Circulating to over 5,000 plus subscribers in Orlando and surrounding communities

Friday, March 27, 2015

Volume IV Issue II

Delta Rocket over Publix- Photo Credit:  Amy Meador
AVALON PARK GAZETTE
Volume IV Issue II, SPRING EDITION
Building Community One Issue at a Time
Don't forget to share with Your Neighbors
Pictured Above:  Residents, The Crane Family walking through Stoneybrook

Retrieved from A.G. post
                   

IN THIS ISSUE

Easter Festivities, Timber Creek, Summer Football Camp, Prom Info,  Scavenger Hunt, SolonEstates.com, JT Charter Reviews,  Citizen Planning Academy, Avalon Garden Club, East Orlando Safety,  SR 50 Changes, Orange County, Neighborhood Grant,  Block Party, Biggest Yard Sale, Relief School Fight, LYNX, WL Community Center and AP Gazette Opportunities
Easter Festivities









Summer Football Camp
MBS, Avalon Park's "Athletics and Academic" club Supporting Student and Athletes, one Champion at a time

  
Monday, June 8 at 9:00am

Discovery Middle School
Woodbury Rd, Orlando, Florida 32828

Fun outdoor/indoor camp for boys and girls, ages 7-14.
Registration open now until May 17th or until capacity reaches maximum. Spots will fill up quickly.
$5.00 sibling discount for each additional child. Coupon code: sibling.

*Register online at http://mbstrainingclub.org/sports-camps.html

*Registration Deadline: February 15th

*For more information, email mbstrainingclub@gmail.com


https://www.facebook.com/events/362090510664223/

YMCA LET'S GET COOKING
AVALON PARK YMCA COOKBOOK


It's an idea that's been kicked around and now the time has come.  We realize within our Avalon Park YMCA community there are many chefs and we need your help in creating a cookbook. The project in turn will help support our Community Support Campaign and provide many years of good cooking in your home. So get your chef's hat on and get involved. We need the following:
Recipes typed and emailed tomstpierre@cfymca.org
Volunteers for the following areas - organize recipes per category; work with printing company; promote and sell
We are also looking for sponsors (great advertising opportunities - contactmstpierre@cfymca.org)
What are you waiting for? Go find your favorite recipes and send it our way. Include recipe name and your first/last name. Thank you!
 
Let's get cooking (healthy encouraged)- send your recipes in today - Main course, vegetables, desserts, appetizers, meats, fish, and your family favorites.

PROCEEDS BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORT CAMPAIGN
Upcoming Road Changes to SR 
Proposed Changes will impact commuters living in Avalon Park

Written by Dawn Brooks, Retrieved

The Florida Department of Transportation is warning drivers in the Avalon Park area of an overnight pattern change Wednesday night on eastbound State Road 50 that could affect commutes.

FDOT said the change will take place from the SR 408 overpass to Avalon Park Boulevard. The right-hand lane onto eastbound SR 50 from the off-ramp at SR 408 will close as the next phase of construction begins.

FDOT said that while the morning rush drivers may not notice much of a difference, the shift may impact traffic during the afternoon and evening Thursday.

Here is an overview of what’s happening:
  • The SR 408 merge lane onto eastbound SR 50 is closing -- this will reduce the number of eastbound thru lanes on SR 50 in the immediate area to two
  • The SR 408 off-ramp at SR 50 will now terminate at the traffic light
  • The off-ramp’s left lane is allowed to turn left onto westbound SR 50 at the traffic light
  • The off-ramp’s middle and right lanes are allowed to turn right onto eastbound SR 50 at the traffic light
FDOT said the new traffic pattern will be in place for eight to 12 months. When the construction is done there will be three new lanes for eastbound traffic.

Anyone with any construction-related questions may contact the public involvement specialist, Alicia Arroyo, at 407-482-7813.
Response from Article:

Some Question Charter Review Appointments
Retrieved from East Orlando Post and edited by AP Gazette on January 26, 2015

Last Issue Avalon Park Gazette wrote a review on one of East Orlando Post article in which we received several comments and responses.  We would like to share some in this issue.  

One reader wrote:

"Waaaay too political....... Article does not belong here. Yuk."  - R&G

Another:

"Very Interesting!"  -MT

Another:

"Disappointed at the Article." -DM

Another:

"Who know's what happens behind the scene.  Politicians are all alike.  Once they get in office, it's hard to have integrity."  -VD

Please continue to send your feedback to any of our articles to avalongazette@gmail.com
Avalon Garden Club

Did you know that our town has a community garden? Avalon Park Community Garden is nestled behind Avalon Church on Tanya King Boulevard, close to local businesses in downtown Avalon Park. The garden is sponsored by local residents who are members of the Avalon Park Garden Club, which is a not-for-profit organization of residents who enjoy gardening. We feel that everyone deserves a place to dig and grow their own plants/veggies/flowers or just relax in a tranquil setting.

We are inviting you to come out to the garden and adopt a plot of your own! This would be a golden opportunity in several ways...first of all, you can grow your own plants for your business and secondly, promote your business in the garden to all the visitors who frequent the area.

Stop by the Community Garden!.

If interested, please contact either Leslie Dawson (leslie.naryne@gmail.com) or Tina Kielbasa (kielbasat@cfl.rr.com) for more details.


.
SolonEstates.com
written by  Eddy Solon, 32828 Realtor, AP Resident
The Solon Group of Keller Williams

For FREE Foreclosures list, Home Valuations, and for luxury homes in Orlando, please visithttp://www.Realestate32828.com

The Latest price per square feet on homes sold in specific areas can also be located on the site.


REGISTER FOR THE NEXT YARD SALE

March 2015 Yard sale had record number registrations so be sure to register early for the next one, once registration becomes available.  http://www.avalonyardsale.com/
New Community Center coming to Waterford Lakes

Retrieved from Waterford Lakes Newsletter 03/2015

What’s in the new buildings?
The community building will contain a reception area, 3 offices, a file storage room, 2 indoor and 2 outdoor restrooms, and a large meeting room for WLCA and neighborhood HOA meetings. The maintenance building will house two open bays and a small work area. Details about this building project are available on the WLCA website a

What will be happening to the Recreation Center?
Over the next several months the old cabana building by the pool will be replaced by a new community building and a remote maintenance building. Unfortunately, the pools and other parts of the Recreation Center will have to be closed during construction.

Why do we need new buildings?
The cabana was old, drafty and in need of repairs. We tried to refurbish and expand the cabana, but it turned out to be in worse shape than we thought with hidden conditions such as
old termite damage, mold and parts not built to code. The dilapidated cabana has outlived its usefulness. It will be replaced by a new community building. At the same time, a maintenance building will be added for equipment and chemical storage away from the pool and offices.

Why now?
The work to refurbish and expand the cabana was originally scheduled for the winter months. However, the need to replace it changed the schedule. New plans and permits had to be obtained before work could begin. This pushed the start date of construction to the spring.

Waiting until after summer and the 2015 rainy season to start construction would mean the building would probably cost more, require business to be conducted in the small trailer for more than a year (and during summer storms), and force the Association to continue to pay for meeting space for an additional year. The last question has more details about this.

Where will the buildings be located?
Adding new buildings to an existing complex is tricky, and very few locations were available for the two buildings and their associated setbacks and clearances. The site plan on the back shows the locations.
LYNX IS ON IT'S WAY TO AVALON PARK

Written by Cindy Barth, Retrieved

The board of the Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority — Lynx — has approved making systemwide service changes effective April 19.

The major change includes extending the Lymmo Orange Line (Link 31) north via Magnolia Avenue, Marks Street and Orange Avenue to serve the Marks Street Senior Recreational Center, as well as apartments and businesses in that area of downtown.

In addition, NeighborLink 621 along Avalon Park Boulevard and Sunflower Trail will be extended to increase service to Bithlo and decrease service in Wedgefield.
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
Timber Creek Newsletter
Principal, Gabriel Berrio 

We are very proud of our 3rd consecutive “A” grade as we continue to prepare students for college and career. Thank you to the entire TCHS community and feeder elementary and middle schools for being a huge 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, Performing Arts, 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.

Timber Creek was recently selected to kick off “Celebrate Literacy Week” for the state of Florida. We were honored to have the first lady of Florida, Mrs. Ann Scott here to help us kick off the week. We took advantage of hosting the event to celebrate all our feeder schools for being “A” schools and to “show off” the district’s Broad Prize as well as our award winning performing arts, cheerleading, and academic programs.

Congratulations seniors on your upcoming graduation! Graduation is less about 3 months away on Friday May 29 at UCF at 8 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.

The last day of school for all other students is Wednesday June 3, 2015

TCHS Service Learning Student Enters the White House Student Film Festival 

Angel Gonzalez, a member of the TCHS Service Learning Council, created a film about service and the TCHS Service Learning Council as an entry for the second annual White House Student Film Festival. The theme for this year’s entries is “The Impact of Giving Back”.

Angel highlighted two service learning students and why they choose service as the focus of their lives. “I wanted
to educate others about the impact that a service learning council has on their school and community.”

The entire project took over 80 hours to complete. The Service Learning Council had a party to recognize Angel for his work. Sixteen filmmakers will be selected to screen their film with President Obama at the White House.

Good Luck, Angel!

Prom Information

Date: April 25, 2015
Time: 7:30 until Midnight
Place: Hilton Orlando Resort
6100 Destination Parkway
Ticket Sale dates
Seniors Only – April 6 - 10
Juniors/Seniors – April 13 – 17

TICKETS WILL NOT BE SOLD AFTER APRIL 17TH!!
Ticket price
  • Timber Creek Seniors/Juniors $85.00
  • Guests (including off campus and TCHS sophomores/freshman guests) $90.00
  • A plated dinner will be included in the price of the Prom ticket.
  • Appropriate formal attire must be worn.
  • More information and permission slips are on the Timber Creek website. Please be sure to read all of the information before signing the permission slip.
  • For further information, please contact Colleen Hemann at 321-235-7841.
ORANGE COUNTY NEWS

I-4 Ultimate Improvement Project

Central Floridians are no strangers to construction. Our steady population growth means we have to keep up with demand. But drivers have never seen such a massive project here - I-4 Ultimate is the largest infrastructure project in Florida's history! Now that construction is underway, here are some tips for driving safely through the 21-mile work zone.

Be prepared for possible congestion and allow extra time for your commute. Call Florida 511, visit 511.com or download the Florida 511 mobile app to receive real-time traffic information. You can also sign up for route-specific alerts through 511.com and i4Ultimate.com. The more you know about the situation on the roads before you go, the more prepared, less stressed and safer you will be.

While on the road, take these important precautions to ensure your safety, as well as the safety of other drivers and project workers:
  1. Buckle up. Wearing a seatbelt is the easiest way to protect yourself.
  2. Turn on your headlights. Even during daytime hours, this can be important.
  3. Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. Tailgating is always dangerous, but even more so in work areas where unexpected stops can occur frequently.
  4. Minimize distractions. This includes using a cell phone. Keep your eyes on the road and stay focused on what is going on around you.
  5. Don't speed. Speed limits are often lower in work zones, and fines can double. It's also important to keep moving through work areas. When you stop to watch the construction, you can hold up traffic and even cause accidents.
  6. Stay in your lane. Swerving from lane to lane won't save you time, but it can put others in danger. 
Work zones are dynamic environments, and it is important to be flexible. Sometimes you have to expect the unexpected. Remember, when this project is complete, your I-4 driving experience will be greatly improved. The more patience drivers can practice, the safer everyone will be. Visit I4Ultimate.com for additional safety tips and more information on what to expect during construction.

SCAVENGER HUNT
Orange County Utilities Celebrates Water Conservation Month with a Scavenger Hunt

Saturday, March 28th ~ 12pm to 3pm
The Home Depot Store, 350 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando, 32828

Orange County Utilities (OCU) will join several counties and utilities across the state of Florida as it recognizes Water Conservation Month in April. To celebrate, the department will host a scavenger hunt in March. Customers are invited to participate in a scavenger hunt searching for water saving devices at The Home Depot Store. Prizes will be awarded every 30 minutes. Event forms will be available at the door.

For information about this program, customers can visit www.occonservewater.net, contact the Water Department by email at Water.Division@ocfl.net, or call 407-254-9850 (select option 1, then option 2).

Neighborhood Pride Grants Program

Orange County's Neighborhood Pride Grants Program provides direct funding to support and assist neighborhoods and organizations in improving the physical and social quality of neighborhoods.

Funding is available in the form of grants to help organizations revitalize and preserve their neighborhoods. The grants program is only one component of the overall strategy to strengthen and regenerate neighborhoods in the County. Click here for more information about the grant program.

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  Luis Mercado at 407.836.8378 or at Luis.mercado@ocfl.net


Citizen Planner Academy
Saturday, March 28th ~ 9am to 12pm
450 E. South Street, 1st Floor, Downtown Orlando, 32801

This is your last chance to register for the next Citizen Planner Academycourse, which will start on Saturday, March 28. The first class will focus Planning Basics 101. Come and learn how the land development process works using role playing exercises and Orange County's Interactive Mapping System. Registration is encouraged.
EAST ORLANDO SAFETY
32828 Statistics: Zone 22B
Retrieved from OCSO Website
Safety@apgazette.com


MONTH TO MONTH TREND: DOWNWARDS
Red indicates an increase of incidents from last month

While 57 incidents were reported last Newsletter, 40 incidents were reported this month in our zone, which includes Avalon Park Area and surrounding communities.     Based on the data available, there were 1 Arm to Person Robbery, 21 Auto Burglaries, 0 Home Invasions, 2 Commercial Burglaries,11 Residential Burglaries, 7 MORE Stolen Vehicles..ALARMING), and 0 Strong Arm to Person Robbery.   Please be sure to lock and secure your vehicle and remove your valuables.

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 3,000 plus subscribers.

For more about crime prevention, contact your OCSO Crime Prevention Officer.If you live within city limits, contact your municipal law enforcement agency.
Residents battle over relief school for Avalon Park
By Mike Synan, Reporter, Retrieved.

A fight is brewing over providing a relief school for AvalonPark Middle School in east Orange County. That school has an enrollment of 1,800 children, almost double its capacity.  Parent Camille Laboy says she has heard the complaints from her daughter.

"Overcrowded hallways, short time to eat lunch. She takes her lunch to school, because she doesn't have enough time to buy," said Laboy.

She and a half-dozen other concerned parents bought 400 petition signatures, copied seven times for each of the Orange County commissioners and Mayor Teresa Jacobs. Laboy and the other parents want a relief school built sooner rather than later.

"Our school is overcrowded, by more than double. We strongly believe that this middle school in our neighborhood is going to help raise our property values, and it is going to complete our community."

There is a place for a relief school. It is in the Timber Springs neighborhood, but the land is zoned for an elementary school, meaning commissioners will have to change the zoning. Because middle schools require more land than this site has, the President of the Timber Springs Homeowners Association is opposing the deal.

Parent Jennifer Wojcik also teaches elementary school in Orange County. She tells FOX 35 there is no correlation between school acreage size and student performance.

"As long as my child has the same quality of education, the same amenities as my son has at Avalon Middle, I'm good to go."

The problem for these parents was that they selected a time when commissioners were all in meetings, preparing for their regular meeting on March 24.  The zoning change is expected to be addressed on April 21.

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