November 2017 LAKE NONA | NARCOOSSEE | LEE VISTA | ST. CLOUD | CONWAY | HARMONY | KISSIMMEE
what’s
INSIDE: Lake Nona’s East Park Neighborhood is Quietly at the Center of the Action
I LIVE HERE: CIARAVELLA real estate PHOTOS: LORI AND CHAD
rental listings
The October Social in Harmony
NOVEMBER EVENTS
EDITOR’S Because you live, work & play in the East Orlando area Publisher/Owner
STEVE FUSILIER steve@realtygroupfl.com
Editorial
LYNNETTE FUSILIER lynnette@cfmonthly.com Richmond American Homes in Harmony
Sales
SHANNON SMILEY shannon@cfmonthly.com
Hi
there, neighbors. It’s that time of year when our minds, hearts and Facebook feeds are full of gratitude and thanks. We share quotes, participate in gratitude projects and scour Pinterest for crafty ways to express our appreciation for the people, places and things we love. And we get a massive case of the feels when we do it. But November is only 30 days long. How can we maintain these positive vibes the other 335 days of the year? Based on your warm reception of CFM’s I Live Here Project, we’re adding a new project to the mix in 2018: The Neighbor Appreciation Project. If you have a neighbor who has affected your life in a meaningful way, and you want to honor this person for what they did for you or how they make you feel, this is the project for you. Here’s how to participate: There are three simple rules to join in CFM’s Neighbor Appreciation Project. You must: 1. Answer all of the questions. 2. Be willing to be photographed. 3. Live, work or play in one of the zip codes we cover: 32812, 32827, 32829, 32832, 34741, 34771, or 34773.
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Ready to nominate your neighbor? Send me an email (lynnette@cfmonthly.com) with Neighbor Appreciation Project in the subject line and I’ll send you a short list of questions. After you return your answers to us, we’ll schedule your photo shoot and put you in the queue for publication. And, of course, we’ll give you the heads up when we publish your Q&A in the magazine or online.
ON THE
COVER
Photography
AMI BROWN shearosefoto@aol.com
Graphic Design
AUDREY MORAN audreymdesigns@gmail.com
I hope that this project will celebrate the kind acts of your neighbors and help keep us all inspired, grateful and thankful because of this beautiful place you call home.
MORE ABOUT YOU, PLEASE!
Connect with others who live, work and play in the East Orlando area. Meet new people, discover new places and learn new things.
Warmly,
facebook.com/CFMonthly
lynnette
instagram.com/centralfloridamonthly twitter.com/cfmonthly plus.google.com/+CentralFloridaMonthlyOrlando linkedin.com/in/cfmonthly
Meet Nona Crest neighbors, Chad and Lori Ciaravella, in our I Live Here feature on pages 18 and 19. (Not shown here: their dog, Chopper.)
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www.thedryerventsweeper.com 4
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FEATURE PROPERTY eagle creek
12542 Oulton Cir, Orlando FL 32832 4 BED • 2.5 BATH • 2834 SQ FT POND VIEW + POOL HOME Lisiana Dutka 248.563.9889 As you step into this uniquely beautiful home with many upgrades, you will find a large living/dining room combo complete with custom book shelves. Continue through to a spacious open concept family room with a large gourmet kitchen featuring stainless steel appliances, built in oven, gorgeous custom granite counter tops, and sliding glass doors that open to a large pool area with a fantastic view of the pond.
1269 Long Cove Loop, Davenport, FL 33896 3 BED • 2 BATH • 1854 SQ FT • FULL UPGRADES Eduardo Cubillan 407.756.9993
2808 Pinnacle Ct, Windermere, FL 34786 5 BED • 6 BATH • 5071 SQ FT • 1-Acre Lot Mike Stuart 407.448.6826
820 Honolulu Woods Ln, Orlando, FL 32824 3 BED • 2 BATH • 1662 SQ FT • POOL HOME Claudia Acevedo 407.371.2773
1660 Marina Lake Dr, Kissimmee, FL 34774 5 BED • 3 BATH • 3676 SQ FT • Lakefront Chris Pixley 352.267.4244
11928 Yellow Fin Trl #3C, Orlando, FL 32827 5 BED • 5 BATH • 4236 SQ FT • WATERFRONT Patrick Pixley 352.516.4427
608 S Main Ave #35, Minneola, FL 34715 2 BED • 2 BATH • 1492 SQ FT • REMODELED CONDO Chris Pixley 352.267.4244
5331 Carson St, Saint Cloud, FL 34771 5 BED • 5 BATH • 5772 SQ FT • POOL HOME Chris Pixley 352.267.4244
20529 Quinn St, #3A, Orlando, FL 32833 4 BED • 3 BATH • 2409 SQ FT • 1-ACRE LOT Patrick Pixley 352.516.4427
13661 Granger Ave, Orlando, FL 32827 5 BED • 4.5 BATH • 4650 SQ FT • POOL HOME Haji Shimabukuro 407.435.1910
1141 Audubon Way, Maitland, FL 32751 4 BED • 3 BATH • 3376 SQ FT • PRIVATE LAKE ACCESS Chris Pixley 352.267.4244
1405 Hidden Oaks Bend, Saint Cloud, FL 34771 6 BED • 4/2 BATH • 4305 SQ FT • 1/2-Acre Lot Laura Alves 407.496.7616
6778 New Hope Rd, Orlando, FL 32824 4 BED • 3 BATH • 3314 SQ FT • POOL HOME Laura Alves 407.496.7616
RESIDENTIAL 6 R E S I D E N T I A L • CO M M E R C I A L • V A C A N T L A N D • I N V E S T M E N T S • L E A S I N G • 407.281.8455 • WW W .REALTYGROUPFL. COM
R E S I D E N T I A L • CO M M E R C I A L • V A C A N T L A N D • I N V E S T M E N T S • L E A S I N G • 407.281.8455 • WW W .REALTYGROUPFL.COM
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FEATURE PROPERTY conway
0 Seminole Dr, Belle Isle, FL 32812 4 BED • 3.5 BATH • 3800 SQ FT • LAKEFRONT Chris Pixley 352.267.4244
12211 Pasha Ln, Orlando FL 32827 3 BED • 2 BATH • GATED • $2350 Laura Alves 407.496.7616
10529 Belfry Cir, Orlando, FL 32832 4 BED • 3.5 BATH • EAGLE CREEK • $1950 Keith Race 407.476.0476
1122 Toluke Pointe, Orlando, FL 32828 4 BED • 2.5 BATH • GATED • $1800 Lourdes Valdes 407.234.1955
5197 Magnolia St, Orlando, FL 32809 2 BED • 1 BATH • SODO BUNGALOW • $1175 Joey Guest 407.949.7071
7902 Daetwyler Dr, Belle Isle, FL 32812 5 BED • 3.5 BATH • 2400 SQ FT • LAKEFRONT Chris Pixley 352.267.4244
6806 Seminole Dr, Belle Isle, FL 32812 4 BED • 4.5 BATH • 3848 SQ FT • LAKEFRONT Chris Pixley 352.267.4244
Don’t miss your chance to own this Immaculate, Custom Built Home on the Lake Conway Chain! Entering the home, you’re greeted with a huge Open Floor Plan with a combined Kitchen and Great Room overlooking the lake. The Kitchen features High-End Stainless Steel Appliances, a large Island and Beautiful Quartz Counters. The home sits on a large Peninsula Lot offering tons of privacy and a Huge Backyard with plenty of room for family fun on the lake.
Sold 4091 Conway Place Cir, Orlando, FL 32812 5 BED • 5.5 BATH • 3908 SQ FT • LAKEFRONT Bree Buswell 407.408.4192
2414 Hoffner Ave, Belle Isle, FL 32812 3 BED • 2 BATH • 1647 SQ FT • UPDATED Chris Pixley 352.267.4244
1550 Caterpillar St, Saint Cloud, FL 34771 3 BED • 2 BATH • TURTLE CREEK • $1595 Keith Race 407.476.0476
2944 Bonita Cir, Kissimmee, FL 34744 3 BED • 2 BATH • GATED • $1450 Ryan Smith 407.476.0476
5205 Oak Island, Belle Isle, FL 32812 2 BED • 1 BATH • 1125 SQ FT • LAKE ACCESS Chris Pixley 352.267.4244
7830 Holiday Isle #302, Belle Isle, FL 32812 3 BED • 2 BATH • 1808 SQ FT • LAKEFRONT Chris Pixley 352.267.4244
9818 Lake District Ln, Orlando, FL 32832 4 BED • 2.5 BATH • POOL HOME • $2400 Lourdes Valdes 407.234.1955
8461 Greider Way, Orlando, FL 32827 4 BED • 3 BATH • LAUREATE PARK • $2495 Ryan Smith 407.476.0476
RESIDENTIAL 8 R E S I D E N T I A L • CO M M E R C I A L • V A C A N T L A N D • I N V E S T M E N T S • L E A S I N G • 407.281.8455 • WW W .REALTYGROUPFL. COM
RENTALS R E S I D E N T I A L • CO M M E R C I A L • V A C A N T L A N D • I N V E S T M E N T S • L E A S I N G • 407.476.0476 • WWW.F MG RE ALE S T AT E .COM 9
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12/1/17
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LAKE NONA’S EAST PARK NEIGHBORHOOD is
quietly at the center of the action
Say hello to the Valdes family (left to right): Raphy, Ed, Javi, Lourdes and Adrianna
Text by Chad Walsh
If
you don’t yet know Lourdes Valdes, you might want to saunter up to her and say, “Hi,” should you find yourself mingling in the same crowd. Lourdes and her husband, Ed Herrera, run a computer software company called Coded— which is right next door to the Tavistock Group, which has turned Orlando’s cow pastures into the ambitious Lake Nona community. For example, if you didn’t know that East Park was getting its very own movie theater, you do now. Lourdes says the theater and a massive bowling alley are soon going to anchor a giant retail mall adjacent to Lake Nona’s Medical City. “When we look out the window at work, we can still see the cows, but that’s where the mall’s going to be,” she says. When Lourdes, Ed and their three children moved to East Park years ago, they felt like they’d moved into the epicenter of a major development that somehow still left their relatively sleepy East Park neighborhood of singlefamily homes untouched by new construction. And even with that mall on the way, Lourdes says it still feels that way.
Raphy, Javi and Adrianna Valdes
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“There’s a lake at the back of the neighborhood with a public park, and no one really knows about it,” she says. And despite its open-tothe-public fishing dock and sand volleyball pit, it can sometimes feel like you have the place all to yourself. (Lourdes says it’s where she, Ed and their children celebrate their birthdays each year.)
“Our day generally starts by dropping off our 12-year-old daughter at the bus stop,” Lourdes says. “I don’t have to worry about her because everyone knows everyone and everyone’s looking out for one another and their children. There are so many boys in our neighborhood and they all know each other and play on the soccer team together. All of this is part of what we love about this community.” Ilene Marmolejo echoes this sentiment. She, her husband José and their three daughters were one of the first families to move to the area back in 2004 when José was offered a position with Osceola County Fire Rescue. Ilene, a JetBlue Airways stay-at-home customer service representative and a Sun Blaze Elementary School PTA volunteer, says it’s the kind of neighborhood where she doesn’t have to worry about letting her girls explore the neighborhood by bike or walk the dog down to the lake as dusk approaches. This close-knit community really showed its colors when Hurricane Irma blew in. Knowing that José would be aiding in relief efforts, neighbor after neighbor checked in on her to see if she and her daughters were prepared to shelter in place. And once the storm passed, everyone offered help to anyone who needed it—even the neighborhood newcomers who had just began to put down roots. “I know I can always count on my neighbors in a time of need,” Ilene says. “Everyone came together before and after the storm.”
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The Valdes-Herrera and Marmolejo households both like to drive around Orlando. The Marmolejos are a “Disney family,” while the Valdes-Herreras hold season passes to Universal Studios and take frequent trips to watch their beloved Orlando City Lions on the soccer pitch. (They’re season ticket holders for that, too. “We go to absolutely every game,” Lourdes says.)
I know I can always count on my neighbors in a time of need...
Of course, the drive to the Orlando International Airport is a short one, which makes traveling a breeze for the Valdes-Herreras, especially now that they’ve purchased a second summer home in Lourdes’ native Costa Rica. And don’t think that Ilene doesn’t take advantage of her JetBlue connection. They like to visit her niece in San Diego and vacation in New York City, where they take in musicals and the metropolis’ grandiose architecture and dazzling lights. And on weekends, Lourdes’ family does what a lot of her friends and neighbors do: make the short drive south to brunch at Nona Blue. It’s seeing those friends and neighbors on a regular basis—whether at brunch, work or the local Publix—that Lourdes likes most about her neighborhood. n
DID YOU KNOW?
Lake Nona’s East Park neighborhood may still be a little sleepy, but that’s about to change with the construction of a new mall, complete with its own movie theater and bowling alley. That said, the small community is a close-knit one that further development won’t alter. Parents mingle at community block parties and barbecues while their children play soccer or volleyball in the nearby park. It’s the kind of neighborhood where you can let your children explore the world without worrying about their safety. And it’s all just a stone’s throw from the airport, stadiums and theme parks that make the city of Orlando a playground for parents and their children.
ZIP CODE 32832 TOTAL HOMES SOLD in 2016
61
$269,900 MEDIAN HOME PRICE 2016
$265,292 AVERAGE HOME PRICE 2016
Meet Emily and Hannah Marmolejo and their pups (left to right) Quinn, Harlee, Ruby and Lola
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neighborhood
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Meet East Park’s Marmolejo family (left to right): Hannah, Ilene, Emily and Jose
DEVELOPERS: • DR Horton Homes • Engle Homes • Mercedes Homes Community amenities include: walking trails, nature trails, 8 park areas, tennis courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, playgrounds, dock and pier, picnic areas and pavilions. The East Park area falls into the East Park Community Development District, or CDD. The CDD is responsible for maintenance of most areas of the community, including the main entrance, roads inside the community (except for Savannah Park Drive), the city park around the lake, the tennis courts and restroom facilities.
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ONE
And while East Park’s strong sense of community defines it, there’s more to it than that. Because of its location, fun can be had by taking a short drive in just about any direction.
East Park Lake is surrounded by a walking trail, sand volleyball court, playgrounds and picnic areas
NEIGHBORHOODS • • • • • • •
EAST PARK NEIGHBORHOOD 5 EAST PARK NEIGHBORHOOD 6 EAST PARK NEIGHBORHOOD 7 THE LAKES AT EAST PARK THE VILLAS AT EAST PARK RAVINIA AT EAST PARK OVERLOOK AT EAST PARK
2 TYPES of
HOMES: single-family and townhomes
ENTRANCES: NARCOOSSEE RD, MOSS PARK RD AND DOWDEN RD. CENTRAL FLORIDA MONTHLY
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JOIN US FOR A HOLIDAY TREAT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! THE POPULAR STORY OF MISERLY EBENEEZER SCROOGE AND HIS CHRISTMAS EVE JOURNEY TO
ON THE MAIN STAGE DECEMBER 1-17
REDEMPTION WITH A BEAUTIFUL SCORE!
PLUS VISIT THE 36TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR SHOP HANDMADE GIFTS
MADE BY LOCAL ARTISANS
DAILY FROM NOV. 18-DEC. 17 MON-SAT 10A-4:30P, SUN 12P-4:30P DURING ALL SCROOGE PERFORMANCES
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Book, Music and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse
2411 E. IRLO BRONSON MEMORIAL HWY KISSIMMEE, FL 34744 407-846-6257 /OSCEOLAARTS
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I LIVE
Name and age: Lori, 35, and Chad, 39 Hometown: Orlando and Sarasota, respectively Current neighborhood: Nona Crest
&
CHAD
CIARAVELLA
Nona Crest neighbors, Chad and Lori with their pup, Achilles.
an hour or two or head out to Epcot for dinner only. The passes give us the opportunity to come and go as we please. What is the last book you read? “The 5 Love Languages” by Gary Chapman
How do you pay the bills? Chad works as a program manager at an aviation training facility. I manage community relations and events for the nonprofit Feeding Children Everywhere.
Name your favorite tattoo: None, we don’t have them
What do you create? Pumpkin bread and homemade mac and cheese.
What is your favorite farmers’ market and why? The Lake Eola Farmers is always a favorite, but getting to it is kinda a hike. We are hoping that the one out here will expand and start to include more vendors.
How did you land in Orlando? Chad had been commuting from Sarasota to Orlando every day for three years. The trip finally got to be too much, so we bought a house and moved to Nona Crest. I transferred to another nonprofit once we settled in. Do you hold an annual pass? If so, to which park? Yes, all four Disney parks. We love the flexibility of being able to go to Disney for just
Last thing you ate at a food truck? For me, it was a grilled cheese, and for Chad it was BBQ
Butterbeer, Dole whip, or _______? Wine for me. Sparkling water for him. Springs, lakes, or oceans? We both prefer the ocean over any other body of water. Having moved from Sarasota, we tend to favor the Gulf over the Atlantic, but both are beautiful.
Only in Orlando moment? Fireworks every night Dog person or cat person? We have two terriers, one is a Jack Russell, and the other is an Italian Greyhound mix. Despite being 14, they are both full of energy and love to be outside. If you could change one thing about Orlando, what would it be? Traffic in Orlando is the absolute worst! Fortunately, living in Lake Nona, we can navigate wherever we need to go without ever getting on I-4. The highways make things more manageable. Where can we find you on the web? Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram n
How you can participate: There are three simple rules to participate in CFM’s I Live Here Project. You must: 1. answer all of the questions. 2. be willing to be photographed in your neighborhood. 3. live, work or play in one of the zip codes we cover: 32812, 32827, 32829, 32832, 34741, 34771 or 34773. Sound good? Great. Send us an email (lynnette@cfmonthly.com) and we’ll send you the questions. After you return your answers to us, we’ll schedule your photo shoot and put you in the queue for publication. And, of course, we’ll give you the heads up when we publish your Q&A in the magazine or online. Because #InternetFamous.
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A CUT ABOVE THE REST!
Tony Zeuli
Master Craftsman All types of custom woodworking and cabinet making.
407-908-9998 Cell 407-957-6221 Office
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Licensed & Insured www.extremecarpentryinc.com
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October’s Social in Harmony was a hit. Attendees mixed and mingled with neighbors and business owners, toured model homes by Richmond American Homes and grubbed at three excellent food carts (Cousins Maine Lobster, Cruisin’ Cuisine and Ice Cream Social). Our thanks to Richmond American Homes for hosting the event, DJ Steve Fame for spinning the tunes, Shea Rose photography for capturing the event photos and to everyone who worked hard to make this night possible. n
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LAKE NONA SATURDAY MARKET
9AM-1PM • Valencia College: 12350 Narcoossee Rd facebook.com/LakeNonaFarmersFreshMarket
LAKE NONA VINE AFFAIR TASTING at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits 6-8PM • 12254 Narcoossee Rd. • Tickets $12.50-$15
eventbrite.com/e/lake-nona-vine-affair-tastingtickets-39008843501
FRIDAY
A Vine Affair is a brand-new wine tasting event where you’ll sample some of the finest high-end wines and spirits. Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or still learning the vines, it’s a tasting for every palate level. And with 15% off your purchase the night of, it’ll please both your senses and your wallet.
(AND NOV. 3, 10, 17 & 24) ART AFTER DARK Lake Nona Town Center • FREE 6900 Tavistock Lakes Blvd.
SATURDAY
Enjoy special exhibitions, art displays, live demonstrations and music of Central Florida’s bustling art scene.
FEAST IN THE EAST at the Offices at Waterford Park 8-11AM • FREE 9681 Lake Nona Village Pl., Orlando facebook.com/lakenonacarsandcoffee
Free event for car buffs of all ages. Auto enthusiasts will see exotics, classics, hot rods, muscle cars; show, race and euro cars. And there’s coffee to start your engines!
sundays
Tai Chi at Lakehouse 4PM • Lakehouse 13623 Sachs Ave.
lakenona.com/live/community/ events-venues/events
YOGA NONA Sponsored by Lake Nona Life Project
9AM • Crescent Park in Laureate Park: 8374 Upper Perse Cir. lakenona.com/live/community/events-venues/events
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SUNDAY
saturdays
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WEDNESDAY
6PM • Crescent Park in Laureate Park 8374 Upper Perse Cir. lakenona.com/live/community/ events-venues/events
LAUREATE PARK COMMUNITY PORCH SALE 8AM-2PM
facebook.com/events/1779268185680552
Get up early and score some treasures from Laureate Park neighbors’ homes. Goodwill will be collecting any unwanted and leftover items from the Porch Sale from 2-4 PM at Laureate Park Village Center in the parking lot behind LP Fit and Lakehouse.
WEDNESDAY
facebook.com/Lakenona ymcafarmersmarket
LAKE NONA NIGHTS: LIVE + LOCAL
BREAKFAST CONNECTIONS by Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce 8-9:30AM • Tickets: $10-$30 Lakehouse, 13623 Sachs Ave., Orlando eventbrite.com/e/november-2017-breakfast-connections-by-lake-nonaregional-chamber-of-commerce-tickets-38953988428?aff=es2
Designed to promote strong connections, provide B2B networking and business-matching opportunities, uplift, educate and keep you “in the know” of the developments of local government and community. Professional, yet welcoming atmosphere for you to gain the connections, tools and experience to grow and maintain your business.
THURSDAY
4-9PM • Lake Nona YMCA
thursdays
FARMERS MARKET at the YMCA
mondays
ON THE REGULAR
9145 Narcoossee Road, Suite 102, Orlando, FL 32827 407-259-2363 | www.CFMonthly.com
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(AND NOV. 23) COFFEE CLUB NONA 8:30-9:30AM • Lakehouse 13623 Sachs Ave., Orlando eocc.org/content.aspx?Id=78
You might think the draw of Coffee Club Nona is 1) good coffee or 2) cool location. But actually, it’s 3) GREAT people. On the second and fourth Thursdays of every month, connect with other local business owners and grow your business. The second Thursday is dedicated to high-octane networking activities and the fourth Thursday is reserved for high-caliber speakers.