Vol. 11, Issue 5, May 2018
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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
Mystic Fish: One of Tampa Bay’s favorite restaurants for over 18 years!! impact on the restaurant scene in Tampa Bay. Mystic Fish is the #1 rated restaurant in Palm Harbor on Trip Advisor, and has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence for consistently earning excellent reviews from customers. Understanding the essence of the perfect relaxing evening, Mystic Fish captivates diners with a mouth watering menu, rotating seasonal features, an extensive wine list, delicious cocktails, tasty desserts and excellent customer service. "One of the most amazing dining experiences I've had in a restaurant!" said 5-star reviewer Dina C. "Amazing
By Carla Selby
See “Mystic Fish” on page 26.
By: Marcy Sanford Have you been avoiding the dentist due to fear or anxiety problems? Are you looking for a more patient-centered practice where your needs are put first? If you are craving that personalized and gentle professional dental care, then look no further! At Tarpon Dental, Dr. Seema Amin and her team, work hard to deliver the highest quality of dental care from the moment you walk in, while putting you and your family’s needs above all else. “Our main goal is to help patients achieve the smile they want and keep their overall oral health
in optimal condition,” says Dr. Amin. Dr. Seema Amin prides herself in providing personalized care for all patients. With a well-established background in the field, she can administer specialized treatments in all aspects of dentistry. She also treats all patients in a caring manner and provides a comfortable over-all dental experience. After 13 years as an associate dentist in a private practice, Dr. Amin decided it was time to branch out and start her own practice close to home. In 2011, Dr. Amin took over Tarpon Dental and continued to grow that practice by going the extra mile for See “Tarpon Dental” on page 24.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Happy Mother's Day from TBNL......3 Summer Camp Guide..................4-5 ALLPRO Tree & Landscaping Inc.....8-9
Crowdfunding......................12-13 Tech Talk with Bob...........16-17 SAT & ACT Improvement......20-21 Women with Purpose...............28-29
ECRWSS
Tarpon Dental: Helping Create Smiles That Will Last For a Lifetime
The Community Dining & Business Guide that your neighbors READ!
Postal Customer
Owner and Executive Chef, Doug Bebell, opened Mystic Fish in July of 2001 and has made quite an
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185
and drinks; the perfect start to a night out on the town and a great place for a relaxing nightcap.
Dated Material Please Rush!
Mystic Fish Seafood Grill and Bar, a hidden neighborhood gem located in a strip mall on the corner of Tampa Road and Lake St. George, offers both locals and visitors, an exquisite dining experience in a casual yet classy atmosphere. Walk inside and your eyes will feast first on the brilliant, iridescent Mexican abalone shell molding, three saltwater aquariums, sculptures made from motion picture film and hand blown wall scones. Stained glass windows and unique light fixtures allow for softer light around the whole dining area and bar. Italian fossil lined booths are a perfect spot for a cozy date or a night with friends. Mystic Fish has great music, ambiance, food
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Happy Mother's Day from TBNL "All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." — George Washington As we celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday, May 13th, we honor the women who brought us into the world, who shaped us, nurtured us, taught us and showed us what unconditional love is truly all about. Our moms are definitely one of the most important people in our lives, she is simultaneously our biggest fan and our harshest critic. Her demands can sometimes be unattainable but they are meant to make us a better person. Moms are that little voice inside our heads that remind us to be polite to others, to bring an umbrella, to eat breakfast and to iron your t-shirts because you never know who you'll meet that day. Moms are the ones we all run to when we are sick (or at least the majority of us do) even if we're adults and have kids of our own. There's nothing like the comforting arms and soothing words of a mother. Her love and care make us automatically feel better, no matter what. Nobody will ever spoil us, love us and take better care of us than our mothers. It remains a lifelong commitment. Even
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after a child is grown, graduated and employed, mom is still mom, and moms will always worry. And when the world is harsh, when life pokes us in the eye and laughs at us, it is often our first instinct to seek comfort in a mother's love. Oh, and don't even get me started with our mom's cooking skills…they always cook the best meals! I don't know how they do it! You've heard it before, or you've probably said it yourself; "Nobody cooks better than my mom," or "My mom makes/does it better," or "I have the best mom in the world." I personally know, I HAVE THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD AND SHE COOKS THE BEST FOOD EVER (I SWEAR!). She drives me crazy at times, but she's always there when I need her… always. I remember back in 2010, I got kidney stones and a bad kidney infection, and I called my mom to leer her know… boy, I had no idea that she was going to run to the airport and immediately get on a plane to come see me (she lived in Venezuela back then) and she spend every single day by my side. Most recently, my husband and I bought our first home together, and my mom to this day asks me "What do you need?" and even though my answer is always "Nothing, mom, don't worry," she
always shows up to our home with things I really needed, but didn't even think about it. A clean set of sheets, bottled water, laundry detergent, plastic silverware to use while we unpack everything from all the boxes we have laying around the new place… I couldn't imagine where I would be without her. And, in the same words of George Washington; everything I am, everything I have accomplished, all my experiences, all my success, all my happiness… I owe to my amazing mother (and dad, up there in heaven, I love you and miss you dearly.) I love you Mom! From the bottom of my heart, thank you, for all you have done and continue to do for all of our family. So for Mother's Day, the entire team of Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles has a few special wishes for all the moms out there — any age, any stage of life, and with any prefix or modifier in front of the word mother. We hope you are surrounded by loved ones today. If they can't make it home, we hope they at least call. Flowers would be lovely. If they decide to take you out to eat, go ahead and let them pay, even if that goes against your maternal instinct. Happy Mother's Day!
East Lake Area 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 © 2018 East Lake Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is published by Ads 2 Publications, Inc. Publisher Tim Selby General Manager Jim O’Reilly Editor Carla Selby Advertising Sales Matt Selby Tim Selby Jim O’Reilly Mike Bird
Correspondents Katie Thomas Marcy Sanford
Art Director Tony Sica
Accounting Manager Doreen Selby
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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Area Camps Offer Something For Every Child! By Marcy Sanford
In case you missed it last month, or if you still are looking to find the perfect camp experience for your kids AND due to the great response it generated, we decided to run our camp listing one more month, with a few new camps for your enjoyment!
Art & Theatre Practically Pikasso 500 Main St., Safety Harbor (727) 230-1946 www.practicallypikasso.com Campers will get to try out a variety of different art mediums such as clay, ceramics, mosaics, spin art, tie-dye, bubble painting, canvas painting, glass painting, and clay slip molding and learn about art theory and history. Ages 5 – 15 Dunedin Fine Art Center 1143 Michigan Blvd., Dunedin (727) 298-3322
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www.dfac.org Visual arts camp exposes students to a wide variety of media, techniques, art history, and multicultural appreciation in a fun and educational environment. Children rotate through different classes such as drawing/painting, 3D art, clay, and photography. Ages 4 - 14 Westchase Music School 11301 Countryway Blvd., Westchase (813) 925-0102 www.westchasemusicschool.com Campers learn music notation, basic music terminology, and music appreciation through fun games. Students will learn how to compose their own songs. Ages 4 – 12
Sports LBI 5-DAY SPORTS CAMPS BASEBALL & SOFTBALL • 2 Former Professional & D1
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Collegiate Baseball Coaches • 2 Active College Softball Coaches • Baseball/Softball Specific Certified Trainer • Guest Speakers 5-Day Basic Baseball & Softball Camp Ages: 6-12 • Session A: June 4th - 8th 9am1pm • Session B: June 18th - 22nd 9am-1pm 5-Day Advanced Baseball Camp (Big Field) Ages: 12-16 • Session C: June 11th-15th 9am-1pm Camp Highights: • Open/Closed Base Instruction • Slip and Slide (Weather Permitting) • Official Bracket Baseball Tournament • Blitz Ball Tournament • Individual Skills/Drills • Speed and Agility Training
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• Learn what HS Coaches are looking for? • Combine Event Drills & Focus • Benchmark High School Campers to National Averages for Pitching Velocity, 60-yard Dash & Pop Times Pricing Early Registration Special! $150.00 by May 21st Regular Registration - $175.00 after May 21st Multi-Camp Discount $150.00 each Sibling Discount - $150.00 each Bring a Friend 20% Discount! $140.00 by May 21st (20% off for existing camper: deadline for both applicants is May 21st, new camper pays early rate of $150) Space is limited so please take advantage of EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT!!!!! Camps will be capped! Please email Marc with
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questions to marclamac@aol.com Sign Up & Pay Online at: https://goo.gl/udcPE2 Or Submit Payments to: Marc LaMacchia 6873 Copperfield Dr New Port Richey, FL 34655 Held at East Lake Sports Complex 3555 Old Keystone Rd Tarpon Springs, FL 34688 2018 East Lake High School Summer Baseball Camp Held by Head Coach Zack Roper & Dan Genna (25 plus yrs. experience coaching little league, Travel ball, High School and College) Session 1: Tuesday – Friday, May 29th – June 1st Session 2: Monday – Thursday, June 4th –June 7th Session 3: Monday – Thursday, June 11th – 14th 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Ages 6 – 14; campers will be grouped by age and skill level Early Registration Special: $135 if registered before May 20th
Regular Registration: $150 May 20th and after. Multi-week discounts Make check payable to Zack Roper. Mail check and registration form to: East Lake High School c/o Zack Roper 1300 Silver Eagle Drive, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688 Rain or shine Camp Highlights Camp T-shirt, Slip and Slide (bring towel last day), Guest Speakers, Individual Instruction, Team fundamentals, Games Skills & Drills, High school style workouts, Team camp, Dodgeball, Gymnasium, Agilities/Strength Camp Notes Campers should wear baseball pants or shorts and t-shirt. Campers should wear cleats but bring tennis shoes. Campers will need to bring snack & lunch. Concession stand will be open. Don’t forget to put sunscreen on the campers! Space is limited, so take
advantage of the early registration special! Go to www.Eastlakebaseball.biz for forms or email zroper17@gmail.com Protential Sports Various Locations (813) 843-9640 www.protentialsports.com Flag football, basketball, tennis, and aquatics camps for boys and girls of all athletic levels. Ages 3 – 17 Tampa Bay Skating Academy 255 Forest Lakes Blvd., Oldsmar (727) 723-7785 www.tbsa.com Camp sessions include on and off ice instruction, arts and crafts, catered lunch, and supervised onice free time. Ages 5 – 13 East Lake Woodlands Country Club 1055 East Lake Woodlands Pkwy., Oldsmar (727) 784-8576 www.clubcorp.com Children learn golf and tennis basics from professionals, practice their skills, and then get to spend time swimming and playing pool games. Ages 5 - 10
Horses Horse Power for Kids 8005 S. Racetrack Rd., Tampa (813) 855-8992 www.horsepowerforkids.com Camp includes learning about horses and other animals and how to care for them. Children also get to go horse back riding and swimming. Ages 7 and up Suncoast Stables and Riding Academy 1108 Altamont Ln., Odessa (813) 368-0666 www.suncoaststable.com Horsemanship camps where campers learn about horse safety, grooming, tacking up, riding and caring for horses. Ages 5 – 18 West Coast Morgans 17126 Boy Scout Rd., Odessa (813) 920-9870 Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
www.westcoastmorgans.com Horse camp with specialty themes such as showmanship, focus on hunt seat, focus on saddle seat, and medicine and health. Ages 5 and up.
Engineering & Science Mad Science Various Locations (727) 895-5595 greatertampabay.madscience.org Camp engages children in scientific explorations that are so much fun, they’ll forget they’re learning. Children team up with fellow scientist to build and launch a model rocket, create green glowing liquids, build bridges, and more. Ages 5 - 12
Nature Brooker Creek Preserve 3940 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs (727) 453-6800 www.brookercreekpreserve.org Children can learn all about amphibians and reptiles, explore wetlands, or learn how to be a junior naturalist. Ages 7-11
Every Topic You Can Think Of!! Camp Cubber 1551 Belcher Rd., Palm Harbor (727) 781-6343 www.campcubber.com Run by Palm Harbor United Methodist Church camp offers daily activities in STEM, art, creative writing, reading, music, drama, games, life skills, sports, recreation, and much more. Ages 5 - 14 Berkeley Preparatory School 4811 Kelly Rd., Tampa (813) 885-1673 www.berkeleyprep.org More than 100 camps offered everything from robotics to debate, fine arts to woodworking and any sport your child wants to play. Ages 4 – 18
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Caring for your Trees for the 2018 Hurricane Season - ALLPRO Tree and Landscaping Inc By: Tom Bostock Hurricanes are some of the most destructive forces on earth, as many Florida homeowners can attest to. Wind damage to homes and property can run into the millions of dollars. The 2018 hurricane season, according to tbo.com, will be another active year. The CSU Department of Atmospheric Science Tropical Meteorology Project’s forecast was just released Thursday. The report should serve as “a call to action” to all Florida homeowners; “70 days during which a named storm will be present, 30 hurricane days and seven major hurricane days. Median seasons see about 60 named storm days, 21 hurricane days and four major hurricane days. University of Colorado predicts “14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes, packing winds of at least 111 mph!” The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale paints an informative picture of potential damage to your trees from
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a hurricane, particularly improperly pruned trees. Using a rating system of 1 – 5, it warns that, at 74 to 95 mph, a category 1 hurricane can cause damage. “Large branches of trees will snap, and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled,” possibly causing “extensive damage to power lines” creating outages that can last “a few to several days.” Downed trees can block roads, delaying the response time for emergency crews. Snapped branches can become lethal projectiles. The time to prepare is now. When you take the steps that you need to make your home secure, don’t forget one important element that is often overlooked and can cause damage to your home, your trees. The solution is not the removal of trees but taking proper preventative care of them. According to certified arborist and owner of ALLPRO Tree and Landscape Inc, Pete Spiridis, a lot was learned from the damage that was caused to and by neighborhood trees, during the
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2017 hurricane season. He said that “more of the trees that failed were improperly pruned trees.” Proper pruning not only improves your trees’ overall health, it ensures that your family will be able to enjoy the shade of their favorite trees for many years to come. Pete encourages you to call him at either (727-409-3315 or 813-2449234) or visit the website at www.myallpro.com to make your appointment for a free, no obligation inspection of your trees. Arboreal
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diseases, detected early, can be controlled and cured. Unpruned or improperly pruned trees are more susceptible to disease than properly maintained ones. ALLPRO not only diagnoses and crafts unique landscaping solutions for your grounds and trees, but also uncovers any underlying causes that may be contributing to your tree/landscape issues. A full-service tree and landscaping service, ALLPRO provides tree trimming, tree removal, tree stump grinding, landscape design
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and installation as well as yard clean up and all landscaping services. As Pete explains on his website, “Trees in urban areas of Tampa Bay endure especially brutal stimuli. Some trees do not have the genetic predisposition to deal with these forces.” At ALLPRO, the arborists “custom-tailor solutions that promote the health of your unique trees”
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If you are wondering if ALLPRO lives up to its reputation of providing “the elite service that you deserve,” as their website pledges, why don’t we just ask the experts? National online home service guru, Angie’s List, was impressed enough to present ALLPRO with their “Super Service Award.” The Better Business Bureau, who analyzes and rates companies, according to both
the quality of the service they provide, and the complaints received about them, awarded ALLPRO Tree and Landscaping Inc. its highest rating, an A+!!! So many of their satisfied customers are also happy to confirm the excellence of the service that they received from ALLPRO. If word of mouth advertising is the best form of
advertising, David K. is one of their best advertisers. According to David, “the service from ALLPRO was phenomenal. They were very responsive to the initial inquiry, highly competitive for the work that needed to be completed and they were extremely professional when completing the work. We are extremely pleased with ALLPRO.” Roger M. agreed as well, noting that he had used ALLPRO to remove several trees for a pool. “Job well done and will use them again.“ Susan Y. said “I would highly recommend ALLPRO Tree and Landscaping.” Julie K. was also in agreement when she said that she “can’t say enough good things about them.” Visit their website at www.myallpro.com to read more of these positive testimonials. With hurricane season just around the corner, while you are preparing your home, don’t forget your trees. Dead branches and overhanging limbs represent potential hazards. The folks at ALLPRO are ready to help. Just call (727-4093315 or 813-244-9234) and don’t forget your free, no obligation inspection.
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HERITAGE SPRINGS
2/2/2 1566 htd sq. ft. This villa offers a formal living & dining rooms w/designer style laminate flooring and vaulted ceilings. The kitchen has granite counters, tile flooring and it overlooks the family room w/plantation shutters. You'll enjoy sitting out on the large extended lanai w/a view of the pond & golf course. $239,900
1858 htd sq ft. 2/2/2 This villa has plenty of room to entertain in with the Living & dining room w/vaulted ceiling, Kitchen w/wood cabinets & tile flooring that looks like wood which flows into the den. The guest bedroom has a large walk in closet and master bedroom has two walk in closets. All neutral in color to go w/any dĂŠcor! $224,900
PINE RIDGE AT LAKE TARPON
4/2.5/2 + pool 2732 htd sq ft Absolutely model perfect! From the lush landscaping to the serene view of the pond & forest! Formal lv & dining rooms w/crown molding, Kitchen w/granite, glass backsplash overlooks family room, master w/two walk in closets, master bath remodeled w/dressing table. Fabulous lanai w/pool & pool bath plus the view! $359,900
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Spending Your Online Charity Dollars Wisely – “Crowdfunding” online charitable situations is purely coincidental; it It’s a cold, cruel world should at least make you out there. Despite the stock wonder where your charity exchanges reaching new dollars should be spent. heights, and companies Each of these is an returning to America in example of a new, online record numbers, countless phenomenon, homeless people can still be “crowdfunding.” One of the found in parks and on street web sites, YouCaring, corners in every city in our defines crowdfunding as country, holding their “the practice of funding a dogeared cardboard signs of project or cause by raising hopelessness and despair. money from a large number The charities that serve of people, typically through these unfortunate people the Internet. It is a form of must compete every day for peer-to-peer fundraising your charitable dollars and that harnesses the power of they are not alone. There is social networks to raise something new on the awareness and draw Internet horizon and it is donations from around the fast becoming a major player world for online in charity funding arena. campaigns.” The family of a mother When Brock and, Naomi who is dying of cancer Ketcher and Luke Miner creates an online charity to returned home after a twohelp with her massive year mission, as an article on medical expenses. Tragic the YouCaring website situation? Absolutely! It noted, “Deeply inspired by tugs at the heart strings of their experiences abroad, the every caring person. In three friends resolved to another instance, a poor continue helping others. church seeks online funding This resolution evolved into to send a missionary party YouCaring, the first free to Africa. Worthwhile? On crowdfunding platform the surface, maybe, but with designed to help people the ease in creating these with hardship rally fund-raising charities online, emotional support from social media is ripe for their communities.” abuse. These two examples Unlike many other are both fictional, online fundraising hypothetical situations and platforms, YouCaring is any similarity to any existing entirely without the costs By Tom Bostock
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and fees sometimes associated with other fundraising websites. As their site explains, “YouCaring is a free online fundraising platform that pioneered Compassionate Crowdfunding (TradeMarked) – empowering people worldwide to rally support for personal and charitable causes without fundraising fees associated with the sites. To date, the YouCaring community is 5.5 million strong and has raised more than $1 Billion for humanitarian causes. They rely entirely on donations to their site to continue their wonderful, caring work. With just a few clicks, your compassionate
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story goes live to social media, reaching an audience of millions of potential donors at no cost to you. Their site lists many possible charity categories for crowdfunding, including but not limited to the following: • Medical Expenses • Memorials and Funerals • Emergencies and Disasters • Adoption • Kids and Family • Neighbors and Community • Education and Schools • Sports and Teams • Pets and Animals Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
• Volunteer and Service Projects • Non-Profits • Mission Trips • Veterans • Other As with any other fundraising platform, fraud is a key issue that YouCaring has had to confront and control. How do you know if one of their charities is actually a legitimate one? The website outlines what steps have been taken to ensure the validity of the causes allowed to use their platform. “YouCaring uses stateof-the-art proprietary and third-party fraud prevention technologies to ensure that YouCaring has the safest and most reliable fundraising
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platform in the industry. Our payment providers are chosen for their bank-grade encryption technology and their strong security track records. And our comprehensive trust and safety infrastructure closely monitors the site for misuse or abuse, taking action to keep both fundraisers and donors safe and secure.” “Thankfully, YouCaring is a community of people who are dedicated to helping one another. As a result, our users watch for and flag posts they believe to be questionable.” Their disclaimer continues, “Despite our best efforts, YouCaring cannot guarantee the full accuracy of every fundraiser that is
posted. We recommend that you only donate to fundraisers when you feel confident about their cause and legitimacy.“ To protect potential users from fraud that may have escaped their extensive fraud-prevention screening, the offer the following: “If you believe a fundraiser is misleading or fraudulent, please click here” and provide a convenient location to sound the alarm. Similar to YouCaring, Go Fund me is an even larger fundraising platform, however they do charge a payment processing fee on any funds raised, regardless of how worthy the charity may be. According to their site, 2.9% is deducted from
each donation. Another .30 per each donation is also charged, reducing the amount that goes to the individual charity. They recently announced the removal of their 5% platform fee. It is apparently a very successful site, boasting having raised 5 billion dollars for their millions of clients. Discounting the idiots who set up accounts to fund their alimony, crowdfunding is an excellent tool to reach today’s huge, social mediaresponsive audience. If you have a legitimate cause that needs funding, one of the online crowdfunding websites might just be your ideal solution.
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Tech Talk with Bob: Wi-Fi: Part 4 By Bob Dalles Greetings! We have been talking, in depth, about Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) utilizing the 802.11 standard different radio signals designated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Let’s begin with the current fastest of the remaining two standards we need to cover. The current fastest standard is 802.11ac which transmits at a speed of 1300 Megabits Per Second (Mbps); with a range of 1300 feet; and uses the 5 Gigahertz (GHz) frequency.
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The next slower standard is 802.11n which transmits at a speed of 600 Mbps; with a range of 1200 feet; and uses the 2.4 GHz frequency and the 5 GHz radio frequency. The good news is that
currently the 802.11ac, 802.11n and the 802.11g are the main formats you’ll will find on the market today (with the ac standard being the most popular and the most expensive). Here is a chart (above) that
hopefully simply summarizes the 802.11 standards. *Please note that the �Up To Speed� and �Up To Distance� are theoretical maximums that will vary on environmental and other atmospheric conditions.
Have a tech question? Email it to TechTalk-
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TBNL@BobTheComputerGuy .NET. Questions will be selected by the popularity of a topic and answered in this column. If you have a more urgent need or have a unique situation you may schedule an appointment with one of my Professionally Certified Technicians by calling 727534-4000. Until next time, stay safe on the internet!
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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: SUMMER PREP CLASSES By Dr. Wayne Adams More and more students are preferring to prepare for the SAT and the ACT exams over the summer when schedules are not so demanding. The summer ACT Exam is on July 14th, and the summer SAT Exam is on August 25th. Rising seniors can take an exam and see if the score is what they need, or take another one in the fall before submitting college applications. Rising juniors often prepare for the PSAT given in midOctober, which is the only qualifying exam for National Merit Scholars. On occasion I help rising sophomores, such as two current seniors who both are National Merit Finalists (top 1% in nation based on PSAT score) with substantial scholarships. The phone is ringing about the new “Top 25” Program. If you are interested in seeing if this is an
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option for your student(s), give me a call. From my last article, you know that a freshman entering Princeton (the #1 ranked US College) in 2017 would pay over $3,000 less than a freshman entering the University of Florida (#42), and actually less than any residential college in Florida. The
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cost of attending most of the Top 25 is very close to UF for most Florida students. Again, the key is to be admitted, which is not easy since most of these schools admit less than 10% of applicants, but can be done. The core of my prep classes is the same for all students. Each
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comes to me with an academic foundation, a certain level of testtaking skills, a specific learning style, a personality type, goals, and motivations. Usually within the first fifteen minutes of our first class, when normally the student(s) and parent(s) sit down and we talk
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about the philosophies underlying the course and get to know each other, I get a good reading on each of these key student characteristics. This is built on over seven years of working with students and parents in this highly specialized field, plus many years of teaching at many levels up to graduate school. From this point, the course is adapted to each student. For example, all students need a combination of test taking techniques and strategies, base-line tests, focused skill building, and practice. Students in each “potential scoring range” need different specifics within this core. For example, a student starting at an SAT superscore of 1,000 or an ACT composite of 20 will need more focus on learning key strategies and mid-range skill building. A student starting at an SAT superscore of 1380 - 1400 or an ACT composite of 28 – 30 will need more focus on avoiding what we call “SM’s” (silly mistakes),
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spotting subtle traps in questions, and handling “curve balls”, those types of questions that do not occur often and may not even be covered in most prep books. And I have seen students coming with an SAT score of 450 or an ACT score of 17 in a subject make dramatic jumps to 650 or more on the SAT and 26 – 28 on the ACT because they are willing to work hard outside of class … the results show! During our first fifteen minutes, I always ask the student(s), “How well do you want to do?” Answers vary, with the one I like best being, “Really well.” Then I say, “Excellent. Now there is another question that always comes with the first one. How hard are you willing to work?” The two key attitudes for doing their best do not vary in our classes. The first is underlying motivation, which comes from seeing clear improvement which grows into a determination to do
their best. The second is testconfidence. We start with a range from “Not sure I can do this,” to “I think I can.” By the end of the course, almost all of my students are thinking, “I can do this well. Just let me show you how well I can do!” Would love to talk with you further. Just contact me at 727-2530639 or send me an e mail at wwa0811@mykolab.com to talk further about your student. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200 – 350 points on the Writing, Reading, Writing and Essay, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to eight of the top ten universities in the country, seventeen of the top twenty-five, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U
Penn, Johns Hopkins, 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 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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“Tarpon Dental” Continued from page 1 each of her patients, until August 2017, when she decided to expand and build a brand new facility. Conveniently located in Tarpon Springs at 2611 Keystone Road in the Cypress Turn Center, the new state-of-the-art facility was built with patients in mind. From the warm, inviting waiting room to the relaxing treatment rooms, you’ll feel instantly at ease when you come to Tarpon Dental. If you have to have a longer procedure performed, there is a private VIP suite with a heated, massage chair where you can relax, and even watch a movie if you’d like. To help make regular cleanings more enjoyable, the hygienists at Tarpon Dental value your time and make your visit as comfortable as possible, and also use digital x-rays to help you avoid unnecessary radiation. “The most important part of being a dentist, to me, is to make a
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positive impact in someone’s life,” said Dr. Amin. “Some people are afraid to go to the dentist because they haven’t been in a long time and they think they will be judged. Some people are embarrassed to smile because of dental issues. We’re here to help, not to judge and to find the best options for every situation.” “Tarpon Dental has friendly
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staff, is ontime, and are thorough, knowledgeable and very good at recommending what you need without being pushy,” said patient Richard N. “I’ve been going here for about two years and am completely satisfied. I highly recommend Dr. Amin and her staff for your
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dentistry needs.” At Tarpon Dental they offer comprehensive dental care for all ages. In addition to cleanings and check-ups, their services include periodontal procedures (including a non-surgical treatment for gum
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disease), adult orthodontics, implants, reconstructive dentistry and cosmetic dentistry. “We are here to help people and boost not only their physical well-being but help increase their self-confidence as well,” said Dr. Amin. “I want patients to leave our office after every visit glad they came and feeling like this is the best place for them.” “Dr. Amin and her entire staff are knowledgeable, caring, kind and compassionate. Their genuine concern for me and my needs as an individual is only surpassed by their professionalism and desire to impart the most current information from research related to the health of their patients and
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the use of state-of-the-art technology to promote oral health and well-being,” said patient Junetta S. Originally from London, England, Dr. Seema Amin moved to Florida with her family when she was 12 years old. After college she and her husband lived up North for a few years before deciding to return to Florida. She is thrilled to be able to help people in her community through Tarpon Dental and volunteers at Gulf Coast Outreach. Dr. Amin received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Florida. She is a Fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, an honor only a small percentage of
dentists achieve. If you’ve been avoiding the dentist for a while or have been looking for a new patient-focused practice, make an appointment with Tarpon Dental today. They accept many dental insurance plans and are happy to answer any questions about benefits or the practice when you call. You can
even schedule a time to take a tour of their brand-new facilities. Tarpon Dental is located at 2611 Keystone Road, Suite B-7 in Tarpon Springs. Their office is open Monday through Friday. For more information, please visit www.TarponDental.com. To schedule an appointment, call (727) 937-4285.
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“Mystic Fish” Continued from page 1 food, they are really keen about the details of the dish, the temperature and the presentation. From the garlic cheesy oysters, to the wine, to the freshest hogfish! Even the chocolate cake with the expresso, all were perfect. Our server was very pleasant, and was making sure at all times that we're having a great experience. It was my first time at Mystic Fish, and now it's definitely one of my favorites. Highly recommended!" OpenTable.com has awarded Mystic Fish with the Diner’s Choice Award for 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 and named the restaurant Best Overall in Tampa/Central Florida for 2017. "Went to Mystic Fish with my in laws and son on Easter 2018. It was the most perfect meal," said Patrick M. about his recent experience at Mystic Fish. "The service was quick and friendly. The apps and entrees were flavorful and beautifully presented. Calamari, stuffed artichoke bottoms, and the squid were some of the best apps I've had. The lamb tender and the short rib were cooked perfectly. This was an hour drive from New Tampa. Worth every mile." Even more impressive than Mystic Fish’s curbside appeal and their hundreds of 5 star reviews, is the well thought out and delightful menu, which offers something from everyone. Chef Doug definitely put a lot of care and consideration in creating scrumptious and deliciously fresh seafood dishes, as well as exquisite options for those meat lovers and even some mouth watering choices for vegetarians. "The reputation of a truly great seafood restaurant is based upon its shellfish quality and freshness," said Doug. Mystic Fish gains its outstanding reputation by offering exceptionally fresh ingredients that come from local providers at a price that is a great value. Doug leads by example in the important practices of maintaining successful customer service and serving fresh, local faire.
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Above: Mystic Fish’s very own “Bouillabaisse” which is their version of the French classic. Below: Raw, Cold Water, Artesian Oysters
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Panko-Crusted Hogfish "Our focus moving forward is sourcing better products and implementing more fresh vegetables and produce not commonly used in the area, with the direction of lighter and healthier options for seafood dishes," said Doug. One customer says, “This place serves the freshest of ingredients with a staff that is friendly, which makes you feel pretty special. Highly recommend the hogfish special; they prepare it like no other.” My Favorites! Start your dining experience with a cup of delicious lobster bisque, share a couple of small plates, order a fresh seafood entree and share a dessert. My personal small plate favorites are the Lobster "Escargot Style" and the "Crab Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms," they are both nothing short of perfection! For the main course, I suggest you try the "Panko Crusted Hogfish" served with soy beurre blanc and wakami salad, Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
which is their signature dish. If you have a larger party order the "Mystic Paella," which consists of chicken, shrimp, mussels, chorizo, saffron and orzo in the traditional Spanish-style (dish can also be prepared without chicken and chorizo) and last but not least the "Bronzed Chilean Sea Bass" lightly blackened served with a ginger-soyhijili sauce. If you're into bold flavors Doug suggests you try their "Bouillabaisse," which is their version of the French classic; stock made from fish heads, citrus and saffron. Leeks, carrots and tomatoes with fish, lobster, shrimp, scallops, clams, and mussels. If you are a meat lover, Mystic Fish has a wonderful choice of rib eye steak that is distributed from Halperns, which is a leader in sustainable agricultural practices. They also serve a delicious New York Strip and a juicy dijon-guiness demiglace Rack of Lamb! Each signature entree is served with salad, vegetable and your choice of potato or rice.
With small plates as low as $8 and wines by the bottle priced near $20, Mystic Fish is an affordable and relaxing place to enjoy yourself! It’s a great destination for a romantic evening, a fun night out with friends or to meet new people at the upscale bar. The full liquor bar at Mystic Fish offers high top table service and impeccable mixed drinks, all-American craft beers and a stellar wine menu that won’t break your bank. Mystic Fish has endless great reviews online, which you can check out on OpenTable, Yelp and Google. For the full menu, directions, and more information on Mystic Fish, go to www.3bestchefs.com. But don’t
just take my word for it, or the hundreds of other people who have given Mystic Fish excellent reviews, go try it! Reservations are highly recommended, please call 727771-1800. "From January to May we are typically are booked 3 days in advance, so reservations are encouraged," said Doug. So make sure to call and reserve your spot before you walk in! Mystic Fish is opens daily at 4:30 p.m. The bar and high top tables offer drink and small plate specials all night long. Happy hour is daily from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mystic Fish is located at 3253 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor.
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A Cancer Patient’s Guardian Angels – Women with Purpose By Tom Bostock The statistics from the American Cancer Society (cancer.org), are a staggering, eye-opening reality! It is estimated that, in 2018, there will be 1,735,350 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States, 135,170 in Florida alone. It also predicts an additional 609,640 deaths, 45,030 of which will occur right here in our own backyard, Florida. Cancer is an equal opportunity destroyer of lives and families. The costs associated with its treatment continue to escalate, despite the FDA’s approval of both new and generic prescription drugs. The headline on the HealthDay website, (consumerhealthday.com), reported about one cancer drug, typical of the continuing increase in the cost of these lifesaving, prescription medicines: “Soaring Prices Keep Leukemia Drugs from Patients, Experts Say $100,000-a-year meds seen as obstacle to treatment.” “Eleven of 12 cancer drugs
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approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2012 were priced above $100,000 a year,” the report noted. “And average monthly cancer drug prices have nearly doubled over the past decade – from $5,000 a month to more than $10,000 a month.” In a recent speech, (Medscape.com/viewarticle/89121# vp_1), FDA commissioner Gottlieb, M.D. decried cancer patients’ plight: "Rising copays and coinsurance are pushing far too many patients into a financial no-man's land where sometimes they must literally choose between exhausting their bank accounts or going without access to potentially effective treatments.” Award winning Los Angeles Times reporter Michael Hilzik questioned the FDA’s commitment to control costs with a quote from Dr. Greene of Johns Hopkins in the Journal of the American Medical Assn.: “Greene pegs his analysis to the run-up in prices of generic drugs whose manufacturers face little or no
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competition, and therefore almost no disincentive to keep prices reasonable.” Who can afford the $100,000-ayear or more in prohibitive cancer treatment costs and still pay everyday, non-medical expenses like mortgage, rent, gas, car and repairs, electricity, utilities and, most importantly, food? This is the quandary that many cancer patients face daily, but for those living primarily in the Pinellas county area, there is hope It is hope in the form of a wonderful, caring non-profit organization, Women with Purpose, started by founder, Jane Morse-Swett and her friends Millie Diaz, Patricia Schachtel, Bonnie Scholz, Dawn Lane and Barbara Austin. Each caring lady is still an integral part of this six-year-old organization. When huge charities only receive a two-star out of a possible four-star rating, (charitynavigator.org), in part, because of their huge overhead and fundraising costs, it is comforting to
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know that 95% of every donated dollar goes directly to the patients and their families through Women with Purpose. This is an entirely volunteer organization. There is minimal overhead because everyone, including the founder, Jane MorseSwett, willingly volunteers their time and energy. Jane defines the role of Women with Purpose as: “providing for the non-medical expenses for cancer patients.” These expenses can include
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a variety of products, from school supplies to toilet paper and many other needs not covered by food stamps and other government programs. Their latest partnership with Beach Community Food Pantry in Indian Rocks Beach will now make fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat available to the clients that they are serving. If you are wondering if it works, read what several recipients have to say about Women with Purpose. On their Facebook page, (facebook.com/WWPFL). (Names have been listed as initials to preserve client confidentiality). M.D. was especially grateful for their help: “Forget Mother Theresa, Jane Morse-Swett and her awesome members of Women with Purpose are true saints helping those that the big $$$ charities forget about because the photo op won't bring funds. These women give selflessly to support local cancer patients with financial support for non-medical needs, rent, car payments utility bills, food etc. …” “These wonderful women need a sponsor, a bank, a car dealer, a builder,
a business with heart and purpose that can help them do their great work. To support Jane and WWP is what it means to truly give back.” Another recipient, G.G., lent her voice to their Facebook review when she wrote, “Thank you so much for helping my family when we needed it the most. You are such an awesome asset to our community.” If you want your donation to help patients in need and not be diluted by excessive administrative and fund-raising costs, Women with Purpose should be the destination for your charity dollars. For more information, to receive help, or to donate to this worthy community cause, visit their website (womenwithpurposefl.org) or Facebook page (Facebook.com/WWPFL). Women with Purpose continues to prove every day that we are our “brother’s keeper.” M.M. said it best on their website: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
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