Closer Look

Zain Nensey Returns Home To Open Accounting Firm

September 19, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Zain Nensey recently returned to his hometown of Zephyrhills to open a new accounting firm at 5633 Sixth Street, called Nensey & Associates, C

A 2011 graduate of University of South Florida, Nensey worked for Jackson Hewitt as a tax analyst in Sarasota before opening his business. While his position there was challenging, Nensey missed his family and hometown.

“I decided the time was right to use my knowledge and enthusiasm to help people and small businesses in my hometown with their tax planning and preparation,” said Nensey.

Nensey describes himself as someone who likes to delve in and work exceedingly hard to get his clients the maximum return possible.

“The biggest paycheck my clients receive all year is their tax refund,” he said.

And, because he keeps his overhead low, he provides his professional services at a low cost.

“I am an excellent counterpoint to more established firms,” said Nensey. “I like to think of myself as a value operator — someone who has the knowledge to give clients the most for their money.”

Having just earned his CPA license in 2013, Nensey’s professional knowledge is current and up to date, especially regarding the new tax laws that go into effect for 2018 tax filings.

“I am working with clients now to prepare for the changes,” said Nensey. “In most cases, the new tax laws will benefit pass-through companies that file as an S-Corp, sole proprietor, partnership and single-member LLC.”

Businesses that typically qualify as pass-through companies are beauty salons, retail stores, physicians, household services and nonprofit organizations, Nensey said. These businesses will be able to deduct 20% of their earnings before taxes are calculated if their income is below $157,000 for individuals, and $315,000 for married couples.

In addition to working with small businesses, Nensey also specializes in preparing tax returns for seniors and veterans.

“We actually offer a 25% discount off our fees for seniors and veterans,” said Nensey. “We charge between $75 and $100 for a typical return, which compares to $150 to $200, at national tax preparation chains.”

For individuals and businesses that have tax problems, Nensey is an Enrolled Agent with the IRS, which allows him to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels, including examination, collection, settlements and appeals.

If you dream about opening a business, the time to do so couldn’t be better than right now, Nensey said, who gives four reasons why:

The new tax laws are very advantageous to pass-through business.

2. The economy is in great shape, and is expected to continue to grow for quite a while.

3. People are flush with cash and looking to invest their money.

4. The connect between Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel is growing, which is bringing new customers from central Pasco to east Pasco.

“If you have a business idea you want to explore, or a charity that you are passionate about – this is the time to act,” said Nensey.

Nensey attended Woodland Elementary in Zephyrhills and Jesuit High School. His father is Dr. Yawer M. Nensey, a gastroenterologist who has practiced in Zephyrhills for over 25 years.

• 813-702-6772 • www.nenseytax.com

Published 9/12/18

Health Care Safety Net for All

September 19, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By William Jack

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or hypertension and do not have health insurance, there are few affordable treatment options available. And without medical care, your medical condition will likely get worse.

This all-too-common scenerio is why Premier Community Health Care has established 10 convenient locations in Pasco and Hernando counties to provide affordable health care close to home for local residents who are uninsured or underinsured.

Premier’s Health Care services include family medicine for children and adults, dental care, behavioral health, women’s health care (including obstetrics), care coordination, case management and community outreach.

“Our mission is to provide accessible and comprehensive health care services for everyone, but we concentrate on the medically underserved, whether they are insured or not,” said Cheryl Pollock, chief development and communications officer for Premier. “For many patients, we are often the best and most affordable option.”

About 85 percent of Premier patients are either uninsured or on Medicaid, said Pollock. Premier uses sliding-scale fees to calculate its fees, and no one is turned away.

To receive discounted fees, patients must complete an application to prove household size and provide proof of income. If they qualify for a discounted fee, the cost for medical services is significantly lower than comparable private-sector care.

Premier also offers dental services at its clinics in Dade City, New Port Richey, Brooksville, Spring Hill, and in Holiday at its new portable clinic at Gulfside Elementary School.

“With so few employers offering dental insurance, and so few people carrying it, Premier is filling a big gap in our health care system,” said Pollock. “Sadly, tooth decay is the number one chronic illness facing children, and it is 99 percent preventable with routine oral hygiene and dental care.”

Premier also offers patient care coordination, providing primary care physicians and coordinating patient care with specialists, home health agencies, nursing homes, hospitals and other health care professionals. Plus, its answering service offers 24-hour access to a health care provider.

“We work closely with local hospitals to reduce the number of unnecessary emergency room visits by transitioning patients with chronic illnesses to our primary care clinics,” said Pollock. “Premier is better able to manage a patient’s medical conditions, and help prevent new ones.”

Preventative care is emphasized at Premier with free educational programs that range from oral health education to chronic disease and diabetes self-management. It hosts health fairs throughout the year, including Women’s Health Day with free cervical cancer screenings in January, Children’s Dental Day in February and Men’s Health Day in June.

“Our goal is to get people to recognize that health care is essential, and to be proactive in addressing some of the challenges they face as part of normal day-to-day life,” said Pollock.

Established in 1979, Premier is a community-based 501c3 nonprofit organization led by a patient-majority Board of Directors.

“This is a calling,” Pollock said. “Each team member is here because they choose to work in community health. They go above and beyond to ensure that patients are getting all the resources that are available.

“Your health is our mission’ is our tagline, and I personally live and breathe our mission. This is a calling for most of us at Premier, to be able to level the playing field between the haves and have nots to provide quality health care access for all.”

For more information, call (352) 518-2000, or visit www.premierhc.org.

Published 9/5/18

Optimum Plumbing’s Personal Approach to Plumbing

August 28, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

When people think of an American success story, they may very well be thinking of Vladimir Breton and Optimum Plumbing.

After earning a civil engineering degree in his native Dominican Republic, Breton immigrated to the United States and took a job as a plumber’s assistant in New York. He did not speak English, but he had a plan — to one day own his own business.

Breton eventually moved to Florida to fulfill his dream. Starting with nothing, in just five years he proceeded to build a successful plumbing business. It was 2012 when Breton founded Optimum Plumbing in Land O’ Lakes with just one truck, and today the business has grown to five trucks servicing customers throughout Tampa Bay.

Services include new plumbing fixtures, leak detection, inspections, gas and waterline repair, re-piping, sewer line video inspections, repair and installation of garbage disposals, tubs, sinks, and water closets and whole-house water filters.

“We are also a licensed general contractor,” Breton said. “We wanted to offer more than just plumbing, and are now doing kitchen and bathroom renovation locally, and hotel and apartment complex renovation everywhere in Florida.”

Breton strongly believes in soliciting feedback from his customers to improve service.

“We always follow up with the customer,” he said. “We call the next day to make sure everything is OK, to ask, ‘How was the service? How was the technician?’ As soon as we close the call, we send a thank you email and send a link and to give us a review.”

Optimum Plumbing has earned more than its share of recognition. In 2013, the Hispanic Business Initiative Fund awarded it Startup of the Year. In 2016, it won the Pasco Economic Development Council Service and Distribution Industry of the Year Category 1 Award. The Better Business Bureau has rated it A+ for three consecutive years, and Angie’s List has awarded it Super Service in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Breton appreciates the importance of community and is active in the Central Pasco, Upper Tampa Bay, and North Tampa Bay chambers of commerce.

“My wife and I have become part of the community,” he said. “Wherever we go, people know us. The business has been a way to meet people and to support community projects.”

Family is very important to Breton, and not surprisingly, several family members are involved in the business, including his wife as office manager, his sister-in-law as marketing director and even his 20-year-old college-student daughter, who works part- time in dispatching.”

Being licensed, bonded and insured, Optimum Plumbing offers 24-hour emergency service for plumbing, drain service and water heaters, and provide warranties on all of their work.

“We stand by our work, everything that we do, no matter what it is, from a job as simple as a garbage disposal to a sewer line cleaning,” Breton said.

The next time you need a plumber, call Optimum Plumbing at (813) 391-9287, or visit OptimumPlumbingllc.com.

Dementia Care Only at Memory Lane Cottage

August 28, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

In the three years since Memory Lane Cottage opened in New Tampa, it has helped many individuals and families cope with the challenges that come with dementia-related diseases.

“Coming to terms with a family member’s dementia or Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis isn’t easy, and choosing a compassionate environment for your loved one’s long-term care can be equally daunting,” said Robert Matrazzo, chief operating officer. “At Memory Lane Cottage, we are dedicated to providing a loving, intimate, memory-care environment where residents retain a sense of independence and dignity.”

Memory Lane Cottage houses just 20 residents. There are no long hallways for residents to navigate, and all resident suites open directly to a common area with living and dining rooms located next to the kitchen, a floor plan very similar to a private home.

Residents also enjoy the outdoors, with the Cottage’s 13,000-square-foot, enclosed courtyard that has gardening stations, water features and walking paths to encourage residents to explore and enjoy the outdoors in a safe setting.

It was Memory Lane Cottage’s exclusive on memory care, and its limited number of residents, that attracted Administrator Rhonda Travland.

“Because we’re not trying to be everything to everyone, we can focus 100 percent on memory care residents,” said Travland, who has 30 years experience in senior care management. “We do not offer independent living or assisted living, and this makes us really unique.”

A common problem for people with dementia, said Travland, is sensory overload in loud, noisy and crowded environments, because memory-care residents cannot easily process information in a crowd.

“At Memory Lane, residents are not overwhelmed by the business of a large community with constant distractions and noises,” Travland said. “The beauty of our community is its design to look and feel like a luxury estate home.”

To simulate this luxury home setting feel, a mailbox is in the courtyard for residents to check. Waist-high gardening stations offer familiar exercise and recreation without the physical strain of having to bend. And, the scent of cinnamon baked goodies wafts regularly from an open kitchen to stimulate residents’ appetites.

Travland has personal experience with loved ones with dementia. When her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, it changed her life and greatly influenced her decisions to earn college degrees in gerontology and nursing home administration.

“As a teen, my grandmother developed vascular dementia, and my family had no idea what their rights were, or what the disease course was going to be like for my grandmother. Dementia can splinter families, as it did in my own family,” said Travland said.

“And then, when I was a nursing home administrator, my husband started showing signs of young onset dementia when he was just 38,” she continued. “So I know dementia from a personal and professional perspective, and my experiences can help families because I have empathy on both sides.”

Families and their input are important to the Memory Lane Cottage community, and management always listens to families to gauge the level of service they provide.

“Memory Lane Cottage is an answer to a prayer for our family,” said Matrazzo, reading a letter from a resident’s family member. “The staff shows such care, and the facility is so warm and homelike. They have thought of every possible detail to ensure a wonderful experience for my mother’s life here.”

Memory Lane Cottage can be found on Cypress Preserve Drive off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, just south of Interstate 75. For more information, call (813) 632-1270 or visit MemoryLaneCottage.com.

Sewing Center Spreads the Joy of Stitching

August 20, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The sewing scene is alive and thriving at the Sewing Center of Wesley Chapel, a community of like-minded enthusiasts dedicated to spreading the joy of sewing to anyone willing to learn.

Adriana Stenger is the enthusiastic owner and was an employee before recently taking over the business.

“We have been in Wesley Chapel for just over a year, and it’s been a great location for us, said Stenger. “Our store can help with all your sewing needs — it does not matter whether you are a seasoned sewer looking to pick up some advanced techniques, or a beginner with an itch to stitch.”

The Sewing Center sells two of the best brands of sewing machines made – Husqvarna Viking and Baby Lock, provides service and machine repairs for most manufacturers, and hosts a variety of sewing classes for adults and children of all skill levels.

“We limit the number of students to just three per class, so that every student receives the personal attention they deserve,” said Stenger.

Students usually begin by taking a class on how a sewing machine works.

“After that, they move on to technique classes and learn how to make a hem, a pleat, a ruffle,” Stenger said. “And then, little by little, students combine what they’ve learned and are ready to put together clothing.”

The Sewing Center also offers adult classes in dressmaking, embroidery and quilting. For children, it has a summer camp where youngsters spend a full day sewing and doing other crafts. And, during the school year, kids can participate in its after-school classes to work on projects and learn new techniques.

“We call this program, ‘So Cool After School,’ and we have many dedicated and accomplished student sewers,” said Stenger.

Stenger is proud of her young students and her team of teachers who instruct them. In March, two students attended the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Lakeland, and participated in its “Sewing’s Next Generation: Youth Fashion & Project Show.”

“We had two girls who went to the expo, and one of them won a prize for a dress she made, and the other, at only 10 years old, made a quilt!” Stenger boasted. Both girls are now taking advanced classes at her store.

In addition to selling cutting, sewing and embroidery machines, the Sewing Center also sells accessories, including stabilizers, different kinds of thread, accessories for machines, notions, pins, needles, scissors, rulers, buttons, patterns, crystals to embellish, software, vinyl, heat presses, classes, and products for costume making.

“When people buy a machine from us, or sign up for a class, they are not on their own when they leave the store,” Stenger said. “We are always here to help and take pride in giving personalized attention. Buying from us is completely different than going to a big store or ordering online.”

Stenger credits her staff for their exceptional customer service.

“We have a very good team of people working here. If not for them, this business couldn’t be, because they are very knowledgeable, and go far and beyond to help people,” she said.

Stenger and her team encourage people to learn to sew because it is a rewarding hobby.

“You create and embellish things, it’s relaxing, and it keeps your brain working. What could be better than that?” she asks.

The Sewing Center of Wesley Chapel is next to The Hungry Greek restaurant on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. For more information, call (813) 792-1855, (813) 591-1838, or visit SewingCenterTB.com.

Bay Breeze Car Wash and Lube — Fast, Convenient and Affordable

August 20, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

No time or desire to wash your car yourself in the summer heat and humidity? Then delegate the task to a professional! Bay Breeze knows that your time is valuable and that washing your vehicle or servicing your vehicles maintenance needs shouldn’t take all day

With eight Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube locations throughout Tampa Bay, there’s no reason to have a dirty vehicle, especially now that its flagship store in New Tampa has added an express car wash option complete with membership packages like those offered at the other locations. “This is a feature that we’ve been asked about for years which is finally here,” says Scott Barone, VP of Operations. “This is an exterior-only wash. Before, you had to exit your vehicle and pay inside. We now have a system that lets our express car wash only customers remain in the vehicle, and we’ll have you out in about three minutes or less once the process starts.

To make the car washing experience even faster and more convenient, Bay Breeze offers several membership packages. Using radio-frequency identification technology, Bay Breeze attaches a sticker to a car’s windshield that enables it to identify a customer’s membership level and eliminates the inconvenience of getting out to pay at each visit.

“Customers make one low monthly payment, and then can come back as often as they want,” Barone said. “Plus, our memberships are good at all 5 Tampa locations, and will soon be good at all locations company wide.”

Bay Breeze is continually upgrading technology to provide customers with the industry’s best advances.

“We have top-of-the-line car washing equipment,” said Barone. “It is the safest equipment in the industry for washing vehicles.”

“Old technology uses a cloth material that sometimes traps particles” Barone explains. “But nothing sticks to the Enviro Soft foam we use today — it’s the best stuff on the market.”

In addition to having the best equipment, Barone also attributes his company’s success to their five key metrics: quality, service, friendly & easy to do business with, clean/orderly and safety. “We strive to do these five things better than anyone else,” he said.

Since opening 14 years ago, Bay Breeze remains a family-owned and operated business.

Terrance Ramoutar, general manager of the full service location in New Tampa, worked for the company for eight years before taking a position in the corporate world. He returned last year, because he missed the appreciative family culture at Bay Breeze.

“I’ve worked in the corporate world where nobody really knows you,” Ramoutar said. “Being back here is more of everything: more family time, more love, more appreciation.”

As a long time Bay Breeze employee, Ramoutar has come to know many of the regulars, especially the full-service and lube customers.

“I have customers who have been here since I started, ” Ramoutar said. “This is not just a car wash — it’s a place where people share stories about kids growing up, about changes in their families and neighborhoods.”

In addition to its car wash services, Bay Breeze also offers lube services at its Lutz and New Tampa locations.

“From the time we start working on your car for a lube service, our goal is to have you out of here in 15 minutes or less,” Barone said. “We keep track of when you come into the facility, and have a system in place to track it.”

Bay Breeze recently broke ground on a new express wash location in Wesley Chapel at State Route 54 and Vandine Road, located across from Saddlebrook Resort. Barone expects this location to open by the end of the year.

(813) 615-1333 • www.baybreezecarwash.com.

A Smoothie Just For You

August 20, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Have you had your smoothie today? No matter the time of day, a smoothie can be an energy drink, dessert, snack or even a nutritious meal.

“Smoothies are a universal food. We can make it fruity, make it healthy, and even make it a little naughty and extra sweet,” said Murtaza Choilawala, a local Planet Smoothie owner. “No matter your mood, a smoothie can satisfy all your food desires and needs.”

Choilawala is part owner of four Planet Smoothie establishments, including a new Planet Smoothie across from The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.

“We open at seven in the morning, and many days we already have four or five customers waiting outside to get their smoothie for the day, especially people looking for healthy alternatives to typical fast-food breakfasts,” Choilawala said.

Planet Smoothie uses fresh ingredients that include apples, blueberries, strawberries, acai, chia seeds, matcha green tea, leafy greens, wheatgrass, whole grain oats, almond milk, and many more healthy ingredients.

“We pride ourselves on the use of fresh fruit,” Choilawala said. “We use real fruit, which means we peel our bananas and core our apples. Other fruits are flash frozen as soon as they’re picked, so they retain their flavors and nutrients.”

Planet Smoothie prides itself on its all-natural selection. It uses Truvia, a stevia-based sweetener that is naturally made, and does not use any artificial flavorings or sweeteners.

To help customers quickly find the smoothie best for them, Planet Smoothie menus are organized by the health benefits of particular smoothie groups.

“If you look at the Planet Smoothie menu, it’s divvied up by lifestyle,” Choilawala said. “What is your goal? Do you want a smoothie to give you energy, help you lose weight, or supplement your nutrient and protein intake for the day?” asked Choilawala.

He goes on to explain that energy smoothies give a little kick to help get through the day, Planet Lite smoothies are low on calories, superfood smoothies provide daily essentials of vitamins and nutrients, and protein smoothies are good for those who work out and want to bulk up.

Planet Smoothie also offers a list of add-ins, and encourages customers to experiment and pick their own flavors to create their own custom smoothie.

“We can work with you to create whatever you want,” said Choilawala. “Typically, if you give us a few fruits, we’ll start you off at a base. Or, we can just swap out strawberries and bananas for something else. We’re pretty flexible — you don’t have to follow a menu.”

Choilawala also emphasizes that Planet Smoothie focuses on more than just product quality.

“Although we are a franchise model, each store is locally owned and operated. We’re a family business,” he said. “Customer service is a big focus for the Planet Smoothie brand. It’s not just a great smoothie, but it’s a great experience. We train our employees to make sure that they meet the needs of the customer.”

Try a smoothie at the new Planet Smoothie Wesley Chapel location off State Road 56, directly across from The Shops at Wiregrass. For more information, call (813) 388-9585.

Always Tired? Sleep Problems? Call Evolution. Functional Medicine Solutions That Last A Lifetime

June 7, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Have you been to more than one doctor looking for a diagnosis on why you always feel tired, have difficulty sleeping and/or have trouble remembering things?

And, have these doctors prescribed various treatments and an array of medications, yet after following their recommendations, you still do not feel well?

If this sounds like you, it’s time to call Evolution and see Erin Bolton, a functional medicine specialist with 10 years experience, and her colleague, Dr. Robert Hannum,a physician who has been practicing in Tampa Bay for 28 years.

Bolton and Dr. Hannum recently joined forces to offer patients innovative, functional medicine at their new Land O’ Lakes office.

“Functional medicine gets to the root of what ails you – be it obesity, hormone issues, thyroid problems or fatigue – and then treats it once and for all,” said Bolton. “There is no guessing. Through our testing, we will figure out a solution to treat your symptoms, and put together a complete package for lifelong body solutions.”

Dr. Hannum, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, further explains, “Traditionally, an osteopath is taught to treat the person as a whole. We look at a patient’s whole body, and don’t focus on just one disease and one body part. We are trained to look at the causes behind all the problems in the body.”

Dr. Hannum began his medical career as a family practitioner. He started focusing on alternative medicine 20 years ago, taking a functional approach to healing that complements Bolton’s practice at Evolution.

At first, Bolton specialized in just nutrition and weight loss, as she is certified in Obesity and Individual Weight Management by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

But, because her patients had other medical issues, she expanded her practice to treat a wide variety of conditions, including hormonal imbalances, inflammation, toxicity, food allergies, digestive problems, adrenal fatigue, depression and fibromyalgia.

With the addition of Dr. Hannum, the team at Evolution can now address most medical conditions presented by their patients, using their functional medicine approach.

Bolton and Dr. Hannum like to compare the body to an orchestra, in which different instruments represent the organs of the body.

“At Evolution, we tune the entire orchestra, rather than concentrate on just one or two instruments, and then customize that orchestra to the patient’s budget, lifestyle and medical test results,” Bolton said.

This functional approach often attracts patients seeking answers for complex, chronic conditions. New patients often come to Evolution as a last resort, after seeing four to seven specialists over time, Bolton said.

Bolton is quick not to disparage the place and necessity of traditional medicine, which is why she partnered with Dr. Hannum, a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania.

“We always do what is right for the patient, whether the solution includes a prescription or not,” said Dr. Hannum. “Patients are always listened to at Evolution by every member of our dedicated, caring staff.“

If you are struggling with your health, Evolution wants you to know there is hope.

“Please give us a call — we promise that we will always do the right thing for you,” said Bolton.

Evolution is located in Land O’ Lakes at 5420 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 101, and offers early morning and evening hours. For more information, call (813) 333-5593, or go to, Evolution4Health.com.

Published 6/6/18

Insurance Agent – Still Serving and Protecting the Public

June 7, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Steve Papola, Agent Centurion Insurance and Financial Services, Inc.

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

When the World Trade Center collapsed during the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Steven Papola was close enough to see it fall, as he was on his way to begin the recovery effort at ground zero.

That was the day he gave up a successful insurance business in Blue Point, New York, to resume full-time work as an officer for the New York Police Department, where he had worked previously for 15 years.

After assisting with the 9/11-recovery effort, Papola moved to Florida and served a 10-year stint as a deputy sheriff with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. This past March, he returned to insurance sales, opening an Allstate office in Lutz.

Steve views insurance as a natural extension of serving and protecting the public.

“A customer is a customer, whether you’re wearing a uniform serving them in one capacity, or wearing a suit and serving them in another capacity,” says Steve.

He also considers Allstate, informally called Big Blue, a natural business partner for a former police officer from the NYPD Blue.

Now, Steve protects people against financial loss. His agency offers many types of insurance — automobile, homeowners and property, flood insurance, and business and commercial. He is especially proud of the specialty lines offered, including motorcycle, boat, recreational and off-road vehicle insurance. Papola also offers more than just Allstate products, including life insurance, annuities and retirement plans.

Allstate allows us to access alternative markets that it has selected to be stable enough to meet the standard of Allstate’s quality control, when Allstate has determined the risk to be unacceptable to its underwriting. Those alternative markets are in Property and Commercial Insurance. This allows agents to access additional Homeowners Insurance companies, as well as other companies, not affiliated with and not part of Allstate. Allstate has re-entered the homeowners insurance market with the introduction of Castle Key Indemnity Insurance Company on a limited basis and, if the risk qualifies, the insured is likely to save significantly.

Steve likes to compare the quality of customer service at his agency with those of online, toll-free number insurance services.

“I own this business,” Steve said. “This is me. I represent Allstate, I have skin in the game, and will never treat you like that 800 number. I’m going to make sure you are treated well and are satisfied.”

Steve believes that Allstate agencies like his are an integral part to a community.

“We help communities grow, because we open agencies and employ people who come in and work with us from the local area,” Steve said. “An Allstate agency is not just a place that sells insurance. It’s a business that contributes to the community and puts people to work.”

Papola’s Allstate office is located at 1528 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 102, in Lutz, in Tropical Village Plaza across from WalMart. For more information, call (813) 995-6013, or visit Agents.Allstate.com/Steve-Papola

Published 5/16/18

McDannold Law Helps You Prepare for Tomorrow

June 7, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Andrew C. McDannold, of Lutz, is not your typical attorney. In his office, a warm and inviting space near Lutz Preparatory School, McDannold deliberately takes the time – frequently, over a cup of coffee – to learn as much as possible about his clients. By understanding their stories, he says, he’s able to create legal solutions tailored to achieve each client’s unique goals.

“No one knows what tomorrow will bring. That’s why it’s so important to have a plan in place today,” said McDannold. “We help you build a legal framework that provides additional support if you lose the ability to make medical or financial decisions, ensures your minor children will be appropriately cared for, and defines exactly how your assets will be distributed after your death.”

One of McDannold’s biggest challenges is the natural tendency of people to avoid thinking about death. “Everyone expects to wake up tomorrow. We all know in the back of our minds that it may not happen, but we persist in our expectation because it’s unpleasant to think about the alternative. So, most people remain blissfully unprepared for the future.”

To help you take the first step, McDannold offers a free initial consultation and handles most matters on a flat-fee basis. He can help you create wills, trusts, medical directives, and a wide range of specialized planning solutions, regardless of your age or economic situation.

In addition to traditional estate planning, McDannold Law helps clients with legal issues unique to seniors and persons with special needs; estate administration and the probate process; and guardianships for minors or incapacitated adults.

McDannold also fights to ensure disabled veterans receive the benefits to which they’re entitled, and he has successfully advocated before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington, D.C.

McDannold, a Tampa native and graduate of North Carolina State University, is a decorated veteran of the U.S. Air Force. During his military career, he commanded a squadron responsible for managing aircraft maintenance, created logistics plans for U.S. Central Command, and served two tours of duty in Iraq as a military advisor.

When the time came to prepare for his second career, McDannold’s planning and problem-solving experience drew him to the legal profession. He attended Stetson University College of Law, graduating cum laude and earning the Certificate of Concentration in Elder Law.

17894 N U.S. 41, Lutz

(813) 397-6330

McDannoldLaw.com

Published 5/9/18