Vol. 15, Issue 5, May 2022
®
Your community. Your magazine.
The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 18,000 Homes In East Lake & Surrounding Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To:
Anchorage, Bay Arbor, Boot Ranch, Brookers Landing, Crescent Oaks, CRYSTAL LAKE CONDOS, 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, WINDMILL POINT, Woodfield
Family-Owned Roofing Company Prides Itself on Five-Star Service By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Imagine being in the roofing industry and maintaining a spotless standing in the community for 70 years. Founded in New York in 1952 by Santis Squitiro, Sr., and relocated to Florida in 1974, Acoma Roofing Inc. is a family-owned business in Oldsmar. When son Steve Squitiro joined his father in 1983, it was humble beginnings - the two men and a truck. Ten years later, Steve’s young brother, Santis Squitiro, joined the family business. Now operated by See “Acoma Roofing” on page 20
Mystic Fish Celebrates Over Two Decades Serving Only The Best - Come Try What You’ve Been Missing Out On!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Editor........................5
By Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi When you think of fine dining, fresh seafood, and a stellar selection of wines and cocktails, perhaps a restaurant in a shopping strip on Tampa Road isn’t your top choice, but trust me when I say, Mystic Fish is the hidden gem you’ve been searching for! See “Mystic Fish” on page 18
Tech Talk......................................8
Decorating Den..................12-13
SAT/ACT..................................14
2 MAY 2022
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4 MAY 2022
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Happy Mother’s Day, May The 4th be with you! May is full of holidays, commemoramedia franchise observe it by retions, proclamations, awareness events, watching the Star Wars movies, wearing Star Wars celebrations, and tacos, yes… costumes, sharing movie quotes and tacos! posting funny memes on social media. The 2nd Sunday of May we internaThe date was chosen for the pun on the tionally celebrate Mother’s Day. I would catchphrase “May The Force Be With like to personally wish my mother, BeYou” as “May The Fourth Be With You.” rardina Tedeschi, a very Happy Mother’s Also in May, many look forward to Day. I couldn’t have asked for a better “Cinco de Mayo,” which is a holiday that role model. I wouldn’t be the woman celebrates the Mexican army’s 1862 vicI am today without your unconditional tory over France at the Battle of Puebla love and support. Thank you mom, for during the Franco-Mexican War. Cinco being the best woman I know. Your de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday strength, honesty, courage and resilin Mexico, but in the United States has ience make me incredibly proud to be evolved into a huge commemoration your daughter. of Mexican culture and heritage. The To all mother’s, grandmothers, great Holiday is frequently confused with grandmothers, and foster moms, I wish “Mexico’s Independence Day,” which in you all a very Happy Mother’s Day! reality, takes place on September 16th. Remember, successful mothers are not Finally, I want to bring your attenthe ones that never struggle or get frustion that May also marks Lyme Disease trated; they are the ones that never give Awareness Month. up, despite the struggles and continue Even though Lyme disease may not loving unconditionally. be too common here in Florida, you can Observed yearly on the last Monstill get infected. Take it from someone day of May, Memorial Day is a federal who is currently battling this debilitatholiday that commemorates all men ing and life-altering condition. I spent and women who have died in the line several years not knowing what was of duty while serving in the military for wrong with me, not understanding why the United States of America. This 2022 I was feeling so sick and tired all of the Memorial Day will be celebrated on time, until I was properly diagnosed by Monday 30. President Biden will give a an infectious disease doctor. speech on this day, and usually parades Fighting Lyme has been an uphill and other celebrations are hosted across battle, but with the proper treatment, I the Nation to remember our fallen am finally feeling like myself again. It’s soldiers that sacrificed their lives for been tough to open up to everyone our freedom. Please take a moment to about this, but if I can help raise awareremember them this Memorial Day. ness with my own story, then so be it. If Multiple small businesses will be you’re struggling to find a proper diagoffering magnificent Memorial Day and nosis, and you believe it could be Lyme Mother’s Day specials, one-of-a-kind ofrelated, please feel free to reach out to fers, and fantastic discounts on merchan- me directly at carla@nnlflorida.com and dise, products, and services. So please I will gladly share the health resources make sure to carefully browse this issue and specialists that have helped me live of Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles, so a healthier life, despite my diagnosis. you can take advantage of those great deals and save big this upcoming May! Until next time, Star Wars fans? May 4, celebrates George Lucas’ Star Wars. Fans of the For MAY 20222021 5 5 For Advertising Advertising Info Info 727-943-0551 727-943-0551 II info@nnlflorida.com info@nnlflorida.com or or visit visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com tbnewsandlifestyles.com OCTOBER
Carla Dubis Tedeschi
6 MAY 2022
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MAY 2022 7
Tech Talk with Bob - “The Call”: Did you get the Call?
By Bob Dalles 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! Criminals are working their way through the internet looking for people to scam. I personally have received “the call” several times myself. My mom received it last month. These scam artists will call you and identify themselves as representatives of a reputable company, like Microsoft, Apple, etc. The caller tells you that a corruption was identified on your computer. 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
8 MAY 2022
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 should 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 thinking everything is fine. Others 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 unknowingly introduced the caller’s corruption into your computer. $499.00 is the typical amount they ask for; however higher amounts have been reported. 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 works and 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 call me at 727-534-4000 to check your computer to verify it is not infected or otherwise compromised. Until then, leave it off. Are you certain your computer is safe? You don’t have to do this alone my Friend. My staff and I are here to keep your computer safer and keep it running. My team repairs computers and secures them, on our bench, onsite in your home or office, and even remotely. We have the best solutions already in place and we’re only a phone call away. Call us anytime at 727-534-4000. We’ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades. We Keep You Safer In Your Digital World!
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10 MAY 2022
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MAY 2022 11
4 Reasons Your Floors Need an Area Rug! Looking for a simple way to spruce up a room with hardwood flooring? All it takes is the perfect area rug. But it’s not only a stylish piece of décor – it’s a floor covering your home could use for more reasons than one. In part one of our series, we’ll cover a few. For starters, an area rug has a way of bringing a room together. Choosing one in the perfect size will connect all of
12 MAY 2022
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your furniture and make everything feel cohesive. And let’s not forget how they protect your floors. A rug can make spills, stains and scuffs problems of the past. How often do you enjoy walking across your hardwood flooring on a cold day? Chances are, you don’t. With an area rug, you can give your feet warm, cozy relief from those days spent sprinting from the kitchen
to the couch. Lastly, the best reason to invest in an area rug: they’re portable. When you choose to install carpeting over your hardwood floors, you’re stuck. With an area rug, you can move it around the room or replace it! They’re one of the most versatile pieces you can have in your home. Need help? Call Decorating Den
Interiors, Sally Giar 727789-4886
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MAY 2022 13
SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: END OF SCHOOL YEAR By Dr. Wayne Adams Upcoming Exam Dates: SAT on June 4th and August 27th; … ACT on June 11th, and July 16th. May is one of the most intriguing months on the school calendar with AP Exams (ouch! or hooray!), most seniors having some level of “senioritis”, juniors anticipating being the “top dogs” next year, and sophomores feeling a little “salty” as they move towards finishing the year. Then there is the question, “What about those SAT and/or ACT Exams? Right now I have SENIORS intently working to boost their scores to qualify for the 75% or 100% Bright Futures’ Scholarship. The good news about Bright Futures is the last exams to qualify are the SAT on June 4th, and the ACT on June 11th. And each of these exams has some days after school is done for final studying. Sometimes this involves the full exam, sometimes only one or two areas in what we call “SKILL STRENGTHENING”. One student in the verbal strengthening came to me with a 520, over 150 points below her math score. Now, she is testing at a 650+ range in Writing and Language and Reading which combine into what I call the “Verbal” score. Another on the ACT is working on his math and science, which have already jumped four points in each category. One of my current seniors has already scored a 1540 on his
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SAT, and wants to aim for a 1600 to improve his chances of admission to his “dream school”. Two years ago I helped a young lady from Palm Harbor University High School with the same profile and goal, and she did score a 1600 on her SAT. Most of my JUNIORS would like to hit their desired scoring levels in spring or summer so they don’t have to worry about this factor during their senior year. Usually, these students have relatively high GPAs, but lower than expected exam scores. The good news is this type of student usually “takes off” with their exam scores after they build on their current, academic foundation with our techniques, increasing familiarity witH “curve balls”(those questions seldom encountered but when it happens a student either knows how to do them or is guessing), and, of course, reducing the number of questions where a student has to guess. Many of my current SOPHOMORES/RISING JUNIORS are getting familiar with the exam(s) and preparing for the PSAT next October which is the only national qualifying exam for National Merit Scholarships. Having helped three National Merit Finalists, qualifying can mean major, additional scholarships and a strong position for applying to “Top 5” through “Top 25” schools. My JUNIORS and some SOPHOMORES are usually focused on getting ahead with preparing for the SAT
and/or ACT and either work over the spring, or get set to prepare starting right after school finishes for the ACT in mid-July and/or the SAT the last Saturday in August. For students wanting to do a combination class of ACT and SAT, we can finish either the week just before school resumes in August (with a complementary, additional review class the week before the SAT), or the week before the actual SAT Exam. During the summer, we easily schedule around family vacations, summer jobs, athletic commitments, and “surprises” as they may arise. If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727253-0639 or send me an email at wwa0811@mykolab. com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200+ points on the Writing, Reading, Writing and Essay, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to 8 of the top 10 universities in the
country, 18 of the top 25, 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, Naval - Air Force - Merchant Marine Service Academies, 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 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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16 MAY 2022
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MAY 2022 17
Mystic Fish - story continued from page 1 Celebrating 21 years of serving the Tampa Bay community, Mystic Fish is locally known as one of the best restaurants in North Pinellas. Owner and Executive Chef Doug Bebell is grateful for the loyal customers and employees who have stood by him since opening in 2001. “We thought North Pinellas needed something special, and this was it,” explained Doug. “There’s nothing else like this around. You’d have to go to Tampa, and then you’d be paying twice as much. We’re very fair-priced. It’s not just about the bottom line – we want our customers to have a wonderful dining experience.” “Just can’t improve on perfection,” says Dori B. in her recent 5-star review. “Lovely setting. I feel as if I’m back in Manhattan at any one of my favorite eateries. Some restaurants in NYC can take some lessons from this place. SUPERB!” The décor features a dropped ceiling, 1,200 hand-laid, iridescent Mexican abalone shells border, three saltwater aquariums, horned lit sculptures made from reel-to-reel motion picture
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film, and hand-blown wall sconces from Chicago, and three-dimensional swimming cuttlefish carving. Stained glass windows and unique light fixtures allow softer light around the whole dining area, bar, Italian fossil-lined booths, and teak wood tables draped in white linen tablecloths. “This place is a musttry!” says Teri M, Yelp Elite Member, on her recent 5-star review. “Service was on point. Tonia was a rockstar, and I’d go back to being charmed by her calm and pleasant demeanor. We started with the escargot, with bread and garlic butter. I had the shrimp and crab-stuffed snapper with veggies and mashed potatoes. My partner got the scallop and shrimp, goat cheese linguine with tomatoes. I got the salted caramel gelato and the gourmet peanut butter ice cream. The vibe is great for date night, and make sure to get reservations. This place is busy and with great reason.” Doug stressed that Mystic Fish was never intended to be a “posh restaurant,” simply a casual place where highquality food was served in beautiful surroundings at a reasonable price. “Take our bison, for example. It’s not about margins with us. We’ll serve a prime steak at
a price everyone’s afraid to charge in Pinellas County.
It’s about flavor, giving the customer what no one will
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give him whether they don’t have that luxury or don’t want to take the chance, and giving the customer a great meal at a great price.” “When the restaurant is always packed, you know they must be offering something great,” says Elaine C. in her recent five-star online review on Mystic Fish. “Fabulous food, fabulous service. Prices are fair if you consider the quality of food you are getting. They always have great specials, and they even have an early menu that is a tad cheaper, but you have to be there by 5 pm. Recommend this restaurant to anybody looking for a rewarding dining experience.” Seniors in the community love the value of the delicious and walletfriendly early dining. Millennials and Generation X know at night that Mystic Fish is a great place to hang out with coworkers or friends and enjoy some of the best-rated bar services
in the neighborhood without traveling downtown. Though everything on the menu offers a new and exciting take by Chef Doug, he favors the Bronzed Chilean Sea Bass, a lightly blackened fish served with hijiki soy-ginger sauce. “You can’t be wrong with that. The Fish is always moist, and the hijiki sauce and the texture of the fish are always awesome.” Chef Doug recommends pairing the meal with their decadent Crème Brulee or Key Lime Panna Cotta. Be prepared for not just a delicious meal and a diverse menu that caters to every taste preference and age – from millennial to senior citizen – but an experience you won’t soon forget. Chef Doug wants to take this opportunity to thank his loyal customers and employee base for supporting Mystic Fish today and into the future. For online reservations, a full menu,
and Happy Hour Times, please go to www.mysticfish.com. Take-out and Curbside Take Away are available from 4–8 pm. Make your reservations and place your take-out
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orders by phone as early as 2:00 pm by calling 727771-1800. Reservations are recommended. Mystic Fish is located at 3253 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday -4-8 pm and Friday and Saturday 4–9 pm.
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“Acoma Roofing” story continued from page 1 the brothers, the company prides itself on being recognized for its outstanding customer service and a consistent blemish-free reputation. Acoma Roofing Inc. is a commercial, industrial, and residential roofing installer specializing in roof installation, repair, and maintenance. They are certified installers and providers of all types of new and re-roofs. A GAF Master Elite® Contractor since 2008, requiring proper licensing and adequate insurance, a proven reputation, and commitment to ongoing professional training, Acoma Roofing Inc. is guided by the mission of providing only superior customer service. Experienced estimators will come out to a homeowner’s residence and provide a cost-free, no-obligation roof evaluation. Steve relayed a conversation with a customer that had Santis visiting the property the same day to review the client’s concern. “I want to have a
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customer service-oriented mentality, the customer is always right, but that is easier to say and ridiculously hard to do. The fact that we’ve done 60,000 jobs and never had a complaint means we’ve done that. I answer the phone when there’s a problem. The only way to get a bad job is to have something wrong and not notify me. If they notify me, it’s going to be fixed.” With sixty thousand re-roofed homes since its inception, Acoma Roofing Inc. is proud of its longevity in the industry and recognition for going above and beyond for
its customers. Should a problem arise, the issue is taken care of with transparency. In 70 years, the company has never had a complaint filed with the licensing board or the Better Business Bureau. Whether you seek to know the condition of your roof or have immediate plans to replace it, Acoma Roofing Inc. will give you a roof assessment – an analysis of shingle, tile, metal, and flat roofing roofs. With their excellent quality artistry and proper maintenance, the average lifecycle of a shingle roof is up to 25 years; a tile roof
20-35 years; a metal roof up to 50 years, and a flat roof 10-15 years. Acoma Roofing Inc. can help you reduce your energy costs and keep water and moisture that can cause severe wood rot and mold. If your Homeowners Association requires roof cleaning, Acoma Roofing Inc. technicians can remove fungus from shingles and tile with safe, effective lowpressure cleaning. Price should not be the deciding factor when hiring a roofing contractor. Always research your roofing company by reading reviews and checking with the Better Business Bureau and
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Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board. Steve stressed that there are several essential questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor before you make a decision: Do they hire subcontractors? Do they carry workman’s comp with all workers’ names listed? Do they carry liability insurance? Can you get a list of employees working on your roofing job? He also said to ask if the company trucks will have the business name on them to help identify subcontractors. “We don’t use subcontractors,” explained Steve. “Our people are employees, with healthcare and 401(k) plans. They’re covered by workers’ compensation and liability. They’re trained and
certified installers for GAF and other manufacturers. Our trucks are emblazoned with our name, license, and phone number, and our people wear Acoma Roofing uniform shirts. Customers who hire us know they’re not getting subcontractors, and that’s important. Roofing companies who use subcontracted labor are potentially breaking the law and setting up homeowners for liabilities from subcontractors for non-payment to hospital expenses if a worker is hurt on their property.” Steve recommends not waiting until the rainy season to consider a roof replacement. Storms can delay installation. The best time is October through May, the drier season. As
Florida is coming up on another hurricane season, Acoma Roofing does offer emergency service available for damage due to bad storms or hurricanes. Acoma Roofing Inc. is proud of its involvement in the community and regularly supports the charity organizations in the neighborhoods they serve. Though eight on Your Side typically covers unscrupulous business practices, in 2017, they covered the feel-good story of Acoma Roofing Inc. and its supplier. Acoma Roofing Inc. and their supplier came to the aid of a family with no roof due to their trust in a dishonest roofer, and the companies replaced their roof without cost. That isn’t the first time
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Acoma Inc. has given away a free roof. They participated in No Roof Left Behind to provide a roof to a lucky winner. Honest business practices, integrity, transparency, and excellent reputation in the industry, coupled with excellent customer service, have helped Acoma Roofing Inc. continue to be a name positively recognized throughout Tampa Bay for over 60 years. “We provide service respectfully and courteously with integrity.” For more information about Acoma Roofing, please visit acomaroofing. com, or for homeowners interested in a free estimate, call 727-7335580.
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22 MAY 2022
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24 DECEMBER 2021
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