Vol. 10, Issue 11, November 2017
Your community. Your magazine.
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The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 15,000 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, 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
From designing your kitchen to your patio, BergHOFF is the place to go!
See “BergHOFF” on page 26.
Top Coat of Tampa Bay : So much more than just a great painting company
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
require,” says Jeff. “Top Coat is well prepared to satisfy these types of projects along side all other residential home painting.” Jeff shared with me a little on how the businesses first started, he See “Top Coat” on page 22.
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job involves. “Because of the difficulty with height and dynamics in the structures, which are common with larger homes, they often require heavy equipment to access much of the painting work. We have the experience in working with the extraordinary demands these types of home
From the Editor Carla Selby....3 How to become a Varsity Football Trainer...................4-5 Personal Touch Kitchens......6-7 Ahimsalon........................10-11 SAT/ACT Improvement......12-13 Sharpe Pro Roofing..........16-17 “Tech Talk” with Bob.............18 LuLaRoe................................28
Postal Customer
By Carla Selby Owned and operated by business partners Jeff Mullins and Chris Wilson, Top Coat of Tampa Bay is so much more than just a great painting company. They are skilled in making homes beautiful. Top Coat of Tampa Bay offers interior and exterior painting, siding and exterior trim, windows and doors, decks, and full exterior transformations. They are fully licensed to handle every aspect of your home’s renovation. Top Coat of Tampa specializes in large and luxury homes, which is not something your small average painting company can tackle due to the many possible complications that this type of
The Community Dining & Business Guide that your neighbors READ!
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With the popularity of cooking shows on the rise, what some have called a “lost pastime” is prevailing and going strong. From boiling an egg to preparing a soufflé, Chefs of all ages are expressing their creativity through culinary arts. After having the chance to watch many of these outstanding cooks, one tip has been consistent amongst them all; Goodquality pots and pans made of the right materials really can improve your cooking. Operating in 65 countries, BergHOFF International has been conquering the cooking industry by perfecting the quality and functionality of their cookware line.
Raymond and Deborah Vandenlangenberg opened BergHOFF International, Inc. with the intentions of being a wholesale facility, shipping to consumers all over the United States and offering a complete spectrum of products to assist the Chef in every family. In 2006, the Vandenlangenbergs decided to open a showroom off of State Road 54, and the response from the community was overwhelming. People were literally peeking through the windows and asking when they would open. Retail was not in the plans, but with such a strong response and customer service always being top priority, the only location available in North America finally
Dated Material Please Rush!
By Michelle Natkin
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East Lake Area
From The Editor Carla Selby As the name denotes, Thanksgiving is a holiday dedicated to the focus of being Thankful. This time of the year gives us that warm, fuzzy feeling. We have a few days where we feel generally thankful and grateful for the wonderful things in our lives. The Oxford Dictionary defines the work "grateful" as "showing an appreciation of kindness." This where the difference lies; being thankful is more of a feeling. Being grateful is an action. It's easy for us to look around the Thanksgiving dinner table and say that we are thankful. Family, friends, and food surround us. In that time, we're currently experiencing that fuzzy feeling that comes with a holiday gathering. We wait for that one time a year in which we can focus on that thankful feeling. But where is the practice of that thankfulness? Thankfulness is the first step. We have to have that initial feeling to build upon, and we build upon it by redirecting our focus onto making gratefulness a steady part of our lives, 365 days a year. But our lives are busy. They distract us from remembering the important things. We get so caught up
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in our schoolwork, our day job(s), our relationship issues, our bills, and our responsibilities that we forget to shift our perspective on a regular basis. I know that there aren't many of us who each day dwell on how blessed and lucky we are to have the lives that we do. So how do we actually gain that perspective and keep it all year round? The key is keeping gratitude at the forefront of our lives. It's not just thinking about how thankful we are to have what we do. It's about living out that gratitude through the simple things we do every day. When we gear our minds towards focusing on how truly blessed we are, it makes it easier for us to want to bless the other people in our lives. Gratitude is what prompts you to pay for a stranger's meal because you recognize your own financial blessings. Because you see that you can help another person out, which in turns redirects the tone of their day. It's what prompts you to remind your loved ones how important they are to you. It's what encourages you at the end of a long, hard day, because you know that it's actually been a far better day than you've made it out to be.
For me, there is no better feeling than that of giving, so I want to take this opportunity to encourage and invite all of you to spread your gratitude with random acts of kindness, no matter how small, and not just during the Holidays but every chance you get. The smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference. Last but not least, in the spirit of gratefulness, I would like to use this media to personally thank my mother, Berardina Tedeschi, for her incredible courage, unconditional love, never ending support and impressive emotional AND physical strength. We recently and unexpectedly lost my father, Julio, her husband of over 35 years. Yet somehow, she continues to be the super loving mom, (and grandmother) she’s always been. I do not know how she does it, but her strength is admirable. Somewhere inside of her lies resilience we never thought possible. I want to thank you mom, and dad up there in heaven, for being my biggest reason to feel thankful, not just during the holidays, but every day of my life. Thank you for reading, have a wonderful November.
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Directly mailed once a month to nearly 15,000 households in zip code 34685, 34688 & 34677 220 Safford Ave. S. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (727) 943-2946; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@nnlflorida.com Editorial E-mail: editorial@nnlflorida.com © 2017 East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is published by Ads 2 Publications, Inc. Publisher Correspondents Tim Selby Julie Kanehl General Manager Katie Thomas Marcy Sanford Jim O’Reilly Art Director Editor Tony Sica Carla Selby Accounting Manager Advertising Sales Doreen Selby Matt Selby Tim Selby Jim O’Reilly Nothing that appears in the East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles writers are their own and do not reflect the publisher’s opinion. The management of East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is always happy to accept outside editorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outside editorial submission and advertisement deadlines. East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions if they are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles will not return unsolicited editorial materials. East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject any advertising. East LakeArea Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is published by Ads 2 Publications, Inc.
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How to be a Varsity Football Trainer: 101 Contributed by Jacklyn Duffek Yes it’s true East Lake area; I, Jacklyn Duffek, owner of an online tabloid, Queen’s Preach (www.queenspreach.com) and former coffee addict, decided to become a football trainer to our varsity team for a week. Truthfully, this was just meant to be a short sports article, but after laughter and sexist comments from the class, I knew that this article wouldn’t just be a basic game review or Jaguars article. No girl, this is for everyone who prefers stilettos to scoreboards; and if I can learn sports medicine, anyone can. My first encounter into the athletic world began at the doors to Narnia, aka, the training room. Despite the first impression of sweat, sweat, ice, a player’s head bleeding and more sweat, the training room was where my educational experience derived. Head trainer Taylor Elkins (12th) explained to me how to strategically tape players’ wrists, ankles, shin splints etc. And the more advanced stem muscle stimulator machine. The stem program machine resembles a heart monitor hooked up to a hospital patient, which quickly got
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me concerned for how much pain our players would be in during practice. It’s a muscle stimulator and strengthener depending on how high the dial’s intensity is. High intensity creates a wave of connection from wire to wire, allowing the opposite poles to contract, increasing and decreasing pressure around the troubled muscle. After almost electrocuting myself by touching the current transmitter pad before turning off the machine, Taylor introduced me to student trainer Marlee Bauer (9th). Head trainer Alex Housel (12th) who’s basically the Wonder Woman of our school, says “this job is definitely for anyone who wants to get into the medical field with experience under their belt.” Alex informed me that she had done 3 years of athletic training for the wrestling team and 1 for football. “I continue to do it to support the team and learning medical stuff is fun. I love to do this every day.” I also wondered how training changed her perspective of the medical field. “You learn so much about the team and their personalities. The football field is a family, we support each other.”
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On game day, I arrived at school early with the team to watch the trainers wrap wrists and ankles similar to during conditioning practice. Coach Hudson was nice enough to let me ride up front on the team bus with Trainer Ethan and the others, which was super exciting because I’ve never been a part of a team before. They even let me carry supplies! After waiting eons in a maroon locker room that resembled a holding cell at Countryside High for the away game, our East Lake team was brought out onto the field for warm ups. While the guys practiced sprints and passes, Trainer Taylor introduced me to the water girls Bre, Maria and Kelly, and Maria-Jose, the videographer. Let me announce that these four queens are the unsung heroes of the team. They constantly get waters refilled, provide Gatorade and manage the chairs as the players cool down. I did their job during after school practice and the game, and seriously underestimated how much water those players go through. Probably enough to re-sink the Titanic. During the game against
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Countryside the coaches were kind enough to let me on the field with the real trainers the entire time. I would love to report technical terms and plays the refs called, but in-between water bottle refills I was too busy being fascinated by all the action. Sitting in the stands does not do anything justice. Players sprinting tens of yards, whistles being blown louder than sirens, plays being discussed, injuries being wrapped. It was like being behind the scenes of Wrestle Mania. What really caught my attention was how each of the players encourage each other. There’s a sense of comradery on the field unable to be spotted in the hallways. Maybe it’s because I’ve never been on a team, but it seems to me that the game does not define the team, the players do. At halftime I got to chat with Scott Anderson, the man in charge of all athletic trainers (student and pro) in Pinellas County. “ELHS is a group effort. To take the pressure off the coaches, it takes real effort to be the eyes and ears looking for things the other medical employers can’t always see. This (the school) is a great place to
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From left to right: Ashley Allaster (freshman), Alex Housel (senior), Jacklyn Duffek (senior), Taylor Elkins (senior) and Marlee Bauer (freshman)
be; they have a crew that does a great job for Ethan” (pro trainer of ELHS). My debut and retirement from sports medicine was short lived, but certainly memorable. Before I even stepped onto the field for a solid three hours of water bottle fetching, coaches were already thanking me for writing this article and taking the time to be there. I wasn’t treated like the reporter girl or someone with no athletic experience, I was treated like a real team member. Getting to write this
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article and spending a week as a varsity football trainer has been one of the best things I’ve done throughout high school. This job is not only for the athletic, it’s for anyone willing to try something new. Everyone involved gave me such great advice and information that I never would have been exposed to if not for this article. Although I’m not a huge fan of the no black clothes and no jewelry rules, it’s a small thing you just got to be able to run with-all the way to the end-zone.
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Personal Touch Kitchens: A Leader in Kitchen and Bath Renovations just got BIGGER! By: Marcy Sanford Personal Touch Kitchens & Bathrooms in Palm Harbor is proud to announce that they are expanding their showroom. A leader in kitchen and bathroom renovation for more than a decade, the expansion will include bathroom suite and barn door displays. “While we’ve always specialized in bathroom cabinets and countertops, we are now able to offer complete bathroom remodeling,” says Personal Touch owner and designer Cheryl Colvin. “We’ve also had a lot of requests for the rustic farm house design and will now be able to install custom-made barn doors and farmhouse furniture.” Cheryl says they can even make a barn house door that swings open instead of sliding making it a perfect choice for a pantry door or anywhere with limited wall space. You probably spend a lot of time in your kitchen and bathroom. It should be a room you love. If you’ve
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found yourself dreaming of a new showcase kitchen where friends and family will gather or a spa-like bathroom where you can relax at the end of the day, Personal Touch Kitchens & Bathrooms can help. Cheryl has worked in the kitchen and bath industry for more than 25 year and she uses her experience and
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knowledge to make her clients’ renovation dreams a reality. Additionally, designer Kimberly McMann has more than 14 years of kitchen design experience. Cheryl and Kimberly have seen many trends and styles come and go but one recent trend they agree will stand the test of time – is more efficient use of storage space. “We cook and we understand that a kitchen needs to be not just beautiful but also functional,” says Cheryl, “especially in smaller kitchens where you have a limited number of cabinets, you need to make sure that all those cabinets work.” Cheryl says there are many advances in cabinet and drawer storage that make staying organized easier and keep you from having to crawl around on your hands and knees looking for the pasta pot that’s wedged in the back. There are even new design options for those seemingly useless corner cabinets that you’ll love, like pull out shelves, corner drawers and a
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new “Super Susan” design that puts the lazy Susan to shame.
With Personal Touch Kitchens & Bathrooms a new kitchen or bathroom is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3. Step 1 – Choose your cabinets. You can find any style of cabinet that you like in every conceivable color or stain at Personal Touch Kitchens & Bathrooms. Most of the lines are made in the U.S.A. and all come with a lifetime warranty. Cheryl says that shades of white and grey are still very popular but she’s even had one client who wanted a sunshiny, bright yellow kitchen. Personal Touch Kitchens & Bathrooms has standard cabinets but can also provide custom cabinets to fit unique or unusual spaces. For the family that likes to stay organized there are cabinet doors with a chalkboard panel and extra storage on the end for pens, pencils and other supplies. Some bathroom cabinets come
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with features that might surprise you, like a lift-up door that can be used to hide toiletries, medicine bottles, hair dryers and other accessories that clutter bathroom counters. In the kitchen you’ll be able to find the perfect place for every pot, pan, spice and dish. Step 2 – Choose your countertops. In addition to quartz and granite countertops in a wide variety of colors and finishes including matte, Personal Touch Kitchens & Baths now offers butcher block countertops
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by John Boos & Co., the leader in butcher block countertops and free standing islands. Step 3 – Let Personal Touch Kitchens & Baths work their design magic. Once you know what look you’d like, Cheryl or Kim will visit your house to measure the space and provide you with a free estimate. They can also include any extra design details you’d like. With Personal Touch Kitchens & Baths helping you out, you can
get a kitchen that will truly be the best room in your house or a bathroom that will become your own personal retreat. Cheryl and Kim are committed to helping their clients every step of the way. “We can do as little or as much as needed,” says Cheryl. “We want to
work with our clients to ensure they get the remodel that they want at a budget they can afford. I try to help people find ways to save money every step of the way with their remodels. Each remodeling project is different and so we make sure our clients get the individual, personal attention they deserve so they are happy when their remodel is complete.” Personal Touch Kitchens & Bathrooms is located in the Palm Harbor Commons near Nebraska Avenue at 33478 US Highway 19 N. They are open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and by appointment. You can also schedule a free in-home design consultation. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.ptkitchens.com or call Cheryl at 813-777-5947 or Kim at 508840-6764.
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HERITAGE SPRINGS
3/2/3 1899 htd sq ft. Just move right in This home offers wood flooring and 18" tile flooring throughout. Updated Kitchen w/wood cabinets, granite counters, tile backsplash, pantry cabinet, pantry closet,. pot drawers plus more. Formal lv & dining rooms, family room w/vaulted ceilings. Master bedroom w/two walk in closets. Master bath w/dual sinks & walk in shower. Two generous sized guest bedrooms and guest bath w/updated vanity w/granite. Large lanai w/ carpet and a patio w/pavers to enjoy the tranquil setting. This home also offers newer roof & a/c system plus a 3 car garage. $289,900
2/2/2 1563 htd sq ft. This villa has formal living and dining rooms w/vaulted ceiling. the kitchen overlooks the family room w/vaulted ceiling too. The master bedroom has plenty of room for all your pieces and two closets. The master bath has a walk in shower. The guest bedroom has ceiling fan and the guest bathroom has tub w/shower. The lanai has a park like setting to enjoy. $224,900
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Ahimsalon: A hidden gem off the beaten path for people to escape the stress of everyday life. Growing up in a small New Jersey town, multi-passionate entrepreneur and Ahimsalon owner, Nicole Mirabelli, was the oldest and naughtiest of three children. “I was, for sure, the black sheep of my family—always pushing boundaries, testing limits, and paving the way for my sister and brother,” says Nicole with a mischievous smile on her face. Her creativity and rebellious nature drove her to experiment with her own hair as a way of selfexpression. “Throughout middle school and high school, I had been very interested in cutting and coloring hair and definitely engaged in my fair share of self-experimentation,” says Nicole. With two loving and hard-working parents who taught her that hard work pays off, Nicole set really high goals for herself, and continues to work towards them to this day. With a cosmetology degree from Empire Beauty School and a Bachelor of Architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, she has worked simultaneously in both
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Nicole Mirabelli, Owner of Ahimsalon fields for twelve years. “I am an architect by day and hairstylist by night…and weekend,” says Nicole. She believes communication is vital in both fields, something she has mastered working both professions. The name “Ahimsalon,” is as original as it is meaningful. Ahimsa is Sanskrit for “non-violence”, and in
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Buddhism, the concept of Ahimsa extends not only to our fellow man, but to all living beings. With a powerful name like that, it comes to no surprise, that Ahimsalon products are vegan and certified cruelty-free. This means that they do not contain any animal products or byproducts and that they are not tested on animals. “Any product that requires the torture of animals, harming our planet, and adversely affecting our health is not beautiful. I don’t care how nice it makes you look – the costs are simply too high.” says Nicole. “I use only Organic Way (OWAY), hair color, hair care, and styling products. Their products are organic and sustainablysourced from biodynamic farms in Bologna, Italy. Each product utilizes specific plants that mimic the chemicals typically used in the industry. In fact, they do not contain sulfates, parabens, petroleum, PEG-PPG, synthetic fragrances or artificial colorants, all of which are commonly found in your typical hair products. Ultimately, this means that they are better for the
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planet, better for your health, as well as, the condition of your hair! What’s not to love?!” Simply Organic Beauty, in Palm Harbor, FL, is the exclusive distributer for OWAY in the United States. It’s purely a coincidence that the company is located in the next town over from Ahimsalon! With Ahimsalon (Ahimsa + Salon), Nicole’s goal is to create a space for every single person to feel safe and comfortable. There are only two hairstyling stations and, currently, Nicole is the only stylist. She does intend on hiring another stylist next year, however. Nicole specializes in Haircuts, Color, Keratin Treatments, Scalp Treatments, Dreadlocks and I-Tip Hair Extensions, but isn’t stopping there. Currently enrolled in a PhiBrows microblading course, she hopes to begin offering microblading at Ahimsalon sometime in mid-2018. Microblading is a type of semipermanent makeup where tiny hair strokes are tattooed onto the eyebrows to help define shape and fill-in missing
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Petri, Nicole’s “Muse”: the driving inspiration behind Ahimsalon parts of the eyebrow. When she’s not busy working and saving animals, Nicole enjoys running, yoga, reading, watching movies and spending time with her “fur babies” as she calls them. “I only adopt senior and/or special-needs animals and they are truly my life,” says Nicole. In fact, one of her fur babies, Petri, a little 13year-old yorkie-mix, is responsible for Nicole opening Ahimsalon. Nicole found Petri on Petfinder before moving to Florida four years ago. He had been seized from an
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animal hoarder and found himself at the local shelter on the list to be euthanized due to his age and health problems. That did not stop Nicole from adopting him, however. “To say this dog has changed my life would be an understatement. He has inspired and motivated me over the past four years to make some serious changes, both personally and professionally,” says Nicole. “It is because of Petri, that I decided my life mission, my ‘why’, was to save and protect as many animals as possible in as many different ways as possible.” First, Nicole went vegan. Next, she got a job as an architect at Bacon Group, Inc. Architecture, a firm in Clearwater that specializes in the design of animal shelters, all over the country, and sometimes even outside of the country. Most recently, Petri has inspired Nicole to open her own hair salon — Ahimsalon. “I consider Ahimsalon just as much an animal rights group as I do a hair salon! I wanted to use this business as a way to educate clients about vegan hair products and services as well as living a vegan lifestyle in general,” says Nicole. “I also knew that I wanted to donate a portion of profits to animal rights and welfare groups. As an animal shelter architect,
I see animal shelters and rescues struggle to generate the money required to help the animals they serve. The more money Ahimsalon makes, the more that will be donated to help animals and people.” Nicole enjoys the personal autonomy of owning her own salon and loves working with people. “I love connecting with people on a deeper level. I am happy to be the person they vent to after a long day or confide in when something is wrong,” says Nicole. “And, there is NOTHING like making someone feel beautiful and more confident. It is only when we are most confident that we can go out into the world, face our fears, and chase our dreams.” Running a salon can also be challenging. “Owning a business, in general, is stressful! As an owner, you are responsible for everything. Often times, this means having to be extremely creative and resourceful,” says Nicole, who currently sells plasma to help offset overhead costs. “I believe every challenge, however, offers another opportunity to further my mission of helping both human and non-human animals. By selling plasma, for example, I get to pay my salon’s rent AND help save someone’s life!
Now THAT’S a win-win!” Ahimsalon has teamed up with Suncoast Animal League, of Palm Harbor, FL, and is offering an ongoing special to help raise money for the animals they rescue. This is how it works: • Mention Suncoast Animal League when you call Ahimsalon to make your first appointment. • You will get 10% off of all first visit services that you receive. • 50% of your total bill will be donated to Suncoast Animal League. *Offer excludes retail products. Nicole suggests, “Being beautiful is not just about having a pretty face and nice hair. Health is beautiful. Compassion is beautiful. Respect is beautiful. Courage is beautiful. Happiness is beautiful. The list goes on. At Ahimsalon, our hope is to achieve beauty in all its forms, not just the superficial ones.” Ahimsalon is located at 96 Terrace Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34689 (Behind Total Fitness Gym). They are available by appointment Monday - Friday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and Saturday - Sunday from 8:00am to 8:00pm. Please contact Nicole directly at (727) 452-7475.
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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: THE PSAT BLUES By Dr. Wayne Adams About this time of year, I receive many calls from parents and students about what I call the “PSAT” blues. The cause is that a strong student, often in IB or multiple AP classes, did not score at the level expected on the PSAT in October. The inevitable questions are “Why”, and “What can we do about it?” Major Reasons Strong Students Don’t Score Well On the PSAT (also SAT and ACT) In my experience tutoring SAT and ACT over the past six years, there are three major reasons. Reason #1: Most high school students lack key fundamentals such as having had phonics, grammar, “recall” vocabulary, critical thinking, and the mathematics needed to do well on these exams. Without the ability to pronounce words, students avoid them or forget the definitions quickly. Most students cannot write a topic sentence, support an argument logically with reasons other than personal experience, and often are not able to correctly use basic punctuation such as commas and
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semicolons. Reason #2: Educational directions in most high schools do not match what is required to do well on the SAT and ACT. Pre-calculus, most geometry, and most algebra courses poorly prepare for these exams. Recently, I tutored a 7th grader who had not had algebra or geometry. His baseline score as we started was 375. When he took the actual ACT exam, he scored very close to a 600 in math. Writing essays in high school are often an exercise in how long a sentence or a paragraph can be, thinking this shows academic achievement. In fact, it shows an inability to focus thoughts, to structure a clear argument, to use topic sentences supported by logical and memorable sentences, and to build a coherent conclusion that leaves a reader wanting “more”. Yet this is what is required for the SAT and ACT essays. Reason #3: Most Prep Classes in high school are woefully inadequate. Recently, I learned that a leading private high school used the worst SAT prep book on the market today and the students were bored to death. In other words, prep classes are seen as “fluff”
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breaks between the real “academic” work at school … yet the SAT and ACT results often have more impact on students’ future (admissions and scholarships) than most classes in high school. It is not unusual for my students who have taken a prep class at their high school to increase 200 – 300 points on their SAT, and 4 - 8 points on their ACT. What We Can Do About It The Good News: I consistently find that students respond incredibly well and improve when they become both teacher and student as in a college seminar at the junior or senior level where I am their coach. My role is to quickly help them determine where they need to work and to be a resource as they progress. Lecturing is no substitute for determining a student’s baseline level and then structuring their learning around their needs. It very satisfying to see their motivations soar when their perspective changes from “Can I do this?” to “I can do this well.” and then to “Let me show you how well I can do.” They discover that real competition is internal and - when they do their best - external results take
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care of themselves. Learning the strategies often result in comments like, “Cool” and “That makes it a lot easier”. More important, they learn how to “learn for a lifetime”. If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727-253-0639 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 twentyfive, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Air Force and Merchant Marine Service Academies, Penn State, LSU, Auburn, UF, U Miami, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf
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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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Sharpe Professional Roofing “Making Roofing Excellence Our Point!” By: Katie Cammardella What’s more important than the roof over your head? Your family and precious valuables inside your home! Which is why having a solid, sturdy and safe roof is such an important factor in homeownership. With our homes being one of our biggest investments in life, it’s important to find a roofing company that can be trusted, performs quality work and has a great reputation. Sharpe Professional Roofing provides complete professionalism with over thirty years of industry experience, making them one of the most sought-after and trusted roofing companies in our area. Originally located in Trinity, Sharpe Professional Roofing has serviced Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties for over 9 years, and recently was able to expand to a new location in Odessa. With the growth in size of the company, due to their outstanding
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professionalism and an endless collection of word of mouth referrals, Sharpe Professional Roofing still maintains the same small business values they have always believed in. Their mission is to provide the highest in quality workmanship and materials, while remaining diligent and paying close attention to detail. The company strives for excellent customer service and satisfaction - putting into action all that they can to perform an above average job for each individual customer.
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Owned by Ed Sharpe and his wife Natalie, Sharpe Professional Roofing has earned a fantastic reputation throughout our community and even nationally! Sharpe Professional Roofing has many professional accolades including being a Master Elite Roofing Contractor for GAF, which is known as “North America’s largest roofing manufacturer.” Sharpe Professional Roofing was recently given the coveted Installation Excellence award, as well as the Consumer Protection Award by GAF themselves. Choosing a GAF Master Elite® contractor is your assurance that you’ll be dealing with a quality, reputable, and dependable professional contractor. In order to become a Master Elite® contractor, a company must meet GAF’s stringent standards - only 3% of all roofing contractors have qualified as Master Elite® contractors! Luckily, our community has Ed Sharpe to call upon as our designated GAF Master Elite® contractor!
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Satisfied Clients, A Stronger Community, A Sharper Roof! From humble beginnings working with his family’s construction business, Ed learned the ropes of roofing through sweat, determination and many years of spending time alongside family members in the Florida sun working on roofing jobs. Ed’s start as a teenager helping out family, turned into a love for helping people protect their homes, which has turned into hard earned experience and know-how in the roofing industry today. Ed’s passion for quality, excellence and hard work hasn’t changed one bit, and you can see that in his work and the smiles on the faces of his clients. He has over thirty years of experience in the roofing industry that can’t be beat! Satisfied customer Michael says, “Best roofing company in Pinellas and Pasco County is by far Sharpe From initial contact to final completion, this is one professional company at every
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stage of the job. They are reliable, professional, fair, and true to their word in every respect. The roofing job was completed on time, beautiful and perfect, with both the owner Ed and associate Darren wonderful to work with. They are truly concerned with quality workmanship and are involved throughout the whole process. My roofing experience could not have been better. This is truly a five star company worth doing business with. Highly recommended, and trust me, I am a perfectionist and was not disappointed. You will be missing out on a quality fair priced job if you do not at least get a quote from them. Their crew is experienced and hard working and clean-up was well done.” Mary Leblo Lazzarato says, “We
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had a leak in our roof in 2014 and went with a different roofer who said he could repair it for $500. But the next good rain proved that the repair had not been fixed, so in 2015 we went to Sharpe Professional Roofing and got a new roof. They were very professional, didn't request the money until the job was done and we were very satisfied. They even recommended someone to re-finish the ceiling that had a stain on it from the leak. We would definitely recommend Sharpe Professional Roofing.” Not only are Ed and his team at Sharpe Professional Roofing qualified and trustworthy, they care about their community and do what they can to give back. From helping feed the
homeless on Saturdays, to donating time and money to the Hillsborough Education Foundation - Sharpe Professional Roofing stays involved in our communities because they are a part of it. Ed is very involved with his church and lends a helping hand to his community whenever possible - he has even helped with roofing issues for members! Ed’s right-hand man Darren says, “Ed is just a wonderful guy. He and I both believe strongly in family first, which is one of the reasons we get along so well. Ed is charitable and giving in every way.” When the community thrives, businesses thrive and Ed Sharpe pays it forward when he can. Insured and fully licensed to
service the entire state of Florida, Sharpe Professional Roofing specializes roof replacements for residential, commercial and retail customers. From their detailed free estimates to five star final clean-up, the entire Sharpe Professional Roofing crew puts their customers’ needs first by using only the highest quality materials and by completing each job right the first time. Contact Sharpe Professional Roofing today at (727) 375-7055 or visit online at SharpeRoof.com. Sharpe Professional Roofing is open Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–5 p.m., as well as by appointment. Simply give them a call and they will come out and conduct an estimate for free!
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Tech Talk: SSD’s Increase Computer Speed By Bob Dalles Greetings! Would you like your computer to run faster? Of course… who wouldn’t right? Computer users who desire faster systems will typically invest more money into buying faster processors and adding more memory to their computers. Traditionally, this has been the most common way to achieve increased efficiency. However, there is another option that gets overlooked mainly because most computer users are unaware of it. That option is installing a Solid State Drive (SSD) into the computer. The programs and data files you regularly use are saved on your computer’s Hard Disk Drive (HDD). A hard disk drive consists of moving parts and electronic circuits. HDDs have been the mainstay of a computer’s fastest storage device for decades. SSDs also save program and data files, but they only contain electronics. Since there are no moving parts in a SSD it can read and write files much more quickly than a HDD, in so doing significantly enhancing computer performance. Different types of solid state storage devices have actually been around for decades, but their use as a permanent storage device was not a feasible option
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basically due to their extremely high cost. HDDs have provided acceptable storage and speed when compared to the cost of SDDs. But just like everything else in the computer industry, prices are coming down and upgrading to SSDs is becoming more affordable for the computer user’s pocketbook. By eliminating the moving parts, Solid State Drives offer many advantages over typical Hard Disk Drives. First, SSDs are faster because they are all electronics. Second, no moving parts means no noise or vibration that is inherent in HDDs. Third, no moving parts also means SSDs consume less energy than HDDs. A major consideration regarding battery life for notebook computer users. Fourth, consuming less energy results in generating less heat. Keeping a computer cooler improves its performance and life. Fifth, no moving parts means that SSDs are lighter and more durable which is another great benefit for notebook computer users on the go. HDDs are still less expensive than SSDs when you compare them strictly by the amount of information they can store. However, notebook and desktop computer users have found that the performance of SSDs outweigh the price difference. Now, some SSDs can be
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purchased for less than $100.00 making this technology more affordable. Have a tech question? Email me at TechTalkTBNL@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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“Top Coat” Continued from page 1 says “The company started as a natural collaboration as a result of 'The Property Doctors' working together with so many great construction tradesman and women in the area, namely working with Chris Wilson, on numerous home exterior projects over the course of 9 years.” Over the years and hundreds of projects, Jeff and Chris started to take notice that on exterior painting projects 9 times out of 10, the painting required multiple trades: carpentry, stucco and siding repair, window and door replacement. Often times there was even structural damage due to failed siding, woodwork and weather sealants. “We saw a need and we are filling it,” says Jeff. “We are licensed, insured, highly skilled and knowledgeable to provide a customer every aspect of making their home hurricane ready, repaired the correct way, and of course 'Top Coated with an extremely high quality paint job.” Using only the highest quality products for your home or business, Top Coat of Tampa employs proven
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installation and application methods that are code compliant, topped with a license, insurance, and a league of professionals that will take care of every aspect of your home and business under one roof. “We just made it easy on home owners that simply wanted a great paint job but needed much more,” Jeff adds. With Chris's background in engineering, cad drafting, and a vast knowledge in home remodeling, and Jeff's twenty five years of experience in all things construction, they became an unstoppable team and currently, equal business owners of Top Coat of Tampa. Their combined experience spans 40 years. Jeff started as a construction clean up guy at 15 years old. “I cleaned in and around new construction homes to ready them for landscaping and interior finishes. This was all I could do due to the liability of the builder. I watched and learned while navigating my way to becoming a house framer, finish carpenter, then on to all the finishing interior and exterior trades,” says Jeff. “This lead me to becoming a well rounded General Contractor that is all things construction.” Chris started as a ASE master auto technician. He made a name for
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Before Top Coat
himself in the auto world and soon became a Master Technician with SCCA pro car racing circuit. With his natural and educated mind for engineering he soon took a position with a civil engineering firm spending the next 8 plus years designing and assisting residential and commercial building projects. Armed with the ins and outs of not only the components that make up structures but also the ins and outs of the legal requirements to build such projects. This of course led Chris to the many construction
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talents he poses today. Working with his hands comes natural, alongside with his abilities to understand the nuts and bolts of construction and much of the science that makes up the construction materials that TopCoat uses today. Both Jeff and Chris put equal amounts of energy and efforts in running their business operations, and they are extremely passionate about what they do. “One minute we are crunching numbers, meeting with customers, next minute we are
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owners that have a ballpoint pin next to a China bristled paint brush in their briefcase. At the end of the day we constantly challenges ourself to master our business roles like we have mastered our construction talents,” Jeff says. Chris and Jeff really enjoy meeting new people, as well as educating and providing their amazing services to the North Pinellas community and surrounding areas. “Our passion is to bring our construction talents to home owners with a company vision that focuses on educating our customers first, assisting them in making the best decisions for their investment with their home,” says Jeff. “We want to make every project a great renovation experience for the home owner. Making their life easy while handling all the details. When we complete a project it's our goal to be remembered as a class act. A company you wouldn't hesitate to recommend to another homeowner.”
After Top Coat
assisting our amazing team members get projects completed to reach our commitments and deadlines. We joke that we might be the only business
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After Top Coat
Top Coat of Tampa offers free quotes and estimates. As well as concept drawing services for a reasonable fee dictated by the project size. Contact Jeff or Chris
today by calling them directly at 727-916-6100. Log on to topcoatoftampabay.com to for more info or to send them a message.
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TRINITY DENTAL CARE (727) 372-2001 ING EPT
ACC IENTS NOW W PAT NE
Toll Free: 1-888-tooth AK www.trinitydentalcare.com
We perform the following procedures: - Preventive Dentistry Dr. S. Shayes - Dr. A. Eskandari - Crowns, Bridges - Dentures, Partials, Repairs - Tooth Colored Fillings - Gum Treatment #DN15492 #DN15013 - Nitrous Gas (Happy Gas)
- Root Canals - Teeth Whitening - Dentistry for Children and Adolescence - etc.
Saturday Appointments Available TWO Locations! • 1843 Health Care Drive, Building #1 Trinity, FL 34655 (at the corner of Mitchell Blv & Little Rd, behind Walgreens)
• 20729 Center Oak Drive, Tampa,FL 33647
HEALTHY GUM CLEANING
$69.99
(D1110)
EXP. 12/30/2017. Monday-Friday. New patients only. Cannot be used with insurance or any other offer. Present coupon at time of service.
NEW PATIENT SPECIAL Exam (D0140) and X-Ray (D0272 or D0220)
$39.99 EXP. 12/30/2017. WEEKDAYS ONLY. New patients only. Cannot be used with insurance. Coupon needs to be presented at time of service.
The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for another service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted or reduced fee, service, examination or treatment.
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“BergHOFF” Continued from page 1 opened its doors to the public. Outstanding quality and convenience makes people happy, and the fact that you can shop over 3,000 BergHOFF products, all under one roof, gives locals an advantage that no one else has. What your kitchen holds is important and your cookware and utensils are key tools that tell a lot about you. The best way to find what fits you and your lifestyle best is to hold it in your hands. When you visit the BergHOFF showroom you can pick up a pot, hold a pan, feel its heft and see how the handle feels. The same goes for Cutlery. Many factors go into what is right for you and the experts at BergHOFF are ready to ensure your happiness and the quality is there. Valerie said via Facebook: Love this store! Something for everyone from little kids kitchen sets two adult items - cutlery stainless steel placesettings pots pans teapots coffee pots bakeware serving pieces you name it they have it. very friendly knowledgeable staff amazing prices you must stop and visit the store! For those who are just getting their toes wet or want to brush up of
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their cooking skills, BergHOFF International invites you and your friends and family to come in for a hands on cooking class. Classes are available in both group and private settings. What better way to learn than by the masters themselves? Janice said via Facebook: I signed up to take one of their cooking classes and had the best time and best meal ever! The chef, Toni, was fun, knowledgeable and skilled. The store is amazing and I could spend a fortune on kitchen stuff if I didn't have a budget. I would recommend the classes and the store to everyone. The holidays are getting closer and as the temperatures change, we are all itching to get outdoors. Our favorite cookware company just added an entirely new collection of outdoor
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furniture that guarantees to fulfill your wildest backyard dreams. BergHOFF International is excited to introduce their Outdoor Patio Furniture Center, located within the cookware showroom off of State Road 54. Teaming up with SUNS outdoor furniture manufacturer from Holland, BergHOFF is helping customers make lounging into a lifestyle! Numbers of people enjoy a relaxing outdoor lifestyle especially in the beautiful ambiance of the sunshine state. “Our lanais have become an extension of our living rooms and our family gatherings have moved from indoors to the backyard,” says Candace. Outdoor lounging has
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become increasingly popular, however, just because its outside doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality or appeal. Using top of the line materials, attractive design and smart construction, Suns provides comfortable outdoor furniture for every lifestyle and occasion. As clean lines and the sleek looks of contemporary style within outdoor furnishings continue to grow in popularity, BergHOFF International/Suns is here to offer you the latest in outdoor decor. Suns products have been designed using state of the art materials, allowing all items to be left outside year round.
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Manufactured with durable, easy to clean and weather resistant elements, all of Suns outdoor merchandise is strong and easy to maintain. Garden furniture has come a long way from cheap, plastic, flimsy furniture, and today it is just as influential as your interior sofa and chairs. Whether you are trying to find inspiration for an outdoor area or ready to furnish your patio, BergHOFF International/Suns
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should be at the top of your list. BergHOFF International is delighted to share with you all the excitement as they continue to expand. One thing is certain and that is BergHOFF, along with Suns, is focused on providing the highest levels of quality, design, comfort, and efficiency with all of their products. Both are proud to have earned the reputation of having the best customer service and assure you that their team is working hard every day to prove that their reputation is well deserved. These award-winning companies boast large selections to suit all styles and budgets with products designed to last a lifetime. BergHOFF is truly for everyone! BergHoff International is located at 11063 State Rd 54 Between Little Rd & Gunn Hwy Odessa, FL 33556 Ph:(727) 853-3373, Hrs: Mon - Fri 10:00am - 5:30pm, Sat - 10:00am - 5:00pm CLOSED Sunday
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Shop LuLaRoe with Fashion Consultant Candice Bakke: “Simply Comfortable” By: Katie Cammardella LuLaRoe is a new way of style, comfort and life! Bringing fun, funky, beautiful and amazingly comfortable clothing pieces to your wardrobe, LuLaRoe has made a huge impact in the fashion scene. Candice Bakke of East Lake is your local LuLaRoe fashion consultant - offering you the chance to buy great pieces for every season, join her V.I.P. club and shop comfortably from your own home through her live feed videos. LuLaRoe was founded by single mother, DiAnne Stidham. She had a dream to find success at home, while balancing motherhood, family and career. With the help of selfempowerment, family and friends LuLa Roe quickly grew into a thriving business that provides opportunities to people to work independently as LuLa Roe retailers. The business concept allowed thousands of home-retailers to find independence, financial freedom
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and success - all from home! The perfect business for those looking to set their own schedule, work at their own pace and create time to spend with the people they love most. Candice, LuLa Roe retailer of East Lake says, “ I have been blessed with the opportunity to join the LuLa Roe family and look forward to helping woman feel great when they look in the mirror.” Candice hosts live feed videos on her Facebook that allow women to shop from home. It’s simple, fun and interactive! Candice has a great personality, disposition and you can really tell that she loves what she does in each video she hosts. Her customers love her positive attitude and the huge selection of LuLaRoe pieces she stocks. Customer Julie Marshall says, “Received my items and just loved them!!! Had won a free pair of leggings on one of the live shows which was really cool! When I received the free leggings they were a perfect
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print and color. Shipment was fast and I really enjoyed how she handles her live shows.” Candice has lots going on for the holiday season and there is no better time to stock up on gifts for family, friends and yourself! Join her V.I.P. group on Facebook and get access to Daily Wall Drops, Weekly Album Sales, Live Sales Three Days a Week and Prizes! Sign up at: https://candicebakke.lularoebless.co m/Account/CustomerSignup Find out more about Candice and the LuLaRoe lifestyle - it’s a life changing experience and a new way to shop! Check out her website https://candicebakke.lularoebless.c om/ or visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LuLa RoeCandiceBakke/ Don’t miss out on all the Holiday Leggings or Candice’s Amazing Holiday Sales! Happy Shopping!
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