than advertised,” he wrote. “When it was time to replace all
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the windows and sliding glass doors at my own home, they were my first phone call,” he continued. “If you are not using CW&D in your home, you are getting less than you ought to!” Peter was not alone in his praise of the quality and service provided by CW&D. Another satisfied client, Laura M. ended her Yelp testimonial with the following: “Every one of the employees I encountered from the office to the installers were true professionals and were a delight to work with and I would recommend this company wholeheartedly.” Several other clients took the time to sing their praise as well. So, who are these magicians of the custom doors and window business? Bob and Carole Leggiere had the dream of providing quality custom windows and doors to homeowners in Port Richey and founded what is today
Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco, Inc. Since Bob’s death in 2012, Carole has continued that legacy, providing the same, fine-quality custom products and services that their company has come to represent. Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco Inc. offers a special experience to all their valued customers. They are the only door and window company in the area that even offers custom entry doors for mobile homes. Does your home’s curb appeal need a facelift? Is your front door a little “tired-looking?” Owner, Carole Leggierre, suggests updating your front door with a custom insert. Her custom jig specialist, Frank Kownack, can design the ideal template for equally talented Raffaele Sasso to create the final finished product. With your custom insert, your previously average-looking door will become a unique, one-of-a
kind eye-catcher, the envy of your neighborhood. Like the saying goes, “the job isn’t complete until the paperwork is done.” Paperwork is in good hands at Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco with Marilyn Loper efficiently handling all licensing and permitting requirements while equally adept Nicole Grau manages their counter sales, contract and permit paperwork. Sales and installations are proficiently overseen by another longtime key employee, Todd Partlow, the company troubleshooter, while experienced installation service tech, Sonnie Ranno, performs the warehouse functions, replacing screens, glass and vinyl. Carole says, when it comes to the windows and doors that they represent, “if it can be fixed, he can fix it.” They extend a one-year warranty on their installations as well as all manufacturer’s
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warranties, representing major companies like PGT Industries, Custom Window Systems, Jeldwin Windows and Doors, Builders Hardware Inc, Huttig Building Products, Plastpro/Therma-Tru Doors (now available in colors), to name a few of their many professional sources. Owner, Carole Leggiere, credits her experienced staff for the continued success and growth of her company. From their 5,000 sq.ft. main facility with a window and door showrooms, she makes the following promise,”we go out of our way to make the customer happy. ” Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco offer drastic discounts on measuring mishaps in stock. Open M – F 8:30 to 4:30 and 9:00 to 12 on Saturday, 727/841-9490, if it involves doors or windows, this is the place to come. They even have kitty and doggie doors! How’s that for service!
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“Strategic Tax”-
continued from page 1
business. To meet the needs of her clients, she then expanded her business to include tax preparation and payroll services. Fast forward to today, her services now include personal and business tax preparation, out-of-state tax returns, payroll, sales taxes, business consulting, QuickBooks training, tax resolution, workers comp audits, general liability insurance audits, bookkeeping, financial statements, year-end forms and business startup. Basically, she’s a one stop shop for all your financial needs! Offering the Help You Need to Run your Business Efficiently Opening a small business can be a daunting task. While you’re excited about opening a business doing something you love or something you’re good at, the thoughts of keeping financial records in order might cause one to think twice about being their own boss. Many don’t even know what is required as far as record keeping,
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payroll and taxes. Strategic Tax Preparation offers the solution to this dilemma. You take care of serving your customers while Strategic Tax Preparation takes care of the rest. Angela can handle all the bookkeeping, payroll and tax preparation for you! Her bookkeeping services are based on individual needs. She can provide help weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. She even offers QuickBooks training so you can handle the day to day bookkeeping necessary to keep your business afloat. “Setting up your QuickBooks can be very difficult. We offer expert set up services to ensure that your QuickBooks software is set up properly
with customized settings,” she explained. Unlike most accounting and tax firms, Strategic Tax Preparation has no hidden fees, annual contracts or cancellation fees for QuickBooks training. They also don’t charge a set-up fee and they offer several different packages so you don’t pay for more than you need. No business is too small when it comes to payroll support services. Many of her clients have one to five employees and she can make sure your businesses stays in compliance with IRS tax guidelines. You don’t have to be a business owner to receive Angela’s help. She also assists individuals as well with her year-end 1099 and W-2 preparation services.
“We understand that tax time can become a very frustrating period of the year. Our tax preparation services can relieve the stress,” she said. Do you owe money to the IRS? Strategic Tax Preparation can assist you. Let Angela take the stress out of your situation by assisting you through the process. She can prepare back taxes, help you with tax liabilities and guide you in negotiating a payment plan. Online help for all your tax questions Do you just have general questions? The Strategic Tax Preparation website has a plethora of information about many topics. Click on the Tax Resources tab
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to Prepare a Protest if you Don’t Agree, Child and Dependent Care Expenses and many more. Some publications also offer a Spanish version. If you’re curious about the status of your tax refund, there is also a place on the website for you to download an app to find out when you’ll be receiving your refund. All you need is your Social Security number, filing status and your exact refund amount. Under the Bookkeeping and Personal Tax Info section, you can sign up for a free credit
at the top of the page and there you’ll find quick links to many IRS Publications & Notices. Publications
report or view the Record Retention Guide to find out how long you should keep your financial records. You can also find downloadable forms on the website as well such as W-4, I-9 and 1099 forms. Call 727-789-9010 today to take the stress out of your tax season! Strategic Tax Preparation is located at 2706 Alt 19, Suite 220, Palm Harbor 34683. Find the above mentioned resources and more at www. strategictaxprep.com.
include Your Rights as a Taxpayer, Tax Guide for Small Businesses, Your Appeal Rights and How
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