NEW TAMPA TAMPA BAY NEWS & LIFESTYLES Publisher / Assistant Editor Matt Selby Email: matt@nnlflorida.com
Creative Director Carla Dubis Email: carla@nnlflorida.com
Editor Carla Dubis
General Manager Jim O'Reilly
Graphic Design Tony Sica Carla Dubis
Advertising Sales Matt Selby Jim O'Reilly
Billing Managers Doreen Selby Tina O'Reilly
Quality Control Carol Selby
Office Mascots Marley, Ziggy, Zeus, Mr.Penelope (c) 2017 Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles. All Rights Reserved. New Tampa Lifestyles is published monthly and distributed by the U.S. Postal Service to over 22,000 Homes in New Tampa. Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is not responsible for errors in advertisements beyond the cost of advertising space. Nothing that appears in this publication may be reproduced in any way without consent of the publisher.
I want to start this editorial by thanking every single person that took some time to reach out to me and say a few words of encouragement in regards to my new role as Editor. Thank you! From the bottom of my heart, for your support and positive feedback. I also want to thank you for sending me your deepest condolences over the sudden and recent death of my father. Losing a loved one is never easy, but I am happy that my dad and I got to spend a lot of quality time together while he was here visiting. I find comfort in remembering all the good times him and I shared throughout my 31 years of life. Just remember to tell those you love how much you care and how much they mean to you on a daily basis. You never know what tomorrow may bring. Even though my college education was focused on Fine Arts and Web Design, there’s always been a special place in my heart for the written word. I realize I am not an expert writer, and I will sometimes forget a comma or two, but I want you to know that I am extremely passionate about writing and sharing my thoughts and feelings with you through my editorials and stories. I want to share with you some of the emails I received from our readers, because they brought a big smile to my face and my heart. “Carla, I just wanted to let you know I really enjoyed your article in the Tampa Bay News. Very heart warming.” - Anonymous reader “I was reading your Editorial column and I just wanted to share with you the same proud feelings about Tampa, such a wonderful city, with so much History that goes back to the time of the Spanish explorers. As a Venezuelan native I can relate to everything you were saying. Tampa, for
me, is a city full of surprises with open arms that has received and nestled a lot of talented people. Sincerely.” - Haydee Mora, Realtor. Keller Williams Realty, New Tampa. “Good morning, Carla! My wife and I received the latest copy of Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles at our home. What a wonderful article and great presentation. I don’t know why you chose our Foundation but I can tell you this is one of the nicest things a news organization has done for our children, teens, young adults and their families during my 30 years at ESF. I can’t thank you enough for spreading the word. We also enjoyed reading your article, “From the Editor.” You make the words on the page come alive. You have been blessed with a gift that lifts people up and enriches them. I hope that one day our paths will cross…whether at Southern Brewing or another event. So THANK YOU again for doing such a wonderful story on the persons we serve.” - Thomas Orth, Epilepsy Services Foundation Getting these type of emails make what I do so much more meaningful and all the hard work I put in seems worth it, so keep them coming! I hope you enjoy this issue of Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles, as always, it’s jampacked with amazing articles about local businesses and fantastic community events that you will not want to miss. Thanks for your continuous support and readership. Enjoy! Carla.
First in Property Management Putting the members of our community first!
First in Property Management is owned and operated by Michelle Pentifallo, a licensed Real Estate Broker. She’s local! She lives, works and enjoys spending time with her family and friends in our community. Her business is her reputation in the New Tampa/ Wesley chapel area, and the reputation of First in Property Management is one of professionalism and class. You won’t get a corporate feel to your experience because putting the members of this community first is what Michelle’s company is known for. Communication is key with a property management firm and communication you will receive! Michelle credits her success to her belief in God and the talents and gifts He’s given her. She is an excellent communicator, providing customer service with care, concern, compassion and empathy while protecting the needs of her owners and tenants. Of special note is the referral business Michelle receives from owners with
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By Matt Selby
multiple properties. They refer their family and friends to local realtors referring their property management business; including Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, Prudential Tropical, Exit Realty and Remax. Nancy Cross says, “As a fellow Realtor, I rely on Michelle Pentifallo and First In Property Management to help my clients whenever they need property management services. My business model focuses solely on sales, so having someone I can rely upon to provide excellent service to my clients is critical. Thank you, Michelle! It is my absolute pleasure to do business with you!” This year marks the 10th anniversary of First In Property Management! The company started at 28 units in a small office in Hunters Green and grew to 100 units in the first year! After her partner retired Michelle earned her Broker’s license in 2009 and, as the sole broker, is currently managing over 200 properties in a beautiful facility with a full staff. First in Property Management is now a DBA of First In Real Estate Services, Inc.
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First In Property Management handles after move-in property management and finances so you don’t have to. We collect rent for you and advise of late rent notices. We also handle lease renewals and re-markets. Maintenance, Repairs, or Emergencies
First In Property Management coordinates emergency repairs and maintenance with licensed and insured vendors. Tenants will have online access to submit any needed work orders. Reviews and Testimonials:
“We came into this business at a time where so many of our neighbors became “accidental landlords.” Our relationship with this community has been one of helpfulness. There was a need for our service considering many of our clients had never rented their home before and needed direction. We were able to help them find the right tenants for the right price and they were able to keep their homes instead of losing them when the economy collapsed. We helped them and they helped our business grow in return. I know God put me on this path for a reason and I feel so good about what we’ve been able to do for this community and as a company over the past 10 years,” says Michelle. Services: Property Listings
First In Property Management displays our available properties on leading property listings to help you find or sell your property. We can even provide yard signage if your looking to sell your property. Tenant Screenings
First In Property Management performs background checks for tenant applicants including searching any criminal records, credit history, and past evictions. Renting or Leasing
“Michelle’s professionalism and confidence helped me in the decision to rent my property. Nervous as I was, she and her team handled anything that came up. And when it was time to sell that property, Michelle and her team exceeded expectations again. We are forever grateful.” – Kelly Mccarthy “Michelle has been awesome to work with. Being my first time as a “landlord” she has helped me overcome hurdles, has provided me access to her vendors, which provide prices not otherwise available to me, and most importantly she found a tenant before my home was even ready to list! She and her staff have been great and I highly recommend them!” – Farhaad Golkar I personally have a condo here in Tampa and after years of renting out my properties on my own, I’ve decided that when it’s time to buy a new home and rent this condo out, Michelle will be my first call. I’ve known Michelle through my BNI group in New Tampa for some time now and I can honestly say I have nothing but confidence in her and her services. From everything I’ve heard and seen for myself, First in Property Management will take the headache out of being a landlord! Michelle is also a member of the local Wesley Chapel Chamber and on the Leadership team for BNI Business Leaders in New Tampa along with the youth leader at Brach of Christ church for Ignite. You can contact Michelle at michelle@firstinpm.com (813) 345-8559 Located in: The Grove at Wesley Chapel Address: 6013 Wesley Chapel Blvd, Suite 102C, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
First In Property Management handles lease agreements with both the owners and applicants, advises of rental procedures, and delivers property keys to the approved applicant. After Move-In Property Management & Finances For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit nnlflorida.com
SEPTEMBER 2017 5
Fall means... King Mackerel
By Capt. Matt Selby
September is still a very hot month in our area of Florida but with that being said, the water temperatures start to come down slightly and that means King Mackerel will be flooding our waters anytime. By the end of the month, the King and Spanish Mackerel, will show up in large numbers as they make their migration through our area well into November. Fall is my favorite time of year to troll the reefs and hard bottom off Clearwater, and the King Mackerel is exactly why. In my opinion, the King Mackerel is the most underrated gamefish in our waters. Some people don’t bother with them because of their, well, I hate to say the word but again, underrated table fare value. I’ll admit, if you try to fry a kingfish fillet, you likely won’t be impressed. However, a bacon wrapped, smoked kingfish nugget is probably my favorite fish dish next to the panko crusted Wahoo bites I make. Most caught fish are what we call “snakes,” between 2 and 8 pounds, but the “Smokers” of 30 to 40, sometimes into the 60 pound range, are what keep us coming back for more, year after year! There’s nothing like the sound of the reel screaming as the fish takes runs as long as 200 yards! I’ve often joked about how I could
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set that as my alarm clock and I’d wake up pumped and ready to take on the day! They have been known to make an initial run so hard and fast that the bearings get burned out and sometimes the angler will notice smoke coming off the reel, hence the nickname “smoker.” I have fished the local Kingfish tournament called “King Of The Beach” for the past few years and while I’ve never won it, I’ve caught a number of fish that would easily place top 20 out of the 500 boats on tournament day, and of course my personal best; 46 pounder (would have won it!) was caught just 15 hours before tournament time! I’m getting chills just thinking about the November tournament. I feel like this year will be my year!
Where and How To Catch Kings are found anywhere between 10 feet all the way out to 100 feet or more here off Tampa Bay. I know what you’re thinking, “Thanks Matt, that really clears things up.” The truth is, find the migrating baitfish and the predators will follow. I love searching the beaches for giants. The biggest kingfish are usually found in 2 places. The first place is the Florida middle Grounds and the second place is just off the beach where the sandbar drops off or hard bottom begins. The big girls off the beach are referred to as “Beachcombers,” and if you’ve ever noticed a restaurant on Clearwater beach with that name, now you know why. The females, along with many species of fish, are much larger than the males. A typical Male Kingfish is rarely above 10 pounds but the females have been recorded as big as 80! My favorite method for catching the big Kingfish is a method called live bait slow trolling. This tactic is where the angler either drifts with the current or idles at the slowest speed possible. I usually set back a 4 rod spread with 2 baits low and 2 baits presented at the surface. You can’t forget the wire leader because many Kings are lost to cut lines. Sometimes if I’m trolling fast enough and decide against slow trolling, I’ll use 80 pound Fluorocarbon leader and hope they bite near the hook and not the line but it’s always a gamble. My second favorite tactic is one anyone can do, even from a kayak! This is easy, chum like crazy and throw out live bait on a float or a balloon and wait for the reel to start screaming! I’ve caught a number of 30+ pound fish this way, and you can too! If you want to catch the biggest Kingfish of your life, book with me for the month of October. I still have some days available! Capt-Matt Selby captainselby1507@gmail.com For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit nnlflorida.com
SEPTEMBER 2017 7
2. To promote Awareness and Appreciation in the general public / Tampa Bay community of school teachers and the tremendous contributions teachers make to our local children and families. 3. To help build Esprit de Corps and Pride even more for our local teachers as a group internally. To help achieve the goal of teacher appreciation, especially goals #2 and 3, all applicants for the dream wedding will be requested “Teachers ROCK” is a $20,000 Dream Wedding Gift of to submit a video to include: A. What they love about being a Appreciation for All Schools and Teachers in Hillsborough, Pinellas teacher and B. What are some of their most special or proudest and Pasco counties. moments of being a teacher. The farm will then produce a short video of highlighted clips to be used to promote Teachers ROCK This Dream Wedding Gift is open to all public and private school public participation and to establish the most important human connection to the people who serve as teachers in our community. teachers in all grades Pre-K through 12th grade. Teachers make such a huge difference in the lives of children and families in our Tampa Bay community, we thought a great way for Old McMicky’s Farm and the community to show our appreciation was to help a teacher start a family of their own with this $20,000 Dream Wedding Gift. The “Teachers ROCK” appreciation gift has three primary goals. 1. To provide a great gift of a Dream Wedding to a deserving teacher.
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The Gift The Teachers ROCK appreciation gift will provide one teacher residing and teaching in Hillsborough, Pinellas or Pasco counties the wedding of their dreams at the beautiful, lakeside venue at The Barn at Crescent Lake at Old McMicky’s Farm. Their big day will host up to 100 of the winning couple’s family and friends for a beautiful wedding ceremony and reception. This
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amazing wedding will include everything a couple dreams of on their wedding day – and more! All services are donated by the farm and our generous vendor partners. There is no cost to the schools or teachers. How Teachers ROCK Works There is an Application period, a Voting period, the Winner Announcement and then the Wedding. The farm will select approximately 6 – 8 of the applications as finalists, and then the winning teacher will be selected by the general public (fellow teachers, students and their families, and the general public) via voting. Providing there are applications from each county, the farm’s goal will be to select finalists representing teachers in each of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties to reflect our Tampa Bay community. Application Period: Sept. 25 - Oct. 16, 2017 Voting Period: Oct. 30 - Nov 20, 2017 Announcement: Dec 5, 2017 On or About The Wedding: May 12, 2018 During National Teacher Appreciation Month To apply and for more information please visit: https://oldmcmickys.com/teachers-rock-application-page/
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SEPTEMBER 2017 9
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
NEW TAMPA Bucklers Craft Fairs
Life Amplified AWAKENINGS
Bucklers Craft Fairs-Tampa is a 2 day event. This event showcases products like designers, craftsmen, artist and professionals related to the art and craft industry will be participated from all over the world etc. in the Gifts & Handicrafts industry.
Join us for Life Amplified AWAKENINGS, our 5th year anniversary, and two hours of variety acts to benefit Redefining Refuge and their rescue of trafficked women and children.
Date(s): September 16, 2017 - September 17, 2017 Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Admission: $6, kids 12 & under free, hand stamp good for both days
Date(s): September 16, 2017 Hours: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Admission: $10 Location: 4333 Gunn Highway. Tampa , FL 33618
of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters—love. Date(s): September 19, 2017 - September 21, 2017 Hours: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM Location: 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place Carol Morsani Hall Tampa, FL 33602
Location: 4800 US Hwy 301 N Tampa, FL 33610 http://bucklershows.com/craft-fair
FAMU Tampa Classic Florida A&M vs Tennessee State More Information Date(s): September 16, 2017 Hours: 6:00 PM Location: http://raymondjamesstadium.com/famu-tampaclassic/
The 2017 Country Megaticket Presented by Hooters: Brad Paisley The 2017 Country Megaticket presented by Hooters will be held at the Mid Florida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa. Brad Paisley with special guests Dustin Lynch, Chase Bryant, and Lindsay Ell will be preforming on September 16, 2017. For more information or to purchases tickets, visit http://www. megaticket.com.
REACH OUT SPEAK OUT TO HOLD 2ND ANNUAL PURPLE PASSION SILENT AUCTION/WINE/CHEESE TASTING Tampa, FL...Reach Out Speak Out will be holding its 2nd annual Purple Passion silent auction event. This event is to help domestic violence victims and their family that are in a faith based community. When: Sunday, October 1, 2017 Time: 11 AM - 4 PM Where: New Identitites Hair Studio (New Tampa) 15307 Amberly Drive, Tampa 33647 What: Food and drink stations, exibitors that will be selling products and the profits will go to ROSO.
Date(s): September 16, 2017 Hours: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: 4802 US Hwy 301 N. Tampa, FL 33610
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Chicago Bears Come support the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this September 17th as they face the Chicago Bears. Date(s): September 17, 2017 Hours: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Location: 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy Tampa, FL 33607
*Both non-alcoholic & traditional wines & beverages will be served. Silent auction will end at 3:00pm and will include: Authentic Sports Items, Restaurant Gift cards, Activitites, Entertainment, Themed Baskets, Services, Get-Aways, 50/50 raffle and so much more. For more information contact Jan Porter, Chair at 813.695.9495 or ReachOutSpeakOutDV@gmail.com
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RENT - 20th Anniversary Tour A re-imagining of Puccini’s La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face
Howl-O-Scream For 19 select nights, the scares are everywhere at Howl-O-Scream® 2017. Designed to terrify, Busch Gardens’ haunted houses will return with a vengeance, but the scares don’t stop there. Unspeakable frights live around every dark corner and even Busch Gardens’ pulse-pounding thrill rides are overrun with creatures riding alongside brave, thrill-seeking guests. Howl-O-Scream is bringing fear to the next level and once you’re in, you’re all in. Date(s): Hours: 7:30 PM - 1:00 AM Location: 10165 N McKinley Dr Tampa, FL 33612
Tampa Baseball Museum presents Homeruns & History The Tampa Baseball Museum at the Al Lopez House will present a family-friendly celebration of Tampa Bay’s rich baseball history on Saturday, September 23, 10 am-2 pm at Centennial Park in Ybor City. The event includes MLB alumni, games, and a hotdog eating contest with prizes. A special outdoor exhibit on some of Tampa’s iconic players will be featured. Baseball-inspired fun, food, and the comradery of fans from near and far are on deck for Homeruns & History as we round the bases toward the opening of the Tampa Baseball Museum. Date(s): September 23, 2017 Hours: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Admission: FREE
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person you are calling for the Epilepsy Services Foundation. We’ll take care of the rest. We will pick up your vehicle, arrange to have your donation towed and provide you with a tax-deductible receipt, all at no charge to you.
Location: 1800 E 8th Ave Tampa, FL 33605
For additional information, contact the Epilepsy Services Foundation at 813374-8907 or torth@epilepsysf.org
Final 2017 Epilepsy Family Retreat Weekend at Camp Boggy Creek Zac Brown Band: Welcome Home Tour The theme of reflection is echoed throughout the 10-track album. Songs range from the first single, “My Old Man,” which paints a poignant picture of the ever-changing relationship between fathers and sons to “2 Places at 1 Time,” about juggling the conflict between life on the road and the comforts of home, and “Roots,” which honors the band’s journey from their humble beginnings. In addition, the band continues their tradition of recording a cover song they all admire, this time with John Prine’s “All The Best.” Date(s): September 24, 2017 Hours: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: 4802 US Hwy 301 North Tampa, FL 33610
11th Annual Crack Up Cancer Comedy Show
Tampa Bay’s Tailgate Taste Fest This is the ultimate place to be during this year’s football season. A family friendly event, Tailgate Taste Fest’s robust schedule includes entertainment for the casual eventgoer, and the ultimate football fan alike. Entertainment consists of a food competition with local restaurants serving up the best tailgate foods Tampa has to offer, live music from talented local bands, competition in the form of corn-hole games and, of course, live action from the day’s most exciting college football games on large LED video screens.
Join us at Camp Boggy Creek for the final retreat weekend of the year. It’s a time when families are invited to experience camp together, participating in a variety of activities and taking advantage of the camp amenities. This weekend takes place just before Halloween. So get ready for Halloween festivities like trick-ortreating, Halloween costumes and much more. Date: October 27-29, 2017 Place: Eustis, FL. Application: go to www. campboggycreek.org Don’t wait to sign up or you will miss a great opportunity. Cost: Free –This weekend is partially
funded by the Epilepsy Services Foundation.
Grace’s Hope Hospital Visitation Program Did you know ESF has a Grace’s Hope Hospital Visitation Program at St. Joseph Children’s Hospital in Tampa, FL.? Volunteer parents or persons with epilepsy (18 and over) meet with and support families of children newly diagnosed with epilepsy or returning families who have had no previous contact with the volunteers. For more information: http://epilepsysf. org/graces-hope-hospital-visitationprogram/ or if you would like to become a volunteer, contact 813-3748907 or torth@epilepsysf.org
Date(s): September 30, 2017 Hours: 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM Location: 600 N Ashley Dr Tampa, FL Tampa http://tailgatetastefest.com
Crack up Cancer annually features some of the areas best comics, and 2017 is no exception. The lineup this year includes Danny Bevins, Al Romas, John Consoli, Mike McCarthy, Helen Keaney and Kevin Rogers. The show has two price tiers making it accessible to one and all. Regular priced tickets are $25 each and VIP tickets are $75 and come with a pre-show reception with served appetizers, “meet the comics” area, and preferential seating in the auditorium for the show. Crack up Cancer benefits local and all volunteer 501(c)3 Cure on Wheels who grants monies donated to targeted programs in local cancer organizations, supporting patients and families. Cure on Wheels, Inc. is a St. Petersburgbased not for profit and is an all volunteer organization with little to no overhead, therefore nearly 100% of all monies raised go directly to local cancer patients and families annually. Date(s): September 30, 2017 Hours: 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Admission: Reg $15, VIP $75 Location: Ferguson Hall 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place Tampa, FL 33602
Vehicles for Charity & Amazon Smile Do you wonder what to do with your used car, truck, RV, boat or motorcycle? Donating your old vehicle to the Epilepsy Services Foundation is convenient, easy and may qualify for a tax deduction. And best of all, your donation of a used vehicle will make a big difference in supporting our Foundation! Why not donate your vehicle today? All you need to do is to complete our simple online form at http://www. vehiclesforcharity.org/Donate/ESF. html or call 1-866-628-2277 and tell the
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SEPTEMBER 2017 11
Have a claim? Call Shawn and get the money you deserve! By Matt Selby
Shawn Thompson works for you, not the insurance company! Don’t trust that an insurance adjuster has your best interest at heart, they don’t! They will almost always low ball your claim amount and sadly, many times look over things that need to be done to get your home or automobile back to it’s original condition before the devastation.
for structure damages and moving fees; $45,813.04 for damaged equipment and $7,691.58 for loss of income due to time they were closed and revenue lost due to damaged equipment,” said Shawn. Then I asked him about an auto related claim and again, I was amazed at the difference Equitable Public adjusters made.
Equitable public adjusters handle auto, residential and commercial claims so no matter what untimely event strikes, they will be there for you when you need them.
Shawn explained, “We handled a claim recently for an auto dealership that actually had a vehicle crash into it. The settlement before our involvement was $10,401.32 and we settled the file for a total of $42,757.93!”
I asked Shawn about a recent claim he helped with where the insurance company paid a fraction of what was needed and he absolutely floored me with his response.
“This one is not commercial, but a good example for the
“A recent claim I handled for a Chiropractor in St. Pete is a good example of how we can help on commercial claims that were handled poorly by the Insurance adjuster. Prior to our involvement the insured was paid only $3,075.38 for damage done to the structure of the office. After our involvement we were able to recover an additional $75,104.21 which was broken down into the follow coverages: $1,599.59 for dry out services; $20,000 additional
Water damage claims are extremely common. Most people that file a water damage insurance claim expect full coverage. The reality is many water damage insurance claims should be paid by insurance companies, but instead are unjustly and incorrectly underpaid or denied. Let Shawn assist you with your water damage claim and get the most out of your settlement.
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typical homeowner. A toilet flange broke in the upstairs bathroom and leaked sewage into the ceiling and walls of the bathroom beneath it. Before our involvement the insured was offered $700 to repair some drywall and paint. After our involvement the settlement offer was increased to $16,558.31 to include mold remediation and replacement of both bathrooms.�
the time. One of those things shouldn’t be the insurance company skimping you on your coverage claim. Make sure to call Shawn directly at 352.502.5928, and get the money you deserve! Log on to www.equitablepublicadjusters.com for more information or see his ad below to get his contact information,
Unfortunately bad things happen to good people all
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SEPTEMBER 2017 13
“Christina was amazing and set up our trip to Hawaii. I wasn’t even thinking of going, but when I saw the deal she posted in her Facebook travel page (Christina’s Travel Deals and Promos) and the savings... I was hook, line and sinker and off to the Islands we went. It was absolutely beautiful and I can’t wait to book my next trip with Christina.” L. Michelle Pentifallo First in Real Estate Services, Inc. Owner/Broker
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SEPTEMBER 2017 15
We Love Logos - Place your logo on anything! By Carla Dubis
Promotional products are proven to be one of the most effective media available to advertisers. They’re tangible, useful and highly targeted to the audience they reach, delivering the highest rate of recall and return on investment. Mobile, highly-targeted and inexpensive, promotional products are the only advertising medium capable of engaging all give senses. Adding your logo and your message to a tangible product turns an ordinary message into a marketing experience people can see, touch, hear, smell and even taste. Basically, promotional products leave an unmatched lasting impression even in this high-tech era. We Love Logos Owner, Tom Finley, is as passionate about promotional products and serving the Tampa Bay community as he is about his Irish heritage, That is why, in case you were wondering, their logo showcases four green leaf clovers on its design. Tom has been a single parent since 2009, and has a wonderful son named Danny who is a Senior at Freedom High School. Tom’s other passion is Ice Hockey – he has played in leagues at The Ice Sports Forum in Brandon since he moved here 19 years ago. His son Danny also enjoys the sport and plays Ice Hockey for Freedom High School. Tom grew up in Pittsburgh, and has a background in business and marketing. He worked for Johnson and Johnson for over 16 years
and moved to 6 different cities, he has been in Tampa since 1998 and loves Florida! Tom was looking to stay in Tampa and wanted to stay in the consumer product business. After considering his options he decided to open his own promotional product business; “We Love Logos.” The company has been owned and operated by Tom for about 11 years now, and about 4 years ago Jackie Sayles joined the business. Tom and Jackie service the entire Tampa Bay area and beyond; they offer their services to local businesses and individuals across the entire state of Florida and pretty much any place where promotional products can be shipped to in the U.S.! “We both enjoy watching small businesses grow, and knowing we were part of that growth. It feels great knowing that we are serving the Tampa Bay community and helping local businesses expand,” says Jackie. “Assisting the community is truly what it’s all about.” We Love Logos is proud to work closely with multiple Charity Organizations. Tom and Jackie’s philosophy is “give back to your community.” Whether you are looking for a specific promotional item or you are simply browsing for ideas, We Love Logos is your ideal one-stop shopping source. From fun items to the traditional, you can easily search for some of the hottest items on the market today from the comfort of your home at www.welovelogos.com, 24 hours a day - 7 days a week. Quickly and easily search We Love Logos impressive online database of products for items to: • • • • • •
Promote your company Increase brand recognition Improve traffic at trade shows Motivate Staff Thank a customer Increase safety awareness
We Love Logos Places Your Logo on Anything! We Love Logos Owner, Tom Finley.
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Imagine your message being delivered by a soft, comfortable and beautiful branded t-shirt, a super high quality pen or even a funny
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coffee mug… We Love Logos will help you create a totally personalized experience people will love with a product they can actually use. Some of the most popular promotional items these days are custom caps and hats, thumb drives, Tumblers (Yeti like), stress balls, tote bags, company apparel and anything green or American made. When you go to a watch a professional sport, how many hands go up when the t-shirt cannon comes out? Nearly everyone in the stadium or arena, right? If you’re a business owner consider giving away free t-shirts at your next trade show, and watch how many people will come running to your booth. We Love Logos has an extensive selection of apparel for men and women, available in different fabrics and almost any color. During my visit to the We Love Logos office I got to see their selection of apparel and ordered two beautiful polo shirts with the Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles logo embroidered on them. I cannot wait to see them wear them out! Not only makes it easy deciding what I want to wear to the office or during a meeting with other business owners, but it will also create and enhance our brand awareness when any of our readers see me out and about. William Sullivan, a local Tampa Bay Realtor, rated We Love Logos 5 stars and had this to say about his experience; “Tom and Jackie are outstanding. We used them for various promotional items. We were having an open house, foolishly, we waited until the last moment to order items for the event. Jackie not only had our order expedited and ready on time, she went above and beyond purchasing items and getting branded stickers for our goodie bags. If you need to logo or get promotional items you need to call jackie or Tom, it’s amazing the crazy amount of items and products they have, from pens, custom logo shirts and hats they even umbrellas!” Steve Hopper, motivational speaker, author and peak performance expert says; “We love logos is the company I use for all of my promotional products… As a professional speaker and author - my brand and the quality of the promo materials I put out are extremely important. Thanks to Tom and Jackie, I know my company is being represented well in the marketplace!”
Jackie shared with me that they are one of the very few companies that sends you free samples of any product you are considering to purchase, so you have a better idea of the quality of the product. “We like to offer our customers free samples of the promotional products they are considering buying, so they know the quality of the product they are interested in,” says Jackie. Imagine not having to wait until you receive your order to find out if the 1000 promotional pens you ordered write smoothly and look the way you wanted, but getting one and deciding if that’s the best option for you before your big purchase. Very convenient I’d say!
Jackie Sayles
I invite you to spend some time browsing through their website to get ideas on what you would want to order for your own business or next big event. When you find what you are looking for, just give Tom or Jackie a call at 813.391.6163 to discuss your needs in greater detail, or use the online shopping cart to submit your order - their secure check out makes it safe, easy and convenient. Think about this dynamic duo of professionals as your own personalized marketing consultants. Tom and Jackie will happily answer any of your questions regarding any promotional item and even give you the best advice on which products would be best to suit your specific needs.
Tony Leary, also rated We Love Logos 5 stars and said; “I wasn’t quite sure what style shirt I wanted for my company, there were SO many options. Jackie was patient and informative and gave me samples to review and ultimately I just let her decide for me :) I ended up with a great polo, with our logo on it, and it looked awesome. I’ll definitely trust her to execute all my branded promotional materials!”
For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit nnlflorida.com
SEPTEMBER 2017 17
Garage Guru What’s going on with my car? Brought to you by Christian Brothers Automotive, New Tampa and Wesley Chapel
Florida is not an A/C optional state for your car! Dear Garage Guru, “The cold air that was coming out my vents is now hot! We moved down from northernVirginia a few months ago and OMG my daughter and I were dripping in sweat and that’s not the worst of it. My eyeliner streaked so bad I couldn’t go in the grocery store and had to duck down and hide from my neighbors while pulling fast into the garage. Is it really this hot all the time here? A/C is not an option! Can I just get a can of the refrigerator fluid from the car parts store and put it in? Will that fix my air conditioner?”
figure out what’s really wrong with your A/C. If the problem is just a leak, after your tech finishes his check out he will quite often give the car back with the cold air working again and tell you to return when it starts to blow warm air. This could be a week later, a month, or even a year if it is a small leak. He will have put tracer dye in the system so that when it leaks out again, he can track back the source of the leak and determine exactly what it takes to fix it. What sounds better? Pay $50.00 for a can of refrigerant, get under the hood, find the connection valves, figure out how to connect it, and hope you get cold air. Or, pay $60 to $70 to have a pro find out what it takes to fix it and send you back out on the road cool, calm and with perfect eyeliner? We are eager to hear about your car concerns. Is your car acting up or have you wondered about how some part of your car works? Drop us a note at Marty.labarbera@cbauto.net, and we will offer our honest opinion. Christian Brothers Automotive, where we care for your family by caring for your family car.
Welcome to Summer in Florida! Sure, no Sweat (I know that’s a bad pun). That can of refrigerant with the small gauge that the car parts store sells for about $50.00 might get your A/C blowing cold again --- if the only problem is that your refrigerant chemical leaked out. But, a car’s A/C system is complex and includes a lot of moving parts that all have to be working together correctly. There is a compressor, condenser, evaporator, accumulator/dryer, expansion valve/orifice tube, hi and low pressure hoses, cooling fan, blower fan, blend doors, and a control head. If any one of these parts is malfunctioning then the A/C won’t be cold and your $50.00 investment in a can of refrigerant is wasted. So, let me suggest an option. In about one hour and for $55.00 give or take, plus another $5.00 to $10.00 in chemicals, your trusted garage will test your entire A/C system, check all the mechanical components, measure the amount of refrigerant in your system, look for leaks, and
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For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit nnlflorida.com
For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit nnlflorida.com
SEPTEMBER 2017 19
Know the Dangers of Unsafe Infant Sleep Dozens of Tampa Bay infants have died from sleep-related causes; learn and share ways to prevent this 100 percent preventable tragedy
By Kelley Parris
Executive Director, The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County
In the Tampa Bay area alone, nearly 140 infants died of • Practice the ABCs of safe sleep. The safest way for infants to preventable sleep-related causes over the last five years (2012- sleep is Alone on their Backs in a Crib. This minimizes the risk 2016). Each of these deaths was preventable. of the infant suffocating, especially if they have not yet developed neck muscle strength. Co-sleeping, which means having babies sleep in the same bed as parents, siblings or caregivers, is often the cause of sleep-related • Follow crib setup recommendations. A crib mattress should infant death. In fact, more infants die in adult beds than anywhere be firm and fit snugly inside the crib’s frame, and sheets should else, and infants are 40 times more likely to die in an adult bed fit tightly around the mattress. The sleeping area should free of than in their own crib. blankets, pillows, bumper pads, stuffed animals, sleep positioners and toys for children under six months. When co-sleeping, a baby may suffocate if an adult unintentionally rolls on top of them or if the baby is positioned against a pillow or • Prepare for when your child will not be sleeping at home. If a under a blanket. Infants can’t roll away or move their heads because child sleeps at someone else’s home, such as with grandparents they lack the muscle strength to move their head if something or other caretakers, make sure they have the proper sleeping is blocking their airway. Pillow-top mattresses, comforters, fluffy arrangements by using a crib or pack-n-play with a fitted sheet. pillows, blankets, sleep positioners and stuffed animals are a danger Infants should never be placed on a blow up mattress, recliner or to infants in adult beds, as well as in cribs. couch, even if it is temporary. Take a few moments to learn the measures you can take today • Learn from the past. As more information becomes available, to prevent more sleep-related infants deaths from occurring in parents and caregivers must let go of some practices in order to our community: provide children with the safest environment possible for sleeping. We changed our habits about car seats and lead paint; it’s time to • Bring the crib into the parent or caregiver’s room. Sharing a change our habits on co-sleeping. room with a child has almost all of the same benefits of sharing a bed, but without the risks. It’s recommended to bring the baby’s Even one preventable child death is too many. Learn crib, or a smaller bassinet, into the parents’ room for the first year more about how you can help keep children in our of the baby’s life. community safe at www.preventneedlessdeaths.com.
20 SEPTEMBER 2017
For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit nnlflorida.com
For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit nnlflorida.com
SEPTEMBER 2017 21
Friendly Neighborhood Referral By Matt Selby Many of our readers know, that in our Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles business features, we make sure to give a testimonial of our personal experience with the business we are talking about.
Our business features are meant to serve as a way for these business owners to tell their story and reach the members of this community, as well as give us the opportunity to refer their services to you, our readers. Porter Home Care Services will be getting their feature article in our October edition, but I wanted to take this opportunity to refer them to you right now! My wife Carla and I, have been through a lot in the past few months. Between her Father’s unexpected passing only 4 months ago while he was visiting us from Venezuela, dealing with funeral arrangements, helping her widowed mother get situated here, and planning our September 16th wedding through the possible hurricane Irma evacuation, all while juggling our 7 magazine deadlines was very stressful. Needless to say, we haven’t
22 SEPTEMBER 2017
“Porter Home Care Services”
had much time to do housework. Luckily, Milagro “Milly” Porter is in my Wednesday morning BNI networking group, and after hearing a few of our members rave about her services, and knowing Carla and I were completely overwhelmed, I decided to give her a call right away. I’ll be honest; our condo is modest and roughly 1,000 square feet, but it can get out of order rather quickly since there’s not much space, and on top of it all, we have a cat... and the litter box, if left unattended for even a single day, can stink up our entire place! I booked with Milly on a Monday and she was able to fit me in her schedule by Wednesday! When Carla and I came home that evening after a long day at the office we walked through the front door brimming with excitement because we knew our condo was going to look great! The first thing we noticed was the house literally smelled clean! Everything was immaculate and tidy as well. Our place looked like a show home. Even all of our hair products and my collection of colognes on my
bathroom counter were organized. The kitchen looked spotless and our floors shined! We are very happy with Porter Home Care and will continue to use them for a long time to come! They are currently offering $20.00
OFF your first cleaning so take advantage of this great deal.
Please log on to: www.portercompanioncare.com or call Milly directly at 813-407-3971
For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit nnlflorida.com
For Advertising Info 813-928-6124 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit nnlflorida.com
SEPTEMBER 2017 23