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Outsanding Schools in Avalon Park and Surrounding Neighborhoods
Congratulations to local Schools for all their Hard Work in 2012-2014 school year!
• Avalon Elementary School
• Avalon Middle School
• Camelot Elementary School
• Discovery Middle School
• Stone Lakes Elementary School (Top 20 School- all of Florida)
• Sunrise Elementary School
• Timber Lakes Elementary School
• Waterford Elementary School |
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Timber Creek News
Newsletter
Five TC Teachers Receive Special Recognition
Timber Creek’s own Shawna Sherry, Mike Jones, Lauren Thomas, Kyle Dencker, and Anna Stevens were recognized at the NAF (National Academy Foundation) Next 2014 Conference in Washington DC. They received a NAF Distinguished
Academy Award for the Academy of Information and Technology.
Orange County Public School Calendar 2014-2015
- Mon.-Fri. August 11-15 Pre-planning for teachers (Aug. 13 is a staff development day.)
- Mon. August 18 First day of school for students
- Mon. September 1 Labor Day holiday (Schools and district offices are closed.)
- Wed. October 22 End of 1st marking period (47 days)
- Thu. October 23 Student holiday/teacher workday
- Fri. October 24 Student holiday/teacher professional day
- Mon. October 27 Begin 2nd marking period
- Mon.-Fri. Nov. 24-28 Thanksgiving Break · Students are out all week · District offices are open Nov. 24-26 · Nov. 24-26: Teacher non-workdays
- · Nov. 27-28: Teacher holidays
- Two Weeks Dec. 22-Jan. 2 Winter Break (Schools are closed. District offices are closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1.)
- Mon. January 5 Students return to school
- Thu. January 15 End of 2nd marking period (44 days)
- Fri. January 16 Student holiday/teacher workday
- Mon. January 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday (Schools and district offices are closed.)
- Tue. January 20 Begin 2nd semester/3rd marking period
- Mon. February 16 Presidents Day holiday (Schools are closed; district offices are open.)
- Thu. March 19 End of 3rd marking period (42 days)
- Fri. March 20 Student holiday/teacher workday
- Mon.-Fri. March 23-27 Spring Break (Schools are closed; district offices are open.)
- Mon. March 30 Begin 4th marking period
- Mon. May 25 Memorial Day holiday (Schools and district offices are closed.)
- Wed. June 3 End of 4th marking period/last day of school for students (47 days)
- Thu.-Fri. June 4-5 Post planning for teachers
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Kindred Documentary
One Local Resident's Mission
The Travesty of the Legal Abuse, Drugging, and Disappearance of American Children
Contribution by Amy Meador, Avalon Park Resident
Hoover Drive Entertainment will shortly begin production on KINDRED, a documentary with a unique take on a largely unaddressed issue. Two outspoken women with traumatically intertwined childhoods use one and her new teenage son’s story to shed light on the plight of the children trapped in or mysteriously disappearing from the foster care system.
There are currently over 100,000 kids in the foster care system. The conditions in those living arrangements must be seen to be believed. A deplorable fact we uncovered is that many children listed on the roster are actually unaccounted for. We cannot be certain if they are dead or alive. Michael, the boy we're profiling, is one of these at risk youths, only recently safe, representing thousands more still in the direst need of help.
Michael is an amazing kid who languished in group homes, foster care, and ran away, living briefly on the streets at the age of 11, viewing this as safer than “home”. By giving him a platform to speak his truth, it will help others to understand how immediate and desperate and surprisingly repairable, if confronted, the situation is. The foster care system can be tackled and resolved in our children’s lifetime. There are almost no other issues facing us today that can be said about.
Heavy pharmaceuticals were used to silence the symptoms of his traumas. At one point, there were ten different medications in his system. By purposely doing this, the state tried to make him comply or involuntarily kill him trying. His new therapist has him off all medications as they are not needed. None of this nor the extent of the abuse were disclosed before the very last phases of the adoption.
Mike’s final caseworker, whom we will be interviewing, began his career with Mike’s case and ended his career with Mike’s adoption. He has chosen to become an adoption recruiter instead. This individual truly wanted to help Mike get placed in his awaiting new home, but was blocked by a broken system that cannot get out of its own way.
Hoover Drive plans to record in-depth interviews for five days in October. Due to the real time nature of documentary production and our resources coming from donations, we can only shoot what we are backed to.
Hoover Drive has completed a budget that brings production costs to $9,000. Travel and lodging accounts for 40%, 30% for equipment, 10% for group funding and rewards fees, 20% for post-production (to date). We would love to expand our schedule if backing permits. Of course, the quantity of our footage and production quality all depend upon YOU!
What is at stake?
Group funding is an amazing opportunity for people to get directly involved with this project and cause. By helping to fund this, YOU will be making a difference in the life of a child. Without KINDRED spotlighting the need NOW, more people will needlessly suffer. Fear is the monster that these children live with everyday...that we can help destroy. We think that is pretty special.
Hoover Drive Entertainment intends to make KINDRED a documentary that educates, initiates conversation, raises awareness and can become a symbol of hope for those not yet able to stand up for themselves that help is on the way! We can BE the change! PLEASE help make this a reality!
Please check out and like our Kindred Facebook page and our @KINDREDmovie Twitter account.
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40 Things the iPhone Has Replaced
Written by Linda Bilyeu
Owning an iPhone is like having a genius on hand, at all times. This small, yet powerful bit of technology packs a punch. Even though there is no app that could actually punch some one, even though owners might want one.
Having a iPhone is like having a personal assistant, who works free of charge. Even though you do have to pay monthly fees, which in comparison to a personal assistant is still a lot cheaper.
The iPhone has replaced countless things that at one time or another we all used. We no longer need to have so many items that required storage and took up space. Now all we have to do is click on our trusty friend and touch an app.
Mind you, an iPhone is fragile. If you are not careful, the phone could crack or break. Be gentle with yours and it will treat you right. Be sure you have a protective case and give it plenty of Apple Juice, so it never runs out of energy.
On the list you might be sad about some things that were replaced by the iPhone. You might not be ready to part with certain things since they have become a way of life for you. You might be lost without them. Change isn't always easy, but like every thing else in life - we get use to it and learn to adapt.
Chances are you might not have an iPhone, but your smart-phone also replaced many similar things...
Out with the old, in with the new...
- The land-line phone. Seriously, who still owns a land-line? It's just an additional monthly expense. You could use that wasted money towards your smart-phone wireless bill.
- The payphone. With each generation of children being born the payphone is becoming more obsolete. There are people who will never know what it's like to stand inside a phone booth and chat on a phone. That has a cord.
- A calculator. No need to ever have to seek and try to find your calculator. It even has a scientific calculator, but no cheating allowed for the students.
- DVD's and DVD players. You could now watch movies via an iPhone. You won't get the big screen cinema, but it'll be a lot cheaper than paying movie theater prices.
- Flashlight and those expensive batteries. You lose power and with your trusty sidekick nearby you will have a flashlight. No need to have extra batteries on hand.
- A camera and video camera. The iPhone has a camera which even includes a panoramic option. With the additional apps you could edit your own photos. You could even send your photos to CVS or Walgreens to print, directly from your iPhone. For real! I kid you not. No need to lug around a video camera, just pull your phone out of your pocket and the video is ready to get 'er done.
- CD's and Boom-boxes. We now live in the world of iTunes and digital music. No more CD's to run out and buy on their release date...just download them. We no longer need boom-boxes since iPhones could be attached to a port and you could blast your personal tunes when ever you want.
- Rolodex and address books. With the Contact list installed and automatically alphabetized you no longer have to keep your Rolodex updated.
- A calendar. The iPhone has a calender and date reminder. Just enter the occasions and events you need to be reminded of and you will be alerted. No longer will you need an excuse because you forgot a birthday, anniversary or sales meeting.
- Alarm clocks and timers. Set your alarm clock to the music of your choice. No more beep, beep, beep - when instead you could wake up to Keith Urban singing to you. No more throwing your alarm clock across the room, because, well...that would be an expensive repair.
- Books, magazines and newspapers. Many of us still prefer to read an actual book, magazine and newspaper...at one time, I was one of the many - I've now flipped sides and enjoy not having the clutter of reading material in my space. I prefer online reading. I won't officially flip on books until I finish reading the stacks of books that surround me in my space.
- Phone calls. With texting being faster and more convenient, who needs to make a phone call. That's actually sad. I use to be a phone person. For hours on end. I now place phone calls only when I NEED to. The ironic thing is the iPhone is built around a "phone" that's rarely used.
- A compass. For some one who has NO sense of direction a compass will become very handy - once I learn how to use one.
- A GPS and fold out maps. Again, same as above. Once I learn how to use a GPS. I can read a fold out map. Yay, me!
- Watches and wall clocks. No longer do you have to replace batteries or change the time due to daylight savings time - the time is always available on your iPhone.
- Greeting cards. You could simply send greeting cards that you create via an app. No more stamps to buy or cards to purchase.
- Baby's crib mobile. There are apps that play soothing music for your tiny tot to fall asleep to.
- Photo Albums. You could store thousands of photos in your iPhone with iCloud and then transfer them to your computer.
- Business Cards. Instead of buying business cards in bulk, purchase less and instead of handing out cards, you could text a photo of it with a little help from your iPhone camera.
- Trips to the bank - mobile deposit. No need to have to run to the bank to deposit a check any more. Just get 'er done with the banking app.
- Coupons. Instead of clipping coupons for certain specials, bar codes are now scanned instead. So much easier. Saves time. Less hassle. IBotta is an app to try.
- Social Interaction. With all the various social media sites, socializing in person is becoming more scarce. I also find this sad, but we continue to make an effort to hook up with our friends and family as often as possible.
- Dictionaries and Encyclopedias are not needed anymore due to the many apps and Google's assistance. Those bulky books did serve a purpose for many years.
- Asking some one to take your photo...Selfies are the way to go now.
- Phone Books. Just search for the number you need and the iPhone will even dial it for you. You'll feel so pampered.
- Pagers/Beepers. It's all about texting now.
- Board games, Video games. Download an app and the game is ready to play when you are. You could even play along with family and friends. Sadly, this practice takes away from social interaction.
- Weather Channel. No longer do you have to wait and wait for the weather channel or local news to announce the weather in your neck of the woods...just search the weather app.
- Post-its. Now, you could just use the memo app and write reminders. Or even send yourself an email, which is what I do. For the record, I still use post-its. My desk is a rainbow of colors.
- Having to print a boarding pass while traveling.
- Bulky headphones. With the modern compact style of earbuds, those large headphones that compressed on our heads are no longer needed.
- Pedometer. Measure your steps with the pedometer app. Challenge yourself to walk so many steps each day. Go on now, get to stepping.
- Pens. Your finger is now your pen. You no longer will be accusing others of stealing your pen.
- Order Pizza. On those evenings that you don't feel like cooking just have your iPhone call and order for you. OK, the phone isn't that smart YET, you will have to help it out a bit. The point is you can order pizza while stuck in rush hour traffic.
- Schedule Appointments via Zoc Doc. Sounds like a good idea to me!
- Check the stock market.
- Watching the news. Most major news stations have livestreaming news. You could watch while laying by the pool.
- Computers. The iPhone is a mini computer that you could carry around in your back pocket. I rarely need to turn on my laptop any more, unless I really need to.
- Video Chat with Facetime. When you are missing a family member or a friend, you could just have a Facetime chat. Granted, they must also have an iPhone. When they begin to annoy you, just hang up and blame it on a weak internet connection. Not that I have ever done that!
- Purchase movie tickets. Avoid long lines at the theater and buy your tickets in advance. How is that for convenience?
This concludes my list of things an iPhone has replaced. I'm sure I missed a few. If so, please let us know in the comment section.
Reminder: Be as smart as your smartphone and never use it to "Text and Drive."
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EAST ORLANDO REAL ESTATE
written by Eddy Solon, 32828 Realtor, AP Resident
The Solon Group of Keller Williams
http:///www.TheSolonGroup.com
For Foreclosures listings, Home Valuations, and for luxury homes in East 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.
Check out what our local expert is saying about Real Estate in Orlando, Baby Realtor, BabyRealtor.com
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2014 East Orlando 1st Annual Back 2 School Rally in Avalon Park a Huge Success!!!!
Neighbors, Community, and Schools uniting to prepare students for success
With Stone Lakes Elementary and Castle Creek Elementary attending this year's rally along with several of East Orlando Pre Schools like Primrose and tutoring specialist like Mathnasium and MBS training club located in Avalon Park, the event was a huge success. Over 500 pieces of school supplies were distributed to attendees using Back 2 School bucks earned during visits to vendors. The students/ parents earned the bucks by performing activities at the booths. They earned between 1 and 5 dollars. With over 250 in attendance, many participants were able to get everything on their school supply list except for sanitizers and hand wipes at the "School Store."
A Special Thank You to all the great contributions and work that helped make this event a success. Thank you to all the wonderful vendors, especially the Hosts, South East Home Inspection, MBS Training Club, Suntrust Mortgage, and event creator, coordinator, and primary host, The Solon Group of Keller Williams. Thank you to all the volunteers, especially, the BETA club from Timber Creek High School. The kids did a great job on buying back the School Supplies from vendors, registration, and running the School store, Laura Neumeister, Avalon Park Neighborhood Watch Co-Founder, for all the hard work with the registration concept, Stephanie Hodson from APG, Leland Management for the tents, DJ Lucas, and Amy Meador for performing all the essential tasks from concept to event.
2014 Spelling Bee Winner (beating 24 contestants)
Olivia from Stone Lakes Elementary
If you are interested in participating next year as a volunteer or vendor, please feel free to email info@thesolongroup.com
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ORANGE COUNTY NEWS
Community Connections Workshop
Leadership Skills
Saturday, September 13th ~ 9:00am to 11:00am
450 E. South Street, Downtown Orlando, 32801
This workshop will include learning more about your own leadership style and become skilled at recognizing and working with others. Bringing other board members with you is encouraged. Board members will be able to explore leadership styles and discover ways to enhance working with each other.
Monthly Adopt-A-Tree
Saturday, September 13th ~ 8am to 12pm
Magnolia Park, 2929 Binion Road, Apopka, 32703
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.
Block Party Application
Have you or your neighbors considered having a block party in your neighborhood? Block parties are a way to welcome new neighbors to the neighborhood or a way to celebrated with neighbors on a annual basis. If so, there is a block party permit that has to be completed prior to having the block party. Click here to download the block party permit.
For more information, contact Sharon Cutler at 407.836.8378 or atSharon.Cutler@ocfl.net.
Yeast Bread Baking: Fun & Easy At Home
Saturday, September 27th ~ 9:30am to 12:00pm
UF/IFAS Orange County Extension, 6021 S. Conway Road, Orlando, 32812
This hands-on class will be limited to 16 people so that everyone will get a chance to practice skills such as: liquid and dry measuring; hand mixing; electric mixing; kneading; watching a large dough hook; knowing what rising-till-double means; and how to tell when your yeast bread is fully baked. Space is limited so register soon.
Click here to register.
Movers for Moms
Two Men and a Truck® believes every mom should be celebrated on Mother's Day. That's why Two Men and a Truck Orlando - West have initiated Movers for Moms® and is teaming up with local organizations to collect essential items to be delivered to women living at Harbor House this Mother's Day. If you would like to donate items or to find out how you or your organization can join in this effort, contact Alaynah Allen at 407.254.5000 or Alaynah.Allen@twomen.com.
Understanding Your Property Assessment Town Hall Meetings
Join Property Appraiser Rick Singh for a discussion on your property value and assessment. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet on-on-one with staffers on specific property issues and concerns including TRIM notices. Learn about the valuation process, property tax exemptions and what you can do if you feel your assessment is incorrect.
Click here for information for the East Orange County meeting
Click here for information for the West Orange County meeting |
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EAST ORLANDO SAFETY
32828 Statistics: Zone 22B
Retrieved from OCSO Website
Safety@apgazette.com
MONTH TO MONTH TREND: Downward
While 42 incidents were reported last Newsletter, 26 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, 15 Auto Burglaries, 1 Home Invation, 0 Commercial Burglaries, 7 Residential Burglaries, 1 Stolen Vehicles, and 0 Strong Arm to Person Robbery.
Every month Auto Burglaries seem to trend as 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.
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. |
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Local AP Resident, Jennifer Thompson, Wins 2nd Term
by Matthew Peddie (WMFE)
Orange County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson has been re-elected to her seat in District 4.
A crowd of supporters, many wearing green t-shirts cheered Commissioner Thompson, as she celebrated her win over challengers Maribel Cordero and Euri Cerrud.
Thompson thanked her campaign staff for their work over the last two weeks- then outlined her priorities for the next four years.
“Same priorities as before- just making myself accessible to my constituents and open to things as they come up so we can make them happen,” said Thompson.
“I’ve got some roadway projects that I want to get complete and I’ve got some parks that I’m really working on to get complete in the next couple of years.”
Part of Thompson’s campaign focused on the proposed Osceola Parkway extension, which she says could threaten the quality of life of District 4 residents.
She will have some new commissioners to work with too: District 6 candidates Victoria Siplin and Derrick Wallace are heading to a runoff election, as are Bryan Nelson and Alvin Moore in District 2. |
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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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The Case for "UPTOWN AVALON"
Avalon Park Blvd and East Colonial, the new development and area should be referred to as Uptown Avalon
Written by Publishing@apgazette.com
Don't we already have an Uptown Avalon Park?
Tou·ché! We do have wonderfully built luxury townhomes in Avalon Park situated adjacent to Town Park located, in what most of us call, Down Town Avalon Park, however it is in down town AP, but Up town Down Town. If that makes any sense. ( side bar: There are only a few homes left, so if you are interested visit the Remax in Avalon Park).
Making the Case
Here are the facts. Although many, Avalon Park Residents, distinctly separate their community from other surrounding neighborhoods down Avalon Park Blvd, most of our neighbors have no clue that they do not live in Avalon Park.
"Oh, no Darling, you don't live in Avalon Park, you live in Avalon Lakes..."
Any Realtor can tell you that the majority of residents living down Avalon Park Blvd say they live in Avalon Park. And most Realtors can also tell you that the majority of buyers who are familiar with the area considers any neighborhood on Avalon Park Blvd as Avalon Park. Why is that, um maybe, because the main road is called Avalon Park Blvd, the proximity to Avalon Park, and the association and familiarization used as talking points about the community are all factors that play into this perception and belief.
There was a drive a couple years ago to make Avalon Park, it's own city and the surrounding neighborhoods were proposed to be a part of that city, so although many would like to believe Avalon Park ends at the roundabout and the intersection of Alafaya & APB, the reality is that our community extends beyond those parameters. We have neighbors who live in AP and own local businesses down Avalon Park Blvd, and residents who live in surrounding neighborhoods who directly contribute to our local economy daily, so when we say Avalon Park Community, it has a broader meaning then that of Avalon Park Neighborhood which many of us dutifully pay our quarterly HOA payment to.
I say we should embrace the reality in front of us and capitalize on it while building a broader sense of community. Staying in our bubble and telling ourselves that "the neighborhood down the street from us is not in our community" will only leave us with very little influence to help encourage more development that can help beautify the area. A rise in property values down the street equates to a higher rise in Avalon Park.
So What is being proposed here?
As many of you have seen, the new WAWA, Aldi, Wendy's, Dunkin Dounuts, and several others shops are coming to the area. It's situated "UP" Avalon Park Blvd about 3.5 miles from "Down Town." Get where I am going with this?
The shopping plaza is currently being named, Avalon Commons, but I propose that it is renamed Uptown Avalon, not Uptown Avalon Park, but simply Uptown Avalon. In fact, this entire area, including Grandeville Luxury Aparments, should be considered/ perceived as Uptown Avalon. When Grandeville first was being developed several years ago, they called themselves Grandeville in Avalon Park, but was challenged and had to change their name to Grandeville on Avalon Park, but now, as our community has matured and the upswing potential of building a stronger brand for our community which can yield more commerce, a rise in property values, and a beautification of the area which will attract more developers. For the thousands of drivers that pass this intersection daily, the consideration will now be, If there is an Uptown Avalon, where is Down town? Uptown Avalon seem to be an eventual fit for the area, but who knows!
Of course, there is cons.... there are always cons!
1. More commerce, may lead to more traffic
2. As in the past, news reports associated any crime occurring up Avalon Park blvd as Avalon Park although it was wrong, it will become fact. Our community understanding will certainly grow which is already the case in some of our groups on Facebook.
3. It will certainly promote community with other surrounding neighborhoods which may be a challenge
In Conclusion...
Should Uptown Avalon become a reality, a vision of more shopping, fine dining, and AP style housing in the area will help promote safer neighborhoods and help bring up an area that has been struggling for years.
What are your thoughts? Please send them to Publishing@apgazette.com |
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