09.01.17 Baldwin Park Living by Orange Observer

BALDWIN PARK

LIVING SEPTEMBER 2017

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CONTENTS

FEATURES

40 26 6

A NEW BEGINNING Blanca Camacho and her daughter, Martha Gonzalez, fled a dangerous life in Venezuela. CANINE COMPANION Dog lover Kacey Kelly is building her own dog dynasty in Baldwin Park.

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER 2017

BALDWIN PARK

DEPARTMENTS

LIVING

10 BALDWIN PARK NOTEBOOK Read about recent decisions made by community leaders. 14 WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN Columnist Denny O’Neil returns to ‘Penn’s Woods.’ 16 EDUCATION Audubon Park Elementary PTA preps for fall shindig.

SEPTEMBER 2017

Publisher — Dawn Willis

EDITORIAL Executive Editor — Michael Eng Design Editor — Jessica Eng Associate Editor — Tim Freed Associate Editor — Troy Herring

20 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Looking for something fun in Baldwin Park? Find it here.

Contributors Josh Garrick Denny O’Neil Christina Rordam

22 CULTURE FOR YOUR CALENDAR Josh Garrick shares his picks for local entertainment. 36 HEALTH Skin Studio celebrates eight years in Baldwin Park.

46 TAX TALK Can you negotiate with the IRS on penalty relief?

Associate Publisher — Tracy Craft

PRODUCTION Creative Services — Tony Trotti

48 WHAT’S SELLING See four homes that sold recently in Baldwin Park.

CONTACT To submit story ideas, calendar listings or have your event considered for coverage, contact Tim Freed at tfreed@orangeobserver.com.

50 KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE Market remains strong for sellers in Central Florida. 52 BALDWIN PARK SCENE Did our camera catch you?

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For advertising inquiries, call (407) 401-9929. Baldwin Park Living is a monthly publication of the Observer Media Group published in partnership with Sentry Management, managing agent of the Baldwin Park Residential Owners Association Inc.; Baldwin Park Commercial Owners Association Inc.; and Baldwin Park Joint Committee Inc.

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Baldwin Park notebook ROA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING BY STACEY FRYREAR The following information is a glimpse of the business the ROA Board of Directors addressed at the July 25 meeting. A complete copy of the official minutes can be obtained on BaldwinParkNetwork. com. n The board approved permitting political candidates to use facility center space for forums. n The board hosted a discussion concerning the water intrusion analysis that is being performed in select town homes. n The board approved Cole & Associates for the 2017 financial audit. n The board approved various plant/sod replacements in the City Homes No. 4 Mews.

INFORMATION FOR OWNERS Do you need a copy of the governing documents? The governing documents can be found on the Baldwin Park Network. Once you visit baldwinparknetwork.com, select the following: n Association Information n Residential Owners Association n ROA Overview & Documents n Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the different options

UPDATES PAINTING/REPAIRS OF FACILITY CENTERS The exterior painting of Grace Hopper Hall, pool fencing and pool light poles at Grace Hopper was scheduled for Aug. 14. Staining and re-caulking of expansion joints to Enders pool deck and painting of light poles around the pool will occur in September/ October (colder months) because the pool will need to be closed. LANDSCAPE REPLACEMENTS The replacements approved in June was to be completed by the middle of August. They are as follows: Ardsdale Mews: Bermuda repairs Oak Mews: Bermuda repair Parkland Quadrangle: Fill-in azaleas; jasmine and bermuda repairs Upper Union Park: Azalea and Boxwood fill-ins City Homes No. 2 Mews: Various plant fill-ins City Homes No. 3 Mews: Various plant fill-ins Grace Hopper: Azalea, iris, rose fillins; and zoysia and bermuda repairs POOL BATHROOM BENCHES The benches at Grace Hopper and Enders pools were sanded and gloss coated. The pedestals also were sanded to remove rust and repainted with direct to metal paint. BALDWIN PARK SERVICE APP UPDATE There are 1,123 people who have signed up to date. The number has increased by 47 in the last 60 days. SOCCER CLINIC The resident who was holding the soccer clinics in the ROA parks has moved to a different location after being approached by staff. OFFICIAL RECORDS PURGE Per Florida Statute 720, official records should be kept for seven years. Staff is in the process of purging and shredding the documents that are more than seven

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | SEPTEMBER

years old. This includes records kept in off-site storage, which will help to decrease storage cost. IRRIGATION SYSTEMS Staff is coordinating a meeting with BrightView and an irrigation-system manufacturer representative to discuss the possibility of going to centralized clocks and valves. Some key points are that the clocks can be controlled remotely, and zones/valves can be shut down individually. An update will be brought to a future meeting. STORM WATER SYSTEMS Staff and Mr. O’Neil met with members BrightView irrigation and the division manager of the Streets and Storm Water Division with the city of Orlando to discuss opportunities for reducing the debris flowing into the storm water system and plugging some of the lines. Those measures will be a work in progress over a series of months, and an update will be brought to a future meeting. STAFFING UPDATES Al Merricks, longtime maintenance employee, retired (for the second time) this month. Merricks initially retired in 2014 and came back in 2016 to help when the association had two positions open and ended up staying for one year. His work ethic and dedication to Baldwin Park will be missed. We have filled his position with Greg Brewster, who worked for Publix for eightand-one-half years. He will be located primarily in the Neighborhood Business District. Kathleen Dwyer-Smith, residential covenants coordinator, and Shari King, accounting administrator, have switched jobs. Dwyer-Smith will continue to back up the receptionist along with her accounting duties. King will oversee the covenants process as well as inspect the facilities monthly.

COMMERCIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC. BOARD MEETING AUG. 22 CONSENT AGENDA 1. Covenants and ARC summary 2017 2. Signing allowance 3. Landscape evaluation TREASURER’S REPORT 1. A/R report 2. July 2017 financial snapshots OLD BUSINESS 1. Baldwin Harbor parking garage easement agreement update NEW BUSINESS 1. Election of officers 2. Appointment of directors to Joint Committee 3. Discussion to fill vacant director’s seat 4. Discussion on proposed amendments to bylaws 5. Consideration of Cole & Associates for audit engagement letter 6. Discussion on budget process 7. Discussion on rescheduling November 2017 meeting to October 2017

BY BRAD WASIL The following information is a glimpse of the business that the Townhome Service Area Committee addressed in the July 20 meeting. A complete copy of the official minutes can be obtained on BaldwinParkNetwork.com. n Dale Petersen presented an update to the TSAC regarding the association’s decision to look into some of the balcony issues. At this point, the association is waiting for the report from MIS regarding its findings. n The TSAC approved to paint the rear exterior lights of the live/work buildings (the lights above the garage and next to the studio apartment entry). n The exterior stairs and gates for the live/work townhomes also were approved to be re-painted.

UPDATES n The preventative maintenance contract work for 2017 is underway, and the City Home No. 1, City Home No. 2, Mattamy and City Home No. 4 service areas already have been completed. The contractor was scheduled to finish the Issa 28 service area by the end of August, weather permitting. n Staff met with Dan Farmer from the TSAC and ARC to review air-conditioning pads not draining well in the City Home No. 2, Mattamy and City Home No. 4 service areas. The association is waiting on a proposal from a contractor, which will have to be approved by the ARC, TSAC and ROA to help alleviate the sitting water. n Sidewalk pressure-washing was completed for the Issa 22, City Home No. 1 and the live/work service areas. There were some additional spot cleaning of sidewalks completed for the Cambridge and City Home No. 4 service areas.

INFORMATION FOR TOWNHOME OWNERS The sidewalks, streets and curbs are owned by the city of Orlando. The city will not clean the sidewalks, but it will repair any possible trip hazards. You can report trip hazards, potholes, broken curbs, etc., to the city by a link on the Baldwin Park Services app or at cityoforlando. net/streets-stormwater/streetand-sidewalk-repair. Lead walks (sidewalks that lead from the city sidewalk to the front door of a townhome) are the responsibility of the service area to maintain. If you find a problem with a lead walk, you can report the issue on the Baldwin Park Services app. The sidewalks are cleaned during the preventative maintenance and possibly more often depending on the service area’s budget and needs.

n Trimming the crepe myrtle trees for building clearance was approved for the City Home No. 1 and City Home No. 2 service areas. n The TSAC approved to add downspout extensions on the rear downspouts between the garages of the Mattamy buildings and the Rey buildings in the City Home No. 2 service area. These downspout extensions will be directed to drain onto one of the driveways to prevent water pushing the rocks into the alleys. n The TSAC made a decision that acceptable work hours for contractors will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays.

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WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN

A glimpse into the good ol’ days DENNY O’NEIL BALDWIN PARK RESIDENTIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

nother tale from “Penn’s Woods.” No Baldwin Park stuff — if that is what you’re looking for, move on. When I was 10 years old, my parents purchased a home about a mile from the rented house in which we had lived. The move changed a lot of things for me. (For example, no more horse chestnut battles — no horse chestnut trees around). I went to a new school and made a lot of new friends. At my old home, the only woods were on the hillside overlooking the railroad tracks that ran parallel to the Allegheny River. From my new home, I could head west for half a city block, where I would find, in sequence, a city playground, a ball field and then the woods. Real woods that went on for miles. Entering into the woods, still going west into a valley, I came across blueberry bushes, various paths running in all directions, stripper oil well cables and a pump house, the pollywog pond, a small stream and then at the top of the next hill — the sandbanks (where some company dug up and took out sand for whatever use). These were all places of great adventures for me and my friends. For example, the company digging and natural erosion resulted in one of the banks revealing what we thought were dinosaur bones. (Dinosaurs were popular with us — I could identify by name a bunch of drawings of dinosaurs and dinosaur toys). Okay, so the bones turned out to be cow bones, but we were thrilled for a while before we found out. Beyond the sandbanks were even

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | SEPTEMBER

more adventures. Now remember, back in those days when I was going out the door in the morning during summer vacation, my mom would ask me where I was going and tell me to be back at suppertime. I told her to the playground or the woods. That was it. No helicopter parents in those days. One day, a couple of friends and I went on one of our hikes, and it took us to a very interesting place. We went through the woods way past the sandbanks to a location where we could cross Deep Hollow Road and go via a dirt road to the railroad tracks. From there, we proceeded west along the tracks with a steep hillside on our left and a steep bank descending down to the Allegheny River on our right. After we had gone about six miles, the steep hillside on our left gradually turned into a more gently sloping-up field. Not far from the tracks, we found a stone gate across the top of which was chiseled “River Ridge Farm” (see the last paragraph in this article). It was a railroad stop from a time in the past. As we looked through the gate and up the hill, we could see the mansion (or castle as we thought of it). For any kids reading this article, think of the Hogwarts Express arriving at Hogwarts and students unloading onto a road instead of into boats on a lake. Being kids, we decided to explore. We sneaked around as it was private property. First, we went to the bell tower then to the barn. Then we explored a storage building and the farm house, both of which looked as if they were no longer being used. There also was a gatehouse. Everything except the gatehouse was open, mostly empty and in various states of disrepair (except for the barn, which was in great shape for a barn). Of course, we had no idea of what this place had been or was at the time. And some of the buildings were a little spooky. (A couple of years ago, I stumbled upon a website that had some of the history of River Ridge Farm and found out that one couple that lived in the gatehouse believed that a friendly ghost lived there with

them (lights going on and off; rocking chair rocking with no one sitting in it; a blanket pulled up on their child without human help). I sent the link to the website to my cousin, who looked at it and then told me he had played basketball on the barn court’s highly polished wood floors. He was a basketball team great in his Catholic high school and for a while contemplated entering the priesthood, thus he got to play basketball with some seminary students and priests there. (See the paragraph below.) A little background information is valuable. The “White Fathers,” which was originally known as “River Ridge Farm” was a farm purchased by Joseph C. Sibley in 1911 and eventually became a 1,038-acre farm. On it, he had 75 Italian stone masons build a stone mansion with 33 rooms (done in seven months — you probably couldn’t even get the permits to start anything in seven months today). There were a number of out-buildings also, including: a gatehouse; a manger’s house; a farm house; and a five-level stone-and-brick barn with entrances on three levels and a full-size basketball court on the third level); and a campanile (a free-standing bell tower), which was an exact duplicate of the one at the West Point Military Academy. On the top of the campanile was engraved, “Sing out to the peaceful valley a song of eventide, ring out the fertile fields a song of moon tide.” The bells were first played on Memorial Day, 1914. In 1948, the property was sold to The Society of Missionaries of Africa, White Fathers, a Catholic missionary organization. The mansion became a seminary. In less than 10 years, the White Fathers quit farming, sold 940 acres and later sold the bell tower chimes to a Catholic church in Montreal, Canada. So, it was actually White Fathers when my friends and I explored it. Most of the buildings, including the mansion, are still there today. Next month, I’ll return to Baldwin Park for my subject matter.

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There’s just one senior living community that’s ideally suited to the stylish Baldwin Park way of life, and it will open this September on the shores of Lake Baldwin. Westminster Baldwin Park will be the best of all worlds, offering maintenance-free, active senior living, and including such on-campus services and amenities as a casual café, swimming pool and fitness center. As a neighborhood of Westminster Winter Park, residents will also enjoy access to the well-established amenities on the nearby Winter Park campus, including the assurance of a full continuum of healthcare services, if needed. And they’ll be able to walk or bike to their favorite restaurants and shops, and remain close to everything they love about Baldwin Park. Opening this spring on the Westminster Baldwin Park campus is our brand-new Rapid Recovery rehabilitation center, where adults aged 62 and older can get the support needed after surgery to return to an active lifestyle. This is your neighborhood, and for those who will soon become residents of Westminster Baldwin Thi Park, it will become the neighborhood they know and lovve. For them, this move is not a change of heart, but merely a change of address!

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Party with a purpose Audubon Park Elementary School’s PTA is preparing for Shindig Goes POP, its biggest fundraising event of the year. And you’re invited. IF YOU GO AUDUBON PARK ELEMENTARY SHINDIG GOES POP WHEN: 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 WHERE: Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando WEBSITE: audubonparkpta.org/ socialshindig

TIM FREED ASSOCIATE EDITOR

new school year is underway at Audubon Park Elementary School — and with that comes a new opportunity for the PTA to help support its school. The Audubon Park Elementary School PTA will raise money for new projects for the school at its Shindig Goes POP event Friday, Oct. 6, at the Orlando Museum of Art. It’s the PTA’s main fundraiser, and the money will fund various improvements. Participating parents, teachers and neighbors can expect a fun event with food, a DJ and a cash bar. The night also will feature a large silent auction, with at least 200 items ranging from fun perks for children at school, such as a voucher for ice cream with a teacher and being school principal for a day, all the way to tickets to Disney World and Orlando Magic games. Last year, the event raised more than $59,000 through the auctions. The PTA used proceeds to purchase Sunshine State books for every class; stipends to pay teachers who run after-school clubs; teacher training; a concrete pad on the playground for kids to play four square; and an outdoor learning garden. “It’s huge,” new PTA President Stephanie Harley says. “We only have two main fundraisers and this is the only one in the fall, and it basically funds everything we do for the year and hopefully then some.”

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | SEPTEMBER

Tim Freed

The Audubon Park Elementary PTA is ready for another shindig event set for Oct. 6.

“We transitioned from lots of little tiny fundraisers like the wrapping paper and the cookies,” past-president Jessica Brown says. “Our parents have kept saying to us, ‘Please stop with all the fundraising. We do so much, and we’re constantly being asked.’ We took a step a few years ago and said, ‘OK, two big fundraisers and that’s it.’” The shindigs have been a tremendous hit ever since. Previous years have raised money for a small café area in the lobby where parents can eat lunch with their children, as well as an entire Dr. Seuss-themed redecoration of the library that included excerpts from the stories painted on the walls, new furniture and a large wooden tree centerpiece. The event has evolved over time. Two years ago, the event converted to electronic bidding through an online app, which allows parents to contribute to the silent auctions even if they aren’t present at the shindig. Organizers hope to make this

year’s shindig the biggest one yet, says Harley, who has a first-grader at Audubon Park. “Next year, our school will be smaller, because of the new K-8 opening, which is taking a hunk of students over,” she says. “We’re thinking this is going to be a big blowout, because it will be our last shindig as Audubon Park as we know it.” Harley says the PTA hopes to welcome at least 200 attendees to this year’s event. Brown says the parents are incredibly passionate about supporting the school — mostly because the school does so much to help them already, she says. “It’s a two-way street,” says Brown, who has a first- and fifth-grader at the school. “The parents are so incredibly supportive, and then you turn around and look at the staff and the teachers and the administration — they are so giving. They are so helpful to us, letting us know what they need and how we can help. It’s really a team effort.”

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calendar September 2017 SEPT. 1 FEEL THE RHYTHM FRIDAY 8 to 11 p.m. Fridays at WineStyles Baldwin Park, 4841 New Broad St., Orlando. The series continues with a performance by String Theory.

POWER YOGA EXPRESS 9:15 to 10 a.m. Fridays in the Grace Hopper Hall Gathering Room. Residents “ready for power” will enjoy this class, which features strength-building and calorie-busting. Instructor and Baldwin Park resident Becca Schmidt, RYT, has been practicing yoga for 15 years and teaching for more than 12 years. She earned her certification at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and is registered with the National Yoga Alliance. Students will be asked to sign a liability waiver and must disclose any injury, recent surgery or pregnancy. Bring your own mat, a towel and water bottle to class. If you don’t have a mat, the instructor can provide one. No

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FIRST FRIDAY FESTIVAL 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, along New Broad Street in the Village Center. First Friday Festival, presented by BOOM Marketing & Events, will feature more than 70 local artisans of all genres, as well as many Central Florida-based small businesses and nonprofit organizations with products and offerings ranging from health and fitness to beauty and fashion, as well as community-service opportunities. This free sidewalk festival is held the First Friday of every month and is both family- and pet-friendly. Sponsored by West-

minster Communities of Central Florida. For more information, visit baldwinparkevents.com.

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | SEPTEMBER

yoga experience is necessary; drop-in guests are welcome. Classes are $7; class packages are available. For more information, email beccasbluemoon@ gmail.com.

YOGA FOR WOMEN 8 to 8:50 a.m. Fridays in the Grace Hopper Hall Gathering Room. Fire up your female energy for a new, all-levels yoga class designed specifically for women — with spa music, relaxing fragrances, soft lighting and hot herbal tea. New Baldwin Park residents will find this class a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends in the neighborhood. Instructor and Baldwin Park resident Becca Schmidt, RYT, has been practicing yoga for 15 years and teaching for more than 12 years. She earned her certification at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and is registered with the National Yoga Alliance. Students will be asked to sign a liability waiver and must disclose any injury, recent surgery or pregnancy. Bring your own mat, a towel and water bottle to class. If you don’t have a mat, the instructor can provide one. No yoga experience is necessary; drop-in guests are welcome. Classes are $7; class packages are available. For more information, email beccasbluemoon@gmail. com.

SEPT. 4 STRONG BODY/FIT MIND LUNCHTIME YOGA 12:30 p.m. Mondays at Enders Park Gathering Room. This weekly class combines functional yoga moves such as stretching, toning and balancing with lifelong learning opportunities. Make a reservation by calling or texting the instructor, (407) 276-3478.

SEPT. 5 PILATES MAT CLASS 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, in the Enders Park Gathering Room. Subsequent classes will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays. Cost is $10 per class. Students will need to bring a mat. Reserve by emailing Dede Ramos, PilatesTherapyCollective@gmail. com. SEPT. 6 WINEDOWN WEDNESDAYS 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at WineStyles Baldwin Park, 4841 New Broad St., Orlando. Wine is $20 all you can drink. SEPT. 11 MUSIC WITH MARLA 10:45 a.m. at a location to be determined. This event is through the Baldwin Park Kids Club. For more information, visit meetup. com/Baldwin-ParkKids-Club SEPT. 12 AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION LUNG CANCER SUPPORT GROUP 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the American Lung Association’s Baldwin Park office, 851 Outer Road, Orlando. Those who are affected by lung cancer can come together; support topics range

from educational to inspiriting. Dinner is available. For more, call (407) 425-5864 or email central@ lungfla.org. SEPT. 13 ROTARY CLUB OF BALDWIN PARK Meets from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 13, 20 and 27, at The Nest, 4953 New Broad St., Orlando. The Rotary Club of Baldwin Park is a group of neighbors and business professionals that enjoys having fun while doing good through service. The Rotary Club now meets from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. the second, third and fourth Wednesday of each month at various locations. For more, contact President Kelly Kamper, (407) 744-2594 or KellyLKamper77@ gmail.com.

CLUBS BASKETBALL Contact: Rick Schreiber at rickschreiber2@gmail.com KIDS’ CLUB Contact: Julie at bpkidsclub1@gmail. com NIFTY 50S … PLUS Contact: Diane at niftyfiftiesplus@ gmail.com CRUISE AND TRAVEL CLUB Contact: Kathleen at kmptravel@icloud. com

SEPT. 16 FALL PORCH SALE 8 a.m. to noon throughout the Baldwin Park community. Participate in a fall porch sale.

MEETUP GROUP Contact: Lianna D’Angelo at Lianna@soteraliving. com

SEPT. 22 PARTY IN THE PARK 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, at Longview Park, Meeting Place and Robin Road. Hosted by the Baldwin Park Residential Owner Association, this event is for adult Baldwin Park residents to enjoy their neighbors, food trucks, a cash bar and live music by Room2. Cost is $15 per person in advance and $20 per person at the door. Tickets come with a $5 coupon for the food trucks and a $5 coupon for the bar. For more, visit baldwinparkevents.com.

ROTARY CLUB Contact: Kathleen Peters at kmptravel@icloud. com THE PAGE TURNERS Contact: Ginae Karoub at ginaelee0828@gmail. com

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Culture for your calendar SEPT. 5 TO OCT. 22 DISNEY’S ‘NEWSIES THE MUSICAL’ The Orlando REP proudly announces the opening of its new season as the first theater in the southeastern United States to present the Drama Desk and Tony Award-winning “Newsies the Musical.” Inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, this Disney musical tells of publishing guru Joseph Pulitzer raising the price of newspapers … at the newsboys’ expense. Against all odds, one young leader rises up to help “the little guys” stand up and “seize the day.” For your thrilling dose of inspiration, call (407) 896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com.

SEPT. 8 TO OCT. 1 ‘JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’ When Rob Winn Anderson brings the community together to produce a big musical at the Garden Theatre — it’s a touch of Broadway in Winter Garden. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical, “Jesus Christ Super-

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Beginning with several of the greatest Broadway shows of all time and concluding with the world’s great masterwork of Classical Music, September 2017 in Central Florida is defined by greatness. Here are the highlights. Every one of these performances comes highly recommended. Please do not hesitate to call for your tickets today.

SEPT. 6 TO OCT. 8 ‘MAN OF LA MANCHA’ Having inspired audiences for decades, the Tony Award-winning musical “Man of La Mancha” opens the new season for Orlando Shakes, our brilliant Shakespeare company. From one of the greatest novels in Western literature, “Man of La Mancha” tells of the aging Don Quixote as his flights of fancy transform his dungeon home into a magical landscape of epic battles, majestic lords and ladies and a “glorious quest.” Featuring Broadway legend Davis Gaines performing the classic, “The Impossible Dream,” the musical is a glorious affirmation of the strength of the human spirit. Call (407) 447-1700 or visit orlandoshakes.org.

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | SEPTEMBER

SEPT. 15 TO OCT. 8 ‘LIFE COULD BE A DREAM’ I know — life often is a dream at the Winter Park Playhouse — but this Florida premiere is super-dreamy as it calls up those doo-wop days of the 1960s. A singing group prepares to enter the Big Whopper Radio Contest, and winning would, of course, launch them to stardom. Call (407) 645-0145 or visit winter parkplayhouse.org.

SEPT. 12 TO 17 THE BROADWAY TOUR OF ‘THE KING AND I’ Worlds collide in 1860’s Bangkok, the setting for one of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s greatest musicals and winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival, “The King and I.” Featuring beloved classics such as “Getting To Know You,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance” and “Something Wonderful,” this Lincoln Center production tells the story of the tempestuous relationship between the King of Siam and a British schoolteacher brought to Siam to teach his wives and children. This landmark production opens the Broadway season at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Call 844-513-2014 or visit drphillipscenter.org.

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SEPT. 10 BACH, BRITTEN, BRAHMS & GAGA Enjoy an afternoon concert by the always-unique Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Maitland as it performs selections including “Bach’s Brandenburg No 3,” “Britten’s Dynamic Simple Symphony,” “Brahms Hungarian (Gypsy) Dance No. 6” and Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” (arranged in the style of a Bach fugue)! Admission is $10 at the door; performance begins at 4 p.m. at the Maitland Civic Center, 641 S. Maitland Ave. Call (321) 303-1404 or visit pamaitland.org.

SEPT. 15 AND 16 ‘VOCAL JAZZ SUMMIT’ Already extended to a second performance because of popular demand, the Dr. Phillips Center Jazz Orchestra, under the leadership of Rodney Whitaker, will present two evenings of unforgettable hits from the “Great American Songbook,” blues and jazz favorites, sung by Orlando’s finest vocalists. Joining the 18-piece jazz band at 8 p.m. are acclaimed vocalists Michelle Amato, Linda Cole, Michelle Mailhot, Rick Melvern and David Pruyn. Tickets are $39.50. 844513-2014.

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star,” is the brilliant rock opera that follows Christ during his last days on Earth with lyrics adapted from the Gospels. From Jesus’ meteoric rise to popularity to his crucifixion, this production is a moving testament to the humanity in all of us. Call (407) 877-4736 or visit gardentheatre.org.

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Must love dogs Kacey Kelly, owner of Kacey Cares, is building her own dog dynasty in Baldwin Park. TROY HERRING ASSOCIATE EDITOR

t all started out on a small stretch of green, open space in Baldwin Park. Under a blue sky, the dogs ran in dead sprints back-and-forth across the lush grass at Enders Park as they chased one another. You’d think they would be bothered by the sticky heat of a Florida summer, but it doesn’t faze them at all — they’re too busy enjoying each other’s company. As the dogs played, a close eye kept watch from just a few yards away. Kacey Kelly, of Kacey Kares, stood with a warm-hearted smile that seemingly went from ear to ear. For her, those dogs mean everything — while the job part is simply a formality. “I literally get to play with dogs all day,” Kelly says with a laugh. “What more can you ask for?” The Jupiter native moved to Baldwin Park for her time at the University of Central Florida, where she graduated in May with a degree in communications. She originally had planned to go into fashion, because it had always been a passion, but then she began to notice the abundance of pups around Baldwin Park. “It was heaven on earth,” Kelly says. “I just saw these dogs and I met so many neighbors, and I would use to ask them if I could

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | SEPTEMBER

Photos by Troy Herring

Baldwin Park resident Kacey Kelly hopes to make Kacey Kares a household name for animal care.

KACEY KARES OWNER: Kacey Kelly PHONE: (561) 578-2357 EMAIL: kaceykares@ gmail.com FACEBOOK: @KaceyKares

borrow their dogs. I was like, ‘Can I take your dog to get a puppuccino at Starbucks? Can the dog sleep over?’” That passion for animals of the four-legged variety has been with Kelly for as long as she can remember. As an only child, the many family dogs she had growing up served an important role as surrogate brothers and sisters. Many nights, when it was just her in the bed alone, Kelly would have difficulties falling asleep because she was afraid. But that was before a yellow lab named Pumpkin came into her life. “I would say, ‘Pumpkin, you know the drill!’ And she would jump up and sleep with me until I fell asleep every single night,” Kelly says. “She was literally the best dog in the world.” From that intrinsic love for animals came the concept for Kacey Kares, Kelly’s all-encompassing

pet-care business that offers a wide range of services such as dog walking and pet taxiing. She also takes care of cats, as well. Although starting a pet-service business was a new idea for Kelly, she wasn’t alone in getting things started. Before moving to full-time with her new business in June, Kelly worked sparingly at Magic Pet in Baldwin Park, where she performed a slew of different tasks in the shop. At Magic Pet, she had become known as being a trustworthy and friendly pet lover, which helped grow her clientele. Between the 40 clients she had amassed by May and Kelly’s want to not leave behind the people she had met, she decided to give herself a year to see where the business would go. Needless to say, it’s going exactly how she had dreamed. Since June, Kelly has stayed

busy — she has built her clientele base from that initial 40 to her current 55 to 60 paying customers. “I pretty much work seven days a week, and I don’t take vacations, though every once in a while, I’ll take a Friday off or something, but it’s very rare,” Kelly says. “I work from the minute I wake up until the minute I go to bed. If it’s not me staying at a dog owner’s house, I have a dog staying with me at my house.” Between the current workload and constant working, Kelly has been giving a lot of thought on bringing aboard another provider, although she said the prospect makes her nervous. To Kelly, Kacey Kares is her “child,” and she’s very protective of it. Along with the possibilities of bringing in new help, Kelly is expanding her brand through different means — which includes a new Kacey Kares app for her customers. “It will be a scheduler, and it will have meet-ups for puppy parties for clients to meet and bring their dog — it will be a social media for them to say, ‘Oh do you want to go to the park? I’ll be at the park at this time,’” Kelly says. “I’m also going to start branding with local businesses — so if they (clients) show a part on my app, they’ll get discounts from different businesses in Baldwin.” Although the future is always uncertain, Kelly harbors big dreams for Kacey Kares and is excited and ready for whatever happens to come next — whether it be her pet-care business or branching out into other concierge services. “I’m feeling very optimistic,” Kelly says. “My dad always told me that if you find your passion, then the money will follow — and I always said, ‘I don’t know what that is.’ Now I know, and I really do hope that, because I love it so much, that it will pay off in the end.”

“

My dad always told me that if you find your passion,then the money will follow — and I always said, ‘I don’t know what that is.’ Now I know, and I really do hope that, because I love it so much, that it will pay off in the end.” SEPTEMBER | BALDWIN PARK LIVING

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Kids and Cancer Don’t Mix A mother’s voice is heard...

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Over the course of two years, his treatment included a battery of tests, scans and X-Rays, surgery, multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, and a stem cell transplant. Thanks to the highly skilled medical team at Florida Hospital for Children and the courage of our

CHICK-FIL-A® ORLANDO CARES ABOUT CHILDHOOD CANCER Carl and Michelle Zrelak of Longwood Parents of Grayson Zrelak, age 12

son, Grayson has beaten his cancer twice. On May 22, 2017, he finally got to ring the bell - signaling the long-awaited end of treatment, and the quieting of the tornado in our brains. We wish our story was rare. Sadly, Grayson is one of the 15,780 children who are diagnosed with cancer every year. The disease affects

Grayson with David Shook, MD, medical director of Florida Hospital for Children’s pediatric bone marrow transplant program, who performed his life-saving stem cell transplant.

many, yet the funding is lacking. According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer receives more research funding than all childhood cancers combined. With your help, we can change this.” - Michelle Zrelak, Grayson’s mom

Join the fight against childhood cancer and help provide hope and better treatment options for kids like Grayson. Visit one of 32 participating Central Florida Chick-fil-A restaurants during the month of September to purchase this special cow, whose net proceeds will benefit the courageous kids fighting cancer at Florida Hospital for Children. For more information, including participating Chick-fil-A locations, visit FloridaHospital.com/CowsCare. Chick-fil-A®, Chick-fil-A Stylized®, and The Chick-fil-A Cows® are registered trademarks of CFA Properties, Inc.

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“A tornado in your brain. That’s what it feels like when a doctor tells you the four ugly words: ‘your child has cancer.’ Since Valentine’s Day 2015, we have been on a roller coaster of emotions, fighting for our son’s life. After finding a golf-ball sized lump on his neck, our then 10-year old son, Grayson, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

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canvas The Skin Studio in Baldwin Park gives clients a place to cleanse their skin and relieve tension. TIM FREED ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Baldwin Park business wants you to know that taking care of yourself and relaxing isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. Skin Studio celebrated eight years in Baldwin Park last month. The studio, which gives clients a place to relax, rejuvenate and take care of their skin, offers a wide range of services, including a variety of facials, chemical peels and waxing. It’s about giving clients a one-stop shop for all things skin, Skin Studio owner and aesthetician Amy Runyan says. “There was a need I felt in Orlando for actual customer service for facials, so that’s why I originally started Skin Studio,” she says. “A lot of these cookie-cutter places and spa-type experiences weren’t really doing what I wanted as far as corrective skin care. “Skin Studio has really found a home in those people who want a facial every month, keeping up with keeping their pores clean and diving into that corrective skin care part,” she says. The business also offers professional massages from therapist Brenden Kuhn, who designs cus-

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | SEPTEMBER

tom massages catered to a client’s needs. Whether it’s an inescapable feeling of stress, a nagging pain or both, Skin Studio has just the right massage for you, Runyan says. “Self-care is such a hot topic,” she says. “We have such busy lives. People are constantly on the go, and families are on the go. To come in to a room and shut off

from the world — to be allowed to shut off from the world for an hour or an hour and a half — that’s pretty blissful.” The benefits of massages are numerous, Runyan says. Relieving tension and stress can lead to better sleep and decreased anxiety. Massages also encourage blood flow, which can decrease inflammation and naturally heal the body while increasing serotonin

Photos by Tim Freed

Amy Runyan started Skin Studio eight years ago and has been treating the skin of local residents ever since.

and dopamine levels. “It’s that natural happy pill, if you will, all wrapped up into a massage,” Runyan says. For Runyan, the Skin Studio was a culmination of all her personal talents and passions. She’s always had a focus on skin care and competed in numerous pageants. She was crowned Miss Ohio and Miss Teen Ohio. She also has been an accomplished Screen Actors Guild actress for the last 16 years and appeared in commercials for GEICO, Klondike, Werther’s and A&W. The topic of skin care also strikes a personal chord for Runyan. Her mother has been battling skin cancer for the past 12 years and has undergone multiple surgeries to remove melanoma from her body. Runyan’s father had a minor form of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma — removed from the top of his head this summer. The beauty industry and the general topic of skin is Runyan’s life, and she wants to share that knowledge with others.

“

The improvement in their confidence and just the way they can go about their day not having to cover up so much, that to me is brilliant. I really enjoy lifting other people up.” — AMY RUNYAN

One tip Runyan shared for taking care of your skin is one of the simplest: wear sunscreen. “Skin cancer, most people don’t realize, is one of the top cancers that catches people,” Runyan says. “Especially living in Florida, it’s dumbfounding to me how many people don’t wear sunscreen. Head-to-toe. Every day. Sunscreen. It’s the No. 1 anti-aging ingredient. Ninety percent of aging comes from the sun.” Runyan says she hopes her expertise can help her clients feel more confident going about their day — allowing them to step out feeling like the best version of themselves. “Some of my teen clients call me the professional pimple popper, because I take great joy from actually cleaning somebody’s face up,” Runyan says. “The improvement in their confidence and just the way they can go about their day not having to cover up so much, that to me is brilliant. I really enjoy lifting other people up.” Whether it’s a facial or a massage, Skin Studio’s mission is all

In addition to skin caere, Skin Studio offers also features massage.

about taking time for yourself, Runyan says. The goal is to remove self-care from the luxury realm, she says, helping clients realize that it’s something they deserve — to be the best they can be. “You’re doing the best you can, because you’re starting with a good canvas — both mind and body,” Runyan says. Skin Studio is looking to expand its services even further, searching for more massage therapists so it can schedule couples massages for Valentine’s Day, dates and anniversaries.

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Baldwin Park one-of-a kind gem, Berea floor plan with customized spaces, is in Baldwin Parklocation one-of-a kind gem, Berea floor plan with spaces, in the perfect with a beautiful view of Lake Gear,customized conservation area is and the perfect location with a beautiful view of Lake Gear, conservation area and access to Cady Way Trail. This 4-bedroom, 3.5 bath home with a 3-car garage, access tomany Cadycustom Way Trail. This 4-bedroom, 3.5 bath home with a 3-car garage, includes upgrades and is in immaculate condition. Wood floors includes many custom upgrades and is in immaculate condition. Wood floors throughout main floor, formal dining, dedicated study with custom made throughout main floor,and formal study withkitchen custom made glass doors for privacy, opendining, kitchendedicated family plan. A chef’s with 42” glass doors for privacy, and open kitchen family plan. A chef’s kitchen with 42” cabinets, center island, granite counters, double ovens, butler area and walkcabinets, center island, granite counters, double ovens, butlerroom area that and walks walkin pantry opening to large family space and adjacent Florida in pantry opening to large family space and adjacent Florida room that walks out to cobblestone patio areas. Close to park, community swimming pool and out cobblestone patio areas. Close to park, community swimminga pool and worktoout facility, walk to downtown Baldwin. Call today to schedule showing. work out facility, walk to downtown Baldwin. Call today to schedule a showing.

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ALISON & & FRANK FRANK ALISON MOSLEY MOSLEY Mosley Real Estate is the Mosley Real Estate is the husband-wife team of husband-wife team of Frank & Alison Mosley. In Frank & Alison Mosley. In conjunction with Coldwell conjunction with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Banker Residential Brokerage, Mosley Real Estate specializes Mosley Real Estate specializes in Central Florida’s finest in Central Florida’s finest real estate markets including real estate markets including the Florida Coast. Frank the Florida Coast. Frank and Alison’s collaborative and Alison’s collaborative approach, creative marketing approach, creative marketing strategies, and exceptional strategies, and exceptional negotiating capabilities have negotiating capabilities have contributed to millions of contributed to millions of dollars in sales. As a 4 time dollars in sales. As a 4 time award winner of Orlando’s Top award winner of Orlando’s Top 100 Realtors and over 20 years 100 Realtors and over 20 years experience, The Mosley Team experience, The Mosley Team has proven to be a market has proven to be a market leader. Their impeccable leader. Their impeccable reputation, tenacity, and reputation, tenacity, and integrity coupled with their integrity coupled with their unwavering commitment to unwavering commitment to client service sets The Mosley client service sets The Mosley Team apart from the rest. Team apart from the rest.

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If youPARK are interested in selling BALDWIN LIVING | SEPTEMBER

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Holistic care

for your treasured pets

No matter what ails your pet, our veterinarians and staff at Animal Hospital at Baldwin Park can make your pet feel more comfortable. With our holistic approach to veterinary medicine, we restore physical and mental balance to your pet. We do this by combining state-of-the-art western medicine with many alternative techniques, including:

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Tim Freed

Venezuelan immigrants Blanca Camacho and her daughter, Martha Gonzalez, are starting a new life in America — right here in Baldwin Park.

A new beginning Blanca Camacho and her daughter, Martha Gonzalez, left a dangerous life behind in Venezuela to find a new beginning in the United States. TIM FREED ASSOCIATE EDITOR

I 40

t’s a peaceful life for Baldwin Park resident Blanca Camacho. Neighbors walk their dogs past her townhome along Brink Alley. Parents catch sun rays and relax at the nearby community pool, while their children cannonball into the cool water. It’s quaint. It’s calm. It’s freedom. And it’s night and day from the dangerous, riot-torn state of Lara,

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | SEPTEMBER

Venezuela, where Camacho called home since birth — a home she was forced to leave out of fear for her own life. It was her fight to free Venezuela and her city of Barquisimeto from the oppression of the government that ultimately forced her to start a new life.

‘BE AWARE’

Blanca’s journey toward freedom for her home began in 1998, when President Hugo Chávez was elect-

ed into power. Chávez had proposed a new law that would change the education system of Venezuela dramatically. Camacho’s qualm with the changes were twofold. First, the new law would rewrite history — forcing history classes to begin with Chávez’s rise to power. Second, she objected to the provision that would allow every student to pass regardless of their grades. This took away from the efforts of hardworking students in Ven-

ezuela and affected Camacho’s daughter, Martha Gonzalez, who was attending a private Catholic school at the time. Camacho took a stand the only way she knew how: making a banner with a sheet and blue spray paint and protesting outside her daughter’s school. “There were at least 2,000 parents; when I started campaigning, I was the only person standing in front of that school with a banner that would say, ‘Do not approve. Read the new education law. Be aware,’” Camacho says. “People would look at me and say, ‘Oh no, I have to go to work. I don’t have time for this. You fight for my kid.’” Camacho continued her involvement in political activism, criticizing the government openly in newspapers and on the radio. She eventually joined a political party called Un Nuevo Tiempo — “A New Time” — which campaigned against several government laws and pushed to have a new president elected. It was a time of great unrest,

they were stargazing during those rushed ascents to the roof, while she was secretly keeping time, she says. “There was a point where (the militia) used to threaten me, calling me a lot over the phone,” Camacho says. “I never let my daughter feel like she was in danger.” Chávez died of cancer in March 2013, leaving the position of president vacant once again. Another election was to be held within 30 days, though Camacho knew the people never controlled the final outcome. The democracy that Venezuela toted was simply a front, she says. “They’ve been always trying to give the impression to the rest of the world that they’re a democratic people,” Camacho says. “They do these little things and say ‘Oh, come and look how democratic we are.’” On Nov. 7, 2013, Camacho’s life changed forever and years of political involvement came to a dangerous head. It started with a grizzly

with frequent protests and riots in the streets. It was a nation led by a government that sought to hide that public frustration, broadcasting a single TV channel on which Chávez addressed the public for hours to keep the riot footage off the television sets, Camacho says. She remembers the great riots in 2002, where people were shooting at protesters from the rooftops. “We would fight with slingshots and rocks, when they were shooting at us with real bullets,” Camacho says.

DEMOCRACY?

As Camacho continued to speak out and became more involved with the political party, she grew more and more in danger. She traveled with bodyguards and even planned an escape route to the roof of her home in case Chávez’s militia — Chávistas — came after her. Keeping her daughter not only safe but also protecting her peace of mind was an ongoing struggle, Camacho says. She remembers telling her 7-year-old daughter that

“

The members of my political party told me, ‘You have to leave the country, because if they catch you, we don’t know what’s going to happen.’” — BLANCA CAMACHO

Continued on page 42

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“I would characterize (her spirit) as ‘indomitable’ and ‘positive. She’s happy to be here, she is grateful to be alive, and she’s thankful to be cleaning houses.” — TERRY CRABTREE

Continued from page 41 warning: a dead dog hung by the neck outside a university where Camacho would be teaching citizens how to vote that day. A state representative election was coming up, and fear tactics to scare young voters were in full swing. As Camacho was teaching citizens how to use the ballot machines, she was approached by four men. “They started to argue, saying ‘You’re telling me who to vote for,’” Camacho says. “I said ‘No sir, I’m clear that that’s illegal; I’m just teaching you the system.’” “One of the guys in that moment said, ‘Are you Blanca Camacho?’ I said, ‘Yes, how may I help you.’ In that moment I said to myself, ‘Oh my God, I gave myself away.’” A fight broke out, and the last thing Camacho remembers is getting bludgeoned across the head with the butt of a handgun. She woke up three days later in a private clinic looking through gauze bandages wrapped across her face. She suffered a concussion, several

broken bones on the left side of her face and lost a tooth from when she fell face-first to the ground. Camacho realized that there was no choice — she and her daughter had to leave Venezuela. “The members of my political party told me, ‘You have to leave the country, because if they catch you, we don’t know what’s going to happen,’” Camacho says. On Jan. 1, 2014 Camacho left Venezuela with her daughter with four suitcases. “When you’re there, you get so wrapped up with the daily activity that you don’t see how dangerous the situation is,” Camacho says. “My life was in danger for so many years.”

‘THANK GOD’

The move to Central Florida made sense for Camacho and her daughter. Camacho previously had attended school in the United States during her seventh- through ninthgrade years and stayed with a family in Leesburg. Central Florida was the only home Camacho knew outside of

Venezuela, so she and Martha moved back to Leesburg, where they lived with Bill and Margaret Mobley, the parents of a childhood friend. Camacho eventually started her own business there, Blanca’s Cleaning Service, which serves about 30 customers in the Leesburg area. The mother and daughter came to Baldwin Park last July, where they live with Camacho’s boyfriend, Terry Crabtree. It’s difficult to describe how amazing Camacho’s spirit is, Crabtree says. “I would characterize it as ‘indomitable’ and ‘positive,’” says Crabtree, as his eyes well up with tears. “She’s happy to be here, she is grateful to be alive, and she’s thankful to be cleaning houses.” Camacho looks at the current state of her home country with a broken heart. The people are still fighting for freedom and wanting to have their voices heard under the regime of President Nicolás Maduro. Camacho says she’s grateful beyond words for her new life, her job,

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her home and her daughter’s safety. She hopes to grow Blanca’s Cleaning Service in the Baldwin Park area, because she still currently commutes to Leesburg to take care of her customers. It’s a dramatic change of occupation for Camacho — who had owned multiple farms, started a cheese-making business, ran a pharmacy and started an English school — but one that she’s grateful for nonetheless, Camacho says. “Every time I kneel down to clean a toilet, I say, ‘Thank you, God, for this toilet,’” she says. “I’m providing.” Camacho looks at her daughter — now 23 and attending Lake Sumter State College with a dream of transferring to UCF’s medical school — and thanks God. Her daughter is now old enough to understand her mother’s political activism, and what those late night stargazing sessions really meant. She shares her mother’s spirit of thankfulness. “Here, you’re so free,” Gonzalez says. “Over there, you’re always in fear. I’m grateful to be here.”

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WHAT’S SELLING IN B 1617 CHATFIELD PLACE, BALDWIN PARK SALE PRICE: $366,000 SQUARE FOOTAGE: 1,960 BEDROOMS: 3 BATHS: 3.5

DETAILS: This end-unit home features additional windows for a light and bright home. The second floor has an open plan and is pre-wired for surround sound. The kitchen boasts custom cabinetry and butler’s pantry, and a private sun deck sits off the kitchen with plenty of additional space for dining and entertaining. The master bath includes a Vita Bath Jacuzzi tub and separate shower and large linen closet. The home also has a doorbell system with video monitoring and phone-doorbell answering system.

LISTING AGENT: Betsey West and John Penne, Penny Brokers Inc. SELLING AGENT: Joan Matthews, Olde Town Brokers

1937 COMMON WAY ROAD, BALDWIN PARK SELLING PRICE: $829,500 SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,462 BEDROOMS: 4 BATHS: 3.5

LISTING AGENT: Greg Martinez, Greg Martinez Realty SELLING AGENT: Bryan May, Olde Town Brokers

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DETAILS: The downstairs master suite overlooks the pool and covered lanai. Wood floors flow into all bedrooms and the extended bonus loft space. The kitchen features a center island and 14-foot breakfast bar. Double arches separate the formal living and dining areas from the kitchen and family room. The family room features a wood-burning fireplace, audio/video niche, and a wall of windows also overlooks beautiful pool and lanai areas.

N BALDWIN PARK 4251 VIRGINIA DRIVE, BALDWIN PARK SELLING PRICE: $570,000 SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,804 BEDROOMS: 4 BATHS: 3

DETAILS: This Mediterranean-style home features a spacious kitchen with a seven-foot breakfast bar, island, Corian counters, tile backsplash and wine/ beverage cooler. The family room has wood floors, gas fireplace and surround sound. The private outdoor space is fenced and has been upgraded with pavers, large swim spa and mature landscaping. With its eastern exposure, this area provides shade in the late afternoons and plenty of options for entertaining and relaxation. Adjacent to the three upstairs bedrooms is a 16-foot-by-14foot loft bonus space that works well as an office, playroom or home gym.

LISTING AGENT: Greg Martinez, Greg Martinez Realty SELLING AGENT: Greg Martinez, Greg Martinez Realty

2131 SNOW ROAD, BALDWIN PARK SELLING PRICE: $845,000 SQUARE FOOTAGE: 3,419 BEDROOMS: 4 BATHS: 3.5

LISTING AGENT: Pamela Stewart, Winter Park Land Co. SELLING AGENT: JJ Mackle, Kelly Price & Company

DETAILS: This impressive, Greek Revival-style home is situated on one of Baldwin Park’s most beautiful streets. This one-story home has four bedrooms, three-and-one-half baths, plus an office and bonus/sitting room. It features a bright and open floor plan, and a chef’s island kitchen, which opens to a large family room and breakfast nook. SEPTEMBER | BALDWIN PARK LIVING

KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE

Sellers optimistic heading into 2018 C CHRISTINA RORDAM FLORIDA REALTY INVESTMENTS Christina Rordam is a local Realtor with 12 years experience and a member of ORRAs Top Producer Club. For more, visit christina sellsorlando.com.

entral Floridians looking to sell their homes have been very fortunate as of late, enjoying positive market conditions for several years now. Inventory continues to dip, which drives demand up. Interest rates are historically low overall, and median prices continue to rise. According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2017 Q2 Housing Opportunities and Market Experience survey released June 2017, 71% of those surveyed believe now is a good time to sell. The Pending Home Sales Index, another report compiled by NAR, shows that contract signings are on the rise, as well — up 1.5% from May to June despite a decrease in inventory of 7.1% nationwide from last year. Locally, we have a 2.4-month supply of available homes, with 9,141 homes for sale as of the end of June. That represents a decrease of 14% from 2016 in The City Beautiful, and buyers are feeling it. The shrinking supply is putting some buyers on edge, making them wonder if they can afford the home of their dreams. For others, the current conditions are spurring them into action. Orlando saw an increase of 27.5% in new contracts yearover-year and 10% more listings. Once listed, homes survive an average of 55 days on the market, versus 67 days in June 2015 and 62 days in June 2016. Overall, 2017 means more contracts in faster time and with fewer homes from which to choose. Although sellers remain enthusiastic, some wonder how long we can keep this momentum going. Some agents I encounter think we have passed top of market conditions for the

BALDWIN PARK LIVING | SEPTEMBER

next while, and sellers are smart to sell while the selling is good. I agree — but only to a small extent. As I see it, Orlando and Greater Orlando are like most of the nation in terms of housing supply and demand — more buyers than sellers. And Orlando continues to rank highly among foreign nationals looking to buy homes in America. Canadian investors ramped up their U.S. real-estate purchases, from $11.2 billion in 2015 to $19 billion in 2016, and half of that was in Florida, California and Texas. It appears demand locally and internationally is on trend to remain robust. For many Canadians, a home in Florida is simply more affordable than in many cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. But what about would-be firsttime buyers and local renters? Will making the transition to homeownership remain affordable and attainable? Thirty percent surveyed by NAR in the HOME report felt it was not a good time to buy a home. Although they are the minority, with the remaining 70% saying it is a good time to buy and 41% feeling strongly it’s a great time to be a homebuyer, those with concerns do exist. Among the less confident were buyers living in urban areas, currently renting and or under age 34. These facts are not surprising, with rents rising steadily the past few years and wages not keeping pace in some industries. It can be harder for someone younger renting in downtown Orlando to save money for a down payment and closing costs without a high-paying job. But new homebuilders and banks are doing their best to bridge the gap for those

first-timers or just buyers looking to own a home close to work in the city or at the parks. Both Central Florida Educators Federal Credit Union and Fairwinds CU are rolling out new programs designed to be more flexible and supportive of first-time homebuyers, and many traditional lenders are doing the same. If a buyer can tolerate a longer commute, traveling north and west on Interstate 4 just outside of Orlando cities such as Deland and St. Cloud offer more bang for the buck with new-construction options. Possibilities do exist — even if buyers have to cast a wider net to find them. If a buyer is set on owning in urban areas such as downtown Orlando but on a budget, condos, townhomes and duplexes are good options. Most homeowners associations have been able to get their reserves back up and their finances in order since the market crash. And multi-family housing can offer investors a bright spot too — especially with owner occupants willing to pay full market value. It is true that for some, the dream of home ownership is more challenging to obtain now. Short supply, rising rents and relentless demand all play their part. However, there are methods for buyers to achieve this dream, even if it may take some creative thinking and more proactive saving. Sellers can expect fair market value but would do well to avoid overpricing and becoming unaffordable or undesirable to buyers. Just because it’s a sellers market doesn’t mean buyers will overpay.

Kimberley R. Gernert Real Estate Specialist

c: (321) 348-8825 d: (423) 381-5701  Resident of Baldwin Park since 2004  One of Baldwin Park’s Top Realtors in 2016  Ranked in Top Producer since 2015  KW Winter Park Individual Realtor of the Year 2016  KW Winter Park Rookie of the Year 2015

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2073 Common Way Drive 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, corner lot with backyard. Sold in 3 weeks.

THE NEST GRAND OPENING

Dmitriy and Mara Nieves were excited to celebrate at The Nest.

Baldwin Park’s newest cocktail bar, The Nest, celebrated its grand opening July 26. Guests enjoyed a rotating menu of signature drinks throughout the evening in the cozy hangout spot.

— TIM FREED Alisa Toto, Larry McDeed, Pamela Sadlon and Shana Acker were spotted near the entrance to The Nest.

Deb Wallace and Rick Bobinski were one of many couples who attended the grand opening.

Above: Sherri Welch, and Sarah Hsiao and Carl Smith mingled and sipped drinks at the grand opening. Right: David Merrit and co-owner and General Manager Ricky Galicia were spotted at the event.

Bartender Daniel Messina cranked out drinks at The Nest’s grand opening. BALDWIN PARK LIVING | SEPTEMBER

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FEATURED PROPERTIES Impeccable and well-maintained, this END UNIT three story townhome is conveniently located in the heart of Baldwin Park’s downtown. This 3/3.5 has hardwood floors and an open floor plan. Newer A/C unit, 2 car garage and plenty of additional parking in the back of the property for your guests. Amazing location close to everything. Just a short walk to Baldwin Park’s restaurants, shopping, pool/fitness center, and schools. This one is worth seeing!

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Beautiful Baldwin Park beauty located within walking distance to Enders Park playground and community pool and fitness center. With over 5000 sq ft and 5 bedrooms, which includes a full bedroom and bath garage apartment, there is plenty of room for everyone. Gorgeous pool and landscape completed in 2013.

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2017 Ovations Award Winner for “Best Real Estate Agency” by the Winter Park/Maitland Observer Readers

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WHAT’S SELLING ays d 9 n1 i ld So

Gorgeous David Weekley custom home overlooks quaint Longview Park. This 5 bedroom 6 full bathroom home is beautifully upgraded and features a downstairs master as well as another bedroom for your guest. Beautiful pool and spa area with a summer kitchen and pergola.

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in ld o S

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This Baldwin Park bungalow sits on a beautiful corner lot with fenced in yard and a brick paver patio. 3 bedrooms/2.5 baths, plus a study with gorgeous hardwood floors throughout and a spacious kitchen. All bedrooms upstairs and just a short walk away from one of the community pools and open green space.

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