Volume I Issue IV
Embarking on a Journey Together
In this Issue:
Welcome, AP Neighborhood Watch, Real Estate 32828, Expecting the Unexpected, Relay for Life, What's Growing on, Mindful Matters, Yard of the Month, AP New Board Members (vote/ nominate)
(Any Neighbor in the 32828 Zip code can contribute by sending their article to Publishing@apgazette.com for consideration)
Welcome
written by Eddy Solon, Northwest Village
32828 Realtor, Keller Williams Realty
Welcome neighbors. First, I would like to say thank you for continuing to receive this newsletter every month. Every neighbor participates in their own way, and by simply receiving this newsletter every month, you are actively engaging in the well being of our community. It is certainly appreciated. Just the other day, it seemed that the year just began and now, Christmas is around the corner. Time surely does not wait. Since last issue, there were several events and activities that took place in Avalon Park, including Avalon Park 1st Annual Gala, Spooktacular, Movies Under the Stars, and our very own Avalon Park Haunted House. Amidst all this Activity, the neighbors have vetted and selected a new Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Brian Jones. I have worked with Brian when he coordinated the Neighborhood Watch tent for spooktacular. He appears to be very focused on building our community through his continued efforts in this award winning Neighborhood Watch program, here in AP. He has my full endorsement, as a prior Coordinator and neighbor. (To learn more about Brian visit http://www.Apgazette.com and read Issue II). Please take time to look at the important dates/ reminders on the bottom of the Newsletter under "East Orlando Important Dates" such as Avalon Park's Annual Membership Meeting that will elect (2) Directors to serve three year terms on the board of Directors. As in all elections, the candidate, Board members, represents their constituents, AP residents, so it is very important to participate in the selection of the candidate and to achieve membership quorum.
In conclusion, this year is coming to an end and has been a very dynamic journey for many neighbors. Regardless of the journey, we can claim this, we are still standing and our best days are surely not behind us. Challenges and life difficulties often can become great opportunities!
Avalon Park Neighborhood Watch: This Past Month
written by Brian Jones, Parkside Landing
Overall Neighborhood Watch Coordinator
Can you believe that in 2013, Avalon Park will be 18 years old? Over the years, the founders of Avalon Park have created a great community for all of us with the slogan: “Live, learn, work and play”. We have an unique opportunity as Neighborhood Watch participants and as residents in Avalon to take part of our safety so we can Live, Learn, Work and Play. Avalon Park Neighborhood Watch Mission Statement:
“To positively promote safety at Avalon Park through the building of a network of neighbors for the reporting and notification of suspicious activities, and to promote safety education and awareness to ensure the positive lifestyle that living in Avalon Park affords.”
This mission statement includes an ongoing partnership with the Orange County Sheriff’s office with the goal of improving safety and preventing crime in our community. It is the basics of this program that has made it so successful over the past five years. As we enter our holiday season, I look forward to meeting more Avalon residents. The APNW team will have a booth at the Avalon Aglow festival on December 1st. Village coordinators and block captains will be working this booth with the goal of building our network. If you interested in volunteering, please email me at brianj4u2@gmail.com
SAVE THE DATE: January 26th at 9am, we will have our Annual Meeting at the South Village Club House.
November Statistics
| Number | Incident Reported | Disposition by Off duties/ Update |
| 1 | White male maybe in 40's came to my door, said he was with ADT and started asking questions like if I had an alarm system. I informed him soliciting was not allowed in Avalon Park and he left. | General Notice |
| 2 | Home was broken into and ransacked on October 31, 2012 at approximately 6:30pm. Jewelry and cash were among the items stolen./ Street: Rainbow Springs Lane | |
| 3 |
Auto Burglary.
A. One Garmin GPS and Charger: Total Value 100.00
B. One Silver and Black Hard Shell Brief Case with 4 Books on Treatment Planning and Counseling: Total Value 300.00
C. Two Head Rest DVD players (Silver and Blue):Total Value 100.00/ Street: Abbey Blanco
| |
| 4 |
Car ran through the curb and into the pond at the end of Cassia where it meets Chicora Crossing. The car is submerged in the water. The guy got out. Police are questioning him
| Sal was on the scene shortly. Updated NW coordinator. |
This month and every month after, we will report a summary of incidents and any updates from our off duties in a table like above.
So what do you do when you see something suspicious? First, you contact the non emergency like at 407-836-help or 911 if needed. Secondly, you submit an online incident report so neighbors who live in your area can be notified. You can submit an online incident report at http://www.avalonparkwatch.org/incident_report.htm Please only monitor and report suspicious activity....Do not engage any criminals or suspicious individuals. Once the new Neighborhood Watch coordinator is in place, he/she will coordinate the distribution of incident reports on a daily basis to coordinators, whom will forward it to their block captains and then the neighbors. The new Neighborhood Watch coordinator will actively build the distribution network so neighbors will have immediate awareness. Until filled, the only Neighborhood Watch updates the community will receive is through the monthly article in this gazette
Have a safety concern? feel free to email our off duty deputies
Sal.Saldano@ocfl.net He is very responsive! What does off duty mean? It really does not mean they are completely off duty. They are hired by funds set aside by our HOA dues, on their off duty hours, to help secure the safety of our Avalon Park community. We have 4, and Sal is the primary coordinator.
Real Estate 32828: Opportunistic Market
written by Eddy Solon, Northwest Village
The average price per square feet for the prior month was $89 for the 32828 zip code. As expected, some areas are more and some are less. But this is a good starting point, if you are considering buying or selling. Begin this process by first having realistic expectations of the real estate market by utilizing what the market is willing to pay at this moment, and as it stands right now, it's around $89 per square feet. This price has increased steadily about 2.5-5% per month for the past 6 months alone. As expected, many sellers are holding on to their property to reap the potential gains of the current market projections. So is this a good strategy? I would say yes. I, too, am in the same boat, having property in Waterford lakes also. knowing this, one would ask, does it make a seller's market? Not exactly, since prices are still low and interest rates are in the 3 percent, there are several incentives for buyers to jump in the market now. Though, I do believe the time is running out and soon you will find it to be a solid seller's market. I would not be surprised if this transition takes place within the next 6 months or so. In Avalon Park alone inventory is limited and schools are A+, all indicators of strong market trends.
Hence this is a good time to think about investment properties in 32828 zip code. There are several reasons why buyers choose to live in and around this zip code; Avalon Park, Eastwood, Avalon Lakes, Stoneybrook, & Waterford Lakes. Both Avalon Park and Waterford Lakes can boast of great town Centers, and all enjoy Family Friendly relaxed atmosphere, community appeal, and A rated schools. We also have good property management companies located within the zip code for absentee owners who are looking to invest in their portfolio through real estate. The window for finding good investments within this zip code while yielding good returns is closing every day according to market trends, so if this is a consideration, the East Orlando buyer should seriously consider exploring the opportunity now.
Expecting the Unexpected: One Neighbor's Story
Received from Newsletter by Stephanie Hodson, South Village
In August, our neighbor, Craig (29 Years Old) and his wife Krystal, rushed to the hospital because Craig had an unexplained seizure. It turned out that he had a brain tumor. The last few weeks have been very hard for him as he has gone through surgery to remove part of the tumor and his temporal lobe. The doctors were able to remove most of the tumor but Craig will need chemo and radiation five days a week for the next six weeks. Craig had just started a new job the week before his seizure, after five years at this old job, and was exactly between his two insurance coverage's. Krystal is a school teacher and has not been able to take much time off. The hospital bills, gas, tolls to chemo appointments and fatigue are their biggest challenges right now. Many of the residents on Sweet Acacia Dr. in Village Six are doing all they can to help with prayers. Prayers are most important to them and much appreciated. Donations can be made to this Avalon Park Family, through the Avalon Park Foundation, at the Avalon Park Fairwinds to "The Lambert Family Fund!"
Relay for Life: Avalon Park Residents Fighting Cancer Together!
Submitted by Courtney Tomasi, Insight Magazine
Kindergarten Teacher, East Orlando Resident
Courtney.Tomasi@ocps.net
Walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer when the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Avalon Park gets underway with teams of residents gathering at Timber Creek High School on May 10, 2013 at 4:00pm.
Relay For Life events are held overnight as individuals and teams camp out at the Timber Creek High School track, with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track or pathway at all times throughout the evening. Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at their camp sites during Relay. Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, faith-based groups . . . people from all walks of life – all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, by helping them get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.
“Relay is a unique opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against the disease,” said Alyson Muse Relay For Life of Avalon Park chair. “Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that the Avalon park community is not immune to this disease and that by participating in Relay, we are joining with the American Cancer Society’s efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.”
Funds raised at Relay For Life of Avalon Park help the American Cancer Society to impact the lives of those touched by cancer within the community. In 2012, Relay For Life events across great state of Florida raised over $21 million to help cancer patients and their families in local communities and to fund lifesaving cancer research. The Relay For Life of Avalon Park raised more than $65,000 that helped to fund lifesaving programs and services locally! All of this is made possible by Relay For Life. We welcome you to join us in the fight against cancer today!
If you are interested in joining the fight, go to www.relayforlife.org/avalonparkfl to register your team for the event! All businesses, schools, churches, organizations, etc. are welcome to register their team!
SAVE THE DATE: Relay for Life Kick Off Meeting at Timber Creek High School on November 28, 2012. Email Alyson at Alysmuse11@yahoo.com for details.
What's Growing On
written by Evelyn Peterson, Timbercreek Village
Evelyn@Myrtleglen.com
Hello gardening friends!
This year, for the first time, Avalon Park is recognizing the
Yard of the Year. Chosen from the winning yards August 2011 to August 2012, the honor goes to 2621 Silver River Trail. The front yard is always taken care of, no matter when I drive by, it always looks perfect! Congratulations !
The Award was presented at the Foundation Gala, November 3
rd.
To Do’s in your Garden:
- Daylight Savings Time ended November 4, 2012, this means lawn watering schedule is back to once per week. Homes with odd-numbered addresses are allowed to turn on the lawn sprinkler system on Saturday and homes with even-numbered addresses on Sunday.
- Divide your perennials such as iris, lilies, bulbines
- Fall is the perfect time to plant or transplant trees and shrubs. The plants will have enough time to get the root system established over the cooler months to start growing when it warms up again in spring.
Plant of the Month: Kumquat, a small fruit bearing tree
Kumquat season is almost here. I am picking the first ripe ones already.
The Meiwa variety has large, round fruits, very sweet and juicy, best for eating right off the little tree.
The Nagami variety has the well-known tart, oblong fruits. They are great for making Marmalade, Chutney and homemade Liqueur.
Kumquats are naturally small trees, so they are well suited as a container plant. The Kumquat trees are the easiest of citrus trees, grow them in full sun and they are happy. They go somewhat dormant during the cold months and are hardy to 26F. Kumquat trees are pest free, except for Leaf Miners, but besides making the leaves look ugly, they don’t seem to hurt the tree. Eat the entire fruit, the peel is sweet and the flesh is tart.
Happy Gardening!
Mindful Matters: 'Tis the Season
written by Licensed Psychologist and Avalon Park YMCA Yoga Instructor, Dr. Purvi Gandhi
www.drpurvigandhi.com
Well, the season is nearly upon us! The season full of festivities and fun! Or is it the season full of frenzy and a flurry of activities?? When you think of the holiday season, do you tense up and try to brace yourself for a whirlwind of stress and anxiety? It can happen every holiday time…we lose sight of the warm, positive feelings of the season and become wrapped up in all the demands of the days. Here are a few strategies to help put a little spirit back into your life and help you stay sane through it all!
Let’s start with a little activity. Grab a sheet of paper and write down your ideas of a wonderful holiday season. Make a list of the activities (be specific) and the feelings you would like to create during this time.
1.Now, review your list and determine if you set realistic expectations. Remember that you do not have to create a perfect holiday memory or replicate all or most of your childhood holiday experiences. There may be some traditions that you do want to continue, but there may be others you may want to change or drop all together. Consider being flexible on some of your family traditions and rituals. You may want to think about starting new traditions, finding ones that fit better into your family’s schedule.
2.Pencil It In: As your schedule fills up with various holiday activities, it can be helpful if you also schedule in your own holiday tasks, such as decorating, shopping, and baking. Set aside time to complete these tasks by writing them into your schedule. And remember to overestimate the amount of time it will take to complete the task. For example, when you are penciling in the time to shop for a gift, include the travel time (and traffic time) to get to the mall.
3. Make Your List & Check It Twice: Start early by creating a list of those that you would like to buy a gift for. But remember that the gift does NOT have to be perfect! Nor does it have to be expensive or extravagant. Spending a large amount of money or focusing only on finding the “perfect” gift can lead you to feel less in the giving mood and just more stressed. Another tip: instead of buying for everyone at the office or within a large group, consider starting an office exchange.
4. Stick to a Budget: Before you start the holiday shopping, identify the amount of money you want to spend for the holidays. You may want to break that down even more by identifying the amount you want to spend on each person or family. One way to stay on track with your spending is to designate a bank account or credit card that is only for your holiday spending. To save a few bucks (and give a heart-felt gift), consider giving homemade gifts, such as baked goods or donating to a charity in someone’s name. Once you have your budget, Don’t Overspend!
5. Delegate, delegate, delegate: One of the problems during this time of the year is all the tasks that you may feel like need to be completed. And they may need to be done...just not all by you! Delegate family members to specific tasks, such as buying some grocery items, putting up decorations, or making or bringing some dishes. Don’t feel like you have to do it all on your own. If you involve others, you can help reduce the amount of stress you feel and have others take responsibility for the festivities.
6.N-O: This is a big one! And can be a tough one for some people to do. But learning to say “No” is necessary at times. In the middle of all the invitations, you have to take care of yourself and know your limits, in terms of time and energy. Just know that you cannot attend every party or gathering. Repeat after me: “Thank you, but no, I can’t.” Practice it!
7.Keep Your Healthy Lifestyle: Sanity comes from having a balance in your life and taking care of yourself. That includes continuing some of the healthy activities you are used to doing, such as exercising and eating healthy. There will be times when you may overindulge in food or alcohol, but try to limit those times. Drinking water, hydrating, and getting adequate sleep will also help you maintain balance during this time. If you find that you tend to stress easily during the holidays (or at any time), consider taking yoga and meditation classes to learn how to reduce the stress you feel.
Most importantly, remember the joy of the season and allow yourself to experience that in small ways. Make sure you: Breathe, Laugh, Have Fun…..REPEAT
For some people, the holiday season can stir up some unpleasant emotions and lead to the holiday blues. Take some time to pay attention to how you feel during the holidays. Notice if you feel the holiday blues:
•Feeling persistently sad, anxious, or crying frequently
•Feeling agitated or irritated easily and hopeless
•Feeling isolated from others
•Frequent physical complaints
If you notice these symptoms, consider seeking professional help. To read more, visit my
blog.
Pic of the Month
Avalon Park Gala- 2012 Excellence in Community Banking
To submit a pic of the month, please email Publishing@apgazette.com
AP Gazette Opportunities
As a new and growing newsletter, we have many opportunities for neighbors to contribute and volunteer their writing talents/ time to help build community. Below are several positions still needing to be filled:
1. Reviewers- to Review final submittal of newsletters prior to publishing
2. Political Contributor- To introduce community and discuss activities of our Board, commissioners, orange county, and POA, and keep neighbors informed of upcoming important dates to remember
3. Education Contributor- An article written by an Educator in one of East Orlando schools. Topics may be anything to do with Education and teacher, student, and parent awareness. This will be a good place to highlight top achievers in our school (teachers and students).
4. Sports Contributor- To discuss East Orlando Sports, anything from little league and up
To be able to participate, you must be an East Orlando resident, if writing, submit an article prior to 3rd Thursday of the Month 12 pm, and send your interest and brief description of your background to Publishing@apgazette.com Keep in mind, any neighbor can submit an article.
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