Volume II Issue VI

"Building Community One Issue at a Time!" An East Orlando Safety Newsletter written by Neighbors for Neighbors reaching Avalon Park Residents and surrounding communities.  (This Newsletter is not affiliated or represent Avalon Park POA Newsletter and is independently ran by Neighbors for Neighbors)

The AP Gazette "Building Community One Issue at a Time!"

Avalon Park Gazette presents New Beginnings: New Look Volume II Issue VI In this Issue: Welcome, Safety News, Road Way Construction, Timber Creek High, New Eateries, AP Stiletto Network, AP Rotary Club,  Real Estate, My Journey, Social Me,  and AP Gazette Opportunities (Any neighbor in the 32828 zip code can contribute by sending their article to Publishing@apgazette.com for consideration) Lead Reviewer: Sara Morris Managing Editor: Eddy Solon Front Cover Photo: 1.  Lesnick Family Photo submitted by Holly Lesnick WELCOME written by Eddy Solon, Northwest Village East Orlando Realtor, Keller Williams  Realestate32828@gmail.com   Welcome neighbors.  We are glad to be reaching over 2,000 plus residents in East Orlando, and happier to be "Building Community One Issue at a time." One new series continues to receive positive response from our readers, “My Journey."   There are only two more articles on this series left.  Every month, we have had the opportunity to be inspired by one of our neighbors and peek inside their life’s journey.  We have shared their challenges, disappointments, triumphs, and reflections.  It has been enriching, rewarding, and most of all, a great contribution to our monthly articles.  In this issue, we have the opportunity to read the journey of Holly Lesnick,  Owner of Grow and Sing (Kindermusik) an East Orlando Business Owner, and Avalon Park Resident. We are often asked why an event or an issue impacting our community was not included.   The simple answer is, although we strive to cover issues impacting our community, unless someone writes an article and submits it, it most likely will not be included.  This newsletter is truly a newsletter developed by neighbors for neighbors and the content responsibility is shared by the community, therefore we all are part of the Gazette Team.    Hence, if you have an event or life style oriented article that you would like to submit, please do so!  Submit your article by the third Thursday of the month, by 12 pm, to publishing@apgazette.com for consideration in the next issue.      EAST ORLANDO SAFETY 32828 Statistics: Zone 22B Retrieved from OCSO Website Safety@apgazette.com Where 25 incidents reported last Newsletter, 75 incidents were reported this month in our zone, which includes Avalon Park Area and surrounding communities.  There were 2 Armed to Person Robberies, 36 Auto Burglaries, 27 Residential Burglaries, and 9 Stolen Vehicles Reported.   Case Number Crime Location Date 130052560 AUTO BURGLARY [UNKNOWN] GOLFWAY BV 06/18/2013 130052627 AUTO BURGLARY [12601 - 12693] MARIBOU CI 06/18/2013 130052427 STOLEN VEHICLE [600 - 658] WATERSCAPE WY 06/17/2013 130052028 AUTO BURGLARY [601 - 899] CRYSTAL BAY LN 06/16/2013 130052363 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [800 - 952] OLD BARN RD 06/16/2013 130050841 AUTO BURGLARY [UNKNOWN] BRADBURY RD 06/13/2013 130051263 AUTO BURGLARY [4150 - 4498] CLEARY WY 06/13/2013 130050832 AUTO BURGLARY [UNKNOWN] BRADBURY RD 06/12/2013 130050837 AUTO BURGLARY [4101 - 4299] CUMMINGS ST 06/12/2013 130050843 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [4101 - 4299] AUSTEN FALLS LN 06/12/2013 130050844 AUTO BURGLARY [14200 - 14238] MAILER BV 06/12/2013 130050848 AUTO BURGLARY [4151 - 4499] CLEARY WY 06/12/2013 130050851 AUTO BURGLARY [4151 - 4499] CLEARY WY 06/12/2013 130050852 AUTO BURGLARY [4150 - 4498] CLEARY WY 06/12/2013 130050854 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [14200 - 14238] MAILER BV 06/12/2013 130050863 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [4150 - 4498] CLEARY WY 06/12/2013 130050886 AUTO BURGLARY [4101 - 4299] YEATS ST 06/12/2013 130051070 STOLEN VEHICLE [15700 - 15738] MONTESINO DR 06/10/2013 130049686 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [313 - 599] LEXINGDALE DR 06/09/2013 130049848 STOLEN VEHICLE [10750 - 10998] ARBOR VIEW BV 06/09/2013 130050577 STOLEN VEHICLE [2000 - 2098] TORCHWOOD DR 06/09/2013 130049364 AUTO BURGLARY [2401 - 2525] FORMAX DR 06/08/2013 130050639 AUTO BURGLARY [10213 - 10249] FALCON PINE BV 06/08/2013 130051340 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [10701 - 10799] PALAISEAU CT 06/08/2013 130049062 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [701 - 899] TIMBER ISLE DR 06/07/2013 130049631 AUTO BURGLARY [14201 - 14329] VIBURNUM LN 06/07/2013 130048855 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [13301 - 13499] PHOENIX DR 06/06/2013 130404785 AUTO BURGLARY [13301 - 13499] PHOENIX DR 06/06/2013 130048752 AUTO BURGLARY [14731 - 14899] HARTFORD RUN DR 06/05/2013 130047530 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [15100 - 15298] SUGAR GROVE WY 06/02/2013 130047751 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [15000 - 15098] WATERFORD CHASE PY 06/02/2013 130048000 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [13200 - 13498] EARLY FROST CI 06/02/2013 130047186 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [14000 - 14098] BRADBURY RD 06/01/2013 130047256 AUTO BURGLARY [13141 - 14099] TANJA KING BV 06/01/2013 130047259 AUTO BURGLARY [13141 - 14099] TANJA KING BV 06/01/2013 130047269 ARMED TO PERSON [3670 - 3698] AVALON PARK EAST BV 06/01/2013 130047288 AUTO BURGLARY [13141 - 14099] TANJA KING BV 06/01/2013 130048128 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [13501 - 13541] BLUEWATER CI 06/01/2013 130047327 STOLEN VEHICLE [3900 - 3998] MAIDENCANE LN 05/31/2013 130048799 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [2141 - 2199] POP ASH DR 05/31/2013 130046459 STOLEN VEHICLE [12520 - 12698] CREST SPRINGS LN 05/30/2013 130046463 AUTO BURGLARY [12520 - 12698] CREST SPRINGS LN 05/30/2013 130046734 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [11200 - 11450] CARABELEE CI 05/30/2013 130050195 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [2801 - 3019] ST AUGUSTINE DR 05/30/2013 130045707 AUTO BURGLARY [2020 - 2198] AUTUMN VIEW DR 05/28/2013 130046232 AUTO BURGLARY [2735 - 2799] RAINBOW SPRINGS LN 05/28/2013 130045487 AUTO BURGLARY [860 - 948] BELHAVEN DR 05/27/2013 130045659 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [3100 - 3398] BENSON PARK BV 05/27/2013 130045394 STRONG ARM TO PERSON [10020 - 10248] CURRY FORD RD 05/26/2013 130045310 STOLEN VEHICLE [14001 - 14399] SAPPHIRE BAY CI 05/25/2013 130045555 AUTO BURGLARY [3342 - 3498] BELLINGHAM DR 05/25/2013 130044562 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [2100 - 2158] TORCHWOOD DR 05/24/2013 130050516 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [14550 - 14580] AUDUBON FALLS CT 05/24/2013 130404139 AUTO BURGLARY [13626 - 13658] ERIDANUS DR 05/24/2013 130044472 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [3101 - 3149] ERSKINE DR 05/23/2013 130044579 STOLEN VEHICLE [101 - 199] OLYMPIC CLUB CT 05/23/2013 130044615 AUTO BURGLARY [15100 - 15298] SUGAR GROVE WY 05/23/2013 130044685 AUTO BURGLARY [13201 - 13499] LAKE TURNBERRY CI 05/23/2013 130044709 AUTO BURGLARY [UNKNOWN] WILLOW RIDGE LP 05/23/2013 130044013 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [11000 - 11098] FELTON CT 05/22/2013 130044017 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [12001 - 12059] RITZ CT 05/22/2013 130043148 STOLEN VEHICLE [13701 - 13899] BLUE LAGOON WY 05/20/2013 130043503 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [11043 - 11099] FAIRHAVEN WY 05/20/2013 130042880 AUTO BURGLARY [14330 - 14398] VIBURNUM LN 05/19/2013 130042901 AUTO BURGLARY [14000 - 14028] SPRUCE CREEK LN 05/19/2013 130042906 AUTO BURGLARY [601 - 799] HARDWOOD CI 05/19/2013 130042998 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [15301 - 15349] VERAMONTE WY 05/19/2013 130043005 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [1895 - 1965] BRANCHWATER TL 05/19/2013 130046713 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [1600 - 1998] SAFFRON PLUM LN 05/19/2013 130404011 AUTO BURGLARY [811 - 999] OAK CHASE DR 05/19/2013 130042727 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [2500 - 2588] CORBYTON CT 05/18/2013 130042755 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [4201 - 4225] HUGHES ST 05/18/2013 130042902 AUTO BURGLARY [601 - 799] HARDWOOD CI 05/18/2013 130042972 AUTO BURGLARY [600 - 798] HARDWOOD CI 05/18/2013 130044573 AUTO BURGLARY [3101 - 3149] ERSKINE DR 05/18/2013   This month and every month after, we will report a summary of crimes reported in our specific area and adjacent neighborhoods.  The first step in crime prevention is awareness. Avalon Park Residents, Have a safety concern?  Feel free to email our off duty deputy 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 three deputies, and Sal is the primary coordinator. To receive future statistics, Subscribe to our newsletter here Since first step in crime prevention is awareness, everyone can contribute by forwarding these updates to their neighbor. East Orlando Resident, have an incident, a report, or safety event, please email Safety@apgazette.com to be distributed to our 2,000 plus subscribers. ROAD WAY CONSTRUCTION Update! by Jennifer Thompson, Orange County District 4 Commissioner Jennifer.thompson@ocfl.net Update as of May 2013, Meeting at Stoneybrook Avalon Park: Q: What is being built near the intersection of Avalon Park Blvd. and Alafaya? A: This is a gated apartment complex called "The Reserves' with 264 units of Class A apartments which will not contain Section 8 housing. These apartments were approved prior to Commissioner Thompson taking office. Q: Why is Avalon Park allowed to build more homes? Doesn't this have an effect on Alafaya Trail? A: Avalon Park was approved many years ago with a certain densities and units. This approval allowed for a certain level of capacity on the road and they have not met that capacity. Q: There is a trailhead in Avalon near Mailer Blvd. that does not go anywhere, when will this be completed? A: The trail has many working elements to it and I am currently working on easements with Progress Energy and OUC. A pedestrian bridge also has to be built which involves a shared use agreement (permit) with OUC. Commissioner Thompson is currently in the process of requesting funding for this pedestrian bridge as part of next year's budget. Crime Questions: Q: Recently there was some tag art that occurred at a park in Eastwood, was this gang related? A: No, this was not gang related. Gang activity is mostly occurring on the west side of the County at this time. Q: What types of crimes are happening within the area? A: Crimes of opportunity like leaving cars unlocked, etc. Items being stolen from unlocked cars or garage doors being left open and items being taken. Alafaya Trail Project Q: When will the traffic light be turned on at the Alafaya/Stoneybrook intersection? A: When all four lanes are functioning, which should be in the Spring of 2014. Q: Some of the construction delays were caused by underground utilities not matching plans that the County has, why would that be? A: As development occurred over the years along this stretch of Alafaya Trail, individual neighborhoods were responsible for building their portion of the road and utilities. When the utilities portion of the Alafaya Trail widening finally began and they started digging, there were irregularities with what was thought to be in the ground vs. what was actually in the ground. Regardless, it is better and more cost effective to upgrade the utilities now vs. having to dig up the road in the future. Q: There is a difference in elevation between the northbound and southbound lanes, will this continue? A: No, the elevations will be equaled out when the road is complete. Q: Is the road fully funded? A: Yes, that is why the project had not begun until when it did. Q: How does this funding occur? A: Roads are funded through gas tax and impact fees. Those taxes and fees are spread over multiple projects throughout the County. Q: At times I do not see anyone working on the road, why is that? A: Currently, we are waiting for the pavers to come and lay pavement which will occur end of this week. So, in one section you may not see anyone present. Please note that the work did not stop, it is transitioning to the next phase. The contractors are working toward a completion date of next summer (punch list completion - we'll be driving on all four lanes in spring); just because you don't see something does not mean that the project is not moving forward. Q: Will the manholes remain unevenly covered as they are now when the project is completed? A: No, they will have a final layer put down to even them out before completion. Q: Will Alafaya Trail have lighting? A: At the time the road is completed, there will be no lighting. The County discontinued the Lighting and Landscape Program back in 2009 due to the decline in our economy. In order for lighting to occur, the surrounding communities who are located on Alafaya Trail, including each resident, will have to agree that they would pay for the lighting through a Municipal Servicing Benefit Unit. Or, wait and see, if in future, funding becomes available. Q: Will Alafaya Trail have landscaping? A: There will be minimal landscaping once the road is completed. There is a Roadway Median Tree Grant Program that communities, civic organizations and businesses may apply for that would consist of planting trees over a 1/2 mile area. Funding is up to $15,000 and is a dollar for dollar match. A maintenance agreement must also be signed. Commissioner Thompson will host a meeting as we near completion to discuss applying for this grant. Q: Is a traffic light going to be installed at the intersection of Mark Twain and Alafaya? A: A traffic study was performed prior to the widening project and it did not warrant a light. Another study will be conducted once the project is completed and traffic resumes normally, to see if it would meet the requirements. Q: What is being done at the intersection of Mark Twain and Alafaya since it is hard to turn onto the road with the barrels and such? A: Currently, this intersection is being constructed and will be completed within the next 60 days. Once this intersection is completed, there will be an acceleration lane when turning northbound onto Alafaya and a place to pull out onto in the middle of the intersection when turning left. The traffic study, for a signal, will not take place until after the entire roadway project is completed. Q: The light at Golfway Blvd. and Alafaya seems short when turning onto Alafaya? A: The engineers will be reviewing the timing of the light this week to see if additional time can be added when turning out of the Eastwood community. Q: Will you be able to turn left out of the Publix at Golfway Blvd. heading south onto Alafaya? A: You will only be able to make a right turn out of the Publix shopping plaza heading north onto Alafaya. There will be a directional median for you to make a safe left turn into Publix heading south, before the light. However you will only be able to turn right when you exit. Other Roadway Questions: Q: When will Innovation Way be connected to the Beachline? A: There are three entities involved in making this happen: Orange County, The Expressway Authority and International Corporate Park (ICP). ICP is a major funding source and until development picks up, there is no estimated timeline for this project. Q: Why does Monument Parkway have a center lane and seem oddly designed? A: The center lane is for future bus transit. The bus lane was created as part of a long range vision. Q: When will the Rouse Rd./Lake Underhill project be completed? A: It is a four lane widening project that will be completed Fall of 2014. Q: How long is the widening of S.R. 50? And who is in charge? A: The widening project of S.R. 50 is occurring between Dean Rd. and Old Cheney. This is an FDOT managed and funded project. It is scheduled to start later this year. Q: When will Woodbury Rd. be widened? A: Currently a Woodbury Rd. widening is cost prohibitive and is not scheduled in the short range project plan (five year). The major costs of the project will be the widening of the bridge over 408 and the cost to acquire right of ways. Commissioner Thompson has been in talks regarding short-term improvements to the intersection of Woodbury Rd. and Lake Underhill Rd. and is working to obtain funding for design of this intersection improvement. FDOT has agreed to fund improvements to the intersection of Colonial Drive and Woodbury Rd. during the S.R. 50 improvements scheduled to begin later this year. If you have any further questions or concerns, please call my office at (407) 836-5916 or send me an email: Jennifer.thompson@ocfl.net. TIMBER CREEK HIGH NEWS Retrieved from TCH Newsletter SUMMER READING Students at Timber Creek read over the summer. Research has shown that students who do not read during summer months actually lose reading skills, while those who do read increase fluency and vocabulary. Our purpose for summer reading is for students to have fun and read books they enjoy. Books are available at the TCHS library, at the Orange County Public Library and at local bookstores like Barnes and Noble. Students can recommend books to their friends by going to http://destiny.ocps.net and clicking on Destiny Quest. Check the TCHS website for summer reading for English classes as well as required summer reading for Advance Placement classes. Don’t forget to do your summer reading. All assignments must be complete by the first Friday, August 23, 2013 that we are back to school. https://www.ocps.net/lc/east/htc/Pages/default.aspx. JUST GRADUATED SUPER SCHOLARS Kyle Muth – U.S. Military Academy (West Point) Nicholas Sumter – Emory University Matthew Cartier – Notre Dame Ye N Wong – Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University Rebecca Reichert – Emory, Davidson, Duke Celia Ford – Brown, Vassar, Rice Clinton Lavardera – U.S. Coast Guard Academy Andrew Barto – U.S. Airforce Academy. Martin Murillo – Cornell University Ryan Le – U.S. Naval Academy Alan Liou - University of Michigan NEW EATERIES ARE COMING OUR WAY by Ken Zook, Becky Black, & Lynn Simonton, Aleyda Morales, Brian Patton and Kyle WaWa. Yes, for you "Nor’Easterners" a WaWa is coming to Waterford Lakes. We were advised that there will be a new gas station coming to the corner of Woodbury Road and Colonial. For all of you who crave those great hoagie sandwiches, good coffee, and a little cheaper gas, be prepared to get yourself all fired up. We understand the construction will begin in the next few months. Bonefish Grill Bonefish Grill is opening up in the Waterford Park Business Complex (where BB&T is located across the street from McDonald’s on Lake Underhill). The restaurant will face the Alafaya side of the complex in the north end cap of the building. If you like seafood, get your fishing nets ready... AVALON PARK'S STILETTO NETWORK written by the Gazette Team PUBLISHING@APGAZETTE.COM As stated on Pamela Rycman website, the author of the Best Seller, Stiletto Network, the Stiletto Network is a story of female friendship—disguised as a business story, a tale of women banding together to improve lives and companies and communities, to realize their dreams and change the world.  Unless one has been in a vacuum this past election cycle or unaware of the critical decisions that are made today in the workplace, government, and most of all at home, by women leaders, the landscape is surely changing.  The Good Ol' Boy network has a significant and increasingly powerful foe, the Stiletto Network. Right here, in our quaint little community in East Orlando, Avalon Park, we have our very own Stiletto network, a group of committed leaders who are focused on improving the lives of their community every day.  As Rycman observed rightly, they are directly impacting our community hence impacting our lives....for the Good!  In this article, we will be celebrating some of the women who are impacting East Orlando, specifically Avalon Park. Veronica Figueroa Veronica is a Broker Owner of Remax Avalon Park, member of the Avalon Park Foundation, East Orlando Chamber of Commerce, and a community organizer. Dalia Cantor Dalia Cantor is a trusted Avalon Park CPA, owner of Avalon Park Accounting, a member of the Avalon Park Foundation, and  East Orlando Chamber of Commerce. Tracy Durham Tracy Durham heads up the Avalon Park Property Owner Association management company, Leland Management, has been heavily involved in the conception of many of Avalon Park events and foundations, including the first Gala and the foundation itself, a community advocate and acts as a committed liaison between the Elected AP Board and Neighbors. Brenda Kolbrich Brenda Kolbrich is Realtor, owner of Avalon School of Music, Elected Avalon Park Board Member, helped launched the Neighborhood Watch Program in Avalon Park, and an active community organizer. Stephanie Hodson Stephanie Hodson is an Elected Board Member, the Marketing director for Avalon Park Group, a community events coordinator and advocate, a past neighborhood watch coordinator for South Village. Jennifer Thompson Jennifer Thompson is our Elected Commissioner, an Avalon Park resident, and a staunch  East Orlando community advocate. Sheila Lafont Sheila Lafont is the bank manager of Fairwinds Credit Union, an Avalon Park Foundation member, a staunched community advocate and coordinator, and critical component in many of Avalon Park initiatives. AP ROTARY CLUB written by Heidi Cortassa, Avalon Park Neighbor hcortassa@gmail.com It’s Summer time.  Woohoo!  Pool parties and BBQ’s, camping trips and family vacations, all coming up soon. But if you find yourself board with nothing to do, Your Avalon Rotary Club would love to meet you. We have a blast. Here are some of the things we have done in the past. We’ve built wheelchair ramps, and sent High School kids to Rotary camps. We’ve supported Camelot Elementary school  and held senior pancake breakfasts in the heat. Seeing the joy on people’s faces, can’t be beat. We crowned Little Miss Avalon for the first time, she was cute, indeed. Those proceeds went to benefit The Mustard Seed. We’ve had fun on 5k runs and walks, Because we know that only action talks. We played in the kickball tournament, sponsored by the EOCC, I think that we all skinned our knees! Our last big event was a wine social, for 2 hours. The proceeds benefited a Non-Profit called IMPOWER. It was hosted at the “Grove Patio” at Milano’s Pizza; we’re going to do it monthly, It’s open to the public, so come out and see. For all the people we benefit, We could just write a check and be done with it.  But what fun would that be, Rotary has opened my eyes and now it’s the whole world I see, Not just a community. We invite you to come to one of our meetings.  We meet every Wednesday at 7:15am, at the South Village Community Center. Coffee and breakfast are complimentary.  The rewards are priceless. For more information, please visit our website at RotaryClubOfAvalonPark.org. EAST ORLANDO REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE 32828 by the Numbers! written by  Eddy Solon, 32828 Realtor, AP Resident Keller Williams Advantage Realty II http:///www.Realestate32828.com This past month, May, by the numbers:  58 single family homes sold in the 32828 zip code, the average price per square feet was around $94.12  (numbers taken from http://eastorlandorealestatenews.blogspot.com).  As of 06/19, there were  21 SHORT SALES and 16 FORECLOSURES homes for sale in all of Orlando. What does all this mean?  To put it into perspective, price per square feet increased about $3 from the previous month, and the availability of Short Sales and Foreclosures have decreased by more than 30%.    In addition, many Foreclosures are now being sold close to 2007 levels (pre-crash), hence many homeowners who once were up side down, can now list their homes as a traditional sale, and some may even pocket equity from the sale.    It is a very strong seller's market, hence if you are entertaining the idea of listing your home for sale, this would be a good time.   If considering selling, you must determine an estimate of what your home is worth or what you will need to begin the process.  MY JOURNEY: HOLLY LESNICK One Neighbor's Story written by Holly Lesnick, East Orlando Resident Director / Owner Licensed Kindermusik Educator holly@growandsing.com My philosophy in life has always been “to take opportunities as they come, and they will guide me along the way”. Yes, it’s good to have goals. Goals are important. But, in my journey, the one thing I always reflect back to, and realize is that just by letting life lead me, it has brought me to where I am now.  Where am I now?  I’m first and foremost, proud mom to my two amazing kids Anna (11) and Aiden (8), and wife to Will for almost 15 years. I’m a Kindermusik studio owner, and my studio is the top Kindermusik program in Florida, and in the top 1% of Kindermusik programs worldwide. My studio has classes all over Central Florida, has become our family business always following my mission to “Connect Families Through the Magic of Music”. We proudly live in East Orlando.  How did it all begin?  Wow, my first thought is how far back do I go? Well, I have to say that even from the time I was 4 years old, I was taught to be strong and push forward. To always work hard and dream big. I learned this from my mom, who was forced to raise me and my sister alone after my father passed away from Leukemia. I watched my mom grow her career, be mother and father to us, keep us in our home, and despite the odds come out thriving and strong. My mother, from the time I can remember always encouraged my love of music and singing. She sensed my passion and encouraged me along the way.  We moved to Florida after my mother remarried (I was 12), where I continued to remain strong as I adjusted to new surroundings and found a new life here. Music was always my comfort in and out of school, and I continued to sing my heart out. My mother found me a fabulous vocal coach, and my stepfather was my biggest fan. This led me to an audition at Florida State University School of Music, and into the amazing Music Therapy program at FSU where I earned my Bachelors of Music Therapy in Voice. During my time at FSU, my stepfather passed away, but I kept strong and continued following my passion.  My career started in the area of geriatrics. I would spend each day bedside with Alzheimer's and dementia patients, helping them recall memories of the past, or creating tunes to help them put words together to aid in their speech. It was touching and rewarding. I then moved to the rehabilitation area of music therapy, helping drug addicts, and psychiatric patients in a lock up facility. Through guided imagery, lyric writing and pure singing, my goal was always to help people connect. Connect to their lives in a positive way. I then became an activities director for an independent retirement apartment complex where I led music and had a chorus among other activities.  So how did I come to owning my own studio and teaching children? Well, I can thank my daughter Anna for that. I proudly became a mother in October of 2001. A time 911 just occurred and the whole world was just confused and scared. Including me. My husband was running our family video production business, shooting weddings and corporate videos, and all I wanted was to be a stay and home mom and protect my little girl. When Anna was 3 months old, I took her to her first Kindermusik class. I missed music SO much and was thrilled to be back where I felt at “home”. From the moment I stepped into that first Kindermusik class, it was love at first sight. I was quickly recruited by the studio owner/teacher at the time, and during Anna’s first year of life, went through the online training to become licensed to teach Kindermusik. What an amazing opportunity to keep music in my life in an environment that was perfect for my new baby. I taught just a couple classes a week at that time and loved every second. In 2004 when I was pregnant with my son, my Kindermusik mentor and boss closed up her program and moved with her family up North. At the time, I couldn’t teach anyway as I was nice and largely pregnant. BUT, when my son Aiden was 6 weeks old in 2005, I was ready to start singing and dancing with him around other families and the opportunity wasn’t there. And so, Grow and Sing Studios, my studio was born. Along with the help of another music friend and teacher of mine, we started with two classes back to back on a Thursday. I taught the toddler class, so she could bring her daughter, and she taught the baby class so I could bring my son. It was perfect. I was content.  So why grow?  This takes me back to my original philosophy “to take opportunities as they come, and they will guide me along the way”. Over the years, I’ve been approached by other wonderful musicians and teachers hoping to teach classes for my studio. Back at the beginning especially, I had no plans to hire anyone, add anything, or grow anything. Then I met these wonderful people and decided that they needed to join me, that they were meant to join me, and we would find the work for them. Little by little, step by step, song by song, we’ve somehow grown into this fun, bustling, studio of ten licensed educators, along with other assistants, teachers and office staff. Each time an idea, or curriculum that sounds fun is introduced to me, I embrace it and we keep adding. So now, we do music, art, mommy and me workshops, baby signing, and so many other cool things. We even created a DVD for parents to engage their children at home. My business model is not to have a standing retail space in one location. As nice as that sounds some days, my studio spreads its’ wings all over Central Florida, and brings music to tons of areas that ask for it! As I like to say, we are “traveling minstrels”. I believe in creating partnerships with other local business and helping each other. Among the many partners I have, we are thrilled to offer our classes at Avalon Dance and are proud of that partnership. What a gift, to be connected to all the amazing people and businesses in our community!  It has now become REAL! As we all know the economy had a hard hit in past years. While my studio keeps growing in these hard economic times, our video production company, like so many other small businesses declined. My husband and I had to do a huge amount of soul searching. Our children have known a life with mom and dad around, following their passions but my husband  started applying for full time positions, while I started wondering what was to come of my studio since he has been a huge help to me. We started preparing our children that life was going to change in some way. This was okay. But as I’ve always done, found another opportunity and presented it to my family. You see, my husband is just as musical as I am. He’s a wonderful musician, and teacher and so, instead of sizing down, and going for the full time corporate jobs, we’ve jumped in HEAD FIRST! We’ve brought on a new curriculum of piano lessons called Simply Music, and my husband Will is now a full time member of my team! Grow and Sing Studios is now our family business and I couldn’t be more proud. Each day, I hear the sounds of piano students ringing the doorbell, and learning amazing piano from Mr. Will, my daughter Anna loves assisting me while I teach, and my son just graduated from my studio.  I began Kindermusik because of my daughter. I created Grow and Sing Studios because of my son. Our family life is now music, and if that isn’t “Connecting Families Through the Magic of Music”, well… I don’t know what is. SOCIAL ME Here's what's on Social Media: Avalon Park Foundation: 4th of July Firecracker Run Avalon Park Foundation's 2nd Annual Firecracker 5K. Registration is $20 and begins on June 8th at www.avalonparkfoundation.org. Participants receive a t-shirt and a special Fourth of July item! Pasta Pick Up Party on July 3rd at Broadway Pizza, where participants receive a special discount. Wear your shirt into Broadway on the 4th and receive a FREE draft beer! Avalon Park Foundation 3680 Avalon Park Blvd. East, Orlando, Florida 32828 View Map · Get Directions AP GAZETTE OPPORTUNITIES   Be Engaged . Contribute . Make a Difference As a new and growing newsletter, we have many opportunities for neighbors to contribute and volunteer their writing talents and time to help build community.  We are a group of volunteers.  Below are several positions still needing to be filled: 1.  Reviewers- to review final submittal of newsletters prior to publishing 2.  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). 3.  Sports Contributor-   To discuss East Orlando Sports, anything from little league and up 4.  Political Contributors-   Discuss local politics that impact East Orlando Residents along with other Political contributors To be able to participate, you must be an East Orlando resident, if writing, submit an article prior to 3rd Thursday of the Month 12:00 pm, and send your interest and brief description of your background to Publishing@apgazette.com   Keep in mind, any neighbor can submit an article. 5.  Safety Contributor- Preferably someone in law enforcement who lives or patrol our community to provide monthly contribution on safety trends, practices, and awareness.  6. Tell us your story- Have a personal story about a triumph or a life transition that took place and you think it will benefit others, tell us your story by emailing publishing@apgazette.com 7.  Have A Birthday or Anniversary coming up, Email us and we will showcase it in the associated issue.  Email publishing@apgazette.com (This Newsletter is not affiliated or represent Avalon Park POA Newsletter and is independently ran by Neighbors for Neighbors)