Vol. 9, Issue 3, March 2018
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Your community. Your magazine.
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The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 20,000 Homes In Odessa, Lutz & Land O’ Lakes Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To: Ashley Lakes, Ballantrae, Belle Meade, Calusa Trace, Canterbury, Cheval, Citrus Greens, Concord Station, Devonwood, Dolce Vita on Lake Keystone, Echo Lake, Farmington Village, Fern Glenn, Grey Hawk at Lake Polo, Heritage Harbor, Ivy Lake Estates, Keystone Groves, Keystone Manors, Keystone Reserve, Keystone Shores, Lake Charles, Lake Church, Lake Parker Estates, Lakeside Grove Estates, Northlake Village, Northbridge at Lake Pretty, Northton Groves, Oakstead, Orange Blossom Creek, Reflections, Steeple Chase, Stillwater, Stonegate, Suncoast Crossings, Suncoast Meadows, Swan Cove, Van Dyke Estates, Van Dyke Farms, Villa Rosa, Wyndham Lakes
Trinity Family Physicians So Much More than your Neighborhood Family Practice! serving people in the Trinity community, they took some time to look back on the top 10 highlights from their first 10 years.
By Marcy Sanford Trinity Family Physicians opened its door at its current location in April of 2008, but husband and wife team Dr. Stephanie Eldridge and Dr. Amir Shirmohammad began seeing patients in Trinity the year before in September. “We started in a temporary location,” says Dr. Shirmo, as his patients like to call him, “and our new offices opened the day after our second daughter was born.” As Dr. Eldridge and Dr. Shirmo look forward to the next 10 years of
See “Trinity Family Physicians” on page 28.
From the Editor........................5 Epperson’s Lagoon.............6-7 Medi-Weightloss® Lutz............8-9 Action Air Conditioning...12-13 SAT, ACT, & New “Top 25” Program.........................16-17 Tech Talk with Bob..............20 Dean Haran, CPA...........24-25
ECRWSS
See “Cleaning Angels” on page 26.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Postal Customer
Is there anything better than the smell of a sparkling clean home? Most would say no but what about when someone else did all the work? From soccer moms to the 9-5ers, most will agree that a clean and organized home makes your daily strains a bit more bearable. Like most, we find ourselves searching for the time to get these inevitable chores done and wishing we could add just a couple more hours to the day. Good news, Donna’s Cleaning Angels is your saving grace! Donna’s Cleaning Angels is a locally owned, full-service cleaning company with a team of Angels ready to tackle your cleaning needs. . "If you’re looking for more than just a cleaning service, we can provide you
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185
By Michelle Natkin
Dated Material Please Rush!
Donnas Cleaning Angels: 27 Years of Exceptional Service and Going Strong!
Being Able to Give Back to the Community Trinity Family Physicians has given hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations and time to local charities. From the time they chaired the Hike for Hospice event to help less fortunate people have access to hospice care to their work with the Pasco County Special Olympics, Dr.
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From The Editor Carla Selby March is one of my favorite Months of the year for many reasons! One being that we get to celebrate St. Patrick’s day on March 17, and immediately after, us Christians / Catholics, get to observe Easter. While the dates for Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Halloween are fixed, Easter can fall any time between March 22 and April 25. When is Easter 2018 and how is the date decided? This year’s Easter takes place from Good Friday on March 30 until Easter Monday on April 2 - making Easter Sunday on April 1, which is also… April Fool’s Day! Funny coincidence isn’t it? I can just imagine the jokes and pranks this year. So how is the Easter date decided? The death of Jesus occurred around the Jewish Passover, which is traditionally held on first full moon following the vernal equinox. As the full moon varies in each time zone, the Church said that they would use the 14th day of the lunar month instead - The Paschal Full Moon - and decided to host Easter Day on the following Sunday. So once that date is fully determined, then Easter Day and the Easter Holidays can be determined. Us Christians celebrate Easter on a Sunday as it was the day Jesus Christ, our savior, rose from the dead, following his crucifixion on a Friday two days before. Many, many centuries ago in 325, it was determined by a council of Christian Bishops that Easter Day should always be on a Sunday to commemorate the happy occasion. So what is the meaning behind it and why do we celebrate with chocolate easter eggs and bunnies? Seems a little odd doesn’t it? Let
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me elaborate a little… During this time of the year we see many stores being decorated with Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and baby chicks. But Why? While many will be at least vaguely familiar with the story of Easter, its relation to eating mountains of chocolate eggs is less clear. Like I mentioned earlier, Easter celebrates the resurrection of our Lord. Even before the birth of Christianity, the egg was seen as a symbol of Spring, a celebration of rebirth and reinvigoration after the harshness of winter. That’s why the Mesopotamians - an ancient Christian community living in an area roughly covered today by Iraq, Syria and Kuwait - used to stain eggs red to symbolize the blood of Christ. Eggs would then be cracked against one another, leaving just the empty shells - a symbol of the empty tomb Jesus left behind. Interesting huh? The tradition survives today in the shape of egg rolling, representing the rolling away of the rock from Jesus’ tomb. Over time, Easter eggs became more and more elaborately decorated, perhaps most famously by Russian jeweler Peter Carl Faberge, creator of the priceless Faberge eggs as Easter gifts for Tsars Alexander III and Nicholas II. The introduction of chocolate eggs is a relatively new phenomenon, which originated in France and Germany in the 19th century. And as everyone loves chocolate, the chocolate production of Easter eggs exploded and became more popular all over the world, making Easter another “marketable” Holiday. Nowadays Easter is a big deal
commercially - retailers and manufacturers love to get in on the Holiday and persuade us to buy easter baskets, easter eggs, cards, and anything depicting bunnies. So we now understand the eggs, but why Bunnies? We can thank the Germans for the Easter Bunny! Originally an ‘Easter hare,’ a bucktoothed bringer of chocolate to the kids that behaved well was first mentioned in German literature in 1682. The tradition stuck, and left to the Easter bunnies you see on the shelves today as well as the exception for a delivery of Easter eggs on the day. I hope this little Easter editorial helped shed some light on the chocolate eggs and Easter Bunny mystery. I personally love creating easter baskets with all kinds of goodies and giving them away to my little nephews, nieces and cousins. I also enjoy painting and decorating Easter eggs. This is an awesome activity to do with the little ones and something adults can also have fun doing. By the way, painting eggs with food coloring can be fun, but this year, you may want to try something new. I suggest using watercolors, as your little Easter eggs will definitely look like true works of art. (Some watercolors and dyes may contain lead, so please do not eat them, just enjoy their beauty and then discard them.) Whether you are Christian or not, celebrating Easter is a wonderful family tradition. I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful one! As always, thank you for your support and readership. Carla.
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Directly mailed once a month to over 20,000 households in zip codes 33556, 33558 & 34638
220 Safford Ave. S. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (813) 928-6124; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@nnlflorida.com Editorial E-mail: editorial@nnlflorida.com © 2018 Tampa BayNews & Lifestyles is published by ADS 2 Publications, Inc. Publisher Tim Selby General Manager Jim O’Reilly Editor Carla Selby Advertising Sales Manager Matt Selby
Correspondents Julie Kanehl Marcy Sanford Katie Thomas Art Director Tony Sica Accounting Manager Doreen Selby Billing Assistant Tina O’Reilly
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Join the Festivities at Epperson’s Lagoon Grand Opening Event Saturday, April 28 By Marcy Sanford In January on one of the coldest days of the year, Metro Development Group celebrated the completion of their 7-acre Crystal Lagoon in Wesley Chapel’s Epperson neighborhood and people have been stopping to admire it every since. “In most communities you can not see the amenities residents have,” said Greg Singleton, President of Metro Development Group. “But in Epperson the east – west connector road, Overpass Road, is open to the public. You can see the lagoon from the road. We have a scenic overlook there and people will park and admire the lagoon and take pictures of it.” If you’ve been admiring the Crystal Lagoon from afar, you’ll have your chance to see it up-close at a Grand Opening event Saturday, April 28, featuring Olympic Champion swimmer Michael Phelps. The all day event will be open to the public and feature plenty of fun family activities. While there are numerous Crystal Lagoons around the world in places like Chile, Panama, Paraguay, Mexico Saudi Arabia, and other countries, this is the
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first Crystal Lagoon to be built in the U.S. Metro Places has plans to build 5 lagoons in West Central Florida – another in Pasco County, one in Southern Hillsborough County, one in Lee County (North Ft. Myers) and another in Polk County. The massive lagoon is the same size as 6 football fields connected to each other and it is a ¾ of a mile walk around its perimeter. Sandy white beaches surround the lagoon and there are different areas for families and friends of all ages to hang out and play. Residents will be able to enjoy a variety of aquatic recreational activities, such as swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and even using small (non-motorized) sailboats. The lagoon at Epperson will also have exciting features, including a waterslide, private cabanas, in-water obstacle platform, swim-up bar, tidal pool, restaurant, family beach, yoga lawn, an entertainment plaza, an area for special events and much more. “We have something for everyone,” said Greg. “This amenity touches every generation. Kids see fun, teenagers see a great hangout place, parents and
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grandparents see a place to exercise and spend time with kids and grandkids.” According to Metro Places, the developer of Epperson, Crystal Lagoons are eco-friendly once filled. They use sustainable technology that helps limit water and chemical usage. Upon completion, each lagoon uses 50 times less water compared to a park of the same size and 30 times less water than an 18-hole golf course. The lagoon is maintained by Crystal Lagoons’ ultra-
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sonic technology that uses sensors to monitor the quality of the crystal-clear water. This sustainable technology also uses 100 times less chemicals than a traditional swimming pool and uses up to 50 times less energy than conventional pool filtration systems. The Crystal Lagoon isn’t the only amenity you’ll find at Epperson. The neighborhood is also part of the first ever Connected City, which has been designated the first “Smart Gigabit
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Community” in the country to be built from the ground up. Metro Places exclusive technology, ULTRAFi, provides the fastest internet and WiFi speeds in the nation throughout the homes, the community and the lagoon. Greg says that when they planned the community, they tried to consider future needs of residents. “We wanted to create a connected city, an autonomous city. When we planned this community, we thought about self-driving vehicles. We envision a day when you could order a driverless, electric car to come to your house to take you to the lagoon or parks in the neighborhood.” A Tampa-based company founded in 2003, Metro Development Group is
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committed to brining some of the most innovative technologies and amenities to homebuilders and homebuyers. With the introduction of Metro Places, Connected City, ULTRAFI and Metro Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons, Metro Development Group continues to be the gold standard in the development of master planned communities. For more information visit MetroDevelopmentGroup.com. Epperson is located at 7851 Curley Road in Wesley Chapel. For more information, visit epperson.metroplaces.com or come to the Crystal Lagoon Grand Opening Saturday, April 28.
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Looking for a “weigh” to drop those extra pounds? Medi-Weightloss® Lutz Can help! By Michelle Naktin The weight loss experts at MediWeightloss® Clinics know that losing weight is one of the most difficult things you can do. But their knowledgeable staff of physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and exercise professionals, has developed a plan that works. It can be customized just for you and they will be with you, helping you achieve your goals, every step of the way. At Medi-Weightloss® Clinics Lutz their main goal is combating obesity and eliminating its related conditions. It is one thing to step someone through their weight loss program, but what happens when the program ends? “Losing weight is not easy, and obesity is a major problem in this country,” says owner Gerri Willett. “We can’t change our whole society, but we can change ourselves.” Since opening in 2006, patients at the Lutz location of Medi-Weightloss® have lost more than 46,000 pounds!
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The average patient loses 5 - 7 pounds in the first week with MediWeightloss® and 14- 20 pounds the first month. Medi-Weightloss® Clinic’s patients are so successful at losing weight, and keeping it off, because Medi-Weightloss® comprehensive, physician supervised program is based on the 5 keys to wellness: medicine, nutrition, exercise, education, and motivation. If you’re ready to lose extra weight and start living a healthier lifestyle, visit Medi-Weightloss® at 24420 SR 54 in Lutz or call 813-9091700 and they will help you get started today. Medi-Weightloss® Clinics’ patient Debbi describes her “a-ha” moment, “Getting ready to turn 61, I thought being an attractive woman ever again had passed me by. I was depressed and hated to accept being an old married grandma.” Says Debbie, who has successfully lost over 50lbs with the Medi-Weightloss® program! “I watched a co-worker on the program blossom both physically and mentally
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and decided I too had to do something. I am a miser when it comes to money but do not regret spending one penny to join the program. I have not been this happy in many, many years. I have lost 51 pounds, feel great and found confidence that I thought was long gone. I laugh again, swing my hips a little and stand tall as an older woman who proves "we are still women to be seen". I lacked confidence for many years, having been thru abusive relationships in the past. Now I feel I am worthy of being seen, heard and proud of who I am and what I have done for myself. I was told recently that Confidence is Sexy. Well you know what, it sure is!!! My husband of 35 years has been so supportive and brags about his skinny wife. Life is good again.” – Debbie Losing weight is a journey mined with emotions that will, at times, challenge your weight loss state of mind. “When a patient first comes in, it’s an emotional process.” Says Gerri.
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“What’s important to remember is that you’re not alone. By your side each step of the way are awardwinning physicians, registered dietitians, and health care professionals who found a true passion in helping their clients achieve success and a healthy lifestyle.” Dr. Andrew Weitzman brings years of experience to MediWeightloss®, Lutz. He received his training in Internal Medicine at Nassua University Medical Center in Long Island, New York. Patty Pinson is a graduate of the Gordan Keller School of Nursing at Tampa General Hospital, and has been working with Medi-Weightloss® for over 7 years. Medical Assistant Krystal Moeller has been working with the Lutz community for 6 years and has always had a passion for nutrition and fitness. Erin Jones has been with MediWeightloss® since 2012 as their Office Manager and Medical Assistant/ Nutrition Counselor. Implementing a
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BEFORE
healthy lifestyle has always been important to her and her family and she enjoys helping others do the same. Each one of these experts has excelled in their specialty and plays an important role in your progress. They will spend time getting to know you and learning about your weight loss journey. They will develop a personalized three-phase weight loss program that really works and provides long lasting success.
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The Medi-Weightloss® Program is a 3 step lifestyle change! Phase one begins with the initial consultation. The 90-minute initial consultation includes a complete physical, including an EKG and
comprehensive blood panel. Your weight and body fat analysis will be recorded and you will discuss exercise and nutrition as well as the expectations for both going forward. Supplements combined with B1 and B6 injections, may be prescribed, which have been proven to curb cravings, giving a huge advantage over someone who is going at weight-loss alone. Your diet for phase 1 is a lowcalorie diet that is primarily protein based, explaining why some patients lose 5-10 lbs. the first week. At each visit, Dr. Weitzman will introduce certain vegetables and fruits, until you reach your goal weight. Diets are also designed for Vegetarians and patients with other specific needs. Short Term Maintenance begins when patients have achieved their GOAL weight. The goal is to gradually increase your calories and rebalance your diet in two easy steps, allowing your body to adapt to increased levels of energy and carbohydrates. We will give you recipes that will reintroduce all food groups back into your diet.
Once your have maintained your goal weight you will start the Wellness phase. Our monthly wellness visits are designed to provide you with the medical, nutritional and fitness support you need to maintain your weight loss. We will determine your caloric prescription with ReeVue metabolic testing. This test will reveal your resting energy expenditure. Patients will continue to use the Signature Patient web site to continue to try different healthy recipes and review the exercise plans available.
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When the patient feels confident they can continue on their own. “Medi-Weightloss® Lutz is the place to go if you are serious about losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle. The staff there is professional, knowledgeable and most importantly encouraging. Every week I continue to lose weight and learn as well as practice a healthy lifestyle!” - Carol Mitchell Armstrong The Medi-Weightloss® Program is evidence-based to result in a successful lifestyle change. When administering the treatment, Medi-Weightloss® healthcare providers take each patient’s unique health profile into account, which is what makes them “The One that Works!”® All diets do not work equally for everyone, that’s why MediWeightloss® Clinic is dedicated to helping you identify a program that is tailored to your body’s unique needs and connecting you with others who share your dedication to achieving and maintaining weight loss. Once you begin a MediWeightloss® Clinic program you will quickly see and feel the results. Many clients comment that they have never felt so healthy and energetic! MediWeightloss® Clinic Lutz knows that you will too and they want you to ask yourself, “Are you ready to begin your last diet and find a ‘weigh out’ of the diet dilemma?” Come meet MediWeightloss® friendly staff and take a step toward a new and healthier you! Take control of your life and find a healthier you! Give MediWeightloss® Lutz a call to set up your FREE CONSULTATION to find out why this is the program that works for you. The Lutz Medi-Weightloss® Clinic is located at 24420 SR 54 Lutz, FL 33559 For more information or to make an appointment, call (813) 909-1700 or visit www.mediweightlossclinics.com.
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Action Air Conditioning : Celebrating 30 Years of “Keepin It Cool!” Celebrate with them by taking $30.00 OFF a service repair of your choice! By Michelle Naktin Why is Action Air the most trusted name in the industry? Since 1988, David Russell has been committed to selling the best quality and energy efficient products, supported by the best warranties. His motto is simple; “Honesty, Integrity and Reliability is what we stand for,” and by sticking to this, David and his team have achieved phenomenal success, and is one of the top HVAC companies on Florida’s West Coast! We’ve heard time and time again about companies providing the best service at rock bottom prices, but have you ever asked yourself how? It doesn’t quite make sense, right? Family owned and operated Action Air has been proudly serving the Tampa Bay area for decades. At Action Air, all of their employees believe that customers should be treated exactly
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how they would want to be treated. If you're not completely satisfied, neither is Action Air. In Florida, our AC systems work some serious overtime in the spring and summer months, and if our current temperatures are telling us anything, it’s going to get hotter! Just like you would expect your car to need some maintenance, so does your air conditioning units. Don’t wait too long and find yourself looking for answers for why your air conditioner isn’t working. While there are a ton of AC maintenance tips that homeowners can tackle themselves, the inner workings are simply too complicated, and the system is too important and valuable to not be inspected by a qualified technician. During your AC tune up, a technician will ensure that all moving parts are working properly, everything (including the coils) is squeaky clean, and check the
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coolant levels in your AC system. Homeowners who take the time to schedule routine maintenance earn huge dividends on their investment in terms of overall system efficiency and the improved lifespan of their HVAC systems. If your home air conditioner has been performing poorly, or has given up altogether, Action Air wants to be your AC provider. David and his team offer a wide range of heating and cooling solutions, whether you need a repair, installation or annual maintenance, expert technicians will deliver the quality service Action Air is known for time and time again. Action Air has one of the largest parts departments and inventory selections in town. If you need a part or new system, Action Air will have it. Action Air is a Lennox Premier dealer and Daikin Comfort Pro retailer. They offer the best in heating and cooling for
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all budgets and needs supported by the best-extended warranties in the industry. “I would like to personally invite you to our showroom, where you can find all of the latest hightech thermostats, dehumidifiers, air cleaners, and AC systems that are on the market today. Our showroom is what really distinguishes us from other AC competitors. You wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it first, so why buy an air conditioning system without seeing it run? When you visit our showroom, you can see and test real operating AC units for yourself, giving you the comfort of knowing the AC system you’re getting before you buy it. You’ll learn a lot and probably have fun too!” says founder, David Russell. Action Air has won numerous awards over the past 30 years. While walking through the showroom, you will be able to see several of their awards hanging
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with pride. David says, “We are proud to say that over 50% of our employees have been a part of our company for over 18+ years, and that’s only because many of the others have since retired. We treat our workers like family, and we believe that translates into customer satisfaction. We don’t find good technicians. We create them.”
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Action Air believes that giving back to the community has contributed to their success over the years. Action Air is currently partnered with the Humane Society and sponsors other community organizations, including little league baseball and local churches and schools. Action Air Conditioning has been a staple in the Greater Tampa
Bay Area for decades. They take pride in being more than just a successful company; they’re even more honored to be a successful Tampa Bay company. They love this town. Tampa is their home and it’s where they have families, friends and some of their closest relationships. 2018 has brought a milestone for the Action Air family. This February marked their 30 year anniversary! Action Air is honored to have grown to one of the most established, respected, and reliable HVAC companies in the greater Tampa Bay Area! Through strong customer service, exceptional work, and honest pricing, Action Air is
proud to be known as a company Tampa Bay truly trusts. Please help celebrate their milestone by taking $30.00 off a service repair of your choice. Contact Action Air today to schedule any of your HVAC needs. Action Air Conditioning, Inc. is located on the corner of Busch Blvd and Armenia at 8926 N Armenia Ave in Tampa, Florida. They are open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. with 24-hour same day emergency service available. For more information please call (813) 935-6644 or visit ACTIONAIRCONDITIONING.COM
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SAT, ACT, AND NEW “TOP 25” PROGRAM By: Dr. Wayne Adams As parents of all my students know, my overall goal is for each student is for to have the best possible future that includes scoring their best on the SAT and/or ACT Exams. Each of my students is special. I am as proud of a student who works hard and improves a score such as the ACT from 14 to 21 as I am of a student who works hard and improves the ACT composite score from a 26 to a 33. More and more parents have been asking about how to get admitted to at Top 25 school, where I have been fortunate to have students admitted to 17 of the Top 25 … and 8 of the Top 10 … plus the very picky “Honors Program” at UF, in addition to many, many other schools inside and outside of Florida. I thought you would like to see the following about Colleges in Florida, and some well known colleges in the Top 25. The sources are 1College Rankings from US News and World Report 2018, and 2College Scorecard. More is available at these sites on-line. Here are the key categories: National Rank1, SAT Range2, ACT Range2, 4-Yr Grad Rate2, Median Earnings 10 Years After Attending for students who received federal aid2, and Average Net Annual Cost2. The average net cost is after all school, state, and/or federal aid. In Florida, it includes the
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impact of Bright Futures. Get ready for some surprises, especially in annual costs and earnings 10years after graduation. For example, many students can go to Princeton (#1) for less than the cost of going to the University of Florida … with almost twice the earnings median 10 years after graduation. For about $6,000 a year more, that student can go to Harvard (#2), Yale (#3), Vanderbilt (#14), or the University of Virginia (#25) with significantly higher earnings possibilities upon graduation and later in life. The key is getting admitted. The cost of attending can be far less than many realize, depending upon the situations, and sometimes actually less than going to a Florida school when everything is realistically considered! HERE’S THE DATA: Florida Schools: UF Natl Rank #42, SAT 1250 – 1420, ACT 27 – 31, 4-Yr Grad Rate 67%, Avg Annl Cost $14,000, 10 Yr Earnings $53,100, Avg Net Annl Cost $12,022. U Miami Natl Rank #46, SAT 1200 – 1390, ACT 28 – 32, 4-Yr Grad Rate 81%, 10 Yr Earnings $57,800, Avg Net Annl Cost $32,746. FSU Natl Rank #81, SAT 1120 – 1280, ACT 25 – 29, 4-Yr Grad Rate 79% , 10 Yr Earnings $44,900, Avg Net Cost $15,664
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USF Natl Rank #140, SAT 1070 – 1270 , ACT Range 24 – 28 , 4-Yr Grad Rate 68%, 10 Yr Earnings $41,800, 10 Yr Earnings $41,800, Avg Net Cost $11,232 UCF Natl Rank #171, SAT 1080 – 1270, ACT 24 – 28, 4-Yr Grad Rate 70%, 10 Yr Earnings $43,300, Avg Net Annl Cost $14,221 Selected Top 25 Schools: Princeton Natl Rank #1, SAT 1390 – 1590, ACT 32 – 35, 4-Yr Grad Rate 97%, 10 Yr Earnings $80,500, Avg Net Annl Cost $8,848 Harvard Natl Rank #2, SAT 1400 – 1600, ACT 32 – 35, 4-Yr Grad Rate 98%, 10 Yr Earnings $90,900, Avg Net Annl Cost $17,882 Yale Natl Rank #3, SAT 1400 – 1600, ACT 32 – 35, 4-Yr Grad Rate 96%, 10 Yr Earnings $83,200, Avg Net Annl Cost $20,910 Vanderbilt Natl Rank #14, SAT 1430 – 1590, ACT 32 – 35, 4-Yr Grad Rate 92%, 10 Yr Earnings $64,500, Avg Net Annl Cost $18,144 University of Virginia Natl Rank #25, SAT 1250 – 1460, ACT 29 – 33, 4Yr Grad Rate 98%, 10 Yr Earnings $60,700, Avg Net Annl Cost $19,430 So I have started a new program that helps parents and students develop a comprehensive plan and specific steps to help maximize the possibilities of being accepted to a Top 25 (which almost never happens in a few weeks during the fall of
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the senior year). As some examples (there are more, but this will give you an idea), the Common Application is different than applications for major Florida schools, the application Essay(s) must be far superior and sometimes two are required, the Free Application For Student Aid (FASFA which is required) is critical including how to legitimately minimize assets and income that count against you for determining the costs a family can afford and therefore your negotiating position, pushing the SAT and ACT scores to the very top is a “must”, maximizing college campus visits including talking with admissions and other key experiences, developing special strengths instead of the standard Florida community activities that do not count and being a “well rounded student” is a myth, understanding scholarship requirements that can vary widely, building negotiating skills to go after the best value packages that can save $10,000 - $40,000 in costs, preparation and practice for the all-important “personal interview” - so vital because often this “makes or breaks” an otherwise highly qualified student, and plugging-in to a local alumni group in advance to build relationships. So if you would like to talk more about my SAT and ACT classes and/or my new Top 25 Program, please contact me at 727-253-0639 or send me an e mail at wwa0811@mykolab.com.
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Tech Talk with Bob - “WiFi Part 2” By Bob Dalles Greetings and I hope this columns finds you well! Last time we started to discuss Wireless Fidelity commonly referred to as Wi-Fi. Before I move on I do want to make it clear that Wi-Fi is not solely used for computer communications. Wi-Fi pretty much covers any type of communication between two or more points that does not require the physical connection of some type of wire. For example, speaking to someone across a room is Wi-Fi. As long as your message is sent, received and understood, you have Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi). Yelling “fore!” on a golf course is a form of Wi-Fi, at least we hope it is. Yelling “fore!” is a type of Wi-Fi that some say dates back to around 1881. Long before computers used Wi-Fi. There is another type of Wi-Fi technology that I bet you use every day other than talking and yelling. You have probably been using this long before you started using computers. Any idea? Ever hear of
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Bob Dalles, owner of Bob the Computer Guy “infrared?” Infrared uses light signals to communicate with your TV. Yep, your TV set, cable box, stereo system, DVD player, even some air conditioners and ceiling fans use infrared. Your TV remote emits an infrared light signal to your TV to instruct it to turn on or off, change channel, etc. For infrared Wi-Fi to function properly, there must be a transmitter device (like your TV remote) and a receiving device (an optical port built into your TV). Two things about infrared. First, the
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transmitting device and receiving device must be relatively close to each other. The exact distance will vary. Second, infrared requires “line-ofsight” meaning that nothing can stand between the transmitter and receiver. Infrared will not penetrate walls, people or anything else that will obstruct a light beam. Computers used to use infrared. Some still do, but only under special circumstances. Wi-Fi on your computer these days uses radio waves. Radio waves can travel further distances than infrared and penetrate most obstructions. For this to work your computer must have a way to receive a Wi-Fi signal. That is usually an antenna. Some antenna are mounted on the outside of the computer and are in plain view, usually
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seen on desktop computers. Some antenna are mounted on the inside of the computer and can’t be seen, usually on laptop computers. In addition, there must be at least one other device to send and receive those radio waves to your computer. We’ll discuss that later. Have a tech question? Email it to TechTalkTBNL@BobTheComputerGuy.NET. Questions will be selected by the popularity of a topic and answered in this column. If you have a more urgent need or have a unique situation you may schedule an appointment with one of my Professionally Certified Technicians by calling 727-534-4000. Until next time, stay safe on the internet!
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Dean Haran, CPA: For your Business and Personal Accounting Needs By Deborah Bostok-Kelley At tax season, CPA Dean Haran is busy bringing welcome relief to worried taxpayers. His website states that he “We work round-the-clock and seven days a week, to ensure the taxpayer’s problem is resolved, and that you are getting the exceptional help.” With 35 years accounting experience specializing in small business and personal tax preparation, Dean not only provides tax preparation service, but aids the family on the next steps. “I don’t just do my clients’ taxes. I teach them how to save for the future and will educate them about how they can save money on next year’s taxes and plan for financial success,” he said. A graduate of Annamalai University, India, with a MS Accounting and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, Dean began his career
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as a staff accountant in CPA firms and moved into public accounting. He worked as a budget and planning manager for Fortune 500 companies. “I am good in math and wanted to be an accountant from my childhood. I worked in a Fortune 500 company as a senior financial analyst, but I am more interested in tax preparation than financial planning. My friends encouraged me to start my own business and gave me their business accounting.” Dean opened his practice in December 2006, but most of his clients send in their details via email. Dean will also go to the client’s business to provide assistance. In addition to tax preparation, Dean also provides accounting, financial planning, payroll, financial statement preparation, tax planning, audit representation and Quick Books setup and training. The additional services are great for a small business that does not want to
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hire a fulltime person into that position. Dean knows the importance of his clients’ time and offers virtual services via phone and email. He also is aware that some of his elderly clients may not be able to go to him, so he will go directly to them. “I go to seniors’ home to collect their tax papers and prepare their tax return and file for them. I won’t charge extra for that type of service.” When not providing stellar financial service to his clients, Dean is involved in Nirvana Healing Ministries and got them approval from the IRS to become a 5013C charity organization. They helped to load the food for North Carolina’s Hurricane Mathew victims. He also
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volunteers during Thanksgiving meals. In addition, he is involved in Tampa Tamil Academy. “I also got them tax exempt approval and continuously support them,” he said. Dean recommended that entrepreneurs like sole proprietors keep their personal and business
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expenses separate in case they are ever audited. He said that if you make a business and personal purchase on the same credit card, that you make two distinct transactions, so you have two separate receipts. Dean explained what sets him apart from his competitors. “I am committed to my clients with the highest level of personalized and professional service to meet their goals. Customers can contact me on my cell number and my fees are flexible, so I can save them money based on their
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circumstances or situation,” he said. “I’ve been helping small businesses and individuals with all of their accounting needs while identifying and educating them about ways to save money. I give personal attention and expert knowledge of the accounting and business challenges they face.” Dean Haran CPA is located at 2830 Blueslate Court, Land O Lakes. To learn more about the services that Dean’s provides, please visit www.harancpa.com. Dean is offering 10% off for magazine readers.
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“Cleaning Angel” Continued from page 1 with the total package.” Says Owner Donna Ferrante. Donna has built a solid reputation for exceptional service which her customers have shown their appreciation for by recommending her services to family and friends for over two decades. “I offer a very unique and personable cleaning service,” explains Donna. “My teams spend twice the time as other services for less money. The cleaning is top to bottom, complete and comprehensive. Donna realizes that many of her clients are working longer hours than ever. “They simply need help,” states Donna. “Even ten years ago, cleaning services were for the rich. Today, it is a necessity for many families and the cost is budgeted in just like the electric bill and utilities. The last thing my clients want to do on their day off is spend it cleaning their homes; time is precious and they would much rather be spending free time with family and friends.” It’s been proven that a clean house gives way to a clear mind and the ability to focus on other areas of life. There are many other things we
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Every employee that Donna hires is background checked, drug free and covered by workman’s compensation.This is part of the reason why Donna’s Cleaning Angels is the first choice of so many people in our area. would rather be doing with our day. Donna and her Angels can help you breathe a bit easier knowing that your home is in order. Donna comes from a hardworking family of entrepreneurs and grew up with a strict work ethic. Being half Italian and half French Canadian, she was raised to be a hard worker, honest and dependable in a small town in the white mountains of New Hampshire called Gorham, where her
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family has owned an Italian restaurant for over 66 years. Donna explains, “The dedication and success in my cleaning business is due to the closeness of my wonderful family. I am proud and honored to say that I am following in the footsteps of my parents and grandparents. We know how to cook, clean and we give 100 percent to the business.” In addition to her family’s influence, Donna attributes the success of her company
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to a determined attitude, a tremendous amount of ambition and meticulous attention to detail, which is accompanied by an unstoppable drive. An example of this drive was when after years of working on her own, she broke her ankle and hand in an accident. Donna knew she couldn’t continue cleaning on her own, and prayed for the future of her business and made the decision to hire her first employee.
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True to her family’s hardworking legacy, Donna is loyal in her dedication to her business, her employees, and her clients. “I can’t believe nearly 27 years have gone by,” says Donna. “I’ve seen a lot of cleaning services come and go, but we are here for the long term. Now we are bigger and better than ever and are the number one cleaning service in Tampa Bay. I am so excited I still have a lot of the same customers for over 20 years!” Donna’s Cleaning Angel’s handdelivers peace of mind, a tidy home AND the luxury of spare time to everyone all across the Greater Tampa Bay area. Donna’s dependable Angels as well as quality residential and commercial cleaning services are specially-tailored to complement the lifestyles and the schedules of each of her customers because she knows that no client is the same. . Donna's Cleaning Angels is a fully licensed, bonded and insured company whose employees are carefully trained, drug-free and covered by worker's compensation. Steven and Janice Downs said “My husband and I have tried many cleaning services over the past year and we were just about to give up when one of our neighbors told us about Donnas Cleaning Angels. We thought there was just too many fly by night cleaning ladies and services out there. We are so happy that we called Donna especially after finding out all of her employees are background checked. That is so important to us and should be to anyone in the community. Rest assured folks, this is the service to call plus they do a fantastic job! -Steven and Janice Downs of Tarpon Springs There are endless factors when choosing a company to trust with your cleaning needs, making sure the business is bonded, licensed and insured is a good way of gauging the quality of service you can expect.
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Donna has ensured that all bases are covered and has protected not only her business interests, but the interests of her clients as well. "Next to your doctor, theres nothing more personal than your cleaning service which is why we take so many steps to protect you, and make you feel at ease with our service.” Says Donna. “My customers don't have to worry because I've done my homework and I carry the liability." A true professionally ran cleaning company at its finest. Not your average everyday service that claims to be the best. Donna runs a true cleaning service with no hidden fees and no surprises. The end result is simply breathtaking and exactly what you expect when you pay to have something done by a professional. A must use A++++ Service. Try them and I guarantee you will not be disappointed. –Chris Michael Owner of Central Park Restaurant in New Port Richey Donna’s right hand, Office Manager Maria Santilli, is a blessing according to Donna and the feeling seems to be mutual. Good customer service seems to be harder and harder to find these days but not when you’re working with Donnas Cleaning Angels. “Customers love how much time Donna takes to meet and explain everything we have to offer them in person,” says Maria. Donnas Cleaning Angels promises to always provide prompt and dependable service, always meeting the expectation of their clients. They take time to understand, in detail, your areas of concern and leave each client completely satisfied with their service. Sharisse Tsikouris of Odessa says, “It’s been very difficult for me to find a good cleaning company. I have been with this company for a while now and I'm a very very picky individual and they have done an amazing job! Every single week I'm never disappointed with my cleaning. If you’re looking for
the best cleaning service in town these are the people to see.” Building honest, dependable relationships is just as important to Donna as providing quality cleaning. “My girls are ‘my girls’—we are like a close knit family,” says Donna. “I appreciate and take care of them and they appreciate and take care of our clients. It’s a win win situation. The bond that Donna shares with her Angels and clients is what has built the foundation of her success. Donna’s good values, backed by her A+ team and exceptional service is why Donnas Cleaning Angels is a known name here in Tampa Bay. Whether you are a retiree, busy with your career, or a full-time mom, Donna’s “Angels” will make your life easier. “Using the basic principles of mutual respect combined with good, old-fashioned elbow grease, the angels produce a heavenly sparkle,” says Donna. “Our customers love our back-to-basics, old-fashioned cleaning techniques, often reminding them of how their grandmothers used to clean.” To ensure that every client is happy after each cleaning, Donna offers comment cards, regularly checks in with her clients, and has regular meetings with her staff. Donna’s Cleaning Angels work in teams, and there is a team leader on every job. The teams are in uniforms with the Donna’s Cleaning Angels logo and wearing close-toed, non-slip shoes, which Donna says is a requirement to meet OSHA standards of safety and one that not all cleaning companies adhere to. Donna’s Cleaning Angels are provided with a large canvas kit containing the high quality cleaning products for every job. Not only does Donna provide top of the line products and services, she also guarantees the same for her Angels. Every employee that Donna hires is background checked and covered by workman’s compensation. This is part
of the reason why Donna’s Cleaning Angels is the first choice of so many people in our area. Every tool and cleaning product – from the professional grade vacuums to the lintfree cleaning rags – are carefully chosen by Donna, who has provided only the best to her clients and her employees since she first started her business nearly 27 years ago. Potential new customers are provided with a free, in-home estimate, and a folder that contains: Certificates of Liability Insurance for everyone affiliated with Donna’s Cleaning Angels, a copy of their business license, written referrals from customers, and informational sheets about Donna’s Cleaning Angels, its history, ownership, and information about the ReferA-Friend program. Residential and commercial clients alike appreciate that Donna’s Cleaning Angels is completely professional about providing such a polished service. “A few weeks ago when my young grandsons came to visit, one said, ‘Grammy you are famous! We see your cars and advertisements all over the place!’ At that moment, I realized how fortunate I am. I told them it takes hard work, determination and strength! I am not a franchise, nor did I have the backing of another company; I did this on my own. It makes me happy to know that this is a legacy that I can now leave my grandchildren. Donna adds, “At the end of the day I thank God for my blessings – the great people who work for me, a great business, my health, my home, my loved ones and my family. God bless you all and God bless America.” If you’re ready for a detailed cleaning, schedule your free consultation at 727-942-8289. You're in good, clean hands with Donna’s Cleaning Angels!
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“Trinity Family Physicians” Continued from page 1 Eldridge and Dr. Shirmo love helping those in need and are humbled that they are in a position to do so. Learning through Life Experiences “As we’ve grown older, we’ve started to have many of the same life events as our patients. Having a parent who is ill or having a newborn baby makes you appreciate the point of view of your patients even more,” said Dr. Shirmo. “We’ve been through our own family hardships and it reminds us of what it is like to be on the other side as a family member of a patient.” Staying up-to-date on Technology “We like to combine old fashion medicine with the technology of today,” said Dr.
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Eldridge. “Advances in technology have allowed us to continue to improve our patient care and give patients more accessibility and different ways to communicate with us. We always strive to use technology in a way that improves care but does not replace personal interactions.” Getting to Know Patients Dr. Eldridge and Dr. Shirmo say one of the best parts of being a doctor is getting to know their patients and their families. They really take the time to listen and pride themselves on knowing about what is going on not just with their patients’ health but also in their lives. Expanding their Practice Beyond their Office Walls Dr. Eldridge and Dr. Shirmo know that sometimes it can be difficult, maybe even impossible, for elderly patients to come into
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the office and so they have begun visiting patients at assisted living and rehab facilities as well as nursing homes. “It allows our patients to continue to be part of our practice and stay where they are most comfortable,” says Dr. Shirmo. Teaching the Next Generation of Doctors Both doctors say they enjoy sharing their passion for medicine with the medical students at Florida State and University of South Florida Medical Schools, where they hold faculty positions. They believe one of the most important things they can teach students in addition to the science and skills needed to be a good doctor is the importance of listening. “We tell them that it is not just about listening to the heart and lungs,” says Dr. Eldridge, “you have to really listen to what your patient has to say.”
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Meeting and Exceeding Goals “We broke every goal we had set for our practice in our first year,” said Dr. Shirmo. “At first we were not sure how but then we realized it was because we were giving old fashioned care and doing the right things for our patients. We have many specialists who refer their patients to us and we have patients who could go to any doctor they want to go to, but choose us. It is a huge compliment and very humbling.” Starting A Charity “We always thought there were so many great causes and so many people in the community doing good for others that we wanted to create an avenue for people to nominate those who were doing good,” said Dr. Eldridge. And thus the Trinity Family Physicians Tampa Bay Making A Difference Award was born. With the award, the doctors have honored teenagers and adults in the community who
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are making a difference by providing activity bags to children in the hospital, helping unemployed people better market themselves and find new jobs and collecting and donating items to people in need. Being Chosen as the Team Doctor for Jesuit High School “It was wonderful, a big honor to be trusted as the team doctor for my alma mater,” said Dr. Shirmo. “To know you are on the sideline making a difference is very touching.” Having A Wonderful Staff “It was a hard decision to bring on a nurse practitioner because we are very protective of our patients and wanted to make sure we found someone who cares as much as we do. We absolutely have that with Kyle. The patients love her and she has been an excellent addition to our practice. Angie has been with us for 6 and a half years and thanks
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to her skills and attention to details has saved lives just like us.” Celebrating 26 Years Together and 3 Amazing Daughters It’s hard to stop at a Top 10 when you’ve got so much to celebrate. High school sweethearts, the doctors’ affection for each other is apparent and spills over to their patients – making each and everyone feel like part of the family. Trinity Family Physicians accepts patients age 8 and up (their oldest patient is more than 108). They are located at the corner of Trinity Blvd. and Duck Slough Blvd. at 1817 Cypress Brook Dr., Suite 101 in Trinity. Hours are Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, call (727) 8348377 or visit their Facebook page or website at www.trinityfamilyphysicians.com.
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