Vol. 5, Issue 5, May 2019
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Your community. Your magazine. ™
NEW TAMPA’S FAVORITE MONTHLY DIRECT-MAIL MAGAZINE
Avoid the summer slump: Infinite Edge helps students prepare now for next year As school winds down, kids are often glad to leave school behind them. But if they embrace the “lazy days of summer,” they may find it difficult to start next school year off on the right foot. That’s why Infinite Edge Learning Center in Tampa Palms offers summer enrichment programs for students in elementary, middle and high school, and even some college classes.
Whether a student is already ahead and wants to keep academics sharp, if he or she wants to get a jump on next year’s subjects, or even if a student didn’t completely master last year’s subjects, Infinite Edge offers a customized program for every learner.
Infinite Edge Story Continued on Page 6
You’ve Got A Friend at Equitable Public Adjusters and Auto Appraisers By Tom Bostock This is your worst nightmare come true. A pipe bursts under your house while you are sleeping, and every room becomes flooded. The bottoms of the cabinets in your newly remodeled kitchen are soaking up water like a wet sponge. Your rugs and drywall are becoming saturated and your house is no longer livable. What do you do now? If you live in the Tampa Bay or Central Florida areas, help is as close as calling, 352502-5928 and speaking to Shawn Thompson of Equitable Public Adjusters & Auto Appraisers, its Tampa Area Claims Manager. Shawn is a licensed public adjuster who has been helping both home and business owners with their insurance claims since 2013.
See “Equitable Public Adjusters” on page 18
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor.........................5 Patio Pools Celebrates 40 Years in Tampa Bay...................8-9 Garage Guru..............................10 Tech Talk With Bob.............12-13 TB Lightning - The Season That Got Away...Again.....................14
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MAY 2019 3
4 MAY 2019
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Happy Mother’s Day, May The 4th be with you! May is full of holidays, proclamations, awareness events, and tacos, yes… tacos! Let’s start with Memorial Day. Formally known as Decoration Day, this is a Federal holiday observed yearly on the last Monday of May. This year, Memorial Day falls on May 27th, 2019, and it is a day to commemorate all men and women who have died while serving in the military for the United States of America. Many amazing troop supporters, and local business owners will be offering Memorial Day specials, one-of-a-kind offers, and fantastic discounts on merchandise, products, and services. Make sure to carefully browse this issue of Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles, so you can take advantage of those great deals and save big this upcoming Memorial Day. Apart from Memorial day, the month of May houses a few other special days as well. The 2nd Sunday of May we celebrate International Mother’s Day. I would like to personally wish my mother, Berardina Tedeschi, a very Happy Mother’s Day. I couldn’t have asked for a better role model. I love you! To all mother’s, grandmothers, great grandmothers, and foster moms, I wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day! Remember, successful mothers are not the ones that never struggle or get frustrated; they are the ones that never give up, despite the struggles and continue loving unconditionally. Star Wars fans? May the 4th be with you! Star Wars Day, May 4, celebrates George Lucas’ Star Wars. Fans of the media franchise observe it by re-watching the Star Wars movies, wearing costumes, sharing movie quotes and posting funny memes on social media. The date was chosen for the pun on the catchphrase “May The Force Be With You” as “May The Fourth Be With You.” Also in May, many U.S citizens look forward to “Cinco de Mayo,” which is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. You wouldn’t guess it, but Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, but in the United States has evolved into a huge commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage, and the Holiday its frequently confused
with “Mexico’s Independence Day,” which takes place on September 16th. Lastly, I want to bring your attention to something of importance that also takes place during the month of May; Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Many states and counties have taken steps to raise awareness regarding Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Declaring May “Lyme Awareness Month,” is one move to help remind people spring is here, ticks are out, prevention and proper education are your best tools to staying healthy. With the spread of the disease to all 50 states, Lyme awareness, education, and early intervention are critical. Even though Lyme disease may not be too common here in Florida, you can still get infected. Take it from someone who is currently battling this debilitating and life-altering condition. I spent several years not knowing what was wrong with me, not understanding why I was feeling so sick and tired all of the time, until I was properly diagnosed by an infectious disease doctor about five months ago. Please be prepared and learn the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. If you have symptoms such as; high fevers, chills, body aches, weight gain/loss, TMJ, headaches/migraines, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly on the knees and other large joints, heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, and problems with short-term memory amongst others, please contact your primary physician. Ask him or her, to advise you and refer you to a Lyme Disease specialist near you. Fighting Lyme has been an uphill battle, but with the proper treatment, I am finally feeling like myself again. It’s been tough to open up to everyone about this, but if I can help raise awareness with my own story, then so be it. If your health fails, it can overshadow everything else that’s going on in your life. Take care of yourself, eat a healthy diet, make sleep a priority, find a fitness habit that works for you and don’t get too stressed out. Stress can wreak havoc on your body. Until next time! Carla Selby.
“Avoid The Summer Slump : Infinite Edge - Continued from page 1” “For example, a solid foundation in math is essential,” says Ozra Jabbari, owner of Infinite Edge Learning Center. “If your child passed algebra or geometry with a C or an incomplete understanding of the concepts, they probably need some extra help. Algebra will be used again and again in the future, especially on the SAT and ACT, in college algebra and calculus, even college graduate exams such as the GRE and GMAT.” Students start their program at Infinite Edge with a comprehensive assessment that helps the learning center staff to determine exactly what they need. Then the staff develops an individual program to ensure each student has exactly the right tools to reach the highest possible academic success. “Kids usually have some extra down time in the summer,” says Ozra. “It’s the perfect time to bring them to Infinite Edge to sharpen their skills in academic subjects.” Summer camps will be offered for students entering kindergarten through fifth grade. Camps can be part-time or full-time, based on the parents’ scheduling needs. Summer camps will be held the weeks of June 17 and 24 and again the weeks of July 15 and 22. Standardized test readiness Whether it’s the FSA, SAT or ACT (or a wide variety of other tests, including at the graduate level), Infinite Edge has the tools to help every student succeed to his or her greatest potential. Ozra explains that on these exams, students don’t just choose from a correct and incorrect set of answers, but must choose from answers that are good, better, or best. How do they find the best answer? With practice, practice, practice. “If you want to learn to play the piano well, you have to practice every day,” explains Ozra. “It’s the same with learning.” Ozra can tell if students are confident in the skills they need to be successful on their tests just by looking at their test booklet, not their answer sheet. “If a student’s paper is blank, with no marks and nothing written on it, that means the student doesn’t know what they’re doing on the test,” she explains. “We teach students how to read passages effectively, which includes marking up their papers to highlight and better understand the information presented to them.” She says enrolling your child at Infinite
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Edge will provide weekly lessons that hold kids accountable for work they will practice at home. And it reminds them of what’s truly important as they further their education. “Kids have so much access to computers and tablets now that they don’t spend a lot of time reading,” says Ozra. “Especially as they get older, they’re too busy with social media to pick up a book. But the FSA standards require they read and analyze to find the best answers, and it’s an important skill for SAT, as well.” SAT/ACT prep for ALL high school students Summer is also ideal for all high school students to start practicing for their college admission exams. “If you wait until junior year, it’s too late,” she says. “A full test preparation program at Infinite Edge takes several months. Cramming all that information in a few weeks won’t yield the same results.” She says students should begin SAT/ ACT test preparation when they are taking Algebra II in school, because that’s the level of math covered on the tests. At Infinite Edge, even standardized test prep is personal. It’s offered in one-on-one sessions, or small group sessions with just two or three students. This personal attention yields amazing results, where Infinite Edge Learning Center continues to be known as the “home of the perfect SAT and ACT,” thanks to a tradition of coaching students into remarkable – even perfect – scores on these exams. Ozra says parents who choose to invest in their child’s education get their investment back in scholarships for their students, either through Bright Futures or the academic scholarships offered by colleges and universities. “I tell students, instead of working for $8 an hour, study for your SATs,” says Ozra. “You’ll get more money that way, in the form of cash back from your university every semester.” She says in this year’s high school senior class, 95 Infinite Edge Learning Center students have been offered full ride scholarships to college. “In the graduating class of 2019, we have students who got academic scholarships to many universities,” says Ozra, “including Duke University, Washington University, Berkley, Rice, UCLA, and NYU, and many students who got full scholarships to USF, UF and UCF.” She says, in some cases, these scholarships are worth $50,000 per year.
About Infinite Edge
Infinite Edge Learning Center was established by Ozra and her late husband, Sobhi, in 2007. It continues to be a premier provider of customized tutoring, serving New Tampa. Ozra, the staff and students continue to achieve superior results, making Sobhi’s legacy a proud one. Infinite Edge Learning Center is located at 17419 Bridge Hill Ct., in the Tampa Palms Professional Center near Freedom High School. To learn more about how Infinite Edge can help your child, call 813-971-6500 or visit InfiniteEdgeLearningCenter.com.
Tips from an Infinite Edge tutor • It’s okay to skip questions! After 15-20 seconds of reviewing a question, skip it if you don’t understand it, or if the solution is time consuming. Come back to the difficult questions when all the easier ones are done. • Don’t use your calculator on every question! Only grab it if the question has ugly numbers (long decimals or irreducible fractions with large numbers, for example). Using a calculator on problems that don’t need it will slow a student down. • Read the passages entirely to get a full understanding before answering questions. • No shortcuts! Both math and English sections require skills that demand intense study. Infinite Edge can help you master these skills.
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MAY 2019 7
Patio Pools Celebrates 40 Years Providing Pools to Tampa Bay By Deborah Bostock-Kelley
It’s the big 4-0 for Patio Pool in Lutz. For four decades, this three-generation, familyowned independent pool installation, remodeling and retail establishment has been going above and beyond the expectations of clients throughout Tampa Bay. Founded by Charles Foster, daughter Gina Schrader runs the office, while her sons design pools, sell, handle marketing and social media and provide customer service. Even her 90 year old grandmother is part of the business, doing some light housekeeping on the weekends. “It’s definitely a family affair,” said Gina. “We’re kind of iconic in the area. Most people in the area know us because we’ve been in business so long. Either their grandparents had us build their pool, or their parents, friends or neighbors. We tout ourselves on being one of the fastest pool company in the Bay area. We’ve been around for so long that we have such a big presence in the Tampa Bay area.” Patio Pools is recognized for not only providing a high-quality product, but for an expeditious turnaround. She credits the great organization of Patio Pools for allowing the quickest installation possible. “We’re on top of things constantly. We typically will finish a standard pool in 21 working days. We’re definitely the
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quickest in the area.” When hiring a pool contractor, Gina said doing your homework is very important. While it’s good to look for customer reviews on social media, those can be bought. The client should investigate the business through the Better Business Bureau, Myfloridalicense.com and talk to friends and family to make sure ofthe legitimacy and proven workmanship of the business. “Keep in mind how old the company is. You can have one company that has 5 complaints and you can have another that has 5 complaints, but one is only 5 years old. Keep in mind how long they’ve been in business, when doing searches of the company. We currently only have one.” She warned to be leery of a new company with hundreds of detailed reviews. “They can be bought and we would never do anything like that. All of our reviews are authentic.” She also explained every photo on the Patio Pool website comes from completed jobs and no stock photography is ever used. She doesn’t need other people’s photos as Patio Pools has built nearly 8,000 pools since its inception. “We really pride ourselves on doing a good job because although we are big in the area because people know us, we are still a relatively-small family-run
business. We have to do well. It’s our business.” As Florida’s rainy hurricane season can make installation unpredictable, if you’re looking to have a pool to cool down in this summer, Gina suggests the best time for installation is during the winter. It can take 2 to 6 weeks to get the permit, depending upon the municipality and approximately 21-28 working days – from breaking ground to installation for Patio Pools to bring your vision to life. Not only can Patio Pool build your dream pool, they can remodel your old pool and re-top existing decks to make it look new again. They also can build custom water features, lanais, sun decks, fireplaces and fire pits, as well as outdoor kitchens. Patio Pools can also customize lighting and add automation so you can run your pool from your Alexa or your smart phone. “We can do most of
the items that you would connect with your swimming pool or backyard, excluding landscaping.” A retail store at 4118 Gunn Highway provides the chemicals, toys, cleaners, parts, equipment and everything to meet your swimming pool needs. They can recommend a perfect pool service if you don’t want to do yourself. “There are so many bad swimming pool companies out there. You feel like you’re doing the used car sales pitch. We really dislike that, it makes everyone in the pool industry look bad. When we sell to somebody, we don’t sell, we educate. We’re not going to lie and tell them something they want to hear just to sell the product. We’re going to tell them flat-out the truth. If you set the expectations to reality, then they know what they’re doing. It’s a big project. A pool is most likely the second
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largest purchase you will make besides your home or car.” Not only is Patio Pools proud to be part of their community, they love that the business is more than just business. Customers from forty years ago drop by the retail store to say hello, to show off grandkids’ pictures, and even a dog or two has ventured back to Gina’s desk. “I love my customers. We have made some very special relationship with customers,” she said and added. “And the other people I work with. We’re definitely a family, even the ones that aren’t related. It’s a good environment in a stressful business.” Gina said that she is proud that Patio Pools is recognized as providing a painless process, being the antithesis to horror stories heard about working with pool companies, and being responsive to customer needs. When asked if she had a favorite project or customer response, Gina didn’t hesitate to respond, “We’re proud of all of them.” Patio Pools is located at 4118 Gunn Highway. Call 813.327.4654 to schedule a free consultation and to learn more, visit www.patiopools.com, or follow on Facebook and Twitter.
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MAY 2019 9
Garage Guru
What’s going on with my car?
Brought to you by Christian Brothers Automotive, New Tampa and Wesley Chapel
Dear Garage Guru “If my car is driving perfectly fine, why do I need to spend almost $200 to clean my intake system? I have only driven 80,000 miles and my friend says ‘If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.’ “ Dear Not Broke, Have also heard “Pay me now, or pay me later.”? I understand. When the car won’t start it’s easy to understand why you need a repair. But, when it’s running good there are so many other things we’d rather spend our money on. BUT....,and this is an important “but”, preventive maintenance today is intended to avoid bigger costs and possibly getting stranded in the future. Most cars will go 100,000 miles with only oil changes. Maintenance will help you get to 150, 200, or 250,000 miles, and help avoid getting stranded on the side of a busy highway. Now, about cleaning your intake, this is what controls your air and fuel flow. Next time you’re at the gas pump look for the sign that says “this fuel contains up to 10% ethanol.” Ethanol in today’s gas creates a gooey residue that builds up in the intake. It is easy for a Technician to see when inspecting your car. Within 30,000 miles enough goo can collect to hurt your gas
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mileage and reduce your power. Because it happens slowly over time it is hard to notice. If not cleaned, in time your intake can get so gummed up that the engine will run rough, may stall at stop signs, or not even start. The air flap inside the throttle body can even get glued shut and the car won’t run. There is a tool that squirts a strong solvent under pressure through the intake system. As it dissolves the goo and burns safely through the engine a dramatic cloud of white stinky smoke pours out you exhaust. This is good. In about an hour when all the smoke is done your intake is clean and air and fuel are flowing freely again. If you have driven too many miles before cleaning the intake it is possible to damage the Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) and even the throttle body. These are the expensive repairs that you hope to avoid by cleaning the intake about every three years or 30,000 miles. Maintenance is why people say “A penny of prevention is worth a pound of repair!” Well maybe nobody says that, but it could apply. 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.
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MAY 2019 11
Tech Talk with Bob: I Think I’ve Been Scammed! By Bob Dalles
Cybercriminals are using successful techniques in their quest to separate you from your money. I have been receiving an onslaught of calls lately from folks saying, “I think I’ve been scammed! What do I do now?”
Which she did. By the time those scammers finished with her they had not only taken control of her computer, but also convinced her that they could restore it to working order once she paid them $499.00. Which she did. These scammers called it a service charge. I call it extortion.
My friend Kathryn fell victim to a scammer just last week. She was minding her own business surfing the web when a message popped-up on her screen. This “official looking” pop-up message instructed her to call a specific phone number because she had “a malware infection that needed immediate attention.” If that wasn’t bad enough, she also found herself locked out of her computer. It was frozen. No mouse. No keyboard. She felt her only option was to call the phone number on the screen.
Now mind you, Kathryn is a bright, intelligent woman who would typically never get taken for a ride by such crooks. But these cybercriminals are extremely good at what they do. They constantly hone their skills conning trusting people who think they’re in trouble. Why do they do it? Scamming people in this fashion has proven to be extremely profitable. Few get caught. Most are offshore. Your best defense is internet safety awareness and developing safer online habits.
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So, what do you do if you get a popup on your screen that tells you to call a phone number or click on a link? Take a picture of your screen with your cell phone. Be sure any phone number or website address is readable. Do not click on any links. Do not call any phone numbers. Have your system examined for malware by a technology professional. Do not conduct any transactions involving private or sensitive information until you know your system is squeaky clean. What do you do if you receive a phone call from a stranger telling you that you have a malware infection or something else is wrong with your computer? Immediately hang up. Do not engage them in conversation. If they call back, hang up again or don’t
even answer. What do you do if you have already downloaded their software to give them control of your computer? Immediately turn your
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computer off. If you leave it on, they can monitor your activity, steal your data, and even ransom it. Leave your computer off until a professional looks over your system. What do you do if you have given them your credit card number? Immediately call your card issuer and have your card and the transaction cancelled. Don’t wait to get your credit card statement. Call your bank and deal with this as soon as it happens. Some banks may require you to file a police report. This story does have a happy ending. I was able to purge the malware from Kathryn’s computer and give it a clean bill of health. She called her bank. They flagged the transaction for their fraud division; cancelled Kathryn’s credit card; and had a new card in the mail to her the very next day.
If you are not sure your system is safe, please have it looked over by a Professionally Certified Computer Technician. If you need a certified professional, call us now at 727-534-4000. We’ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades. Have a tech question? Email it to TechTalk-TBNL@ BobTheComputerGuy.NET. Questions will be selected by the popularity of a topic and answered in this column. If you have a more urgent need or have a unique situation you may schedule an appointment with one of my Professionally Certified Technicians by calling 727-534-4000. Until next time, stay safe on the internet!
If Kathryn had done nothing, she would have been scammed out of nearly 500-bucks. But even worse, those crooks would still have control of her computer. They could spy on her or ransom her computer whenever they felt like it. Kathryn changed from being a passive victim to a vigilant internet user by recognizing and taking immediate control of her situation. These crooks can be intimidating. They’re relentless. They prey on a person’s fear of, and inexperience with, technology. Every time I speak with a victim of this scam, they always say the same thing. “I can’t believe I fell for it.” Sometimes their embarrassment of being scammed prohibits them from reaching out for help. Kathryn felt less violated when SHE took control of the situation. Be safer not sorrier. You do not have to be a casualty of these high-tech outlaws.
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MAY 2019 13
Tampa Bay Lightning - The Season That Got Away... Again.
By Tom Bostock
When Sir Fredrick Arthur Stanley (Lord Stanley of Preston) first donated a trophy cup to the championship hockey team of Canada in 1892, little did he realize how coveted his cup would become in the professional ice hockey world. Over the years, storied teams like the Montreal Canadians (23), Toronto Maple Leaf’s (13) and Detroit Redwings (11), to name a few of the winning NHL teams, have won the prized cup multiple times. (thoughtco. com). It is the ultimate achievement in professional hockey. The fledgling hockey team that was awarded to Lightning founders, Phil Esposito, Henry Lee Paul and Mel Lowell during the league expansion in 1991, which began play in 1992 and was assigned to the Norris Division of the Campbell conference, appeared to pose no apparent threat to the established Northern teams in the National Hockey League. All of that changed in 2004 when Lightning Captain, Dave Andreychuk victoriously hoisted famed Lord Stanley’s Cup, after beating the Calgary Flames in the final of their 7-game series, announcing to the hockey world that the upstart Tampa Bay Lightning were for now for real! Today’s Tampa Bay Lightning seemingly put an exclamation point on how real they were,
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joining only 2 other teams in the history of the NHL with 60 wins, enjoying the rarefied air of only the 1976-77 Montreal Canadians and the 1995-96 Detroit Redwings. A recent 5 - 2 win over the Senators, with Yanni Goure’s 2 goal, 1 assist performance, helped clinched their 60th win in grand fashion. All eyes were on those final games and then the Lightning’s Stanley Cup run. Their 61st and 62nd win, a drubbing of the Bruins, ended their regular season, fueling fan expectations of greater things to come. Injuries impact team performance and the Lightning were no exception. According to ESPN.com, from information provided by rotowire.com, Lightning stalwart defenseman Victor Hedman would not be active again until the playoffs. Since the Lightning had already secured their playoff berth, resting the injured defenseman seemed like a good idea. Joe Smith of The Athletic reported that head coach, Jon Cooper said that Hedman (upper body) was doubtful to suit up for the rest of the regular season. Not wishing to repeat last year’s loss to the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference finals, it seemed like a good idea at the time to have a well-rested Hedman. The Tampa Bay Lightning looked forward to the playoffs with a wealth of offensive talent and high-scoring lines
to choose from. A fan favorite, Russian born Nikita Kucherov had taken the Lightning by storm, beginning to challenge ever consistent team captain, Steven Stamkos, for supremacy on the ice. He seemed destined for a greatness in the playoffs that was not to be. According to all the sports pundits and talking heads, the Lightning were poised to go deep into the playoffs; they were both fans’ and sports book favorites to win this year’s Stanley Cup. To win, the Lightning needed to overcome some old habits. Diana C. Nearhos, in a Tampa Bay Times article, reminded fans that the Lightning had to come from behind in each of its final four games. Twice they were able to complete the comeback for a win in those final regular season games. The playoffs proved something else entirely! Having closed out the regular season with a final drubbing of the Bruins 6 -3, to reach 62 wins, the Lightning breathed the rarified air of only one other 62-win team in the entire history of the NHL, the 1995-1996 Detroit Redwings, but apparently were too preoccupied reading their own press clippings to pay attention to what happened to Detroit in the playoffs; they did not win the Stanley Cup that year. The fact that the Lightning spotted the Bruins 2 goals before they scored their first one in their final game of the season should have been a reminder to the Lightning of what could and did happen in the playoffs, just as it happened to Detroit. An unstoppable, impregnable juggernaut of offense, defense and goal tending took to the ice that first playoff game, pounding the other, ill prepared team into utter submission. Didn’t you just love the final battle in the seventh and deciding game? Oh, that’s right, there was no seventh, or sixth or
even fifth game, for that matter. And surprisingly enough, the unstoppable offensive juggernaut wore the colors of the lowly Bluejackets, led by former Lightning coach, John Tortorella, a man on a mission. In an interview, after the complete annihilation of the favorite Lightning in a 4 -game sweep, John revealed his secret to the wins; he told his team to focus on one game at time. The Lightning, on the other hand, didn’t seem to focus on much of anything. Out shot, outscored and out of position in many instances, they skated their way to hockey immortality; the first team to win the President’s Trophy for scoring the most points in the regular season and then being swept in the first round of the playoffs, 6-3, 5-1, 3-1, and 7-3! Close only counts in horseshoes and this Lightning team didn’t even get a whiff of Lord Stanley’s cup with their inept on-ice play – or lack thereof. With Lightning efforts that probably belonged in the Hall of Shame, as the Zamboni cleaned and resurfaced the ice after the final game, I hope that they added some detergent sufficient to remove all traces and stench of these playoffs whose odors will probably linger with Lightning players until they start anew with Spring training in September. What will next year’s team be like? Will it have the same promise of unbeatable offense and stifling defense that characterized this year’s team. Will we again have our hopes crushed by lackluster, indifferent play in the playoffs or will that championship be realized once again like its 2004 predecessor? Where there is life, there is hope and we diehard Lighting fans are no different. If you will play like the Lightning that we have come to know and love, we, your loyal fans will still be the Thunder!
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MAY 2019 15
16 MAY 2019
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MAY 2019 17
“Equitable Public Adjusters and Auto Appraisers - Story continued from page 1” After calling your insurance company to report the claim, you have 2 options: live with your insurance company adjuster’s evaluation which may have depreciated your loss to far less than the replacement value of your furniture and any personal possessions or structures damaged by the flood, or call an public adjuster with no insurance company affiliations, one who works only for you, the home or business owner. If you call Equitable before calling your insurance company, it will ensure that the claim is properly handled from beginning to end. If you haven’t, they can still get involved anytime during the claims’ settlement process, leveling the playing field between you and your insurance company … and don’t worry about the initial cost; Equitable doesn’t get paid until you do. Here are just a few of Shawn’s many successful outcomes, working on behalf of his clients: Before Shawn’s involvement, a homeowner had received a letter from her carrier stating that the damages from Hurricane Irma were less than her deductible. After his involvement, the claim was settled for $154,038.83 AFTER the deductible was removed. This
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allowed Shawn’s client to have her roof and ALL interior damage repaired! Settlement of a broken bathroom pipe was going to be $8,611.75. With Shawn’s involvement, the final check received by the client put an additional $23,500 in their pocket! An insurance carrier’s evaluation of the damaged A/C drain back up into a house was $4,931.83. The settlement that Shawn was able to negotiate was $73,094. and included mold remediation, rebuild costs and living expenses! If you still aren’t convinced about Shawn and Equitable Public Adjusters & Auto Appraisers value to your during an insurance claim, visit either their website (EquitablePublicAdjusters.com) or the Facebook page and read what some of his clients, your friends and neighbors, had to say about the outstanding service that Shawn Thompson of Equitable Public Adjusters provides. Here is just a small sampling of some of the many positive reviews from his satisfied clients: R.Y. wrote, “I reached out to Shawn for assistance with my insurance claim as I was getting no where with my insurance company. Shawn is extremely knowledgeable in the claims process and I highly recommend him to anyone who needs assistance with a claim.” D.G. couldn’t say enough about the service that he
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received: “Our investment property was damaged by Hurricane Irma and Shawn Thompson helped us every stop of the way. He met the insurance company adjuster all the way across the state at the property location, went through a full inspection of the home, and then he continued to fight with the insurance company to ensure that we received a full pay-out for all damages sustained. He was professional, speedy, helpful and had great communications with me.” Finally, B.C. summed up what Shawn’s services meant to him when he wrote, “I had a wonderful experience with Shawn Thompson at Equitable. He was upfront, honest, reliable and helpful. My claim became a little complex, but Shawn guided us through every step of the process. He made a BIG difference for us! Thanks Shawn and Equitable.” As impressive as these recommendations are, you may still be wondering why you should hire a public adjuster like Shawn in the first place. After all, doesn’t your insurance company prioritize all loss and damage claims equally? No? The Equitable Public Adjusters website gives some insight into the advantages of hiring Shawn: • Hiring Shawn means having the help of an experienced professional who is motivated to protect your personal interests in the fight with the insurance company. • He has helped numerous other policy holders get maximum settlements to cover all types of damage, so he knows exactly what it takes to win an insurance claim. • You will not have to struggle to prepare your insurance claim documents because he will prepare and submit the necessary documents for you, making sure all standards are followed and the insurance company has nothing to comment about your claim. • He will evaluate damage accurately and bring evidence to argue your demand in order to prevent your insurer from offering lower sums of money than you deserve. • If you have already received money from your insurer, but you should have received more, he will collect the additional money, making sure that you get the most out of your policy. As Shawn notes, “As a Public Insurance Adjuster, we represent the rights of the home or business owner throughout the insurance claim process. We hold the carrier accountable to pay what they are obligated to pay along with appraising all damages to the home and its contents, etc.” Unlike large, impersonal corporations with multiple departments and sometimes indifferent staff, Equitable Public Adjusters & Auto Appraisers is a different kind of company, family-owned and offering something often
lacking in today’s business community, personal service. When asked why someone should hire his company instead of a competitor, Shawn responded immediately: “Our company has over 50 years of claims handling experience in all facets of the insurance industry and we personally handle each of our claims from start to finish. When utilizing our firm, you will see the same face from day 1 until the claim is completed. We do not outsource any of our estimates or appraisals.” A native Floridian, born and raised in Ocala and a graduate of Saint Leo’s University, Shawn and his wife of 8 years, Lindsay, are parents of 2 wonderful children, Kasey and Luke, ages 5 and 3. They are strong members of their community. Shawn says that “I work with a local church and other small businesses to provide food for the disadvantaged families during the holidays. “Our South Florida office,” he added, “heads a charity that provides toys to children in need during the holiday season.” Introduced to the industry through his brother-inlaw in 2006 when he met his wife, Shawn completed the 40-hour licensure process and an additional year, 30 hours/week, under a licensed Public Adjuster as part of his apprenticeship. To be certain that he is aware of any changes in the laws and requirements that regulate the industry and effect his clients, he completes on-going training every 2 years. Damage is a fact of life and can be the result of a variety of elements, including hurricanes, fire, flood, mold, wind, lightning, theft or vandalism but you don’t have to try to deal with your insurance company alone. Shawn Thompson, at Equitable Public Adjusters & Auto Appraisers, is equipped to handle any contingency, regardless of the complexity. Call him today at 352-502-5928 today for peace of mind tomorrow. You don’t have to try to do it alone.
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MAY 2019 19