Vol. 14, Issue 8, August 2018
®
Your community. Your magazine.
TM
The Premier “Shop Local” Community Magazine Directly Mailed To 18,000 Homes In Trinity & Surrounding Areas This Independent Community News, Business & Dining Guide Is Directly Mailed Once Each Month To: Aristida, Champion’s Club, Chelsea Place, Country Place, Ellington Estates North, Ellington Place, Fairway Springs, Fox Hollow, Foxwood, Greenbrook Estates, Heritage Lake, Heritage Springs, Hills Of San José, Hunter’s Ridge, Hunting Creek, Longleaf, Magnolia Estates, Nature’s Hideaway, Oak Ridge, Riverbend, Riverchase, River Crossing, River Oaks, Riverside Estates, Riverside Village, Riverside Villas, Seven Springs Golf & Country Club, Southern Oaks, Spring Lake, The Sabals, Thousand Oaks, Timber Greens, Trinity, Trinity East, Trinity Oaks, Trinity West, Veterans Village, Woodbend, Woodgate, Wyndgate & Wyndtree
KnowledgePoints Helps Struggling Students Succeed
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 serving people in the Trinity community, they took some time to look See “Trinity Family Physicians” on page 34.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Thank you for your support.....3 Calendar & News Briefs......4-5 Solar Professionals of Florida.......8-9 Tech Talk with Bob................12 Will Social Security Run Dry Soon?..............................16-17 A Brief History of World Class Vision Care!.......................20 TCBY: The Healthier Treat..24-25 Grout Tech.......................28-29 SAT/ACT Improvement...30-31 Pinnacle Travel: AFRICA!!!!....32-33 Classifieds..............................38
ECRWSS
Trinity Family Physicians - Top 10 Highlights From Their First 10 Years
See “Knowledge Points” on page 36.
Postal Customer
teachers to get feedback to see how he is doing in school. “I ask what specific recommendations the teachers have
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA FL PERMIT 1185
Henry Ford once said, ‘whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.’ At KnowledgePoints, caring tutoring professionals want your child to not only think he can but know he can accomplish great things in school, by gaining confidence provided from their academic help. A family-owned business started by businessman Rocky Contreras and wife Monica, elementary school teacher, KnowledgePoints is celebrating 10 years in the Publix shopping complex on Collier Parkway, Land O’Lakes. KnowledgePoints caters to all students – from pre-kindergarten to high school, and occasionally some college students. Whether enrolled in
public school, Florida Virtual School, private or charter school, the knowledgeable tutors’ goal is to build your child’s confidence and by doing so, help him succeed. A diagnostic assessment of your child reveals learning gaps and the center makes recommendations as to what areas of tutoring would benefit him. Unlike other tutoring services, where it is the same process for everyone, at KnowledgePoints a plan is custom developed specifically for your child to address learning gaps and skill deficits. KnowledgePoints’ staff supports teacher instruction, regularly contacting the student’s classroom teacher to gauge improvements and work on areas of concern. Center director Randee Williams communicates with your child’s
Dated Material Please Rush!
By Deborah Bostock-Kelley
2
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Thank you for your support and feedback! August is traditionally the time for lazy days centered around swimming pools, ice cold drinks, backyard barbecues, baseball, trips to the beautiful Florida beaches and live music under the stars. A lot of parents are thinking about back-to-school sales while the kids are daydreaming about longer summers and Justin Bieber's engagement being fake news. For me, August is a month in which I spend most of my time indoors. As someone with severe allergies to… well… everything, I tend to get sicker during this time and I am also constantly eaten alive by mosquitoes. And it seems I am not the only one. Recently, I received an email from Hillsborough County News, reporting that Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services had been monitoring mosquito activities, and determined that mosquito populations have reached levels that threaten the public health, and there has been many incidents of mosquitotransmitted diseases reported in the area. Similar findings and an excessive
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
number of complaints about mosquitoes have been reported in other counties, including Pinellas and Pasco. If it wasn't for our friend Brandon, owner of Mosquito Hunters of Tampa Bay, I couldn't spend more than 5 minutes on my own backyard without being eaten alive by those annoying little creatures. If you are having a mosquito problem, or if you want to avoid having one, please call Brandon at 813-609-8440 today! I promise you will not regret it. I want to finish off by saying thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to every person that has reached out and provided some feedback on our brand new website; tbnewsandlifestyles.com. I've received several emails from our readers congratulating us, telling us how much they love our new look, and overall showing an incredible amount of support and understanding during this transition. I highly encourage everyone reading this editorial to email me directly at carla@nnlflorida.com, and
let me know what you think about the site and what kind of stories and content you'd like to see featured on there. Everything we do is for you, our readers… and through our print and online platforms we try really hard to support our community and its local businesses, as well as non-profit organizations and charities. So if there's anything specific you'd like to read about, or a special organization that's touching people's lives and could use some support, please let me know! We also want to feature YOU… yes, you! If you're a local artist, musician, performer, actor, or if you volunteer at any non-profit organization that you'd want to see feature in any of our 7 publications, we want to hear from you. So please feel free to reach out and let us share your story with the rest of the community. I wish all of your kids a happy Back-To-School time, and as always, thank you for your support and readership!
Trinity Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Directly mailed once a month to over 19,000 households in zip code 34655. 220 Safford Ave. S. Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (727) 943-0551; Fax: (727) 942-2432 Advertising E-mail: info@nnlflorida.com Editorial E-mail: editorial@nnlflorida.com © 2018 Trinity Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is published by Ads 2 Publications, Inc. Publisher Tim Selby General Manager Jim O’Reilly Editor Carla Selby Advertising Sales Matt Selby Jim O’Reilly Billing Manager Doreen Selby
Billing Assistance Tina O’Reilly Correspondents Julie Kanehl Katie Thomas Dara Tucker Marcy Sanford Art Director Tony Sica
Nothing that appears in the Trinity Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles may be reproduced, whether wholly or in part, without permission. Opinions expressed by Trinity Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles writers are their own and do not reflect the publishers’ opinions. Trinity Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is always happy to accept outside editorial submissions to the paper. Please call for outside editorial submission and advertisement deadlines. Trinity Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles will consider previously non-published outside editorial submissions that are double spaced, typed and less than 500 words. Trinity Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit and/or reject all outside editorial submissions and makes no guarantees regarding publication dates. Unsolicited editorial materials will not be returned. Trinity Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles reserves the right to edit &/or reject any advertising. Trinity Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is not responsible for errors in advertising beyond the actual cost of the advertising space itself, not for the validity of any claims made by its advertisers. Trinity Area Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles is published by Ads 2 Publications, Inc.
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
3
Trinity A REA
Calendar & News Briefs
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Provides Free Tax-Filing Help to Those Who Need It Most You’ve got just what it takes to help your neighbors in need. Many older, low-income taxpayers miss out on credits
4
and deductions they’ve earned because they can’t afford to pay for professional tax preparation. With the help of neighbors like you, AARP Foundation TaxAide offers free tax filing help to those who need it most. You can make a big difference in
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
someone else’s life. We’ll show you how. We’re looking for compassionate and friendly individuals to join our team of local volunteers for the upcoming tax season. Our volunteers receive training and continued support in a welcoming environment. And as our current volunteers tell us, you’ll not only learn new skills but also get that great feeling from helping someone else. Join Our Team Today! Apply at aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or call 1-888-AARP-Now (1-888-227-7669) Saftey Harbor Garden Club Wednesday September 19, 9:30 am Sub-Irrigated planters for the Fall Vegetable Garden
AUGUST 2018
This class is perfect for small space gardening. Plant for success! Now is the time to prepare for the Fall Container Vegetable Garden. Topics will include: gardening basics for our planting zone, starting seeds and transplants, sub-irrigated planters and how to build them. The Safety Harbor Garden Club now meets in the Education Center at Moccasin Lake Nature Park 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater at 9:30 a.m. Bring a plant if you'd like to participate in the plant exchange. safetyharborgardenclub.weebl y.com Wednesday October 17 9:30 Plants that Make Scents! You probably imagine Roses
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
and Orange Blossoms when you think of good smelling plants in your yard. But Master Gardener Sandy Huff has discovered over 100 "spiffy sniffy" plants that will grow here in Central Florida. In fact, she's graded them according to what she thinks will work in her own yard. Come for ideas on how to give your garden 'the sweet smell of success."
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
The Safety Harbor Garden Club now meets in the Education Center at Moccasin Lake Nature Park 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater at 9:30 a.m. Bring a plant if you'd like to participate in the plant exchange. safetyharborgardenclub. weebly.com
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
5
6
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
7
Save Money, Save the Planet, Go Solar Today! Act now and capitalize on the 30% Federal Tax Credit! By Matt Selby Florida is known as the “Sunshine State,” so why not take advantage of the fact you could power up your entire home with Solar Energy and highly reduce your carbon footprint, while improving your property value and cutting down those high energy costs? Solar is more affordable than ever before and people are starting to switch. The price of solar has fallen drastically over the last decade thanks to research into more efficient and cheaper ways to build solar panels. And since more people and big companies are investing in solar, (think Tesla, Amazon, Apple… just to name a few) the price comes down as the demand increases. An average family can save over $1,000 a year just by switching! And that’s not counting any extra energy their panels make that they can sell back to the power grid.
8
A Stimulus Package that WILL NOT LAST For a short time, you can access and utilize federal tax credits that can save you up to 30 percent of solar installation costs. You can finance your very own solar system with a solar loan, line of credit, or cash. Solar Professionals of Florida also offers different financing options for your solar panels as well. These allow you to make an investment with $0 down and start making money right away! The downside to all of this is that it’s not going to last. The big utility companies dislike the money they’re losing to solar energy and companies like ours, and the government incentives will only last as long as their solar initiative. Traditional electric companies jack up your rates an average of 4% each year! Over time, you could end up paying double for the same amount of electric consumption by staying on their grid. By going
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
solar, and offsetting the utility company’s electric cost, you lock in a discounted monthly payment until the system is paid off and then never have to pay another payment for the equipment again! That’s right, you will get to own your electric producing equipment instead of just paying the electric company for power they produce and charge you for your consumption.
electric bill just like if you bought the system upfront as well.
Here’s what you need to know: If you buy the system outright without utilizing the low financing option, your Solar Energy Package will offset your electric cost to net $0 annually and you will have no payments! On average, the financed payments are less than the homeowner is paying for traditional electric in month number 1, so most homeowners finance and keep more of their liquid cash in the bank. The system still net $0’s out the traditional
Why Choose Solar Professionals of Florida? Our team of professionals has over 3 decades of experience in the industry, and pride themselves of having accomplished two great things: 1. Our team provides an endto-end, seamless solution to homeowners, which includes; financing, planning, and everything else needed to get you off the ground and producing your own solar energy. 2. Solar Professionals of
AUGUST 2018
When financed, the system is $0 down and you don’t pay a dime until after installation. Not everyone qualifies unfortunately. A 660 minimum credit score is required. If you do not know your credit score we could do a soft check for you during our initial appointment.
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Florida utilizes only the highestgrade solar equipment and panels, proudly made in the USA, coupled with best of breed, local installers to insure quality throughout each project. Our team of experts takes your project from initial solar evaluation, to design and permitting, to install and on to energy production. The panels go up and your energy costs go down! It’s that easy! A 30% Federal tax credit of the total cost of the system is awarded to the homeowner for going solar this year, but this incentive may not be around long! Other incentives are also available for qualifying circumstances that add attractiveness to an already winning concept. In addition to the tax credit, your home value can easily increase by $15,000 or more by going solar!
awesome is that? You’ll help save thousands of trees and save thousands of gallons of fuel over the course of your system life. Speaking of system life. Your panels are covered by a 25-year manufacturers warranty! With so many pros to going solar, it’s amazing we all haven’t made the switch already. Join the thousands of Florida homeowners who have made the switch to Solar! Call us today for your free solar energy assessment and when you switch to solar with us, we will pay you $500! Call 813-750-7770 or visit us online at myspf.org for more information. Proud partners of Solar Homes. Lic No: CV-c056667 EC No: EC-13006510
Going Solar also helps our planet! This green, alternative energy utilizes the power of the sun to power your home. That’s it! How
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
9
10
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
11
Tech Talk with Bob..THE CALL! Did you get “the call?” Did you get the call? If so, what did you do? Did your friends get the call? If so, what did they do? Maybe neither one of you got the call… yet. What will you or your friends do when you get the call? Well I am going to help you with this situation. This information can save you hundreds of dollars! Many criminals are working their way through the internet looking for people to scam. I personally have received “the call” several times myself. My dad received one last month. These scam artists will call you and identify themselves as representatives of a large company, like Microsoft, Apple, etc. The caller will tell you that a corruption was identified to be on your computer. They will then offer you a free scan of your computer to verify the corruption. Most people will be happy to agree to do this because it is FREE. For these criminals to run this free scan they must be in control of your computer. They ask you to log onto the internet with your computer, download a file and run it. The caller starts the scan. Now they have you.
12
Once you download that file, you are in trouble. You will be able to observe the scan from your computer screen. The caller will chit chat with you about the scan and then move the conversation to more personal information like your name, address, phone number and email address. When the scan is finished the caller will confirm that you have the corruption and assure you they can fix it right now. Most people get worried when they hear there is a problem with their computer so they tell the caller to fix it. However, now the caller proceeds to ask for credit card information because
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
they were not hired by Microsoft, Apple, etc. They want your money. Many people will pay and think everything is fine. Other people will say no because they thought that this was a free offer to find and fix the corruption. If you refuse to pay, the caller may make threats like saying your computer is going to crash or you may not be able to connect to the internet. The file they ask you to download and run to scan your system may actually sabotage your computer. So if you refuse to pay, you may have introduced the caller’s corruption into your computer. $299.00 is the typical amount they ask you to pay, however the amount will vary. Here’s the catch: The scan to confirm the existence of the “so called corruption” was FREE, to fix the corruption will cost you. Here’s the BIGGER catch: you do not have the corruption they are trying to convince you you have. This whole call is a hoax. They want to scare you into thinking you have a corruption and offer you a way to diagnose it for FREE. And then get you to pay for
AUGUST 2018
the fix. Many people become victims of this scam. It has been around for a long time because it makes these criminals a lot of money. Now that you are aware of this scam, you will not become one of their victims. So, what do you do when you get this type of call? Hang up. As long as you hang up before downloading and running the scan file the caller instructs you to download. If you have already downloaded the scan file then you will want to immediately turn off your computer and contact an IT professional to look over your system to make sure it is safe to use. Have a tech question? Email it to TechTalk-TBNL@BobTheCompute rGuy.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!
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
13
cause of death by disease among children is cancer.
children per day are expected to be diagnosed with cancer.
drugs have been developed for use in children with cancer since 1980, as compared to hundreds created for adults. of childhood cancer survivors will experience significant health issues by age 45 as a result of being treated with drugs designed specifically for adults.
of the billions of dollars spent annually on cancer research and treatments is directed towards childhood cancer.
T H AT ’ S W H Y YO U R S U P P O R T I S S O C R I T I C A L The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research to eliminate childhood cancer. Over the past 25 years, with your help, we’ve donated millions of dollars to research and our ground-breaking clinical trials are saving many children’s lives. • We’ve been given the highest ratings a nonprofit can receive, including a 4-star charity rating by Charity Navigator; a Gold Level rating by GuideStar and accreditation from the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. • 88% of every dollar supports our mission.
Learn more about our research & donate today at NationalPCF.org 5550 W. EXECUTIVE DRIVE, STE. 300 | TAMPA, FL 33609 | 813.269.0955 | TAX ID: 59-3097333
14
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
15
Will Social Security Run Dry Soon? By Tom Bostock Imagine a pleasant summer day. You are having a barbeque with some of your neighbors. Between bites of hotdogs, hamburgers and grandma’s secret-recipe potato salad, the conversation is lively and animated. Your neighbors are a cross section of the population: baby boomers, millennials, retirees and kids just out of college. After commiserating about the Lightning not making the finals and the Rays losing streak, conversation turns to more serious subjects. Someone says that they heard that Social Security is going to be bankrupt within a decade. Another one says that Medicare is in trouble too. One of the younger ones suggests that it isn’t fair they are paying into a broken system that won’t even be there when they retire. That can’t be true. It’s just an unsubstantiated rumor … or is it? According to ssa.gov: “The
16
Social Security trust funds are financial accounts in the U.S. Treasury. There are two separate Social Security trust funds, the OldAge and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund pays retirement and survivors benefits, and the Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund pays disability benefits. Social Security taxes and other income are deposited in these accounts, and Social Security benefits are paid from them. The only purposes for which these trust funds can be used are to pay benefits and program administrative costs. The Social Security trust funds hold money not needed in the current year to pay benefits and administrative costs and, by law, invest it in special Treasury bonds that are guaranteed by the U.S. Government. A market rate of interest is paid to the trust funds on the bonds they hold, and when those bonds reach maturity or are needed to pay benefits, the Treasury redeems them.”
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
They started out with almost a 3 trillion-dollar trust fund. So, what happened? For the first time in multiple decades, Social Security is dipping into its trust funds, and will most likely continue to do so for the next 16 years. The reason is that workers have been retiring at a relatively rapid pace, and we’re not getting enough replacement workers to allow the program to take in as much money as it needs to pay out. However, once those trust funds are depleted, Social Security will continue to have access to its primary income stream, which means that in a worst-case scenario, future benefits will have to be cut, not eliminated. How much of a reduction are we talking about? Based on the latest projections, come 2034, recipients might lose an outstanding 21% of their benefits if Congress doesn’t step in with a fix.
AUGUST 2018
And obviously, that’s a pretty harsh blow for those who depend on those benefits to provide the majority of their income. But if you’re years away from retirement, you can take steps to compensate for the potential benefits cut you might face, thereby ensuring that you don’t end up struggling financially. YOU NEED SAVINGS OF YOUR OWN In all honesty, seniors cannot live off their benefits alone. Even if benefits aren’t cut in the future, those payments will only replace about 40% of the typical worker’s pre-retirement income. Most seniors, however, need more like 80% of their former earnings to pay the bills in retirement. Therefore, if you’re still working, you should be taking savings matters into your own hands regardless of what happens to Social Security down the line. The sooner you start establishing
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Wow! Apparently ‘them’s fightin words’. Three different generations with somewhat similarly disgruntled views. Politicians Seem to be Procrastinating If lawmakers do nothing until 2034, they’ll have to boost payroll taxes to a total of 16.27%, split in even 8.135% parts between employees and employers. Alternatively, all benefits would need to be cut by 23%. Neither of those solutions is particularly attractive or feasible for current and future retirees, but some combination of them will be inevitable if Washington refuses to act before then.
your nest egg, the greater your chances of covering your expenses as a senior, regardless of what your benefits ultimately look like. If your employer offers a 401(k), that’s certainly a good place to start. At present, you can contribute up to $18,500 annually to a 401(k) if you’re under 50, or $24,500 if you’re 50 or older. This means that if you’re 50 years old and don’t have a dime at present, maxing out your 401(k) until age 67 will leave you with roughly $755,000 in retirement savings provided your investments generate an average annual 7% return during that time (which is more than doable with a stock-focused strategy). And that, combined with whatever Social Security ends up paying you, could make for a pretty decent retirement. Of course, not everyone has the ability to max out a 401(k), nor do all workers have access to one. But even if you’re only working with an IRA, whose current annual contribution limits are $5,500 for workers under 50 and $6,500 for those 50 and over, or a lower savings threshold due to personal circumstances, you can still amass a sizable sum if you save consistently for many years. In fact, contributing $400 a month over 17 Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
years will leave you with $148,000, assuming that same 7% average annual return. Now, that’s not a ton of money, but it could be enough to help fill the gap where Social Security leaves off. In a recent impromptu interview in a local mall, several shoppers, a millennial, a businesswoman and a grandma offered their own views on Social Security: David S. is an intelligent, disillusioned millennial, a local college graduate with a degree in economics who lives at home with his parents and has two part-time jobs since he can’t find work in his field. He is saddled with massive college loan debt and didn’t mince words about Social Security. “It’s a joke! It’s whack! It’s broken! A bunch of greedy politicians who funded their own pet projects with other peoples’ money from an almost 3 trillion- dollar Social Security Trust Fund piggy bank that was supposed to be inviolate, with relative impunity. These are the same whiney politicians who complain that they can’t live on their measly $174kplus-perks salaries but won’t have to try to survive on social security like everybody else since they just vote themselves raises and ‘golden
parachutes’! I won’t see the first dollar from social security!” Ms. Mary M. is a very successful business woman who had just stopped by the food court for a quick bite between appointments said, “You have to consider the logic of it,” she said, putting down her hamburger. “I understand that there used to be at least 4 people contributing to social security for each person receiving benefits from it. I recently read that that number is more like 2 people now and it wasn’t designed for the disabled originally either. People are healthier and live longer. Something has to give!” Mrs. Sylvia R. is a pleasant, matronly grandmother who was watching her granddaughters playing in the mall playground area. “What really ticks me off about social security is the politicians calling it an entitlement. My late husband paid into it for more than 40 years. He retired early at 62 and died only 3 years later from a massive heart attack. If he had invested our social security deductions in some safe stocks and bonds, I would be sitting pretty, now! He did have some insurance but don’t get me started on Social Security!”
Not even a Miracle can Save Social Security Without Action Some people are inherently suspicious about the statistics that the Social Security Trustees use in their annual report. Yet the trustees themselves incorporate confidenceinterval testing to support their projections, and as time goes by, experts are getting more confident in their predictions. Specifically, the report says that there’s 95% confidence that the trust funds will be depleted between 2030 and 2043. Those are the same dates as predicted last year, but the confidence interval has narrowed over the past several years. As years go by, you can expect even greater confidence in a narrowing range of likely dates for final trust fund depletion. Demand action As the day of reckoning grows nearer, it’ll be increasingly incumbent on us to put pressure on Washington to address the Social Security issue head-on and find a reasonable solution sooner rather than later. It’s time to down that last bit of hamburger, scarf down one last cold one and grab a cell phone. Call your local representatives and senators and demand an accounting. If somebody has had their fingers in the cookie jar isn’t it about time that we found out while we still have a cookie jar?” Just a thought.
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
17
18
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
19
A Brief History of World-Class Vision Care! Even as late as the 1960’s in the most medically advanced country in the world, the understanding of cataracts and their treatment would have been considered almost medieval compared with the medical knowledge and surgical practice of today. No one knew 1968 would prove to be a watershed year for the understanding and treatment of cataracts…including Dr. James P. Gills. A gifted physician, Dr. Gills had studied neurology but became intrigued by the inner workings of the eye and its medical issues. As a result he pursued ophthalmology and opened St. Luke’s Eye Clinic inTarpon Springs, Florida. By 1974, Dr. Gills was the first physician in the United States to dedicate his practice to the treatment of cataracts using intraocular lens implants.Initial reactions from his peers in the medical community was at best, mixed. Dr. Gills’ superior patient outcomes spoke so loudly that in a few short years, he was lauded as a “trail blazer” and one of the few true
pioneers of modern surgical techniques for the treatment of cataracts. Dr. Gills and St. Luke’s had come of age. St. Luke’s innovations seemed to emerge almost daily, in medicines used within the eye, advances in anesthesia for the eye surgery, the development of micro-incisions, the use of ultrasonic vibration, computer guided lasers, and an on-site and purpose built surgical center, all of which revolutionized cataract surgery to the point we all recognize it today. St. Luke’s is without a doubt the most experienced cataract surgical center in the world. Today a cataract surgeon who performs perhaps hundreds of procedures a year might be considered an experienced cataract surgeon, a St. Luke’s surgeon may
have performed thousands. Nothing delivers world class vision care like world class experience. Today, Dr. Pit Gills carries on the St. Luke’s tradition of an unmatched depth of experience and the commitment to innovation with over 40,000 surgical procedures performed, making him the most sought-after cataract surgeon in Florida over the past seven years. Dr. Pit Gills leads a team of eye surgeons, ophthalmologists and optometrists at
St. Luke’s including cataract surgeons Jeffrey Wipfli, MD and Brandon Rodriguez, MD. St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute has not only seen patients from 77 countries, but has cared for more than three generations of Floridians for cataract and refractive surgery, retina diseases, glaucoma, hearing, dermatology and plastic surgery. Call today for a consultation 727-491-8283 or visit us at StLukesEye.com
TRINITY DENTAL CARE (727) 372-2001 Toll Free: 1-888-tooth AK Dr. S. Shayes - Dr. A. Eskandari #DN15492
#DN15013
NG PTI S E C AC IENT NOW W PAT NE
Online Appointment Scheduling Now Available on our Website!!
www.trinitydentalcare.com We perform the following procedures: - Preventive Dentistry - Crowns, Bridges - Dentures, Partials, Repairs - Tooth Colored Fillings - Gum Treatment - Nitrous Gas (Happy Gas)
- Root Canals - Teeth Whitening - Dentistry for Children and Adolescence - etc.
TWO Locations! • 1843 Health Care Drive, Building #1 Trinity, FL 34655 (at the corner of Mitchell Blv & Little Rd, behind Walgreens)
• 20729 Center Oak Drive, Tampa,FL 33647
Saturday Appointments Available NEW PATIENT SPECIAL Exam (D0140) and X-Ray (D0272 or D0220)
$39.99 EXP. 09/30/2018. WEEKDAYS ONLY. New patients only. Cannot be used with insurance. Coupon needs to be presented at time of service.
The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed for payment for another service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted or reduced fee, service, examination or treatment.
20
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
HERITAGE SPRINGS
SHORT SALE - 2/2/2 plus office/den 1858 htd sq. ft. Move right in! Lush landscaping, vaulted ceilings and large tile flooring throughout, fresh interior paint, granite counters, and much more! Extended lanai with tranquil view of the pond. This community offers many events & activities that your social calendar will always be full! $239,900
2/2/2 villa has soaring lace ceilings & designer laminate flooring in the living & dining rooms. Kitchen has wood cabinets w/granite counter, stainless steel appliances. Den with vaulted ceiling. Master w/two walk in closets. Screened lanai to enjoy the florida weather. Â $244,900
2108 htd sq ft 2/2/2 This home offers formal living & dining rooms w/vaulted ceiling. Kitchen has many cabinets, pantry closet, breakfast bar and a wonderful breakfast nook area. Family room w/tile flooring. Guest bedroom w/large walk in closet. Master bedroom w/two Walk in closets. Enclosed lanai with a serene view of the golf course and pond $289,900
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
21
22
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
23
TCBY: The Healthier Treat to Beat the Heat! By Lisa Stephens The dog days of summer are surely upon us as we enter the month of August with continued high temperatures bringing sweltering heat. Hot summer days and nights become a little more tolerable with a cool treat. The TCBY commitment to customers is "to offer you nutritional value and variety" when it comes to their products. General Manager and co-owner Jenifer Silar-Mills stays true to that commitment and more at her TCBY location at the Mitchell Ranch Plaza in Trinity. It's a family affair for Silar-Mills as her parents, Patti and Jay Silar are co-owners as well. All take pride in the quality of products and service they deliver to folks in the Trinity area seeking a refreshing treat without the guilt associated with most desserts. In 2011, Jay and Patti discovered a self-serve TCBY yogurt store and liked what they tasted! Though retired, they saw this as a great business opportunity. After doing their research on the company, they sought out a good location to launch their business and discovered the future potential at Mitchell Ranch Plaza. They opened shop in August 2011 and will celebrate seven years of success this month. In that same year, TCBY introduced their Super Fro-Yo. The standards required to meet this category of yogurt include four or more grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, seven types of live or active cultures, low in fat and no more than 120 calories per serving. Super FroYo is also a great source of calcium and vitamin D. No guessing in involved when trying to select one of the more nutritional options as all the flavors offered meet the Super Fro-Yo standards.
Variety of Products = Something for Everyone! There truly is something at TCBY for everyone. Vegan,GMO, gluten and dairy free products are offered as well. A no sugar added and Greek yogurts are also among the selection of flavors. Flavors are often changed so if you've been there recently, go again because chances are, the choice of flavors have changed since you were there last. Want more than one flavor? You're in luck! Each of the five self-
24
serve yogurt machines features two compatible flavor options. If you want to combine both flavors of a particular machine, you can swirl the two flavors together for a double delight! For example, the traditional favorites, vanilla and chocolate , are always among the selection of one machine. Patrons can fill cups with one flavor or swirl them together. Seasonal flavors are also featured at different times of the year such as peach during the summer months and pumpkin during the fall and winter seasons. If Super Fro-Yo isn't healthy enough for you, Patti explains they always have what she calls "the healthy machine." It's the machine which features the no sugar added or nonfat selections. The no sugar added flavors sometimes offered include chocolate chip mint, cappuccino, blackberry, butter pecan and blueberry delight. The Greek yogurt is flavored with honey and vanilla. "Our products really are a healthy treat no matter what you pick," she said. Jay added that all the flavors are also kosher and Halal certified.
TCBY Trinity is the perfect place to take the family for a cool summer treat, or just a routine “daddy/daughter” day!
There's more to TCBY than meets the eye If you still want the nutritional value of yogurt for your ice cold treat but crave the added crunch of an ice cream cone, TCBY offers that option, too! Their hand dipped yogurt case features a variety of flavors that can be nestled into a waffle cone or bowl for your added enjoyment! The variety does not end at flavor selection. With more than fifty toppings to choose from, the fun is just beginning! Sprinkles, chunks of cookie dough, candies, chocolate chips, fresh fruits and more adorn the toppings bar. Squeezable toppings such as marshmallow, Hershey's syrup, raspberry, coffee and salted caramel are flavor options. If hot fudge or caramel are your preference, they've got you covered there as well as both are always on hand and available. After making your yogurt flavor selection, don't forget to check out the options available in freezer display! Frozen yogurt pies are also available! These make great desserts for your family or those special occasions when you’re having company or want to take a special dessert to an occasion you’ve been invited to. Also available are Yogwiches which feature flavored
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
frozen yogurt sandwiched between two outer layers of Oreo cookie. Assorted flavors of frozen yogurt cupcakes are also on display. The freezer selection also caters to those who want to take home the refreshing dessert. Fro-yo pints are ready to grab
AUGUST 2018
and go!
A great place to be on both sides of the counter TCBY regulars, Dede Dickinson and Rae McMann are walking testimonies of quality of products and Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
customer service they receive at TCBY. These ladies work at the nearby Medical Center of Trinity. "We have to be careful about what we have for lunch every day so we can have room for this. It's our ritual," chuckled Dede. Rae added, "We just love it. One of my favorites is cake batter with hot fudge!" For the owners, creating a great atmosphere for customer’s means creating happy employees as well. Among those behind the counter are Jeff Oles and Grant Jackson. Both expressed their pleasure of working for the Silar family. Patti explained for those seeking a first job, it's important to them to provide a safe, supervised and fun opportunity. "This is a family store and we treat our employees and customer like family," she explained. Evidently, employee satisfaction equates to customer Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
satisfaction as well. Many of the customers seen daily are familiar faces. Stop in soon for your nutritious summer cool down treat! Located at 3140 Little Road, Trinity, 34655. Store hours are noon to 10p.m. Sunday through Saturday. Call 727-375-1177 for more information.
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
25
26
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
27
Grout Tech - Your Tile and Grout Specialist! By Katie Thomas Grout Tech is a family owned business serving Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Grout Tech specializes in cleaning and sealing tile and grout, re-coloring grout, re-caulking showers and tubs, and repairing grout and broken tiles. Throughout the years, Grout Tech has grown through its many referrals from happy customers. People really appreciate that Grout Tech saves them time and money, but it is the excellent service provided that has really helped this business grow. You may think you need an entire new floor due to broken tiles or just overall dinginess, but Grout Tech asks you to consider saving money and time by using their cleaning and repair services. Grout Tech can renew existing grout and tile to its original beauty by cleaning and maintaining the tile and grout lines. John Cole and his wife were ready to re-tile their entire bathroom before calling BJ at Grout Tech. John shared, “Our bathroom tile was over 40 years old it was looking grungy and very dull. We called
28
After
Before
With the help of Grout Tech, even the dirtiest and oldest of floors can be restored and renewed to their original beauty and splendor. Grout Tech and we are extremely pleased with our results! We saved so much money by having the grout in our shower resurfaced and the tile cleaned and it looks brand new.” Before you spend thousands of dollars remodeling and re-tiling your bathroom or kitchen be sure to call Grout Tech for a FREE estimate on cleaning or repairing old dingy tile and grout. Grout Tech can breathe new life into your existing tile work, making everything shine like new at a
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
fraction of the cost. The floors in our homes, especially in heavy foot traffic areas such as the kitchen and bathrooms, take a daily beating. After a few years, they just aren’t as beautiful as they once were. To renew the dull back to beautiful, Grout Tech works with you to find out what fits your budget and which services will get you the most bang for your buck. Because grout is a porous material, trying to remove stains is
AUGUST 2018
seemingly impossible. Grout Tech owner BJ explains, “Color sealing grout lines is one of the many services we offer and it is definitely the most effective way to create a perfect, new look.” Using a step-by-step process, Grout Tech begins by using a cleansing product to remove all bacteria and surface dirt with special machinery. They will then apply a color seal (of your choice). Once the sealer is applied the grout lines will be permanently
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
After
Before protected from any stains. The color seal also guarantees against cracking, chipping and peeling. Additionally, they will also cosmetically fix or replace chipped or cracked tiles, making your bathroom or kitchen tile like new again. BJ from Grout Tech is happy to set your appointment, come out and give you a free estimate. She stresses, “It is important for me to be respectful of our customers’ time so I will always arrive at the time we set.” In addition to always arriving in a timely manner, BJ says that they can keep their prices low because they are a family owned business and not a franchise. She explains, “What many
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
people don’t understand is that franchises are often forced to charge more for their services because they have to maintain their franchise fees, but not with Grout Tech.” Not only does Grout Tech keep its rates competitive, but the company will also honor any other quote as long as it is in writing. Carla Bartow, a satisfied customer, shares her experience, “When BJ came out to give us a quote, she looked at the job and I could tell immediately that she knew what she was talking about. We had our family room, kitchen and dining room re-grouted. They also regrouted the tub, shower and base of
our toilet in our bathroom. They were fantastic! Not only were they professional and reliable but they also completed the job much faster than we had anticipated.” Repeat customer John C. says, “I had Grout Tech come out to my place three years ago. The service was excellent and the price was great too. I recently rehired Grout Tech to come out to complete my other two bathrooms, which they’ll begin working on in June. I chose Grout Tech once again because their professionalism and skill is unbeatable.” Another satisfied client, John F. says, “My wife and I had a bad experience with a grout service
company we hired off Craigslist. The work was terrible and they lacked professionalism. My wife found Grout Tech and we were so happy the connection was made. Grout Tech worked miracles on our floors and solved all our grout and tile problems. They performed work for us back in 2014. We loved that they were great with our pets and felt really comfortable having them in our home working. We hired them again in 2016 due to their excellent service and we were again completely satisfied with the service they provided. I wouldn’t consider using any company other than Grout Tech.” If you need assistance in cleaning and sealing tile and grout, re-coloring grout, re-caulking showers and tubs, and repairing grout and broken tiles Grout Tech is at your service! If you are tired of scrubbing until your hands are sore trying to clean stained, old grout, call Grout Tech today! It is amazing just how much better your bathroom and kitchen areas look with crisp, clean grout lines! To find out more about Grout Tech’s services or for a free estimate call BJ at 727-768-6828.
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
29
SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: FALL SEMESTER IS HERE! By Dr. Wayne Adams
FALL EXAM DATES: SAT: October 6, November 3, December 1; ACT: September 8, October 27, December 8. Summer vacation went by too fast! Now that school has restarted (or is about to), everyone gets to refocus and get ready for the fall. For Seniors, it’s a combination of doing well academically, activities, and preparing the best college applications. From my last article, you know that more and more and more colleges are admitting up to half their classes or more with early admissions. Check out these dates and requirements on the college websites, or call the admissions office. If your SAT and/or ACT scores are not
30
where you want, give me a call. For Juniors, it’s the middle-distance lap in high school balancing academics and activities with doing well
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
on the PSAT in October and building a resume for college applications. If you are aiming high, for a “top 25 school”, know that the best way to really “stand out” is to build a
AUGUST 2018
distinctive strength, to become outstanding in some field that you enjoy. There is a myth around that colleges are looking for “well rounded” students. Top colleges want
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
“lopsided” students, those who have something outstanding (other than grades and SAT/ACT scores) and can change the world. They equate “well-rounded with mediocre! For Sophomores, it’s the next lap in a longer-distance run with academics, activities, and longer term planning for college applications. On occasion, schools will give an SAT or an ACT exam for “placement”, which means determining which academic level courses that student can take. If you are aiming high for colleges it is not too early to start preparing for the SAT and/or ACT exams. Last year, I had two students who were national merit finalists (top 1% on their exam scores in the country). Last article I wrote about some new approaches in my classes to help students score
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
well in math. I can report that these have seen good results. So now we have a new approach to writing the SAT and ACT Essays. Think of it as “writing by the numbers”, which in this case means following a guide to analyze the assignment, quickly spot the key requirements and elements for the essay, “fill in the blank” for each paragraph needed – especially the first one which is the most important – and move through with the needed substantiation paragraphs followed by a great conclusion. Already, several of my students have tried this and raised their essay scores 20-30% from their prior exam essay scores. Plus they have a new way of thinking, structuring, and writing essays for their high school classes.
Would love to talk with you further about your student. Just send me an e mail at wwa0811@mykolab.com or call me at 727-253-0639. 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 eight of the top ten universities in the country, eighteen of the top twenty-five, 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), University of Virginia, NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston
College, Georgia Tech, Air Force and Merchant Marine Service Academies, Penn State, Purdue, Ohio 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.
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
31
Pinnacle Travel Destination Highlight: AFRICA!!!! Is a trip to Africa on your bucket list? Do you think that it is out of your reach? Well, Pinnacle Travel is here to tell you that it is a dream we can help make come true! We have many companies that we work with that can offer a variety of Africa tours for all price ranges and activity levels. You can have the option to travel independently or maybe you would prefer a small or large group. You can sleep in five star hotels or tents or a variety of both. Pinnacle Travel will help you decide which of our suppliers offer the trips/tours that can meet your wants and budgetary needs. Where should I travel to in Africa, what is there to see and do, and when is the best time to do it? What wildlife do I most want to encounter? What other sights should I see? These are just some of the questions to ask when planning a trip to Africa. Surprisingly, Africa is more than just safaris. The continent has beautiful beaches, coral reefs, magnificent mountains and waterfalls. There are amazing culinary cuisines to explore and markets full of one of a kind, handcrafted items. You can hike, go whitewater rafting, surf
32
and go on a safari all in one trip! AFRICA -- Just the sound of the word conjures up images of untamed places teeming with wildlife and huge open plains. Encounters with the Big Five — lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo — are enough to get many visitors hooked. A great option is to take a tour with a local expert who knows all the best places to see many animals in their natural habitat. Or perhaps, take a river cruise where elephants are lazily bathing on the banks of the river as you sail by! Sit in a hot tub on your hotel patio while watching the giraffes roam the plains! Stay in a permanent tent in the middle of the African plains, listening to exotic wildlife all around you as you sleep! These are just a few of the amazing experiences you can have on your Africa trip. The continent of Africa is vast and has many countries to see. Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Tanzania are the most popular countries to visit. You probably do not have enough time to see them all on one trip, so here are some options and ideas for you so you can prioritize.
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
‘The Big 5' As mentioned above, a trip to Africa is not complete without experiencing a wildlife safari. You will be going on a search for the illusive ‘Big Five’ game: the African lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and the Cape buffalo. They are nicknamed the ‘Big Five’ because they are the most difficult animals to catch. On safari, seeing wildlife is certainly a priority, but you will also be surrounded by
AUGUST 2018
beautiful scenery and stunning landscapes as well. You can experience these game drives in various places around Africa. In Kenya, the Maasai Mara National Reserve is a great place to see wildebeest and zebras arriving from the Great Migration! Another great option is to visit the Lake Manyara National Park, home to the world’s largest population of baboons. Ngorongora Crater in Tanzania, which is more than 2000 feet deep, is
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
your best chance for seeing the rare black rhino. Pinnacle Travel will guide you to the top places to see the animals that are on your bucket list!
Victoria Falls: This powerful cascade is a spectacular sight. At one mile wide and 360 feet high, it is the largest waterfall in the world and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa, the
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
Falls lie along the Zambezi River. Game-viewers, bird-watchers, thrillseekers and fishermen flock here to explore the Falls and the surrounding pristine wilderness protected by the Zambezi National Park. You can also choose to cruise the Zambezi River for four days and see wildlife as you relax on a luxury river boat! Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana all in one trip is possible with many of the travel suppliers we work with.
South Africa: The city of Cape Town has beautiful beaches and mountains. You can take a cable car ride up Table Mountain for spectacular scenery or visit Boulder’s Beach to see endangered African penguins. You can visit the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, the southern most tip of the African continent and see incredible panoramic vistas along the
way. Or you can go for a game drive in the Kruger National Park area. If history is your thing, a visit Nelson Mandela’s and Desmond Tutu’s neighborhood homes might be a must see. In addition, for the wine lovers, South Africa has many vineyards for you to visit! So, as you can see, there are many choices when it comes to planning a trip to Africa! Pinnacle Travel is here to help you make all these decisions. To help start your thinking process and ideas, we have invited a tour company, Collette to present their Africa tours to you. The presenter is one of their guides who has travelled all around Africa many times over and has many amazing stories to share. Come join us on the evening of September 13th at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection on East Lake Rd. from 6p-8p for this presentation. Please RSVP because space is limited. We hope to see you there for what will be an informational and unforgettable evening! Call Pinnacle Travel at 727-330-2040 to RSVP TODAY!
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
33
“Trinity Family Physicians” Shirmo. “We’ve been through our own family hardships and Continued from page 1 it reminds us of what it is like back on the top 10 highlights from their first 10 years. 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. 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.
34
to be on the other side as a family member of a patient.” Staying up-to-date on Technology “We like to combine oldfashioned medicine with the technology of today,” said Dr. 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.
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
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 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.
AUGUST 2018
Eldridge, “you have to really listen to what your patient has to say.” 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
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
in the community who 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, our Nurse Practitioner, who has been with us for almost 6 years. The patients love her and she has been an excellent addition to our practice. Angie, our office manager, has been with us for 7 years and thanks
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
to her skills, along with her wonderful supporting staff and all of their attention to details they have 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, fitting their motto perfectly to "Let Our Family Care for Yours." Trinity Family Physicians is currently accepting patients age 8 to 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., 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information, call (727) 8348377 or visit their Facebook page or website at trinityfamilyphysicians.com
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
35
“KnowledgePoints” Continued from page 1 for us,” she said. “In all ways, we try to make sure we meet the individual needs of our tutoring students.” KnowledgePoints has more than fifteen degreed professionals on staff, each with different areas of specialty. Most are current or retired teachers, so they understand the stress many children feel in school to meet the demands of the Florida Standards Assessment testing, which begins as early as third grade. At KnowledgePoints, learning is stress-free, fun and rewarding. Students earn “Success Points” just for showing up and giving their best, which translates into shopping at Success Central for toys, games and gift cards. “It provides that extra motivation,” said Rocky. “This is a positive, warm environment. We want learning to be fun for children. We move at the children’s pace to give them what they need – not the other way around.” Rocky recounted a story of a youngster who arrived 15 minutes early to the center, whose mother had to stop her from going back to her study table because she was so excited to start her hour-long tutoring session. “She had just spent a full day in school, yet she couldn’t wait to get back there and get her session
36
started.” Randee agreed that it wasn’t just the students that were excited, but the tutors as well. “Many of our teachers say this is the best part of their day,” said Randee. “They feel like they are making a real difference here.” Whether your son or daughter is getting ready to enter Kindergarten, struggling to keep up in reading, math, or writing, or needs assistance preparing for ACT or SATs, KnowledgePoints has a tutoring program to meet your child’s particular need. Success stories are commonplace, as are the awards. KnowledgePoints won Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year in 2015. Disorganized students especially elementary going into middle school and middle-schoolers becoming high school students - benefit from the Study Skills program. From learning how to reduce test anxiety and how to manage time to discovering how to prioritize and have the proper folders and tools needed for school, Study Skills provide another element to enable the students to be successful. The Homework Edge program allows the tutor to concentrate on a particularly difficult class, often helping those students bring their grade up from a C or a D (or worse) to an A or a B. The
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
tutors don’t do homework, but they do help to make the process of completing homework a positive experience. Rocky and Randee agreed that Summer is an important time for struggling students. Called the Summer Slide, your child loses some of the skills, generally two months-worth, he gained during the previous school year. KnowledgePoints offers tutoring year-round and recommends your child continue with some academic work through the Summer time to keep the information fresh, get a head of the curve,
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
and prepare your child for the next school year. The center also provides ACT and SAT test preparation services. Now that these tests are being offered over the summer, students can prep at a time they have more time available in their schedules and then take the test while the information is still fresh in their minds. “With Bright Futures paying 100% of tuition at Florida public universities for students who achieve the higher tier, we are seeing many more families look at test prep as a smart investment,” said Rocky.
With no contracts to sign, free Wi-Fi for parents waiting for their child’s session to finish, and a discount for siblings, KnowledgePoints is more than just a tutoring center, it’s a place that genuinely cares about your child’s success. KnowledgePoints is located at 2201 Collier Parkway, Land of Lakes. Hours of operation are 11:30am-7:30pm Monday through Thursday, 2:30pm to 6:30pm Friday, and 9:00am to 1:00pm on Saturday. For information, call (813) 909-0781 or visit landolakes.knowledgepoints.
com. Rocky has a second KnowledgePoints location in Trinity. For information about KnowledgePoints in Trinity, call (727) 484-6178 or visit trinity.knowledgepoints.com
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
37
TRINITY AREA
Color Classifıeds
. SEEKING
EMPLOYMENT
Full, part-time or temporary. I am a very healthy 70-year-old male. We are new to Trinity. I am an engineer and have a rich engineering work history including being a construction manager. 414–526–4007. F
O
R
S
A
L
E
Sharper Image. iJoy - Live, Play, Relax. Turbo 2. Electric vibrating chair. Brown colour in Excellent condition. Asking $250.00. Call Carole at 727.992.8824 (New Port Richey area) H E L P
W A N T E D
Now Hiring Groomers for mobile or in-store - 2-3 years experience required. FT and PT positions open. Please contact Paw Wash Plus at 727-375-7070 to schedule an interview. . S E R V I C E S AVA I L A B L E Mary’s Spotless Touch Cleaning Service, Inc.- Licensed, Insured and Bonded for your piece of mind. We offer both residential and commercial cleaning and have been cleaning in the area for 15 years. No home/office too large or small. We are extremely pet friendly, pay attention to detail that is often overlooked and supply all the necessary cleaning products to efficiently clean your home/office and leave it smelling and looking wonderful!!We also offer other cleaning services such as carpet cleaning, deep cleaning, windows, etc. Weekly, biweekly and monthly rates available. Now also accepting Visa, MC, American Express, and Discover for your convenience. Call for a free estimate today with a dependable and trustworthy
38
company!! Call Mary (727) 3890347. CARPET, TILE & GROUT LINE and UPHOLSTERY CLEANING. Trust-worthy Owner/Operator Service. Truck mount steam cleaning. Pet Stain & Odor Removal Specialist. Upfront Pricing & Honest Recommendations. Safe for your family and pets eco-friendly cleaning. Also, in-home Dry Area Rug Cleaning. Insured. Call Ross 727-916-2314 www.GreenTechCarpetCleaning.c om PROFESSIONAL WINDOW CLEANING by GREAT PANES 18 years of servicing homeowners: Any type home, any window- any where. Screen, sill and track cleaning included. FREE, simple, NO PRESSURE Estimate. My promise: “You owe me nothing until you are 100% satisfied!” Licensed and insured. Call Tom 727-777-6030 www.greatpanesfl.com LOW COST PRESSURE CLEANING. HOUSES • POOL CAGES • DRIVEWAYS AND SIDEWALKS • POOL DECKS • PVC FENCES • CLEAN OUT GUTTERS • CALL DARIN. www.lowcostpressurecleaning.co m. 20+ years experience. Licensed and insured. (727) 207-9176
Call Jim O’Reilly at 943-0551 to place your ad in the COLOR Classifieds your neighbors really do read! Senior care services. Short or long term. Medical care, Drs. appts., home cooked meals. Honest and reliable. Excellent ref., lic. with 37 yrs. exp. Reasonable rates. Call 727421-8997. EDUCATION/TUTOR English As A Second Language: Experienced teacher with graduate degree and knowledge of Spanish, French seeks students. I can help you learn conversational English with tools such as picture books. I charge $20 per hour and live in New Port Richey. We would meet at local library. Call 941-962-0028 Private Writing Tutor! High school, college, or adult personal/professional, writing projects. English grammar, punctuation, research writing (APA, MLA), essays, reports and college statements of purpose. Experienced (25 years), college English instructor. I can help you meet any writing/editing challenge. Available: mornings, afternoons and weekends. Call: 727.277.2099 Dyslexia/Reading Interventionist- Wilson Certified Reading Teacher and Certified
Teacher (K-8) with over 20 years teaching experience. Offers dyslexia screening and interventions for children with dyslexia and other language processing differences. Scientifically proven effective interventions are used to teach the dyslexic child. If your child struggles in school, I can help! Call (727)482-4118 and visit my website odysseydyslexiaservices.com ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR FAMILY OWNED AND OWNER OPERATED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR. Owner performs all jobs. We offer many services, from switch replacements to ceiling fan installations and more. Reasonable rates. Keep this ad on your refrigerator, we do troubleshooting as well! Licensed, EC13005494, and insured. Call CHARGER ELECTRICAL SERVICES @ 727-937-5999. MUSICIANS
WA N T E D
Looking for a piano player to join a NEW 8 piece band. Call Wayne Johnson and the “Little Big Band” at 727-375-1444.
A NEW LOOK Pressure Washing. 2 car driveway $65 (includes all front sidewalks). 3 car driveway $85 (call for long driveways). Most pool decks & cages $125. I also gently clean home exteriors, gutters, fascia, soffits & fences - Free estimates. Landscape cleanup and odd jobs too. Heritage Springs, Trinity & more! Resident of 34655. www.anewlookpw.com Call Randy 727-271-2920
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles
40
For Ad Info 727-943-0551 • info@NNLFlorida.com
AUGUST 2018
Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles