Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles, Trinity, Vol. 15, Issue 02, February 2019 by Tampa Bay News & Lifestyles Magazine

Vol. 15, Issue 02, February 2019

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

Authentic Concepts Kitchen and Bath Design “Brings Your Dreams to Life’ By Thomas Bostock “I HATE this kitchen! There isn’t enough storage or counter space to prepare a meal!” “Yeah, this bathroom was modern … in the 1970’s!” Does this sound like you? Is your tired kitchen or bathroom still stuck in the 70’s, with outmoded plumbing fixtures and appliances, in need of a facelift or even a complete remodel? If you

are not sure how or where to begin, why not see the experts at Authentic Concepts Kitchen and Bath Design? As their website promises, “We’re bringing your dreams to life!” Owner and founder of Authentic Concepts Kitchen and Bath Design, 4 years ago in February, Glenn Rumer, worked for a competitor for several years until customer service was not first. Glenn

See “Authentic Kitchens ” on page 30

Trinity Hearing and Balance Center Offers Solutions to Hearing Loss and Inner Ear Disorder Sufferers By Lisa Stephens

See “Trinity Hearing & Balance” on page 34

Chances are, you or someone you know is affected by some measurable form of hearing loss. While some might suffer from hearing loss alone, others battle hearing loss accompanied by other debilitating issues such as tinnitus, vertigo or even more serious conditions. Fortunately, the professionals at Trinity Hearing and Balance offer world class technology to help treat patients fortunate

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor..............................5 Custom Windows & Doors of Pasco..8-9 Tech Talk with Bob..................12-13 Student Athletes of the Month...16-17 1-800-GOT-JUNK?...................18-19 Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group.......22-23 SAT and ACT Improvement.........26-27 Classifieds....................................38

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February is National Heart Month The month of February has long been synonymous with tender heart shapes and the sensual color of red— thanks to the annual celebration of Valentine’s Day. But February isn’t just for lovers. It also reminds us to take care of our heart and consider our risk factors, because February is Heart Disease Awareness Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. My father was one of its victims, he was only 62 years old. Your risk of heart disease increases as you get older but believe it or not, heart disease can happen at any age. The good news? Some risk factors for heart disease and stroke are preventable when people make healthy lifestyle choices. Some risk factors for cardiovascular disease include; obesity, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, high cholesterol or diabetes. So, if you want to stay on top of your health and try to avoid the risk of heart disease, there

are a few things you can do. Starting with not smoking, but if you’re already a smoker try your best to quit. If you are being treated for high blood pressure and cholesterol do your best to take your medications as prescribed by your doctor. Next, make heart-healthy decisions. Eat whole foods that are low in trans-fat, saturated fat, sodium, and added sugar. Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat. Condiment your proteins with spices instead of salt. When you’re preparing a meal, make sure to fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables instead of carbohydrates. Finally, get moving! Living a sedentary lifestyle will put you at a much greater risk for heart disease. Try to get in at least 20 minutes of physical activity 4-5 days a week, then build from there. Manage your stress levels. Stress is linked to heart disease in many ways. It can raise your blood pressure. Extreme stress can be a “trigger” for a heart attack. Make sure you get enough sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep, you may raise your risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. Those three things can raise your risks for heart disease. How can you help

spread awareness? Here are just a few ideas: Encourage family members and friends to eat a healthy diet and get regular exercise Motivate teachers and administrators to make physical activity a part of the school day. Encourage your children to play outside more often. This can help students start good habits early. Limit your alcohol consumption Maintain a healthy weight Ask your doctor to provide information about ways to prevent heart disease and share knowledge with your loved ones. If you’re a business owner, send out a newsletter about living a heart-healthy lifestyle. Use social media to spread awareness. Host a community event where families can be active while learning about local health resources. Visit www.heart.org/ en/affiliates/florida/ tampa-bay for more information of how you can join a culture of health in Tampa Bay. They host the Tampa Bay Heart Walk, a Tampa Bay Go Red for Women Luncheon, the Tampa Bay Heart Ball and more amazing events!

Carla Selby

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Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco, Inc. Your Perfect Door and Window Solution

By Tom Bostock

The average window is warranted for 10 years while a door is approximately 20 years. Windows can begin to leak with age. Sliding door wheels, and entrance door hardware can wear out over time. If your house was built before 1988, you will probably be in the market for replacement windows and doors in the very near future, if you haven’t already made that investment. When the EPA created their “energy star” rating system in 1992, it rated the energy efficiency of all building products. Did you know that builders’ grade

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windows only had to meet the minimum standard to be considered “energy star,” since products were rated on a scale of 1 to 100? Your “energy star” home might not be as energy efficient as you think it is. That may be a problem for a lot of our local homeowners, but not if you live in the Port Richey area. Visit Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco, Inc., a one-stop shopping center, located at 7940 US-19 (727 8419490) for your window and door needs. This familyrun business, established 27 years ago, continues to offer custom doors, windows and accessories for their friends

and neighbors, with smiling, friendly service. Are they any good? Their A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau is an indication of just how much they value your business, scoring an impressive 97 out of

a possible 100! Recommendations and reputations are a company’s lifeblood. If you check online Yelp, you can read some glowing testimonials about the service and products that

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you can expect from Custom Windows and Doors and of Pasco, Inc. Peter L. contacted them when he was referred by several neighbors who had used their services. He was rehabbing a house at the time. “They were better than advertised,” he wrote. “When it was time to replace all the windows and sliding glass doors at my own home, they were my first phone call,” he continued. “If you are not using CW&D in your home, you are getting less than you ought to!” Peter was not alone in his praise of the quality and service provided by CW&D. Another satisfied client, Laura M. ended her Yelp testimonial with the following: “Every one of the employees I encountered from the office to the installers were true professionals and were a delight to work with and I would recommend this company wholeheartedly.” Several other clients took the time to sing their praise as well. So, who are these magicians of the custom doors and window business? Bob and Carole Leggiere had the dream of providing quality custom windows and doors to homeowners in Port Richey and founded what is

today Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco, Inc. Since Bob’s death in 2012, Carole has continued that legacy, providing the same, finequality custom products and services that their company has come to represent. Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco Inc. offers a special experience to all their valued customers. They are the only door and window company in the area that even offers custom entry doors for mobile homes. Does your home’s curb appeal need a facelift? Is your front door a little “tired-looking?” Owner, Carole Leggierre, suggests updating your front door with a custom insert. Her custom jig specialist, Frank Kownack, can design the ideal template for equally talented Raffaele Sasso to create the final finished product. With your custom insert, your previously average-looking door will become a unique, one-of-a kind eye-catcher, the envy of your neighborhood. Like the saying goes, “the job isn’t complete until the paperwork is done.” Paperwork is in good hands at Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco with Marilyn Loper efficiently handling all licensing and permitting requirements

while equally adept Nicole Grau manages their counter sales, contract and permit paperwork. Sales and installations are proficiently overseen by another longtime key employee, Todd Partlow, the company troubleshooter, while experienced installation service tech, Sonnie Ranno, performs the warehouse functions, replacing screens, glass and vinyl. Carole says, when it comes to the windows and doors that they represent, “if it can be fixed, he can fix it.” They extend a one-year warranty on their installations as well as all manufacturer’s warranties, representing major companies like PGT Industries, Custom Window Systems, Jeld-win Windows and Doors, Builders Hardware Inc, Huttig

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Building Products, Plastpro/ Therma-Tru Doors (now available in colors), to name a few of their many professional sources. Owner, Carole Leggiere, credits her experienced staff for the continued success and growth of her company. From their 5,000 sq.ft. main facility with a window and door showrooms, she makes the following promise,”we go out of our way to make the customer happy. ” Custom Windows and Doors of Pasco offer drastic discounts on measuring mishaps in stock. Open M – F 8:30 to 4:30 and 9:00 to 12 on Saturday, 727/841-9490, if it involves doors or windows, this is the place to come. They even have kitty and doggie doors! How’s that for service!

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Tech Talk with Bob: THE CALL! Did you get “The Call?” By Bob Dalles [Note from Bob: Back by popular demand. Beware that a lot of people fall prey to these calls every day. I wrote this article six months ago. If you’ve already read it, I hope you will share it with someone you care about.] 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

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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. 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 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 the fix. Many people become victims of this scam. It has been

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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@ BobTheComputerGuy.NET. Questions will be selected by the popularity of a topic and answered in this column. If you have a more urgent need or have a unique situation you may schedule an appointment with one of my Professionally Certified Technicians by calling 727-534-4000. Until next time, stay safe on the internet!

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Gregg Schindler State Farm Student Athletes of the Month: Autin Wilson and Faith Mitchell By Rylee Kaiser The male Gregg Schindler State Farm Agency Student Athlete of the Month, junior Austin Wilson, is a leading player on the boys’ varsity basketball team. Wilson averages the most points and rebounds on the team, and improved enough to go from being a starting player on the JV team to a starting player on the varsity team in just one year. Wilson’s improvements did not come without hard work, however. His school training consists of repetitively working on their shots to become better shooters, and having to run laps for every below average grade a player has in an academic class. With only one day off from these intense practices every week, Wilson

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and his team must rely on each other to help push through. “We always join hands together as a team before practice in a circle, representing that we are a family,” said Wilson. “Our team definitely has heart, and we never give up.” In addition to practicing six days a week for the school basketball team, Wilson also trains outside of school on a D1 competitive AAU team. “I play for an AAU team called XFactor, and we travel around the country to play in big tournaments. We’ve done tournaments in many places like California, Las Vegas, and Texas,” said Wilson. One of Wilson’s major influences that has impacted his success in basketball is his dad, who is always Wilson’s number one supporter. “My dad sacrifices

Austin Wilson (above, left) manuvers around a pick set up by his teammate. (photo by Ostina Myrtil) so much time and money for me to reach the next level. He works so I can play in huge tournaments around the country, and he inspires me to play my hardest out on the court

and reach my goals.” Wilson is looking forward to a future playing basketball in college, and would be the first in his family to do so.

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By Valerie Farrar The female Gregg Schindler State Farm Agency Student Athlete of the Month is a tough female wrestler, Faith Mitchell. She faces off against boys in her weight class and wins. She’s one of two female wrestlers on the Mitchell varsity wrestling team and started wrestling this year, as a junior. “I started wrestling because I had no idea how to defend myself,” Mitchell said. Mitchell likes to warm up with the team first, then organizes her moves in her head before a wrestling match and decides which moves she is going to use in the match. She thinks through certain scenarios that she has experienced in past matches, and how she can avoid messing up and losing. “I have the motivation to be better than the other boys

and it really helps push me,” Mitchell said. Before a big match, Mitchell prepares herself and gets in the right mindset to go against another wrestler. She thinks “you got this,” and prepares to do her best and put up a fight. “I like the one-on-one and the hype of wrestling. You get to actually fight people and not necessarily hurt them. It’s fun,” Mitchell said. Mitchell is in the 126 weight class. She has gone up against River Ridge, Tarpon Springs, Weeki Wachee, and Gibbs High School. One of her best matches was at East Lake High School, when she faced off against a male in her same weight class and pinned him within the first quarter. “I was really proud, because that was the first match that I actually won. Usually they [the boys] are stronger and overpower

Faith Mitchell (above, black head gear) situating herself to pin the opposition! (photo by Bailey Illig) me. I had a huge sense of pride,” Mitchell said. When Mitchell faces off against an opponent her strategy involves grabbing their legs and pushing them with a lot of force. When a wrestler grabs one leg it’s called a single, and two legs is a double. “I, personally, like

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to shoot singles and doubles because it puts my opponents off balance,” Mitchell said. The wrestling season lasts through February, and Mitchell set a goal for herself to do her best at the state tournament in Orlando, where she will face off against other girls for the first time.

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If You’ve Got Junk – We’ve Got the Solution:1-800-GOT-JUNK? By Tom Bostock It’s amazing how easy it is to collect unwanted junk without even realizing it. If it’s not the garage sale leftovers that didn’t sell, it’s the clothes that the kids have outgrown that got boxed up and stored in the garage for a later time than never came. Maybe, it’s the newspapers for the drive that were never collected. Here’s a thought: It’s just human nature to collect things, but wouldn’t it be nice if you could use your garage for your car again or the spare bedroom for something besides a storage room? If the thought of having waste your Saturday, taking

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unwanted stuff to the dumps and then waiting in line for your chance to finally place your junk in the appropriate bin for disposal is not your idea of a fun way to spend your weekend, why not call the friendly folks at 1-800-GOTJUNK? Owners Troy and Rachelle White enjoy a great reputation and take great pride in the quality of the junk removal services that they provide to both their residential and commercial customers. “We are committed to providing our customers with up-front rates, and ontime, friendly, professional service that exceeds their expectations,” says Troy.

“We even provide same day service. All you have to do is point at the pile of junk you want removed and we’ll take care of the rest.” If it fits in a truck, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? will remove it, quickly and safely. It doesn’t matter if it is a single item, a backyard or garage full, even an entire building. We will remove just about anything as long as it in nonhazardous. their trained employees will do all the heavy lifting for you. This is not 2 college boys with a pickup on a weekend. It is a fully licensed, insured removal company with the right equipment to do the job right, the first time, and every time!

If you are concerned about the environment and indiscriminately adding to landfills with your discards, owner Troy reassuringly noted that

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“more than 70% of what we haul away is recycled or reused.” His haulers do the sorting for you to determine where your junk should go. Recipients of your welcome, reusable items include: many local charities, a recycling center,

a transfer station, to be converted into energy for local consumption, or if there is no value or possible use, finally, to the dumps. Troy proudly notes that “nationwide, 1-800-GOTJUNK? has save more than 2.4 billion pounds of junk

from the landfill.” Even their company warehouse was expanded to give them the space to keep even more junk out of landfills. “Our employees will sort through your junk and pull out the pieces that can be reused, recycled, or repurposed so that you don’t have to.” Listen to what some of your satisfied friends and neighbors had to say about two of their experiences with 1-800-GOT-JUNK: “ I called and the same day, not even 3 hours later, Michael and Justin arrived. In less than 30 min they removed all the junk I needed hauled. They were absolutely AMAZING ! Pricing is fair for the amount of work that they do. They were understanding and didn’t pressure the sale. It was the best experience!” “I recently learned that they recycle our junk and don’t just dump it all at the landfill! Thanks for doing our part for us!! Every little bit helps.” :)” In addition to their widely recommended residential junk removal services, represented by the consistent 5- star ratings that they receive from homeowners who have used 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, the company works closely with a variety of commercial enterprises. If you are a general contractor, business owner, property manager, real estate agent or any commercial venture in need of hauling and clean up assistance, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has the experience and expertise

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to be the solution to your junk removal problems. Their commitment to excellence will be evident in the renewed condition of your property or facilities. “We remove junk from wherever it’s located, and we wouldn’t leave a dent or a speck of dirt behind.” Troy and Rachelle, owners of 1-800-GOTJUNK? have a strong commitment to the community that they serve. One of the best parts of their business, they say, is the relationships that they have developed and nurtured in the community. They appreciate their ability to help local non-profits like: Hope Children’s Home, Autism Awareness and Lighthouse Ministries, as well as the Pinellas County Youth Ranch. “We’ve enjoyed getting to know the customers that we’ve helped. Everyone has a different reason for wanting their junk removed and we help them all.” Don’t guess how much it will cost to clean up your debris, both residential and commercial. Do yourself a favor and call the experts at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? for a free, same-day, no hassle estimate with same-day removal services. Serving the tri-county area (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco), 1-800-GOTJUNK? is your source for all of your junk and unwanted removal needs. Call 1-800-468-5865 or visit their website at www.1800gotjunk. com/tampa for further information. FEBRUARY 2019 19

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The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group “Your Partners in Tax & Retirement Planning” With the 2018 tax return deadline looming, it is a perfect time for those age 60 or older to take advantage of a flat-rate $69 fee to have their income taxes prepared and filed with a company that is trusted for going the extra mile for its clients(i). Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group extends their $69 flatrate fee for federal returns (state returns are included if applicable) to Active & Retired Military, First Responders, Government Employees, & Educators of ANY age. If you don’t fit into anyone of those categories, no worries they have special pricing for you. All tax returns are prepared by one of the firm’s experienced Tax Preparers or IRS Enrolled Agents. The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group is up to date on the changing tax environment and want to help you navigate through this tax season. Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group has an experienced team of financial, tax, insurance, and legal professionals who help to educate their clients on important subjects including: managing asset risk, unnecessary taxes, diversifying(ii) portfolios, the importance of wills/ trusts and planning for income during retirement. The firm is committed to providing exemplary service while displaying the highest standards of ethics and professional knowledge. They are approved members of the National Ethics Association and the National Association of Tax Professionals. Edward G. Rizzotto, Owner and President, is an Insurance Agent and Financial

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Representative who holds both a state-regulated license to offer insurance products and a securities license to offer specific investment products. Meet the Rizzotto Team Ed Rizzotto, Owner/ President, moved to Florida 47 years ago from New York, grew up in Pinellas County and has been a Trinity resident since 2000. A graduate of Clearwater Central Catholic High School, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from NationalLouis University in Evanston, IL. Ed also served both active and reserve duty for 13 years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He started his Insurance and Financial career over 20 years ago as an agent for Allstate Insurance. Then promoted to Agency Manager, he was responsible for overseeing 22 agencies in southwest Florida. In 1999, he joined a local retirement planning firm, where he helped hundreds of people with tax and retirement planning for over six years. Ed Rizzotto enjoyed the opportunity to benefit the community, and was determined to create a complete local business where he could help clients (both pre-retirees and current retirees) save money on their taxes, better manage their portfolios, plan for the future and focus more on enjoying their retirement years – and The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group was established in 2006. Lorrie Rizzotto, Vice President of Operations, joined the firm in 2009. Prior to joining Ed in running their family business, Lorrie specialized in corporate incentive and meeting planning, and worked at Allstate’s Regional Florida office for 11

years before becoming an Independent Meeting Planner with HelmsBriscoe, where she achieved “President’s Club” status being Top 50 in the country. Married 30 years this November, Lorrie and Ed have two daughters attending the University of South Florida. Ed and Lorrie have a great team at Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group. Dori Greeson, Administrative Assistant and Office Manager, gives everyone a warm reception, oversees the day to day office operations and the coordination of tax season. Alton Scott, Insurance Consultant, with more than 18 years of experience in the Banking, Insurance and Financial Services industry, has extensive knowledge in the areas of health insurance, Medicare supplements and Medicare. Scott holds a state-regulated Life and Health License and a Securities license to provide certain investment products, Nic Ranocchia, Licensed Life/ Health/Annuity Agent, is a graduate of the University of South Florida, with a degree in Finance. He has over 5 years of customer service experience, as well as experience in the banking business. Ed and Nic will work as a team to offer insurance products to fit clients’ needs. He came on board two years ago to assist Ed and gain knowledge and experience to begin a career as an Insurance Professional & Financial Planner. Lauren Schafer, Marketing Coordinator, recently joined the team in September and will be overseeing their marketing functions. She is a graduate from the University of Florida with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Entrepreneurship and has over 3 years of experience in customer service. Their

team of IRS enrolled agents and qualified tax preparers each have an average of over 20 years of experience in tax preparation and tax law and are ready to assist you with all of your tax preparation needs. Reducing Tax Liability in Retirement The first thing Ed and his team will want to look at is your past tax returns, explaining, “We’ve had people who had other advisors and financial planners who convinced them to make changes, not aware of the tax impacts. To me, the tax return is the most important document the client owns, that’s why it is the first thing we look at when the client meets us for their initial appointment. If there is an investment or change that could cause a taxable event, we know that up front.” Ed and his team are very tuned in to their clients’ needs and concerns. “Saving on taxes, reducing or eliminating taxation on social security and protecting the financial wellbeing of a spouse after another’s death – those are things that my clients are concerned about,” explains Ed. “Today, people also want alternatives to the low interest rate environment provided by CDs and money market accounts.” He adds, “If clients are already collecting social security when they come to us, they want to know how they can reduce or eliminate taxes(iii) on not only social security income, but their overall taxes as well. A major concern today and what I believe will be a concern for years to come for pre-retirees and current retirees is how to obtain ‘Guaranteed Income for Life’(iv) from your retirement and non-retirement

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Ed Rizzotto (right), owner & president of Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group and Nic Ranocchia (left), his Assistant Advisor. plans. Unfortunately many employer sponsored plans and individual IRAs do not offer this benefit when you retire. We will show you how to put some things in place now that will enable you to set up lifetime income down the road. This is income you will never outlive, similar to a pension. We spend many hours with our clients to put sound plans in place by sharing ‘real time’ tax, income and social security analysis(v) through sophisticated software. We want our clients to leave our office with a better understanding on what their income needs will be in retirement, and how to control, reduce or possibly eliminate taxes(iii).” Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group takes a team-oriented approach to tax, retirement and estate planning and Mr. Rizzotto welcomes discussions from clients’ estate planning attorneys. If you do not already have an attorney, Mr. Rizzotto often refers clients to a trusted

elder law attorney, who frequently meets with clients to review Wills and Trusts. “They can help you make sure your plan is up to date and our staff will make sure your accounts and beneficiary designations coordinate with your estate plan.” While taxes are a large part of The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group, the majority of their clients also utilize the firm’s other services including investments, retirement planning, long term care, annuities(iv), life insurance, wills and trusts and small business bookkeeping services. Ed says, “Clients like the opportunity we provide to get everything taken care of in one place.” A word of advice, “You’re never too young to start saving for retirement,” says Rizzotto. “We have found that many people we meet who are still working have changed jobs about every five to seven years, and many of those people left their retirement plans at their

old employers (i.e. 401k, 403b, 457 and TSP plans, etc). Many of these plans can be rolled over to individual IRAs or Roth IRAs, thus giving the client more control and the ability to have someone to advise them.” The Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group is located in the community of Long Leaf in the Florida Design Consultants Center at 3030 Starkey Boulevard in Trinity. A second location is in Pinellas County at 1034 Belcher Road South in Largo. Call (727) 683-9119 or visit www.rizzottotax.com for more information or to schedule an appointment.

LLC. Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group does not offer legal advice. (ii) Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. It is a method used to help manage investment risk. (iii) Pursuant to requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Service, any tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, for purposes of avoiding penalties imposed under the United States Internal Revenue Code or promoting, marketing or recommending to another person any tax-related matter. Please contact us if you wish to have formal written advice on this matter. (iv) Fixed Annuities are long term insurance contacts and there is a surrender charge imposed generally during the first 5 to 7 years that you own the annuity contract. Withdrawals prior to age 59-1/2 may result in a 10% IRS tax penalty, in addition to any ordinary income tax. Any guarantees of the annuity are backed by the financial strength of the underlying insurance company. (v) The Retirement Analysis gives estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record. Please keep in mind that these are just estimates. We can’t provide your actual benefit amount until you apply for benefits, and that amount may differ from the estimates provided.

Representative of and securities offered through Brokers International Financial Services, LLC. Member SIPC. Brokers International Financial Services, LLC and Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group are not affiliated companies. (i) Rizzotto Tax Advisory Group provides tax services which are separate from the securities services offered through Brokers International Financial Services,

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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT: TECHNIQUES AND CURVE BALLS By Dr. Wayne Adams Upcoming Spring Test Dates in 2019: SAT on March 9, May 4, and June 1. ACT on April 13, 2019, and June 8, 2019 Walking around International Mall over Christmas with my wife, I happened to see a news item about a sixteen year old in Kansas who would be graduating from both high school and Harvard University this spring. Harvard now has a full time extension school for both undergraduate and graduate degrees at a fraction of the on-campus cost. Checking further, other top schools like Yale are adding this option. Originally designed for students 21 years old and over who are working, now the admission age is being reduced to 18 years old with some exceptions such as the student in Kansas.

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Interesting how education continues to change and evolve, don’t you think? The SAT and ACT Exams are still with us, and will be for a long time. You may know that these exams are graded on a curve with the other students taking the same exam at the same time. So I believe higher scores are more likely in the spring when the “well prepared” seniors are no longer part of the “competition”. In Florida, we are very fortunate to have Bright Futures, with the legislature restoring the full scholarship awards last year for both Academic Scholars and Medallion. AcademicScholarsships cover full tuition and many other costs (about $24,000+ over four years), and Medallion Scholars cover 75% of tuition and some other costs (about $18,000)

a year. You can check the specific qualification requirements at their web site. Students also have until the last spring exam for the SAT and ACT to take and submit a score for consideration. The last SAT this year is on Saturday, June 2nd, and the last ACT this year is on Saturday, June 9th. With the new Bill on the way to the House,

double check this eligibility time to make sure it does not change. I have noticed an interesting trend among many of my students. Many test relatively higher on the verbal than on the math parts of both exams before we start. Yet when we work together, both areas improve … and often their math scores end up higher than their verbal scores. I think

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this is because of our adding a prep section with “the hardest SAT or ACT math questions with answers”. For students already strong in math, the increase in scores is even more noticeable because they have a stronger foundation to build upon. As you may remember from prior articles, there are five key areas for improving SAT and/or ACT scores. (1) Technique, where we learn the strategies and “tricks of test taking” that are foundational. (2) Not making SM’s (Silly Mistakes) which often are mis-reads or lack of focus. (3) “Curve Balls”, which are those questions seldom encountered but, when they come, a student must know exactly how to answer them – which usually hinges on knowing one additional step. (4) How well the student is guessing on exam day because

getting one more question right often increases a score ten points. (5) Strength of other students taking the same exam because of grading on a curve. Working on the hardest types of math questions that can be on the exam helps my students in several ways. First, they see that these problems are really easy if you know how to do them. Second, there is a growing sense of confidence that – no matter what the problem – they can get it right. And third, they realize the truth of one of my favorite tutoring comments: “An easy question is when you know how to do it; a hard question is simply when you don’t.” As students learn more about curve balls, there is one other major benefit. They are not having to guess as often. The net result is that I believe it is easier to score higher on the SAT and/or the ACT Exams in the

spring than in the fall (particularly early fall) because the competition is not as strong. And the addition of “hardest math questions” has enabled my students to improve even more than before. If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727-2530639 or send me an e mail at wwa0811@mykolab.com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT and ACT tutors in the country. His students normally improve 200 – 350 points on the Writing, Reading, Writing and Essay, and Math, and 4 – 7 points on the ACT composite. They have been admitted to eight of the top ten universities in the country, seventeen 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,

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

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“Authentic Kitchens”-

continued from page 1

decided that he didn’t want to work for a company where the customer came second. Together with his talented design team, his present company stresses “customer first” in every aspect of their projects, from start to finish. No job is too large or too small for Glenn’s creative staff who, he said, were attracted to work for him, by the, “freedom to design.” The result is anything from a breathtaking, functional kitchen or distinctive bathroom to a fully equipped, gourmet chef’s kitchen, the likes of which can only be found gracing the pages of the latest interior design magazines. Glenn smiled when he mentioned his design staff of Rebecca, Natalie, Cindy, Becca, Michele, Kelli and Project Manager, Brandy. He said that he and his staff represent almost 40 years of successful design experience. Unlike some of his competitors, his design staff are all degreed interior designers, ensuring the finest quality service when they are recreating your remodeling dreams. Glenn said that all of their projects represent “the personal touch.” He added that “we aren’t the lowest or the most expensive. We are extremely competitive for similar products. We are not just a salesman trying to sell you some cabinets. We come in and look for the potential of your space, then brain storm with you and create that dream for you. We represent the finest products in the industry.” He stressed the quality of his products and staff, promising the “wow factor” for all of their installations. Able to do floor-to-ceiling remodeling, or just minor

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updating, Glenn said that the process should “be an enjoyable experience” but at the same time, it will disturb your life, especially if it is a kitchen or master bath.” Since we are taking out the heart of your home and we know it will not be easy. So, we do our due diligence to make the process as timeless as possible. We make sure we have all the products before we start. That way when we start there is no slowing down due to products not being there. Thus, allowing us to get the job done as quick and professional as possible. Allowing you to move back into your newly renovated dream space. “Doing this for 19 years, customer service is most important to me,” Glenn said. They have products that they are comfortable working with and recommending to their customers. “We say what we mean, and we stand behind it, something that is lost in most businesses today,” something missing in today’s self-service world. Using state-of-the-art computer programs, Glenn’s designers go the extra mile for their customers. After asking the questions necessary to make their clients dreams a reality, the designer conducts an in-house consultation, reviewing the customers’ needs and offering pertinent suggestions to improve the final product. The interior designer visits the site on a regular basis as well as Project Manager Brandy or Glenn to follow up, during the course of every project, making sure your dreams are met by the design you and the design team have created. The devil is in the details and Glenn’s staff employ unique project books, which

as he says, “show what is being done on the job.” “We try to be very detailed on the front half. We pre-act instead of react,” he said. Upon completion, the customer is given the Project Book. It contains pictures of everything that went into their project, all color and brand selections, making it easier if the customer needed to repaint or replace something in the future. Glenn said that they continuously maintain those records on the computer in case a customer loses theirs. With a superior rating from the Better Business Bureau, let’s see what some of their customers had to say about their experiences with Authentic Concepts Kitchen and Bath Designs on

Facebook: “I would definitely recommend Authentic Concepts! Rebecca designed my kitchen remodel. She did an awesome job designing. Glenn and Brandy were awesome too. My project was beautiful, NO issues, on time and on budget. I will definitely hire for my bathroom remodel!” “We are having so much fun working with Glen, picking out the right granite for counters & flooring. He is so friendly, professional and has been so helpful. He is overseeing every part of the job, is quick to respond to any questions and give us advice” “Glenn did a bar room for my step daughter. I was in the business for 47 years and

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haven’t seen anything better. Thanks Glenn. You and your staff are a class act.” “When we decided to remodel our kitchen we interviewed and had four designers visit and provide us with various designs. Not yet convinced, although the designs were within budget, shortly after we contacted Authentic Concepts Kitchen and Bath Designs and spoke to owner/designer Glenn Rumer. Mr. Rumer visited and we not yet mentioning what

we wanted he had the vision as a designer and explained to us how he would design and remodel our kitchen, which included tearing down walls, partial ceilings, relocating electrical wiring, plumbing and appliances. And it was exactly what we desired with some additions and changes that we made. As a professional experienced designer Glenn guided us through the design process, yet he listened to and was very respectful of our personal taste. We found his

prices to be competitive with the industry, He executed his design exactly as he presented it to us on paper and completed it within the time frame, he quoted us. His work crew was professional, knowledgeable and respectful. They were well organized, clean and on time when they were scheduled to be in. Thanks to Glenn Rumer we have the kitchen of our dreams. We have a bathroom to remodel and we will be contacting Authentic Concepts

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Kitchen and Bath Design, in the near future, to do it.” If your kitchen or bathrooms aren’t working for you, let the talented designers at Authentic Concepts Kitchen and Bath Design work for you! They bring your dreams to life. Call today for a no cost consultation. 727 785 3097, 3265 Tampa Rd. Palm Harbor. Open MonFriday 9:30 to 4:30 and Saturday 10 to 2. After hour appointments are available.

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FEBRUARY 2019 33

“Trinity

Hearing & Balance”-

enough to live nearby and others who travel from around the United States, or from other nations to take advantage of the technology and care offered by Audiologists Kelly Hansen Au.D. and Nikki Goldowski Richa, Au.D. There are numerous reasons for hearing loss and inner ear disorders and the professional staff at Trinity Hearing and Balance Center are committed to finding answers for each individual patient. The inner ear actually works in conjunction with the brain and eyes to control balance. When this network of components is out of sync with one another, balance can be affected. An experienced Audiologist can help get to the root of what is causing issues like vertigo, or dizziness. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ear, is another issue that can be treated effectively to bring relief to patients suffering from this aggravating condition. Offering both Personal and Professional Experience to Every Patient Dr. Kelly Hansen is a graduate of Purdue University and received her Doctorate in Audiology from Arizona School of Health Sciences in Mesa, Arizona. She is Board Certified in Audiology

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continued from page 1

and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Audiology. She served on the Florida Academy of Audiology Board for four years as the vice president of communications. She is the owner of Trinity Hearing and Balance and brings more than twenty years of experience to her patients. Her motivation to treat her patients with the best care comes from her own personal experiences with hearing loss. She can relate to her patients. “My grandmother suffered from hearing loss and I have worn hearing aids myself since my 30’s. This helps me understand what my patients are going through,” she said. A firm believer in continuing education, she has continued to attend courses and workshops for dizziness, balance and hearing disorders throughout her career, which enables her to stay abreast with the most recent treatment methods in these disorders. Dr. Nikki Goldowski Richa is a graduate of Cleveland State University. She earned her Doctorate of Audiology degree from University of Louisville. She is equipped with a broad range of experience after working with Veteran Affairs medical centers, children’s hospitals, ENT clinics as well as private practice settings. She completed

her clinical fellowship year at Trinity Hearing and Balance while working alongside Dr. Hansen. Dr. Hansen is proud to have Dr. Richa as part of the practice. “She’s just fabulous,” she said of her colleague. Noting,” Great rapport with patients is something you can’t teach, and it just comes naturally for her.” The First to Offer Stateof-the Art Equipment in Our Area Offering the latest technology and best treatment possible to patients suffering from dizziness due to inner ear disorders, Trinity Hearing and Balance Center was the first practice to install

the Epley Omniax System after its commercial launch in just a few clinics worldwide. Vertigo is a common condition suffered by millions of Americans every year. A common procedure to treat vertigo is the Epley Maneuver which is performed by the doctor on the examining table. The Epley Omniax System, however, enables audiologists to rule in and rule out various causes of vertigo thus enabling them to be more precise in their treatment of said condition which increases the success rate of treatment for patients. “The System keeps Trinity Balance and Hearing Center on the cutting edge of new technology in the field

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Hansen. If a hearing aid is the solution to your hearing loss problem, Trinity Hearing and Balance Center offers a wide range of hearing aids and accessories for varying Dr. Kelly Hansen, Au.D., owner, Dr. Nikki Goldowski-Richa, Au.D. budgets, Trinity Hearing and Balance making hearing aids and it means weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able patients who suffer from an affordable option. They to continue providing the dizziness and balance also offer hearing aid repair best possible care for our problems,â&#x20AC;? explained Dr.

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services, hearing tests, hearing protection and child hearing treatment. Financing options are also available. The Trinity Hearing and Balance Center website also features a blog chocked full of informative articles on hearing loss, hearing aid technology, the importance of protecting your hearing and more. Trinity Hearing and Balance Center is located at 8605 Easthaven Court, Suite 101, New Port Richey 34655. Call 727755-0391 today for your appointment. For more information, visit www. trinityhearingandbalance. com.

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TRINITY AREA CLASSIFIEDS SERVICES AVAILABLE SENIOR CARE SERVICES. Short or long term. Medical care, Drs. appts., home cooked meals. Honest and reliable. Excellent ref., lic. with 30+ yrs. exp. Reasonable rates. Call 727-421-8997. COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE by ALL TURF LAWN AND LANDSCAPE Family owned, servicing 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 727-819-1174 www.allturflandscape.com KRISTIN’S CLEANING SERVICES We pay attention to the details & supply products to make your home SPARKLE ! Great Prices Too Most homes only $65 Mom of 8 with over 30 years experience. Pet FriendlyExcellent References Angie’s List Service Award Winner Text or call (727)423-4997 Kristin SIT & STAY PET BOARDING HOTEL or AFFORDABLE PET SITTER for IN-HOME VISITS Boarding 10 Acres of safe fun. We will treat your pet like family. Over 10 years experience. Angie’s List Service Award Winner. 1st night Free for New Customers TEXT or call (727)423-4997 Kristin Mary’s Spotless Touch Cleaning Service, Inc.Licensed, Insured and Bonded

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& fences - Free estimates. Landscape cleanup and odd for your piece of mind. We jobs too. offer both residential and commercial cleaning and have Heritage Springs, Trinity & been cleaning in the area for 15 more! Resident of 34655. years. No home/office too large www.anewlookpw.com Call Randy 727-271-2920 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 company!! Call Mary (727) 389-0347.

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, Great Panes Window punctuation, research writing Cleaning (APA, MLA), essays, reports 20 years servicing and college statements homeowners: any type of of purpose. Experienced home, condo or villa. FREE, simple, NO PRESSURE (25 years), college English instructor. I can help you estimate. My Promise: “You meet any writing/editing owe me nothing until you are 100% satisfied!” Licensed and challenge. Available: mornings, afternoons and weekends. Insured. Call: 727.277.2099 Call Tom 727-777-6030 www.greatpanesfl.com Dyslexia/Reading Interventionist- Wilson LOW COST PRESSURE CLEANING. HOUSES • POOL Certified Reading Teacher and Certified Teacher (K-8) CAGES • DRIVEWAYS AND SIDEWALKS • POOL DECKS • PVC FENCES • CLEAN OUT GUTTERS • CALL DARIN. www. lowcostpressurecleaning.com. 20+ years experience. Licensed and insured. (727) 207-9176

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 WANTED Looking for a piano player and tenor sax & clarinet player to join a NEW 8 piece band. Call Wayne Johnson and the “Little Big Band” at 727-3751444.

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 For Advertising Info 727-943-0551 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com

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