Search Results for: bostock-kelley

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley

After 20 years in the Air Force managing data centers, followed up by 18 years working in corporate IT, Michael Varnadore was looking to be self-employed in a career in which he had a passion.

He found the perfect fit with Nerds to Go, a national franchise that specializes in bringing computer and cellphone repair services to a customer’s home or business. Varnadore recently opened the company’s first franchise in Tampa.

Conveniently located on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Nerds To Go offers repair in its shop, but specializes in its mobile service.

“We have a complete work center in the back of our vans,” said Varnadore. “We take a computer to our van, pull it apart and put it back together, right at the customer’s location. We also have the Nerd Lab at our store for customers who would rather bring their electronic device to us.”

In addition to desktop and laptop hardware repair services, Nerds to Go also services cellphones, tablet repair, cracked screens and specialty managed services. Its certified network computer techs can set up a computer network (server or cloud-based, hardwired or wireless), and as a partner of Baracuda Systems, offers 24/7 network monitoring of performance and security.

Varnadore recommends that all computers have protection with an antivirus, antiphishing, ransomware detector, firewall program and a cloud-based backup system.

Most of the problems that happen to PCs are the physical failure of the hard drive, some type of corruption, phishing attack, encrypting ransomware, or a virus that’s gotten on the system, Varnadore explains.

“With a cloud backup solution, you take all of your data to the cloud, and you’re not just backing up to a local disc, which is how people typically do things. When you’re putting your data in the cloud, your files are moved to an off-site, secure location, and if something happens to your computer, all of your data is secure and can be recovered,” said Varnadore.

Though only open since August, Nerds to Go is doing very well and has received positive customer response.

“Owning a Nerds to Go franchise is a great job for me, and very rewarding. Hopefully, I’ll soon be planning my second store. At the end of the day, we’re helping people and having a good time doing it,” said Varnadore.

Varnadore’s success is also attributed to his high level of education in information systems. He has a master’s degree in information systems, and a doctorate in management with a specialization in information systems management. He also teaches college-level classes in cloud computing and computing fundamentals, and offers one-on-one group training on many IT topics, including MS Office products and cyber security education.

813-524-5353 • www.NerdsToGo.com

19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Ste C-6, Tampa • Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 10am-4pm

Published on 12/11/19

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley News

Special to The Laker/Lutz

Rich Nicoloff was already late for church when he spotted a couple on the side of the road with a blown tire. He knew if he stopped, he’d miss the service. But, Nicoloff also knew he wasn’t the kind of person who could just drive past. So, he pulled over, explained that he owned Bella Tires in Land O’ Lakes, and offered to open his shop on a Sunday to replace the couple’s blown tire.

 

Nicoloff didn’t think much of that act of kindness, because he enjoys helping people as much as he enjoys managing Bella Tires, a business he opened in August, after a 27-year career as a criminal investigator for government.

Following the advice of a friend who also owns a tire store, Nicoloff found a highly visible spot for his business on State Road 52, about a mile east of U.S. 41, in front of the Pilot Country subdivision.

Bella Tires, which is named after Nicoloff’s daughter, offers tires and automotive services for personal and commercial vehicles and trailers. It has a drive-up port for semi-trucks for tire repair and replacement, and will soon be adding two new service bays.

Nicoloff buys his tires directly from the manufacturer (purchased through a distributor), which are of  better quality than tires sold at box stores and national tire retailers. If he doesn’t have the particular tire needed, he will get it — even a lawnmower tire.

In addition to tire repair and replacement, other services include lift kits, leveling kits, brush guards, winches, car and truck accessories installed, oil changes, professional detail service, vehicle diagnostics, batteries and general mechanical jobs, charging systems, air conditioning, trailer axle service, trailer wiring jobs, and diesel truck engine service.

Nicoloff wants his customers to understand  how and why a vehicle should be serviced, and offers a free lunch and learn for women on Saturdays from  9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

“I want to help educate women, so if anything is wrong with their car, they know at least a little something about it,” said Nicoloff. “I teach simple stuff, such as the importance of keeping your tires at the recommended pressure for fuel economy, and also so your vehicle handles better. I want women to know that when you get your brakes changed, always ask for your brakes back, because then you know that new brakes were put on your car.”

Servicing vehicles is only part of what Nicoloff loves about owning a tire company named after his daughter.

“I love meeting interesting people and being able to witness to them  —  that’s probably my favorite part of running Bella Tires,” Nicoloff says.

813-995-0777 • 19245 State Road 52, Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639

www.BellaTires.com

Published 11/6/19

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley

Special to The Laker/Lutz News
In 2019, an estimated 268,000 new cases of invasive breast cancerwill be diagnosed in women living in the U.S. To reduce this sobering statistic, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel is using innovative diagnosis and advanced treatment options with state-of-the-art technology.

All patients at the hospital receive noninvasive, 3D mammography that helps the radiologist see issues that were hidden in its predecessor, 2D mammography.

“Three-dimensional mammography allows for better visualization of the breast tissue, and is becoming the new standard of care,” said Dr. Jahnavi Pastore, director of breast imaging at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. “It is our standard practice to perform mammograms as a three-dimensional study because it offers a more precise evaluation of the breast tissue, and is particularly helpful in imaging dense breasts.”

Dense breasts are more challenging for the radiologist to read in a mammogram, because dense tissue appears white in a black-and-white mammogram, as do tumors.

For patients with dense breasts, Dr. Pastore recommends a 3D mammogram, even if a patient has had a recent 2D mammogram. A 3D mammogram allows the radiologist to review the study, and if any concern arises, allows the patient to quickly do a follow-up mammogram with contrast, or an ultrasound.

Contrast-enhanced mammography uses an injection into the vein to increase the ability to see any abnormal breast tissue in the 3D mammogram. Using contrast makes any areas of concern light up in the mammogram, and helps the radiologist diagnose potential concerns.

“The contrast is injected a couple of minutes before having a mammogram. If a tumor is sitting in the breast, it will take up the contrast and jump out on the mammogram against normal background breast tissue,” says Dr. Pastore.

“This is not a routine study, but if we see something on the 3D mammogram for someone with dense breasts, a contrast mammogram may be recommended after a breast ultrasound. In addition, it can serve as an alternative for a breast MRI for patients with pacemakers or severe claustrophobia, who are unable to have a breast MRI,” she said.

A third advancement at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel is elastography — a tool used as part of breast ultrasound imaging to measure the stiffness of a breast lesion.

“If something is particularly stiff compared to the surrounding tissue, it is of greater suspicion and could warrant a biopsy,” says Dr. Pastore. “Sometimes, cysts can be complicated in their appearance, and elastography can be a helpful diagnosis tool, plus it is noninvasive with zero radiation.”

If a tumor is considered high-risk, or is determined to be cancerous and tissue removal is required, the hospital features new SCOUT technology. This technology places an infrared radar reflector the size of a grain of rice into the tumor before the surgery. The reflector emits a radar signal, which allows the surgeon to precisely locate and remove cancerous tissue during a lumpectomy or surgical biopsy using a probe hand piece.

Dr. Pastore relays the story of a young woman who had a family history of breast cancer. She started traditional mammogram screening in her early 30s, and then tried 3D imaging with Dr. Pastore, which led to the discovery of a distortion in the breast.

“There wasn’t an ugly mass. It was relatively small and subtle. We quickly got her in for a diagnostic mammogram, and with compression, the area stood out even more,” she explains. I did an ultrasound of that area and sitting in that tissue, exactly where it was on the mammogram, I saw a mass that was not visible on the 2D mammogram. I got her in the day after and did a breast biopsy, and it was positive for cancer.

“She had a breast MRI to ensure there weren’t any other areas of cancer, and then went on to a breast surgeon who did a lumpectomy and removed that area. The 3D imaging allowed a young cancer patient to have a relatively simple course of treatment. If this had not been detected with 3D mammography, eventually it would have turned into a true mass, and could have required a more extensive and prolonged treatment.”

Dr. Pastore says, “I am grateful to have the technology to do my job to the best of my ability. Radiologists know what to look for, but we are only as good as the tools that we have. To have this type of technology at my fingertips is fantastic.”

For more information: AHWesleyChapel.com, or Facebook.com/AdventHealthWesleyChapel

Published 10/30/19

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

A full-time realtor for 15 years, including the past five years with Charles Rutenberg Realty, Beth Hibben understands the importance of communication. When someone calls, she picks up the phone seven days a week, and never sends her buyers and sellers to an impersonal, automated message.

“When people call me, I answer the phone, and it usually catches them off-guard,” said Hibben. “I believe lack of communication is where things fall apart, and communication is my biggest strength.”

Hibben carries certification as a member of the National Association of Realtors, and also as a Pricing Strategy Provider.

“The Realtor certification means you have ethical guidelines for your business, and you also have continuing education to keep updated on the changing market,” she explains.

As a Pricing Strategy Provider, Hibben has been taught how to price properties correctly.

“Whether you’re selling or buying a property, I can research and come up with pricing for either,” she says. “I also have a certification in negotiations.”

Specializing in homes in the $250s to $700s price range, Hibben is a one-stop shop for her clients, providing resources for a trusted title agent, home inspector, handyman, stager, and professional photographer.

“It’s funny. I have people who move here, and I help them find a house, then I help them find a car, and I help them get a cellphone. There are all kinds of things that I do, above and beyond,” she said.

To help the homebuyer find his dream home, Hibben does a thorough interview. She identifies the client’s priorities— such as a good school district, gated or non-gated community, HOA versus no HOA. She makes appointments to visit the homes that meet the client’s criteria.

“Sometimes I work with people, and I’m their second real estate agent because the first one didn’t listen,” says Hibben. “We go out, and they say ‘all these homes are exactly what we told you we wanted,’ and I say yes, because I do my homework.”

One of Hibben’s specialties is new construction, where her certification in negotiations comes into play. She negotiates on behalf of the homebuyer, as the builder rep is only representing the builder.

“What I love about being a Realtor is when I’m working with buyers and they find the home that they want, they are happy and excited. And, when I’m working with a seller, I love getting them a good price,” she pauses. “It’s the biggest investment that you’ll make in a lifetime, and I take that responsibility seriously.”

Hibben is proud to give back part of her commission to those whom she considers ‘hometown heroes” – firefighters, police, military and teachers.

Realtor Beth Hibben • (813) 244-3706 •

Charles Rutenberg Realty • Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

Published 10/30/19

By Deborah Bostock-Kelley

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club unveils a completely updated golf course with a ribbon-cutting event on Aug.19, hosted by the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce. The Grand Reopening Celebration is from noon to 2 p.m., at the clubhouse inside this master-planned community off State Road 52 and I-75, in San Antonio.

Raffles and door prizes will be given away during the celebration — individual rounds of golf, lunch and golf packages, and merchandise from the golf shop. In addition, promotional membership pricing will be offered, and The Grill Room will feature a special lunch buffet.

“We closed our golf course down on April 15 to do a complete renovation on all of our putting greens — on both our Par 3 Championship Course and our Par 3 nine-hole Executive Golf Course,” said General Manager/COO Seth VanHall.

Over time, the well-maintained health and root structure of turf on any golf course deteriorates due to the applications of fertilization, chemical herbicide and fungicides used to maintain a fine grass at such a low height. Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club re-grassed its greens to establish a better root structure and top layer of turf.

“This allowed us to take our greens back to their original sizes and improve the quality of turf,” said VanHall.

The Grand Reopening Celebration gives the public a sneak peek at the improved golf course before it officially reopens to the public on Aug. 27.

“Our golf course and restaurant are always open to the public, and we welcome our friends and neighbors to join us at our ribbon cutting,” said VanHall. “The public is welcome to play our courses anytime, and we typically have tee time availability for nonmembers on weekday afternoons, as well as evenings.”

On Aug. 26, before reopening to the public, Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club is hosting a Pro Am golf event with PGA professionals from the North Florida section of The PGA of America, for resident members.

“We have 25 groups – foursomes – paired with a PGA professional,” VanHall said. “That will be the officially relaunching of the golf course, and then the following day, we begin normal operating hours. We are excited to showcase our new and improved putting greens and golf courses that are in great shape, as well.”

Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club is played by golfers of all skill levels – from amateur to professional. The 9-hole, Par 3 golf course is open daily from 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Daylight Savings Time, when the golf course will close at 5 p.m.

www.tampabgcc.com | (352) 588-0059 | 10641 Old Tampa Bay Drive, San Antonio, FL 33576

Published on 8/14/19