Volume I Issue II
Embarking on a Journey Together
In this Issue:
Neighborhood Watch, Avalon Realestate, Avalon Sports, Waiting is the Hardest Part, Community Changers, Expecting the Unexpected, Peyote Moon, What's Growing On, Yard of the Month
Neighborhood Watch: Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing
written by Eddy Solon, Northwest Village
TheSolonFamily@yahoo.com
Welcome neighbors. There have been alot of updates since our last issue regarding Neighborhood Watch and are back in our Forming and Storming phase. In the following issue, we will discuss a summary of incidents that have occurred this past month, transitioning the program, and Neighborhood Watch basics. Before giving the September statistics, we must understand as an active community that these statistics/ information are here to help us proactively engage in the safety of our community and not foster a sense of danger/ insecurity. Comparatively, Avalon Park is one of the safest places to live, so as we discuss safety in Avalon Park always keep this in mind. It is certainly OK that some may not be able to receive periodic updates because it may adversely affect their perspective, but for others, I would encourage you to use the information to engage your neighbors and build community. It's statistically proven that communities with involved neighbors have significantly lower crime.
This past month the incidents reported on
Avalon Park Neighborhood Watch website by neighbors were:
| Incident Reported | Disposition by Off duties |
| Loitering on Cassia | |
| Stolen Bike and Tools Florida Soapberry Blvd | Clarence "Chad" Carter the suspected culprit was caught in the act and arrested 09/20/2012 |
| Stolen items out of Garage on Red Mangrove | Clarence "Chad" Carter the suspected culprit was caught in the act and arrested 09/20/2012 |
| Blocked Alley way by Truck (blocking access to homes) on Clarkson Drive | |
This month and every month after, we will report a summary of incidents and any updates from our off duties in a table like above.
As we move forward, there are several opportunities for residents to get engaged in our award winning program. We have Five Key opportunities, Neighborhood Watch Coordinator working under the NW board, Social Media Coordinator, Events Coordinator, Village Coordinators and Block Captains. For the Social Media Coordinator, Events Coordinator, Village Coordinator and Block captains there are very little effort needed on your part except to be the point person to forward emails to your neighbors. You are simply keeping your neighbors informed, however for the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, it will require a bit more time coordinating quarterly meetings and strategically posturing our organization to successfully reach the safety needs of our community.
We have had several interest in the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Position, however only one so far that has confirmed their intent to be a candidate.
Brian Jones is the block captain for strawberry tree lane/three rivers and also is the coordinator for village 4. He's been an Avalon resident since 2006, became a home owner in 2007 on Silver River Trail, moved to carriage lake drive in 2009 and recently moved/purchase a home on Strawberry Tree lane in September 2011. My family and career are his drivers. He love spending time with his family around the house visiting with neighbors. He's a district manager with Public Storage and have been employed their since 2009. Before that he was an area manager with Enterprise Rent A Car for 15 years. His involvement with NW started recently as he stated "I truly love my community and wanted to help the neighborhood and Avalon Park residents." He is happy to help the team and if that is being the overall coordinator or village 4 coordinator, he is up for either challenge. He has extensive experience with management and safety.
Interested in getting to know more about Brian, please email brianj4u2@gmail.com
If you are interested in being a candidate, please send it by next issue to Thesolonfamily@yahoo.com The Neighborhood Watch Coordinator will begin his/ her activities in January 2013. Voting by neighbors will take place December 6. Keep in mind voting will only take place for the Neighborhood Watch coordinator position and only if there are more then one candidate. All other opportunities are filled immediately when requested. Please do not forget to forward this newsletter to your neighbors.
So what do you do when you see something suspicious? First, you contact the non emergency like at 407-836-help or 911 if needed. Secondly, you submit an online incident report so neighbors who live in your area can be notified. You can submit an online incident report at http://www.avalonparkwatch.org/incident_report.htm Please only monitor and report suspicious activity....Do not engage any criminals or suspicious individuals.
Also, feel free to email our off duty deputies 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 4, and Sal is the primary coordinator.
The Pulse of the Market: The Steady Climb
written by Brenda Kolbrich, Remax Avalon Park, Village Two
brenda@TopOrlandoHomes.com
The market continues to be strong and prices continue to gradually climb especially for Townhomes. As of September 20 there were seventeen active properties for sale in Avalon Park. There are over 3800 properties in Avalon so this is a very low inventory of homes. We have less than one month “absorption” rate here in Avalon Park. This means it would take one month to sell all of the homes for sale in Avalon. When a home comes on the market, if priced correctly and shows well, there are usually multiple offers and the offers are often over the asking price.
From September 1 to September 20 there are sixty pending properties (many are short sales waiting to close) and nine properties have Sold and closed in this same time period. New guidelines have come out for short sales which are very good for the sellers.
Avalon Sports: Timber Creek does it again!
written by Marlon Jones, Certified Trainer, Avalon Park Blvd, Village 4
www.mbstrainingclub.com
Hello Neighbors! After coaching high school football for both JV and Varsity, working as a wide receiver coach in Tampa, Florida, coaching alongside former NFL players Richard “Batman” Woods (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Andre Waters (Philadelphia Eagles) and being owner of
Mbs Training Club, I am glad to be an Avalon Park resident and contribute monthly to our Gazette. This past month in Avalon Sports, Timber Creek ranking has improved, up 214 for it's national ranking to 581 and up 20 for it's State ranking to 45 according to the Maxpreps, a cbs sports site. Congratulations to #10 Jacques Patrick, #77 Andrew Shea, and #55 Nick Zaccone for being selected as Players of the game on September 14, 2012 against Hagerty. Timber Creek Wolves brutally won the home non-conference game against Hagerty taking no hostages by a score of 41-7…ouch! The top players of the game versus Freedom on August 31, 2012 were #20 Keith White, #12 Stucky Mosley, and #2 Chris Board. On September 21, 2012 the Wolves faced another challenging team, Boone, whose rankings are better, State and Nationally. Although, Boone was ranked better, our TC won by a big margin, 30-7. Sophomore running back Jacques Patrick stood out for the Wolves in the win, rushing for 230 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Patrick is a member of the Class of 2015 Top 100 Watch List, has scored seven touchdowns on the season. TC plays Olympia Titans (2-2) next on September 28, 2012. I will update the results of the game next issue.
I am interested in all of Avalon Park sports, from little league and up, so please feel free to email me all updates on, mvps, recaps, winnings and losses to report in the next issue. Email it to Sports@apgazette.com
The Waiting is the Hardest Part…..
written by Licensed Psychologist and Avalon Park YMCA Yoga Instructor, Dr. Purvi Gandhi
www.drpurvigandhi.com.
Have you ever found yourself waiting in line, and becoming restless? Maybe even a little fidgety? Many times, the waiting brings out a need to do something in that time. Most of us will reach for our Smartphones to fill the time.
What an invention! These devices allow us to connect and communicate with so many people in all parts of the world. But these same devices take us away from connecting in the real world. In our attempts to connect with others via email, Facebook, etc., we are missing the opportunity to connect with those standing right around us.
There are occasions in our lives to have chance encounters, make business connections, or even just share a friendly smile with another person. But with our heads positioned down, staring at the screen on our cellular phones, we are losing these moments.
So the next time you are waiting in line, think about just waiting….without using your cell phone…and you may find yourself making even more profound and real connections with those around you.
Community Changers: NeuroRestorative of Avalon Park
written by Eddy Solon, Northwest Village
Thesolonfamily@yahoo.com
Did you know that we have a company in Avalon Park that is literally changing and improving people lives by leaps and bounds? NeuroRestorative of Avalon Park
is a leading provider of post-acute rehabilitation services for people of all ages with brain and spinal cord injuries and other neurological injuries. Since opening it's doors in Avalon Park, they have been successfully aiding in the rehabilitation of patients in a dignified, individualistic, and positive environment It's a unique program because it does not only service people with Brain injuries but spinal cord also. They build on the individual strengths of the patients to help them become "more independent and more of their own self" as stated on their website. They actively engage their patients with their outdoor surrounding enjoying all the beautiful lakes and walking trails in Avalon Park.
Our fellow neighbors enjoy movies in the park and all the local restaurants on their rehabilitation journey. Some of their services in Avalon Park includes occupational therapy, PT, speech therapy, behavioral analyst and recreational therapy, including a therapy pool which helps relax the patient's muscles with a built in treadmill. The therapist are extremely patient and the program affords each patient the opportunity to enjoy freedoms that many of us take for granted. NeuroRestorative is not only an Avalon Park business, it's a community changer. The work that they do and our fellow neighbors certainly enrich our community!
http://www.neurorestorative.com/locations/florida/avalon-park
Expecting the Unexpected: One Neighbor's Story
written by Virginia Sasser, South Village
VWSkids@aol.com
Our Saturday started out like most any other Saturday with chores around the house and taking care of our 9-year-old granddaughter and our 1-year-old grandson, as we prepared for school to begin on Monday. I have been our grandchildren's primary caregiver since birth for our daughter who works full-time, also an Avalon Park resident along with her husband. My husband, Alan, is a computer systems analyst working full-time at home.
The day started out sunny and soon became hot and humid being it was late August. After working outside, Alan sat down to cool off and I knew something wasn't right, but at first suspected it may be heat exhaustion, since it was so hot outside and he hadn't eaten. He decided to go rest in another room and soon called me to come there. I knew in my heart that he was suffering a heart attack, but I didn't want to voice that out loud because somehow if I did that would make it real. Alan asked me to call 911 as his chest felt tight, like his heart was being squeezed, and he wasn't feeling any better from resting, and then his arm was starting to feel numb. He hadn't experienced anything like it before, suffered no other health issues with no medications, didn't even take vitamins, nor was he overweight. I knew this was serious with him asking for help because that wasn't like him to ask for medical care. I called our daughter at work to let her know what was happening and called 911. I was holding Alan's hand and just trying to make sure he was relaxed, talking to him so he wasn't too aware of how much time it was taking help to arrive. Alan was beginning to say his goodbyes to me, as he said he wasn't sure if he was going to make it if help didn't arrive soon. I think he was doing his best to hang in there because his fear was dying in our home in front of our grandchildren. I knew at that moment he wasn't going to last much longer without immediate medical attention.
The ambulance finally arrived, with no time to spare. At the hospital they sedated him to relax his heart, then the helicopter arrived for him to be transported immediately to Florida Hospital-Rollins for treatment. Alan underwent a cardiac catheterization where they found blockage in three of his main arteries. The doctor needed to perform open heart surgery, a triple bypass was what they thought would be needed, but they found one of his arteries from birth was never completely working, which we never knew. They scheduled him for double bypass surgery on Monday morning. When the surgeon came in to speak to us about Alan's condition he just looked at him and said "I don't know why you are still here, but by an act of God you are because patients who suffer with a "widow maker" don't normally live to tell about it." As you can understand why it is called this.
This brought Alan to tears knowing how close he really came to death that day. He looked over at me and he knew by the look on my face that I already knew how serious it was. Even while I was holding his hand waiting for the ambulance to arrive that day I never showed in my face my worry, this I am thankful for. Hopefully, this helped him not to be more concerned with the seriousness of his condition. We are so thankful that God spared him that day because he was able to walk our daughter down the aisle on her wedding day just 6 weeks later. We lost a dear friend who suffered with a "widow maker" only a few years earlier, and he was only 39 years old at the time. His too came on suddenly and he didn't make it into surgery. It has been two years since that day that forever changed our lives. Alan is doing remarkably well, however, once a heart patient always a heart patient, so he will remain under a cardiologist's care for the remainder of his natural life. He is still working full-time and stays active. I don't think he is ready to retire just yet. We will be celebrating his 70th birthday in October aboard the Disney Fantasy with family.
Peyote Moon: A local Avalon Park Band
written by
Lakshmi Ramaseshan,Golden Rain Tree, Village 5
lramaseshan@yahoo.com
Peyote Moon is an East Orlando trio from Avalon park that features three vocalists and emphasizes harmonies. They perform a combination of rock, pop and country favorites and a number of originals that local audiences have enjoyed. The trio has been performing for two years at local restaurants and cafes, as well as performing at industry conventions in Orlando and Indianapolis.
The core of the trio is Lakshmi Ramaseshan and Phil Davis, two seasoned performers. Lakshmi, from India, was previously in an Indian pop band. She has been a resident of Avalon Park for over 7 years. Phil, the trio's composer/songwriter, has performed in bands since the seventies. Both are also founding members of a seven-piece band known as "Forbidden 403."
They routinely include other local artists in their sets..... so a "Peyote Moon" performance includes plenty of vocal and song variety to please diverse audiences.
"Peyote Moon" derived its name from one of their original songs of the same title. The song was inspired from the numerous trips to the Navajo Nation for a video project in which Phil Davis connected with the spirituality of the Navajo land.
The trio is currently recording a CD of 13 original songs, which will be available in late 2013.
They are also planning to secure a songwriting agent in Nashville.
Next Performance:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 29th
Location: Mellow Mushroom - East Orlando... at Colonial Dr. and Alafaya Tr.
Time: 9:30 -11:30pm
What's Growing On
written by Evelyn Peterson, Timbercreek Village
Evelyn@Myrtleglen.com
Hello Neighbors!
Fall is our second season to grow vegetables, either in ground or in pots. Plant a couple of cherry tomato plants, fertilize weekly and water daily and soon you will enjoy those beautiful bright red jewels, best when plucked off the plant still warm from the sun and popped into your mouth.
How about growing a themed garden, salsa and spaghetti are my favorites. In a salsa garden you could plant chili, tomato, and cilantro and in the spaghetti garden grow tomatoes, bell pepper, parsley, oregano and basil.
Happy Gardening,
Evelyn
Gardening Tips for October:
- Plant flowers for fall such as Petunias, Marigolds, Nasturtiums, Salvias, Sweetpeas, Zinnias, Cosmos, just to name a few.
- Herbs to grow are Basil, Chives, Cilantro, Mint, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Marjoram, Thyme
- Lawn Care - Keep your eyes open for insect damage in the lawn. Chinch Bugs, Mole Crickets and Sod Webworms are still active this time of year. Wait to apply pre-emergent herbicides until night time temperatures are below 60F
Plant of the Month: Porterweed (Stachytarpheta)
This medium sized bushy perennial produces long flower spikes covered with small purple or coral colored flowers that last only one day, but it keeps producing flowers continuously from spring to frost.
Plant it in full sun to part shade and trim it back when it gets too tall. It is a hardy plant tolerant of most soil conditions and grows almost anywhere.
The Porterweed is a favorite nectar plant of butterflies and hummingbirds.
Questions & Answers:
Q
We struggle with the lawn. I know it’s not a sexy topic, but the weeds in the lawn and what to do with it how often and when – well, that’s what we would like to learn more about.
A
Do not mow St. Augustine to low. Keep the grass at a height of 3.5 to 4 inches by using the highest wheel setting. This will help keep the lawn healthy and attractive.
Richie K. of One Stop Bug Shop wrote an article on lawn care for our area:
Fall/Winter care for St. Augustine grass
I love to hear from you, so please send your comments and questions to Evelyn@Myrtleglen.com
AP Gazette Opportunities
As a new and growing newsletter, we have many opportunities for neighbors to contribute and volunteer their writing talents/ time to help build community. Below are several positions still needing to be filled:
1. Reviewers- to Review final submittal of newsletters prior to publishing
2. Political Contributor- To introduce community and discuss activities of our Board, commissioners, orange county, and POA, and keep neighbors informed of upcoming important dates to remember
3. Education Contributor- An article written by an Educator in one of Avalon Park's school. 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).
To be able to participate, you must be an Avalon Park resident, if writing, submit an article prior to 3rd Thursday of the Month 12 pm, and send your interest and brief description of your background to Publishing@apgazette.com Keep in mind, any neighbor can submit an article.
Pictured is the Passiflora incarnata, with large purple flowers throughout the growing season. This vine is a fast grower and will cover a fence or arbor in no time. Grow it in a large planter to prevent its spreading, since it sends out shoots from the roots.
