Vol. 11, Issue 03, March 2020
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Your community. Your magazine. ™
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, Starkey Ranch, Stillwater, Stonegate, Suncoast Crossings, Suncoast Meadows, Swan Cove, Van Dyke Estates, Van Dyke Farms, Villa Rosa, Wyndham Lakes
Donna’s Cleaning Angels The Best Cleaning Services For over 28 years! By Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi A clean and organized home is a beautiful home. But having a sparkling place is essential for more reasons than just plain aesthetics; a clean house can also help your overall health. Germs, dirt, and dust can suppress the immune system and cause you to become sick often. According to the American Lung Association, poor indoor air quality can trigger disorders such as allergies and asthma, as well as other breathing
problems. The air in the home can quickly become degraded from accumulated dust, molded, and pet dander. These sickcausing germs like to live on the surfaces of the house. By keeping your home clean, you can kill up to 98 percent of the daily germs and can keep you and your loved ones healthier. But let’s be honest, the continuous ritual of putting things away, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, scrubbing, and mopping is not anyone’s idea of a fun See “Cleaning Angels” on page 22
Osaka Express - Poke Bowl & Hibachi A Healthier Approach to Fast Food By Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi
Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, and conveniently located at The Shoppes at Sunlake Centre in Lutz, Osaka Express offers a wide variety of authentic Poke Bowls and Hibachi dishes. This fast-casual dining spot opened its doors in September 2018, and it is the perfect place for a quick lunch with coworkers or casual dinner with your family. See “Osaka Express” on page 28
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor..............................5 SAT & ACT Improvement...........8-9 ALLPRO Tree & Landscaping..12-13 Tech Talk with Bob..................16-17 1-800-Got-Junk?........................20-21 The Secret to the Perfect Wedding or Event....................24-25
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As you know, our publication’s primary focus is to cover all the great things that Tampa Bay has to offer. We are hyper-localized, and reach the following areas; East Lake, Westchase, Carrollwood, Trinity, Odessa, Lutz, and Land O’ Lakes. We mainly focus on informing the community about all the fantastic local businesses and what products and services they have to offer you and your loved ones. We are proud promoters of a “shop local” mentality. When you think about getting the most out of your money, you might think about long-term investments—things such as 401k, real estate investments, IRAs, and so forth. And as you might imagine, these are all great options for the money you want to keep, but how do you get a return on investment for the money that you spend? The answer is simple—by shopping locally. When you local, you’re making a personal investment in your neighborhood and community. In fact, for every $100 spent, roughly $68-$73 of it returns to local activity. Money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local companies, service providers, and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as our region’s tax base. Whether you realize it or not, when you shop local, you are individually stimulating the local economy with your support and, in turn, helping shape your community’s unique character and personality. When you shop locally, you benefit from a personalized customer service experience, as local business
owners are usually running and operating their own shops. They feel personally invested in your purchase. Local business owners genuinely care about you and your family; they want to get to know you and want to make sure you’re enjoying the products or services they offer. After all, they are your neighbors. By shopping local, you’re also supporting incredible local charities and non-profit organizations. Most of our featured local businesses and their owners are very involved in helping their communities prosper, and the majority donate a lot of their proceeds to local charities and nonprofit organizations. Where we shop, where eat, drink, play, and have fun—all of it makes our community home. Tampa Bay’s one-of-a-kind local businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Let’s keep Tampa unique; let’s keep it local. With that said, we’re looking for local writers to join our team. You’d be in charge of writing stories about local businesses, charities, and other incredible organizations. No real experience is needed; you need to have a flexible schedule and enjoy meeting new people. We’re looking for someone organized, responsible, with a passion for the written word, a vehicle or means of transportation, and who works well in a tight deadline environment. If that sounds like you, please get in touch with me at carla@nnlflorida. com. I look forward to hearing from you. Until next time,
Carla Dubis
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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: THE MENTAL PART OF SCORING WELL By Dr. Wayne Adams Upcoming Spring Test Dates in 2019: SAT on March 14, May 2, and June 6; and ACT on April 4 and June 14. Note: students are already reserving class times for the two summer exams: ACT on July 18, and SAT on August 29. As you all know by now, my overall purpose of the SAT and ACT Classes is to help my students prepare for their best possible futures … which includes doing their best on these exams. This also includes many other benefits. Here is a “thank you” email I recently received from one of my students. “Dr. A. Thank you so much for tutoring me in such as way that my standardized testing process was remarkably easy. This has certainly reduced quite a bit of stress for this semester.” A major part of every student doing their best on these exams is mental. It is one thing to know the techniques and practice in private, and quite another when taking the actual exam surrounded by many other students with “tension in the air”. I had one student recently scoring very well in class who did not hit his best on the exam because he was too distracted by the set up. So I had him go do practice tests again sitting in a Starbucks. He took the Exam again, and scored really well. The first 20 minutes or so of the first class, I always like to meet with the student and one or both parents so we can get to know each
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other and talk about the major philosophies underlying the class and why they have proven to be so effective with my students. I often hear that what we do is like no other class they have ever taken. One student said, “We work. We learn. It’s worth it. The time goes by so fast. And we have fun taking the tests!” Often students come to me thinking that the SAT and/or ACT Exam is an ordeal and their world may end if they don’t achieve a certain score. In class, they learn and practice just the opposite: Focus on doing you best, don’t set a specific target score for yourself, and this is your opportunity to show just how high you can fly! In other words, how to quickly melt away any “test anxiety” move into the your “best test-taking mental zone”. When all of my students hear the proctor say, “Go to the first test, open it, time begins now,” they immediately hear my words in their heads, “Have fun taking the test?” How they do this, the mental techniques, “getting into their best scoring zone”, and how to quickly restore focus are important parts of our classes. In a way, this mental change is very similar to viewing a glass that is halffilled with water. The normal wisdom is that it is either half-full or half-empty, depending on whether you are an optimist or a pessimist. I prefer that my students pick up that glass, view it from the bottom, and see that there is always enough water so don’t worry about it.
Our definition of success is, “When you walk out of the exam and look back on all we have done, you can say that you have done your best with the time and the priorities you had.” Focus on doing your best and your score will take care of itself. I believe no one in life can ask more, and we should not ask less of ourselves. One of my favorite sayings is, “Life is what happens when you think you will be doing something else!” There are always surprises, like one of my students hearing from her dentist that she would have to have all of her wisdom teeth out the day before she planned to take the SAT. No crisis, we just modified her prep class schedule and she took the next one … and did very well! About this year, I see many seniors who are heading towards the finish line in school and needing to improve to qualify for the de-
sired level of Bright Futures. Qualification can include the results of the last SAT and ACT exams in June. And I see many juniors and sophomores who want to start preparing during the last part of the school year. If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727-253-0639 or send me an e mail at wwa0811@ mykolab.com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200 – 350 points on the Writing, Reading, Writing and Essay, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to 5 of the “Top 5”, 9 of the “Top 10”, 18 of the “Top 25”, and many schools in Florida. These schools include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, U Chicago, Duke, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Notre Dame,
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Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Service Academies: Navy - Air Force - and Merchant Marine - Penn State, LSU, Auburn, UF, U Miami, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, FIU, New College of Florida, Stetson, and Julliard – Manhattan - New England - and Berklee Conservatories of
Music. Many have received academic, athletic, or music scholarships. This year, he has tutored three national merit finalists. He is a former Dean of a Graduate School of Business and Full Professor, and began college teaching at the University of Maryland in 1968. He has degrees and advanced studies at Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Columbia International, and Luther Rice.
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ALLPRO Tree and Landscaping - The Elite Service You Deserve By Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi Not only do trees provide oxygen to the environment, but they are dominant ornamental features in your home landscape and add value in many ways. But like any asset, the value will not increase without proper care and attention, and caring for trees involves pruning. Pruning a tree will often be done for aesthetic purposes, but it is also completed for the benefit of the tree. Damaged, diseased, or broken limbs can be safety risks for those nearby and for the health of the tree. Removing these branches will also prevent further decay. Whether you need to remove a potentially hazardous tree or boost your curb appeal, certified local arborist and ALLPRO owner Pete Spiridis, and his professional team of experts can gladly and affordably take care of your tree or landscaping problems.
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Whether you own a residential property or a business, Pete and the ALLPRO experts are at your service. They design impeccable landscaping, trim every type of tree, grind tree stumps, remove stumps, install and remove sod, place rock beds, lay
mulch, and perform all sorts of other yard-related duties. “ALLPRO did a fantastic job of trimming my huge oak tree,” said 5-star reviews M. Ceglian. “The tree was damaged by lightning, hanging low and spreading out over our
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neighbor’s property. Pete and his crew raised it, brought it in, and made it look amazing again. Allpro is the first tree service that I would use again and recommend to others.” Extreme Weather Conditions in Tampa Bay Call For Early Preparation Hurricanes, severe winds, lightning, heavy rain, Tampa Bay has it all. As Pete explains on his website, “Trees in urban areas of Tampa Bay endure especially brutal stimuli. Some trees do not have the genetic predisposition to deal with these forces.” At ALLPRO, the arborists “custom-tailor solutions that promote the health of your unique trees and landscapes.” ALLPRO is ready to help you during the 2020 Hurricane Season. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane wind scale paints an informative picture of potential damage to your trees from a hurricane, particularly improperly pruned trees. Using a rating system of 1 – 5, it warns that, at 74 to 95 mph, a category 1 hurricane can cause damage. “Large branches of trees will snap, and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled,” possibly causing “extensive damage to power lines,” creating outages that can last “a few to several days.” Downed trees can block roads, delaying the response time for emergency crews. Snapped branches can become lethal projectiles. “After the recent heavy winds in Tampa, we ended up with a palm tree and old landscaping mess,” says Mary H. “Pete and his staff took care of three fallen palm trees, and he designed a new clean look that meshed
with some exciting new landscaping. The job was beautiful, and we couldn’t be happier! We got what we paid for as promised and on time.” The time to prepare is now. When you take the steps that you need to make your home secure, don’t forget one crucial element that is often overlooked and can cause damage to your home, your trees. The solution is not the removal of trees but taking proper preventative care of them. According to Pete, “more of the trees that failed during the 2018 and 2019 Hurricane seasons were improperly pruned trees.” Proper pruning not only improves your trees’ overall health, but it also ensures that your family will be able to enjoy the shade of their favorite trees for many years to come. “Pete and the ALLPRO team removed 4 huge trees for me after Hurricane Irma came through,” says Lorrie D. “They were fast, friendly, professional and reasonably priced. They arrived on time and did the entire job, including stump removal in one day. Many thanks to Pete and the ALLPRO team.” Experts in Landscape Design & Installation Every stunning yard has its origins in exemplary landscape design & installation. ALLPRO Tree & Landscaping staffs highly creative designers who relish the opportunity to work with clients to create gorgeous landscape plans. “Our goal is to build an aesthetically pleasing landscape that requires minimal maintenance and satisfies you
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in every possible way,” says Spiridis. “ALLPRO Tree & Landscaping has landscape design & installation down to a science. The result is always a majestic landscape that holds its beauty across posterity. Allpro Tree & Landscaping goes beyond the basics of landscape design. “We make every effort to stay within clients’ budget limits,” says Pete. “Furthermore, we get the job done with incredible speed. You won’t have to worry about our team dragging their feet and occupying your property longer than necessary. We strive to plan and build landscaping in as little time as possible to ensure that you are provided with landscape design & installation of the highest quality.” If you are wondering if ALLPRO lives up to its reputation of providing “the elite service that you deserve,” as their website pledges, why don’t we ask the experts? National online home service guru, Angie’s List, was impressed enough to present ALLPRO with its “Super Service Award.” The Better Business Bureau, who analyzes and rates companies, according to both the quality of the service they provide and the complaints received about them, awarded ALLPRO Tree and Landscaping Inc. its highest rating, an A+! Pete and the expert folks at ALLPRO are ready to help. Just call (727-409-3315 or 813-244-9234), and don’t forget your free, no-obligation inspection. Visit their website at www.myallpro.com for more information.
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Tech Talk with Bob: Don’t Trash Your Identity I am happy to report that ever since I started offering cyber security services to our clients last spring, many people have become more aware of their digital security practices and are taking measures to better protect themselves online. Now remember, there is no silver bullet or guaranteed solution to being 100% secure online. However, implementing better online practices will make your digital world safer and make it harder for internet criminals to target you, exploit you, and wreak havoc in your real world. I have seen people employ great security practices to protect their business and personal data. But then they turn around and personally hand over their computer’s data to anyone for the taking. How does this happen? What do you do with your old
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computer when you get a new one? You would be surprised how many people throw their old computers into the trash. If you do this, your trash becomes a potential security
risk to you. First, never throw your old tech items into the trash. These components need to be disposed of properly and responsibly because they
usually contain elements that are not safe for the environment. In addition, most municipalities have laws and impose fines in regard to the proper/improper disposal of these items. Second, your discarded computer has a disk drive in it (hard disk drive/ solid state drive) that stores your information, including your personal data. Even if you delete your personal files, there are still methods cyber criminals can use to extract data that you thought was erased. Therefore your old computer sitting by the curb or in a dumpster can be intercepted by multiple people, who will rummage through your trash, from the time you throw it out to the time it gets to the landfill. So let me explain the process that we use. First, we remove the disk drive
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mounted inside the computer that actually stores all the information that was ever processed on that computer. It is usually in the form of a hard disk drive or solid-state drive. We then disassemble and dispose of the remaining components through industry channels we have in place. At this point all that is left is the old disk drive. We place that drive into an industrial shredder that converts it into a pile of rubble. There is no way any of our data will get into the hands of anyone, let alone cyber criminals, through an old computer we discarded. Now I want to simplify this process for anyone who needs to dispose of their old computers. We will pick up your computer(s) at your home or business. We disassemble them in our facility. Then we dispose of the components. Your disk drive will make a side-trip to be shredded into a pile of rubble before its
disposal. This way you have a quick and easy way to dispose of your old environmentally toxic computer. Plus, you also have peace of mind knowing that the data that was on your old computer is safe and inaccessible because your computer has been dismantled and its disk drive is no longer in one piece. We usually charge anywhere from $200 and up,
per computer, to provide this vital security service. However, in recognition of Earth Day 2020, if you schedule an appointment for us to dispose of your computer before the end of April 2020, I’ll do it for ONLY $99 per computer. (Sorry, no other coupons or offers can be applied to this special.) Remember protecting your data is always up to you. My staff and I are
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here to help you navigate through these cumbersome and often confusing tasks. Cyber criminals will exploit the easy, unprotected systems. Protecting yourself online is your responsibility. Don’t go it alone. We’re here to help. 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. Be Safer In Your Digital World! 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.
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If You’ve Got Junk – We’ve Got the Solution – 1-800-Got-Junk? By Carla M. Dubis Tedeschi Haven’t parked your car inside your garage in years? Why do you feel like you’re drowning in stuff? Where did it all come from anyway? If you feel like you have too much “junk,” you’re not alone. Did you know that there is a whopping estimate of 300,000 items in the average American home? It’s highly unlikely that every one of those 300,000 items is useful and practical for you to keep around. But getting rid of all your junk may seem like a huge task you don’t have time for. You keep putting it off because you don’t want to waste your entire weekend organizing your entire home. How do you even get started? Easy! With a phone call to 1-800 Got Junk? Like your own personal magic genie, 1-800 Got Junk?
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can make your junk disappear! And all you have to do is point! Locally owned and operated, they have been helping families and businesses alike reclaim their space for over 15 years. Owners Troy and Rachelle White enjoy an excellent reputation and take great pride in the quality of the junk removal services that they provide to both their residential and commercial customers. “We are committed to providing our customers with up-front rates, and on-time, friendly, professional service that exceeds their expectations,” says Troy. Often, we can show up on the same day. All you have to do is point at the pile of junk you want to be removed, and we’ll take care of the rest.” One Item or 100: “No job is too big or too small,” says Troy. “Our friendly professional
haulers will handle almost any kind of junk as long as it is non-hazardous. We pick up single items or can handle multiple truckloads of junk for commercial and residential customers. Our caring, uniformed drivers will do all the
heavy lifting for you, clean up and haul your junk away.” “1-800 Got Junk reps called ahead and confirmed arrival time, just as advertised. They arrived on time and were very professional. They assessed our junk removal
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request, provided a quote on the spot, and quickly and professionally removed the items we indicated. The price was fair and on the low side of the quoted range,” says customer and 5-star reviewer Ed R. “I
would recommend this service to anyone cleaning out an attic garage or other space. Well worth it if you consider your time (and your back) to be worth something.” If you are concerned about
the environment and adding to landfills with your discards, owner Troy reassuringly noted that 1800- Got Junk? is a very environmentally friendly company. “More than 70% of what we haul is recycled or reused, and our haulers will do the sorting for you to determine if something should go to the dump, a local charity or recycle center,” says Troy. “We have even taken small boats, engine blocks, sheds, and docks. We’ll remove junk from wherever it is located, and we will not leave a dent or speck of dirt behind.” Environmentally cautious customer Rhada H. says, “I’ve used this company twice in two different states. It was easy to schedule an appointment. Both times they were on-time, courteous, and considerate of the environment. This is an efficient and costeffective way to rid yourself of furniture that you can’t remove yourself. I highly recommend this company.” Troy proudly notes that “nationwide, 1-800-GOT_ JUNK? has saved more than 2.4 billion pounds of junk from the landfill.” Even their company warehouse was expanded to give them the space to keep even more junk out of landfills. “Our employees will sort through your junk and pull out the pieces that can be reused, recycled, or re-purposed so that you don’t have to.” In addition to their widely recommended residential junk removal services, represented by the consistent 5- star ratings that they receive from homeowners who have used 1-800-GOT-JUNK? The company works closely with a variety of commercial enterprises. If you are a general contractor, business owner, property manager, real estate agent, or any commercial venture in need of hauling and clean up assistance, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has the experience and expertise to be the solution to your junk removal problems. Their
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commitment to excellence will be evident in the renewed condition of your property or facilities. “We remove junk from wherever it’s located, and we wouldn’t leave a dent or a speck of dirt behind.” Andi P. says, “The employees are friendly and happy. I was in contact with tanner, Mark, and Javier. Very nice, efficient guys. Great company, on time, reasonably priced. If they can get there ahead of their schedule, they will call you beforehand to see if it works with your schedule, which worked out great for us. We will be using their service in the future when the need arises. Also, they quoted us before the job, so you know what the price is ahead of time. We paid $200. This is the second time we’ve used them in three weeks!” Troy and Rachelle have a strong commitment to the community that they serve. One of the best parts of their business, they say, is the relationships that they have developed and nurtured in the community. They appreciate their ability to help local non-profits like Hope Children’s Home and Lighthouse Ministries, as well as the Pinellas County Youth Ranch. “We’ve enjoyed getting to know the customers that we’ve helped. Everyone has a different reason for wanting their junk removed, and we help them all.” Don’t guess how much it will cost to clean up your debris, both residential and commercial. Do yourself a favor and call the experts at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? for a free, same-day, no-hassle estimate with same-day removal services. Serving the tri-county area (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco), 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is your source for all of your trash and unwanted removal needs. You can also visit www.1800gotjunk.com/tampa for more information.
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“Cleaning Angel” story
a crystal angel. Just before passing, the lady referred to Donna as her “Cleaning Angel.” Years later, after falling and breaking her ankle, Donna hired her first employee.
Donna’s Cleaning Angels) had hired an individual who did not carry workman’s compensation,” explains Donna. “This person was not wearing non-slip shoes and ended up falling while cleaning the shower and hitting her head, sustaining a serious injury. She ended up suing the homeowner and won! My clients don’t have to worry about that because I carry the liability.” Donna’s Cleaning Angels work as a team, and they are always punctual, presentable, respectful, and friendly, with matching uniforms and non-slip shoes. The Angels bring everything they need to provide you with exceptional cleaning. Donna explains, “My teams come in with a large canvas kit with all of their cleaning supplies, all of which are of the highest quality and kept in separate plastic bags. The cleaning teams are trained on what products to use. We never use bag-less vacuums because they are unsanitary. Our vacuums are commercial grade and include a stair vacuum, an upright vacuum, and a canister vacuum. The bags are changed often, and they are checked and wiped down before every clean.”
Fully Licensed, Bonded & Insured! It’s always a smarter idea to hire a professional cleaning service. Beyond the potential tax headaches, consider what happens if something is broken or stolen? Are you covered? What if the cleaner is sick on your cleaning day or goes on vacation? What if they trip or fall and try to sue you? With Donna and her Angels, you don’t have to worry about that! This fully licensed, bonded, and insured company provides you with a team of “Cleaning Angels” who are all background checked, drug-free, and covered by worker’s compensation. They also adhere to all OSHA rules. This provides the most protection for you and your home as well as the cleaners who are servicing your home. Complying with rules and regulations is of utmost importance for Donna’s employees’ protection. “I have one customer who (previous to hiring
Superior Cleaning & Superior Customer Service = Superior Reviews Along with her husband Steve Insolia, this entrepreneurial duo makes quality customer service a top priority. Their longstanding history of serving satisfied customers is why Donna’s Cleaning Angels is the number one choice for cleaning service in the Tampa Bay Area! They’ve been in business for almost 28 years because of the level of service they provide to their customers. “Donna’s Cleaning Angels has cleaned my house, my daughter’s and granddaughter’s houses, and our family business for the past four years or so,” says Febe B. “Donna is a very astute businesswoman and very personable. She runs a great crew, and we’re delighted with the services she provides us. Donna is a great member of the community, and some of the girls have told me how she helps them out and how she is always there to offer a
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time. That’s where Donna and her cleaning Angels come in! You’ll love the results after a team of the Cleaning Angels tackle the first and grime of everyday living, leaving your home sparkling clean, germ-free, and company-ready! Donna’s Cleaning Angels is a local, full-service cleaning company whose seeds were planted with love over 28 years ago by proud owner, Donna Ferrante. First, it was the love of family and the need for extra money that prompted the single mother to start a small side business cleaning houses. This love of family grew to love of clients and the self-fulfillment that comes from helping others. Donna’s children even helped out in the early years—her son, then 11, and his friend would put flyers on cars at the Sunday church services. Feeling that she had found her real purpose, Ferrante devoted herself to growing her client base. She saw that by providing a stellar cleaning service, she was instrumental in helping people enjoy their homes again. People enjoy getting to know Donna’s background and the work ethic she learned from her hard-working Italian and French Canadian family in the small town of Gorham, in the white mountains of New Hampshire. That’s where her family has owned an Italian restaurant for over 70 years. Donna explains, “The dedication and success in my cleaning business are 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 always give 110 percent to the business.” At one of her first cleaning jobs, she bonded with an elderly lady under hospice care, and she was the main inspiration behind the name of the company. Donna is still emotional as she recalls bonding with her client, and giving her
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helping hand. I know Donna takes great pride and care in her business. Donna makes sure to keep us all happy and that her crew is doing what is required of them. Donna will drop everything and come over if needed. Overall, she is a wonderful person.” Donna and Steve realize the importance of staying in tune with customers’ needs and continue to remain strong and committed in a very competitive market. “Besides the influence of my family, I attribute the success of my business to a determined attitude and tremendous amount of ambition, unstoppable drive, and commitment to my clients and employees,” explained Donna. “It is hard to find such caring and professional customer service these days,” says regular Dick M. of Villa Rosa in Lutz. “I wish Donna nothing but continued success with her growing and thriving business!” Pat and Margaret La Grazie of Timber Greens in New Port Richey said, “The number of years Donna has been in business is impressive, and people like stability and dependability. We
hired Donna back in 1995, and at that time she was cleaning our home by herself. Now, over 17 years later, we’re still working with Donna, but now get a team of her Angels, and we are still delighted with their service and superior cleaning. We highly recommend Donna’s Cleaning Angels.” Donna and her Angels offer a very unique and personable cleaning service. “My teams spend twice the time as other services for less money,” says Donna. “There is a lot more to providing a good cleaning service than just the cleaning. It’s the care and professionalism that comes from all of us at Donna’s Cleaning Angels. From management to the scheduling down to the teams who care about doing a great job.” Carol O’Neil from Odessa, shared “I have tried other cleaning services over the years with no luck. I was very frustrated. None of them were as dependable and detailed oriented as Donna’s Cleaning Angels.” Donna’s cleaning teams check off a list, covering everything from baseboards to the ceiling fans, to the stainless steel hood over the stove. A team leader is on every job. “The girls are happy when they work together,” says Donna. “It’s safer for them, and they have good energy together.”
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Plus, the teammates hold each other accountable, making sure nothing is missed. Services For More Than Your Home Donna’s Cleaning Angels can make your workplace sparkle as well. Do not mistake them with your regular janitorial service. What’s the difference, you ask? A lot! “Janitorial services vacuum, empty the trash and clean up the restrooms,” Steve explained. Donna’s Cleaning Angels will clean your office like they clean your home. Attention to detail is a must when it comes to making your office or professional practice shine for your customers. They vacuum, dust all surfaces, clean the blinds and fans, windows, mirrors, and more. “We clean everything,” said Donna. “We’re not in an out in 30 minutes.” Reflecting and reminiscing about everything that’s she’s been through to get where she’s at today, Donna says, “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.” If you are ready for a heavenly clean, please call Donna’s Cleaning Angels at 727-942-8289. Servicing Pasco, Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties.
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The Secret to the Perfect Wedding or Event
You can’t help but to love Caroline Carrozza. Her infectious laugh, comforting, happy demeanor, and Italian/ Slovakian “let’s have some nice dinner and wine” together feeling captures you. But, would you trust her with your wedding?! The truth is there is hardly one more qualified, excited, and focused on your event. Her upbringing in Philadelphia
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and her 12 years in an all-girls private Catholic School is just how it started. By the time she was 18, she managed 100 employees in her family’s three restaurants, “Maggies” an authentic Italian Pasta House and two others on the beaches of Wildwood, NJ. It doesn’t stop there. After a friend asked her to put together a marketing gift basket, everyone loved it. Caro-
line sensed opportunity and an outlet for her creativity. A business was born that grew to two Gift Basket Stores she owned and operated for nearly 16 years. And, of course, 3 children and a move to Florida. And working at several exclusive Country Clubs managing restaurants and events. Caroline works hard, she has all her life, and she has fun at it!
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So, how did she end up as Events Director at Wentworth Golf Club in Tarpon Springs? It is what she loves – putting beautiful food together with beautiful people in the most intimate, romantic setting executed flawlessly. She chose Wentworth because their culinary team does not disappoint and the venue is exceptional – an old English-style Manor Home, almost “Dalton Abbey”. And, few other locations can deliver this combination of ambiance, service, beauty and love. “I give my undivided attention to every bride; I listen and I get it right. Since I know the business inside and out, I’m able to advise each bride and groom and make their day stress free and enjoyable. I start by helping choose the best vendors and choreographing the timeline for their
special day! I love building lifelong relationships and enriching lives. Our events are perfect and picturesque!” Wentworth Golf Club is open to the public for weddings, parties, bar mitzvahs, life celebrations, meetings and other events. Those considering an event are invited to meet with Caroline for a tour and to exchange ideas. The Club is located at 2990 Wentworth Way in Tarpon Springs , off East Lake Road a mile north of Tarpon (Keystone) Avenue. Caroline’s phone number is 727 942-4760 x31. For more information, visit wentworthgolfclub.org. Wentworth Golf Club is a sister club to nearby Crescent Oaks Golf Club, both owned and operated by local, family-owned Ace Golf.
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“OSAKA EXPRESS - Story Continued from page 1”
Owner Xin Lin and the Osaka Express staff are very attentive and friendly, and will gladly help you with food suggestions and recommendations. Xin has over 20 years of experience in the restaurant business. You may have heard of him before, as he is also the proud owner of Osaka Sushi and Grill in Carrollwood, which is a more traditional and formal restaurant. When asked about the location of Osaka Express, Xin says, “I chose this location because I live here. This is home to me. And this community is all about family, and I love that.”
Fast, Delicious & Healthy Food — It doesn’t Get Better Than That!
While the occasional trip to your favorite fast food joint won’t hurt, a habit of eating fast, greasy food could be doing a number on your health and weight. Recent customer Jeremy S. says, “Osaka offers tasty, affordable and healthy poke bowls and hibachi options with a friendly and helpful staff. There’s a great selection of ingredients and one hundred ways to customize your own poke bowl. Staff always helps me with the sauce suggestions, which turn out to be amazing every time. We will be going back.” “We’re very quick to serve you, but very healthy as well. Poke Bowls and Hibachi are fast yet wholesome food options for you,” says Xin. “Our meals include lots of fresh protein, rice, and veggies, which are never processed or full of added sugar.” And if you’re worried about overspending, don’t. Traditional Hibachi places will charge anywhere from $15-$23 for a meal that you can get for way less at Osaka express.
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Many of their signature Poke Bowls are under $13, and several of the Hibachi options are $10 or less! While Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish, it has taken a long time for the seafood staple to reach the mainland U.S., never mind go global. Thanks to local tastes for healthy and convenient fast food options, a “Poke Craze” seems to have taken over America, and “healthy foodies” like myself couldn’t be happier. Poke takes the things people already love about sushi and offers it at a more affordable price. The traditional poke dish combines chunks of raw tuna with salt, candlenuts, and fresh seaweed. This option is still available today, however part of the Poke’s appeal is the way it can be customized to different tastes. At Osaka Express, you can pick and choose your own Poke Bowl ingredients, or go with one of their specialty bowls. They also offer Poke Salads and Poke Burritos. The literal meaning of hibachi is “fire bowl,” so you can imagine the amount of heat used to cook this delicious food. Hibachi is the cooking of meat, veggies, and seafood dishes on a high-heat, metal cooking plate. Even though I’ve visited several “Poke Bowl” places in Tampa, I never encountered one that also served delicious hot appetizers and affordable Hibachi until I visited Osaka Express. With Osaka Express, Xin was able to bring to life a “hot and cold fusion dining experience” that aims to satisfy your entire family. They truly have something for everyone, especially for us seafood lovers who enjoy customizing our dishes, and even for those picky eaters who’d never try raw fish. “A lot of Poke Bowl places don’t offer hot food options like we do, just raw seafood. Not that there’s
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anything wrong with that, but let’s be honest, not everyone likes raw fish, especially young kids,” says Xin. “At Osaka Express, everyone can enjoy a fresh and healthy meal. Hot or Cold, raw or cooked, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.” Local Food Guide Madi D. says, “Our food at Osaka is always amazing! The poke bowls are flawless every time, and the hibachi is perfect. I choose my own ingredients most days because I like customizing my own bowls and like having the option to do so.” There’s a large number of Osaka Express regulars. Some of which were coming in during my visit, asking for their “favorite bowl” or their “usual Hibachi meal.” After I got to try a wakame salad, a poke bowl full of fresh tuna and salmon, steak and chicken hibachi, and the Krab Rangoon appetizer, I’ll be a regular too! Everything was truly delicious. Even my mother, who happened to be with me during my first ever visit Osaka, and who is a very picky eater, said that was some of the best food she’s ever had and is looking forward to returning. Osaka Express also features a wide variety of hot and cold beverages, including a large variety of soft drinks, teas, and exotic canned juices. I was fortunate to try a very soothing hot Jasmine Green tea that helped my sore throat, and a cold canned Guava juice, which
brought me back to Venezuela with each sip. I grew up drinking guava juice regularly, but it is not a typical drink in the U.S. If you’re the adventurous type and love trying new things, trust me, get your meal with the Guava juice, you’ll enjoy it. Osaka Express is located at the Shoppes at Sunlake Centre, at 18855 FL-54, Lutz, FL 33558. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Visit http:// osakaexpressfl.com/ to order online for a quick pick up or call (813) 388-5091.
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