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Timber Creek
Greetings from the Principal, Gabriel Berrio
March 2014 Newsletter
Greetings Timber Creek Wolves!
Please pay particular attention to upcoming test dates such as FCAT, End of Course Exams, AP Testing, etc. Thank you to all of our students and parents and community for all of your continuous support. We are very proud of our “A” grade as we continue to prepare students for college and career. Thank you to the entire TCHS community for being a part of making this possible. TCHS Wolves demonstrate every day that being part of an “A” school is not just about getting good grades or passing a test. It is about giving back and helping others and helping create and maintain a great community.
We have many more student organizations than can be listed on a newspaper message. Fortunately, we see what amazing things they do every day through food drives, volunteer hours, mentoring, and a giving spirit. I want to take a moment to recognize all students for a wonderful year thus far. Thank you students especially the many of you who have taken on leadership roles either through SGA, NHS, BETA, ROTC, PIT Crew, athletics, extracurricular and co-curricular teams and clubs. I want to send a special special thank you to seniors, who have truly led the way in many areas, and will be graduating soon. Graduation is less than 3 months away on Friday May 30 at UCF at 3 PM. Seniors, if you are on track to graduate, make sure you stay on track. Any senior who is not on track to graduate has been notified and given options for getting back on track.
College Prep Night College Prep Night
will be on Thursday, April 17th from 6:00-8:30pm. This is a fantastic opportunity for TCHS parents and students to obtain up to date information on various topics such as Scholarships Tips, Financial Aid, Resume writing, Careers, Test Prep and post-Secondary Options. This night of workshops will prepare students and parents for their next steps in college planning. We hope to see you there. |
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Funny Haikus For Friends
Written by Linda Bilyeu
To my funny friends...
Friends are the family we choose. No matter how long you have known your friends, you will have everlasting memories to share. Even if you have never met your friends because they live in your computer, chances are your memories will be even more significant.
Friends come in to our lives for a reason. I firmly believe there is no coincidence when some one enters our part of the world. We might never know the reason, but we sure do appreciate the friendship.
Friends leave our lives, for one reason or another. But, it's what they leave behind that matters most. We learn from one another. We teach each other something we might have never known.
I love my friends. I have quite a few funny friends. We have made many memories that made me laugh out loud. This haiku tribute is for you...
Haikus for Friends
We snort while laughing
hilarious as can be
we might even pee
Late as usual
lame excuses make us smile
early bird never
Always have your back
defense mechanisms up
never fear my dear
Bickering we do
back and forth all through the day
what more can we say
Mambo jerk and twerk
fabulous and funny friends
gyrate to music
Debates are habit
opinionated we are
chuckle till the end
Coffee tea or wine
always prepared with a fix
good to the last drop
Tears from a break up
once again lessons are learned
time to fix make up
Borrowing outfits
vanishing never return
till the next party
Hormonal mood swings
attacking the innocent
watch out she might blow
Wicked witches not
no potion in our cauldron
leave room for our broom
Shapes of all sizes
curvaceous bodies galore
size doesn't matter
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Rise in Crime or Rise in Fear?
Avalon Park Community, how safe are we?
Written by Publishing@apgazette.com
Perspective
About this time last year, Avalon Park and surrounding communities had triple as many auto burglaries, and twice as many Residential burglaries, yet, in the past couple months, it has been reported otherwise. Arrests are up and crime is down, but tuning in to the local news station or participating in some of our very own, Avalon Park groups, some most likely heard differently... very differently. Why is that? Has there been an actual rise in crime or rise in fear?
Potential for Paranoia
The statistics do not lie. So one must ask, if there has not been a rise in crime, What gives?
Any volunteered base organization compromised of neighbors who essentially came together to help build safer neighborhoods must always consider, understand and respect the factor of Paranoia and how it plays in the reporting and education of crime in their own community. Unchecked and ignored, this factor can diminish the effect of reporting, the neighborhood overall safety standing, and the legitimacy of the program. Why? Although, the roots of many fear are legitimate, the scope and magnitude of the problem becomes greatly exaggerated through word of mouth and story telling. This exaggeration along with a string of notifications within a short window, becomes the Fact, We are not Safe!
Where as, a community which has no program in place and a weak network of awareness, actually appears to be a safer neighborhood then one that is reporting crime and are actively engage in community safety. It really is not fair, but it is what happens. Hence, as participants of such a program, it is more then imperative that everyone takes ownership of a factor that can diminish the programs ability to be effective, the Potential of Paranoia. These responsible stakeholders must take personal responsibility and be accountable for the tone of reports, the frequency, and how it will be received.
How do we begin to achieve this? Three simple things to consider:
1. Always put everything in perspective- The facts alone speak for themselves. We are one of the safest neighborhoods in all of Orlando
2. Remember to always keep it positive- Positiveness and good community relationships help foster better communication and stronger relationships
3. Be in it for Safety and nothing else- If you are taking part of a program to become well known within the community or build your own name, it will show. Safety, the community overall standing, and building strong alliances should all be key factors in building a strong program.
In Conclusion...
We are very fortunate to be a part of a community in Avalon Park in comparison to simply living in a neighborhood. There are so many neighborhoods in Orange County, but we have such a great opportunity to engage with different groups of neighbors daily due to the infrastructure of networks that has been established for neighbors by neighbors. By understanding factors that can be in our control, it surely can aid in making our community stronger.
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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.
If you know of any interested buyers, please have them email Realestate32828@gmail.com
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Avalon Park 3rd Annual Summer Flag Football Camp 2014
mbstrainingclub@gmail.com
June 9th-13th
9:00 am -12:00 pm
Location:
Avalon Middle School Football Field
Register online at:
www.mbstrainingclub.org
Cost: $75
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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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ABSOLUTELY AVALON
APRIL 5, 2014
5-9PM
Avalon Park
Come and see what makes Avalon Park Absolutely Incredible, Absolute Avalon. Festival of Avalon Park, a Free Family Event, Bounce Park, Laser Light Show, Live Music, Vendors, Food, Art, Hot Air Balloon Rides, cotton candy and More!
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ORANGE COUNTY NEWS
Save the date! Save the date! Save the date!
2014 Florida Neighborhoods Conference
July 10 to July 12, 2014
Loews Royal Pacific Hotel
6900 Hollywood Way Blvd
In lieu of holding the Community Conference, NPRD and the City of Orlando will be hosting the 2014 Florida Neighborhoods Conference.
Click here for more information.
Monthly Adopt-A-Tree
Saturday, April 12th ~ 8am to 12pm
South Econ Park, 3800 S. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, 32829
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.
For more information, contact Tina Burnett at 407-836-5621 or Tina.Burnett@ocfl.net.
Sustainable Orange County Community Workshops
Monday, April 7th ~ 6pm to 8pm
BCC Chambers, 201 S. Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, 32802
Our Sustainability Plan, known as "Our Home for Life," continues our efforts to create a future in which Orange County will be known as the best place in the world to live, work, play and raise a family. This plan focuses on economic, environmental, societal, and cultural factors that will enhance our quality of life.
As part of this effort, we are holding a community workshop on Thursday, March 13, at the Orange County's Board of County Commissioners Chambers from 6pm to 7:30pm. Citizens will learn more about our sustainability efforts and are invited to provide their input on what our community can do to ensure that our region will be an even better home for generations to come. We encourage you to participate in one of these workshops to share your ideas about how to create a more prosperous, healthy, livable, and connected community.
Workshop topics include:
* Natural resources
* Community
* Built environment
* Mobility
* Arts and culture
* Education
* Civic engagement
If you are interested in attending one of these workshops, please follow this link to register for the event:https://sustainableoccommunityworkshop.eventbrite.com.
An innovative workshop format has been designed to provide everyone the opportunity to participate in creating a sustainable Orange County. If you cannot attend one of the workshops, you may provide your input on our PlaceSpeak page: www.placespeak.com/ochomeforlife.
You may also learn more about our sustainability planning efforts on our website: www.ochomeforlife.net.
Thursday, April 17 - 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Orange County Extension Education Center (6021 S. Conway Rd., Orlando 32812) |
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EAST ORLANDO SAFETY
32828 Statistics: Zone 22B
Retrieved from OCSO Website
Safety@apgazette.com
While 54 incidents were reported last Newsletter, 30 incidents were reported this month in our zone, which includes Avalon Park Area and surrounding communities. Based on the data available, there were 0 Arm to Person Robbery, 12 Auto Burglaries, 2 Commercial Burglaries, 12 Residential Burglaries, 5 Stolen Vehicles, and 0 Strong Arm to Person Robbery..
Every month Auto Burglaries are the most common incident reported in our area. In this Issue, we included a separate article specifically discussing safety tips for securing one's vehicle. We definitely have an opportunity to bring down these numbers drastically through education and awareness every month.
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.
Hey, Your Fly Is Open
But more importantly, your door is unlocked
by Dennis Horazak, Neighborly Reporter
Guys, we’ve all been there. At one time or another almost very one of us either told someone else, or was told by someone else, that a zipper was left unzipped. A lot of women do the same thing when another woman’s dress tag is out or some other wardrobe piece is malfunctioning.
Gentle notification is a courteous thing to do, a low-cost way of paying it forward. So let’s talk about burglary. (Stay with me here.) There have been a lot of thefts from unlocked
vehicles in the greater Orlando area, including Waterford Lakes, Avalon Park, and beyond. Last month the sheriff’s office parked an electronic sign at the island tip of Woodbury and Lake Underhill warning us “Lock Your Vehicle.” Now the sign has been moved to another location but the problem is still here – unlocked vehicles and garages.
Last year one of our neighbors complained that someone stole her credit-card-filled wallet and designer purse out of her unlocked car, and another complained that someone walked into his open garage in the middle of the night and stole his air compressor. I’ve talked to people in five other neighborhoods and they all have similar stories about their neighbors’ losses -- losses that could have been prevented by using common sense and protecting their valuables. |
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Florida Politicians and the Risks of Fighting the Inevitable on Marijuana
By: ROGER STONE
Florida Republicans must come to grips with a bill introduced by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, and Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, to legalize a strain of marijuana effective in helping children with certain conditions as well as a constitutional amendment placed on the ballot by Orlando lawyer John Morgan to legalize medicinal marijuana as prescribed by a doctor. Republicans should support both.
Perhaps the late William F. Buckley said it best when he said, “Conservatives pride themselves on resisting change, which is as it should be. But intelligent deference to tradition and stability can evolve into intellectual sloth and moral fanaticism, as when conservatives simply decline to look up from dogma because the effort to raise their heads and reconsider is too great.”
It is safe to say that some Republicans have been doing a rather convincing facsimile of “declin[ing] to look up from dogma because the effort to raise their head and reconsider is too great." As on gay marriage, the GOP has allowed itself to hold an increasingly unpopular view on a developing social movement simply because of a traditional aversion to the cause. In doing so, they have allowed themselves to ignore very good, oft-conservative, arguments.
Let’s face the facts: legalizing pot is unlikely to prove to be a magic cure for state budget woes, and those who argue it will are likely dishonest (or perhaps sampling a bit too much of the merchandise). However, any calculation of the fiscal effect of legalization (or decriminalization) must include not only a substantial increase on the revenue side of the ledger, but also the corresponding decrease on the expenditure side.
Not only could police forces redirect funds toward the prevention of violent crime, but the pressures put upon state budgets by prosecuting and locking up millions of nonviolent marijuana dealers would be substantially reduced.
Setting aside the arguments regarding personal responsibility, and the very real potential benefit to society from expanded research into medical uses for cannabis, the fiscal and policing issues alone should be enough to drive the movement toward the position greater society is already adopting.
Florida Republicans considering the legal future of marijuana should note the results of the Conservative Political Action Conference’s poll of 2014 attendees, which showed, among other things, some form of legal marijuana received support from 62 percent of attendees. In addition, fully 41 percent of those polled supported the full legalization and regulation of marijuana (with the remaining 21 percent of support coming in the form of stated support for legalized medical marijuana.)
The fact is, a majority of the population at large already thinks the drug should be legal, and the upward trend has shown no sign of slowing. And yes, young people, who among the population at large support legalization at rates of 2-to-1, have driven much of that growth. The CPAC organizers acknowledged as much in pointing out that the numbers referenced above were driven by the young people who flock to CPAC every year; however, the organizers also acknowledged that a plurality of all those interviewed -- across age ranges -- support legalization, except for those over the age of 65.
It has been said many times that the Republican Party relies too heavily on a dwindling number of older voters, and as with gay marriage, the numbers on the marijuana issue are similarly sobering for one who worries for the future of the conservative movement.
If the leaders of today’s conservative movement can lift their heads long enough to recognize the inevitability of the mainstreaming of marijuana, the movement will find itself not only on the correct side of history, but also in agreement with its base. Additionally, from a political perspective, it will provide the younger half of the electorate -- who, due to the gay marriage issue, already view the party as being out of touch with their values -- with a reason to listen to the arguments conservatives make on other issues.
A platform of personal freedom can be compelling for tomorrow’s voter; however, as long as the leaders of the movement remain stubbornly committed to prohibition; and limiting that freedom, neither the party nor the movement will be able to do more than count on the support of an ever-dwindling supply of older voters.
The longer conservatives find themselves on the wrong side by supporting irrational sentencing guidelines, eliminating the ability of violent drug cartels to finance their operations through the marijuana black market, raising state revenue, and opening thousands of prison beds for violent criminals, the more difficult it will be to convince voters of their genuine conversion when the shift inevitably happens. There is a conservative argument to be made in support of the pro-pot movement, and the sooner the leadership of the movement embraces it, the sooner they will find themselves able to attract new voters to our timeless message of personal freedom and a smaller state.
A decade ago Bill Buckley warned the conservative movement that it had fallen into a rut of intellectual laziness. Had the movement heeded his warning, it would not be forced to play catch-up. Should it refuse to heed his warning now, it risks losing an entire generation to liberalism in the same way the left lost the 30 years following the Johnson presidency. |
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Some of the local East Orlando Eateries
Reviews and Costs
Jeremiah's Italian Ice 89%
$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Desserts/Ice Cream 877 North Alafaya Trail
Guavate Puerto Rican Eatery... 87%
$$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Puerto Rican 422 South Alafaya Trail Suite 20
Brianto's Original Hoagies 89%
$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - American, Hot Dogs/Sausages, Sandwiches/Subs 12001 Avalon Lake Drive
Five Guys Burgers and Fries 89%
$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Burgers, Fast Food, Hot Dogs/Sausages 551 North Alafaya Trail
Rice & Beans Cocina Latina 88%
$$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Cuban, Latin American, Dominican 504 North Alafaya Trail
Fuji Sushi & Teppan Japanese... 81%
$$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Asian, Japanese, Sushi 504 North Alafaya Trail
Sweet! By Good Golly Miss... 85%
$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Bakery, Desserts/Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt 711 North Alafaya Trail
toojays 87%
$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - American, Breakfast/Brunch, Diner 715 North Alafaya Trail
Summer Palace 87%
$$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Chinese, Japanese, Sushi 588 South Alafaya Trail
TooJay's Gourmet Deli 87%
$$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - American, Bakery, Sandwiches/Subs 715 North Alafaya Trail
Davis Bakery and Café 90%
$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Breakfast/Brunch, Sandwiches/Subs 12001 Avalon Lake Drive Suite G
Eastside Bistro 84%
$$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - American, Burgers, Sandwiches/Subs 12001 Avalon Lake Drive
Thunya Thai Restaurant 88%
$$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Thai 13001 Founders Square Drive
Thai Singha 82%
$$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Sushi, Thai 863 North Alafaya Trail
Crispers 90%
$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Sandwiches/Subs, Soup, Salad 557 North Alafaya Trail
Simply Frozen Yogurt 84%
$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Frozen Yogurt 504 North Alafaya Trail
100 Montaditos 91%
$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Sandwiches/Subs, Spanish, Tapas 417 North Alafaya Trail
Tijuana Flats 89%
$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Mexican, Tacos, Tex-Mex 1024 Avalon Park North Boulevard
Keke's Breakfast Café 83%
$$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - American, Breakfast/Brunch 504 North Alafaya Trail
Boston Coffeehouse 89%
$ Avalon Park / Waterford Lakes - Breakfast/Brunch, Coffee, Sandwiches/Subs 12789 Waterford Lakes Parkway
Good Fella's Pizzeria 95%
$ Waterford Lakes/ E Colonial -Lunch/ Dinner, Italian Cuisine
If you would like to add to this list, please feel free to email publishing@apgazette.com |
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