COMMUNITY
E N T E R TA I N I N G
CENTER BRINGS WELLNESS
ENTERTAIN IN STYLE
TO WEST LAKES COMMUNITY
60 ONYX MAGAZINE
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Below are some additional facts:
WHO IT SERVES The five historically African American neighborhoods that make up the Communities of West Lakes in Orlando’s 32805 ZIP Code. The area is located West of Orange Blossom Trail, East of John Young Parkway, and South of Colonial / SR 50 near the Camping World Stadium. Note: A membership is not required. Anyone can access the center.
BACK TO BASICS. Staying organized is key while entertaining guests in your home. Try to plan out every detail before the big event, which can allow things to go more smoothly on the big day. As you think out your plan ahead of time, making lists can be a helpful way to stay organized and ensure you get everything done. List out your guests, what needs to be picked up from the store and possible decorations you might need to buy or craft yourself. The possibilities can seem endless, but it’s important to have a plan in place before you start putting things together.
KEY FEATURES
• Floor 1. Legacy Café, Florida Blue Center Orlando West Lakes, West Lakes Financial Wellbeing Center, event and gathering spaces • Floor 2. An approximately 8,000square-foot, comprehensive healthcare center by the anchor tenant Community Health Centers Inc., as well as offices occupied by neighborhood partners, such as Lift Orlando and ELEVATE Orlando
WHY THE CENTER IS IMPORTANT A ZIP Code is the No. 1 predictor of life outcomes; currently, 32805 is identified by the US Department of Agriculture as a food desert and is the most distressed ZIP code in Central Florida, lacking vital resources needed for consumers and businesses. • The center will create approximately 40 full-time equivalent jobs • Community Health Centers, Inc. to provide pediatrics, family medicine, behavioral health, women’s services, and a low-cost pharmacy •
The center’s convenient location makes it easy for residents to connect vital resources without leaving the community they call home
THINK ABOUT THEME. There are numerous ways your style can be shown while entertaining. One way is to pick a theme or theme-related food dishes. One way to show your theme is through decorations. Placing them throughout your home can give the party some life and help guests get into the overall theme of the party.
From left to right: Pat Geraghty, Dr. Debra Andree, Yamile Luna, Rich Black, Eddy Moratin, Terry Prather, Tom Sittema, Lainie Fox Ackerman, Kennth D. Robinson.
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The Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center is a major part of the $100M Lift Orlando campus that was created to reverse the years of economic and health resource divestment in the area
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PROVIDING A NEW APPROACH TO COMMUNITY HEALTH Scenarios that will soon be made possible because of the Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center: • Faye and Eric, parents of two grade-school children, no longer have to take their children to an ER for minor injuries now with easy access to a comprehensive healthcare center via Community Health Centers, Inc. • Althea, a 75-year-old retiree,
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can more easily navigate the insurance industry and enjoy community walks and wellness classes through the Florida Blue Center Orlando West Lakes. Shawn, a recent UCF graduate, accesses the Financial Wellbeing Center to learn how to responsibly pay off his college debt and utilize the Small Business Institute to launch his startup. Cari and John, College Park residents, drive to the Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center to meet their friends and colleagues for lunch at Legacy Café.
For more information, visit HeartofWestLakes.com. Story by Lift Orlando.
LIGHT UP THE PARTY. Transforming your home can be made simpler by changing the lighting. It’s typical for lights to be dimmed for parties to set a more relaxed mood. Other ideas include using candles, lamps or even hanging lanterns if you are entertaining outside. Make sure it’s bright enough so everyone can see, but dimmed enough to set the mood for the evening’s events.
SET THE MOOD WITH MUSIC. Pick music that matches your theme and inspires that same feel throughout the house. If you’re going for a fun, energetic atmosphere, try something with a quick tempo, such as pop. If you’re wanting to relax, go for subtler, soothing tones. Try making your playlist before you entertain and listen to it a few times through, that way you can know what to expect and how guests will react to your music selections.
ENJOY IT. Through all the anxiety and stress of entertainment planning, make sure you take time to enjoy yourself during the time guests are in your home. Some guests will notice if you’re not having a good time. Smile and remember to be present in the moment.
YUMMY FRUIT PUNCH Summertime is right around the corner. Soon, you will be planning backyard barbeques and indoor gatherings. Here is a quick, yummy punch that can spice up your event. This version skips the alcoholic libation, but your favorite rum or another dark liquor would step it up a notch.
In margin: Family Features
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rlando nonprofit Lift Orlando hosted a beautiful ribbon-cutting celebration for its Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center. The $13.5M, 30,000-square-foot health and wellness center is located on 3.8 acres at 710. S. Tampa Ave — just outside of downtown Orlando in The Communities of West Lakes. It features first-class amenities including Legacy Café and gathering spaces, a Financial Wellbeing Center, Florida Blue Center Orlando West Lakes, and outdoor green spaces. The second floor will feature an approximately 8,000-squarefoot healthcare center operated by Community Health Centers, Inc. “Everyone is working together for the people. You can’t find this anywhere in the nation — where big conglomerates work together for the people,” said Rich Black, the president of Lake Sunset Homeowners Association and the publisher of ONYX Magazine. Terry Prather, senior advisor at Life Orlando echoed the sentiment. “None of this happens without a million miracles aligning.” Lift Orlando's state-of-the-art center will officially open in early spring 2023. The facility will provide muchneeded resources to Orlando’s 32805 ZIP Code after decades of disinvestment and offer residents holistic health, financial, and wellness services currently not accessible to the community. The center will provide 40 full-time equivalent positions. The facility is owned by West Lakes HWC, Inc., a nonprofit supporting organization of Lift Orlando. “Today is just the beginning of a series of celebrations. This place was first and foremost for and about the residents of our community. We want it to be a neighborhood's living room,” said Eddy Moratin, the president of Lift Orlando.
t’s never too early to plan ahead, especially when you are expecting guests in your home. Your family and friends know and might love your style, but it can be important to spice things up now and again to impress your visitors. Factors such as lights, music and food can affect your guests experience in your home. To remain stylish and keep your party going, consider these tips for fun and festive home entertaining.
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
• 4 cups cranberry juice (use cranberry raspberry juice, if desired) • 2 cups pineapple juice • 1/2 can frozen lemonade concentrate or limeade concentrate • 4 cups ginger ale • 3 cups ice cubes (optional) • lemon slices or lime slices, and fresh berries for garnish
• Combine the cranberry juice, pineapple juice, frozen concentrate, ginger ale and ice cubes in a large pitcher or punch bowl. • Add the ice (between 2 and 4 cups of ice is best). • Add some lemon or lime slices and some fresh or frozen berries. • Serve. Notes
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