Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles. Odessa/Lutz/Land O' Lakes. Vol. 13, Issue 3, March 2022 by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Vol. 13, Issue 3, March 2022

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

Optometric Physician Dr. Christopher Tumolo Combines Old-Fashioned Service with Modern Technology By Deborah Bostock-Kelley At Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists, Dr. Christopher Tumolo combines state-ofthe-art optometry treatment with the type of old-fashioned customer service that your great-grandparents experienced. A native of Hudson, Dr. Tumolo came into his passion for correcting vision naturally. He is surrounded by family and family friends in the field. “I grew up in it. This was

Warren Ring REALTOR – “Your Lucky Real Estate Charm!” By Joy Bergman Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wish I could have more luck?” Sometimes in life things don’t go our way, and we wish that we could have a lucky shamrock in hand to make it all better. And when it comes to the important task of selling or buying a home, you know you’ll most definitely be needing some help. Well, as “luck would have it,” real estate agent and local Irishman Warren Ring has just the expertise, passion, and charm that you’ll be needing on this bridge into the unknown. As anyone who has purchased or sold a home before can tell you, things can get tough. But “the proof is in the pudding” working with an agent like Warren, as recent home buyer Matt L. demonstrates. He writes, “I can’t begin to say how much See Warren Ring on page 20

the family business. It was the direction to go. I started right out of high school. I would visit him (his father) at work when I was a teenager, like 14 or 15, and I started in the field at 19. I’ve been working in the field since 1999. I went to Saint Leo and Florida Gulfcoast University for undergrad, and then to the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico for optometry school.” Unlike other retail eye care

See “Beyond 20/20” on page 18

INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the Editor........................5 SAT/ACT......................................8 Tech Talk..................................10 Robotics Team.........................14 Jacobson Culinary Arts............16

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Loyal To Local - Always As the COVID-19 situation seems to be slowing down within our community, we would like to take a moment to check in. We continue to encourage you to take care of yourself and your loved ones by observing recommendations from public health officials and staying home if you feel unwell. Many local restaurants and businesses have been hit hard by COVID-19, with many suffering huge financial losses. Now is a great time to “buy” local first by ordering products and food to-go from your favorite local shops and restaurants! As you know, our publication’s primary focus is to cover all the great things that our incredible city of Tampa Bay has to offer. We focus our efforts on informing the community about 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 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. When you decide to shop 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. For or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com For Advertising Advertising Info Info 727-943-0551 727-943-0551 II info@nnlflorida.com info@nnl-

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, by supporting small businesses you are individually stimulating the local economy with your support and, in turn, helping shape your community’s unique character and personality. 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 non-profit organizations. Where we learn, shop, eat, drink, and play—all of it makes our community home. At the end of the day, it’s free to give a business a shout-out on social media, leave them a kind review, or hype them up through word-ofmouth. We’re doing our best to lift up all the small businesses we can right now, but we could use your help! Tampa Bay’s one-of-a-kind local businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place. Let’s keep Tampa vibrant, eclectic and unique; let’s keep it local.

Carla Dubis Tedeschi MARCH 2022 5

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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: LOOKING AHEAD By Dr. Wayne Adams Upcoming Exam Dates: SAT on May 12th, June 4th, and August 27th; … ACT on April 2nd June 11th, and July 16th. One question I often have from parents and students is, “Dr. A, are there really that many ‘tricks’ that can help improve SAT and ACT scores?” The answer is, “Yes,” with some specific techniques, some ways of thinking, and some mental techniques to help reduce test anxiety and “stay focused, on track” when the inevitable distractions hit during an exam such as having to read a question multiple times, realizing it is taking too long on a question, and different forms of self-doubt. Math has many specific techniques that help students answer questions much faster with a far higher probability of getting the right answer. Here’s an example. If the question asks which of the four following expressions is equivalent to (8x2 – 4x +2) / (3x2 + 2x – 8) and gives you four possible fractions with x’s and numbers in the numerator and denominator, there is a way to get the correct answer in less than fifteen seconds working only in your head! Here’s how. No one said you couldn’t plug in 0 for x, which leaves our expression = -1/4. Now, plug in 0 in for x in each of the four possible answers. The answer that also = -1/4 is correct. If two of the possible answers = -1/4, then go back and plug in 2 for x in the first expression and get another “target number”. Use it for x in the two “possibles”, and only one will give you the new

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target number. That’s your answer. All too easy … if you know how to recognize the six types of Plug-Ins in arithetic, algebra, and geometry problems and how to handle them. In five to 15 seconds my students avoid factoring, canceling out in the numerator and denominator, and using at least a minute of time on a test where “time is not your friend” … not to mention the far higher possibility of making a math error. By the way, almost all algebra problems and many types of geometry problems can be solved with Plug-ins if you know what to look for and how to do them. My students love “doing algebra without algebra”. I firmly believe that half of a student’s doing their best on these exams is mental. This is why I wrote Achieve and Maintain Your Peak Mental Performance Zone on the SAT and ACT including How To Win Over Test Anxiety for my students. This includes fourteen ways to “stay in the zone’ during the actual examination. As we all move into spring, many SENIORS are working on bringing up their exam scores up to qualify for the 75% or the 100% Bright Futures Scholarship (about $25,000). We have until the last SAT Exam on Saturday, June 4th, to qualify with the SAT, and until the last ACT Exam on Saturday, June 11th, to qualify with the ACT. At this point, it is not unusual to do a “Skill Strengthening” class to improve either the Writing and Language / Reading combined score or the Math score on the SAT, or either the English and Reading combined score or the Math and Science combined score

on the ACT. These focused classes are about half the hours of a full prep class. Sometimes, when we are aiming for more improvement, we do the full prep classes. My JUNIORS and some SOPHOMORES are usually focused on getting ahead with preparing for the SAT and/or ACT and either work over the spring, or get set to prepare starting right after school finishes for the ACT in mid-July and/or the SAT the last Saturday in August. For students wanting to do a combination class of ACT and SAT, we can finish either the week just before school resumes in August (with a complementary, additional review class the week before the SAT), or the week before the actual SAT Exam. During the summer, we easily schedule around family vacations, summer jobs, athletic commitments, and “surprises” as they may arise. If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727-2530639 or send me an email at wwa0811@mykolab.com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200+ points on the Writing, Reading, Writing

and Essay, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to 8 of the top 10 universities in the country, 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, Emory, UC Berkley, UCLA, USC, UNC (Chapel Hill), NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Naval - Air Force - Merchant Marine Service Academies, Penn State, LSU, Auburn, UF, U Miami, FSU, USF, UCF, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, FIU, New College of Florida, Stetson, and Julliard – Manhattan - New England - and Berkley Conservatories of Music. Many have received academic, athletic, or music scholarships. This year, he also tutored three juniors who scored at the national merit finalist/semi-finalist levels on the most recent PSAT. He is a former Dean of a Graduate School of Business and Full Professor, and began college teaching at the University of Maryland in 1968. He has degrees and advanced studies at Harvard, Yale, Vanderbilt, Columbia International, and Luther Rice.

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TECH TALK With Bob The Computer Guy: “Don’t Trash Your Identity”

I am happy to report that ever since I started offering cybersecurity services to our clients, 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 computer when you get a new one? You would be surprised how many people

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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 regarding 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 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 industrialstrength metal shredder that converts your old drive into a pile of rubble. 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. Call Bob

now at 727-534-4000 to discuss the secure and safe disposal of your old computer. Cyber criminals will exploit the easy, unprotected systems. Protecting your data is your responsibility, however my staff and I are always here to help you navigate through these cumbersome and often confusing tasks. If you are not sure your system is safe, please have it looked over by a professionally certified computer technician. If you’re looking for a certified professional, call us now at 727-5344000. We’ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades. We Keep You Safer In Your Digital World!

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Corned Beef in Pressure Cooker Recipe

Courtesy of the Jacobson Culinary Arts Academy/Tarpon Springs H.S. Ingregients and Instructions: • 3 lbs. of corned beef • 1-1/2 cups of chicken stock • 1 large onion, thickly sliced • 1 (12oz.) bottle of beer Remove corned beef from packaging. Reserve spice package to use. Rinse meat and pat dry with a paper towel. Place onion at the bottom of the pressure cooker. please corned beef on top of onions.

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Add the chicken stock and beer. Close pressure cooker, according to directions. Cook 45 minutes: Begin by

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using high heat, then as steam starts to appear, turn heat down - between medium and low. Allow steam to release. Refer to manufacturer’s dorections before removing cover. Remove corned beef from cooker and let rest, loosley covered with foil, for 10-15 minutes. Thinly slice; serve and enjoy!

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“Beyond 20/20” story continued from page 1 establishments where the appointment is no more than an unfamiliar name on a sign-in sheet, at Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists, Dr. Tumolo and his team take pride in building longterm relationships with their patients. Unheard of anywhere else, same-day appointments are easily scheduled with the doctor. “Patients will get an ample amount of time, usually 20 to 30 minutes with the doctor, and typically I’m the doctor at the Odessa location. It’s a unique environment. It’s very tailored to the patient’s needs. Any time there are questions, we go in-depth with the answers. Our patients appreciate that we give them time. No one ever leaves feeling rushed.” The full-service office treats dry eye disease, flashes and floaters, and infections. It also offers exams to screen patients who could qualify for advanced refractive laser correction called SMILE or Small Incision Lenticule Extraction, providing LASIKlike outcomes in a flapless procedure that takes only minutes to perform. The office also offers emergency care 24 hours a day. Dr. Tumolo provides a nonsurgical lift for droopy lids (ptosis), called UPNEEQ. This revolutionary eye drop opens the eyes, giving patients a more vibrant, awake, and

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alert appearance. The patient’s eyes will be more comprehensive, whiter, and more lubricated. In addition to incredible service, the practice provides patients with an array of high-end European frames. Everything sold at the practice is handcrafted in Europe. As part of a standard patient appointment, patients receive a 3D retinal scan. “We view the front and rear surface of our patient’s eyes on a large monitor and review all the anatomy and any pathology that we find.” The practice partners with local surgeons and helps the patients coordinate if eye surgery is needed. “If it’s emergent, we can get them in immediately; if it’s not, we can get them in within the week.” Dr. Tumolo relayed

a case where he saved a patient from having bilateral corneal transplants. The patient was experiencing issues, and the doctor discovered new pathologic

vessels growing into his cornea. Surgery was immediately scheduled, and the patient’s vision was saved. The practice is kid-

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friendly and offers myopia control for children. “It’s a really big issue right now for children using media devices like cell phones, iPads, and computers,” he said. “That near-point work has caused an epidemic. Kids are much

more near-sighted than they were thirty years ago. It’s risen to 150% in some areas. We are the only practice in the area that focuses on myopia control for children.” Not only does Dr. Tumolo care for the vision

of children, but his oldfashioned personal touch also goes as far as providing concierge service to seniors and patients with special needs in their homes. Instead of coming into the office, the doctor brings the portable equipment to them. To give back to his community, the doctor shuts down the practice for three days during the end of the year. He partners with a friend who owns multiple restaurants and provides free food, exams, and glasses to those in need. It’s no surprise that Dr. Tumolo has almost 300 five-star Google reviews. He said that his favorite

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thing about owning his practice has the opportunity to educate his patients on increasing their quality of life. “I love educating them on all the different options we have in the field that can make their life easier. If there is any pathology, it’s getting them the correct treatment and giving them the best possible prognosis. When someone walks in, we will do whatever it takes to ensure that the patient has a good experience. I want our practice to be reminiscent of that oldschool style where the doctor knew you, and you knew your doctor. I am easily accessible and love to build lasting relationships with my patients.” Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists has three convenient locations: Odessa, Westchase, and Westshore, and is open Tuesday through Friday 10 am – 6 pm, and Saturday 930am to 5 pm. English, Vietnamese, and Spanish spoken. Make an appointment and learn more at www. beyond2020vs.com.

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Warren Ring - story continued from page 1 Warren helped us out when purchasing a home. Trust me, there were hoops to jump through. He is extremely knowledgeable, compassionate, and thrives to deliver the best service and experience ever. His team and everyone we’ve dealt with are extraordinary in what they do. He will not disappoint!” Before starting a successful career in real estate with Re/Max Alliance Group over a decade ago, Warren had already gleaned incredible customer service experience from working overseas. As a young, freckled, redheaded boy from Dublin with an inspiring father, Warren grew up with a passion for life and the courage to follow his dreams. His wise father once told him, “If you ever get an opportunity to do something in your life, go for it, because you’ll never know how long you’ll live.” Little did Warren know that these words would stay with him for the rest of his life. While working in the United Kingdom after college, a friend invited Warren to Germany to try out a new opportunity that would forever change his life: selling U.S. specification automobiles to U.S. Forces and NATO around the world. After nearly twenty successful years in sales, Warren decided to leave the unique profession. Reminiscing on his late father’s words from many years before, the businessman decided that it was time to make the move to the “Land of Opportunity,” to start a new

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chapter. In 2010, Warren migrated to Tampa, where his new career would soon take off. With exceptional people skills, knowledge of real estate properties, and encouragement from his friends, Warren pursued his real estate license. Years later, as an established REALTOR with an impressive track record specializing in the Tampa Bay area, Warren looks forward to each opportunity to help others. The well-respected agent notes that “It is a privilege” to work with the East Coast’s number one RE/MAX brokerage, as they provide the best tools to help both buyers and sellers alike. And clients like sellers Christina and Jarvis really appreciate the expertise. “Working with Warren was an amazing experience from start to finish,” the couple writes. “Warren really took the time to understand the needs of us as the buyer and coached us in what was necessary to do in selling our home. We never felt rushed or pushed in a direction that we didn’t feel comfortable and always got an honest response. We really LUCKED out with Warren and believe that our experience was extraordinary.” While Warren specializes in working with buyers, sellers, and investors, “the lucky charm” REALTOR also has experience in construction and rental management. Although it might be hard to navigate the current harsh winds of the market, Warren offers a nugget of

Warren, his wife Laura who is a US Military Veteran, and doggie Arnie are happily settled in the Odessa area. The family enjoys seeing the growth in Tampa Bay, and all that this amazing location has to offer.

advice for both sellers and buyers. For instance, if you’re interested in putting your home up on the market, the experienced agent advises that you first consider your housing options. For nervous

buyers who don’t know where to start, Warren shares that while experts believe that this trend of limited availability and skyrocketing prices may continue, there may eventually be less

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competition. In other words, your chances of owning the house you wish may go up. Regardless if you’re a seller or a buyer, though, Warren is here to help. “He is a great person and an excellent real estate agent,” new homeowner Addie says. “With how tough the home buying process is right now with the competitive market, he went above and beyond

to accommodate all of our wants and needs.” You might call it luck, but Warren’s success is really “all about the relationship,” that he fosters with his clients. It’s this attitude that has led him to help more than 700 people throughout the years, earn him countless referrals, and even win the prestigious RE/MAX “Hall of Fame” Award. “I really

care,” he says. “I form that relationship which is forever.” As Warren’s father understood, life is all about trying new opportunities and not taking time for granted. So, if you find yourself sifting through old photographs on the floor of your living room, wondering if it’s time to leave the old house behind, or if you’re needing a new place to house your growing family, seize your opportunity. Sure it might seem risky, but as Warren says, “He who dares wins.” Give your local Irish REALTOR a call today to get started on writing a new chapter of your life. After all, your happiness is more important than any pot o’ gold at the end of a rainbow. Find some luck in real estate today by calling Warren Ring at (813)220-

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2401. Keep up with the Irishman on FaceBook at “Warren Ring - Real Estate Group,” and on Instagram @WarrenRing, and on LinkedIn at “Warren Ring.” Visit warrenring.remax.com for more information, or stop by Warren’s office in Trinity at 10710 State Road 54 #C101 Trinity, FL 34655 . “Happy St. Paddy’s Day!”

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Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles. Odessa/Lutz/Land O' Lakes. Vol. 13, Issue 3, March 2022

Articles inside

From the Editor

SAT/ACT

Tech Talk

Jacobson Culinary Arts