Vol. 16, Issue 05, May 2020
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Your community. Your magazine. ™
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
Let Olympus Pools Put a “Theme Park” in Your Backyard By Tom Bostock Does this sound familiar? It’s a beautiful morning in the Tampa Bay area. Load the kids in the car and fight the interstate traffic to get to the beach. Now, find a place to park or at least to stop long enough to unload the oversized beach umbrella, towels, miscellaneous supplies, and the family. Retracing your steps, pray that you even find a parking place. Now search for the family and find a bathroom for your youngest child. Not a fun way to spend your day at the beach, is it? Why put yourself through that hassle, when Olympus Pools, known throughout the Tampa Bay area as “THE Premium Pool Builder,” has a better idea? With multiple financing partners and budget-friendly programs, it’s easy to put a theme park in your backyard with an in-ground pool, designed to your specifications and limited only by your imagination. With a staff where each team member averages at least ten years’ experience or more, you can be sure that you’re in good hands with Olympic Pools! If you are wondering what your friends and neighbors think about the Quality and customer services provided by Olympus Pools, just read several excerpts from the unsolicited testimonials of a few of Olympus Pool’s satisfied customers and make up your own mind. Dave Hoversten: “If I could give Olympus Pools 10 stars, they would have earned
every single one of them. If you are looking for a company to build you a pool, then you can stop reading now and pick up the phone because Olympus Pools is the premier pool builder in Tampa. If you want to know why, then I can, and will, tell you, in great detail, because they just finished a masterpiece in our backyard, and they did the whole thing in only one month! I called at least a half dozen companies to bid on our pool project, and James, the owner of Olympus, was the first to respond and the first to meet with me. From the moment that I met James, I knew that I wanted to work with him. Not only did he know every aspect of pool building, but he was extremely professional, easy-going, and seemed to know exactly what we were looking to accomplish…” See “Olympus Pools” on page 18
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor..............................5
Congratulations Nico Fernandez....8-9
Bob the Computer Guy..............12-13
Classifieds....................................22
2 MAY 2020
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4 MAY 2020
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Staying positive through everything that’s been going on in my life was challenging enough before the Coronavirus. Now, it’s a million times harder. I am sure it hasn’t been easy for anyone, much less for those essential workers and healthcare professionals. I would personally like to thank all of you for your courage, dedication, and perseverance during these trying times. With all these tragic things happening, it seems like an unusual time to discuss ways of staying positive. Yet staying positive and remaining calm are critical ingredients in the recipe for successful coping in a crisis. So how can you feel optimistic when all around you is all doom and gloom? Here are some ideas of things you can do to get you into a more positive mindset: 1.) Limit Your “Depressive News” Intake - Seriously, try to limit how many hours you spend listening to all these devastating world news on a given day. Choose a single news source that you trust and restrict yourself to an hour (or two tops) a day. That way, you’ll still be informed of the latest events, without feeling overwhelmed by all the negativity. These days we’re all constantly bombarded with articles and “questionable” news that are not even 100% accurate. Like I said, limit your news sources to only trusted sources. 2.) Take Care of Your Loved Ones & Strengthen Your Connections - You may be young and healthy, but it may not be the case for some of your relatives, friends or even neighbors whose immune systems are compromised. Check with them regularly to make sure they are doing ok. Offer to go grocery shopping for them. 3.) Support Your Favorite Local Business! We frankly don’t know how much longer this social distancing will last. Still, we know that it has negatively
affected many small businesses in the Tampa Bay area, bars, and restaurants in particular. Show your support by buying online gift cards, ordering to-go, and using apps like DoorDash and UberEats. 4.) Take Advantage Of Your Free Time - I cannot begin to express how annoyed I get when I hear people say they are bored. Make use of your new-found time to learn a new skill or practice your favorite hobbies (by respecting social distancing rules, of course). Learn to cook or improve those family recipes. Read a book, read another, read one more. Take care of all those items on your Honeydo list. Clean your closet. Clean your children’s closet. Clean your partner’s closet. Declutter. You’ll feel so much better with less stuff. Best part? You can donate all your gently used items to charity and organizations currently helping thousands of struggling individuals right here in our city. 5.) Be Thankful and Treasure Every Small Moment - Even during quarantine and a global pandemic, you still have many small moments to appreciate and feel thankful for. Cherish that kiss from your spouse, that warm hug from your child. Laugh out loud at that silly yet funny video your friend just sent you. If you’re a pet parent, enjoy your four legged-friends companionship as much as possible. Go on many walks with your dog. Play with your cats. Open that nice bottle of wine and enjoy it, because why wait? Enjoy today, live today, be in the moment. Allow your brain a chance to process these happy little moments, and they will boost your serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter that will help elevate your mood and make you feel more relaxed. Stay safe, stay positive! Until next time,
Carla M. Dubis. Tedeschi.
6 MAY 2020
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MAY 2020 7
Nico Fernandez – Passion & Hard Work Are the Keys to Success By Joy Bergman Our congratulations from the Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles team goes out to Nicholas Fernandez, a Senior at J.W. Mitchell High School, who was recently accepted to six Ivy League Universities: Princeton, Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale, Columbia, and Brown. Nicholas, or Nico, armed with a stellar 4.0 GPA, an AP Capstone diploma, multiple awards, and a passion for Civics, is interested in a satisfying career in which he can make a difference. Nico is Harvard-bound, and is most excited to study at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, a branch of Harvard that prides itself on public policy. It is this school, among other factors, that
drew Nico towards Harvard, as stirring political events take place at the Kennedy School, such as when world leaders come to the Institute of Politics to speak. Nico has been fascinated by the subject of Civics since elementary school, and has developed a real passion for it over time. His affinity for social studies has only increased in high school, where every social studies course he’s taken has been an AP class. His enthusiasm for Civics is exciting to see, especially as he begins to enter his future career path. Nico’s passion for both political and government affairs is obvious, and it shows through his achievement of being awarded “Social Studies Student of the Year Class
of 2020.” His interest in Law has also awarded him with “Teen Court Honor for Outstanding Performance and Dedication,” for two years in a row. Furthermore, Nico is also the recipient of the 2020 Horatio Alger Scholarship, an award only given to 106 students in the country for demonstrating “determination, integrity, and perseverance.” One might think having a passion for both law and government would make it difficult to choose a career, as there are many paths to choose from. However, luckily for Nico, he has had inspiration from both his older cousin David, a federal prosecutor, and his sister Cynthia, a corporate lawyer, which has helped him shape his career
Nicholas “Nico” Fernandez interests. Currently, Nico is interested in a career of Human Rights Law or Environmental Law, with the possibility of one day moving into the political realm. Though his achievements and aspirations are impressive and his passion and excitement for Civics is evident, Nico would like this article to
be seen as an inspiration to others. And as for encouraging the people in his own life, Nico has been able to help others by mentoring underclassmen, tutoring, and even encouraging a friend’s sibling to apply to the prestigious and rigorous AP Capstone Program. Overall, Nico wants his story to inspire students and people in general to go out and try things that they might not usually consider. Nico demonstrates that “Stepping out of your comfort zone can be very scary, but also very rewarding.” And as one who once worried about getting into these prestigious universities himself, Nico understands the stress a person can face when looking at college acceptance rates. But as he pointed out, “People do get into their dream colleges without having perfect standardized test scores; you don’t have to achieve perfection as long as you follow your dreams, but you need to be willing to work hard for them.” Nico is also appreciative for those in Mitchell High’s faculty that have helped him reach his own goals, and would like to thank Haley Gaidosh, his guidance counselor, for referring him to the QuestBridge scholarship that helped him get accepted to his dream colleges. In addition to Ms. Gaidosh, Nico would also like to thank Michele Chamberlin, his career counselor, Beth Seletos, his AP Literature and former AP Seminar teacher, Gina Schulaski, his AP Language teacher, and Victoria Mudry, his former ACT tutor, for all contributing in their own very special ways towards his future. And finally, for his parents and family for always being there for him.
Inspiration is a gift that we can give to each other every day in our communities, in good times and in bad. And though things have been difficult lately, we have still been working hard to deliver uplifting and informative news and stories to you – our neighbors. We see the inspirational things you do, and are always excited to share your accomplishments with others. We are proud to have hard-working and driven people like Nico in our community and to celebrate their achievements with them. After all, every member of a community can make a difference when it comes to passion and chasing dreams, and as Nico puts it, “A perfect record isn’t everything – pursuing your genuine passions and interests is.” We wish him the best of luck!
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10 MAY 2020
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MAY 2020 11
Bob the Computer Guy: STAY ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE SCAMMERS! By Bob Dalles Buckle up my friends. Hang on and get ready for the ride. Trillions of dollars of government relief money is up for grabs. Your phone is likely to get bombarded with phone calls and text messages from scammers promising to help you claim your share of that money. Some might tout that they can help get you your money faster. The IRS says it can take as long as 20 weeks for some people to see their money. Meanwhile the assault on your email’s inbox will continue by criminals drooling at the chance to steal your money. If you have an email address or phone number you can be an easy mark, because just about everyone is expecting to receive some type of financial assistance from the government. And with all of this happening… Many people still take a casual attitude when comes to their computer security. They have become so comfortable
12 MAY 2020
using the internet that they don’t think about its dangers. It’s like driving a car. Probably the most dangerous thing we do on a regular basis, but we never think about it. Do you say to yourself when you get in your car, “I have a 1 in 114 chance of dying by getting behind the wheel today?” Probably not, but you do, according to the National Safety Council’s website at the time of this writing. After all, it’s our nature to not think of the dangers and consequences of our choices and actions; while we bask in their conveniences. I have been receiving calls from folks who have an increasing concern regarding the security of their computers. As they should, with the growing number of people working from home, attending school, conducting their financial affairs and just plain trying to stay in touch with each other. The safety and security of their computers concern them and they want to know what measures to take to stay one step ahead of the scammers.
A simple three-step process can help you head off a world of problems with your computer… First, make sure your digital environment is clean. Your digital environment is the intangible software that instructs your computer to be a web browser, tax software, or solitaire game. You need to begin with a clean software environment in order to create a safe environment. Your computer needs to be thoroughly scanned for any
infections; then eradicate those infections. The only way to know for sure if your system is infected is by using multiple methods to deeply analyze the safety of your computer’s environment. Your computer has hundreds of thousands of files on it, perhaps even millions. If you are serious about this, I recommend you have a trained professional do this for you. Their experience is invaluable when it comes to the “looking for a needle in a
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haystack tactics” they develop from doing this for years. Second, once your digital environment is clean, you are ready to maintain your computer’s safety by implementing an anti-malware solution to your computer. There are many options available, both paid and free. Some are better than others. None are perfect. I suggest you implement one and keep it up to date. Unfortunately, many people who take the lead and install anti-malware on their computer, drop the ball by failing to keep it up to date. Third, count to five before you click any link, especially links in unsolicited emails that show up in your inbox. Most phishing scammers hope to tempt you into clicking their link. They play on your emotion and hope you will act without a second thought. I’m telling you to consciously give it a second thought by counting to five before you click. You’ll be glad you did. That’s it! Implement these three simple steps today and you will significantly reduce
your susceptibility to being yet another internet crime statistic. If you need help call me. I have programs in place to provide the solutions you need. We can scan your computer and clean out the infections. We can do it all remotely without you having to leave your home or office, and without us coming to your location. See not only does your computer stay safe, so do you and my team while we provide this vital service to you. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Each of us looking out for each other. Cyber criminals will exploit the easy victims and unprotected systems. Protecting yourself online is your responsibility. Don’t go it alone. We’re here to help. If you are not sure your system is safe, please have it looked over by a Professionally Certified IT Specialist. Call us now at 727534-4000. We’ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades. Be Safer In Your Digital World!
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14 MAY 2020
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16 MAY 2020
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MAY 2020 17
“Olympus Pools”
- continued from page 1 Antonio Chavez: “Our journey with Olympus Pools began after meeting with more than six other pool builders in the Tampa and Sarasota areas. The reason we chose Olympus Pools is, they were knowledgeable, professional, had competitive pricing, and they listened to our vision. Also, we liked their website, mission statement, and other pools they had completed in our area. We met with Mike Cook, a salesman for Olympus Pools, at our house, to discuss our ideas and vision. Mike listened, took measurements of our yard, copious notes, and scheduled another meeting with us a week later at their office in Tampa. This meeting was nothing short of impressive. They had put our ideas together in a 3D presentation that visually showed us how the pool, spa, and deck would look in our backyard…” Eric Wingard: “We have a tiny and unique space in our back yard. We had several pool builders draw a design and price a pool for us, but nothing seemed to fit. Olympus was able to take our space constraints and create a fantastic pool design that is now the envy of my neighborhood. There were many “extras” like an upgraded dual speed pool pump, salt chlorine system, and LED lighting included in the Olympus pool, which was additional costs with the competition…” Your total pool experience begins with a visit with one of Olympus Pools, talented pool designers. There are three convenient loca-
18 MAY 2020
tions to choose from Tampa (Lutz), Lakeland, or Bradenton. Since Floridians live outdoors at least as much as indoors, your designer can help you with other options in your pool design, including materials, pool finish, shape, style, tiles, and accessories (with samples available to be seen in their offices). His/her expertise can also assist you in creating the outdoor kitchen of your dreams, including custom cabinetry, a grilling island, grills, smokers, and pizza ovens. Would a fireplace or fire pit add to your evening enjoyment? How about the wine cooler?
Purchasing an in-ground pool is a significant investment; there are many pool contractors to choose from. After you have tried the rest, choose the best, Olympus Pools. You’ll become another one of their many satisfied customers. Olympus means Quality! Locations: Tampa: 21859 State Road 54, Lutz, FL 33549. Phone: 813-9837854 Lakeland: 625 Commerce Dr, Suite 302, Lakeland FL 33813. Phone: 863-646-6466
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20 MAY 2020
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MAY 2020 21
TRINITY AREA CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE
Moving & Downsizing Sale Moving from a 3000+ s.f. home to a condo, and most indoor and outdoor furnishings and lawn & gardening equipment must be sold. All showings will be by appointment only, so call 727-403-0829 or 727741-4147 to schedule an appointment.
Tampa Area for 22 years. Providing landscape maintenance for HOA’s, Apartment & Condo Housing, Senior and Assisted Living Facilities, Hospitals & Medical/Indutrial Parks, Shopping Malls and more. Licensed and Insured. Call for a no obligation quote. Call Edward at 727819-1174 www.allturflandscape.com
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 company!! Call Mary (727) 389-0347.
Heritage Springs, Trinity & more! Resident of 34655. www.anewlookpw.com Call Randy 727-271-2920 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.
LOW COST PRESSURE CLEANING. HOUSES • POOL CAGES • HELP WANTED SIT & STAY PET BOARDING DRIVEWAYS AND HOTEL or AFFORDABLE SIDEWALKS • POOL Mature adult interested in PET SITTER for IN-HOME DECKS • PVC FENCES • a PT position in a frozen VISITS CLEAN OUT GUTTERS yogurt shop in Trinity. Boarding 10 Acres of safe • CALL DARIN. www. Flexibile hours. Call 727fun. We will treat your pet lowcostpressurecleaning. 415-8549 like family. Over 10 years com. 20+ years experience. experience. Angie’s List Licensed and insured. (727) SERVICES AVAILABLE Service Award Winner. 207-9176 1st night Free for New HELPING HAND Customers A NEW LOOK Pressure HOUSEHOLD TEXT or call (727)423-4997 Washing. MUSICIANS WANTED MAINTENANCE SERVICES Kristin 2 car driveway $65 (includes Need a HELPING HAND all front sidewalks). 3 car Looking for a drummer to around the house? Someone Mary’s Spotless Touch driveway $85 (call for long join a NEW 8 piece variety who will do ladder work such Cleaning Service, Inc.driveways). Most pool band. Call Wayne Johnson as changing smoke alarm Licensed, Insured and decks & cages $125. I also and the “Little Big Band” batteries, light bulbs or A/C Bonded for your piece gently clean home exteriors, at 727-375-1444. filters? of mind. We offer both gutters, fascia, soffits & Need a shelf or picture residential and commercial fences - Free estimates. hung? Need minor electrical cleaning and have been Landscape cleanup and odd or plumbing repair? cleaning in the area for jobs too. Windows or mirrors cleaned? 15 years. No home/office Painting? Anything! Just ask! too large or small. We are We are here extremely pet friendly, pay to help. Please call Chris attention to detail that is with your “honey-do” list often overlooked and supply @ 727-687-9892 all the necessary cleaning products to efficiently clean COMMERCIAL your home/office and leave LANDSCAPE it smelling and looking MAINTENANCE by wonderful!!We also offer ALL TURF LAWN AND other cleaning services LANDSCAPE such as carpet cleaning, Family owned, servicing deep cleaning, windows, 22 MAY 2020 For Advertising Info 727-943-0551 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com
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