KEEPING THE NEWS LOCAL.... AND THE COMMUNITY CONNECTED. VOLUME 2 EDITION 4
APRIL 2021
within a community successfulLIVE aging.
Absolutely Avalon
Join Avalon Park Orlando in celebrating culture and diversity at Absolutely Avalon, April 10th! The festivities will kick off at 5 pm with a variety of fun activities for all, including a rock-climbing wall, bumper boat rides, an obstacle course, face painting, food trucks, vendors and the evening will wrap up at 9 p.m. with a laser light show!
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You will have the chance to enjoy the live cultural performances from local community members, delicious international foods from our visiting food trucks, bounce houses, tethered hot air balloon rides and shop for beautiful handmade creations and more from our wonderful vendors. Finally, there will be a laser light show to close out the evening in a fantastic display of colors. You do not want to miss it!
& community festivals te
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rida Hospital physician team
in our community
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TETHERED HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES
EncoreAtAvalonPark.com By: Beat Kahli
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Bithlo Update
I was recently reading an interview with a well-known and as well very controversial Russian billionaire businessman. When he was asked what his business plans were, his answer was, “I do not make plans. People who make a lot of plans and talk, rarely implement them, I just DO THINGS.” In many respects this is as well part reality for the Bithlo community. While leaders like Tim McKinney and Dale Brooks are doing an awesome job every day of investing their lives into the community of Bithlo, it appears to me that many plans, over the decades were discussed but never fully realized.
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COMMUNITY UPDATES
For more information on vendor and sponsorship opportunities, email us at info@avalonparkgroup.com or give us a call at 407-6586565. To stay up to date on all Avalon Park community events, visit us at AvalonPark.com.
In our last edition of the Avalon Park Sun I have pointed out 3 main goals: 1. We have committed to order and pay for the needed sewer system investments for Transformation Village.
2. We will continue to assist Pastor Dale provide quality nutrition opportunities in Bithlo through community dinners and any other means to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry. We will pay for food and help with associated logistics, including new infrastructure. 3. We will help United Global Outreach “UGO” in the planning, design and building at our cost a minimum of 10 small homes to ensure that safe, quality affordable housing is available in Bithlo. We are fully committed to realizing our promise. And as promised, we will report monthly on the progress towards our three main goals, to keep us accountable and hopefully to also inspire you to also get involved. To date, the following steps have been taken. -Correspondence with engineers on updated tank installation pricing and timing.
-$7,000 for furniture has been provided by Avalon Park Group to complete the first small home. -Working with UGO and builders to streamline construction pricing on the next phase of tiny homes. -Weekly meals have been established and funded feeding Bithlo families every week. We were grateful to hear from many community members after last month’s publication. There were ideas such as creating a local food drop-off to help support, to helping with infrastructure to those desiring to mentor or volunteer. We are continuing to receive these calls and excited at some of the new initiatives that will be started because of YOU helping your neighbors! We continue to work with UGO on planning and implementing your ideas. To find out how you can get involved, we encourage you to continue to reach out to Tim McKinney at 407-810-2214, Dale Brooks at 407-497-8545 or myself
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Coffee Hour with BEAT
It is our vision to create communities with every price point from an apartment to a townhome, to a single-family home and estate, where you are almost guarFrom inception, it has anteed diversity just in always been very important for Avalon Park this aspect. Orlando and each of the Additionally, it is not communities that we build to embrace diver- uncommon in Avalon sity. First and foremost, Park to have families I grew up in Switzerrespect, understanding with 4 generations livland a country that is ing within walking disand learning comes about one quarter the tance of each other. The from knowing each size of Florida, in the grandparents can spend other and belonging heart of Europe. Foundto something together: quality time with the ed in 1291, the small grandkids after school a community. And I country has had over 700 years of developing its rich culture, diversity, and history. the ability to interact in their own culture, while respecting the other national and international cultures.
It is my belief that culture often starts with languages and in Switzerland there are 4, the national language German, French, Italian and Romansh. While I speak the first 3, I do not speak Romansh, which is a mix of Italian, Arabic and a few more. It is very common in Switzerland and other European countries to speak several languages. If you were to follow a debate in the Swiss House of Representatives, you may be surprised that all official languages are spoken. So, a representative from my native Zurich may address the audience in German, and the answer from his colleague from Geneva will come swiftly in French. Each part of the country has
I BELIEVE A HEALTHY COMMUNITY IS MADE UP OF A DIVERSE BODY OF PEOPLE.
are what help us build diversity into our communities. Another diverse component is the inclusion of our global partners. Several times a week we have intercontinental video calls. Generally, early in the morning in Orlando, we discuss business, politics and other subjects with our offices in Switzerland, Singapore and Australia. When friends and business partners from 4 continents, with different ethnical backgrounds share ideas for the good of Avalon Park, diversity can be realized at its fullest.
While these are just a few examples of how we embrace diversity at Avalon Park Group, while the parents may believe a healthy community is a made up of still be at work. Build- we continue to grow, learn and develop how ing roots in a commua diverse body of peowe can create comnity is a healthy way ple. This melting pot munities where every to make any town and of perspectives gives person feels like they family strong. the community depth belong in and can live, and allows its members learn, work and play With age comes expeto live life inclusive of together. This month every background and rience and at Avalon we celebrate the dibelief regardless of gen- Park Group we work versity in our commuwith team members eration, origin, race, nities in Orlando and ages 15 to 90+. Someand income class. times when pondering Wesley Chapel with a multi-cultural event a business idea, I not As a developer, one of called Absolutely Avathe ways that we build only ask my 15-yearlon. We invite you to in diversity, is literally old son Alex, but also join us as we celebrate my Switzerland-based by building an open the diversity in these and long-term busicommunity at every ness partner and friend communities and we price point. I personlook forward to being ally do not think gated Raoul, who will turn able to celebrate in our communities with only 91 this month. While single-family homes in they both have different newer communities in one price point (often at ideas and perspectives Tavares and Daytona very soon! about business and the higher end) create life, those differences a healthy community.
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ORHE-0286 RANDAL PARK_AVALON PARK_10x7.2.pdf
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1/13/21
2:58 PM
OPENING SOON
CHOOSE EMERGENCY CARE CLOSER THAN EVER. At Orlando Health, part of caring for our neighbors is making sure everyone has access to expert emergency care. Opening soon, Orlando Health Emergency Room - Randal Park will provide even more Central Florida families with the highest level of safe, expert emergency care close to home.
OrlandoHealth.com/RandalPark
A service of Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital
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From the Desk of Commissioner
Maribel Gomez Cordero Dear Residents of Avalon Park,
As we continue to battle this pandemic, I will take the opportunity to inform you how Orange County keeps working to keep us safe and reach immunity. I will also talk about the Emergency rental Assistance program that aims to help those vulnerable families in danger of being evicted. Now through Monday, April 5th, Florida residents over 40 are able to receive vaccinations at the Orange County Convention Center and FEMA sites. Starting April 5th, residents over 18 years of age will be eligible to be vaccinated in the State of Florida. Availability for appointments are limited, so I encourage you to monitor our social media continuously to stay updated. The FEMA-operated vaccination hub at Valencia College West Campus (1800 S. Kirkman Road) remains open 7 days per week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The site will remain open indefinitely. No appointments necessary. To book an appointment, or to find other vaccination options in the County, visit ocfl.net/Vaccine. Residents who are now 60 and older who do not have a way to transport themselves to the Convention Center site or the FEMA hub site (Valencia College West Campus) can dial 3-1-
1 to find out how to qualify for a ride. Call takers will coordinate with the Office of Emergency Management in Orange County to find free transportation options, courtesy of LYNX. LYNX needs at least two-day prior notice (before 5 p.m.) to schedule a ride. Since the Orange County’s Office of Emergency Management does not operate on weekends, any ride needed for a Saturday or Monday, must be made the prior Friday at the latest during regular business hours. The Orange County Emergency Rental Assistance program continues to be available to residents. Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance program received $33 million of federal funds to support residents who are at-risk of eviction due to COVID-19 financial hardships. The application portal remains open until the money is depleted. You can save your application and come back to it later if you don’t all the information or required documents. Please thoroughly read the webpage at ocfl. net/RentalAssistance as many applications have missing and incomplete information. As always, if you have any question or concern, please email or call my office so we can promptly assist. Stay safe!
Home Maintenance Tips from the Property Managers Members of The 5th Floor in Downtown Avalon Park
There is no place like home. As much as we love our homes as much our homes require our attention. Luckily, maintaining the property does not have to be complicated when we use simple but smart techniques consistently. With preventative maintenance, homeowners can help equipment near the end of its product lifecycle to work or lessen the likelihood of it failing or breaking down unexpectedly. So, here we are sharing some tips that can be helpful to the homeowners, or when it comes to rental properties, to the residents.
6 Kilowatts while a regular incandescent light bulb will use 40 to 60 Kilowatts. LEDs come from soft white to daylight and can be found at Home Depot, Lowes, or even Amazon. Importantly, some utility companies offer incentives like rebates or credit towards the utility bill when you purchase these items. Normally, they ask to provide a copy of the purchase receipt. Moreover, it’s a good idea to contact your utilities company and request a list of available rebates for home upgrades or repairs.
Four- Point and wind mitigation inspections. These inspections are good to evaluate the condition LED lightbulbs Using light-emitting diode of the plumbing as well as the roof. They will suggest lightbulbs is great way to save energy and money on if there are any electrical, the light bill. For example, plumbing or water heatone LED bulb will use 5 to er repair or replacement
needs. Additionally, they help to lower the cost of homeowners insurance. Air Conditioning maintenance Since we are at the Spring and air temperature keeps going up, the Air Conditioning (AC) unit becomes the best friend of most of us. The most common question our customers ask is: “How extend the life of the AC?” There are several affordable and inexpensive ways to do so. - Replace your AC filter every 30-45 days. - Clean your AC drain line once a month by pouring hot water and cleaning vinegar down the designated line near the furnace. - Have a licensed AC technician perform a tune up
once a year, make sure they clean coils, blowers, and drain line. Also, they will check all wiring and test both the capacitors and freon level. It’s never late to show your property some love. Happy property maintenance! Steven Tavarez Team Lead with Mila Realty Property Management (407) 569-8899 MilaRealty.com info@milarealty.com 3801 Avalon Park E Blvd. Ste. 200, Orlando, FL 32828
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The Best Brunch Spot is Your Flats Apartment
By: Raven Halle Over the past few years, the brunch meal has become increasingly popular: it is not just a meal movement, but a social and cultural experience. Yes, we miss 2019, when we met our friends every weekend for bottomless mimosas and avocado toast. When we eat at home at 11 a.m., that’s breakfast; when we eat out with our friends, that’s brunch. The good news? You can still enjoy the cultural phenomenon that is brunch, all from the safety and comfort of your Flats apartment. Here’s how to do it. 1. Reach out to Your Friends It is truly the act of eating with loved ones that turns a breakfast into brunch, so start a group chat, whether it be through Facebook, email, or text message, with the friends with whom you’d usually brunch with, because “brunch” is a verb. Together, pick a Sunday morning when you’re all free and plan to meet virtually, through Skype, Facetime, Zoom, or another app. 2. Make a Playlist Make, or find, the perfect playlist to compliment your brunch. A perk of doing it from home is that the music is in your control. Share the playlist with your brunch buddies and have either one person or everyone play it in the background during
your meal. Spotify has a great feature that allows you to sync your music with others, so everyone can listen to the same song at the same time. 3. Prepare a Menu To make the experience feel more real, have everyone pick their favorite brunch meal and create a menu with everyone’s suggestions. If it suits you, you can all discuss virtually and pretend like you’re ordering from a server at a restaurant. 4. Get Your Food To continue making this brunch-luncheon feel real, order your food of choice from your favorite brunch spot and pick it up before getting online. Picking up
from a local restaurant is a great way to support a business you love during the times you can’t physically be there. Of course, you can always cook for yourself— it’s your brunch, anyway. 5. Drinks On your way back from picking up your food, stop at the store and pick up your drink of choice, from a Bloody Mary to a bottomless mimosa. The best part is that you can have as much as you’d like—no worries about driving, you’re already at home! 6. Meet Your Friends After coordinating the above steps with your designated brunch-bunch, and after everyone returns home with their food and
drinks, get on Zoom with your friends! Start the music, make your drinks, talk, laugh, eat, drink some more, and enjoy yourself: it’s all part of the social experience. 7. Repeat Make this a special occasion weekly, every-other week, or once a month. It’s something to look forward to.
For more information on The Flats Apartment Living in Downtown Avalon Park, call 407-273-4337 or email Info@TheFlatsAtAvalonPark.com.
Easy-To-Do Water-Saving Tips As Daylight Saving Time is under way, lawn watering schedules for residents of 16 Florida counties, including Orange, change, too, going from one to two days per week. Irrigation accounts for more than half of Central Florida’s total water consumption, but OUC wants to help you minimize its impact on your utility bill and a precious natural resource. Water your lawn wisely. Follow the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Water Restrictions – residential property owners with even numbered addresses can water on Thursdays and Sundays, while those with odd-numbered or no addresses can water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Nonresidential property owners can water on Tuesdays and Fridays. Watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. is prohibited. Also: o Water for no more than one hour per irrigation zone. o Avoid watering on windy days. o Adjust sprinklers so they water the lawn, not the pavement. o Avoid sprinklers that spray a fine mist. o Make sure plants aren’t blocking sprinklers. o Turn off sprinklers when it’s raining. Check your automatic sprinkler system. Examine your
system at least once every two months for leaks and broken sprinkler heads, and promptly make repairs. Check for signs of broken or leaky sprinkler system pipes by looking for muddy or overgrown areas of turf. Make sure your sprinkler system’s timer/controller is operating as programmed, so it operates on the right days, at the right times, for the right durations Curtail personal uses. Clean driveways and sidewalks with a broom instead of a hose, and use a spray nozzle when washing your car to stop water flow between rinses. Also: o Take shorter showers o Turn the water off while brushing your teeth or shaving o Wash only full loads in the dishwasher and clothes washer o Fill the sink with water and turn off the faucet to wash dishes by hand o Use the garbage disposal sparingly.
o If you’d like to take it even further, you can install lowflow shower heads and flush valves in toilets. Identify and repair leaks in your home. In a typical house, old toilets and leaky faucets can waste hundreds of gallons of water each day. To find hidden leaks in your home, make sure no water is running in the house and observe your water meter. If the meter’s dial is moving, you may have a leak. Check for leaky faucets in and out of your home – a worn washer could easily be the issue. If you hear a toilet’s tank refilling unnecessarily, a wornout flapper or poorly working float may be the cause. Replace old toilets and get a rebate. Replacing toilets made in 1993 or earlier with EPA WaterSense-certified models that consume 1.28 gallons or less per flush can save 13,000 gallons of water a year and more than
$140 annually on your water bill. OUC offers customers a rebate for 100% of the cost, up to $100, to replace an old toilet with a new ultra-low flow toilet. Visit ouc.com/conservation-forms/ultra-low-flow-toilet/ to get started. Perhaps the most convenient thing you can do to conserve water is take advantage of OUC’s Efficiency Delivered® program, which offers customers a free conservation audit and, depending on household income, includes repairs to irrigation and minor indoor leaks, as well as help with other improvements. Call 407-4239018 or go to www.ouc.com/ audit-inquiry for more information.
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12 Common Scams Seniors Can Avoid
Fraudsters and identity thieves know no bounds. They’ll target anyone they think has a sizeable savings account and is unfamiliar with technology, which is most often senior citizens. They conduct scams through any means they can, which is often over the telephone, online, or even in person. Here are some of the common scams that are committed against seniors and ways they can avoid being easy targets. mation such as their date of them from untrustworthy scammers who are out to birth, bank account, or social security number online swindle them of their life’s savings. If the senior in or over the phone to any questionable, unknown, or your life requires attentive unverified sources. Banks, care that you are unable to credit card companies, and provide, then consider the assisted living community other official lenders and 7. Charity Scams: In charat Encore at Avalon Park. government entities will ity schemes, a thief pretends to be a representative never contact a customExperience a Safe Environer, either through email Common Scams Targeting for a charity organization ment at Encore at Avalon or phone call, to confirm and calls people to ask for Seniors their personal information. Park credit card or bank inforSeniors should also know mation to make a “dona1. Identity Theft: Identity At Encore at Avalon Park, not to answer calls from tion.” theft is a common type of we value our seniors’ unknown numbers and to fraud where a scammer safety and provide them be wary of text or emails 8. Investment Schemes: will steal someone’s perwith excellent care, safe claiming that they won a Investment schemes are sonal information and surroundings, friendly illegally use their identity. extremely common and in- contest that they don’t reneighbors and staff, and volve a criminal asking for member entering. This is usually done over comfortable accommodaan investment in a compathe phone or on the intertions that help them feel ny or cause that will yield a It’s important to stay vignet. at home. Come see why big return. The adage “If it ilant and conceal your we’re ranked as one of the sounds too good to be true, senior loved one’s private 2. Medicare Scams: While best assisted living comscams are always a shame- it probably is” applies here. information to protect munities in Central Florithem from scammers and ful act for anyone to com9. Overdue Utilities: Scam- thieves. However, most se- da. Schedule a virtual tour mit, Medicare scams are a niors are trusting of others today by calling us at 407mers will act as utility new low. Thieves pose as 270-7500. and need help and conworkers and contact you Medicare representatives stant monitoring to protect and try to trick elderly peo- about paying fake bills. ple into revealing personal They often lie and threaten to shut off your utilities if information. you don’t make an immediate payment. 3. Fake Viruses: Fake viruses are extremely com10. The Pigeon Drop: This mon for anyone that uses classic scam involves a the internet. Your comcon artist pretending that puter may open a pop-up they have a sum of money window that claims you have a virus on your com- they’re willing to share, as long as you’re able to puter and to download a first give them a little bit of virus scanner to get rid of money as a deposit. it. However, this “virus scanner” does the opposite and, if downloaded, allows 11. The Family Member in Need: In another new criminals access to your low for scammers, a crimiprivate information. nal pretends to be a family member in need of emer4. Tax Fraud: Scammers gency money, most often can claim tax returns if Walking access to restaurants, shops & community festivals due to an injury or accithey get access to others’ Wellness center with geriatrician on site dent. social security numbers Memory Care programming and IDs. This is typically 12. The Grandparent done on the internet or Oversight of physical well-being by Florida Hospital physician team Scam: In a similar form of over the phone. All neighborhood design the family member in need Social, educational & cultural activities in our community 5. Telemarketing Schemes: scam, a thief pretends to be Outreach room the grandchild of the perCriminals can pose as any son they’re contacting and identity they can think of asks for tuition money, car whenever they perform a funds, or money for other telemarketing scheme to get your personal informa- various reasons. tion, credit card numbers, or whatever they are seek- How Seniors Can Avoid Common Scams ing. passed can be targeted into paying a “debt” that the deceased has left behind; a debt that isn’t real and has been made up by a scammer.
We believe that companionship within a community is an essential ingredient for successful aging.
The best way for seniors to 6. Funeral Scams: In this avoid being scammed is to cruel scam, the surviving family of someone who has not reveal personal infor-
ALF12618
407.270.7500 | 13798 Cygnus Dr. | EncoreAtAvalonPark.com
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Ad Discounts for Chamber Members! NEW Chamber Members enjoy a FREE advertisement in one edition of your choice + 15% off each ad in the remaining months of 2020! EXISITING Chamber Members enjoy 50% off your first advertisement + 15% off each ad in the remaining months of 2020! The Publication date is the 1st of the month or the 1st Monday of the month.
Need an Ad Designed? We Can Help! Please Submit a 1/4 Page Ad: 4.9w x 7.2h inches 354w x 518h pixels Accepted formats: .PDF, .JPG, .PNG. 300DPI Deadline: Last Wednesday of each month
Attention Chamber Members! Our Mission
The Avalon Park Sun seeks to effectively reflect upon the vitality of our community through the distribution of purposeful community news. Working to clarify and bring acknowledgement to the individuals and events that embody Avalon Park and surrounding communities, the ongoing goal is to improve upon the quality, content, and reach that is presented throughout each issue.
Reach Your Audience
The Avalon Park Sun uses a multi-platform approach to reach your target audience by distributing our issues via print, online and social media. Our newspaper is updated dynamically and electronically mailed monthly, with weekly features also sent. The Avalon Park Sun reaches over 50,000 readers monthly.
Please fill out the form on our website below with all of the details for your advertisement!
New members receive a FREE ad & existing members enjoy 50% off! Fill out the form here: AvalonParkSun.com/Advertising and use code “NEWCHAMBERDISCOUNT” or “CHAMBERDISCOUNT” For more details email Infor@AvalonParkSun.com or call 407-658-6565
https://avalonparksun.com/advertising Use codes: “NEWCHAMBERDISCOUNT” for new members and “CHAMBERDISCOUNT” for existing members.
Don’t wait to get your ad in the Avalon Park Sun!
Contact us at (407) 658-6565 or Info@AvalonParkSun.com with any questions!
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Avalon Middle School Update
Despite the pandemic, Avalon Middle School students are continuing to thrive and do amazing things. Our Husky Howl student-run newspaper just put out their fourth-edition. Our FFA program recently had a fantastic five days at the Central Florida Fair, winning many prestigious awards. Students have also been participating in intramural sports and have enjoyed competing against their peers. Our CAPE Digital Club students just passed their first certification exam on word processing essentials and our NJHS students are working on a Campus Beautification project. We could not be prouder of all of the incredible things our Huskies are continuing to achieve!
The Avalon Middle School FFA Chapter had a fantastic 5 days at the Central Florida Fair from March 3rd through March 7th! Jocelyn Bew won Champion Exhibitor for the Intermediate Poultry Division for the 2nd year in a row, and Harvey Chubb won Champion Exhibitor for the Intermediate Rabbit Division. Our Poultry Team won the 1st place Herdsmen Award for their hard work in the barn, and received a personal complement from the Show Superintendent! AMS took the top 3 spots in Intermediate Poultry Showmanship, and 2nd and 3rd place in Intermediate Rabbit Showmanship. Our students also earned 1st and 2nd place in the Poster contests for both the Rabbit and Poultry Division, and 1st and 3rd Place in Egg Decorating, and 2nd place in the Fashion Review! Every student came home with ribbons. Poultry Team members: Camryn Acevedo, Isabelle Barnett, Jocelyn Bew, Lillian Dodge, Hiatt Haratine, Abigail Jacques, Emma Miller, Landon Plank, Hannah Winemiller. Rabbit Team members: Harvey Chubb, Caden Golden, Hannah Winemiller
Back Row from Left to Right: Caden Golden, Harvey Chubb, Emma Miller, Camryn Acevedo, Hannah Winemiller, Isabelle Barnett, Landon Plank, and Jocelyn Bew. Front row from left to right: Chapter Advisor Mrs. Jessica Long, Hiatt Haratine, Abigail Jacques, and Lillian Dodge.
Congratulations to all of the students for their hard work and dedication! Thank you to all of the Parent volunteers, and our AMS administration, without whom we would not have been able to do this!
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Preparing you child for kindergarten through: Science, Engineering, Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Technology, Music, Creative Arts, Character Development.
Primrose School at Avalon Park 13461 Tanja King Blvd Orlando, FL 32828
Three Program Option:
407.737.1500
• • •
5-Day 9:00am – 12:00pm 3-Day 9:00am – 2:00pm 2-Day 8:30am - 3:00pm
click here to Register online today or call (407) 380-3444!
Click here for more information on Facebook Trivia Nights! @Kaboone lifesupporttraining
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What We Talk About When We Talk About The 5th Floor After months of excitement anticipating this new place, the time has finally come: The 5th Floor coworking space is officially open! We have previously talked about all the benefits of this newer notion of coworking: from autonomy over your workplace to increased flexibility and lower costs, coworking is an appealing option, and for good reason. We know that these aspects are generally universal in terms of coworking spaces, but this time, it’s different—The 5th Floor at Avalon Park has amenities that certainly sets it apart.
To start, there are four different choices for tenants depending on business needs, making it an extremely flexible and tailored experience. From free coffee and water, to concierge, copying, and mailing services, to 24/7 access, to close proximity to the University of Central Florida and all of its technological and business opportunities, The 5th Floor is guaranteed to be exactly what you need from a workspace. Not only does The 5th Floor have these basics in addition to security and high-speed internet, but also a cafe, a wellness room, 3 confer-
ence rooms, a presentation room, and even a room specifically for recording podcasts—all luxuries you won’t find anywhere else. If it’s time to try something new, this is the place for you, modern worker. We’re just waiting for you to join us. For more information how your business can connect and collaborate with The 5th Floor Co-Working team, please call 407-730-3493 or email Info@The5thFloor.com.
The Pointy Pencil Tutoring and Learning Center Opens in Downtown Avalon Park
and learning center, offering K-12 help in all subjects as well as testing. Beginning phonics, reading comprehension, all levels of mathematics, ACT/SAT test prep, bilingual services, “As an educator, I know that supplemen- special needs services, tal learning services are and many more are essential in an area with available at The Pointy Pencil. They offer such a vast amount of Candace and Rodney in-person, online, ateducational locations; Jackson, owners and home 1-to-1 Tutoring, we knew that Avalon tutors of The Pointy Park would be the per- Home School Support, Pencil, are excited to fect location to expand Standardized Test Prep, expand their business and Summer Learning our business,” said to the Avalon Park Programs. Candace Jackson. “I community after becannot wait to meet the ing introduced to the “The Pointy Pencil is amazing students in number of students bringing a niche service residing in the area. The this area.” to Avalon Park that has Pointy Pencil intends been greatly desired in on partnering with local The Pointy Pencil is a east Orlando’s young schools to increase their full-service tutoring Avalon Park Group announced that The Pointy Pencil has leased 430 square feet of office space at 13000 Avalon Lake Drive Suite 302, Orlando, FL 32828, in the heart of Downtown Avalon Park and it opened March 22, 2021.
ability to serve the community. This company is created by teachers and provides personalized services to each student’s needs.
population,” says Beat Kahli, President/CEO, Avalon Park Group. “The personalized services that Candace and Rodney bring will enhance the educational services in the community.” For more information visit www. ThePointyPencil.com or contact 407-797-8516. They are also on Facebook and Instagram social media with the handle @The_Pointy_ Pencil.
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Grand Opening Event
The 5th Floor is an international collaborative pro-work space where members are able to enjoy international collaboration benefits in our 5th Floor locations and connections throughout the world.
CEO and President Beat Kahli, Pat Lavelle, Mara Hunt, Stephanie Lerret, Ross Halle and Andrew Cole cut the ribbon at The 5th Floor Grand Opening Ceremony on March 18th. The 5th Floor welcomed people from all over to attend this event both in person and virutally. Members from Switzerland, Singapore and Puerto Rico joined into the ceremony virutally and shared their experiences at their individual locations. Avalon Park Orlando is excited to welcome such a new and diverse workspace into the community and see all the incredible ideas that incubate in this space.
Orange County FL. District 4 Commissioner Maribel Cordero and Avalon Park Senior Pickleball Tournamnets Director Ed Lynt chat about the wonderful new Education Center, Animal Clinic and other buildings coming to the Back To Nature Wildlife Refuge (BTN) in the Lake Nona area of Orlando. Per BTN Executive Director Debbie Helsel, construction should begin by this summer. Located in the Avalon Innovation Center in Orlando, The 5th Floor will provide collabrative co-work space at over 30 locations including San Juan Puerto Rico in May 2021 and the flagship location in Muttenz, Switzerland.
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Meet Some Tenants of
THE BMW ENTHUSIASTS TRUSTED SOURCE
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You Don’t Have to Do It Alone!
As business owners, women can end up wearing a lot of different hats in order to get the job done. We usually start our businesses extremely excited about what it is we LOVE to do, only to some days become frustrated, overwhelmed and defeated because we now have to become accountants, marketers, sales people, tax preparers, HR Directors, business lawyers and more.
Don’t have a business, you will still find useful information to take ownership of every area of your life every month here! Want to join other Women in your area who are business owners or rising professionals building their Dream Lives? Join WOMANtrepreneur at one of our Free monthly meet-ups. Reserve your free spot at: www.womantrepreneur.org
It is diffcult, but not impossible though when women can find a good support system! And WOMANtrepreneur provides just that! WOMANtrepreneur brings smart, like-minded women together to help wear all the hats and keep women moving forward in building profitable, fulfilling businesses. This month WOMANtrepreneur is hosting a Legal and Labor Discussion at the Avalon Park Pavilion on April 7th from 9am-12pm for any woman wanting to start a business or already has one and wants to make sure their business is set up for success! We will have 2 Industry experts, Justin Meyer and Stephanie Sacro from Avalon Park, speaking and answering questions in regard to the legalities of owning and operating a business and your Human Resources, including yourself! You don’t have to become a Business Lawyer or HR Expert to own a business, just join WOMANtrepreneur who will bring the experts to you: “I am excited to be presenting for such a great company. My presentation is going to help new business owners and current business owners by talking about the documents they should have and how they can protect themselves.”
-Justin Meyer ROSENTHAL MEYER, PLLC Avalon Park Business Owner
“Many small businesses are not ready to add an HR professional to their team full time, so working with a seasoned HR consultant can get you all (sometimes more!) of the benefits and protection of having an inhouse HR employee, without the risk and cost.” -Stephanie Sacro Anchor Advising Avalon Park Resident Reserve your spot for the Legal and Labor Discussion April 7th at: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/140867696071 The WOMANtrepreneur Column is a new contribution in the Avalon Sun for any woman who wants to take more ownership of her life and her business!
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Join us in making sure your business is properly set-up and prepared for Growth!
FEATURING Industry Experts
Justin Meyer Legal Consultant
THINK IT
Stephanie Sacro HR Consultant
Wednesday | April 7th 9am - 12pm (11-12 is networking) The Pavilion at Avalon Park $35/ticket Light lunch included Social Distancing will be observed.
WORK (Cont.)
Back 2 Nature Chiropractic
DR. ADDISON O'DAY, DC We empower individuals through the application of chiropractic care, to live the best and most impactful lives, by embracing that our bodies, in their optimal state, are built to function perfectly.
• Personalized & Holistic approach with nutritional guidance created for each patient • Maximize & Optimize your life through movement and nutrition • Treat & Prevent bodily injuries
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The City of Orlando and OUC unveil 100-station Orlando Public EV Charging Network In total through the project, a partnership with OUC and the American Cities Climate Challenge, the City of Orlando has installed 100 new EV charging stations spanning across 33 locations throughout the City, including at parks, neighborhood and senior centers, parking garages, and public venues. Each location will also have at least one ADA accessible EV charging station to ensure the services are accessible to all drivers. For a full map of all 100 locations, click here.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando City Commissioners and OUC—The Reliable One unveiled the new 100-station Orlando Public EV Charging Network, and “plugged in” at one of the new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the John H. Jackson Neighborhood Center.
EVs are critical to achieving OUC’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with interim goals of reducing carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and 75% by 2040. As part of OUC’s goal to ensure EV charging stations are equitably and conveniently installed throughout the city, the utility recently announced another partnership with the City and Orange County to build an EV charging hub on Robinson Street near I-4 on the OUC-owned land next to Ace Café. This project is the largest of its kind in Florida with 22 fast charging stations – including 16 superchargers for Teslas. The site will be complete later this year.
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WORK (Cont.)
East Orlando Chamber Now Offering Traditional Medical Insurance to Members
Despite an average 4.70% unemployment rate in Florida, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Orlando remains above the average at 6.00% with many employers struggling to fill open positions. Small businesses are feeling the pinch even more as they compete to attract top talent among a limited number of applicants. To address this issue, helping small Central Florida businesses attract and retain the best workers, the East Orlando Chamber of Commers has expanded its robust Health Benefits program to offer two group Health Insurance products to member businesses. Through their on-going
relationship with Avalon Insurance Services, the East Orlando Chamber will also offer dental, vision, MD Live and supplemental policies for any size business for full time, part time, 1099 and contact employees. “At the East Orlando Chamber, we constantly strive to add more value to our members”, says Andrew Cole, President & CEO. “In these unprecedented times, we know the value employee benefits play to an organization and our members. Three years ago, we introduced our supplemental programs through our partnership with Joe Filice with Avalon Insurance Services and continued adjusting our program to
ically for their plans. Options include online chat or phone, speaking directly with a representative assigned specifically to Joe Filice, President of Avalon Insurance Services their group. developed a resource of value to fellow members The East Orlando Chamoffering a bonified ember is proud to offer these ployee benefits package robust packages to help while also offering an member businesses with educational resource to Health Benefits offering each. “Any employee of Medical, Dental, Vision, our member companies Life, Accident, Critical can enroll in this coverIllness, Cancer and Hosage offering on a 100% pital. Packages are cusvoluntary basis”, said tomizable, enrollment is Filice. “They can offer this coverage to their em- easy through the member portal with educational ployees through a 100% voluntary basis while the resources available to excompany has no financial, plain the benefits and how each meets their unique service or administrative needs. responsibilities or liabilities”. He adds, “EmployThe Chamber is also celers also have the ability ebrating 75 years and to offer these coverages publishing a Commemoproviding a more traditional employer platform rative Coffee Table Book being payroll deducted if of East Orange County History. If you have inthey desire and may also formation that you would contribute a portion or all of the premium. They like to have considered for this publication, please can also customize the employer benefit package contact the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce designed specifically for their unique personal and at 407-277-5951 or email eocc@eocc.org with your family needs”. contact information and what history pieces you Filice continues, “Memhave to share. History bers can utilize a benefit from the 1940’s through administration system through an assigned web- 1970’s is needed the most. site where all the benefits The publication also has offered, plan designs and advertising opportunities. If you would like more inrates are housed. Using this benefit administration formation to include your business, please contact system, the member has the Chamber office. Time the ability to research all is running out and space benefits offered and enroll. It couldn’t be easier!” is limited, so reach out today. We look forward East Orlando Chamber to preserving our history members will have all the information available and sharing the East Orlando Story. Check out within the online benefit www.EOCC.org. administration system and have access to a call center designated specifmeet the needs of members based on our current environment”.
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WORK (Cont.)
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Absolutely Avalon: The Neighborhood’s Spring Fling
TETHERED HOT AIR BALLOON RIDES
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Absolutely Avalon 4th of July Oktoberfest Spooktacular Fall Craft Fair Avalon Aglow New Year's Eve
April 10th July 4th October 8-9th October 30th November 13th December 4th December 31st
Movie Under the Stars 4th Fridays Monthly (Sept. - April) Food Truck Nights 3rd Sundays Monthly Weekly National Anthem Fridays at Noon - FB Live
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(Cont.)
Solymar Travel’s Travel Corner!
Unforgettable Journeys
Dreaming of wild places and open spaces? Africa has more than enough room. We’ll share videos and stories about the can’t miss extraordinary wildlife, mesmerizing lands, cultures and cuisines.
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We will ease your mind while traveling, including answering frequently asked questions. From where to stay to meeting testing requirements, you’ll learn how we take care of every detail so you can relax and experience those wow-moments in Africa.
Lasting Impact
Now more than ever, Africa needs travel to support wildlife and local communities. 1 in 10 Africans are employed in tourism and you can make a difference to the continent’s people and wildlife. We’ll guide you through experiences with the greatest impact.
Click here to RSVP UCF Bands Presents: A Celebration of Diversity
Thursday, April 08, 2021 | 07:30 PM to 09:30 PM | Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts The UCF Wind Ensemble, conducted by UCF Director of Bands, Scott Lubaroff, and Symphonic Band, conducted by Associate Director of Bands, Tremon Kizer, will present an exciting and colorful program of music by composers representing the great diversity of our community and nation. The program will include Danse Moods, by Daniel Montoya, Jr., Three Afro-Hispanic Movements, by William Pagán-Perez and featuring UCF Associate Professor of Trombone, Luis Fred, Havana, by Kevin Day, Shoutout, by Roshanne Etezady, Suite, by Cristina Spinei, and Come Sunday, an incredible tribute to the Hammond organ’s central role in the Black worship service. The event is hosted by the UCF College of Arts and Humanities and features the faculty and students from the School of Performing Arts and the School of Visual Arts and Design, as well as work from the humanities departments and other units from around the university. UCF Celebrates the Arts 2021 will feature both in-person and virtual events to ensure everyone can celebrate UCF artists in whatever setting they are most comfortable.
Tickets Available Here! $10 or $5 with UCF ID
https://arts.cah.ucf.edu/celebrates/
PLAY (Cont.)
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DINING
PAPA GIO’S
PIZZERIA & RESTAURANT
3831 Avalon Park Blvd East, Orlando, FL 32828 (407) 380-3300 | www.papagios.com
DINING (Cont.)
Coming together to create a healthy community
April Food Days: Good or Bad For Your Teeth? The proverbial rainiest month of the year is upon us, and soon we’ll be bustling about among the flowers those April showers deliver. It’s also a month bursting at the seams with festive food holidays. One for every day of the month, in fact! So, if the rain starts to get to you, fire up the stove, or hit a local restaurant for a taste of this month’s celebrated dishes. We’ve picked a few to share with you, and the verdict on whether they’re good or bad for your chompers. Have a look-see!
joy your jellybeans, but are they good for your teeth? Well … let’s see … Verdict? Not good for the chompers. (Seriously?!)
10. April 30th is National Raisin Day: Surprisingly, the sticky raisin is to stick with probithem as stand-alone is actually good for otic cheeses like Blue, foods though, and not teeth. It’s less sticky on Brie and Camembert. in things like pecan pie teeth than you might Verdict? Good for your to avoid all that extra think (just like caramel teeth! (But watch those sugar. Verdict? Good for popcorn), and it is also calories) your teeth! believed to contain oleanolic acid – a great com3.April 6th is National 6. April 16th is Nabatant against plaque. Caramel Popcorn Day: tional Mushroom Day: Verdict? Good for your Slow down there, capMushrooms are good teeth! tain. While it is true providers of protein for research suggests carbone health, and some, Dessert! amel popcorn doesn’t including shiitake, help 1. April 2nd is National Rounding out the month stick to teeth as much as to remineralize tooth Peanut Butter And Jelly are two non-food relatone might think, with all enamel and keep acidDay: Protein in peanut ed holidays with a focus that sugar, it’ll hardly ity levels down in the butter is good for teeth on the kids in the house. get a “pass.” Verdict? mouth. Verdict? Good and bones, and the fiIf you have children of Not good for the chomp- for your teeth! ber, minerals and antiyour own, April 17th ers. oxidants found in both (Healthy Kids Day), 7. April 19th is National peanut butter and jelly and April 24th (Nation4. April 12th is National Garlic Day: Garlic is a are good for your whole al Take Your Son And Licorice Day: The jury is real food powerhouse. body. High sugar values Daughter To Work Day) still out on this one, but Breath issues aside, this can negate some health are wonderful days to it does seem as though antibacterial powerbenefits, though, so this share your super-good natural licorice root house not only keeps isn’t something you’ll oral care tips with the does possess antibacteyour mouth and body want to eat every day. youngsters of the house. rial properties helpful in good shape, but adds Verdict? Eat in moderaAnd what better way in fighting tooth decay. complexity to just about tion. to show your children Just stay away from any meal. Verdict? Good some of that after-meal those twisty “licorice” for your teeth! 2. April 4th is National tooth brushing you do candies … they’re not Cordon Bleu Day: Both at work, right? Enjoy of the same ilk. Verdict? 9. April 22nd is Nationmeat and cheese help the rain … here’s to May Go for it! al Jellybean Day: We to remineralize tooth flowers! know its Easter season, enamel. Cheese is also 5. April 14th is Nationand you’re going to ennon-acidic and can supal Pecan Day: Lots of ply additional calcium vitamins and minerals to teeth. Of course, both make nuts a solid choice come with lots of calfor healthy teeth. Eat ories, so your best bet
LIVE WELL (Cont.)
LIVE WELL (Cont.)
Reimagine Your Plate
When it comes to improving your well-being, eating healthy is right up there with exercise. Making better food choices doesn’t mean bland, boring, expensive, or inconvenient meals and snacks. It means making sure you don’t cut out any of the major food groups, including desserts. Yes, I said it: you don’t need to eliminate dessert. Instead, make it fun by having it in moderation and sharing it with a spouse, friend, or other loved one. Think about all the colorful nutrient-dense produce you can find at your local farmer’s market, grocery store, or in your own garden. The visual of bright colors can help to stop and appreciate your food, and remind you to be more mindful of your daily choices. Next time you go shopping, start by filling your cart with fresh produce of all the colors of the rainbow, adding something new along with your favorite fruit or veggie options. This is a great
way to get your mind thinking differently about what you eat. By changing the way we look at our food and not depriving ourselves, we can begin to form healthier habits that can be sustained over the course of our lifetime. Remember, if you start by making small changes, new habits will form over time; and this is what’s crucial to helping you stay on track and reach your goals. What is a healthy balanced meal? A combination of nutrient-dense foods that are a rich source of macronutrients—such as lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats—as well as a variety of micronutrients (better known as vitamins and minerals). Try keeping your plate proportioned with whole, minimally processed foods like these suggestions below. Protein Make 25% of your plate a lean protein at each meal. Fish, chicken, beans, and nuts are all healthy options and can be adaptable to just about any meal at any time of day. These proteins are a great addition to salads and pair well with vegetables. Add beans to soups for a hearty, fiber-packed meal. Try to limit red meat and cut down on processed meats like bacon and sausage.
Healthy Fats I’m sure you have heard this term before, but do you know exactly what counts as healthy fat? Healthy fats come in many forms of food. They’re usually referred to on a food label as “polyunsaturated” and “monounsaturated” fats. These healthy fats include foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, olive and canola oils, avocados, nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate. Try to avoid or limit foods with trans fats saturated fats (fats that come from animal sources and are solid at room temperature).
Whole Grains Why whole grains? They are a great source of fiber! Consuming more dietary fiber has been shown to promote weight loss. It may also play a role in decreasing the risk of some chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. So, go ahead and make another 25% of your plate whole grains like whole-wheat bread, whole-grain pasta, and brown rice. Limit those refined grains like white rice, white bread, and products made with white flour. Fruits and Vegetables Fruits and veggies are superfoods packed with tons of vitamins and minerals essential to overall health. Pick the ones you like and eat plenty of
them. Your goal should be at least 50% of your plate. Studies suggested that people who eat 10 servings of fruits and vegetables daily may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Once you get used to having them on your plate, try something new so you don’t get bored of the same old thing and fall back into old habits. Drinks Drink plenty of water and try skipping sweetened beverages. Don’t go cold turkey on those sugary drinks, though—cut them out little by little to avoid cravings that’ll make you binge. Drinking black coffee and unsweetened iced tea is fine, and if you like green tea you’re in for a bonus: green tea may improve blood flow, lower cholesterol, and help you maintain a healthy weight. Remember, adding sugar will contribute to your daily sugar intake. Meals don’t need to be high in fat or calories to be tasty and satisfying. Adding in fresh vegetables, herbs, and spices will help bring flavor to your plate. Avoid things like deep frying to keep down the fat, calories, and cholesterol. Embrace simple, small health-focused changes to your plate, and you’ll soon find that your health can coexist with good times!
Sign up for youth basketball or soccer at the Avalon Park Y! Call 407-381-2512, visit ymcacf.org, or stop by the Avalon Park YMCA today to learn more about programs and membership. SAFETY PLAYS FIRST We’ve implemented safety procedures that ensure we provide everyone who enters our YMCA facilities with a safe environment. To learn more, visit ymcacf.org/safety
ABOUT YMCA YOUTH SPORTS More than ever, our kids need to get out and experience the joy of being a kid again. And for many, that means teamwork, friends, and sports! Our Youth Sports programs are ready to provide a safe, clean, and fun environment so your family can get back to learning and playing the sports you love at the YMCA.
The YMCA of Central Florida is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening our community.
We offer programs and activities for your entire family to get happy and healthy together!
• Healthy Kids Day April 24, 2021 • Youth Sports • Swim Lessons • Indoor and Outdoor Group Exercise Classes
REQUEST A TOUR! Avalon Park YMCA 12001 Avalon Lake Dr M-P Orlando, FL 32828 407-381-2512 • ymcacf.org
LIVE WELL (Cont.)
Wellness with Jen: Spring Clean Your World As much as it drives me crazy, my house is not tidy right now. Clean, yes. Tidy and organized, no. I feel like the day that my extremely active and attached Momma’s boy was born was the day that the beautiful organization that I crave became a thing of the past. I cannot stand a disorganized home, but I have learned to accept that for now my time gets dedicated to other things. The de-cluttering of life will happen in time. Although the clutter of toys, school papers, Frozen everything, baby equipment, and a new home office has taken over, the house is clean. When it comes to cleaning products, it can be hard to know what is safe, especially if there are human babies and/or fur babies in the house. Consumers have become more aware of the harmful ingredients that are being put into household products, and with this realization, the companies that make these products have learned how to advertise in order to attract those of us who are looking for products that will not harm our family. Everywhere you go, you will see products on store shelves that say “natural” “green” “organic” “free & clear”... all of the things that suggest a healthy
product. There are a few things to know about these products and how they are labeled. I think the most shocking to me was what I learned about the organic products. Products that are labeled “organic” can contain up to 5-10% of ingredients that are not organic and potentially not even healthy. Something else that is baffling and frustrating to me is that “natural fragrances” and “fragrances” in the list of ingredients basically just means that there is a combination of potentially harmful ingredients hidden under that simple label of “fragrances”. You might be shocked to discover how many ingredients contain “fragrances” and “natural fragrances”, aka a ton of ingredients that the company doesn’t want you to know about.
cancer by 54%. These statistics are mind boggling. Our homes have become toxic because of harmful chemicals in household cleaners, detergents, air fresheners, soaps, etc. It is more important than ever to know what products you are using in your home. Every product that you use, whether using it to clean the bathroom, mop your floors, do your laundry, wipe down the baby’s high chair, or “freshen” a room, releases fragrances into the air that you breathe. It is your job to know whether or not those fragrances are healthy or harmful.
I see many posts in Mommy groups on social media asking about safe laundry detergent, household cleaners, and other products, and many of the comments say something like, “It doesn’t matter what I use because my kids don’t have sensitive skin.” Unfortunately, these days it’s not just about whether or not there is someone with sensitive skin or allergies in the house. Inside air has been shown to be 5 to 7 times more toxic than outside air, and because of this stay-at-home moms have been shown to be at a higher risk of dying from
• Make your own cleaning products using ingredients that you know and trust.
You have some options: • Purchase products from a company that you know and trust. Know the source of the ingredients. Know their mission. Know their promise.
• Freshen the air of your home with pure and therapeutic essential oils rather than synthetic air fresheners and toxic candles. I choose to do a combination of these options. Yes, I’m a busy Mom. Yes, I work full-time and run a wellness business. Yes, it does takes a few minutes to mix up a DIY product. Yes, it took a bit of research to find a company that you trust to provide you with healthy products. Yes, it
took some trial and error to find what works for our family. But realistically, isn’t your family’s wellness and saving yourself $$ worth a few minutes of your time??! What works for us won’t always work for others. Wellness takes trial and error. Wellness takes finding what works for you. Wellness isn’t a one size fits all type of deal. But once you find your path to wellness, you’ll be grateful for your journey.
Follow me on social media and then shoot me a message to be added into April’s Spring Cleaning drawing for a little household cleaning bundle. Happy Spring, everyone! Jen Cosby jcdiamondwellness@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/ yljennifercosby https://www.facebook.com/ groups/oilshowyouthewayed/ https://www.instagram.com/ jen_cosby/
COMMUNITY CORNER
Lighthouse Central Florida Receives $7,000 Grant to Augment Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Recently, Lighthouse Central Florida received two grants from Orlando Elks Lodge, totaling $7,000 donated to the local nonprofit. Lighthouse will use the grants to provide education, independent life skills, and job readiness training and coaching to Central Floridians living with vision impairment or blindness, along with their families. Celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, Lighthouse is the only nonprofit provider of life-changing vision rehabilitation services in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties.
Beatrice Lopez Masso, Marketing and Development Coordinator; Georgiana Tynes, Director of Fund Development; Aubie Dingwell, 5 Year Trustee; and Ralph Vemos, the Acting Exalted Ruler.
Aubie Dingwell, 5 Year Trustee; Ralph Vemos, the Acting Exalted Ruler; Georgiana Tynes, Director of Fund Development; and Beatrice Lopez Masso, Marketing and Development Coordinator.
The Avalon Jet Setters Are Up and Running! On March 11th a returning group of 27 Jet Stters gathered at the South Village Clubhouse. We shared in totally Covid19 protected snacks. It was truly great to see everyone healthy and moving about again. We discussed reinstating the $2 per person donation collected at the monthly meeting and decided it was a good idea and will rebuild our treasury for
parties throughout the year and our annual Holiday Season Party. We set the monthly meeting at the second Wednesday of each month, including the summer months. We also decided to abandon the “monthly meeting to set a calendar” until we find it necessary.
meeting on Wednesday April 14th at 1pm at the South Village Clubhouse.
We have our first outing on Saturday, April 3rd at the Lakeridge Winery for music and Wine (weather permitting). We also remind you of Absolutely Avalon and Kite Day on April 10th. We have a planned excursion to Anything you want on Cocoa Village departthe calendar? bring it as ing at noon from Publix a suggestion to the next parking lot on April
16th. Pesaro’s for Pizza on April 22nn at 1pm. And on April 26th at 1pm we’ll make a grand appearance at Goodfella’s on East Colonial. What a comeback we’ve got planned! Please stay safe and healthy. Please get vaccinated. And remember our meetings and gatherings are still under Covid19 protocol.
COMMUNITY (Cont.)
The Importance of the Environment in Traditional Neighborhood Developments By Raven Halle As Earth Day approaches and conversations surrounding climate and environment become even more prevalent, it’s increasingly important to talk about and understand the ways in which the place we call home influences the environment—and also how the environment influences our home. Like we’ve examined in prior articles, traditional neighborhood developments (TNDs) focus on using, rather than reducing, their natural environments. In short, traditional neighborhood developments conserve energy through efficient land use while also lessening the dependence on automobiles, which, in turn, promotes pedestrian movement towards parks, lakes, and the other green spaces typical of TNDs.
flow of traffic. These successes in walkability are made possible by working with the land, not against it.
Even in language is the importance of the earth to traditional neighborhoods made evident. For example, we use the term “built environment” to refer to the man-made features of TNDs. Combining “built,” which suggests something not naturally made, with “environment,” which implies an organic component, does much to show that Where conventional TNDs, at their linguisneighborhood develop- tic core, are concerned ments place precedence with making the best on the automobile, tra- use of organic elements, ditional neighborhood whether they occur developments center naturally like lakes or around foot and bicycle are planted, like street traffic. And although trees. These aspects aim TNDs focus primarito create synergies not ly on non-automobile only between built and modes of transportanatural environments, tion, the consideration but also between resiof the environment in dents of a community relation to the autoby inviting more social mobile is made clear: interaction and lessenthings like street trees ing the isolating factors serve to reduce visual found in conventional pollution, and large, neighborhoods, such often circular patches as fenced-in parks and of grass help to both yards. mitigate and direct the
Since we have previously gone into detail about the aforementioned things like pedestrian traffic, street trees, and green spaces, it’s necessary to now view things from a wider lens, especially in relation to Earth Day and the environmental impact of traditional neighborhood developments on their surrounding natural environments. Some base principles of TNDs, including walkability, accessibility, and affordability, further contribute to the earlier conversation about placing more emphasis on bicycle and foot traffic than on vehicular traffic. This notion alone is huge in terms of sustainability: because TNDs are developed in a way that values walkability and accessibility, it is inherent to most TNDs that automobile-produced carbon emissions are much lower, as non-motor modes of transportation are encouraged more than driving. This, then, ties in with the idea of public transportation.
While many traditional neighborhoods may not have their own forms of public transportation we would consider typical, like buses or subways, it is often the case that we can consider carpooling to be its own sort of public transport. The increase of social interaction as a result of green spaces like parks lead to a greater sense of connection, which can then grow organically into a system of carpooling—whether it be to work, school, a place of worship, or the grocery store. Further, and on a larger scale, traditional neighborhoods are rendered environmentally sustainable through things that are intentional, like parks and lakes, and things that, like nature, happen organically, like community-grown public transportation. Street trees combat visual pollution and serve as a method of forest conservation; walkability reduces greenhouse emissions; green spaces add fresh, breathable air; and mixed-use buildings cut down on construction. All of these factors exemplify the notion of naturally-occurring sustainability. And it’s because of these things that TNDs are sustainable, and through TNDs, we find connections that ultimately sustain us all.
COMMUNITY (Cont.)
Little Free Library Starts New Chapter On a beautiful spring morning outside of the Avalon Pavilion at Tanja King Park, the Rotary Club officially dedicated the newest Little Free Library to the Avalon Park community in honor of their late fellow Rotarian, Jared Morgan. The public outdoor event drew club members and honored guests of the Morgan family. “Thank you to everyone that joined me today to remember our dear friend, Jared,” stated Dom Caprani, Rotary Club of Avalon Park former President. “This library is a testament to Jared’s legacy in our community and the pleasure and privi-
friend.”
lege that I had of being his friend.” Jared Morgan served as Club President for Rotary District 6980 in 2013-2014 The Jared H. Morgan Memorial Library is open for sharing and anyone is free to use it. The post is located at 13401 Tanja King Blvd.
“For Becky, her family and all of Jared’s friends, this library is a testament to his legacy in our community,” Caprani said. ”It will forever remind us all of the huge difference that he made, and the impact of knowing him and to have been his
Whats on Tap?
History: As part of the group’s ongoing community service projects, the Rotary Club of Avalon Park built Avalon’s first Little Free Library in Founders Square almost six years ago. Since that time, the book sharing has gained such positive feedback, the club has decided to install two more, with expansion plans down the road.
Loyal Source presents: The 2021 Rotary Craft Beer Festival We are happy to share that our annual craft beer festival is coming your way on Saturday May 1st from 4-7pm at Town Park (VIP hour from 3-4pm). The event will feature craft beer samples from local Orlando brewers, food trucks, live music, and a new Wine area. Tickets go on sale March 25th via Eventbrite and must be purchased online in advance - No Cash Sales. Proceeds will benefit The Rotary Club of Avalon Park and Yellow Brick Road - The Holden Flynn Foundation, and their support for the families of children affected by Congenital Heart Defects. For those seeking more information, please email avalonparkrotary@gmail. com or CLICK HERE We are looking forward to raising a glass with you soon! Rotary, Opens Opportunities. Come join us each Wednesday morning @ 7:30 at the Pavilion located at 13401 Tanya King Blvd. Meet your neighbors, find out what Rotary is about and how you can Serve to change lives. For more information click on this link: Take Me There!
