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HOW TO GET OUT A FUNK?
written by Linda Bilyeu (Sunshine), Village 2
Avalon Park Resident
Lindabilyeu@gmail.com
What The Funk?
Who hasn't ever been in a funk? The signs might not be obvious at first, but eventually you realize what's going on. You feel like life has sunk to another level. You just don't have the drive or motivation to do anything.
No matter what you attempt to do it feels like a struggle. You wonder if you might have a case of the blues. You just might. Or you could just be in a funk. Or possibly being in a funk is considered the blues to you. You might wonder, "How the funk did this happen?"
Funks could happen when you least expect them. They come from out of the blue. Possibly it's your brains way of letting you know to slow the funk down and allow it to rest a bit. Burn-out could cause a funk.
Excessive stress could bring on the funk. No one enjoys the funk. It's basically like carrying around a load of junk you'd rather stow away in a trunk.
To funk or not to funk...
There are different types of funks. They could be related to work, family, friends, relationships or even the weather. You ponder, shake your head and think, "What the funk is going on?"
The first most important step in getting over the funk is admitting you are in the funk mode. Have you ever admitted that you were in a funk and feel like total gunk? At one time or another we all have. Funky moods come and go. They are similar to hunks. A hunk doesn't last forever, his looks are bound to fade one day.
You could refer to a funk as depression, the blues, hormones or just a bad mood. Upon the acceptance of the funky mood disorder I suggest you do something to change it. Life is too short to be anything but happy and content.
No matter what life tosses at you there is always light at the end of the tunnel. You will survive. You are the only one who could get yourself out of a funky mood. I don't suggest depending on someone else to make you happy. Remember that you might have put the unk in funk, but you also have the power to push it aside and tell it to "funk off!"
The old saying "If mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy" applies to everyone, not just mama. The funk has no age limitations. It could happen to any of us at any time. Even a child who is in a funk could make life chaotic for all around them.
The good news is that being in a funk is temporary. We learn from funks. It takes time, but with patience you could learn to appreciate your funky moods. They could actually be beneficial in one way or another. If there's something you don't want to do or someone you don't want to see just tell them you are in a funk and most likely they will give you some space.
Funks aren't all that bad. It's okay to wallow in self-pity and comfort yourself once in a while. This is our way of protecting our emotions. It's not okay to lash out on someone else due to your funky mood. As a matter of fact that's just funked up! Think before you speak or act. The repercussions might not be worth it in the long run.
Show some spunk, don't be a punk and let that funk win. Just say "funk it!"
Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc
How to get de-funked!
Just say NO! You don't have to do everything whenever someone requests your assistance. You will not be penalized if you think of yourself sometimes.
Retail therapy! Treat yourself to something nice. Spend within your limits. Credit card debt could cause a funk in itself. A new blouse or pair of shoes could lift your mood if only temporary, but it's a start!
Take a vacation from life. Whether by reading a book, watching a movie or spending an evening away from home. Of course if it's in your budget and you could take a Mediterranean cruise by all means go right ahead!
Adopt a pet. Having a furry, adorable creature to shower with love could help alleviate a funk. They offer unconditional love to their owners.
Join an online support group if you are facing a difficult challenge. There are support groups for almost everything under the sun! You would have the opportunity to make new friends. You could also help others which is a funk reliever in itself.
Begin a new hobby. When your heart is fulfilled with an action that brings you joy your elation shines outward and becomes contagious.
Exercise. I can not emphasize how vital a workout is. Burning calories release endorphins which aides in boosting your happy mood. 30 minutes a day is all that's needed to feel good mentally and look good physically. In return when you look good you feel good. It's a win-win situation.
Plan something that you could look forward to. Whether it's a dinner party, a picnic in the park, a get together with family or friends.
De-clutter your life. Out with the old and in with the new. Regardless if it's people or things. Clutter effects our way of thinking. It's baggage that weighs us down. The less clutter in your life, chances are the better your mood will be.
Always remember that someone somewhere is thinking of you and wishes you only the best. They might not share this with you for one reason or another, but relish those feel good moments.
If all else fails I suggest getting drunk to get rid of your funk. Granted it might be temporary, but hopefully you will have a good time.
Play The Funky Music - Wild Cherry
In addition...
Disclaimer: Only a medical professional could supply an accurate diagnosis.
If your mood is a daily occurrence and doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon a visit to your doc is probably in order.
Side note: To all my amazing friends and family who have ever been in a funk...I wish for you more sunshine-filled days and less funky ones.
You are awesome and that someone who is sending you feel good vibes is most likely me! Keep on shining! |
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THE PLIGHT OF PALADIN
An Avalon Park Business Story
Jacob Engles, East Orlando Post
Kingsley Montgomery, owner of Paladin Tech & Game, which is located in Downtown Avalon Park says he might have to move because of abnormally high rent increases. Montgomery also says he is concerned about the Property Manager's business practices.
My interview with Kingsley Montgomery is below:
Aside from the high rent and the recent substantial increase, have you experienced any other roadblocks? How are their (the Property Manager) relations with tenants?
First, let me say that most of the people that actually work at the management office are great, and have been a lot of help over the years. I have frequently been dismayed by their business practices, however.
They recently allowed us to try tattooing to increase our revenue, since they have known for years that retail stores have a particularly tough time in Avalon, and I told them that Paladin may not be viable for much longer. It was good of them to agree to it, but they promptly announced a large rent increase, which counteracts the reason for the addition of new services. That will keep me from ever getting ahead on my accounts. I understand business, but using your position as landlord to be somewhat of a financial bully is out of sorts, especially in a neighborhood like Avalon, where almost everyone who owns a business also lives within or adjacent to Avalon. It is not like they are doing poorly and needs the money – quite the contrary. Paladin has over 2,000 active customers in our database, only about half from the 32828 area code. We contribute a lot to the other businesses by pulling in people from out of the area. And yet all we have been able to do is struggle.
Parking is a problem, and has been for a while. On two occasions in the last week I had to park over by the live-to-work units because there was no spot near the store. When I bring that up, and I started bringing it up at tenant meetings years ago, all I get is shrugs. Businesses like restaurants and retail need parking close by to be effective.
Signage has also been a problem. Given the rent we already pay, and the amount of common area maintenance fees that are a part of the monthly rent package, every store in Avalon Downtown should get a sign on Alafaya. A few years ago the management company attempted to get businesses to “buy” sign real-estate for thousands of dollars each, but that flopped because they got few takers – because most businesses in Avalon cannot afford that. The signage should come with the lease. It would help advertise and pull in people along the road (and it continues to amaze me how many Avalon residents that don’t know what shops are in their back yard). There was even talk about using the large billboard sign on Avalon Boulevard and Colonial to advertise the downtown area, but nothing came of that, either.
Both parking and signage would go a long way in helping the local businesses. But, really, the rent is the biggest obstacle. The rates are comparable to Waterford Town Center. Waterford Towers, across from the main plaza, has rent rates 20-30% cheaper and a much larger traffic flow (many times as much). Every other place along Alafaya is cheaper still. These neighborhood style business areas are not in premium shopping areas, so the rent price is baffling.
We had some major vandalism one night a couple years ago, and I wanted to install a camera outside near our door but was denied. I then asked them to put some cameras up, as a deterrent and possible way to catch vandals and thieves. They did eventually put some up, but only to cover the Flats apartments, not the shops. That should have been an easy thing to accomplish. That one act of vandalism cost me thousands of dollars (insurance deductible did not limit it). The dozen or so known acts of theft since then have cost us hundreds more. I even stopped reporting theft because nothing was ever done about it, except to have me fill out lots of paperwork to not hold Orange County Sheriff’s Department responsible for finding the perp…what? But, that is another subject.
How long have you been considering a move out of Avalon Park for Paladin?
I have thought about it for a couple years, but not seriously until this year. We cannot grow any further in Avalon because of the space, parking situation, and rent cost. I believe all three would have to be improved to fix the problem – they are all important.
What kind of increases would you need to see in sales at Paladin in order for you to stay in Avalon Park?
Paladin would have to increase sales by about 30% to make any money at all in Avalon, if I remove my supplemental business income (which was the plan; after 3 years I expected the shop to survive on its own). Before the rent increase, we pretty much broke even every month with the supplemental income, with any rare profits going to pay down debts.
I have been supplementing the shop’s income for years with a secondary business that I actually do out of my house (it has nothing to do with the shop, in fact) – we sell compatible printer ink/toner and some electronics parts to local schools, churches, and businesses. In fact, it was that successful business venture that allowed me to open the shop. Now, all of that money goes to keeping the store afloat. One day I would actually like to profit from all of my work. That will never happen so long as the rent continues to go up.
What can the local community do to make sure you stay in Avalon Park?
Much of the problem is not the management company. The single largest hit to retail small businesses has been Internet e-tailer discounters. Internet sales are like the Walmart effect times a hundred (Walmart put thousands of local businesses out of business, effectively concentrating the wealth to a select few in that company). I believe this is one of the largest contributors to our job problem in the country – the loss of local businesses. The sad thing is, if the Internet played on a level playing field – not steeply discounting and having to pay sales taxes, it would not interfere with local business nearly as much. If everyone in the Avalon-Waterford corridor simply shopped local, I believe Paladin would be fine, even in Avalon.
I also believe that residents need to defend their local businesses more. They need to let the management company know that the shops are part of life in a planned community, and they should be treated better.
Anything big happening for Paladin this year? What's your gamechanger for 2014?
Tattooing is our big addition this year. We hope to bring in enough to offset the rent increase and also make a little more so I can give raises to my employees (which is more important to me than gaining a couple thousand dollars a year for myself). My intent prior to the rent increase was to give out raises for 2014 and hopefully pay off more of our debt. Sadly, the rent increase will likely eat up most of that.
Tattoos have become a much more accepted part of personal lifestyle, especially among the younger generation, and I believe we can provide a much nicer environment for it than the usual dark and often seedy tattoo parlors. Our resident artist is awesome, and will also be doing custom art work like game play mats, portraits, and painted miniatures.
We are also pushing to up our attendance for card and miniatures tournaments and leagues. These did well the first couple years, but then slacked off in 2011-2013. Much was due the home foreclosure nightmare that forced many of our customers out of the area. The resulting demographics shift has been terrible for most businesses. That has improved a little lately, and we are hoping to capitalize on it. Seeing new apartments go up in a couple places nearby should also help. |
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Orlando's Biggest Yard Sale has been set for March 8th, 2014!
Saturday March 8th is the Spring Avalon Park Yard Sale! With hundreds of local families participating, we’ve held Orlando’s biggest community yard sale for 8 years. Shoppers are expected to visit from as far away as Daytona and Tampa in search of deals.
The hub of this activity is the sale’s website, AvalonYardSale.com, which also functions as a free classifieds site. As families sign up to participate, they get listed on an interactive Google Map with an address and a list of items they’re selling, as general or specific as they choose. This helps visitors plan what parts of the neighborhood they’ll visit first. Signup is quick and easy via a link on the site.
This year’s fall sale is Saturday, March 8th, from 8am to 4pm. For more information, visit http://www.AvalonYardSale.com
Email <mailto:chris@avalonyardsale.com> chris@avalonyardsale.com with any questions. |
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ORANGE COUNTY NEWS
Orange County 2014 Citizen Planner Academy
New Classes Beginning in March
Have you ever wondered how citizens influence decisions about development, neighborhoods, and public projects? Local governments like Orange County engage the public through the planning process. Citizen Planner Academy is a series of classes designed to educate the public about planning principles, the land development processes in Orange County, and special topics within the planning field. A primary focus and unifying theme to the classes is sustainability, a concept that encourages consideration of long-term environmental and economic outcomes.
For more information, contact Tina Burnett at 407-836-5621 or Tina.Burnett@ocfl.net.
Monthly Adopt-A-Tree
Saturday, February 15th ~ 8am to 12pm
Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, 32808
This is a FREE program for all Orange County citizens designed to encourage residents to add trees to our environment. Adding trees to the landscape has many long-term benefits. Along with the obvious advantages of shade and beauty, trees provide oxygen, filter pollution, and create habitats for wildlife. In addition, trees replenish our lost tree canopy that has diminished due to storm damage, age, and development. Each county resident must provide proof of residency and will receive up to two trees while supplies last. |
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EAST ORLANDO SAFETY
32828 Statistics: Zone 22B
Retrieved from OCSO Website
Safety@apgazette.com
While 47 incidents were reported last Newsletter, 51 incidents were reported this month in our zone, which includes Avalon Park Area and surrounding communities. Based on the data available, there were 37 Auto Burglaries, 2 Commercial Burglaries, 7 Residential Burglaries, and 6 Stolen Vehicles..
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 four 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. |
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MY BUSINESS JOURNEY
An Avalon Park Business Story
Tiffany Britain
tbrittain@abrakadoodle.com
My name is Tiffany Hill Brittain and I am the Director and Owner of Abrakadoodle of Orlando based here in Avalon Park. Abrakadoodle is an art education franchise that offers programs for children and I must say that I am truly blessed to have finally landed in a place where I am able to do something that I am extremely passionate about. Here is my business
journey.
I graduated from the University of Maryland-College Park with a degree in Business Administration. Coming out of a very competitive business program on an academic scholarship, everyone assumed that I would be gunning for corporate America. When actually all I really wanted to do was dance and travel the world. I immediately struggled with the idea of what I thought I was supposed to do and what I really wanted to do. I have had a long love affair with the arts having spent many years as a dancer but I could not figure out how to marry my formal education with my passion for the arts. It wasn't until about 5 years after I graduated that I discovered a career as an arts administrator.
I was at that time working as the Business Manager for an architecture firm based in Washington, DC and the company had moved me to south Florida to open up a satellite office. This was the end of August in 2011. Just a few weeks later tragedy struck our country on September 11th and within a few months the firm ended up closing the Florida location because like many other companies, they were not able to weather the economic storm.
I started looking for a job but in the meantime signed up to volunteer with a couple of arts organizations. Somehow, I landed a part-time job as a bookkeeper with one of the organizations where I was volunteering. It was the Executive Director of this organization that said, "Hey, your skill set is just what we need. Someone that understands business with a background in the arts. Have you ever considered a job as an arts administrator?" I had no idea that such a job existed, but she offered it, I took it and I had never been so excited about my work before. I worked with that non-profit arts organization for nearly seven years. In that time I have had the
chance meet world famous performing and visual artists, to travel to India to study dance, to make a real difference in the lives of the people in my community and even had one of my art programs featured in Southern Living Magazine. I was living every bit of the dream I never knew I could have.
The one thing that was missing in my professional life was autonomy. I wanted freedom and I didn't care how hard I had to work to get it.
At a very introspective period in my life (way before I became a wife and mommy), I wrote a personal mission statement about how I wanted my work to affect three things that were extremely important to me: My Freedom, My Family and My Faith. This is what I wrote:
Work and Freedom: My work must give me the freedom to create, the freedom to learn, the freedom to create personal challenges and the latitude to meet them, the freedom to take a break when needed, the freedom to choose the type of work and clients to serve, the freedom to choose who to work with and the freedom to choose how my time is spent.
Work and Family: My work must enable me to support my family both immediate and global by creating jobs, by encouraging entrepreneurship, by contributing to the economic growth and development of my community, and by giving me the freedom to be actively involved in their lives.
Work and Faith: My work must be an expression of my faith and the fulfillment of the calling that God has placed on my life.
To this day, my personal mission statement remains taped to my desk as a reminder of what my work is supposed to mean to me. I am blessed that with the support of my husband and family that I am living in accordance with my personal mission statement as an Abrakadoodle franchise owner. As a company, Abrakadoodle aspires to maintain the highest standards in arts education. Their curriculum, their mission and even their code of conduct makes me proud to be a part of their organization.
So you see, this is not just my company but rather my life's work. My passion for the arts, my talents in business, my love of children, my community and my family all have a place in my work. I work extremely hard as a small business owner, but I love every minute of it and I look forward
to being a large part of the cultural fabric of this community for years to come. |
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REAL ESTATE 32828
written by Eddy Solon, 32828 Realtor, AP Resident
Remax Avalon Park
http:///www.Realestate32828.com
For Foreclosures listings, Home Valuations, and for investors looking for homes under $100K in Orlando, please visit http://www.Realestate32828.com
The Latest price per square feet on homes sold in the 32828 can also be located on the site.
If considering selling, you must determine an estimate of what your home is worth or what you will need to begin the process.
HGTV may be coming to Avalon Park
The producers of HGTV contacted me this past week and are interested in working with my team. They found me online.
HGTV, House Hunters, was inquiring if I have any interesting buyers that would like to be on the show. I have sent them a handful of buyers that I am currently working with who have agreed, but told them that I will reach out to my sphere also.
They are pretty much looking for Buyers who understand how the show is formatted, fans are wanted:
1. Buyers who can articulate their wish list, needs, and wants
2. Buyers who can expressively share their disappointments and likes on camera
3. Buyers who can clearly discuss their journey, their need to move
Time frame of purchase, 1-2 month must be available for 5 days of shoot.
If you know of any interested buyers, please have them email Realestate32828@gmail.com
Please be sure to like our page to keep up to date on the latest https://www.facebook.com/Realestate32828
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TIMBER CREEK NEWS
Retrieved from TCH Newsletter
Service Learning Council Wins State
Award The TCHS Service Learning Council won the State of
Florida Green School Award in the class category. SLC teacher, Mrs. Doromal and the council presidents, Jesus Magdaleno and Jessica Gokool, received the award at the Florida Green School Network ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on October 29, 2013.
The class was recognized for expanding the green curriculum to encourage upcycling and for promoting a culture of sustainability. Students created four life size board games to promote environmental stewardship, sponsored a telephone
book recycling drive, hosted a Trash-in Fashion Show, created Earth Day event activities for TCHS and Sunrise Elementary School; created 24 K-12 environmental activities for the OCPS Green Day Event, raised money to build a well in the Sudan,
hosted a Green Holiday event, partnered with the Global Peace Film Festival to show environmental films, and educated the school and community about environmental issues including habitat preservation, recycling and upcycling and conservation.
The award ceremony featured the programs of student, class, teacher, school and district finalists. The class received a beautiful plaque made from recycled woods and metals and $500. Last year Mrs. Doromal won the State of Florida Green School Award in the teacher category.
TCHS Sports
Girls Golf Team Makes History
We would love to congratulate the Timber Creek Girls Golf Team on their many accomplishments this past season:
1. Metro Eastside Champions. Finished the tournament 26 strokes ahead of the second place team
2. District Champions. Finished 7 strokes ahead of the second place team.
3. Fourth Place in the Regional Championship. These places are the first time in school history the Girls Team has finished this high in one season.
The following girls make up the winning team: Alice Hwang, Allison Hall, Julie Silvers, Ally Lindsay, Jocelyn Montero, Ceci Howard and McKenna Hall. |
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GOODFELLA'S PIZZA
Same Place, Same time...
Over a Decade of Quality Pizza and Italian Cuisine in East Orlando
As a New Yorker, Pizza is very important to our social being, so when I found myself in Orlando, almost 15 years ago, I really thought to myself that I am going to miss out on some authentic thin sliced cheese stretching pizza, until I discovered Good Fellas Pizza.
Good Fella's Pizza not only stands as a beacon of hope in a dilapidated shopping mall (the Old Publix Plaza on 50 and Alafaya) which now adds to its charms, but the quality of food and service is Bar none. My family and friends have been going to this restaurant for over a decade and during this time, the service has remained superior. There are very few places today that places so much emphasis on care and quality in food and service.
Although they do deliver to Avalon Park, I definitely recommend a dining in experience. This place is one of East Orlando's best kept secret, but I guess now, the cats out the bag.... Make sure you treat this jewel with the utmost care!
Address: 11865 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32817
Phone:(407) 658-6615
http://goodfellasorlando.com/
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Interested in Submitting an Article
Articles are due by the third Thursday of the Month, email them to Publishing@apgazette.com
You understand by Submitting an article:
1. It may be edited to fit in the issue without my input
2. All final edits are completed by Avalon Park Gazette Reviewers and Editors in conjunction with the contributor, when deemed necessary
3. I will abide by AP Gazette creed, To build community one issue at a time through practical, informative, and lifestyle oriented articles in commitment with Integrity, Trust, Good will and Honesty.
4. I will submit to final edits made by the AP Gazette Team with my input when deemed necessary or without at the discretion of the AP Gazette Reviewers and Editors
5. I will submit an article before the 3rd Thursday of the month prior to 12 pm to be considered.
6. My article may or may not be considered or may be used in a future article under the sole discretion of the AP Gazette Reviewers and Editors.
If you do not agree, please do not submit an article.
AP Gazette Opportunities
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 |
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