Day: June 8, 2013

By Matt Wiley | June 8

Honesty, integrity, leather couches. None of those things are exactly what comes to mind when thinking about getting your car serviced. But, these are just a few of the many “amenities” that separate the recently opened Christian Brothers Automotive franchise on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in New Tampa (less than a mile south of the Pasco County line) from the usual greasy car shop.

“Notice anything about our waiting room?,” asks Marty LaBarbera, owner of the New Tampa Christian Brothers Automotive franchise on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. behind Auto Zone auto parts store in the Trout Creek area next to Burger 21. “There’s no one sitting in it, but the garage is full.”

LaBarbera says that the garage has been pretty full since the shop­ — which services nearly every make and model across the automotive spectrum (including BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Porsche, Nissan and most other European, Asian and American makes and models) opened on January 2. Whether it’s a “check engine” light, brakes, A/C or transmission service, or just scheduled maintenance, Christian Brothers has New Tampa and Wesley Chapel covered.

“This is retirement for me,” LaBarbera explains, after a long career in the prison system in Texas. “About six years ago, I was planning ahead to retirement, knowing that I wanted to get into something else. Cars have always been a hobby for me. I knew I wanted to get into some kind of automotive business for retirement. I stepped into a Christian Brothers in Austin, TX, near where I lived. I was amazed by the appearance and the cleanliness of the place. I knew I had found what I wanted to do.”

LaBarbera says that he was instrumental in bringing a Christian Brothers franchise to New Tampa when company officials decided to expand to Florida from Texas. When company officials expressed interest in the Tampa Bay area, LaBarbera scouted for locations and suggested New Tampa since it is a modern and still-developing community. New Tampa is the 111th location for the auto shop franchise, which has a separately-owned location on S.R. 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

“It took about two years to get everything worked out, to purchase the property and get the construction done and all those things,” he explains. “So it’s been kind of a long process, but it just takes that long, I guess.”

In the time it took to open the New Tampa location, Christian Brothers already had opened two other locations in the Tampa area, one in Westchase and the S.R. 54 location. Each shop is built exactly the same and is run the same way.

“They learn as they build and collect best practices,” LaBarbera says. “Their operating protocol is consistent. As franchisees, we have to agree to that entire protocol. My attitude is that, if there were 110 shops before me and not one has failed since 1983, why would I not want to run it according to that plan?”

Besides the iconic brick look to the outside of the shop, the first thing that catches most customers’ eyes is the waiting area, which is void of the stereotypical TV playing the usual daytime programming and uncomfortable chairs. Instead, the waiting area offers a clean environment, leather couches and coffee that a Christian Brothers employee will make fresh just for you. And it’s usually empty.

“Every shop has a courtesy car,” LaBarbera explains. “The mindset is this: ‘Why don’t you drop your car off, I’ll take you to work and pick you up when we’re done.’ And now your Saturday is free. Don’t you have something you’d rather be doing on a Saturday than sitting at an auto repair shop for a few hours? So, I’m on the road most of the day most days.”

LaBarbera says that what really sets Christian Brothers apart from other auto repair shops is its foundation as a Christian organization.

“The auto repair industry has developed a bad reputation because it’s easy to take advantage of people since we’re working in an area that most people are unfamiliar with,” LaBarbera explains. “You have to trust us. We’re just honest. We may not tell you what you want to hear (about your car), but we’re still truthful with you.”

 Another Factor Is Quality

“I don’t apologize for our prices,” LaBarbera says. “We’re not competing to be the lowest cost repair shop in the area. You can get things done cheaper; even we could do things cheaper. We could use cheap oil, cheap filters and hire inexperienced workers for low wages. But, we believe it’s the quality that really sets us apart. When you drive out of here, I want you to be confident that a good job was done on your vehicle.”

LaBarbera, his service manager and two technicians share more than 50 years of combined experience in the auto repair industry. Each technician holds a Master certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

“On a typical day, customers will come in and tell us their car is making a noise,” LaBarbera explains. “Greg, my service manager, will ask questions and focus the issue down to something more specific and give the info to the technicians. Then, they spend about 60 percent of their time on diagnostics. They plug a computer into a customer’s vehicle that reads all of the vehicle’s system computers to see where a problem may be occurring. When a check engine light, or other notification, appears on your dashboard, it provides the computer with a code, which serves as a clue as to what could be causing a problem.”

But, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Christian Brothers’ master techs do additional extensive diagnostics research to see what problems other people have previously had with whatever vehicle is being worked on to see if a similar problem could be occurring in your vehicle.

“The old school way is part-swapping,” says LaBarbera. “A shop will look at symptoms, and tell the owner, ‘It could be this,’ and replace that part. Then it doesn’t fix the problems and you’ve spent the money on that new part.”

Instead of “swapping,” LaBarbera says that when it comes to parts, Christian Brothers works as a value shopper for you.

“When we put a part in your car, we make sure we get the right part from the right vendor for the right price–and that probably isn’t the cheapest one,” he explains. “So, bargain hunters may not want to come here, but if you’re value-conscious, and you want something done well and are willing to pay for quality and longevity, without paying the sun and the moon, we’re here for you. We make the recommendations for you and then you make the decisions.”

New Tampa resident Sherry Laursen is happy to speak to the quality of Christian Brothers.

“I’m a local real estate agent with Coldwell Banker and people always are asking me where a good place would be to take their car,” Laursen explains. “There really isn’t a place in New Tampa except for those quick shops that have bad reputations. My 17-year-old son, Dylan, took his 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix there after school recently. They gave him ‘above and beyond’ customer service. I was super impressed with them. They easily could have taken advantage of him, but didn’t even try.”

Having car issues? Stop by Christian Brothers Automotive, located at 20303 Trout Creek Dr. behind AutoZone, or give them a call at 402-1262. For more information, please visit CBAC.com.

 

By Bonnie Mason | June 8

Nowadays, many children in the New Tampa area actually look forward to going to the dentist — something most of their parents can hardly imagine. From the underwater treasure décor in the reception area and the video game stations located in the waiting room to the flat-screen televisions above playing favorite shows as patients lay in the dental chair, Paul Duga, DDS, (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and Shawna Adams-Feeney, DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine), of Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates Pediatric Dentistry in Tampa Palms are helping children adopt healthy dental habits, while having fun in a kid-friendly environment.

Dr. Duga explains that the entire office’s mission is to provide a good experience at a young age so that children feel comfortable and identify a trip to the dentist’s office as one of excitement and fun — not fear or dread. Dr. Duga always has had an affinity for kids, even though he first practiced adult dentistry before he found his calling in early orthodontia and pediatric dentistry.

“I found my passion,” Dr. Duga explains. “I enjoy going to work where there is fun and silliness; where you can be relaxed. When I came here from Louisiana, I saw a real need for children’s dental care.”

Conveniently located in Tampa Palms in the Somerset Professional Park on the corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Amberly Dr. (only 10-15 minutes south of the Pasco County line), Dr. Duga, , who earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and his DDS degree from the Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, WI, opened his practice at the Amberly Dr. location in 2003 and Dr. Feeney joined the practice as a full partner in 2005. “We work so well together,” says Dr. Duga, who earned his Pediatric Dentistry Specialty Certificate from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry/Children’s Hospital of New Orleans and was a faculty member at the LSU School of Dentistry and is president of the Tampa Bay Pediatric Dental Association.

Dr. Feeney earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville, and her DMD degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA. Her general practice residency was at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Long Island, NY, and her Pediatric Dentistry Specialty Certificate from the University of Connecticut in Farmington.

 

A Shared Mission

Both dentists wholeheartedly believe in the mission of their pediatric dental practice, which is to provide a special environment for infants, children, teens and even children with special needs to assure they receive the highest standard of care. Pediatric dentistry services available include routine cleanings, sealant protection, extractions, teeth whitening/bleaching and fillings, all while using the latest dental equipment for all ages from infants to college-age young adults. Drs. Duga and Feeney also assess a young patient’s need for braces and may perform orthodontic work at the office, or for specialty cases, refer patients to a local orthodontic dental specialist.

The patients and their families have the opportunity to actively participate in acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to practice effective dental care, resulting in lifelong dental health.

“I always loved to go the dentist growing up,” says Dr. Feeney. “And I love having the chance to work with kids before they have any preconceived ideas about visiting the dentist. We have the opportunity here to provide positive experiences that will create a foundation children can build on for the rest of their lives. We recommend that your child see a pediatric dentist by 12-18 months of age. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, we should start cleaning a baby’s mouth even before the teeth start coming in.”

Also, Dr. Feeney advises to start early and be consistent. “Young children really need parental assistance with caring for their teeth,” Dr. Feeny explains. “They do not have the manual dexterity to do an appropriate job on their own.”

The child’s first appointment is for evaluation and education. At this visit, a complete exam is performed and recommendations are given for home care and correct use of toothbrushes and fluoride toothpaste. Dr. Feeney says that parents who help their children follow this routine can detect and take care of problems before they lead to serious and costly types of treatment.

Parents are a valued partner in the care of the patients at Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates. Traditionally, dental offices don’t allow the parents of patients beyond the patient room door. However, Dr. Duga and Dr. Feeney encourage parental involvement, even while the child is in the chair. In other words, the office has an “open patient door” policy.

The staff takes the time to explain each diagnosis and treatment option and always works at the pace of each child — and his or her parents.

Dr. Duga explains that he and his staff present available treatment options to the patient and parent so they can make an educated decision on the care of their child.

“I think parents help so much when they are involved and in the patient room,” he says. “It helps to instill confidence in the kids; it’s a real benefit to our patients.”

“(Dr. Duga) is wonderful,” says Leslie Mellin, a Meadow Pointe resident who has been bringing her two sons, Josh, 12, and Benjamin, 9, to Dr. Duga for more than 10 years. “I recommend him to everybody.”

Pediatric dentistry does not stop with young children. Dentistry for teens is a part of the advanced education pediatric dentists receive. Drs. Duga and Feeney are trained to deal with adolescent behavior, to restore and guide teeth, and teach preventive dental health care with your teen in mind. When they follow your child from early youth into the teen years, Dr. Duga and Dr. Feeney also change the approach to your child’s own special needs in a sensitive, caring and professional manner.

The office environment is even designed with teens in mind. Younger patients enjoy the larger-than-life décor, while the older kids like the popular video games, and the opportunity to choose age-appropriate movies, listen to music with headphones or sit and read in a quiet, comfortable area. The idea behind routine visits in a comfortable environment is to increase the chance that the patients will continue their dental care as adults.

“They won’t be afraid of the dentist the way many adults are now due to unpleasant experiences in their past,” Dr. Duga says.

Dr. Duga is no stranger to teenagers. He and his wife Sue live in Tampa Palms and have three teenagers, two sons, 17 and 12, respectively, and a 16-year-old daughter.

Dr. Feeney and her husband Jack live in South Tampa and have two young children, a boy and a girl.

“Most pediatric dentists cut their patient population after the patients graduate from high school,” Dr. Duga says. “We see many of our kids through their college years. Often, college kids don’t take the time to get their teeth cleaned, especially if they are away at school.”

The staff reminds their college student patients to schedule appointments when they plan their visits home from school. Not having to change dentists is one less concern for college kids and their parents during what is often a stressful time. This helps foster a lifelong healthy attitude toward dental health.

Emergency dental care is another way that Dr. Duga and Dr. Feeney carry on their mission of providing their patients with a lifetime of beautiful smiles.

“We’re always available for our patients,” says Dr. Duga, who recently was called to the emergency room by a young male patient who fell and injured his mouth and teeth. The boy was happy to see the friendly face of his dentist and happy to go to Dr. Duga’s office after he was discharged from the hospital’s emergency room. Not many children can brag to their friends that they had a dentist appointment at midnight! Dr. Duga and Dr. Feeney share emergency calls outside of regular office hours.

Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates Pediatric Dentistry is located at 15293 Amberly Dr., three miles south of the BBD exit off I-75. The office is open Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., 8 a.m. -5 p.m. on Thursdays, and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Fridays, but vary depending upon school holiday schedules.

For appointments and more information, visit PediatricDentistTampa.com or call 631-1100.

 

By Bonnie Mason | June 8

Do you ever get out of bed in the morning and think that you just can’t face another day? Or, maybe you are able to make it through the work day, but by the end of it, you’re exhausted and all you want to do is go home and get some sleep? Life in general can be overwhelming and in the mobile, multi-tasking, instant society we live in, stress, anxiety and depression can come too often.

“Take time for you” is the advice of Dr. Brad Palermo, Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology), licensed psychologist and owner of Premier Psychological Services, located on W. Bearss Ave. near I-275, 8 miles south of the S.R. 56 exit off I-75.

Dr. Palermo explains that, at one time or another, everyone experiences stress, anxiety and depression, to varying degrees. Generally, he says, most people are able to work their way through these low or anxious periods by themselves. But, the times when you feel overwhelmed or helpless and defeated, Dr. Palermo says he recommends you seek the help of a psychological professional.

“When you can’t seem to figure things out or things are not getting better – that’s when you should call our office,” he says. “It’s all about balance; you have to have a balance between your work, your home and your family.”

He adds that there are things you can do on your own to create better balance in your life. For example, Dr. Palermo says you have to leave work at work — don’t bring problems at work home or let your job become your identity. “Learning to separate yourself from your place of employment is key,” he says.

Other steps he recommends when trying to achieve a good life balance include getting enough hours of uninterrupted sleep, eating healthy nutritious foods and living a more active life. For example, he says a walk in the early morning or after dinner is a good way to gain new perspective. And, be sure you have someone in your life you can talk with when life presents challenges — and realize that family members and friends may not always be the best people to talk to about important personal matters.

A male teenage client recently told Dr. Palermo, “Thanks for putting up with me when I decided to let it all out. Wow, that was intense. Felt good though.”

The clinicians at Premier Psychological Services have been helping New Tampa and other area residents get back their balance for more than three years. The practice’s licensed and certified clinicians offer 90 years of combined practical experience. In addition to Dr. Palermo, other clinicians available for clients include Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) Pam Baker, and Tracy Crowe, M.S.; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Heidi Petracco, MSW (Master of Social Work); as well as psychologist and neuropsychologist, Carmine Pecoraro, Psy.D., CAP (Certified Addiction Professional), NCGC (National Certified Gambling Counselor)-II.

Dr. Palermo received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville and his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale. “I fell in love with the ideas and concepts in learning and studying why people do what they do and why people behave how they behave,” Dr. Palermo says. “I’m personable and I want our clients to walk away with having had a personable, successful experience. Working with people is something you fall in love with, so I get to do what I love to do every day.”

Each clinician has his or her own specialties and Dr. Palermo is proud to be able to offer New Tampa residents help in practically all areas of behavioral and psychological therapy. Whether you have a young child who is having difficulty adjusting to a school setting, a teenager who needs some guidance and help dealing with peer pressures, a new mother who is feeling overwhelmed, a couple who has lost their way, or an older person who is dealing with memory loss, Premier Psychological Services has a clinician who can help.

Besides general therapy, services available also include group therapy, couples therapy, psychological testing for learning disabilities and disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHA) or attention deficit disorder (ADD) and substance abuse counseling.

Some people, unfortunately, still believe psychological and behavioral therapy are taboo. But, Dr. Palermo says that once a person finds the right therapist, that negative perception will dissipate.

“I doubted the whole therapy thing at first and thought our marriage was done,” said a recent client of the practice. This concerned husband, father and local business owner told Dr. Palermo, “Thankfully you were able to open my eyes. I don’t know what I would have done if I lost (my wife) and the kids. I know we still have some work to do but I wanted you to know how grateful I am.”

Therapy helps many people, but not everyone. Dr. Palermo explained that there are clients who have specific mental health illnesses and/or behavioral disorders that do require medication. For those types of clients, Dr. Palermo and his fellow clinicians at Premier will refer the client to a psychiatrist who may subscribe the appropriate medication to combine with therapy.

“We don’t prescribe medication,” he says. “Medication alone only puts a Band-Aid on the problem — it is not a long-term fix. Therapy, on the other hand, has been proven to have long-term success.” So, even if PPS refers you to a psychiatrist to evaluate your need for medication, he says you should still meet regularly with a therapist to give yourself the best chance at long-term results.

 Finding The Best Fit

Dr. Palermo says that it’s best to give yourself a “trying out” period of 2-4 sessions before determining whether or not you’re comfortable with your clinician. The good news is that most clients report an improvement in their symptoms after their first session, despite some clients who feel a little uncomfortable. Dr. Palermo strongly believes in a positive therapeutic relationship with the clinician. “Each person is different; there is no definite time frame within which therapy will or will not show results for you,” he says.

If you would like to explore the options available at Premier Psychological Services, you can have a free initial phone consult with Dr. Palermo within 24 hours of contacting the office. The initial consultation will help him determine if you are a good candidate for the therapy services offered at the practice, as well as which of the five clinicians in the office might be the best fit for your individual needs. Your first appointment will be scheduled at your convenience, usually within one week the initial consultation.

 Skype Or Phone, Too?

Dr. Palermo says he still believes that most of Premier’s clients are best served through traditional one-on-one, face-to-face therapy. However, he also recognizes that lack of accessibility can hinder a potential client’s ability to get the help they need. For those clients who travel a lot and can’t get to the office for their therapy, or for clients who are experiencing extreme anxiety, as well as physically disabled people who cannot leave their homes, therapy sessions can be conducted by telephone or videoconference through Skype.com. While these are not ideal options, they do work for some clients.

Premier Psychological Services accepts most insurance plans , as well as self-pay clients. Each therapist in the practice charges a different fee. “Ultimately, we all strive to work out a fee that’s affordable for you,” Dr. Palermo says. “Our goal is to help you get your life back in balance.”

Premier Psychological Services is located at 324 W. Bearss Ave. in North Tampa. To schedule an appointment or to speak with Dr. Brad Palermo or any of the clinicians at the office, call 418-7188, or send an email to: DrP@Phone Premier.com. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. To learn more about the practice and services available visit Tampa-Therapy.com.