WHAT’S HAPPENING IN METROWEST?

A Message from MWMA Board President

Jim Drayton

Jim Drayton

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I’d like to introduce myself to you in my capacity as President of the MetroWest Master Association Board.

I have a 45-year professional background in banking, finance and real estate, as well as my current role as the owner of mortgage company Orlando Home Loans. I believe my professional experience has helped manage the MetroWest Master Association wisely and well over the years as a Board Member and Officer. I have been a resident of MetroWest since 2002, and served as a MWMA Board Member from 2010-2011, President from 2013–2020, and most recently served as Vice President.

We have welcomed a new MWMA board member for 2022: Casinova Henderson. Casinova serves as Vice President of the Azur at Metrowest Condominium Association, Inc. Board of Directors, and works successfully alongside the other directors and the property management company to maintain, sustain and balance quality-of-life issues for the owners at Azur. His presence on the Azur Board provides guidance and oversight that has contributed to effective management, with no special assessments and a well-maintained property.

As an attorney with more than 10 years of experience, Casinova has developed a strong business acumen. He received his law degree from Florida A&M University College of Law here in Orlando. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Pace University. Casinova is retired from the U.S. Air Force.

And finally, it is my pleasure to report that although our annual MetroWest Charity Challenge benefiting Edgewood Children’s Ranch had to be modified in format to keep participants safe from COVID-19, we still raised nearly $8,000 for Edgewood Children’s Ranch, with Fairwinds Credit Union winning the Challenge. It is heartfelt community efforts like the Charity Challenge that make MetroWest such a wonderful place to live, work, play and connect.

Jim Drayton Board President MetroWest Master Association

MetroWest Master Association (MWMA) officials present funds raised by the MetroWest Community Charity Challenge to Edgewood Children’s Ranch (ECR). Front row, left to right: Bruce Jordan, ECR Executive Director; Indiana Jordan; Kimberly Vinson, ECR Development and Events Manager; Jennifer Waters, Fairwinds Credit Union Vice President Branch Manager; and Joan Bailey, ECR Business Manager. Back row, left to right: Lt. Ron Ginn, MWMA Public Safety; Jim Drayton, MWMA Board President; Julie Sanchez, MWMA General Manager; Brandon Leinenbach, MWMA Administrative Assistant; and Aimee Botens, MWMA Assistant Manager

New Businesses

Choose MetroWest

By Nancy Glasgow

We welcomed many diverse new businesses to the MetroWest community in 2021 including:

Achilles Art Café at 2869 Wilshire Dr. is a colorful, artfilled cafe serving coffee, tea, smoothies, food, wine, specialty sodas and beer, with hookah also available outside. https://achillesartcafe.com/

Rhythm Dance Orlando offers classes in a variety of styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, stiletto, and acro. Rhythm Dance Orlando is located at 2295 S. Hiawassee Rd., Suite 100. https://www. facebook.com/rhythmdanceorlando/

Rios Bistro Steakhouse at 7065 Westpointe Blvd. brings an exciting new dining concept to MetroWest: contemporary Italian cuisine with a Brazilian touch. https://www. riosbistro.us/

Salon Lofts in Veranda Park features beauty professionals who specialize in hair (including loctitians/braiders), nails, skin, eyebrows, and massage. Salon Lofts is located at 6996 Piazza Grande Ave. https://salonlofts.com/salons/ metro_west

The menu at El Toque Latin Restaurant, 6405 Raleigh St., features parrillas, burgers, cachapa, and arepas. https:// www.instagram.com/eltoquelatinrestaurant/?hl=en

Brausa Dental Smiles at 6429 Raleigh St. is a dental clinic specializing in smiles, with Brazilian dentists offering dental implants, aesthetics/cosmetics, wisdom tooth surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics and more. https://www.brausasmiles.com/index. asp?id=EN

Burger fanatics will enjoy PCG Artisanal Burgers, located at 2405 S. Hiawassee Rd. Featuring fresh burgers, made daily using Angus Prime meat, PCG also offers hotdogs, chicken sandwiches, milk shakes and fries. All burgers are also available with Beyond Burger and/or wrapped in lettuce. https://www.facebook.com/ PCG-Artisanal-Burgers-104778981113801/?ref=page_ internal

If your companion animal needs some TLC, D’Pets Bath & Grooming at 2409 S. Hiawassee Rd. offers a full suite of services guaranteed to pamper any dog or cat. All staff members are Pet CPR, First Aid, Senior Petizen and Dental Care trained/certified. https://www. dpetsgrooming.com/

Cell World, 2439 S. Hiawassee Rd., sells, buys, trades, unlocks, and fixes cell phones, including a 30-minute screen repair offer. https://website7305353766193461107214-cellphonestore.business. site/

Brows & Co. by Paula Daniel is the creation of Paula Daniel from São Paulo, Brazil, who has taught courses in Brazil and Italy. Located at 2121 S. Hiawassee Rd., Unit 130, Brows & Co. offers eyebrow design, dermaplaning, micro needling, micropigmentation and more. http:// browscompany.com/

By Nancy Glasgow

MetroWest Offers an Array of Enjoyable Outdoor Dining Options

By Kimbra Hennessy

Americans are once again flocking to their favorite restaurants, especially those that offer outdoor seating and follow the rules of social distancing. Experts agree that it's safer to dine outside, where respiratory particles can dissipate into the air, reducing a diner’s chance of catching colds, flu, and COVID-19.

Fortunately, there are a variety of dining options in MetroWest that offer outdoor seating, from fast casual bistros to upscale fine dining establishments. Residents don’t have to travel too far to enjoy dining in fresh air, which has always been popular in Florida’s beautiful springtime weather.

Following are a just a few MetroWest restaurants that offer outside seating:

n Rios Bistro and Steakhouse is described as offering contemporary Italian cuisine with a Brazilian touch. This steakhouse has outdoor seating, with a sunset view, and can host mini weddings, private dinner meetings or private parties under open skies. 7065 Westpointe Blvd.

n Sports enthusiasts can enjoy outdoor seating at Friendly

Confines, an easygoing sports pub featuring Chicago-inspired comfort food, table games and their popular “Cubbie Claws.” 2461 S. Hiawassee Rd.

n Izziban Sushi and BBQ is known for their all-you-can-eat

Korean barbeque and sushi with items created using fresh ingredients, with bold and inspiring flavors. 6996 Piazza Grande

Ave., Suite 100

n The trendy Teak Neighborhood Grill serves microbrews and award-winning handcrafted burgers using fresh, local, and organic ingredients. 6400 Times

Square Ave.

n Tijuana Flats is a fast-casual kitschy Tex-Mex restaurant known for an extensive hot sauce bar, their colorful, muraled walls and lively outdoor patio. 2320

Kirkman Rd.

n Described as a little piece of

Brazil in Orlando, A Brasileira

Restaurant is a casual, colorful lunch spot and a favorite among locals looking for authentic

Brazilian fare. 2417 S. Hiawassee

Rd. n Another popular spot with outdoor seating is Achilles Art

Café, a coffee shop and café with a European flair. This colorful, art-filled coffeehouse serves light fare including smoothies, Greek and Mediterranean sandwiches, plus wine and beer. 2295 S.

Hiawassee Rd., Suite #100A.

Studies have shown that fresh air improves your mood by decreasing anxiety and increasing happiness. Spending time outdoors also improves concentration, memory, and attention, reduces stress levels, and may even help you heal faster.

So, with a variety of options from which to choose, MetroWest residents can sit back, enjoy warm breezes and commune with nature while dining al fresco at one of the neighborhood’s many unique restaurants and cafes. This is yet another aspect of the community that embodies the MetroWest motto … LIVE. WORK. PLAY. CONNECT.