Vol. 11, Issue 10, October 2018
®
Your community. Your magazine. ™
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
There is No “I” in” The McCaffery Team” at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/Florida Properties Group By Deborah Bostock Kelley
At Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/Florida Properties Group’s The McCaffery Team, there may be an “I” in the realty name, but there are no “I’s” in its team from the Oldsmar office. A multilingual, multicultural team, experts in their service area, guides you through the process of buying, selling or renting your home, making the process as seamless as possible. Providing real estate services down the East Lake Road corridor and from central Pinellas to southwest Pasco, driving down Tampa Road through Oldsmar, you would never know a real estate office is nestled into the gated community of East Lake Woodlands. As part of the community for 14 years, Bob See “McCaffery Team” on page 26
Window Treatments that Make a Fashion Statement by Budget Blinds By Lisa Stephens From dining rooms that are asking for an elegant treatment, to your home theater or master bedroom, where both light control and privacy are so critical, Budget Blinds® has the ideal selection of window treatments. And to ensure they perform as beautifully as they look, we have accessories and hardware to match. If you haven’t shopped for blinds lately, you’ll be amazed at the options available. Local owner Roxana Rotaru, or Brett, See “Budget Blinds” on page 22
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor........................5 My Greek Corner..................8-9 Perfect Weather AC..........12-13 SAT/ACT Improvement..........16 Pinnacle Travel.......................18 Maryellen Crowder.................20 Tech Talk With Bob.................28 Local Author Receives Award..29
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We have multiple financing options ranging from 18 months no interest to minimum monthly payments of 1.25% of the purchase price. Contact us 813-PLUMBER (758-6237) or online at tampaplumber.net for your FREE Hybrid Water Heater Estimate
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Whether you want to be terrified by zombies at haunted houses, (safely) collect as much candy as possible with your little ones, impress neighbors with the best Halloween decor or show off your best costume at a local party, you’re in for a treat! With events such as Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens, an original Halloween (1978) showing at the Tampa Theatre on Wednesday, October 31st and a showing of Hocus Pocus on Saturday, October 28th, and many fantastic Halloween parties and pub crawls, you will have to pick and choose which local event(s) you’d want to partake in. As for me, even though I am Catholic, I’ve celebrated Halloween in the past and will continue to do so. Although, for the longest time I believed it was frowned upon, and I would feel guilty when wearing costumes and celebrating with friends. Tired of feeling remorse and being confused about the meaning of Halloween, I decided to do some major research to find out what Catholics truly believe about Halloween. For those who don’t know, Halloween is short for All Hallow’s Eve. It’s the vigil of All Saints (All Hallows) Day. All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation, and thus a major feast on the Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar. Halloween (October 31st) is connected with All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd). These 3 days taken together are known as
the “Days of the Dead,” a trim of feasts also called Allhallowtide, Hallowtide, or Hallowmas (‘Hallow’ means to honor as holy.) Halloween is, therefore, the first day of Allhallowtide, the time of year when the living honors all the dead in Christ: all the saints in heaven, as well as all the holy souls detained in purgatory in their way to heaven. Catholics historically believed that on these “Days of the Dead,” the veil between heaven, hell, and purgatory is the thinnest. It is also a strong reminder for the faithful of the reality of heaven and hell, the saints and the damned, demons and angels, and the holy souls suffering in purgatory. As to contrary popular believe Halloween is actually a Catholic holiday and does not have its origins in paganism, Samhain, Celtic/Druidic festivals or Satanism. This common misconception is modern anti-Catholic propaganda and has no basis in historical facts. The true substance of Halloween belongs to the Catholic Church. It was the English, Irish, and French immigrants that came to America who brought their variety of local Catholic customs with them; Dressing up for Halloween comes from the French; Jack-o-Lanterns come from the Irish (originally carved turnips); and the English begged from door to door for “Soul Cakes,” promising to pray for the departed loved ones of those who gave them these treats, the roots
of trick-or-treating. All those traditions converged and evolved in the American melting pot. The contemporary version of Halloween that glorifies the demonic with emphasis on violence, horror, and sensuality is definitely not traditional and is pulling away from a friendly and faithful celebration of this essential religious holiday. It is true that Halloween has been extremely corrupted and hypercommercialized, just like Christmas and Easter, but, just as that should never stop us Catholics from fully celebrating the great feasts of the Church the Catholic way, or from enjoying Halloween as a celebration of the great feast of All Saints. Halloween can be what you make of it. Whether you are Catholic or not, this major celebration should be about following your own traditions. And, of course, about having fun with your loved ones in the safest possible way. Many churches all over Tampa Bay are holding family-friendly celebrations and pot-lucks this October. I personally attend Sacred Heart in downtown Tampa, and they are holding a Fall Festival on Sunday, October 21st at their North Campus location from 11:30am to 3:30pm. There will be a climbing wall, a petting zoo, a bounce house, and more. So plan ahead and check with your local church and enjoy some fall fun. Happy Halloween! Carla Selby.
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My Greek Corner - An Authentic Taste of Greece in Your Neighborhood By Carla Selby Great news for Greek lovers! If you’ve been on the lookout for truly authentic, fresh and affordable Greek food, we’ve found the perfect place for you! And no, you don’t have to drive all the way to Tarpon Springs to experience it. This magnificent place is right here in your neck of the woods. Conveniently located at 3150 Tampa Rd, My Greek Corner opened its doors on August 13, 2018, and has finally brought some much-needed Opa to the Woodlands Square Center in Oldsmar. My Greek Corner offers a fast-casual dining experience with an open kitchen design that allows customers to watch their meal being freshly prepared in front of their eyes. Serving a wide variety of traditional Greek dishes like gyros, moussaka, greek salads, baked pastitsio, dolmades and souvlaki, My Greek Corner is the new place to go for the freshest and most delicious Greek food in the area. This location is extremely convenient, customer service is top notch, the food is delicious and beautifully presented, the place is immaculately clean and, best of all, the prices are very affordable, especially when taking into consideration the big portions they serve you. The owner of this neighborhood gem is Steve Antonatos, along with his sonin-law, Manolis Halkias serving as general manager. Between them, they have over 25 years of experience in the restaurant business preparing and serving only the finest of foods, and they always strive to make sure your dining experience is of the highest quality. Quite frankly, it’s their passion for making great food that is the secret to their success. The majority of the dishes are freshly prepared from authentic family recipes passed on from previous generations.
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The spices and marinades Halkias uses on his meats were originally used in Karpathos, Greece by his parents and grandparents. “All of our dishes are made following the original recipes of my Greek ancestors, and that’s why you can taste the difference in our food. It’s all fresh and it’s authentic,” Manolis said. While I was snapping photos of the delicious food Manolis brought for my husband and me to try, I saw him walking from one side to the other; he was assisting Steve with the cooking, he was serving and talking to customers and basically ensuring everything was running smoothly. He is a man that wears many hats! I was impressed by the way he genuinely seemed to care about making sure that every single person in the restaurant was enjoying their meal and having a good time. “I greet the customers, I cook, I serve the food, I clean, I do it all! You will see my father and me in law anytime you come in. We’re a small family owned and operated business, and we do it all with love.” I really enjoyed everything I got to try, but my overall favorite dish was hands down the Spanakopita. Even though I live in Tarpon Springs, which I
jokingly refer to as the mini Greek Capital of Florida, I have to say I have never had a better spinach pie than at My Greek Corner. This really rich pie stuffed with spinach, onions, cheeses, and herbs, enfolded by crispy, flaky phyllo dough tasted as fresh and authentic as they come. Apparently, I am not the only one who plans on coming back for some more spinach pie. “One of our very first customers, who is now a regular, came in for a Greek Salad, but I convinced him to try the Spanakopita,” says Manolis. “He said he’s never had one so good! I believe the word he used was ‘memorable,’ and now he comes in once or twice a week for a piece of our spinach pie!” My husband completely devoured and enjoyed the Chicken Skewers, which were served with a side of Greek rice and warm pita bread. I was able to try a few bites of this dish and it was really delicious and juicy. We both shared the Horiatiki, commonly knowns as the “Village Salad.” This lettuce-less salad was as fresh as it gets. Chunks of bright red tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, green peppers, pepperoncini, black olives, feta cheese smothered with Greek dressing and topped with a
delicious potato salad. Yum! If you’re anything like me, and you like to try a little bit of everything, especially when coming to a new place… I suggest you start with the Greek Sampler Appetizer. You’ll be able to try the memorable spanakopita, the dolmades, some delicious gyro meat with pita chips, tzatziki sauce and tiropita (cheese pie). Enjoy your meal with a nice cold Greek beer or a glass of wine, and do not dare to leave without trying some of their homemade baklava or rice
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pudding. It’s the perfect ending to a fantastic authentic Greek meal. My GreekCorner also offers daily specials for under $8.00. It doesn’t get any better than that! But wait… it does… with the majority of the appetizers for under $6 and many lunch and dinner options for under $12.00 you can enjoy a great quality meal without breaking the bank! Although the place has only been open for a few weeks, My Greek Corner has already a great number of regulars who came in to try the place for the very first time and fell in love with the customer service and the delicious food. Now that I tried the food, I can understand why! “This place is a hidden gem!” says recent customer Charlotte. “I stopped in because it was quick and close by. Little did I know that I was going to discover my new favorite Greek restaurant! The food is DELICIOUS! I am definitely going back again”
Ken L. another recent customer says, “This place was awesome, the decor was nice, everything was clean, very good prices, friendly service. The woman who took our order was great, but most of all the food was fantastic. We got lamb gyros and I am still thinking about how perfectly grilled and juicy they were. You could also really taste the homemade tzatziki. Definitely coming back!” Manolis and Steve would like to cordially invite you and your loved ones to try My Greek Corner today. Stop by for a quick lunch with your coworkers, or come by for dinner with your family, friends, or maybe with your partner before you catch a movie at the AMC located across the plaza. If you are feeling like staying in and enjoying a nice dinner and netflix at home… good news! My Greek Corner offers delivery through “Bite Squad” or you can call them
directly, order ahead of time and come to pick it up yourself whenever it’s ready. “We want to invite everyone to visit us and enjoy a great authentic Greek meal,” says Manolis. “We are new to the neighborhood and relatively new to Tampa, so we would love to meet new people and hopefully make new friends in the community. Since our big opening everyone who has stopped by has been incredibly nice and supportive, so I want to say thank you. I couldn’t be happier and more excited to be
Minolis Halkias, owner My Greek Corner
here and have the opportunity to serve you.” It’s fresh, It’s delicious, it’s affordable - Come to My Greek Corner and Opa! My Greek Corner is located at 3150 Tampa Road #7 @ Woodlands Square Center, Oldster, FL 34677. Visit my-greek-corner. com for more information. Make sure to follow them on Facebook for specials and other news. For Advertising Info 727-943-0551 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com
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EASTLAKE WOODLANDS – ST. ANDREWS
2/2 this first floor condo has a an eat in kitchen, living & dining rooms w/designer style flooring. For easy care. Master bedroom with large walk in closet, master bath w/dual sinks, walk in shower and a garden tub to relax in. You’ll enjoy the large screened lanai that has a fabulous view of the golf course! $177,900
HERITAGE SPRINGS
3/2/3 Absolutely move right in!! This home offers soaring lace ceilings throughout. Formal living & dining rooms w/wood flooring that flows in the kitchen w/wood cabinets, granite & solid surface counters, stainless steel appliances, closet pantry, breakfast bar and a wonderful breakfast nook area. The kitchen overlooks the family room w/wood flooring too and plantation shutters. There are two guest bedrooms & bath. The master has two walk in closets and master bath has dual sinks, walk in shower and a garden tub to relax in. This home also offers a fabulous view of the pond & golf course and walking distance to club house and at the end of a cul de sac. $369,900
Wow! 1738 Htd squ ft. 3/2/2 This home has formal living & dining rooms w/vaulted ceilings, plantation shutters. Master has two walk in closets and master bath has dual sinks w/walk in shower. Kitchen has solid surface counters w/wood cabinets. Fabulous view of the pond from the extended covered lanai that you will enjoy!. $239,900
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OCTOBER 2018 11
Beat the Heat with Perfect Weather Air Conditioning and Refrigeration By Lisa Stephens Are you tired of the rising temperatures from summer? More importantly, is your air conditioning unit running properly? The warm temperatures of Florida can be quite uncomfortable, even deadly to some, if the AC goes on the fritz. Fortunately, the professionals at Perfect Weather Air Conditioning and Refrigeration are knowledgeable and equipped to service any brand of unit. If you find yourself in need of a new unit, owner Neil Nappi can help you with that as well. Neil is a longtime resident of Oldsmar and graduated
from East High Lake School. One of eight siblings in his family, it is important to him that clients feel like they are being treated honestly and fairly. “I like taking care of people and I treat them like I’d want them to treat my mother,” he explained. The territory he services spans from Brooksville to Sun City Center including Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Having grown up in the area, most of his family still resides locally. “This is my community. People know me and respect me here and word gets around in this type service industry if you do a good job
or not,” he said. Maintenance is crucial to elongating the life and service of an air conditioning system. The demand put on most units during the warmer temperature months of Florida can wreak havoc on even the best known brands. Neil compares the importance of servicing an AC unit to that of a car. “It’s just like tuning up your car every 2000 miles. You need to have the preventive maintenance done on your AC to get you through the heat without any trouble.” It can be simply
cleaning the coils and draining the lines that can make your system more efficient. “I try to make even the older units I service as efficient as I can so that we can prolong the life of the unit as long as possible,” he said. Trouble with a unit does not automatically mean you need a replacement. Neil
looks for the source of the issue and whenever possible, replaces or repairs parts instead of quickly delivering the news that an entirely new system is in order. “Until I physically can’t fix it myself with a part, I don’t replace units,” he explained. Restaurant owners are especially cautious when it comes to their refrigeration units. Thousands of dollars of frozen food can be lost should their walk in coolers break down. Neil also offers service contracts to these business owners to keep their systems in proper working conditions. “If a cooler breaks down and they lose inventory because of that, it can devastate a business,” he explained. Perfect Weather Air Conditioning and Refrigeration also offers service to heating systems as well for both commercial and
residential clients. This also includes heat pumps and gas furnaces. Like just about anything else these days, Neil acknowledges that AC and refrigeration units aren’t built they way they used to be built. Heavy duty materials have been replaced with less expensive lighter weight products. Proper installation, he said, is also important to ensuring the unit will perform at peak capacity and elongate the life of the product. While most companies offer a one year warranty on labor, Perfect Weather Air Conditioning and Refrigeration offers two! His basic maintenance package includes two visits per year for $150.00. “You just can’t let something sit for ten years without some type of maintenance. During these visits, he performs a 50 point inspection which includes
cleaning the coils, draining the lines, checking every part for wear and tear and checks the pressure of the unit. If you’re enrolled in his service plan, there is no service charge to come out and he gives a 20% discount on any repair needed. For commercial clients storing inventory in their coolers and freezers, he offers a once a month maintenance plan. “I make sure I’m there every month to change the filters and keep everything running as it should be,” he explained. “It’s their livelihood and temperature is everything when it comes to storing food.” For any new unit installed, he includes a free germicidal UV light, which purifies the air in the air handler. As an asthma sufferer himself, clean air quality is important and he wants to educate his customers on the difference
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clean air can make to those living in the home. Because quality service and reasonable pricing means the difference in repeat customers or not, clients don’t connect with an answering service or appointment setter when they call for help. “I’m the one that answers the phone,” he explained. “I’d rather have ten happy repeat customers than two customers I never hear from again because they think I’ve overcharged them. It doesn’t bother me that I might be the less expensive company out here. I plan to be around a long time.” Perfect Weather Air Conditioning & Refrigeration can be reached at 813484-0577. Open 24 hours, seven days a week. The web address is www. perfectweatherflorida.com.
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OCTOBER 2018 15
SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: GOOD NEWS! by Dr. Wayne Adams FALL EXAM DATES: SAT: November 3 and December 1; ACT: October 27 and December 8. GOOD NEWS FOR FLORIDIANS in the new college and university rankings from US News and World Report. UF jumped from 41 to 35, FSU from 81 to 70, USF from 140 to 124, and UCF from 171 to 165. Unfortunately, UM went from 46 to 53. AS WE MOVE CLOSER TO COLLEGE APPLICATION DEADLINES, all parents should be aware that colleges with early decision and early admission options are accepting far more of their freshman student body early, which means the number of students accepted in regular applications has plummeted. One example is Vanderbilt last year, who only left 500 freshman slots for 25,000 applicants in regular decision … 2%. MOST SCHOOLS ACCEPT SAT AND ACT SCORES THROUGH THE END OF THE FALL, but not all. Especially with the move to Early Decision acceptances, check the website for each school you are interested in for the specifics so you are not late and therefore disqualified from further consideration. THE FIVE KEY CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION are still class standing (especially from a highly-rated high school, whether public or private), GPA, SAT and/ or ACT scores, quality of college application essay (or essays), and additional activities. This past year, class standing was not as important (valedictorian, salutatorian, etc.) and the importance of GPA, exam scores, application essays, and especially additional activities were elevated. If you are shooting for a “Top 25” school, these activities are special strengths and abilities proven by years of pursuit that already show how you have the potential to “change the world”. Top schools want “lopsided” students, not “well-rounded” students. THE FIRST DIFFICULTY FOR MOST FLORIDA STUDENTS BEING ADMITTED to an “ultimate dream school” is their SAT and/or ACT scores. During my classes, I often help my students think about “special strengths” they can develop to
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show skill and persistence in a field associated with interests and abilities they already have. MOST OF YOU KNOW BY NOW that my over-riding goal for my students is for them to have their best possible futures, which includes doing their best on their SAT and/or ACT Exams and admission to a great university. As part of this, I will be happy to SEND YOU A FREE COPY OF MY NEW REPORT: Dream Colleges And Universities: Top 25 In The Country, 5 More To Consider, and Top 5 In Florida. Just send an e mail to me requesting the FREE REPORT, and I will be glad to do so at no obligation. This is part of my appreciation to our community for the privilege of helping so many students over the years. And if you receive one, feel free to forward it to anyone else you think might be helped by the information. FOR SENIORS AND FAMILIES, this report can greatly help in final planning and preparation for college applications. FOR JUNIORS, SOPHOMORES, FRESHMEN AND FAMILIES, this report can greatly help in your planning for the future. AND IF I CAN HELP YOUR STUDENT with exam scores, strategic and sometimes detailed advice for applications, or life-lessons that will help in college and for life ... just let me know at wwa0811@mykolab. com or call me at 727-2530639. 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, eighteen of the top twenty-five, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Notre Dame, Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), University of Virginia, NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Air Force and Merchant Marine Service Academies, Penn State, Purdue, Ohio 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. His additional publications to help his high school students also include How To Write College Application Essays Colleges Will Love (104 pages), How To Survive And Thrive Your First Semester At A Secular University, and How To Negotiate With Colleges (that has saved families from $1,000 to $10,000 a year in college costs).
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Pinnacle Travel Destination Highlight: River Cruising River cruising is the fastest growing segment in the cruise market. More and more people are finding out that seeing a country (or several countries!) by sailing through it as opposed to around it is a great way to see and learn more about it without having to pack and unpack at each city you stop in. River cruise ships are MUCH smaller than ocean cruise ships. The average passenger capacity is between 130-175 passengers. The ships will only have 3-4 decks because they need to fit under the bridges that cross these famous rivers. Their stops are much closer together also. Sometimes you can ride a bike from one port to the other and pick up the ship later in the day! Because river cruise ships are so small they can pull up to docks that are right in the heart of the city. In Paris, the dock is right in the center of the city right by the Eiffel Tower. The river cruise companies are staying later in these cities so their guests can experience the nightlife if they want. You can use your ship as you
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would a hotel, sightseeing for the morning, going back to the ship to drop your packages and rest your feet for a while and then go out again to have dinner in Paris! Some of the itineraries even include overnights in the cities so you can experience the city more in depth. While these ships are smaller, they still offer many of the amenities that ocean cruise ships offer. They have multiple dining options, spas, pools, nightly entertainment, fitness rooms, and bars to enjoy. Like the ocean cruises, there is a plethora of river cruise ship brands for consumers to pick from. Some are totally all inclusive with everything included from drinks to tips to excursions. Some are all suite ships with balconies. Some offer butler service and gourmet cuisine. Some are skewed to an older demographic of passengers and some are geared to family oriented or multi-generational trips. Now is the time to reserve your space on a river cruise for 2019! Because these ships are
smaller, they sell out fast. Right now many of the river cruise companies are offering free air or buy one get one free incentives for their 2019 itineraries. Pinnacle Travel is here to help you make the best choice for your river cruise vacation. We have great, exclusive deals to offer you with most of the top river cruise lines you have to choose from! We will listen to your wants, needs, and wishes and help you find the perfect river, perfect ship, and perfect itinerary to insure you have a great river cruise experience!
Come join us on November 8th at 6p to learn about river cruising and see a presentation from one of our top river cruise companies. Our staff will be there to answer your questions and set up appointments in our office to talk to you one on one. We are confident that once you experience one river cruise you will find that it is a wonderful way to explore another country or, for that fact, even the United States! For more information, contact Nancy or Kathy at 727330-2040. Or visit the website: www.mypinnacletravel.com
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Maryellen Crowder Wants Your Vote to Bring a Different Perspective to The Board of Fire Commissioners By Deborah Bostock-Kelley Deeply rooted in her East Lake community for over 24 years, Maryellen Crowder is running for Fire Commissioner for the East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District (ADD) Seat 2. The East Lake Tarpon Special Fire Control District is located in northeast Pinellas County. The District covers 33 square miles, serves a population of more than 30,000 people and has a taxable property value of more than $2.4 billion. With a background in many fiduciary positions - the most recent one with Bank of America’s Premier Bank, Maryellen served over 200 clients and was responsible for the day to day allocating of affluent client’s discretionary funds. “The Fire Commissioner’s
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position is a budgetary position making policy, allocating the funds that come in from homeowners’ taxes and distributing it to make sure that the firefighters, the rank and file get the best and safest equipment that they can possibly have, along with keeping the citizens and our firefighters safe,” she said. “I have the qualifications, for sure, to be on the board of the Fire Commissioners.” Maryellen is currently serving a second term as VP on her HOA Board of the Meadows of Tarpon Woods. Since 2014, she has been a member of (C.E.R.T.) Community Emergency Response Team volunteering her training to educate community residents in disaster preparedness. “We work hand in hand with
the special fire district to enhance whatever they need. We are a complement or a help to the fire department,” she explained. “It just goes hand in hand that I would want to give back as Fire Commissioner. I really would like to give back much more than I’ve taken out of East Lake.” As a graduate of Pinellas County Sheriffs Citizen Academy, she was background investigated and had the opportunity to do a ride-along with a deputy. “To go through that 11-week Citizen Academy, class you have to be scrutinized and vetted,” she said. Maryellen is the only female candidate for this district’s open position and she is confident her level of experience speaks volumes about the type of Fire Commissioner she would be. “I have an ethical
background, for sure. Everything I have ever done in my life has been over and above in ethics and compliance,” she said. “Right now, there are five men on the board. I come with a different set of perspectives.” Political advertisement paid for and approved by Maryellen Crowder for East Lake Tarpon Fire Commissioner seat 2
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OCTOBER 2018 21
“Budget Blinds”-
continued from page 1
the design expert, meets with each client personally to insure customer satisfaction. Not only can you get a new look for any window in your home, you can also tap into the latest technology that allows you to open or close your blinds without leaving the comfort of your sofa or from anywhere around the world!
A Legacy of Enduring Value
As a trusted brand in designing and creating window coverings that stand the test of time- beautifully, Budget Blinds® has a distinguished 25 year history of excellence. We’re the #1 provider of custom window coverings in North America and last year alone we installed more than 2.6 million custom window treatments. Yes, you might say we have you covered in window fashions…and then some!
Roxana began her franchise business in North Pinellas seven years ago
Shopping is made simple as she brings the showroom to your home! By meeting with you in your home, they will accurately assess your needs and offer solutions you might not have known were even available. According to Roxana, consultations take approximately one to two
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hours. Preliminary questions are asked by a specialized receptionist during initial phone call in order to aid the consultant in preparing for the initial meeting. It’s very important to consider several things during the selection process. She’ll ask question about the lighting of the area you’re working with. Do you want it allow more lighting than you have now or do you need to darken the space? How important is privacy to you? Is glare, such as in a living room or den with a television an issue for you? Are you looking for something that will protect your furniture from fading in the sunlight? She also inquires about the quality of blinds you’re looking for and what quality features are important to you. “Our approach is a consultative process specifically designed to understand the real need of each customer. The goal is that we deliver the perfect solution that reflects the unique needs and style of the client,” she explained. No matter your style, contemporary, classic, traditional, Budget Blinds has options for you. Budget Blinds also offers a variety of brands, some of which are exclusive to Budget Blinds that you won’t find anywhere else. This opens up the variety of choices tenfold. When working with Roxana and her staff, you aren’t
constricted to one or two brands from which to select. Just like anything else, trends in this industry change as well. While determining specific designs to reflect the unique needs and style of each customer, Roxana or someone from the design experts staff can also introduce you to a selection of combinations of materials to really make your area pop with style. You might select the faux iron and woven wood shades or plantation shutters. A massive
wood cornice with decorative keystones might give you the dramatic look that you will fall in love with. There are practical unlimited combinations to choose from when decorating your space. Changing trends also means changing technology. “The coolest thing is the smart home technology and the smart shades that can be conveniently controlled from anywhere in the world with the use of a smart phone,” she said. You can even schedule your shades to raise or lower or have
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lights that adjust automatically at set times throughout the day. Don’t let the use of technology scare you. Roxana says these options are surprisingly affordable as well. If safety is a concern for you, Budget Blinds has you covered in that area as well. They have a variety of choices when it comes to cordless blinds and shades. This is an especially nice feature for those with young children in the home. According to Roxana, “the entire industry is switching fast towards safety environments and there are new regulations coming into effect. Budget Blinds is making all the changes to be compliant by end of this year.” As the largest franchise retailer of window treatments and blinds, Budget Blinds offers something for every type window. From small accent windows to large sliders, Budget Blinds has a solution! They even offer draperies and window film as well. If you’d like to add bedding, draperies or an area rug to accentuate your new blind purchase, they offer a variety of those as well. Just the pieces you need to complete the look of your room. The service doesn’t end
after your selection has been made. Professional installers are on staff and will come out to install your purchase for you. “I personally love interacting with people and every customer has a new story that needs to be heard. The best part of my job is when people start talking about what they experienced with us,” Roxana said.
We’ve Got This…Together
Whether finishing that new room or designing a complete home makeover, see how easy and affordable new, custom window treatments can be from the industry leader, Budget Blinds®. Call 727-943-8521 or click today and schedule your FREE inhome consultation with a local design expert. You can also visit their website for ideas and photos at www.budgetblinds/ TarponSprings.com. For more decorating ideas, local jobs, reviews and testimonials, visit their Facebook, Yelp, Houzz or G+ pages. There is no obligation, and you just might realize your dream of the perfect window treatments sooner than you expected!
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OCTOBER 2018 25
“McCaffery Team”-
continued from page 1
McCaffery’s window looks out on a beautiful golf course across the street. Oftentimes, past clients smile and wave to him as they jog past his window. Bob was a little bit younger than he wanted to be when he retired from Ford Motor in Michigan, so he made a career decision. He didn’t want to stay in the automotive field or go through another cold winter. He decided to try something totally different, which was real estate. This was something that Bob was passionate about. He gave himself a deadline of two years to be successful. Fourteen years later, he is confident he made the right decision of moving to the Tampa Bay area and changing careers. After working for a real estate broker in Pinellas County for a few years, he discovered that real estate was intensive and to provide good customer served, required a team approach.
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When he decided to be part of Prudential Tropical Real Estate which later became Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, he knew he would need a talented team to fulfill the customer service steps to prospective clients. “We are the only real estate company inside of East Lake Woodlands, so we interact with the community on a regular basis,” he said. “In our team, 12 people have different job responsibilities, so you become very proficient at what you do. You hand the piecework to the next person and so on.” Bob found that with so many different facets to real estates that it was beneficial to have a team to do what they enjoy and who are highly adept at completing their part of the process. This team approach is highlighted by the fact that this group has continued to be the number one team in sales performance in the Oldsmar office and among the top two percent
in the regional corporate, Florida Properties Group. We have a number of different cultures living within East Lake Woodlands. We have someone on the team who speaks French and another who is fluent in German. Another team member is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and Italian. We may even be adding a member to the team who is fluent in Japanese.”
Having a multilingual team helps when international clients need assistance in their native language for questions or with contracts. “Our clients are much more comfortable when they can converse in their own language.” Bob explained that, that type of diversity is something The McCaffery Team offers that most other real estate agents or
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teams may not. Some of our local competitors promote themselves as a single agent, while Bob is proud to promote his team. “We promote the expertise on the team and what we bring to the table-structure, policies and procedures that make the process flow. We really try to be a consultant to the client. We try to interact with the client and find out what is in their best interest. One of the benefits of a team is we can become a one-stop shop for a client and really help facilitate the client by interviewing and questioning to find out what his specific needs are-whether buying, selling or renting, leasing or property management. There are different steps of the process we identify to make it perfectly clear what they need to do. We want to recognize the client’s wants and needs so we can better serve them.” With over a hundred years combined experience of Bob and his team, whether you are selling,
buying or renting a permanent residence, a vacation home, an investment property, or seeking an experienced team and company to serve as your property manager, Bob and his team have experience and skills to make your experience a satisfying one. As members of the East Lake Woodlands community, Bob and his team are active in local philanthropy. The team and company have sponsored the club tennis events and they collect non-perishable food at the Oldsmar office for Metropolitan Ministries during the year and holiday season. “The counties also have programs for first-time homebuyers on the lower income range. We work with those lenders to help homeowners buy properties utilizing government grants. We also work with our military vets to make sure we look out for them to try to get them the proper financing,” he said. “We are ingrained in this community and like to give back.”
“Real estate is a passion. We love helping people understanding the process without the heavy sales pressure. We like being a trusted advisor to understand exactly what it is someone is looking for,” he said. “The old adage is to do what you’re passionate about. We are passionate about the real estate business, passionate about the Tampa Bay area and being able to connect with real estate clients and share our own experiences. At the end of the
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day, we love helping people achieve their goals. It’s a very interesting business and when you put the right people together, it’s exciting, challenging, and we completely love it.” Meet The McCaffery Team at their Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/Florida Properties Group office in Oldsmar, located at 301 Woodlands Parkway Suite 1, visit online to browse listings at mccafferyteam.com or call (727) 331-8257.
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Tech Talk with Bob: Smart TV’s TECH TALK
streaming Netflix’s offerings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. content Another feature found on some such as The television has gone With smart TVs is voice recognition. This TV shows through many changes from the Bob The Computer allows you to Guy speak into your smart and other middle of the last century to TV’s remote to change channels or video today. I used to work for an NBC perform TV program searches. An provided television station, so I have seen By Bob Dalles additional feature that is on some, by lots of advances in this industry. but not all, smart TVs is they have vendors Black & white TV transitions an internet web browser built into like Today’s Topic to color; monophonic sound Smart TVs them, so you can surf the internet Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, to name transitions to stereo; standard on your smart TV. Some smart TVs a few. This gives you more options definition TV transitions to high even come with wireless keyboards by providing programming from definition TV; and now our color, make interaction with your sources than your stereo, high definition TVs are The television has goneother through many changes from theantenna, middle of the last century toto today. I used to your work for an NBC station, so I have seen lots of advances in this industry. Black & white TV transitions to color; monophonic smart TV more convenient. satellite dish, or cable TV provider. transitioning into “smart TVs.” I amtelevision sound transitions to stereo; standard definition TV transitions to high definition TV; and now our color, stereo, high are transitioning into “smart TVs.” I am asked quite to frequently about smart TVs. “What areyou they?” buy a smart TV? Should smart TVs allow you asked quite frequently about smart definition TVs Since “What do they do? And, “should I buy one?” So, let’s cover some of the basics of smart TVs. Well that’s up to you. Please be connect to additional television TVs. “What are they?” “What do are multiple definitions for smart TVs. The most basic definition of a smart TV is a television that not only thorough research content youconnection, can increase they do? And, “should I buy one?” There connects to your cable,providers, satellite and/or TV antenna but it can be hooked sure up to youryou internetdo connection as TVsaccess connect to theto internet using a wired network cable or your wi-fi internet connection. internet with your money. before youThepart your literally thousands So, let’s cover some of the basics ofwell. Smart connection lets you access streaming content such as TV shows and other video provided by vendors like Netflix, Hulu Spend time inyouryour neighborhood of movies, music smart TVs. and Amazon, to name a few.TV This programs, gives you more options by providing programming from sources other than satellite dish, or cable TV provider. TV appliance store and play with more. This is great for the There are multiple definitions antenna,and Since smart TVs allow you to connect to additional television content providers, youone. can increase your accessthe to literally Check internet for reviews television enthusiast that desires for smart TVs. The most basic thousands of movies, TV programs, music and more. This is great for the television enthusiast that desires greater access to television content. However, keepto in mind, that even though some online program providers offer free access on specific TVs.to their Be an informed greater access television definition of a smart TV is a the more popular ones require you to pay a subscription fee. I currently pay about $15 a month for my Netflix buyer. content. However, keepaccess in tomind, television that not only connects content, account. That $15 gives me and my family unlimited all of Netflix’s offerings 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. though onlineThis allows you to speak intoTo to your cable, satellite and/or TV Anotherthat featureeven found on some smart TVssome is voice recognition. yourenjoy smart TV’ssmart remote to TV content, changeprogram channels or perform TV program searches. An additional not all, smart TVs is they things. One, the youbutneed several providers offer free feature that is on some, antenna connection, but it can have an internet web browser built into them, so you can surf the internet on your smart TV. Some smart TVs even come smart TV itself or a smart TV device access tototheir content, more be hooked up to your internet with wireless keyboards make your interaction with the your smart TV more convenient. inpartthe next paragraph). you to pay connection as well. Smart TVs Shouldpopular you buy a smartones TV? Wellrequire that’s up to you. Please be sure you do thorough(covered research before you with your money. Spend time in your neighborhood TV appliance store and play with one. Check the internet for reviews on Two, an internet connection. a subscription fee. I currently pay connect to the internet using specific TVs. Be an informed buyer. Three, an email address (so you about $15 a month for my Netflix a wired network cable or your To enjoy smart TV content, you need several things. One, the smart TV itself or a smart TV device (covered in the next paragraph). Two, an internet connection. an email address (so you can register with your content providers). can register with your content account. That $15Three, gives me and wi-fi internet connection. The credit card (to pay for any subscription services you might desire). providers). Four, a credit card (to family unlimited access to all of internet connection lets you access Four, amy by Bob Dalles
If you like your current TV but would like the features of a smart TV, there is another way you can access smart TV content without buying a smart TV. You can buy “streaming sticks” or “set-top boxes” from companies like Apple, Amazon, Google and Roku. These devices connect to your regular TV to make it a smart TV and usually come with their
28 OCTOBER 2018
pay for any subscription services you might desire). If you like your current TV but would like the features of a smart TV, there is another way you can access smart TV content without buying a smart TV. You can buy “streaming sticks” or “set-top boxes” from companies like Apple, Amazon, Google and Roku. These devices connect to your regular TV to make it a smart TV and usually come with their own remote. Just be sure your current television has the proper connection ports before you purchase one of these devices. Most will work with an HDMI port. Prices start below $100.
Have a tech question? Email it to TechTalk-TBNL@ BobTheComputerGuy.NET. Questions will be selected by the popularity of a topic and answered in this column. If you have a more urgent need or have a unique situation you may schedule an appointment with one of my Professionally Certified Technicians by calling 727-5344000. Until next time, stay safe on the internet!
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Local Author Receives Readers’ Favorite Book Award Readers’ Favorite is proud to announce that “Dear Willy, The True Story of a Life Well Lived” by Claire Ohlsson Geheb of Oldsmar, Florida won the Honorable Mention Award in the Non-Fiction - Historical category. The 2018 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest featured thousands of contestants from over a dozen countries. Readers’ Favorite book review and award contest sites have earned the respect of renowned publishers and they are fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating). Claire is honored to receive this award. Following is a brief description. During historically tragic times a young man pursued his quest for a better life. Experience the lives of a German American immigrant and his family in Germany
living conditions, but he never forgot his family. History can be viewed from many angles, but there is nothing like firsthand accounts to bring it to life. Poignant letters sent to and from Germany became the lifeline for the Geheb family as they shared concerns, triumphs and tragedies. These candid accounts of their lives take the reader back in time and into their personal world. Editor, Claire Ohlsson
Geheb, has woven a unique tale using journals, letters, photos and carefully placed historical notes. This social history about the pursuit of a better life tells of the ingenuity, drive and courage of our forefathers. For more information go to Claire’s website: dearwillybook.com. Dear Willy, is also available on Amazon and from all book sellers as a paperback or ebook.
during the tumultuous years from 1914 to 1947. Dear Willy is about contrasts, love, loyalties and how determination can lead to a better life. Willy Geheb was an adventurer who alone faced the long ocean voyage, arduous labor and horrible
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