The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Closer Look

Award winning air conditioning, heating and plumbing in Land O’ Lakes

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James and Dana Spears, owners of Cornerstone Pros, are fully prepared to handle all of your air conditioning, heating and plumbing needs.They offer same-day service, 24-hour emergency service, free estimates for installation and free second opinions.

Cornerstone won the Angie’s List Super Service Award for 2012 and 2013 and currently has over 415 glowing reviews on Angie’s List. They also have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

“Our goal as a company is customer service first,” says Dana. “We strive to provide exceptional service at a fair price. We want to go above and beyond customer’s expectations.”

James and Dean Spears have made Cornerstone Pros a premiere air-conditioning company.
James and Dean Spears have made Cornerstone Pros a premiere air-conditioning company.

They started the business in 2006. Before that, Dana worked in commercial insurance for 15 years; while James worked in air conditioning and plumbing for 25 years. In their previous jobs, Dana learned about the value of customer service, and James saw first-hand the benefits of exceptional professional trade knowledge.

One of their goals is to employ local people and serve local customers. They rented their first building just down the road, moved to another as their business grew, and recently got an opportunity to purchase their current building.

They have 27 employees, some of whom have been there since they opened. “We have a wonderful staff and dedicated people who enjoy working here,” says Dana. “We added plumbing this year and hired two plumbers. Our goal is to have six plumbers on staff within a year.”

Their services include the service and maintenance of all air conditioning and heating units. They also provide water treatment and testing services, whole home re-pipes, stoppages, and fixture installations.

Cornerstone did a rebranding earlier this year. They hired a firm to create an old-school image that portrayed their core values, ethics, honesty and quality work. “The feedback from our customers and the community has been excellent,”says Dana.

This is truly a family-owned and operated business. They currently have five family members working for the company. “Our children have to work for one year for someone else before they can work here,” says Dana. “We want them to know what it’s like to work in the real world. That outside experience will help them see the importance of happy employees and customers.”

“We recently had an outside company do an anonymous employee survey,” says Dana. “The employee feedback was outstanding. The survey company was astounded at how satisfied our employees were. We work hard to give our employees a good work environment and keep them long-term.”

Dana was born and raised in Lutz. She graduated from Land O’ Lakes High School and is a mother of five. Two have graduated from Land O’ Lakes High School, two are still in high school, and they now have a 2- year-old son. James was born and raised in Tampa. They are both very active in community support and want to give back more as they continue to grow.

To learn more, visit CornerstonePros.com, or call (813) 949-4445.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Hair emergencies are not a problem for Rebecca

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Rebecca Weeks, owner of Rebecca Does Hair in Wesley Chapel, schedules appointments to meet the clients needs. “If a client needs a midnight appointment, then I’ll be here,” says Rebecca. “Hair emergencies are not a problem. If something comes up and you need your hair styled at the last minute, I’ll make time for you.”

She started out working in a large salon in 2010 after graduating from the prestigious Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology in Tampa. Her dedication and excellence won her a trip to Las Vegas to study with Paul’s top stylists, learning color, cutting, styling and finishing.

Rebecca opened her own salon in September 2013. “It was scary starting out on my own,” says Rebecca. “I began with 4 clients my first week. Word of mouth has helped me to grow my business successfully.”

She left the large salon due to the impersonal atmosphere there. “It was impossible to get to know my customers,” says Rebecca. “I like to get to know my clients personally. I see the person sitting in my chair as a friend, not just a customer.”

Her clients love her salon. It’s a one-seat salon where she can focus on her client without distractions or interruptions. The atmosphere is calm, relaxed and very personable. “I schedule appointments so no one feels rushed,” says Rebecca. “I make sure each client has plenty of time for special attention.”

One nice thing about a one-seat salon is that clients don’t have to worry about odors from another workstation. For clients who are especially sensitive to chemicals, she schedules their appointments when the salon air is fresh and clean.

Rebeccaworks with all ages and types of hair. “Many of my clients have curly hair,” says Rebecca. “They tell their curly-haired friends about me. That seems strange since I have straight hair, but they love what I do for them.”

She also receives a lot of compliments for her ability to add body and volume to very fine hair. Rebecca primarily uses Redken color, but she also has an organic color line (Organic Colour System) which is especially nice for pregnant women concerned about chemical odors. Her services include perms, up-dos and hair extensions.

Rebecca originally enrolled in college for nursing, then changed her major and graduated with a degree in digital publishing. But her work wasn’t fulfilling. It was her mother who suggested hair styling. Rebecca had always enjoyed styling her family and friend’s hair. She decided to follow her passion and is very happy with her career choice

She lives in Wesley Chapel with husband and 9-year-old daughter. “I was born in Tennessee,” says Rebecca. “We moved here before I was two, so I consider myself a true Floridian. I’ve never even seen snow. A lot of my clients moved down here to get away from the snow. Maybe one day I’ll take my daughter up north to play in the snow. I think that would be fun, as long as I don’t have to shovel it.”

Rebecca is active in the community. She recently volunteered to cut hair at Watergrass Elementary School with proceeds going to Relay for Life.

Rebecca Does Hair is located at 27551 Cashford Circle, Suite 101 in Wesley Chapel, behind Sam’s Club. visit online at RebeccaDoesHair.com.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Old-fashioned service for printing and shipping

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Terry and Jo Anne Moses moved their business to their current location in October 2013 and changed their name to Express Shipping and Business Solutions. Their former business was named Creative Printing, which they started in 1988. It was located just down the road in a building now housing a winery.

Terry and Jo Anne Moses
Terry and Jo Anne Moses

Since moving into their new location, they’ve expanded their printing and shipping services, put in private mailboxes and added a Federal Express drop. They’re working to add a UPS drop and also a U.S. Postal Service drop soon.

Express Shipping is a full-service printing company. They have wide-format printers capable of scanning, and printing blueprints up to 36 inches wide x 5 feet. They also enlarge prints and photographs and have created collages of photographs for both personal and professional customers. High-speed copying is available for color, and black and white, up to 11 x 17 two-sided. They have a graphic artist available to design custom artwork and logos.

“We’ve put lots of photographs onto wide-format prints for our customers,” says Jo Anne. They also design and print business cards, novelty items, signs, magnetic car signs and vinyl road signs. A notary service and fax machines make this a one-stop shop for all of your printing and shipping needs.

Packing supplies are available for customers who pack their own boxes. In addition, they will pack items for you. “We like to think of ourselves as an old-fashioned general store for printing and shipping,” says Jo Anne. “Come in more than twice and you’ve become a friend.”

Terry and Jo Anne go above and beyond to help their customers. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. They pride themselves on fair pricing and outstanding personal service. Many family members work in the store alongside Terry and Jo Anne. They bought their home in Land O’ Lakes in 1987 and started their printing and shipping business in 1988. Jo Anne says they don’t plan on retiring anytime soon. They expect to be servicing customers in the Land O’ Lakes area long into the future.

They are very involved in the local community and have contributed to numerous local organizations. Terry is a past president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and has been the Chairman of the Board a number of times. They also sponsored Dancing with our Stars for the last two years.

Terry was on the board of directors for the United Cerebral Palsy Organization for almost 10 years.

Terry and Jo Anne are both long time members of Sertoma (which stands for Service to Mankind) and their clubs provide both volunteer service and raise thousands of dollars for local charities each year.

Terry and Jo Anne have been married for 32 years. Terry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10 years ago, but that has not stopped him from actively participating in their business.

Next time you’re in need of printing or shipping services or supplies stop on in and talk to Terry and Jo Anne Moses at Express Shipping. You’ll be glad you did.

Express Shipping & Business Solutions is located at 4710 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 17. They can be reached at (813) 996-6530.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Lower your insurance premiums

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Front row, from left: Jennifer Juranko, Mandy Stephens; back row, from left: Lisa Walker, Daryl Patrick, Ryan Southerland and Carmen Rairigh
Front row, from left: Jennifer Juranko, Mandy Stephens; back row, from left: Lisa Walker, Daryl Patrick, Ryan Southerland and Carmen Rairigh

Daryl Patrick, owner of Tampa Bay Insurance Center in Wesley Chapel, is confident that he can save you money on homeowner’s insurance. He is a property and casualty agent representing 37 homeowner insurance carriers, eight auto carriers, and 100 commercial insurance carriers. Every carrier is demotech A rated in Florida.

“We find ways to help save people money,” says Daryl. “There are ways to get credits for your home that many agents don’t tell their customers. Getting certain inspections will lower your premiums. We had one customer who saved $800 by getting a single inspection.”

Most inspections are good for five years, so the cost of the inspection will usually pay for itself many times over. Homes built in 2002 or later automatically qualify for wind mitigation credits. Anything older requires an inspection in order to receive a credit. Even condo owners can get wind mitigation credits.

Your agent should be asking you a lot of questions. Do you live in a gated community? Are you retired? Do you have an alarm system? These questions may lower your insurance premiums. Your agent should be working for you first.

“Most homes have credits in them,” says Daryl. “The homeowner may just not know it. We make sure they receive the credits available to them. For example, a single-entrance neighborhood gets you a credit.”

Anyone buying a home or with a renewal coming up should get in touch with Daryl’s office and either he or one of his wonderful staff members will be glad to assist you. It takes about five minutes over the phone. Daryl can shop for the best rate from all of his carriers and get you a quote in 15 or 20 minutes. The process is the same for auto and commercial insurance.

“There’s no risk in trying to save money,” says Daryl. “We get in touch with our customers at every renewal. We stay on top of changes in the industry that can save our customers money on their premiums. We can shop all of our carriers at every renewal if the customer wants.”

“We counsel new homeowners to get the proper inspections and make sure they’re submitting the necessary forms with the right information,” says Daryl. “Sending too much information or the wrong information can adversely affect your premiums and even delay your approval.”

Tampa Bay Insurance Center has been in business for five years. They moved to Wesley Chapel in November 2013 due to the phenomenal growth in the area. The employees love the area. They’re all very involved in community activities and events. They provide property and casualty insurance, specializing in personal coverage, and also provide commercial coverage for those who need it.

Daryl asks that anyone who has their homeowner’s coverage through Citizens Insurance call him immediately. “You have much better options,” says Daryl.

Tampa Bay Insurance Center is located at 3822 Turman Loop, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel. They can be reached at (813) 805-8740.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Connerton’s Homes are On Parade

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The 2014 Tampa Bay Parade of Homes opened on Saturday, April 5th and will continue through Saturday, April 19th. Connerton is proud to showcase all 4 quality builders, Ryland Homes, M/I Homes, Taylor Morrison and Homes by WestBay. Six decorated models are available for viewing, with varied home styles for buyers of all ages.

ConnertonLookConnerton is located in central Pasco County, away from the hustle and bustle of crowded highways and bumper-to-bumper traffic. Over 125 families have made the decision to call Connerton home since the community reopened in May 2013.

What makes Connerton unique? Connerton has been given a “New Town” designation awarded by the State and County for master-planned, urban communities designed to be self-sufficient. A New Town possesses its own housing, education and government facilities, retail, commerce and recreation. Currently, there are only 3 New Towns in the state of Florida, and Connerton is the only one that exists in West Florida. The other Florida New Towns are Seaside, located in the panhandle, and Celebration, situated just outside of Orlando.

Connerton’s vibrant New Town live/work/play design,will unfold over the next decade and potentially make the community wholly self-sustaining. When complete, Connerton will be composed of 8,500 homes, 1.7 million square feet of retail space, 1.4 million square feet of office space a government center, multiple schools, and more than 1,000 acres of natural protected spaces. This is a plan, not just a dream!

As a Connerton resident, you can enjoy a world of amenities that include a state-of-the art fitness center, miles of hiking and biking trails, a nature preserve filled with natural wonders, sporting fields, gardening, social gatherings, yoga classes and meditation, an outdoor amphitheater as well as an aquatic center overflowing with fun.

If you don’t mind spending less for a home, you will find that Connerton is a naturally wise choice.

See why people of all ages have come here to experience community living as it was meant to be. Parade of Homes hours are Monday thru Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 6 p.m.

Connerton is located on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, six miles north of State Road 54. Call (813) 996-5800, or visit www.Connerton.com.

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Permanent makeup can help women look years younger

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Pam Edmonson, Permanent Makeup Artist began her second and whole new career at the age of 46. She has been providing permanent make-up services in the Zephyrhills area since May of 2011.

Pam Edmonson
Pam Edmonson

She became a licensed cosmetologist in October of 2009 and works at All About You Salon & Day spa of Zephyrhills. The permanent makeup services are performed on the spa side of the salon.

Pam studied at the World Renowned Boca Ta-2 School for Permanent Makeup where students come from all across the country. Her teacher was Joyce Cirasuola, a master permanent makeup artist with more than 30 years experience.

“I’m very artistic and a bit of a perfectionist,” says Pam. “I started focusing on permanent makeup when some of my salon clients lost their eyebrows due to medical treatments. Other clients were complaining they didn’t have time to apply makeup every morning before leaving their home.”

“The most important thing about permanent makeup is how it makes my clients feel,” says Pam. “It is so rewarding to me personally knowing how the clients are so happy and how they all say they wish they would have done it sooner.”

Pam specialty is eyebrows and eyeliner but also does lips and micro needling. “My favorite procedure it the eyebrows” says Pam. “It can make a woman look 10 years younger simply by doing her eyebrows because eyebrows frame the face.”

Eyebrows look natural when Pam is finished. They’re not merely a tattooed line. She adds hair strokes. “It takes longer to do it this way, but the results are worth it,” says Pam. “I want to take my time to do it well because the difference is in the details. I’m very detail oriented.”

The majority of her business comes to her by word of mouth from satisfied customers. “I’m a people person,” says Pam. “I hug my customers. My work is very rewarding. I get excited helping my customers to look and feel better.” It takes about an hour to do eyebrows or eyeliner. Lips and micro needling take longer depending on the situation. The procedures are painless for the most part. She is very meticulous about the numbing to be sure her customers are comfortable and feel nodiscomfort.

She also makes sure that her clients understand what they need to do in the aftercare process to get the best results from their procedure. She automatically schedules a touch up 4 weeks following the initial procedure to make sure how it healed and touch up whatever is necessary. It is like putting the icing on the cake. “Everyone’s skin is different” says Pam. “This is where experience really pays off.”

Pam offers a free consultation. Permanent makeup may not be for everyone. She wants them to see plenty of before and after pictures, answer their questions and discuss all of their concerns before setting up an appointment.

Pam’s business number is her cell phone. She wants to be sure her customers can get in touch with her easily. “I also attend additional education at every opportunity,” says Pam. “I want to stay on top of new advances and techniques that can benefit my customers.”

She is currently offering a brow-liner combo for $550 through July 2014. “My prices are less than most other permanent makeup artists in the Tampa area,” says Pam.

Call her at (813) 997- 6302 to schedule a free consultation. Visit her website at www.CreativePermanentMakeupByPam.com for examples of her work, testimonials and for answers to frequently asked questions.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department. 

Hollywood comes to Land O’ Lakes

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HairPowerDee Sandillo, owner of Hair Power, brings Hollywood hair styles from the past, present and future to the Land O’ Lakes / Tampa area. Dee and her stylists are able to create any look from classic to modern and trendy.

Dee is a master stylist with 37 years of experience. Before moving to Florida four years ago, she owned eight salons in Connecticut. She managed a salon in Tampa until she opened Hair Power on November 15, 2013.

“I worked for someone else when I first came to Florida, but quick- ly realized that I have one more salon in me,” says Dee. “I love styling hair. It’s in my blood.” Dee is gifted in the art of classic Hollywood hair styling.

Dee focuses on senior citizens, specializing in roller sets. “Not many salons are willing to do roller sets these days,” says Dee. “We do it all. We intend to be one of the best salons in the Land O’ Lakes area.”

Hair Power is a spacious, full-service salon with three styling stations and a shampoo area. Dee employs two master stylists, Cheryl Cardinale and Matty Murphy.

Cheryl is a top colorist and an exceptional stylist with 25 years of experience in the Tampa area. She specializes in modified color, highlights, lowlights and roots. For coloring she uses the Alfaparf Milano product line. It’s a top-of-the-line product from Italy.

Matty was a stylist in New York City for four years before moving to Florida and joining Hair Power. Matty specializes in contour trendy cuts. “He’s an amazing stylist,” says Dee, “a true artist.”

“We have received so many compliments in the short time we’ve been open,” says Dee. “Our customers really appreciate our warm and inviting atmosphere.”

The salon is painted in warm colors and decorated with a Hollywood theme. Photographs, paintings and murals of Hollywood legends adorn the walls. Comfortable seating and soft pillows add to the friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Dee’s fiance, Louis, did all of the paint- ing and decorating in the salon.

Hair Power uses and sells the very best hair care products from Alfaparf Milano, Abba and JKS Professional. They also provide basic waxing of eyebrows, lips and chin.

“We have been experiencing excellent growth,” says Dee. “I want to thank the public who have come already. We are thrilled over the number of personal recommendations we’ve received. It feels great serving the people of Land O’ Lakes.”

Hair Power is located at 2410 Raden Drive in Land O’ Lakes, just off U.S. 41 near all the Pasco resorts. They can be reached at (813) 455-6100, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/hair-power.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Wearable defibrillator jolts Dade City man back to life seven times

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Robert Messer of Dade City has a story to share that he knows will save lives.

It begins this past December, just weeks after he married his high school girlfriend whom he had reconnected with after more than 40 years.

Robert and Carlene Messer at their Nov. 26, 2013 wedding.
Robert and Carlene Messer at their Nov. 26, 2013 wedding.

Not long after the wedding Robert started having chest pains, but wasn’t overly concerned because he had no history of heart disease and otherwise felt great.

His new wife, Carlene, however, wasn’t so sure and after the holidays insisted her husband see his doctor, Dr. Paul Hughes at Florida Medical Clinic in Zephyrhills. Dr. Hughes has been Robert’s family doctor since 1995.

Dr. Hughes discovered that Robert had indeed suffered a heart attack and referred him immediately to Dr. Nadim Khan, a Florida Medical Clinic cardiologist.

Dr. Khan checked Robert into the Heart Institute at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills and another FMC cardiologist, Vladimir Curkovic, M.D, did a procedure to place a stent in Robert’s heart to open a clogged artery.

Before sending him home, Drs. Khan and Curkovic prescribed the LifeVest – a wearable defibrillator Robert was to wear that would monitor his heart 24 hours a day for three months.

Even with the new stent in place, Robert’s heart attack had weakened his heart muscle and put him at an increased risk for sudden cardiac arrest. If Robert were to go into cardiac arrest after he was discharged, his doctors knew the LifeVest could save his life because 95% of cardiac arrest victims die before emergency medical assistance arrives.

“I really wasn’t too crazy about wearing a vest 24/7 for three months,” said Robert. “But Carlene insisted, and it was a good thing she did.”

LifeVest is an FDA-approved medical device that has been prescribed to more than 100,000 patients and is covered by most insurance companies. It acts as a defibrillator and automatically shocks the heart if it gets out of rhythm or stops beating.

And that’s what happened to Robert.

Just two days after getting home from the hospital, Robert and Carlene were watching TV and dozed off during a movie.

As they slept, Robert’s heart stopped beating in sudden cardiac arrest. Instantly, his LifeVest detected the emergency and delivered multiple shocks to his heart to restore a normal heart rhythm.

When the LifeVest went into action, Carlene woke in panic to the vest’s loud alarms and immediately called 911. Thankfully, Robert regained consciousness by the time paramedics arrived and an ambulance raced the couple to Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, with Robert still wearing his LifeVest.

At the hospital, Robert had another cardiac arrest and was again saved by his LifeVest.

“The LifeVest saved my life seven times that night,” said Robert. “There’s no doubt I would have died if Dr. Khan had not prescribed it, and if my wife had not insisted that I wear it.”

At the hospital, Robert continued to wear his LifeVest until his condition stabilized and a permanent pacemaker/defibrillator was implanted beneath the skin on his chest. Robert went home after eight days, but this time without a LifeVest because the implant now gives him long-term protection from sudden cardiac death.

Roberts tells the story how LifeVest saved his life to anyone who will listen.

“I want people to know how important it is to listen to your doctor and do what they say, even if they want you to do something that at first may seem uncomfortable,” said Robert.

“Every day I count my blessings and thank Dr. Khan and the cardiac team at Florida Medical Clinic. They saved my life by prescribing LifeVest and by giving me the best possible care.”

Robert and Carlene are once again looking forward to their marriage and new life together.

“Not a lot of people get second chances,” said Robert. “I am blessed that LifeVest gave me a second chance at life, and that Carlene gave me a second chance at love.”

Florida Medical Clinic
(813) 788-5575
Nadim Khan, MD, FACC
38135 Market Square, Zephyrhills

This is a feature of the advertising department.

Originally published March 5, 2014.

An exceptional school for exceptional children opens in New Tampa

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Marilyn Davis, director of Esther’s School in New Tampa, has openings for 30 exceptional students for the 2014/15 school year (starting in August 2014). Spaces are available to early applicants beginning in March. Esther’s School specializes in children with autism, Downs’ syndrome, ADHD and other learning differences.

“Each child receives individual attention, impossible in a public school,” says Marilyn. “We have one teacher for every four or five students. Our goal is to bring every child up to their full potential.” Some of Esther’s graduates have gone on to junior college.

“After receiving a number of requests for a school in the Tampa area, we found a wonderful location with the Saint James United Methodist Church,” says Marilyn. “St. James has a strong special needs ministry serving children and adults.”

Esther’s School is a Bible-based; Christian special needs school with a full curriculum covering all subject areas from kindergarten through 12th grade. “Each child is tested for proper placement with- in the curriculum,” says Marilyn. “Every child works at their own pace.” We work closely with each child to help them grow up to lead successful, independent lives.”

EsthersSchoolEsther Berry founded Esther’s School in February 2005. With little more than an unction and great concern for the education of differently abled children, Esther’s School was launched as a private coed Judeo-Christian School in St. Petersburg, Florida. In desperation to achieve better services for her own son diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Esther Berry took on the journey and formulated a place where others could join her in gaining exceptional curriculum development, counseling and tutoring for their child struggling to cope with classes in traditional educational institutions.

Esther’s son is now 22 and living independently as a fully functional adult with a job.

With modest beginnings, servicing only two students the first year, Esther’s School currently serves 90 students in four locations. St. James in New Tampa, starting Monday, February 3rd, will be the fifth location. Esther’s husband, Chris Berry, is traveling to Panama in February to oversee the opening of their sixth school. The pastor of a church in Panama sought out Esther to help him set up a special needs school.

Marilyn has worked with Esther’s school for eight years. “We’ve had children come into our school that wouldn’t come out from under their desk,” says Marilyn. “Within the first year, they’ve moved into active participation with the rest of the class. It truly is an exceptional school.”

Tuition has not been raised in seven years. The majority of the tuition is normally covered by the McKay scholarship program or the Florida Step-up program for lower income families. Esther’s School also offers a few scholarships to help parents with costs not covered by other programs on a first come, first serve basis.

Esther is committed to helping all children to learn and grow into healthy happy adults. A few years ago, Esther was instrumental in setting up three schools in Africa for AIDS orphans.

Esther’s New Tampa school is located at St. James United Methodist Church, 16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. You can call Marilyn Davis directly at (813) 454-8377 for an application or further information.

The main campus is located at the New Beginnings Nazarene Church in Pinellas Park. Currently, only the main campus offers a summer school program.

Additional schools are located at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Seminole, 5418 Madison Street, New Port Richey, and the Christian Retreat in Bradenton. Visit their website at EstherSchool.net.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

He has the solution to health care confusion

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Ed Klaameyer, a licensed agent for US Health Advisors, strives to help people successfully navigate the health care jungle. “Health care is on everyone’s mind,” says Ed. “It’s always a topic of conversation at the BNI (business) networking group I belong to in New Tampa.”

Ed Klaameyer
Ed Klaameyer

“It’s very confusing with all the changes taking place,” says Ed. “People are trying to figure out who and what to believe. There is so much conflicting information being presented by the media.”

Ed’s role is to help people understand the health care marketplace and make the best choices for both the short-term and long-term. His goal is to provide his clients with a comprehensive health care plan that effectively meets their needs without breaking their budget.

He was an international sales manager for 15 years with DHL when the package delivery industry was starting up. “Our culture was changed forever through the impact companies like DHL, Federal Express and UPS had on us,” says Ed. “It changed the way businesses operate and what customers expect from them.”

“We’re now seeing the same long-term cultural effects taking place with health care,” says Ed. “Everyone, regardless of their age, whether they work for a big company, small company or are self-employed, are being affected by these changes.”

Ed’s primary focus is on small businesses with less than 10 employees, sole proprietors and families. “I owned a small business for 15 years, so I understand what business owners and their families go through as they’re making health care decisions,” says Ed. “Their biggest cost is payroll with health care coming in second and rising fast.”

“Our motto is HOPE: helping other people everyday,” says Ed. “The first thing I look at is what they feel their needs are. Then we look at networks, doctors, hospitals, prescriptions and premiums. These are the key items for building a comprehensive health care plan.”

US Health Advisors represents US Health Group. Insurance is underwritten by Freedom Life Insurance Company of America.

“We’re the only insurance company that offers a premium rate lock in,” say Ed. “This means your premiums won’t increase for up to three years.”

Solutions provided by US Health Advisors are not off- the-shelf plans. The three key areas that Ed looks at are sickness, accident and wellness (prevention). This enables the client to focus on the areas of greatest concern and create a health plan that meets their specific needs.

“The ability to customize the plan is a real blessing,” say Ed. “This allows me to help business owners set up a plan that takes care of their unique requirements.”

Ed has also been able to help companies supplement their existing health care plan. He can help them to cover deficiencies in their existing group plan without needing to give up what they already have in place. This gives the employees the additional coverage they need without losing their existing benefits.

Ed and his wife Jan have been married for 30 years. They moved to Florida from New York in 1998 and have been residents of Land O’ Lakes since 2002. Ed and Jan have been members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for nine years. Ed is currently the president of the church’s board of directors.

For a free consultation, call Ed at (813) 318-1012

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.