Volume II Issue IX

Avalon Park Gazette presents New Beginnings: New Look Volume II Issue IX In this Issue: Welcome, East Orlando Safety, Orange County, Timber Creek News,  Lake Underhill Road Construction, Interview with a Butcher, Behind the Ramp- AP Rotary, Real Estate 32828, Fighting My Body and Winning, and AP Gazette Opportunities (Any neighbor in the 32828 zip code can contribute by sending their article to Publishing@apgazette.com for consideration) Lead Reviewer: Sara Morris Managing Editor: Eddy Solon Front Cover Photo: 1. Josh Velasquez and Family

WELCOME written by Eddy Solon, Northwest Village East Orlando Realtor, Keller Williams  Realestate32828@gmail.com Welcome neighbors.  We are glad to be reaching over 2,000 plus residents in East Orlando,  and happier to be "Building Community One Issue at a time." If you looked around in East Orlando recently, you will quickly notice that this part of Orlando  is booming and growing.  We are getting too big for our britches.  From Rouse Road expansion,  to the New road off Woodbury that Leads to Research Parkway and the new Publix, to Alafaya  and Lake Underhill expansion, and several shops planned on Avalon Park Blvd and East Colonial  including a new Wawa, and even in our quaint little community in Avalon Park the construction  taking place for Encore and the Residential Leasing Units, we are on the move.  What does  that mean for us?  It means our population and commerce is growing in the area and the schools  are still A+.  With these growing pains, the delicate balance to maintain the lifestyle that we all  come to enjoy living on the east side against the inevitable change that will alter some aspects of  it, is a bit scary and exciting at the same time.  Though, we do have assurance that committed stakeholders, neighbors like Avalon Park-ians, will continue to help build our community in the  right direction.   The Series “My Journey" has come to an end with this issue, but do not be disheartened.  We  have another Series starting January 2014 planned "My Business Journey."  Avalon Park  Businesses discuss how they came to be, their triumphs and challenges.  Mike Seif's contribution  last month is a good segue to this new series.   If you are an Avalon Park Business and will like to contribute your story (remember, we only have 6 articles in this series), please feel free to email publishing@apgazette.com for consideration.   We are often asked why an event or an issue impacting our community was not included.   The  simple answer is, although we strive to cover issues impacting our community, unless someone  writes an article and submits it, it most likely will not be included.  This newsletter is truly a newsletter developed by neighbors for neighbors and the content responsibility is shared by the community,  therefore we all are part of the Gazette Team.    Hence, if you have an event or life style oriented  article that you would like to submit, please do so!  Submit your article by the third Thursday of the  month, by 12 pm, to publishing@apgazette.com for consideration in the next issue.   Lastly, we would like to thank our newest Sponsor, American Momentum Bank, for their Platinum Sponsorship, specifically Josh Velazquez, Mortgage Loan Originator.   We really appreciate your Sponsorship and contributing to the enrichment of our community through your participation!  For sponsorship opportunities, please email Sponsorships@apgazette.com EAST ORLANDO SAFETY 32828 Statistics: Zone 22B Retrieved from OCSO Website Safety@apgazette.com While 31 incidents were reported  last Newsletter, 25 incidents were reported this month in our zone, which includes Avalon Park Area and surrounding communities.     Based on the partial data available, there were 11 Auto Burglaries, 3 Commercial Burglary, 4 Residential Burglaries, 4 Stolen Vehicles and 1 Strong Arm Robbery.   Case Number Crime Location Date 130082580 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [2931 - 3049] SUMMER SWAN DR 09/21/2013 130082639 AUTO BURGLARY [14201 - 14329] NOTTINGHAM WAY CI 09/20/2013 130081233 COMMERCIAL BURGLARY [300 - 398] S ALAFAYA TL 09/17/2013 130080672 AUTO BURGLARY [11001 - 11099] DAWNVIEW LN 09/14/2013 130080692 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [616 - 698] GERARD AV 09/14/2013 130079526 STRONG ARM TO PERSON [10250 - 10408] CURRY FORD RD 09/12/2013 130079804 AUTO BURGLARY [201 - 599] MARK TWAIN BV 09/12/2013 130080173 AUTO BURGLARY [1100 - 1398] SHALLCROSS AV 09/12/2013 130079230 COMMERCIAL BURGLARY [3901 - 4029] CRESWICK CI 09/10/2013 130079236 COMMERCIAL BURGLARY [UNKNOWN] CABBAGE TREE LP 09/10/2013 130079268 AUTO BURGLARY [UNKNOWN] INSIDE LOOP 09/10/2013 130078331 STOLEN VEHICLE [800 - 898] ARDENLEIGH DR 09/07/2013 130078416 AUTO BURGLARY [1300 - 1398] LOCHBREEZE WY 09/07/2013 130081954 STOLEN VEHICLE [10800 - 11298] LAKE UNDERHILL RD 09/06/2013 130077322 STOLEN VEHICLE [13701 - 13799] BLUEWATER CI 09/04/2013 130076562 STOLEN VEHICLE [14026 - 14298] TURNING LEAF DR 09/02/2013 130083043 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [10101 - 10499] ANDOVER POINT CI 09/02/2013 130407023 AUTO BURGLARY [13400 - 13498] FORDWELL DR 09/02/2013 130075926 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [901 - 1099] CRYSTAL BAY LN 08/31/2013 130075088 STOLEN VEHICLE [11260 - 11278] MOONSHINE CREEK CI 08/29/2013 130075301 AUTO BURGLARY [15301 - 15349] VERAMONTE WY 08/28/2013 130406896 AUTO BURGLARY [200 - 298] LEXINGDALE DR 08/28/2013 130074188 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [3201 - 3351] HOLLAND DR 08/26/2013 130406860 AUTO BURGLARY [13201 - 13299] PHOENIX DR 08/26/2013 130406832 AUTO BURGLARY [900 - 1212] SENECA FALLS DR 08/25/2013 This month and every month after, we will report a summary of crimes reported in our specific area and adjacent neighborhoods.  The first step in crime prevention is awareness. Avalon Park Residents, Have a safety concern?  Feel free to email our off duty deputy Sal.Saldano@ocfl.net   He is very responsive!   What does off duty mean?  It really does not mean they are completely off duty.   They are hired by funds set aside by our HOA dues, on their off duty hours, to help secure the safety of our Avalon Park community.    We have 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.    ORANGE COUNTY NEWS Celebrate National Plug In Day Electric Car Demos & Parade Sunday, September 29, 2013 ~ 10am to 2pm Lake Eola Park - Washington Street & Eola Drive    Listed below are the highlights of the day: Vehicle Exhibits - Check out the latest Electric Vehicles (EVs) currently on the market and hear from industry experts and vehicles owners about the joy and efficiency of driving an EV. With nearly zero maintenance costs driving an EV may be right for you. Charging Stations - Learn about Level 1, 2, and DC fast charging in Orlando. There are over 300 public charging stations in Central Florida and ten within one mile of Lake Eola. EV Car Sharing / Leasing - Discover the benefits of Drive Electric Orlando's EV Car Leasing Program and the City of Orlando's Green Works car sharing program. Ride and Drives - EV test drives are planned, so prepare to take an EV for a ride around Lake Eola. Electric Vehicle Parade - The event will conclude with a procession of electric vehicles. For more information, contact Laura Lord with EPD at 407.836.1513 or by email at Laura.Lord@ocfl.net.  OCPS Still Seeking Faith-Based Partners Every school in Orange County Public Schools needs volunteers and community partners-from elementary schools to high schools to alternative and exceptional education centers. Faith-based organizations make ideal partners (functioning in a non-proselytizing capacity) because of the organizational structure they already have in place. The extra attention and care from such volunteers can inspire students to reach for and realize their dreams. Click here for more ideas on participation. Or if you're ready to get started, contact Kate Galindo to be matched with a school in need. Time is running out to get all the details sorted out with OCPS so you'll be ready to go when the 2013-2014 school year begins. Hurry! Orange County Public Schools just keep coming up with new ways that faith-based entities, community organizations and every individual in the region can help make the county's schools more effective.  Not only are faith-based and community organizations invited to adopt a school, everyone can help raise funds for schools through a program called Fuel My School. As the foregoing link points out, it's as easy as 1-2-3. When you're shopping at all your favorite online stores--Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Sports Authority, just about any store--be sure to do it through your school's online mall at FuelMySchool.com, and the school you've designated will get a commission.  In Addition, it's at no extra cost to you! Is that great opportunity or what?  Check it out. Several New State Laws Affecting HOA's & Condo Associations If you missed our Community Connections Workshop in June, make sure to brush up on the recent changes to Florida State Statutes affecting Community Associations.  The Bills HB73 and HB7119, which will have significant impacts on the operation of condominium, cooperative, and homeowners' associations, were signed into law by Governor Rick Scott and will be effective starting July 1, 2013.  Click here for a summary of these new laws; provided by Community Association Leadership Lobby.  TIMBER CREEK NEWS Retrieved from TCH Newsletter I am looking forward to meeting and working with everyone in the Timber Creek community. The school vision for Timber Creek perfectly describes our goals and expectations for all students. We were able to accomplish our school mission and vision in many respects during the 2012-2013 school year. We had the highest percentage of students  scoring a level 3 or above on the FCAT in the district among high schools. Our Algebra and Geometry EOC pass rate were the highest among high schools in the district as well. Our parent and community involvement was incredible and because of that, we have been recognized as a Golden School and a Silver School, which qualifies us to be a 5 Star School.  “Timber Creek High School is leading the pack by educating and elevating students to higher achievement in a safe, state-of-the art learning environment supported by staff, parents and community members. Our focus is to enable each student to engage in a rigorous, relevant and real-world learning experience.”  Our intense focus on this vision as a community, which aligns with the district vision and mission, has helped to place TCHS and many of our students, programs, and teachers among the top-rated schools in the district and in Florida. We have many programs before, during, and after school that help to attain our goals and vision and we will continue to aim high and lead the Pack. We invite all parents to participate in SAC, PLC, PTSA, and Foundation as we join together to keep the tradition of excellence thriving at Timber Creek. There are also many other parent organizations that we encourage you to join that directly and positively impact student academic and extracurricular activities. Thank you for all you do, Gabriel Berrio Principal LAKE UNDERHILL ROAD CONSTRUCTION UPDATE by Ken Zook This is a report of the meeting called by County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson. Her email calling the meeting is in the article following this article. We met at 7:30am on Friday August 16th and Jennifer Thomson and Susan Makowski (Jennifer’s assistant) were there as well as other county staff and Gibbs & Register staff (the contractor). We walked along the entire project and learned a lot about what was happening and we were able to provide a lot of our own feedback to county staff and the contractor. Here is a brief rundown of the time spent… We discussed issues such as the equipment being parked in the areas between the curb and sidewalks. The contractor will work on that and we suggested that since the elementary school was closed and no work is being done, that the school could be used as the staging area for equipment and the new road materials. This (if allowed) would mean we could get southbound Woodbury in front of Woodbury Pines cleaned up.  Bad news is that it will get much worse before it gets better. The crews will be working all weekend [August 17-18] to finish the paving on both sides of the road east of Woodbury. Part of that time will be spent prepping the roadbeds east of Woodbury with the milling machine, assuming rain holds off. So areas this weekend will continue to be moved down to one lane. All work on northbound Woodbury just past the overpass is complete… Monday, crews will continue to work eastbound on Lake Underhill from just past the Winn Dixie shopping center to Woodbury. Yes, this means school opening week. The reason is to get this project done. Most of us are already experiencing lane closures and delays and the sooner we get the pain out of the way, the better we will all be. Again, all of this is assuming the weather stays acceptable for the work to continue.   Interview with a Butcher Reflections from a Retired Avalon Park Residents written by Linda Bilyeu (Sunshine), Village 2 Avalon Park Resident, Lindabilyeu@gmail.com Winn Dixie Butcher of over 20 Years Haven't we all wondered how that piece of chicken or steak got on our plate? What was its journey before we devoured it? I am known as the "Queen Of Questions" so I decided to put my curiosity to work for your entertainment and mine. Since my mind is always in overdrive due to curiosity, why not share what I've learned. My first stop on this new mission is to interview a butcher and pick his brain (not literally, I'm not that curious, YET) to find some answers to my meat questions. You might decide to go the vegetarian route after reading this. If you are squeamish you might want to stop reading now. To animal activists, don't shot the messenger! Some of us enjoy our poultry and beef and we appreciate where it came from and wonder how it got to our plates. Why did you become a butcher? At the age of 14, I was looking for a part-time job. Because I was considered a big boy at 5'11 and 180 lbs the manager of the meat department decided to put me to work for him. He thought being a bag boy would be a waste of my brawny muscles. The rest is history. Pin It David Ligler...the best Winn Dixie butcher that Orlando has ever had.   Quality butchers are a rare find... How long have you been a meat cutter? This year will mark my 47th year as a butcher. The wages I earned from my trade got me through high school and college at Florida State University. After I graduated from FSU I applied for jobs in my field of Pre-Law. The opportunities weren't available and meat-cutting paid better. What's the difference between meat markets, then and now? Back in the day they used to actually break the cattle down. It was delivered in four pieces and we had to break the quarters down to smaller cuts. The cattle was then hung on railings. We would lift the cattle off the railings and remove the fat and trimmings. Slaughterhouses and beef packaging plants changed the methods we use today. Slaughterhouses make more profit by breaking down the animals themselves. At the present time meat departments receive one cow in twelve pieces, de-boned and cryo-packed. The meat is ready to cut. How is ham considered pork? Ham is made from the hind leg of the pig. It's cured and sold as ham. Did you ever kill your own holiday meal? Yes. Many turkeys and also a hog. I shot the hog, skinned it and cleaned it. I then proceeded to hang it in a meat cooler until it firmed up into a gel-like consistency. When that process was over I butchered it and relished it. What is the most common question you receive from customers? They approach me holding a piece of meat, any cut of meat and ask me "how do I cook this?" I receive this question from all ages, 20 years old to 90 years old. I always oblige with an answer. Some answers take longer than others, I'm a man of patience though. To a point. What's the best type of cut of meat for a Pot Roast? Boneless or bone-in chuck roast. This cut has enough fat to slow cook and still maintain its tenderness. What's the best type of cut for steaks? Filet Mignon. This cut comes from the lean, tender muscle in the cow. It's a lazy muscle that doesn't do much work so this makes the filet very mouth-watering. I also suggest the porterhouse or T-bone. This cut come from the short loin of the cow. Can you suggest some grilling tips? First and foremost try your best to not overcook the meat. My secret to good grilling is to lightly sear both sides of the meat. This helps seal in the juices. Can you explain marbling in meat and the benefits of it? Marbling is the fat (white) running through the grain of beef. This fat helps tenderize the beef when cooked. The more marbling the more delicious the meat. It adds flavor. Where's the beef? What exactly is in GROUND Beef?It's excess beef trim that can't be sold as a specific cut of beef. Back in the day chicken gizzards were added to give the grinds the reddish appearance. That practice is no longer allowed, that I know of. There are no fillers in ground beef. Again, that I know of. Do you consider your craft a form of art? Absolutely. Meat cuts have to be eye appealing to the consumer. It's like taking a blank canvas and painting the Mona Lisa. [Sunshine...That was deep for a meat man!] Would you recommend this trade to someone who might be considering it? Yes, I would. Not everyone has the capability of being a meat cutter even though there are many people who call themselves meat cutters. Just like with any other profession you have to want to be the best. Butchers work in a cold environment so if you don't like the cold, this wouldn't be the trade for you. You have to be a people pleaser, make your customers happy so they keep coming back for more. Do you have requests for Beef Tongue? Yes. Tongue is popular among the British and I'm sure other cultures. [Sunshine...ewwww] Can you tell us something about meat that we might not already know? All the fears from catching diseases from fresh meat would be eliminated if all meat is cooked greater than 140* as its internal temperature. At this temperature all bacteria are killed. Is there a question I didn't ask, that you feel is relevant to this interview? No. Sunshine, you covered this interview well. I am available for follow-up questions if needed. [Sunshine...awwww thank you Mr. Butcher aka hubby!] BEHIND THE RAMP AP ROTARY CLUB written by Heidi Cortassa, Avalon Park Neighbor hcortassa@gmail.com Recently, someone asked me, “What does Rotary Do?” I thought, well, that could be a long conversation! While we are all over the World, and our primary mission right now, is to eradicate Polio, (which we have made great strides in with the help of the Bill and Mellissa Gates Foundation) we are also very active in your Avalon Park Community, helping people right here. Most recently we have completed a project that will forever change and better the lives of one small boy and his family. As part of Rotary’s ongoing mission to change lives, we coordinate  wheelchair ramp projects, throughout the year. These projects are coordinated and built by Rotarian volunteers. Here is a short story about the people “Behind the Ramp.” His name is Anthony, but his friends call him Tony. Tony is in the fifth grade and attends school at a local Elementary school. But this will be the last year that Tony can attend school there. You see, Tony has a birth defect that is 100% fatal. It is called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and he is confined to an electric wheelchair. Tony lives with his mom, his grandparents live on the same property, in a detached house. For three years, Tony has not been able to go out of the front door of his house to visit his grandparents. They have to come to him. Throughout all of this, Tony has kept his spirits up and really enjoys going to school. He is a happy, loving, young boy. But there is another side to this story. Tony’s mom does not have the necessary equipment to get him and his wheelchair into their van. She has to pick him up, out of the wheelchair, and place him in the van, then breakdown the wheelchair and place it, in the van. This becoming almost impossible, due to his growth.  They need a retrofit kit for the van, that the family cannot afford. Tony’s mom keeps her spirits up and is the eternal optimist. She knows that no matter what the family faces in the future, they always have each other and a community to lean on. The world truly is a small place. You *can* effect change. You *can* make a difference. When you reach outside of your busy world and get involved, you will begin to experience the unexpected exhilaration of helping others. We invite you to come to one of our meetings.  We meet every Wednesday at 7:15am, at the South Village Community Center. Coffee and breakfast are complimentary.  The rewards are priceless. For more information, please visit our website at RotaryClubOfAvalonPark.org. EAST ORLANDO REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE 32828 by the Numbers! written by  Eddy Solon, 32828 Realtor, AP Resident Keller Williams Advantage Realty II,  http:///www.Realestate32828.com This past month, August, by the numbers:  58 single family homes sold in the 32828 zip code, the average price per square feet was around $102.94 (numbers taken from http://eastorlandorealestatenews.blogspot.com).  As of 09/25, there were  50 SHORT SALES and 26 FORECLOSURES homes for sale in all of Orlando. Many Foreclosures are now being sold close to 2007 levels (pre-crash), hence many homeowners who once were upside down, can now list their homes as a traditional sale, and some may even pocket equity from the sale.    It is a very strong seller's market, hence if you are entertaining the idea of listing your home for sale, this would be a good time.   If considering selling, you must determine an estimate of what your home is worth or what you will need to begin the process.  FIGHTING MY BODY AND WINNING "How I lost 80 lbs and kept it off for 4 Years!" One Neighbor's Story written by Josh Velasquez Story of an Avalon Park Resident  jvelazquez@americanmomentumbank.com People ask me all the time how I did it. Did I do some crazy crash diet? Did I get a trainer? Did I eat? No, to all of that. The real question isn’t how, but why. The how is easy when you have a compelling why. So, in 2009 when I was just 29 years old, my doctor told me that I needed to lose weight or face a lifetime of blood pressure medication. That was pretty shocking news to me. Further, Jess (my wife) was pregnant with our second daughter Jordyn. My mind immediately began to drift to wondering when our girls would get married, when they would have kids and what type of grandparent I would be. Would I be able to be active and enjoy my grandchildren, or would I be immobile and ill?  I made a decision at that moment to give myself the best chance at the former. Enter my new diet plan: The Decision Diet. In 2009 I weighed an embarrassing 230 lbs. I had a very compelling why. Now for the how. Yes, I exercised a LOT. Probably 5-6 times per week for at least 1 hour, sometimes 2. I basically cut out all bad eating. I did not cheat until I made some pretty substantial progress. Even still today I average between 1 and 3 “bad/cheat” meals per week.  Since 2010 I have been able to maintain a weight of 150 lbs.  I did  take some protein shakes and other supplements for short periods of time, which were accelerators of my weight loss. However, the only reason I have been able to keep it off is I really changed my lifestyle and my eating habits.  There is no getting around the fact that you must eat healthy and not habitually overeat if you want to maintain a healthy weight. Products and supplements designed for people who want to chase the mirage of weight loss without work and sacrifice is a BIG business in the United States. Don’t fall for it. It's hard work. That’s why you need a compelling why. You will be tempted, you will have setbacks. Your compelling why will help you to push through and get back on the horse when you fall off. I didn’t write this to brag, but wanted to share my story to encourage people. You can get healthy. All you need is a compelling reason and you’re on your way. For me, my daughter Jordyn was all the motivation I needed to get serious about being healthy. AP Gazette Opportunities As a new and growing newsletter, we have many opportunities for neighbors to contribute and volunteer their writing talents and time to help build community.  We are a group of volunteers.  Below are several positions still needing to be filled: 1.  Reviewers- to review final submittal of newsletters prior to publishing 2.  Education Contributor-   An article written by an Educator in one of East Orlando schools.  Topics may be anything to do with Education and teacher, student, and parent awareness.  This will be a good place to highlight top achievers in our school (teachers and students). 3.  Sports Contributor-   To discuss East Orlando Sports, anything from little league and up 4.  Political Contributors-   Discuss local politics that impact East Orlando Residents along with other Political contributors To be able to participate, you must be an East Orlando resident, if writing, submit an article prior to 3rd Thursday of the Month 12:00 pm, and send your interest and brief description of your background to Publishing@apgazette.com   Keep in mind, any neighbor can submit an article. 5.  Safety Contributor- Preferably someone in law enforcement who lives or patrol our community to provide monthly contribution on safety trends, practices, and awareness.  6. Tell us your story- Have a personal story about a triumph or a life transition that took place and you think it will benefit others, tell us your story by emailing publishing@apgazette.com 7.  Have A Birthday or Anniversary coming up, Email us and we will showcase it in the associated issue.  Email publishing@apgazette.com (This Newsletter is not affiliated or represent Avalon Park POA Newsletter and is independently ran by Neighbors for Neighbors)

Volume II Issue VIII

Avalon Park Gazette presents New Beginnings: New Look Volume II Issue VIII In this Issue: Welcome, East Orlando Safety, Orange County, AP Knit Wits,  Letter to HOA, Real Estate 32828, AP First Time Home Buyers Seminar, My Journey, Children Spark Inspiration,  Social Me and AP Gazette Opportunities (Any neighbor in the 32828 zip code can contribute by sending their article to Publishing@apgazette.com for consideration) Lead Reviewer: Sara Morris Managing Editor: Eddy Solon Front Cover Photo: 1. Downtown AP, Taken by Ken Dennings Front Cover Photo: 2. AP KNIT WITS, Submitted by Kellie Seif

WELCOME written by Eddy Solon, Northwest Village East Orlando Realtor, Keller Williams  Realestate32828@gmail.com   Welcome neighbors.  We are glad to be reaching over 2,000 plus residents in East Orlando, and happier to be "Building Community One Issue at a time." When I say Avalon Park is a special place to live, I mean it.   It really isn't just a neighborhood, its a community.  I was reminded of this when we went to our little Hannah's Meet the Teacher.  She is so excited to be entering Kindergarten.   After entering her class and seeing where she would be sitting, we noticed a familiar name tag laying directly beside hers, Madison.  Well this was a very special person sitting right next to Hannah, because several years ago, my Neighbors, Brian and Zulieka, were pregnant with their first child while we were Pregnant with our little Hannah. I remember vividly, Brian and I talking after game night and how we were so excited about the possibilities of these two going to school together and now to see them placed next to each other without any input from either of us, is short of amazing.   There is so much more back story to this, and it is just so very special the community we have in Avalon Park where neighbors are watching out for one another and their precious gifts.    I would continue to encourage residents to engage yourself in one of the many different interests groups we have in Avalon Park.   I bet your experience and journey would be one of fulfillment, enrichment and servitude.   The Series “My Journey" has come to an end with this issue, but do not be disheartened.  We have another Series planned "My Business Journey."  Avalon Park Businesses discuss how they came to be, their triumphs and challenges.  Mike Seif's contribution this month is a good segue to this new series.   If you are an Avalon Park Business and will like to contribute your story (remember, we only have 6 articles in this series), please feel free to emailpublishing@apgazette.com for consideration.   Every month, we have had the opportunity to be inspired by one of our neighbors and peek inside a part of their life's journey.  We have shared their challenges, disappointments, triumphs, and reflections.  It has been enriching, rewarding, and most of all, a great contribution to our monthly articles.  In this issue, we have the opportunity to read the journey of Mike Seif, Avalon Park Community Advocate, Orange TV Operations Manager, and Resident.  We also would like to welcome one of our newest Education Specialist Contributor, Manuel Jimenez. We are often asked why an event or an issue impacting our community was not included.   The simple answer is, although we strive to cover issues impacting our community, unless someone writes an article and submits it, it most likely will not be included.  This newsletter is truly a newsletter developed by neighbors for neighbors and the content responsibility is shared by the community, therefore we all are part of the Gazette Team.    Hence, if you have an event or life style oriented article that you would like to submit, please do so!  Submit your article by the third Thursday of the month, by 12 pm, to publishing@apgazette.com for consideration in the next issue. Lastly, we would like to thank our newest Sponsor, American Momentum Bank, for their Platinum Sponsorship, specifically Josh Velazquez, Mortgage Loan Originator.   We really appreciate your Sponsorship and contributing to the enrichment of our community through your participation!  For sponsorship opportunities, please email Sponsorships@apgazette.com EAST ORLANDO SAFETY 32828 Statistics: Zone 22B Retrieved from OCSO Website Safety@apgazette.com Where 31 incidents were reported since the last Newsletter, 19 incidents were reported this month in our zone, which includes Avalon Park Area and surrounding communities.   However, the data is incomplete, unlike other months, the OCSO website is only reporting up to August 8th and is not up to date.   Based on the partial data available, there were 6 Auto Burglaries, 9 Residential Burglaries, 2 Stolen Vehicles and 1 Strong Arm Robbery. Case Number Crime Location Date 130068444 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [500 - 698] SPRING ISLAND WY  8/8/2013 130067860 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [13601 - 13699] GUILDHALL CI  8/7/2013 130067876 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [1 - 99] PIED CT  8/7/2013 130067012 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [3000 - 3048] INDUS DR  8/3/2013 130068135 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [2201 - 2439] CYPRESS TRACE CI  8/2/2013 130065862 AUTO BURGLARY [13501 - 13719] WATERHOUSE WY  7/31/2013 130065739 AUTO BURGLARY [13501 - 13719] WATERHOUSE WY  7/30/2013 130064299 STOLEN VEHICLE [10750 - 10998] ARBOR VIEW BV  7/26/2013 130064014 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [2000 - 2118] SUNSET TERRACE DR  7/25/2013 130064069 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [13101 - 13199] HEMING WY  7/25/2013 130064110 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [2000 - 2118] SUNSET TERRACE DR  7/25/2013 130064295 AUTO BURGLARY [200 - 298] WHITERAPIDS CT  7/25/2013 130064602 STOLEN VEHICLE [810 - 998] OAK CHASE DR  7/25/2013 130063591 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY [14111 - 14199] MAGNOLIA GLEN CI  7/24/2013 130063753 STRONG ARM TO PERSON [3951 - 4099] CLEARY WY  7/24/2013 130063871 AUTO BURGLARY [16700 - 16798] CEDAR CREST DR  7/24/2013 130063497 AUTO BURGLARY [501 - 599] WATERSCAPE WY  7/23/2013 130405877 AUTO BURGLARY [351 - 379] FIELDSTREAM WEST BV  7/23/2013   This month and every month after, we will report a summary of crimes reported in our specific area and adjacent neighborhoods.  The first step in crime prevention is awareness. Avalon Park Residents, Have a safety concern?  Feel free to email our off duty deputy Sal.Saldano@ocfl.net   He is very responsive!   What does off duty mean?  It really does not mean they are completely off duty.   They are hired by funds set aside by our HOA dues, on their off duty hours, to help secure the safety of our Avalon Park community.    We have 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 emailSafety@apgazette.com to be distributed to our 2,000 plus subscribers.   ORANGE COUNTY NEWS Tree Adoption Program- FREE TREES for Orange County Residents September 21st ~ 8am until trees are gone 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. 2013 Plant and Garden Festival Save The Date!   Saturday, September 21, 2013 ~ 9am to 4pm Cooperative Extension, 6021 South Conway Road, Orlando, 32812 Plants, Guest Speakers, Children's Activities, Food Trucks, Vendor Displays, Garden Shop, Workshops, Door Prizes/Raffles and more!   Experts and workshops will address topics such as improving garden soil, landscape design, hydroponic vegetable gardening, herbs, succulent and garden picks for Central Florida. FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING... PLEASE JOIN US!   For additional information, please call 407-254-9200. OCPS Still Seeking Faith-Based Partners Every school in Orange County Public Schools needs volunteers and community partners-from elementary schools to high schools to alternative and exceptional education centers. Faith-based organizations make ideal partners (functioning in a non-proselytizing capacity) because of the organizational structure they already have in place. The extra attention and care from such volunteers can inspire students to reach for and realize their dreams. Click here for more ideas on participation. Or if you're ready to get started, contact Kate Galindo to be matched with a school in need. Time is running out to get all the details sorted out with OCPS so you'll be ready to go when the 2013-2014 school year begins. Hurry! Orange County Public Schools just keep coming up with new ways that faith-based entities, community organizations and every individual in the region can help make the county's schools more effective.  Not only are faith-based and community organizations invited to adopt a school, everyone can help raise funds for schools through a program called Fuel My School. As the foregoing link points out, it's as easy as 1-2-3. When you're shopping at all your favorite online stores--Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Sports Authority, just about any store--be sure to do it through your school's online mall at FuelMySchool.com, and the school you've designated will get a commission.  And it's at no extra cost to you! Is that great opportunity or what?  Check it out. Several New State Laws Affecting HOA's & Condo Associations If you missed our Community Connections Workshop in June, make sure to brush up on the recent changes to Florida State Statutes affecting Community Associations.  The Bills HB73 and HB7119, which will have significant impacts on the operation of condominium, cooperative, and homeowners' associations, were signed into law by Governor Rick Scott and will be effective starting July 1, 2013.  Click here for a summary of these new laws; provided by Community Association Leadership Lobby.  AP KNIT WITS Warming Heads and Hearts with Yarn written by Kellee Seif, Avalon Park Neighbor kellee.seif@gmail.com Renate Weber had been knitting for patients for years, and when she was recently asked by Florida Hospital's Cancer Center Chaplin, Pastor Niesha Steinke, if she could knit hats for chemotherapy patients, she thought bigger than herself.  She posted on Facebook under the Avalon Park Voice group that she was looking for others interested in knitting and crocheting to help with the project.  That was just over a month ago and there are now over fifteen members of Avalon Park Knit Wits.  They meet weekly to share ideas, enjoy conversation, and make chemo caps and newborn hats and blankets. Chemo caps, as they are commonly referred to, are simply knit hats that cover the heads of patients who have lost hair due to chemotherapy treatments.  And the newborn hats and blankets are for the newborn babies in the NICU at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. Anyone interested in joining Avalon Park Knit Wits is welcome.  No previous needle crafting experience is necessary.  Members that have more experience are happy to help those who are learning.  Those who don’t have an interest in knitting or crocheting are also invited to help by donating coupons for Michael’s and JoAnn Fabrics and soft yarn they won’t use.  Also, many children receiving chemotherapy do not like to wear knit hats, especially in Florida, so donations of new, unused hats, such as baseball caps are also welcome.   Avalon Park Knit Wits meets Thursday evenings at 7 pm at the Avalon Park South Village Community Center.  If you would like to participate, please go to the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/apknitwits/ and request to join.  The Facebook group is where the group members share patterns, set meetings and update each other on their progress.   QUIET ENJOYMENT... Well My Warranty Deed, at least, Say so! written by Linda Bilyeu (Sunshine), Village 2 Avalon Park Resident Lindabilyeu@gmail.com My Letter to Florida HOA When I first purchased my home, I received a deed to my home, specifically a Warranty Deed. A warranty deed includes a covenant of quiet enjoyment.  Over the years I've listened to many stories about the Homeowners Associations of America. The dreaded HOA who seem to go above and beyond to pester residents of communities. HOA employees are just doing their job, someone has to do it. It's our choice to live in a deed restricted neighborhood. We could also choose not to. Their job isn't an easy one. They hear all sorts of excuses from residents who don't play by the rules. Having an HOA is beneficial for a community. They assist with property values and resale. I've lived in communities with an HOA for almost 25 years and I appreciate their work and dedication to the area. I never had an issue with them until now. Could it be because many of the residents aren't paying their fees due to foreclosures, rentals or just because they don't want to? I don't know. I don't care to get involved with their situations. I just don't appreciate when they seem to pester and harass residents over insignificant and frivolous things. I would like the HOA to care more about the communities wants and needs and less about the almighty dollar. Hence my letter to the HOA... Sunshine's abode Source: Sunshine Dear HOA, I have received so many letters from you I thought it was time I send you a letter. This is not a letter of praise. This is not a letter of gratitude. This is a letter of annoyance. This is me telling you, I'm tired of being harassed. This is a Sunshine anti-fan letter. Let me remind you, in case it has slipped your mind...I pay you, you don't pay me. I send you a quarterly payment to do your job. Yes, do your job. I don't pay you to harass me with silly letters. Such as making me aware that my granddaughter left her tricycle on the porch. Seriously? Do you not have better things to do? Let me remind you one more time...I pay you! I don't pay you to send me a letter that I didn't edge the border of my flower bed when it was only 2 inches high. Really? There must be something more constructive for you to do to earn your salary. OK, I think you now realize that if it wasn't for the residents you most likely wouldn't have a job...a thank you once in a while would be appreciated. I'll now mention the letters I received about a few leaves scattered on the street. Just in case you were't aware of this, the street is actually the counties property. Surely you knew that. How about the letter for weeds? The same weeds that found their way to my yard via my neighbors lawn. The dead spot of grass that's the size of a baseball. Oh my. Residents supposedly break rules when they don't adhere to each covenant? I won't get into "aren't rules meant to be broken" here, but seriously...you must take into consideration that there are always, always two sides to every story. Just because you have the power of the HOA please don't think that you could do no wrong. I'm here to tell you that you can. You aren't perfect. Perfection doesn't exist in the real world. Tale of the letters... First it was a cordial reminder letter. The next month it was a 2nd reminder letter. Then a 3rd letter with a threat to fine me due to not adhering to the "Covenants of the HOA." You are going to fine me for not tending to my lawn, which I do weekly? I pamper my lawn more than I pamper myself. How dare you accuse me or threaten me of being neglectful. I consider that rude. Did you forget who pays your salary? In a nutshell, would you pay a fine for something that you know you did correctly, yet someone else didn't? I'm not passing the blame. If I was guilty as charged I would pay the fine. I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong. Do you? I'm curious as to why you just drive by homes with your notebooks and never step out of the car. Yes, I've seen you casually coast your car from home to home jotting down notes and taking photos. Why, don't you ever stop by and ring the bell to say hello? If the neighborhood has an HOA chances are it's a safe area. Do you fear confrontations? Are you guilty of something? I consider that cowardly that you won't say hello to me. Maybe we could chat and discuss issues that I might have. Or we could just talk about the weather. I mean I do pay you, wouldn't you like to meet your boss? I am a nice person. I don't bite. Have you considered cutting back on letters and "going green" and doing your part to save the enviroment. In addition you could stop wasting our money and go paperless. Did you ever stop and think about the trees that could be saved with the amount of letters that you mail out to residents? You are cutting off our oxygen! How about using email instead of snail mail? Wouldn't that be wiser? How about the telephone? Something for you to consider if you care anything about the enviroment. Also if you care anything about saving the residents some money. (Insert humor) For the record I did mail you your letters back. I included the dates and times of all impending fractions of the "covenant" rules, that I supposedly broke. I don't feel I had to do so, I'm an adult and I sure as heck don't think it's right that I need to be "told" when to tend to my yardwork. I sure as heck don't need to be told to clean up leaves from neighbors trees that the rain washed to the front of my house. Do you ever take into consideration that a hardship might have been bestowed unto residents? Do you ever think that you might be too annoying? Believe it or not we could all be annoying. No one is perfect. You get what you pay for... Word on the street is that you ended a contract with the maintenance company. You put some good people out of work. Why? Because you received a cheaper deal from a company that you aren't sure if their work is up to par. Yet you saved money. Never mind that the good people who are now out of a job were residents of the community. They worked endless hours to be sure our community sparkled. And it sure did. Since you are now saving money does this mean our fees will be reduced. I didn't think so. That's more pocket money for you. My fees went up from $158 a quarter to $250 a quarter within 10 years. What do we get? More firework fiestas to drive our animals insane. No thank you! I do understand you have a job to do. I just don't agree with how you perform your duties. I don't trust the HOA and I am entitled to voice my opinion. All I ask is that you do not harass. No one likes their buttons pushed. No one. It's just not the American way. Source: Sunshine Disclaimer: As with any group of people, anywhere there will be bad apples. These bad apples ignore the rules. They ignore the "covenant" and don't pay homeowners fees. That's unacceptable. I also think it's unacceptable when the good apples have to suffer due to the bad apples. Some HOA's try to take advantage of the good apples by trying to syphon extra fees out of them to compensate for the bad apples. That should never be permitted. Maybe I live on a different planet than these HOA's, but if that's the case I'll stay on my planet and you stay on yours. Never, ever try to abuse your power. Never, ever try to do wrong unto someone who is doing the right thing seeking to quietly enjoy their beautiful community! . EAST ORLANDO REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATE 32828 by the Numbers! written by  Eddy Solon, 32828 Realtor, AP Resident Keller Williams Advantage Realty II http:///www.Realestate32828.com This past month, July, by the numbers:  77 single family homes sold in the 32828 zip code, the average price per square feet was around $102.46  (numbers taken from http://eastorlandorealestatenews.blogspot.com).  As of 08/14, there were  50 SHORT SALES and 43 FORECLOSURES homes for sale in all of Orlando. What does all this mean?  To put it into perspective, price per square feet increased about $1 from the previous month, however the availability of Short Sales and Foreclosures have also increased by more than 30%.    In addition, many Foreclosures are now being sold close to 2007 levels (pre-crash), hence many homeowners who once were up side down, can now list their homes as a traditional sale, and some may even pocket equity from the sale.    It is a very strong seller's market, hence if you are entertaining the idea of listing your home for sale, this would be a good time. If considering selling, you must determine an estimate of what your home is worth or what you will need to begin the process.    EAST ORLANDO FIRST TIME HOMEOWNERS SEMINAR   AT CHASE IN AVALON PARK SPONSORED BY THE SOLON GROUP & CHASE  The Solon Group:   homes@Realestate32828.com                     Chase:      krisey.littlejohn@chase.com The first stop when you house shop! My New Home workshop When:  September 17, 2013 at 6:30 pm Where:  Chase - Avalon Park 425 Avalon Park Blvd S #100 Orlando, FL 32828 REGISTER TODAY BY EMAILING YOUR NAME & PHONE NUMBER TOHomes@RealEstate32828.com Buying a home is one of the most important financial decisions you will ever make. And as with any big decision, you want to be sure you know your facts and options first. Expert guidance. Real-life examples. In-depth explanations. The My New Home workshop offers everything you need to know as you prepare to buy a home. This educational workshop will help you to: •• Understand your costs up front •• Determine a price range that’s realistic and comfortable for you •• Know more about how a real estate agent can help you •• Learn how your credit score can impact your loan •• Identify the paperwork you need for a smooth loan process Visit chase.com/MyNewHome/learn for more information, online tools and resources Register today! Contact me for details.  All home lending products are subject to credit and property approval. Rates, program terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Not all products are available in all states or  for all amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. Home lending products offered by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.   MY JOURNEY: MIKE SEIF One Neighbor's Story written by Judi K. Kerr, Orange Spiel Story of an Avalon Park Resident  mpseif@gmail.com In our fast paced world, you need a savvy technical guru to keep the rest of us up on the latest trends in information sharing and delivery. Enter—Mike Seif, Operations Manager for Orange TV. If you’ve ever met Mike, you would know what I mean by fast-paced. He speaks at warp speed in super-techno ease as he mentions video-streaming, codecs and containers, and .iOS and .avi file formats. All of this talk can be quite confusing to non-teckkies, but his end product is always right on cue. Like Scotty from Star Trek, Mike’s high-tech skills allow him to come up with last-minute solutions. A recent example of his cutting edge gift was at the 2013 Mayor’s State of the County Address at Full Sail LIVE. From the idyllic Orange County visuals on-stage to the wellcrafted videos, Mike worked countless hours to engineer a brilliant and well-received end product in record time. Mike moved to Orange County 11 years ago from Miami, Florida with his Family to Avalon Park. Once a master of infomercials and music videos in the 1990s, he appeared on the scene to bring OTV up-to-speed on its broadcasting quality. Mike even developed a virtual studio in his home, so he can take care of any problems that could arise on the fly. This is far-far away from the days of ticker tape and jail mug shots on OTV. “Mike Seif is one of the key reasons why Orange TV has evolved into one of the nation’s best television production studios for government and informational programming. His technical expertise is matched only by his passion for excellence and his ability to spread his sense of fun and enthusiasm throughout the staff,” says Steve Triggs, Orange County Communications Manager. Lucky for Orange County Mike loves to keep up on the latest in web and video standards. “This has allowed me to merge OTV with new trends in social media and web development,” says Mike. “In most cases you would have somebody who understands only one of those aspects and would either outsource the other to a company or would have to hire two positions to accommodate this evolution in video distribution.”   CHILDREN SPARK INSPIRATION written by Manuel Jimenez Avalon Park Neighbor centralfloridalanguageacademy@gmail.com The 2012-2013 school year was like any other, another wave of students working their way to two credits of high school Spanish. Every group of students is special because they are your group of students for that year, and as a teacher, it’s an opportunity to spark an interest they may have never considered.  Some students take it seriously, others not so much. Then... One day, my daughter’s 1st grade teacher Mrs. Shutters, sent an email asking for mystery readers. I responded right away. I knew it would be a fun experience. So, I went in one afternoon and brought over some Spanish books to read. I figured “it’s what I do, why not.” I read “El Verano” aloud to the students, all of them sitting on the carpet listening, and watching as I began the story. I would check for comprehension just to make sure they understood the story, and they did! I would ask them to repeat some words, and to tell me some words they already knew. The children were like sponges taking in everything I said. The excitement in their faces and the eagerness to learn is what sealed the deal. I got goose bumps when it came to me; this is what these young children need. At that moment, I made a decision to embark on this quest to offer languages to elementary school children. It was this group of students that inspired me to establish this language program.   I enjoy being involved in my children’s school, being a member of the PTA, volunteering for PTA events, and doing what ever I can to help out at the school and its teachers. I know that being involved is the key to a great school, students, and community.  -Manuel E. Jimenez Central Florida Language Academy has passion for languages! We believe that one of the keys to success is being multilingual. That is why we offer after school language courses to elementary school students during the regular school year. Our mission is to develop the students of tomorrow through language acquisition. Classes are held at Stone Lakes Elementary 15200 Stoneybrook Blvd. Orlando, FL 32828 between Avalon Park and Stoneybrook communities.  This convenient location makes it possible for students from surrounding schools to take advantage of the courses being offered this 2013-2014 school year. Central Florida Language Academy will be offering Spanish, French and Chinese Mandarin for 13 weeks during the first semester.  2013-2014 Fall Semester Schedule Tuesdays and Thursdays After school 3:30pm-4:30pm SOCIAL ME Here's what's on Social Media: Avalon Park's Assisted Living Facility Coming Soon!!!!!! EventsJoinMaybe Encore at Avalon Park Ground Breaking Ceremony Tuesday, September 10, 2013 5:30pm until 7:30pm 13798 Cygnus Drive, Orlando, Florida 32828 Please join us for the Ground Breaking Ceremony of Avalon Park's Premier Senior Living Neighborhood! AP Gazette Opportunities As a new and growing newsletter, we have many opportunities for neighbors to contribute and volunteer their writing talents and time to help build community.  We are a group of volunteers.  Below are several positions still needing to be filled: 1.  Reviewers- to review final submittal of newsletters prior to publishing 2.  Education Contributor-   An article written by an Educator in one of East Orlando schools.  Topics may be anything to do with Education and teacher, student, and parent awareness.  This will be a good place to highlight top achievers in our school (teachers and students). 3.  Sports Contributor-   To discuss East Orlando Sports, anything from little league and up 4.  Political Contributors-   Discuss local politics that impact East Orlando Residents along with other Political contributors To be able to participate, you must be an East Orlando resident, if writing, submit an article prior to 3rd Thursday of the Month 12:00 pm, and send your interest and brief description of your background to Publishing@apgazette.com   Keep in mind, any neighbor can submit an article. 5.  Safety Contributor- Preferably someone in law enforcement who lives or patrol our community to provide monthly contribution on safety trends, practices, and awareness. 6. Tell us your story- Have a personal story about a triumph or a life transition that took place and you think it will benefit others, tell us your story by emailing publishing@apgazette.com 7.  Have A Birthday or Anniversary coming up, Email us and we will showcase it in the associated issue.  Email publishing@apgazette.com