CONNECT
In Partnership with Observer Media Group
NOVEMBER 2017
2017
FRE E Premier Host
Saturday, December 9 4-8 pm MetroWest Golf Club Appearances by Shrek & Fiona Donkey rides Ice skating rink A Shrek slide Face painters Santa & Mrs. Claus Performances by Perfect Pointe Productions and MetroWest Elementary School
2 • MetroWest CONNECT
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November 2017
MetroWest CONNECT • 3
MetroWest Corner
MetroWest Master Association
2121 S. Hiawassee Rd., Suite 132 Orlando, FL 32835 (407) 601-5995 www.metrowestcommunity.com
MetroWest
CONNECT Published four times a year by:
in partnership with the MetroWest Master Association
Dear Friends: It’s election season and I’m not talking about political elections – I’m talking about candidacy for an open term on the MetroWest Master Association Board of Directors. This year, however, as there were only three (3) qualifying candidates for the three open positions, there will be no need for an election in December. With acceptance by the candidates and approvals of the MWMA Board at the November 9th Board meeting, effective at the Annual Meeting on December 13, 2017, we will welcome the following Board members: • Jim Drayton, Palma Vista • Victor Garofalo, WSMS at Veranda Park • Israel Lopez, Ventura at Stonebridge Commons I’d also like to extend a personal invitation for you and your family to join the MetroWest Master Association at our 6th Annual WinterFest, benefitting Edgewood Children’s Ranch on Saturday, December 9 from 4 to 8 PM at the MetroWest Golf Club. Enjoy the holiday film Shrek the Halls on the big screen. Take your photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus along with Chick-fil-A’s Santa Cow and Baby Cow. Festivities will also include holiday-themed dance performances by students from Perfect Pointe Productions and MetroWest Elementary School. Grab a bite to eat at one of several food trucks or stroll around the exhibitor zone to discover what MetroWest businesses have to offer. This is a free, family-friendly event you won’t want to miss. I hope to see you there as we kickoff the holiday season! I look forward to connecting with you at the MetroWest WinterFest.
Jim Drayton
Publisher
Dawn Willis Executive Editor
Mike Eng Creative Services
Tony Trotti Advertising Executive
Michelle Gentry mgentry@orangeobserver.com or call 407-656-2121
Sincerely,
Jim Drayton President MetroWest Master Association Board of Directors
4 • MetroWest CONNECT
November 2017
Meet The New MetroWest Master Association Board of Directors Members Usually, there is an election for openings on the MetroWest Master Association Board of Directors each December. This year, however, as there are only three (3) qualifying candidates for the three open positions, there is no need for an election in
December. The candidates accepted and the MWMA Board approved their service at the November Board meeting, Effective at the Annual Meeting on December 13, 2017, we will welcome the following Board members:
Jim Drayton, Palma Vista Jim Drayton’s professional background in banking, finance and real estate, coupled with his current role as the owner of mortgage company Orlando Home Loans, have helped manage the MetroWest Master Association wisely and well. A 15-year resident of MetroWest, Jim served as a board member from 2011-2015 and currently serves as the President of the MWMA Board of Directors, a position he was elected to in December 2015. Jim combines his financial acumen with his passion for the community to ensure that MetroWest continues to thrive.
Victor Garofalo, Veranda Park Victor Garofalo has been a member of the MetroWest community for over six years. A Brazilian immigrant, he arrived in the U.S. in 2011 and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) focused in Business with a Minor in Economy from Rollins College. He is a commercial landlord and CEO of AFAM INVESTMENTS LLC, a Florida based company with real estate investments throughout Central Florida. “It would be an honor to be part of the MetroWest Board,” said Victor.
Israel Lopez, Ventura at Stonebridge Commons A resident of Ventura at Stonebridge Commons Condominiums since 2005, Israel Lopez retired after a successful 20-year career in the business industry. He has served as President of the Stonebridge Commons Board for the past three years and on Ventura’s Board for the past seven years. Some of his achievements as an Association Board member include increased safety and security measures for Stonebridge Commons and service on the Landscaping Committee with a priority on beautification and improvement issues. He has managed two Association’s budgets without increasing dues and maintained a minimum of three months’ surplus for operating costs. “My goal is to make MetroWest the cleanest, safest and securest community possible while reducing costs,” said Israel.
November 2017
MetroWest CONNECT • 5
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6 • MetroWest CONNECT
November 2017
MetroWest:
One of Central Florida’s 25 Most Educated Neighborhoods
The Orlando Business Journal recently featured the Top 25 Most Educated Neighborhoods in Central Florida and MetroWest made the list at Number 17. Here are the stats they cited:
No. 17 – MetroWest Zip Code: 32825,
southwest Orlando encompassing the MetroWest area as well as South Hiawassee Road, part of Florida’s turnpike and Adults (age 25+) with bachelor’s degrees:
Adults (age 25+) with advanced degrees:
37.9%
14.5%
Workers with management, business, science or arts occupations:
Population:
42,750
2017 affluence percentile:
67.13%
38.3% Median home value:
Household with incomes of $150,000 or more:
$187,600
Median household income:
Poverty rate:
$50,475
10%
9.8%
Source: Orlando Business Journal
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MetroWest CONNECT • 7
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8 • MetroWest CONNECT
November 2017
at MetroWest WinterFest! Shrek the Halls with ogres and donkeys!
Kids can ride a donkey and slide down a
‘Tis the season to celebrate with family,
Shrek slide while folks of all ages can take
friends and
a spin on an ice skating rink! Take your
MetroWest!
photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus along
MetroWest Master with Chick-fil-A’s Santa Cow and Baby Association is
Cow. Festivities will also include holiday-
hosting their 6th
themed dance performances by students
Annual WinterFest from Perfect Pointe Productions and on Saturday,
MetroWest Elementary School. Grab a bite
December 9,
to eat at one of several food trucks or stroll
4 – 8 PM at the MetroWest Golf Club.
around the exhibitor zone to discover what
This free, family event will be a fun holiday
MetroWest businesses have to offer. Don’t
extravaganza for all ages – featuring the
forget to bring your blanket to sit on and
hit movie Shrek the Halls shown on the
enjoy the holiday fairy tale Shrek the Halls!
big screen on the MetroWest Golf green.
We hope to see you there.
Agenda: 3:30 pm 4:30 pm 4:45 pm 5:10 pm 5:20 pm 6:00 pm 6:15 pm 6:40 pm
2017
Music starts Welcome, Opening Remarks, Diamond Sponsor, Announcements Perfect Pointe Productions Performance Edgewood Children’s Ranch Community Charity Challenge Winner Announced MetroWest Elementary Special Presentation Raffle Prize Giveaways Perfect Pointe Productions Performance Shrek the Halls Movie Bonus Movie - Merry Madagascar 7:35 pm Facebook, Exhibitor Card and Final Raffle Prize Winners Announced 7:55 pm Closing Remarks Premier Host
November 2017
MetroWest CONNECT • 9
JOIN OUR CHARITY CHALLENGE TO MAKE THIS HOLIDAY SPECIAL FOR KIDS AT EDGEWOOD CHILDREN’S RANCH Have you noticed any brightly decorated boxes at some of your favorite businesses or in your own community? They joined the MetroWest Charity Challenge to collect dry goods and gift cards for Edgewood Children’s Ranch, WinterFest’s beneficiary. Located across the lake from the MetroWest Golf Club for the past 50 years, Edgewood Children’s Ranch is a nonprofit, residential program for boys and girls ages 6-17 to receive life-altering care and achieve academic success in this positive, supportive atmosphere. IT’S NOT TOO LATE FOR YOUR BUSINESS OR COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE! 1. Notify the MetroWest Master Association that you will be participating in the Charity Challenge. 2. You’ll receive a collection box decorated by the children at Edgewood Children’s Ranch. Simply station your box where you will be collecting goods along with flyers and posters to help promote it to customers and residents. 3. Then, fill the boxes! 4. Public Safety Officers will pick up the filled boxes from participating businesses and communities on Thursday, December 7th. The items will be tallied and the Charity Challenge Winner will be announced at MetroWest WinterFest.
YOU COULD WIN! The community or business that collects the most goods will receive a Community Charity Challenge Winner Party for their business or residential community and recognition in the MetroWest CONNECT. To learn more about the event, to participate as a sponsor, exhibitor or donor, or to join the Charity Challenge benefitting Edgewood Children’s Ranch visit www. MetroWestCommunity.com. WinterFest 2017 will be a night full of holiday cheer and good old-fashioned family fun.
10 • MetroWest CONNECT
November 2017
HILLCREST
MetroWest Celebrate MetroWest Celebrates at MetroWest hosted itsSafety annual communit building National Night Out in partnersh oWest Celebrates Safety at National Night Ou MetroWest hosted its annual communitywith our Public Safety Team, Critical building National Night Out in partnership rates Safety at National Night Out t hosted its annual communityIntervention Services,Night at Veranda MetroWest Celebrates Safety at National OutPark. T INSURANCE AGENCY
with our Public Safety Team, Critical ational Night Out in partnership free, annual event promotes partnership MetroWest hosted its annual communitymmunityIntervention Services, at Veranda Park. The building National Night Out in partnership ublic Safety Team, Critical between public safety officials such as artnership annual event promotes partnerships with our Public free, Safety Team, Critical Kevin McEwen Park.Jodie on Services, at Veranda The McEwen police departments and firefighters and cal Intervention Services, atOwner Veranda Park. The Owner between public safety officials such as alPark. event promotes partnerships free, annual event promotes partnerships neighborhoods. This year’s event featur The departments and firefighters and between publicpolice safety officials such as ublic safety officials such as themed bounce houses, a dunk tank, nerships police departments and firefighters and neighborhoods. This year’s event featured artments and firefighters andyear’s event featured neighborhoods. This Gatorland, a free commercial documen uch as bounce themed bouncethemed houses, a dunk tank, houses, a dunk tank, oods. event featured shredder, food trucks, music, vendors ers andThis year’s Gatorland, a free commercial document Gatorland, a free commercial document ounce houses, a dunk tank, shredder, food trucks, music, vendors and community partners, the Orlando featured shredder, food trucks, music, vendors and community partners, the Orlando ,ank, a free commercial document Police Department, Orange County Police Department, Orange County Victor and Ruser community partners, the Orlando food trucks, music, vendors Sheriff’s Office, Orlando Fire Department Sheriff’s Office, Orlando Fire Departmen Agent cument Police Orange County and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Dave Ramsey ELP Department, munity partners, the Orlando and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation ndors Commission forSheriff’s an evening focused onOrlando Office, Fire Department artment, Orange County Complete Individuals safety, Insurance communityfor and family fun. Commission for an evening focused on ando and Businesses in Florida and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation ffice, Orlando Fire Department Choice. Flexibility. Economy. Superior Protection. For your safety, community and family fun. ty MetroWest Celebrates Safety Commission focused on car, home, and business. Hillcrest Insurance Agency has for it all an evening aartment Fish &forWildlife Conservation you in one place - from our offices in Mount Dora, Florida hosted its annual communitycommunity andMetroWest family fun. and Winter Garden, Florida we safety, serve the insurance needs of on for an evening focused on individuals, families, healthcare, and businesses all over Florida. ervation building National Night Out in partnership As an independent insurance agent, we represent many toprated mmunity and family fun. with our Public Safety Team, Critical sed on insurance companies. We’re here for you locally, 24/7 via our website or by calling us at: (407) 656-2211.
Intervention Services, at Veranda Park. The free, annual event promotes partnerships between public safety officials such as police departments and firefighters and neighborhoods. This year’s event featured themed bounce houses, a dunk tank, Gatorland, a free commercial document shredder, food trucks, music, vendors and community partners, the Orlando Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orlando Fire Department and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission for an evening focused on safety, community and family fun.
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12 • MetroWest CONNECT
November 2017
KIRKMAN STATION GROUNDBREAKING Ground was recently broken on the Kirkman Station site at the corner of Raleigh Street and Kirkman Road. The site will be the future home of a Wawa, 24-Hour Fitness and Arby’s as well as other retail options.
Pictured left to right are: (back row) Valeria Mnayarji, Amy McCook, Michelle Theriot, Trey Vick, Julie Sanchez, Ron Ginn and Ryan Stahl; (front row) Carolyn Stanley, Miguel Ubiles and Jim Drayton.
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November 2017
MetroWest CONNECT • 13
Hosts
“Pick of the Patch” Realtor Tour
MetroWest Master Association (MWMA) recently hosted its 5th Annual “Pick of the Patch” Realtor Tour to share information about MetroWest’s newest businesses, residential opportunities and the exciting developments happening in our community with area realtors. With over 50 participants enjoyed updates on community connections through public safety initiatives, the City of Orlando, the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, MetroWest CONNECT magazine, Valencia College and The Crystal Ballroom. The community bus tour featured Stonebridge Lakes Promenade, Metro Park 4, Veranda Park, Fairway Cove and Izziban.
Crystal Ballroom Spooks Realtors
Thanks to The Crystal Ballroom at Veranda for serving as host to MetroWest’s Pick of the Patch Realtor Tour this year. Their team went above and beyond the call of duty to create a truly spooktacular setting for our annual realtor gathering. This hidden jewel is a unique environment with a staff that is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure your event is an event to remember. To learn more about The Crystal Ballroom at Veranda’s unmatched service and event ambiance expertise, visit www.crystalballroomorlando.com.
14 • MetroWest CONNECT
November 2017
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