Tampa Bay News and Lifestyles. Trinity Magazine. Vol. 16, Issue 08, August 2020

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Vol. 16, Issue 08, August 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

Same Day Teeth®: The New Way to Bring Back Your Beautiful Natural Smile Written By: Dr. Michael A. Pikos

“Thanks to Dr. Pikos and Dr. Hedger I now have a beautiful smile,” recalls Gail Portervint. Gail suffered from periodontitis which caused tooth and bone loss. She came to Coastal Jaw Surgery looking for help with her failing teeth and to restore her self-confidence.

The doctors at Coastal Jaw Surgery have been caring for patients in the Greater Tampa Bay Area for over 37 years. Dr. Michael A. Pikos opened the Palm Harbor office with the goal to treat patients like family while ensuring their oral surgical needs are cared for. See “Coastal Jaw” on page 18

Kawa Japanese Steak House & Sushi: Fresh, Tasty, & Authentic!

By Joy Bergman

Hungry for some sushi that actually tastes fresh? Craving some delicious hibachi but aren’t sure where to go? Want to experience Japan without the plane ticket? Problem solved! Just off of Little Road next to Hobby Lobby in Ridge Plaza, stands an exciting and authentic Japanese restaurant, fondly known as Kawa Japanese Steak House & Sushi. Since owner Jerry first opened Kawa on September 1st of 2018, many happy customers have passed through the restaurant’s doors, enjoying an authentic Japanese experience with delicious food and great service.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Editor.............................5 Star One Realty Group...............6-7 The Benefits of Accent Lighting...10-11 Tech Talk with Bob......................22-23 SAT & ACT Improvement........24-25 Stay Social While Social Distancing...26-27 Classifieds....................................30

See “Kawa” on page 14


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Keep The Faith The coronavirus pandemic continues to challenge us in ways we could never have predicted, from unprecedented amounts of family time to homeschooling to working remotely, or not working at all. Staying positive and optimistic during times of crisis can be challenging, but it’s critical to your mental well-being and immune system. Remember this will not be this way forever. It is a difficult time, but it is just that, a time. It may be tough right now, but this too shall pass. Think about all the physical, logistical, financial, mental, and emotional struggles you may have encountered throughout your life, and the good ways you approached and handled all those challenges. Go You! Practice gratefulness. Some circumstances right now may be hard to change or may contribute to your feelings of helplessness. But there are other things in your life that are good and inspire gratitude. Making a list of the good things that you appreciate, whether big or small, can help shift your focus in a more positive direction. Communicate. Feeling Isolated? There’s no need to cut all communication while trying to social distance. Thanks to all the communication technology most of us in the industrialized world have access to, doing video calls, and jumping into group chats, and even attending virtual parties and concerts, are valuable options for which we should be grateful. Checkin with your friends and reconnect with those you may not have heard from for a while. Keep in mind that your friends and family are likely suffering from the same types of anxiety and stress that you are experiencing right now, so make a mental effort to contribute positively to the conversation. Incorporate humor and laughter into your day. This is one of the most important steps you should take in improving your positivity and benefiting from a more optimistic disposition. Numerous studies have confirmed shortterm and long-term benefits of laughter on the human body and mind. Everything

from stimulating your organs to lowering your stress levels, improving your blood circulation, strengthening your immune system, and even relieving physical pain – laughter is the best medicine. Walk away from distressful conversations and situations. In today’s highly stressful pandemic environment, it is easy to get pulled into negative interactions and exchanges that can leave us feeling distressed, frightened, insecure, and pessimistic. Recognizing these encounters early on and removing ourselves from these situations and interactions can help us manage our stress and contribute to our positivity. This also includes obsessing over constant news coverage, and updates about the spread of the virus. Staying informed and aware of what is happening locally and globally is important, and we should all make sure we are as educated and prepared as possible. But creating a healthy balance between news consumption and our daily routines is also crucial in helping us maintain a sense of normalcy and control over our mental health. Have faith. I’m not talking about religious faith, although if you are a religious person and can draw from your belief systems, you most definitely should! I’m talking about having faith in humanity; in science; in technology; in our health care heroes; in collaboration; in the good in people; in our resilience; in our perseverance; in our ability to overcome even the most outrageous of obstacles to grow and evolve; in our future; in our constant and mutual commitment to improving ourselves and our communities; in our kindness; in our empathy; in our desire to provide a good life for ourselves and our loved ones; in never giving up until we find the right, permanent solution to bring this virus to heel. In life after Corona and everything we will have learned after all of this is done. Always believe in yourself and your endless capacity to love. Stay safe, until next time.

Carla Dubis Tedeschi


Star One Realty Group Provides 5-Star Experience from Start to Closing By Deborah Bostock-Kelley

Jeff Meyer and Michele Ream love their jobs. Friends for over two decades, the two have made a life of buying and selling homes for clients in every stage of life, from newlyweds looking to put down roots, expectant parents needing more space, to empty nesters looking to downsize. A family-run business, Jeff founded Star One Realty Group in October 1999, and in 2001, Michele came aboard after retiring from a career in education.

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Her family joined soon after. In May 2020, Star One Realty Group closed on its 3,000th transaction, which translates to 3,000 satisfied clients --- or a little less as the same buyers and sellers are consistently returning to Jeff and Michele to help them through the process. Nearly 80% of their business comes from word-of-mouth referrals and returning business. The business partners relayed a story of a client that bought and sold three different homes through Star One Realty Group. When your reputation precedes you,

it’s easy to see why clients consistently return. “If we represent both the seller and buyer of a transaction, the commission is only 3%, and you can cancel if you are not happy, at any time,” said Jeff. “Everybody that calls us either knows somebody we sold a house to or sold their house. We’ve been working together long enough that Michele and I have it figured out.” With two offices – one in North Pasco and another in North Pinellas, not only to Jeff and Michele cater to the locals, but they also

provide service to clients in different states and even different countries. “We have a lot of people from England, Germany, and Canada. We just helped a client sell their home from New Guinea,” said Jeff. While the average realtor sells 8-10 houses a year, and the average team of 12 people, up to 80 houses, Jeff and Michele do the listings and contracts themselves and have sold 2% of all homes in Pasco County (1 out of every 50). “Our clients call us because they know we are

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Michelle and Jeff Meyer, owners, Star One Realty Group going to get the job done,” said Jeff. Jeff and Michele offer much more than experience, and incredible customer service, each home listed with the pair gets showcased on their Great 38 (Spectrum Channel 6) television show each Sunday at 11:30 am. The show is viewable in eight different counties in the Tampa Bay area. In early 2019, they were initially asked to

join a national TV show called “American Dream.” After doing this, they were invited to join a local segment on the news. They were so enamored with the process that they reached out to the producer about creating their program, “Rocking Tampa Bay Homes.” Michele is the producer, director, and editor. Before the pandemic, Michele and Jeff would attend concerts and use the band enjoyed

as the theme of the show. With the limitations and social distancing of Covid-19, they now feature music segments from the 80s and other decades. Over 60% of their viewership is women from age 55+. “We have viewers from Saint Pete to Citrus,” said Michele. “We feature our listings and educate the public on what’s happening in the industry. We’ve interviewed mortgage people, home inspectors, title companies, electricians, air conditioning people, tax people, etc. We put cameos on our program to educate the public.” Jeff added, “It’s a fun show to do and a lot of work for Michele to put together every week, but the ratings are going up… up…. up!” What’s incredible for any Star One Realty Group seller is it ultimately free to have their home featured on the TV program and in any print advertising. To protect themselves and their clients when showing homes during the pandemic, the two practice social distancing, ask

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about Covid-19 exposure and symptoms, are always safely masked and gloved. The sellers are asked not to be in the homes during the showing, and the house is disinfected with antibacterial wipes before and after each walkthrough, doors are opened so the client doesn’t have to touch anything, and clients are masked. Even contracts can be made virtually via e-sign. Despite the pandemic, the pair closed over 40 homes last month. When asked what they enjoyed best about working in real estate, the business partners were in total agreement. “I like the people best,” said Michele. “Jeff expects the best in everyone, and it pushes you to be your best. It’s just the satisfaction of a job well done.” “We have a blast with our folk,” said Jeff. “Helping people start their next adventure is fun.” To learn more about Star One Realty Group, visit www. StarOneRealtyGroup.net, call 727-457-1721 or email jmeyer227@hotmail.com.

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Decorating Den: The Benefits of Accent Lighting Fixing up your room with new furniture, decor and other accessories will put you on the right track to a successful makeover, but accent lighting can bring the theme together and make the space feel complete. Whether you’re interested in wall sconces, floodlights, recessed lights or tracking lighting, there are dozens of options to choose from that can cater to the look you’re going for. Best of all, as simple as accent lighting may be, it can make a large impact on the overall feel of the room. 1. It makes a stunning focal point. Turn your guests’ heads as they enter the room with the perfect accent lighting. Certainly, the point of this fixture is to focus light on another area or object, but it can be an attraction zone on its own

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2. It can accentuate your wall decor. Or, if you want the room to revolve around a certain piece of wall decor, accent lighting can make this happen. Relying on overhead lighting or floor lamps to bring attention to decorations doesn’t work well because it isn’t focused in on them.

With accent lighting, the fixture can hug your wall decor effortlessly. 3. It can improve the atmosphere in your room. If you’re looking for a subtle way to set the right tone in the room, accent lighting can do the job for

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you. This especially holds true if you’re interested in dimmers – lights that can dim and brighten manually – as they can transform a room from dark and romantic to cozy and welcoming. 4. It’s the perfect yearround decor piece. Many of your pieces of decor likely have a timestamp – they’re either out for one season or seemingly dull halfway through the year. Accent lighting, however, can make the perfect decoration year-round. Talk with a professional about what style of fixture would look best in your room, regardless of the time of year.

5. There are so many styles! As stated earlier, there are ample styles of accent lighting fixtures to choose from. This allows you to be versatile and make the best decisions based on the atmosphere you’re trying to evoke. Moreover, consider getting in contact with a design consultant from Decorating Den Interiors. He or she can come over to your home and provide a free consultation to properly assess the space and offer design suggestions. This educated assistance can help you make the best decision toward sprucing up your space. For more information, Call Sally Giar at 727-7894886.

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“Kawa”

- continued from page 1 After previously owning a Hibachi restaurant in the Smoky Mountains, Jerry and his wife moved down to Florida just two years ago, buying Kawa from former steakhouse Kumo. Since then, they’ve updated the restaurant in authentic Japanese style, complete with new menus, specials, and even more sushi! “We do this [Kawa Steakhouse] like a family style,” Jerry says, which is just what many people experience when coming into the restaurant. Local guide Wendy writes, “I was so impressed. The service was wonderful and the food is absolutely delicious. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. We will be back!” In addition to the friendly atmosphere, Kawa is also known for simulating an authentic Japanese dining experience, which countless customers have enjoyed. Visitor Jacob B said, “This Japanese steakhouse is fantastic! The scenery really sets the mood that you’re in Japan! The food is excellent! The service is amazing and they are super nice. I would totally recommend

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coming here!” Another happy visitor named John was impressed after his first visit to Kawa: “I was a big fan of Arigatos back in the day and I have to say Kawa was much more authentic. Food was excellent, chef was outstanding, great service,” he said. “Definitely going back.” While Kawa remains closed for in-door dining, Jerry and his wife are looking forward to welcoming their guests back inside the restaurant in the near future. This is great news for sushilovers like Lisa, who miss the steakhouse. “We enjoy our sushi every time we

order from Kawa,” Lisa said. “Hope the restaurant will reopen for dine in soon.” Though you may not be able to experience Japan sitting inside Kawa right now, you can still enjoy all the great, fresh flavors in your own home with takeout and delivery! Kawa is currently open from 11:30 AM to 9 PM every day, offering either takeout or delivery from both Uber Eats and Door Dash. Presently, Jerry is proud to offer all day TOGO hibachi specials, including Shrimp, Chicken, and Steak Hibachi! This special is available Monday-Thursday and on Sundays.

Recently, my family and I had the opportunity to try each of these delicious specials, and we were quite pleased! All three of these TOGO meals came with fried rice, (yum!) clear soup, and vegetables, and were reasonably priced. We also ordered some of Kawa’s sushi, the Tempa Bay Sushi roll, which was fresh, tasty, and exciting! This unique roll boasts fried red snapper, cucumber, crab, mayo, and eel sauce and is now a family favorite. My personal favorite though, was the delicious hibachi flavor itself! The rice, vegetables, and steak’s flavors blended together

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wonderfully, and I can’t remember a time where I enjoyed it more! My dad and I, who both ordered the steak, also noticed the high quality of the meat. This comes as no surprise, seeing that Jerry buys Premium Angus Steak that is both delicious and even healthier tasting. But

we’re not the only ones impressed. Kawa fan Betty M. said that “This is the best Japanese Hibachi I have ever had. Steaks so fresh!!” Another local named Donna said she’s “tried other places, but Kawa Quality is superior.” And Quality is indeed something the steakhouse takes pride in, as

the owners shared with me. In fact, Kawa uses extremely fresh fish that often comes right from Japan! Other times, fish will be delivered to Kawa from places like Alaska depending on what fish is available at the time. Kawa only likes to serve the best of the best, and to the owners, it is more important that the customers are happy than how much the freshest fish cost. But if the fish is fresh, you know the sushi will be too! Kawa customer T.R. said, “Best sushi I’ve experienced in the area. Consider myself a sushi connoisseur and they are top notch.” And there are many others who agree! Reviewer Jay V. writes, “Wow! After moving to the area 3 years ago and countless misses we finally found our Go To Sushi place. Top shelf and authentic, the food and service is outstanding,” he says. Some popular rolls people love include the dragon roll, the volcano roll, the Poke Poke Roll, (Jerry’s favorite), and the signature Kawa Roll – and that’s just for starters! Kawa also has a nice selection of vegetarian rolls like the Oshiko and the Vegetable Dragon that can

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be customized just the way you like. And if you still don’t know where to begin, local guide Victor suggests trying “the Yummy roll & Monster Roll if you like spicy tuna! It’s a little messy,” he says, “but it’s one of my favorites!” To top it off, Kawa has a full-size bar, with everything from beer to Sake to help you unwind. They also offer lunch and sushi specials every week! It’s no doubt I’m very impressed by Kawa Japanese Steakhouse, as are many in the community who love and appreciate amazing Japanese food. No matter what you come for, whether it be the family atmosphere or the authentic style – the delicious hibachi or the flavorful sushi – Kawa does it right. But try it for yourself! Place an order today and enjoy some of the freshest, tastiest, and most authentic flavors in town! Kawa Japanese Steak House & Sushi is located at 8631 Little Road, New Port Richey. For orders, call (727) 841-6988 or visit www.kawahibachisushi. com. Follow Kawa on Facebook!

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“Coastal Jaw”

- continued from page 1 As the practice grew, he expanded to five locations in Palm Harbor, Spring Hill, New Port Richey, Trinity, and Tampa. Our dynamic, surgical based multispecialty team consists of Dr. Michael A, Pikos, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Kenneth L. Anderson III, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Jason B. Blundell, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Lindsey Pikos Rosati, Periodontist, Dr. Anthony M. Pikos, Periodontist, and Dr. Philip J. Hedger, Prosthodontist, who are committed to the practice’s mission to provide exceptional dental

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From left to right Dr. Kenneth L. Anderson III, Dr. Jason B. Blundell, Dr. Michael A. Pikos, Dr. Lindsey Pikos Rosati, Dr. Anthony M. Pikos, and Dr. Philip J. Hedger

care under one roof while creating a safe, welcoming environment to make all patients feel like family. The practice specializes in dental implants with an emphasis on the Same Day Teeth® procedure created by Dr. Michael A. Pikos.

Same Day Teeth® is an innovative surgical procedure that bypasses the traditional dental implant’s time-consuming process and allows for the placement of implants and new teeth to occur on the very same day.

Same Day Teeth® protocol begins with a 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan, which will provide us with 3D images of your bone, nerve pathways, soft tissues, and teeth, which allows us to determine

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the optimal placement of your implants using the best digital assessment software and related stateof-the-art technology to ensure that your treatment is truly customized. Most service providers, especially corporate-based, treat everyone the same way with the one-size-fits-all mentality. You are as unique as your fingerprint and as a result, we draw from a variety of digital-based, precision solutions to give you a customized beautiful natural smile and restore your ability to eat and chew foods that you love. Our unique approach not only includes a comprehensive treatment plan for each of our patients, but also a thorough explanation.

“The best around not only in Florida but I am convinced the best in the nation”, states Nicholas Louis. Nicholas received traditional dental implants for his Same Day Teeth® procedure. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically placed in your jaw to support replacement teeth. These replacement teeth are designed to look and feel like your natural teeth, restore the aesthetic appearance of your smile, provide optimal functionality, and reduce your risk of developing other oral health issues. Coastal Jaw Surgery offers several dental implant options to ensure your smile is natural and custom to you.

Same Day Teeth® offers patients a beautiful, natural smile completed on the same day with the use of dental implants, zygomatic implants, or subperiosteal implants. Patients who are missing all of the teeth in their upper jaw or whose teeth have broken down due to advanced periodontal disease may be good candidates for zygomatic dental implants. These implants are longer and anchored in the upper jawbone near the zygoma bone. Patients who are experiencing significant bone loss in the lower jaw may be good candidates for subperiosteal implants. This type of implant must be custom-made to fit the contours of a patient’s bone. Whether it is traditional dental implants, zygomatic implants, or subperiosteal implants, we have a solution to your missing teeth or loose dentures. If you have been told you can’t have dental implants due to bone loss, Coastal Jaw Surgery is the answer for you. Our doctors have the opportunity to help you with missing teeth

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or ill-fitted dentures now with Same Day Teeth®’s solutions to traditional dental implants. We encourage second opinions. We want to make sure that the best treatment possible is presented to you so the end result gives you back your smile and selfconfidence. Our Coastal Jaw Surgery team of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontist have 65 combined years of experience within the realm of implant dentistry, oral surgery, periodontics, and prosthodontics. There is no better place to go for your comprehensive implant care. If you are missing teeth or wear dentures that aren’t fitting right - call Coastal Jaw Surgery to make a Same Day Teeth® appointment today. Transform your smile. Change your life with Same Day Teeth® at Coastal Jaw Surgery! Call 800-NEW-LOOK or visit www.CoastalJaw.com to book your appointment today!

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TECH TALK With Bob The Computer Guy - By Bob Dalles Today’s Topic: I Think I’ve Been Scammed! Cybercriminals are using successful techniques in their quest to separate you from your money. I have been receiving an onslaught of calls lately from folks saying, “I think I’ve been scammed! What do I do now?” My friend Kathryn fell victim to a scammer just last week. She was minding her own business surfing the web when a message popped-up on her screen. This “official looking” pop-up message instructed her to call a specific phone number because she had “a malware infection that needed immediate attention.” If that wasn’t bad enough, she also found herself locked out of her computer. It was frozen. No mouse. No keyboard. She felt her only option was to call the phone number on the screen.

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Which she did. By the time those scammers finished with her they had not only taken control of her computer, but also convinced her that they could restore it to working order once she paid them $499.00. Which she did. These scammers called it a service charge. I call it extortion. Now mind you, Kathryn is a bright, intelligent woman who would typically never get taken for a ride by such crooks. But these cybercriminals are extremely good at what they do. They constantly hone their skills conning trusting people who think they’re in trouble. Why do they do it? Scamming people in this fashion has proven to be extremely profitable. Few get caught. Most are offshore. Your best

defense is internet safety awareness and developing safer online habits. So, what do you do if you get a popup on your screen that tells you to call a phone number or click on a link? Take a picture of your screen with your cell phone. Be sure any phone number or website address is readable. Do not click on any links. Do not call any phone numbers. Have your system examined for malware by a technology professional. Do not conduct any transactions involving private or sensitive information until you know your system is squeaky clean. What do you do if you receive a phone call from a stranger telling you that you have a malware infection or

something else is wrong with your computer? Immediately hang up. Do not engage them in conversation. If they call back, hang up again or don’t even answer. What do you do if you have already downloaded their software to give them control of your computer? Immediately turn your computer off. If you

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leave it on, they can monitor your activity, steal your data, and even ransom it. Leave your computer off until a professional looks over your system. What do you do if you have given them your credit card number? Immediately call your card issuer and have your card and the transaction cancelled. Don’t wait to get your credit card statement. Call your bank and deal with this as soon as it happens. Some banks may require you to file a police report. This story does have a happy ending. I was able to purge the malware from Kathryn’s computer and give it a clean bill of health. She called her bank. They flagged the transaction for their fraud division; cancelled Kathryn’s credit card; and had a new card in the mail to her the very next day.

If Kathryn had done nothing, she would have been scammed out of nearly 500-bucks. But even worse, those crooks would still have control of her computer. They could spy on her or ransom her computer whenever they felt like it. Kathryn changed from being a passive victim to a vigilant internet user by recognizing and taking immediate control of her situation. These crooks can be intimidating. They’re relentless. They prey on a person’s fear of, and inexperience with, technology. Every time I speak with a victim of this scam, they always say the same thing. “I can’t believe I fell for it.” Sometimes their embarrassment of being scammed prohibits them from reaching out for help. Kathryn felt less violated when SHE took control of the situation.

Be safer not sorrier. You do not have to be a casualty of these high-tech outlaws. If you are not sure your system is safe, please have it looked over by a Professionally Certified Computer Technician. If you need a certified professional, call us now at 727534-4000. We’ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades. Have a tech question?

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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… Be Safe Out There!

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SAT AND ACT IMPROVEMENT AND COLLEGE SUCCESS By Dr. Wayne Adams Upcoming Test Dates in 2020: SAT on August 29 and September 26, and ACT on September 12. As school begins again, we know a little more about what the fall will look like with on-campus classes, online classes, and hybrids. A few schools are going “all on-campus”, while others are in a balancing act with some days on-line and other days on campus. A few of my students have changed over to taking all classes at Florida Virtual School, while others have changed to all “dual enrollment”. Also, many school activities will not be conducted in the fall.

Bright Futures continues to use these exams as their main screener for scholarships worth between $18,000 $25,000. The qualifying superscores for the SAT have been increased 40 points to 1330 for the top level scholarship (100% of tuition and fees), and 1210 for the second level (75%). For the ACT the qualifying composite for the “100%” level remains at 29, and for the 75% level it has dropped by 1 point to 25. As you know from prior articles, about 75% of my students prefer the ACT, and 25% the SAT. Many of my students are thinking about multiple colleges and universities, both in and out of state. Out of

state costs can be higher for many, so now we arrive at one of my favorite quotes from Alex Karras, considered by

many the leading mind in the country for over thirty years about negotiating. He said, “In life, you don’t get what


you deserve. You get what you NEGOTIATE!” Part of my course package is my Guide, “How To Negotiate With Colleges And Universities.” Many parents do not know you can, but you can because in many ways college is a business with income, expenses, and employees. In it, you will learn how to negotiate pleasantly and effectively. Many of my students and their families have saved $1,000 to $10,000 a year in college costs by using this Guide and negotiating. Very often, the admissions officer or financial officer will say,”Yes. Let’s see what we can do.” As important as the SAT and/or ACT Score for college admission is writing an outstanding college

application essay. This is why part of my course package is the 104 page book titled, “How To Write College Application Essays That Colleges Will Love” including 40 sample essays my students have used for Ivy League, Top 25, and many top colleges throughout the US including here in Florida. Once on campus, every one of my students wants to get off to an outstanding start … especially the first semester. So every student receives a copy of my book, “How To Survive And Thrive As A Freshman At A Secular University.” It begins with the first step on campus as a freshman, and goes through taking Final Exams. If You Would Like To Talk More About Your Student … Please contact me at 727-253-

0639 or send me an email at wwa0811@mykolab.com. Dr. Wayne Adams is one of the leading SAT, ACT, and College Success 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), Wake Forest, NYU, Northeastern (Boston), Boston College, Georgia Tech, Service Academies: Navy - Air

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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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Stay Social While Social Distancing Ten Tips from a Social Marketing Butterfly By Kelly Stuart Williams, MA

For those of us who have been working in social media for awhile, we have become accustomed to spending a lot of time “being social” on our computers and electronic devices. However, Stay at Home orders and a global pandemic have created some new platforms for all of us who want to stay social, healthy, and productive. Over the past few weeks, we have spoken with a number of business owners who have said they

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have gone “old school,” since social distancing began. Jeffrey Neil Fox, Fox Marketplace; Deborah Glover-Pearcey, Estate Law 2 Go; and Mick Constantinou, SandStone Insurance Partners; shared that their businesses are not only surviving but thriving. They are picking up their phones and making phone calls to their customers. People greatly appreciate hearing, “Just calling to see how you’re doing, and I wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you.” Staying connected doesn’t

have to be online. Along with the good news comes some of the bad. Many people who are staying at home are feeling lonely, isolated and becoming sad. So, the following is a list of ten (10) simple things you can do to stay happy; stay successful; and stay social while social distancing: • Stay Connected: Pick up the phone; Facetime; tag and engage your friends on social media. • Virtually Co-Locate: Apps like Microsoft Teams keep you connected with

your office mates all day, so you don’t have to wait for a trip to the breakroom to chat. • Host a Virtual Happy Hour: Invite your favorite sommelier to Zoom with your friends, and learn more about your wine palate. Known for my Cuban Sangria and Miami Hurricanes, I have sipped and shared drink recipes with my friends on Zoom! • Stay Fit: Endorphins from exercise are a great way to get in shape and stay happy. You can find everything from Yoga to

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kickboxing to Zumba on Zoom! • Check on your Neighbors: Chances are your neighborhood is on Nextdoor.com. Through the online list serve, I have met many of my neighbors who chat about everything from local restaurants to pet sitters in my home community. • Support a Charity: We just completed a campaign for the Suncoast Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society online. It felt great to know that we were coming together to help those in need. We incorporated Facebook, e-mail, and Zoom meetings. • Stay Spiritually Connected: Some of my

friends want to start a weekly devotional group on Zoom; I’ve attended a great breathing class on Zoom; and I’ve been going to church online! Our local small businesses, restaurants, and charities need our support like never before. Don’t forget that there are lots of options for ordering Take-Out and Delivery. Please tip well, and share your culinary experience as a Google Review or post on a restaurant’s Facebook. Helping each other is probably one of the best ways to stay connected, so stay social while social distancing and #ShopLocal.

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AUGUST 2020 27


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AUGUST 2020 29


TRINITY AREA CLASSIFIEDS SERVICES AVAILABLE

HELPING HAND HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE SERVICES Need a HELPING HAND around the house? Someone who will do ladder work such as changing smoke alarm batteries, light bulbs or A/C filters? Need a shelf or picture hung? Need minor electrical or plumbing repair? Windows or mirrors cleaned? Painting? Anything! Just ask! We are here to help. Please call Chris with your “honey-do” list @ 727-687-9892 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 727819-1174 www.allturflandscape.com 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 30 AUGUST 2020

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 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 company!! Call Mary (727) 389-0347.

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 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR

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 drummer to join a NEW 8 piece variety band. Call Wayne Johnson and the “Little Big Band” at 727-375-1444.

FAMILY OWNED AND OWNER OPERATED

LOW COST PRESSURE CLEANING. HOUSES • POOL 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 For Advertising Info 727-943-0551 I info@nnlflorida.com or visit tbnewsandlifestyles.com


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

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