BALDWIN PARK
LIVING DECEMBER 2019
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
This holiday season, I treasure ALL the relationships I have developed with community members, friends and Clients that I have been so fortunate to work with! I look forward to growing those relationships in the upcoming New Year! I am also very grateful to be a resident of this wonderful community of Baldwin Park! I love it!!
Kimberley R. Gernert
R E A L E S TAT E S P E C I A L I S T B A L D W I N PA R K E X P E R T
(423) 381-5701
Orlando 5 Star Professional Realtor by Orlando Style Magazine 2017, 2018 & 2019
Ranked in Top Producer Magazine 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018
One of Baldwin Park’s Top Realtors Since 2015
KW Winter Park Individual Realtor of the Year 2016
Member of Keller Williams Winter Park Luxury Division; Gold Key Certified
Resident of Baldwin Park For 15+ years
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1760 VIA VENETIA |GORGEOUS POOL HOME IN THE VIAS 4 BR | 5.5 BA | 6,242 SF
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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CONTENTS
DECEMBER 2019
FEATURES
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CAUSE FOR PAWS Baldwin Bark Club gives people and pups a way to socialize.
DEPARTMENTS 10 BALDWIN PARK NOTEBOOK Read about recent decisions made by community leaders.
26 GROUPS & GATHERINGS Looking to connect? Find your perfect group here.
12 WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN How does Baldwin Park’s cost of living compare to other areas?
28 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Looking for something fun in Baldwin Park? Find it here.
16 ‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY Light Up Baldwin Park marks the arrival of the holiday season. 24 AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Lifestyle Director Becca Schmidt shares social tips for the holidays.
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
30 KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE When selling your home, heed these tips on safety and security. 32 PARK PICS Baldwin Park residents enjoyed a night in Vegas, hot air balloon rides and a fun 5K this month.
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BALDWIN PARK
LIVING DECEMBER 2019
Editor and Publisher — Michael Eng
EDITORIAL
Unrivaled service. Personal attention.
Managing Editor — Tim Freed Design Editor — Jessica Eng Associate Editor — Danielle Hendrix Contributors Denny O’Neil Christina Rordam Becca Schmidt
ADVERTISING Advertising Executive — Terri Hope
PRODUCTION
Happy Holidays
Creative Services Lindsay Cannizzaro
CONTACT
For advertising inquiries, call (407) 656-2121. Baldwin Park Living is a monthly publication of the Observer Media Group published in partnership with the Baldwin Park Joint Committee Inc.
JANICE COX 407.990.5885 Janice.Cox@PremierSIR.com JaniceCox.PremierSothebysRealty.com
OrangeObserver.com Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Each office is independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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To submit story ideas, calendar listings or have your event considered for coverage, contact Danielle Hendrix at dhendrix@orangeobserver.com.
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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Baldwin Park notebook ROA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING BY STACEY FRYREAR
The following information is a glimpse of the ROA’s general updates for the month. A copy of the official October meeting minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com. n The board approved replacing the carpet in the Association offices with vinyl flooring. n The board approved the 2020 budget. n The board approved the three-year lease agreement for holiday décor at Grace Hopper Hall. n The board temporarily adjourned the annual membership meeting in an effort to obtain more proxies for the proposed amendment to the bylaws.
UPDATES n Addresses for parks/mews. Staff has been in contact with the city to obtain addresses for the parks/mews spaces without addresses. Staff continues to work with the city as they state that they typically don’t assign addresses to park spaces. The city is looking into whether this can be accomplished. n Pools. Closing the pool at Enders on Monday mornings for cleaning is working well. There have been no complaints to date. This practice will continue. Contracts for the pool resurfacing work have been sent to the contractors for execution. An update on installation will be provided. The ARC approved replacing the green tile around the pools and steps with black tiles. n Contract renewals. The landscape maintenance contract is being bid out. This process has begun and the proposals have all been submitted. All criteria are being vetted and a recommendation was brought to the November meeting.
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR OWNERS You may not know, but the sidewalks in Baldwin Park that are adjacent to single-family homes, townhomes, condos, apartments and most areas are owned by the city of Orlando. The city will address trip hazard repairs and sidewalk panel replacements when warranted and reported to them. If you see a trip hazard or lifted sidewalk, please report this to the city’s Streets and Drains Department. You can do this through the Baldwin
Park Services app. There is a button on the app under “Repair Street/Sidewalk/
n Baldwin Park services app. There are currently 4,102 people signed up on the Baldwin Park Services App. In the last month, the ROA had 19 new requests. Fourteen were completed and five remain open. There were nine service requests that came in on the app for the TSAC areas. Out of these, two have been completed and seven are pending. n Landscape replacements. During the Oct. 9 ARC meeting, the Parkland Quadrangle plant design was denied as the firebush flower will not match the crepe myrtle flowers. Staff and Brightview are working on another option for the ARC and board to consider. Staff will obtain ARC approval first. During the Oct. 9 ARC meeting, the Fox Corner Park shade-tolerant plant design was denied as the ARC does not want to eliminate grass. Staff resubmitted the application to the ARC for its November meeting. Staff plans to attend the meeting to better explain the plan and shade/root issues with the ARC. n Pets off leash signs. The pets off leash signs have been placed at Enders Park and Corrine Commons. They will be rotated throughout the ROA parks, along with OPD enforcement as necessary. Periodic e-blasts will occur as a reminder that pets must be on a leash.
Curb.” The city repairs the sidewalks but they do not clean them.
n Dog park. Staff reached out to the declarant to see if they would allow a dog park on ROA property. An update will be provided in the future. n Irrigation filter. At Union Park where OUC installed one of the “blow offs” at the backflow locations in Unit 4, they have replaced most of the bermuda. OUC will be back to replace the remaining area in the near future. n Projector and conference phone. Staff is in the process of obtaining cost for a Wi-Fi capable projector and conference phone. A proposal will be provided at a future meeting. n Wi-Fi for fitness equipment. Staff continues to reach out to Spectrum about eliminating the cable boxes connected to the cardio equipment. An update will be provided at a future meeting. n Strength equipment. Staff received proposals and layouts for the strength equipment for Grace Hopper and Enders fitness centers. An update and proposals were presented to the board in November. n Recycling. Additional bins for pools have been delivered and are in place.
TOWNHOME SERVICE AREA COMMITTEE MEETING BY MELISSA PARKER
The following information is a glimpse of the business that the Townhome Service Area Committee (TSAC) addressed in the Oct. 17 meeting. A complete copy of the official minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com. The 2020 TSAC Budgets were reviewed and discussed prior to approval at the Oct. 22 ROA Board meeting. A copy of each service area’s 2020 budget will be available on BaldwinParkNetwork.com for viewing once it has been finalized. The 2020 Full Site Inspection for the TSAC Reserve Study was discussed and any questions were answered accordingly. The study’s findings are reflected in the 2020 TSAC Budget for Reserves.
UPDATES n The turf throughout the townhomes was scheduled to be treated for weeds the week of Nov. 4. Any new turf from October’s installs has been treated with a preventative fungicide. n Jatropha Bushes in the Cambridge service area have been treated for Cottony Cushion Scale. n Multiple trees in the right of way are being replaced in the Cambridge, Issa 22 and City Homes 1 service areas. These trees were inspected by BrightView’s arborist and determined to be in poor health/not savable. The trees being removed will be replaced with a new tree having a 4-inch caliper in size. The trees were scheduled to be removed/replaced the week of Nov. 18. n Per DRS Inc., below is the remaining townhouse painting schedule: – Painting Order: Cambridge
HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR TOWNHOUSE OWNERS As Baldwin Park becomes a more established community and the trees grow larger, many driveways are starting to have cracks. n Who is responsible for maintaining the townhome driveways? The townhomes in Baldwin Park are fee simple properties just like any single-family home, where the owner owns the townhouse inside and out, as well as the land it sits on. There are specific maintenance items that the Association performs on the owner’s behalf, which are found in Exhibit “G” (Exhibit “H” for Live/Work homes) of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Baldwin Park Residential Owners Association. Anything not specifically stated under Exhibit “G” or “H” would be a homeowner’s responsibility. Driveways are not listed as an Association responsibility; therefore, they are the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain. n When making repairs to your driveway, make sure that you are repairing your driveway to its original state to avoid a covenant violation. If you choose to make repairs using a different material, color, stain, etc., or change the size, the changes would need to be approved prior to any work by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). All ARC applications are available on the Baldwin Park Network at BaldwinParkNetwork.com.
BALDWIN PARK COMMERCIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC. BY ANTHONY MADDOX VILLAGE CENTER UPDATES n White Blossom Bridal has started renovations on the former Victoria Jewelers space, located at 4844 New Broad St., to include new signage in preparation for its opening in December. n Bright Horizons, located at 1700 Firehouse Lane, currently is making arrangements to replace the black wrought iron fencing around its property with new black wrought iron fencing with 3-and-a-half inches between the pickets. n BrightView irrigation techs believe they have located the source of an irrigation leak in the parking lot behind the SunTrust building and will make the necessary repairs. They will continue to monitor the area for additional irrigation repairs. n Staff has installed the new towing/loading zone signs behind 4815 New Broad St. that match the other two lots behind 4884 and 4887 New Broad St.
GENERAL UPDATES n The COA budget for 2020 was approved during the regular Board of Directors meeting in October. n Landscape replacements occur monthly in both the Village Center and the Neighborhood Business District. n Parking lot light replacements occur monthly in both the Village Center and the Neighborhood Business District. n Architectural Review Committee (ARC) meetings take place twice a month on Tuesday for application reviews regarding commercial changes to exterior structures (roofing replacements and painting), landscaping and signage. All corresponding applications can be located on the Baldwin Park Network under Commercial Owners Association and Commercial Architectural Review Committee. Feel free to submit your Architectural Review forms to AMaddox@ BaldwinParkPOA.com.
NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS DISTRICT UPDATES n DRS has provided a proposal for damaged sidewalks and curbing repairs and is pending scheduling. n Staff has replaced the old, faded recycling signs on the three dumpster enclosures in the parking lot. Sidewalk pressure washing occurs weekly on rotation by maintenance, as well.
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN!
’TIS THE SEASON:
Cool weather, holidays and budgets
C
ooler weather and the holiday season are upon us, making it the busiest time of the year. We all reflect on the past and think about the year ahead. What does the future hold? Major spending on the horizon? Home repairs, kids off to college, additional medical expenses, vacations, income adjustments and taxes all creep into our thoughts as we give thanks and hail the new year.
ROA BUDGET PROCESS The ROA has just finalized the 2020 budgets. The Association Board of Directors evaluates past expenses and future needs to develop the budget. Our task is to figure out what revenue is needed from the 4,189 single-family homes, townhomes, condos and apartment units to cover the planned expenses for the coming calendar year. The budget is broken into five major categories — building maintenance, grounds maintenance, utilities, administration and reserves — each with its own line item accounts. There are eight different townhome service areas determined by the name of the builder and the design of the building. The Townhome Service Area Committee comprises representatives elected from each service area to make recommendations to the ROA Board on their respective budgets. Each service area has its own budget which rolls up into the main ROA budget. The association is responsible, as outlined in our documents, for certain building maintenance, grounds maintenance, utilities, administration and reserve functions for the townhome service areas. In addition to the semi-annual ROA assessment, each townhome owner pays a monthly assessment based
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
upon the recommendation of the TSAC and approved by the Board.
WE’RE GETTING OLDER Age is not always our friend. As time passes, items require attention. We replaced our first townhome roof this year, sooner than was predicted when the building was completed in 2004. We are constantly repairing, painting or maintaining our community. Some areas show their age more than others, but the intent is to always achieve the highest Baldwin Park standards spelled out in our documents and guidelines.
IS IT EXPENSIVE TO LIVE IN BALDWIN? Occasionally, we hear the complaint that it is so expensive to live in Baldwin Park. For years, the ROA Board has done a good job of maintaining the semiannual assessment with minimal increases. TSAC monthly assessments have been fairly stable, as well. Nevertheless, we still hear the common refrain, “Our assessments are too high.” This year, a member of the ROA board took action to complete a comparative analysis of other communities considered similar to Baldwin Park. All communities are different in terms of number of units (single-family, townhome, condo and apartment), amenities (pools, parks, playgrounds, rec areas, sports fields), and other charges in addition to the annual assessment (rec fees, trash fees, club fees). Data was gathered at five comparable communities (Avalon Park, Celebration, Heathrow, Hunters Creek, Laureate Park at Lake Nona) through publicly available information, tax records, phone
calls to property management companies and real estate associations. Because all communities are different, the simplest way to depict the information is by annual average cost per unit. This is basically taking the total annual revenue from publicly available balance sheets and dividing it by the total number of combined units (single-family, townhome, condo and apartment units). What we found was Baldwin Park’s annual cost per unit ($1,066) was lower than the range of the other communities ($1,146 to $2,638). Our annual single-family assessment is about half of the average of the other communities. It appears that Baldwin Park residents are receiving a very good value for their semiannual assessment. There are also those who say, “I’d gladly pay more in assessments if we could (fill in the blank).” Is there something we may want that would add value to the community but might raise assessments? It’s your money and your community. Let the ROA board hear from you. Send comments to ROAboard@ baldwinparkpoa.com. — Baldwin Park ROA Board of Directors
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1327 MEETING PLACE • SOLD $384,000 OWNER SAVED $9,200
2277 OSPREY AVE UNIT #4 • SOLD $525,000 OWNER SAVED $13,125
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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Families can have their photos taken with Santa Claus for free during Light Up Baldwin Park.
Courtesy Baldwin Park Events
SEASONAL SPIRIT With Light Up Baldwin Park about to kick off the holiday season, the event’s organizers also are encouraging the community to celebrate the season of giving by bringing toy donations for the XL 106.7 Baby DJ program. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR
T
he holidays are coming to Baldwin Park — and so is another opportunity for residents to give back to the Central Florida community. When the clock strikes 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, Baldwin Park’s Village Center will be transformed into a spectacle of festive, twinkling lights. Presented this year by AdventHealth and Park Life Orlando, Light Up Baldwin Park marks the
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
official start of the season for the community, and holiday cheer will be abundant. Children will get to meet Santa Claus himself and tell him about their Christmas wishes, and everyone will get to jump on their holiday shopping as they peruse various vendors. “The biggest highlight is the lighting up of Baldwin Park,” says Sydney Albert, events director and social media manager for Consult Boom/Baldwin Park Events. “We’ll be lighting up all of the palm trees
down in the Village Center, as well as lighting all the way down by the lake. We’ll have a whole bunch of vendors for four hours with arts and crafts. It’ll be a lot of fun. There will also be local businesses there, and we’ll have some food trucks.” Albert said there will be more lights this year than last, and the event overall will be larger, as well. Last year, producers expected between 2,000 and 3,000 attendees, but the total turnout was closer to Continued on page 18
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LIGHT UP BALDWIN PARK WHEN: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 WHERE: Baldwin Park Village Center DETAILS: Celebrate Light Up Baldwin Park in conjunction with the Baldwin Park First Friday Festival. The event is free to attend. Stroll the festival and enjoy music, artists and vendor booths, Santa photos, food trucks and local businesses. At 7:30 p.m., head toward the Jake Street fountain to view the lighting. New Broad Street will be closed from Jake Street to Welham Avenue during the event. DONATE: Please bring toy donations or monetary donations for the Baby DJ program to the Santa photo booth at Light Up Baldwin Park or to the Winter Spark Parade Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Village Center. For more information about the events, visit BaldwinParkEvents.com.
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Continued from page 16 4,000 or 5,000. This year, they are hosting the event in conjunction with the sponsors and First Friday Festival. So far, Light Up Baldwin Park has garnered more than 9,000 responses on Facebook. “Last year, we just had the lighting by the lake, but this year, we’ll be lighting up all of Baldwin Park,” she says. “That’s one of the big differences. We’ll have a lot more vendors and more street closures. (That way) it’ll be more of an inclusive event so people can walk the street and be able to be in all of the sections in which the lighting is happening.” For families with children interested in meeting Santa Claus, Albert said there will be a photographer capturing the Christmastime memories. The photos are free and will be available for all of the families to download.
SPIRIT OF GIVING
But just as important as celebrating the holidays is recognizing it’s the season for giving. It’s why Light Up Baldwin Park, now in its second year, has partnered with radio station XL 106.7’s Baby DJ program to collect toys for Central Florida children in need. The Baby DJ program began more than 25 years ago with founder and XL 106.7 radio personality John Hill, better known as “Johnny Magic.” According to the Baby DJ website, Hill was inspired to provide assistance to Central Florida’s economically disadvantaged families. In addition to his career as a radio host, Hill has spent many hours working throughout the Central Florida community and noticed many families experienced issues with providing their children with necessities — especially during the holidays. That’s when he and former radio co-host Doc Holliday launched the Baby DJ program, which makes it possible for impoverished families to provide a wonderful holiday experience for their children. “We found there was a need in our community, that people really needed help around the holidays,” Hill says. “We decided to start a program that would help families out, no matter what they were cel-
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
BABY DJ PROGRAM For more than 25 years, Baby DJ founder John Hill — better known as XL 106.7 radio personality “Johnny Magic” — was inspired to provide assistance to families of economic disadvantage in the Central Florida area. Baby DJ has grown over the years and now not only makes it possible for economically disadvantaged families to provide a wonderful holiday experience for their children, it also provides other resources to families in need year round. Help from community partners and volunteers, as well as donations from members of the Central Florida community, make Baby DJ possible. For more information or to volunteer this holiday season, visit babydj.org.
ebrating, if there was a need for their families. I think the first year, we may have helped maybe 15 families, and we’ve grown to the point now where we’re doing more than just helping for holidays. We’re providing housing, emergency foods, we’ve supplied schools in seven districts with backpacks full of school supplies, it’s just grown to the point where the community now knows that if you give to the Baby DJ program, it’s going to help people right here in Central Florida.” Albert began working with Consult Boom three years ago and said the event organizers chose different charities and organizations to give back to. However, they enjoyed working with the Baby DJ program because of its direct impact on Central Florida. “Having that local charity just made it a little more homey for us, and everyone could be helping their neighbors, and that makes people feel good,” Albert says. “We also got to go to the studio and see the toys actually being handed to the families. It’s grown and it’s just awesome to see it helping the local community around us.” The Baby DJ program has grown from having helped those initial 15 families to more than 2,500 last
season. It takes 1,200 to 1,300 volunteers to help with the program, Hill said, affectionately dubbing it “organized chaos.” Families chosen to benefit from Baby DJ are allowed to “shop” for toys in the Baby DJ warehouse, and Hill said that at any given time there could be 600 families and 400 to 500 volunteers on hand. In fact, Rep. Darren Soto recently honored Hill and the Baby DJ program on the floor of Congress — recognizing him, volunteers and community partners for the work they do through the Baby DJ program. “It’s kind of surreal … for me I kind of felt uncomfortable accepting (the recognition) because it is the community,” Hill says. “You look at Baldwin Park, they’re coming together to collect for children. I just look at myself as the person that heads it up, but I think it’s great, I think people see there’s a need and they want to help out. For me, it’s beautiful and it shows that community can work when everyone works together.” Albert estimates between $500 and $750 worth of toys and monetary donations for the Baby DJ program were collected at the Baldwin Park tree lighting last year. She and other Baldwin Park Events staff members hope to exceed the number of toys and the monetary donations collected for Baby DJ this year. You can bring donations to the Santa photo booth at Light Up Baldwin Park. “It’s awesome and the first year we did it, we did it a little later … last year, we got an earlier start,” Albert says of collecting for Baby DJ. “This year, I think we’re really going to try to go even further with it and collect more toys and donations.” “It really humbles you to know the amount of suffering that people are going through this holiday season,” Hill says. “There are a lot of people out there going through hard times, and in a lot of cases we have maybe 3% to 4% of people who write us letters (who are) living in their cars. Some people don’t know where to turn — they hit hard times. …We have families that say, ‘I don’t eat sometimes so I can pay the bills.’ A lot of times, people just need a hand.”
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BALDWIN BARK CLUB Dog-loving residents and pet parents in Baldwin Park and surrounding neighborhoods are invited to join the Baldwin Bark Club and meet other dog moms and dads in the area. The group meets at 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Colibri Orlando, 4963 New Broad St. Dogs and their owners will embark on a walk around Lake Baldwin before returning to Colibri for dinner, drinks and socializing. Group members will receive a Baldwin Bark Club key tag that allows them to take 15% off their bill at Colibri after each meet-up. The discount is only good the evening of each meet-up and cannot be combined or stacked with other offers. For more information, visit facebook. com/groups/baldwinbarkclub or call Kacey Kares at (561) 578-2357.
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BARK IN THE PARK Kacey Kelly, owner of Kacey Cares, launched the Baldwin Bark Club to bring together people and their pups for some exercise and camaraderie. DANIELLE HENDRIX ASSOCIATE EDITOR
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t’s no secret that people love their pets — after all, they’re members of the family. And because Baldwin Park is full of pet owners and animal lovers, resident Kacey Kelly knew a gathering for people and their pups was missing in the community. Kelly already owns and operates Kacey Kares, a pet-care business that offers services from dog-walking and petsitting to drop-in visits, overnight stays and even cat care. It’s her passion for animals that led her to build a successful business do-
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ing something she loves — caring for and playing with dogs and cats. Since launching Kacey Kares a couple of years ago, Kelly’s clientele has grown, and so has her love for animals. Being out and about in Baldwin Park all the time, the abundance of dog owners with their pups sparked a new idea: What if she could create a group for people and pups to meet once a week, socialize and exercise? Kelly launched the Baldwin Bark Club in October to bring together residents who love their dogs and want to meet like-minded dog moms and dads in the area. The group had its first meet-up Oct. 16.
Danielle Hendrix
The Baldwin Bark Club, which includes people of all ages and dogs of all breeds, is growing in size with each weekly meet-up.
“I came up with the idea because I work from home now pretty much every day,” Kelly says. “I don’t really get an opportunity to meet others in a way people would go to work to meet other people. ...I was like, ‘I want to start a doggie group for people in the neighborhood to come and talk about their dogs and get a little exercise.’” The idea first struck her a few months ago, when she was out walking with her boyfriend, his parents and their dogs. Kelly realized just what they were doing — hanging out, getting exercise and grabbing a bite to eat — might be of interest to other pet owners. “I thought, ‘Why not? I know that people who have dogs or cats literally talk about them for hours,’” she says. “My hope is just to kind of have it grow within the community ... and also being able to just meet other people — and people that are similar to me and love dogs.” The first meet-up consisted mainly of a few Kacey Kares clients, but by the second meet-up, the group had more than tripled in size. People of all ages and walks of life showed up with pups in tow — from golden retrievers and mutts to Australian
shepherds and Yorkshire terriers — for an evening out. The group meets at 6 p.m. every Wednesday at Colibri Orlando on New Broad Street, near Lake Baldwin. Everyone then walks one lap around the lake together — or for as long a distance as they are able to. At the end of the walk, the group members can socialize and grab a drink or a bite to eat at Colibri. Kelly also will be launching her own Kacey Kares VIP card, which will give cardholders access to exclusive discounts at many Baldwin Park businesses, as well as one free dog walk per month. “You can walk around the lake, halfway around the lake, it’s really just whatever your dog can handle, and then you’ll come back and can have a drink or dinner,” Kelly says. “Kacey Kares ties in with it, because obviously, we love animals and love people who love animals. …I’m doing it because I want to make friends and I want my dog to make friends. Baldwin Park is a pretty dog-friendly community.” The Baldwin Bark Club also is
a great way for people to socialize their dogs. One of Kelly’s clients has a dog who is a bit nervous around and unsure of other dogs at first until it gets to know them. The only way to help a dog in that situation is to go slow and work patiently with them. Meeting with other people and their dogs on a weekly basis is the perfect scenario in which to do this. Kelly already is contemplating new ways to enrich the group’s experience as it grows. Currently, group members who participate in the walk around the lake are given a special Baldwin Bark Club key tag, which gives them access to the 15% off at Colibri and The Nest after each meet-up. “I’m hoping to — maybe once a month as we grow — start having guest speakers,” Kelly says. “I’m partners with a (pet) behavioralist, so I’d like to have her come in one time and talk. I’d like to highlight different areas and bring knowledge to everybody if I can. … My plan is to eventually have a puppy meet and greet with other groups, depending on age and ability.”
KACEY KARES VIP CARD
In addition to the Baldwin Bark Club key tag, Kacey Cares will be launching its VIP card. The Kacey Kares VIP card will offer different discounts — such as buyone-get-one or 10% to 20% off — at many Baldwin Park businesses, including Galeria, Colibiri Orlando, The Nest, Saor Boutique, Tutto Caffe and La Bella Luna. The card costs $39.95 and is good for six months. In addition to discounts at some local businesses, the card also is good for one free, 30-minute dog walk each month from Kacey Kares. “It’s one of those situations where if you’re already here and come here all the time, why wouldn’t you just get it, because you’ll be able to enjoy special promotions,” Kelly says. To get the VIP card or for more information, call (561) 578-2357.
As of mid-November, there were 130 members in the Baldwin Bark Club Facebook group. “It makes me very, very happy because I feel that people that have dogs have a very similar interest … they’re caregivers,” Kelly says. “Everybody has that in common. All dogs are welcome — even if you don’t have a dog and just want to exercise, you’re totally welcome to.”
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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
This holiday season, focus on lifting up the lonely E
BECCA SCHMIDT BALDWIN PARK LIFESTYLE DIRECTOR
Lifestyle Director Becca Schmidt has lived in Baldwin Park since 2005 and has the pulse on neighborhood social gatherings. Check out the Groups and Gatherings section of baldwinpark.net for a list of Baldwin Parkbased groups. Contact Becca at lifestyledirector@baldwinparkpoa. com if you’d like to start a new group or have questions about how you can meet your neighbors.
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veryone should be happy during the holidays, right? Well, that would be nice. But it’s not reality. The holidays can be a very lonely time for people of all life stages. Even your neighbor in the beautiful home next to you may be suffering from loneliness. Ironically, a feeling of loneliness can actually be amplified in a densely populated neighborhood like Baldwin Park. Recently, I attended a lecture at the Center for Health & Wellbeing by Fernando Montalvo, a UCF McKnight doctoral fellow, who studies and teaches cognitive psychology. The focus of his research is loneliness — what we know about it and what we can do to decrease or prevent chronic loneliness, which can lead to depression and poor health. Loneliness has a definition in the clinical psychology world as the “subjective feeling of social isolation.” And according to Montalvo, there is a growing epidemic of loneliness in our Western society. Our competitive nature, our fast-paced lifestyles and our tendency to live far from extended family members contributes to this increase. So, how do we recognize loneliness when we see it? Well, for ourselves, there are a few ways to find out where you are on the loneliness scale. Montalvo suggests taking the UCLA Loneliness Scale quiz. You’ll answer questions like how often you feel like you have no one to talk to, how often you find yourself waiting for people to call or write back to you and how often you feel you cannot tolerate being alone. If you often experience loneliness, this quiz can help you get a better perspective so you can make appropriate changes. How do you recognize loneliness in others? It’s important not to mistake
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
being introverted for being lonely. Introverted people are actually often very happy by themselves, and even though they spend hours at a time alone, they are often quite content! Conversely, extroverts can feel lonely even if they have dozens of acquaintances but lack close friendships. Everyone experiences episodes of loneliness, but chronic loneliness is dangerous to a person’s health and wellbeing. It is possible to reverse the feeling of social isolation. I’ve included a few deliberate, attainable steps for Baldwin Park residents:
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Leave your digital device at home and take a long walk.
Enjoy our many parks and begin small interactions by greeting another neighbor with a sincere ‘Hello.’ Use good eye contact and an authentic smile. When you see someone strolling slowly with their dog, strike up a conversation about the dog and ask to pet it. There is amazing therapy in the social interaction of an animal. (No one said you have to make a human friend!) Notice others who are also out by themselves.
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Say yes to small social settings. Try one of our clubs,
classes, lifelong learning or smallgroup gatherings. Going alone to a large event can be daunting, but meeting up with a few people with a common interest can be very manageable. Try coffee once a month with the women of Nifty Fifties or attend a Meet & Mingle event where you can be more of a spectator than a participant in the conversation. Walk with the Wednesday Night Walkers.
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Keep an eye out for those around you who may be struggling with loneliness. Notice
if there are military spouses who need a kind word, a new mom who needs adult companionship, an apartment neighbor who speaks very little English or someone who has just lost a family member. Giving them emotional support ranges from shining a big smile to opening a door, helping them load a wheelchair into a car or inviting them over for Christmas dinner! You may never know the ripple effect of your kindness, but you can be sure that your gesture will help them feel less isolated.
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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Groups & gatherings
Connect with like-minded neighbors. Choose from dozens of activities every month. For a complete list of groups, visit baldwinparknetwork.com. BALDWIN PARK JAM SESSIONS Play an electric or acoustic instrument? Get together once a month with other Baldwin Park musicians and play until your heart’s content. All ages, life stages and music backgrounds are encouraged to jump in and jam. For the date, time and location of the next jam, contact Fred at backesf@bellsouth.net. COOKING AROUND THE WORLD Learn the artful craft of cooking ethnic foods! Every class features edible, hands-on demonstrations. No cooking lesson is scheduled for December, but January’s gathering will be a “Cultural Potluck” where everyone will share a dish from their family’s heritage. Contact Dianne at dianne.brownmorin@gmail.com. CRUISE AND TRAVEL Hear guest speakers, share travel tips and plan group travel in this popular Baldwin Park group. Contact Kathleen at kmpeters2009@gmail.com.
ETHNIC FOOD ENTHUSIASTS Craving global cuisine? Explore an exceptional epicurean eatery every month. Experience a chef talk or food flights and bites at unique local restaurants. Singles and residents new to the area are encouraged to jump in with this friendly group to enjoy incredible food and conversation. December’s food pick: Thai food! Contact Shannon at sfaith14@gmail.com. MAHJONG Ready, set, play Mahjong. Mahjong is a tile-based game played by four people at a time. New players at all levels are welcome. Contact Christopher at cfc106@ gmail.com. MIGHTY MOMS STROLLER WALKS Put the baby in her stroller, it’s time to roll with other Baldwin Park moms! Moms of babies in strollers or body slings meet for power walks around the neighborhood. Children must be willing to sit in a stroller (or be worn) for the duration of the walk. Contact Dana at dana@ drobinfitness.com. NIFTY FIFTIES PLUS Active couples and singles ages 50 and up meet several times a month for a variety of
CAROLING FOR THE HOLIDAYS Just in time for the holidays, this caroling group will be made up of anyone in the neighborhood who is willing to attend a rehearsal (Dec. 3) to learn Christmas carols and commit to an evening (Dec. 19) of strolling and singing classic Christmas carols. Contact Lynda at roselynn1229@yahoo.com.
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BALDWIN PARK KIDS CLUB
If you’re a parent of a little one up to age 5, mark your calendar for Friday, Dec. 13, for this club’s annual holiday party! Reservations should be made through the group’s Meetup page. Baldwin Park Kids Club also is collecting new toys for the Orlando Union Rescue Mission for children up to 9 years old. Other activities planned for 2020 include story time, play dates, park picnics, mom’s nights and more. For the toy drive, contact Meri at meri.gaston@gmail.com, and for the holiday party and other events, go to Meetup.com and search for Baldwin Park Kids Club.
social activities, including ladies coffee, happy hour, luncheons, parties and more. Fabulous events are on the schedule for 2020. Contact Dianne at niftyfiftiesplus@gmail.com. NOVEMBER PROJECT Unlike the name, this group meets all year round. Run, squat, plank and laugh while you work out with this all-levels fitness group. Meets at 6:29 a.m. every Wednesday at Harbor Park. Contact Dyani at novemberprojectorlando@ gmail.com. PICKUP BASKETBALL Basketball enthusiasts meet at Blue Jacket Park basketball courts at 8:15 a.m. Saturdays
for five-on-five play. Contact Rick at rickschreiber2@gmail.com. PICKLEBALL GAMES Grab your paddle and whiffle ball for a friendly game of pickleball. Players for December tournaments are gathering now; beginners welcome! Find out about the next game by contacting Craig at cgile@cfl.rr.com. WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? A novice tennis group has formed and is seeking new players of all ages and life stages. Amateurs are invited to come out to the tennis courts at Glenridge Middle School on occasional Saturday mornings to practice hitting, serving and volleying for exercise. Players with just a little experience (and a tennis racquet) come together to support one another without all the competition. Tennis balls will be provided. Contact Becca at lifestyledirector@baldwinparkpoa.com. NEW! THE WRITERS’ BLOCK WRITING GROUP A group gathering for bloggers, writers, authors, poets and aspiring authors. This group will discuss many topics to help writers, like thinking outside the box, preventing stagnation, practicing new vocabulary words, research and more! Be in a group of supportive writers and see what manifests. Contact Rich at powerofselfentertainment@ gmail.com.
n BOOK BUDS This fiction book club welcomes new members. This group meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every month at various members’ homes. To find out the December book selection and location for this month’s gathering, contact Audean at audean63@gmail.com. n HOOKED ON BOOKS This club just launched last month and is welcoming new members who love fiction. They meet on Mondays at various members’ homes. For December’s book selection and location for their gathering, contact Melissa at melissajay522@ gmail.com. n REAL DEAL NONFICTION BOOK CLUB This new book group reads and discusses biographies, memoirs, business books
and contemporary non-fiction. They meet at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month. For December’s book selection and location for this month’s gathering, contact Kathy at klhgibbons@gmail.com. n BOOKS & COOKS If you salivated while reading “Fried Green Tomatoes” or drooled during “The Coincidence of Coconut Cake,” then Books & Cooks is the group for you. Readers will gather to discuss a book where food is a prominent theme and enjoy fare featured in the book. This group needs a group leader for its first meeting in January! Contact lifestyledirector@ baldwinparkpoa.com. n PAGE TURNERS BOOK CLUB This club meets on the second Monday of each month to discuss a variety of books. New participants are always welcome! Ask about the next book selection and the location of December meeting by contacting Genie at bsrocky@hotmail. com.
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All book clubs listed below welcome new members! Find the day of the week and type of book that best suits you. Book Clubs meet once a month at a member’s home.
DEVELOP THE SKILLS & CONFIDENCE TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL & BEYOND
What kind of Baldwin Park residents group would you like to join? Community service? Golf? Singles? Empty nesters? Table or TED Talks? Optimist club? Speakers round table? Wine tasting? Frisbee football? Friends of animals? If you don’t see your interests reflected in the groups listed here, consider spearheading a new group. Contact Becca Schmidt at lifestyledirector@baldwinparkpoa.com for directions on how to get started.
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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Community calendar DEC. 2 PILATES FUSION 10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Enders Park Gathering Room. Pilates Method Alliance-certified Baldwin Park resident Adriana Duarte Pontual is offering something new for Baldwin Park residents — a fusion of Pilates, yoga and ballet. Beginners are welcome! Bring a mat. If you are interested in signing up for stretching classes, contact Adriana directly at adriana.tmrj@gmail.com.
DEC. 4 WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at Galeria in the Village Center. Your wristband is good for bottomless red and white wine, champagne, sangrias and hand-passed appetizers while enjoying the view on Lake Baldwin. Wristbands are $20 at the door or $15 in advance at bit.ly/33Tenf6. Dinner reservations are available. NEW RESIDENT ORIENTATION 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Grace Hopper Hall. These sessions are designed for new residents and include an overview of the community network, a review of the procedures for using recreational facilities and general information about the community. DEC. 6 FRIDAY MORNING YOGA 8:30 a.m. Fridays, in the upstairs gathering room at Grace Hopper Hall. Focus on strength, balance, stability and endurance. This 50-minute class is for yoga enthusiasts of all fitness levels. Instructor Becca Schmidt has more than 15 years of teaching experience teaching group
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classes, workshops and private sessions. Classes are $7. Go to bluemoon.yoga or text (407) 276-3478 to reserve a spot in class.
LIGHT UP BALDWIN PARK AND FIRST FRIDAY FESTIVAL 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Baldwin Park Village Center. Come celebrate with Baldwin Park for the annual Light Up Baldwin Park event in conjunction with the Baldwin Park First Friday Festival. The event is free to attend and will be held in the Baldwin Park Village Center. Stroll the festival — enjoying the music, artist and vendor booths — as well as Santa photos, food trucks and local businesses. At 7:30 p.m., join us on New Broad Street to light up Baldwin Park! Vendor booths and food trucks will be available to enjoy until 9:30 p.m.
chefs come together for a friendly competition to see whose ramen reigns supreme. The winning chef is not merely competing for bragging rights, but for a chance to choose which charity will benefit from the proceeds. The aim of this competition is to unify and lift up our culinary community through philanthropic events and to further build the appreciation of the many ramen styles available to us in Orlando. All the chefs and participants join in with a heart to serve our community and bring everyone together with the power of ramen. Ticket price includes three tasting bowls of ramen, sake tasting and mochi donuts from Mochi Dochi, along with sweets from The Osprey Tavern. Tickets available at ramenrumble3.bpt. me.
DEC. 7 JINGLE BELL RUN 7:30 a.m. at Harbor Park at Lake Baldwin. Get your jingle on at the one of the most fun and festive holiday runs around, all to battle the No. 1 cause of disability. The Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run, presented this year by Jewett Orthopaedic Clinic, allows you to strut your stuff in your favorite holiday costume and feel good about doing good. Together, we’ll jingle all the way to a cure and have a fantastic time every step we take. Bring a team of friends, family and coworkers to run or walk. Register at events. arthritis.org.
DEC. 11 SANTA’S WORKSHOP 4 to 6 p.m. at Saor Boutique. All littles are invited to come out to shop for their family gifts while listening to Christmas music, enjoying yummy treats and a special visit from Baldwin Park’s very own Mr. Jeff Santa Claus. The event also features Beautycounter’s holiday gift collections with Jessica Klein and a $20 create-your-own T-shirt station. There are limited amount of spaces available so please plan ahead. We will accept some walk-in orders on a first-come, first-served basis until all slots are full. RSVP for custom shirts at saorboutique.com.
DEC. 9 THIRD ANNUAL RAMEN RUMBLE 6 to 9 p.m. at The Osprey Tavern, $45 per person. Three local
THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE PARKS Meets from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. The Rotary Club
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
of the Parks is a diverse group of working professionals and neighbors that like to have fun while doing good in their community and the world. For more information and the current meeting location, email RotaryClubOfTheParks@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page for the latest events at facebook.com/RotaryClubOfTheParksOrlando.
DEC. 14 WINTER SPARK PARADE 4 to 8 p.m. in the Baldwin Park Village Center. This family-friendly event begins with a small holiday celebration with performers, food and an opportunity for pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. At 7 p.m. sharp, a fantastic lighted parade will march down New Broad Street. DEC. 20 THIRD ANNUAL MOVIE IN THE PARK Presented by Carroll Bradford, the movie “Elf” will be shown at 7 p.m. at Blue Jacket Park. Baldwin Park neighbors are invited to attend this free event for all ages. Grab your kids and friends for a night of laughs. Bring a chair and/or blanket. DEC. 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE IN BALDWIN PARK 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. in downtown Baldwin Park. This free, all-ages event will allow the community to enjoy local food trucks and dancing while bringing in the New Year. Starting at 10 p.m., music will play and food trucks will be serving delicious food and drinks. Just before midnight, a countdown will being in the new year, and fireworks will go off to signal the start of 2020.
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KEEPING IT REAL ESTATE
Stay safe when showing your home S
afety is something that should be first and foremost in both sellers’ and agents’ minds — even when marketing a home. The more buyers view a home, the better the chances are for that home to sell quickly and at the best price. However, most people are aware of the stakes in a CHRISTINA RORDAM real estate transaction — money, FLORIDA REALTY security, a family’s happiness. INVESTMENTS So it is important to guard Christina Rordam is a local against anyone who would seek to exploit the honest attempts Realtor and a member of ORRAs Top Producer Club. of an owner and their representative to sell their property. For more, visit christinasellsorlando.com. But what are the best ways to do this? More and more business is conducted online, and the cloak of the internet can shroud identity and intention. A seller may not know if the person requesting
to view their family’s home is truly interested in purchasing it — or just hoping to case it and come back later to have their pick of personal items. Pre-approve would-be buyers. This is a simple request any person looking to view or buy your home should be willing to honor. Any purchaser who balks at the idea of providing a pre-approval or proof of funds demonstrating his or her ability to purchase probably isn’t serious or qualified and not worth risking your family’s safety. Many criminals are bold enough to commit crimes in broad daylight, so please do not let a proposed lunchtime viewing lull you into a sense of safety. Any Realtor showing your home should ask prospective buyers for this docu-
mentation prior to showing them homes. Not only does it save everyone time, but also it provides some indication that this person has had credit pulled by a lender, shown tax and banking information, and so forth, therefore lowering the chances of an outright scam. Nothing is foolproof, but asking for proof of ability to buy can also send the signal to the purchaser you are not willing to be a pushover. This is good both for financial negotiations and also for letting them know that in the off-chance he or she has malicious intentions, you are paying attention and not likely to be an easy victim. OPEN-HOUSE RESTRICTIONS.
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but it’s a good idea to limit the amount of people allowed to peruse a home to no more than two groups of people at a time, and that is with two agents/ owners, etc., manning the open house. A great tactic is to place a sign on the door advising of this policy and then having the agent log in the visitors themselves using a photo ID. By personally logging in and looking at the person’s ID, you can have a better sense that the name provided to you was accurate, and you know who you are letting inside your home. Again, this is a good, common-sense way to make sure you can know what is happening in an open house and also to confirm the identities of the browsers. Make sure you are consistent with your practice so as not to make anyone feel singled out, and be ready to politely explain you are doing this for both safety and to be able to have the opportunity to explain all the features and benefits of the home in detail to everyone.
or hold an open house, be sure to indicate you are filming and monitoring the home. Even just the notification that you are aware of the goings-on — even when not present — can deter would-be crooks. Motion-activated lights can also be helpful in creating a secure environment. ELECTRONIC LOCKBOXES.
CAMERAS. From a Ring door-
I utilize these on my listings for several reasons. One: I can monitor who showed the home when. Also, I can determine how long they were there, require showing feedback and add an extra access code. A CBS code can be added to the electronic box so not only does the box limit access to agents and during certain hours, but also it requires a hand-entered code specific to that box. So, for owners concerned a Realtor may attempt to view the home without an appointment, problem solved. I can keep track of the lockbox activity and also gain insight into the success of the current marketing plan and price.
bell to interior cameras, many homes are set up for audio and visual surveillance today. My Ring has been fantastic for keeping track of activity and visitors at my front door, and interior cameras add another layer of protection. When you have your home shown and/
As always, few things are completely foolproof, so never let security measures deter you from relying on your gut instinct and letting down your guard. Just be safe and aware, and remember no sale is more important than your life.
Drop in and get your FREE PASS today. Includes a full week of unlimited classes and a one-hour personal training session. NO CONTRACTS • NO HIGH-PRESSURE SALES • EVERYONE WELCOME
Broker Associate / ® Realtor
407-399-0629 ben@bencole.org
DROP IN OR CALL • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
313541-1
Your Neighbor! 13+ year Baldwin Park Homeowner
Ben M. Cole III Inc. • 910 Versailles Cir. • Maitland, FL 32751
ROCKHARDFITNESSORLANDO.com Five-Star Rating on Facebook, Google and Yelp BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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407-802-4631 • 820 Lake Baldwin Lane ®
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AVERAGE JOE RUN:
‘THE WORLD’S EASIEST 5K’
Sri Kopuri earned the “Average Jane” award for finishing in the middle of the race.
Pedro Resende placed third in the men’s division, Edgaro Jimenez earned first and Andrew McBride got second.
Joseph Cook earned the “Average Joe” award for finishing in the middle of the race.
Although racers’ finish times varied from 21 minutes to more than an hour, times weren’t the focus of the Average Joe Run, which took place at Harbor Park at Lake Baldwin Sunday, Nov. 10. The twist with this 5K was that the people who finished in the middle won the race, although the top three finishers also were awarded. The mission was to encourage and promote a healthier lifestyle for the “Average Joe and Jane” who have the determination to go out and try their best.
Right: Pepper the pup took a break from cheering on her humans.
— DANIELLE HENDRIX
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**Based on A.M. Best written premium. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company – Bloomington, IL
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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John Psomas RICP, Agent 922 Lake Baldwin Lane, Suite A Orlando, FL 32814 Bus: 407-277-2997 www.johnpsomas.com Se habla Español
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Stop here for great rates with America’s #1 car insurance company**. Give me a call today.
ORLANDO BALLOON
GLOW Pilots took riders up and away during the tethered balloon rides.
Anna Baker conquered the LED climbing wall.
It was a windy start to the Orlando Balloon Glow at Baldwin Park’s Blue Jacket Park on Thursday, Nov. 14, but more than a half-dozen hot-air balloons took to the skies for an evening of flights. Attendees from Baldwin Park and beyond perused different vendors’ booths, played some carnival-style games and picnicked on the grass while watching the balloons take flight. Some took it a step further and went for a ride in the hot-air balloons themselves. The Balloon Glow ran through Sunday, Nov. 17.
George Bailor showed a young festival-goer how to pop balloons using darts.
Owen Austin and Sloane DeFoe enjoyed some watermelon and blue raspberry cotton candy.
— DANIELLE HENDRIX Left: Jane Brown showed off her inventory of fun, light-up toys for sale. Right: Cotton candy was a hot commodity at the Balloon Glow.
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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GLENRIDGE MIDDLE PTSA’S VIVA LAS VEGAS Angie and Julio Montenegro had a great night out with Julio’s mother, Martha Montenegro.
The Glenridge Middle PTSA board was thrilled with the event turnout.
Members of Glenridge Middle’s PTSA, school staff and guests enjoyed a night out in Las Vegas — aka the Orlando Museum of Art — on Friday, Nov. 8, during the PTSA’s Viva Las Vegas fundraiser. The adults-only fundraiser featured casino tables, a silent auction, DJ, drinks and dancing. Proceeds from the event will benefit students, teachers and other staff at the school.
— DANIELLE HENDRIX
Kai and Leah Fu posed on the red carpet.
Stephanie Sharratt and Morgan Peet, part of Michele & Group Inc., were showgirls for the night.
Matt Buckland
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www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
313649-1
808 Virginia Dr Orlando, FL 32803 407-897-7120
300948-1
MKT-9811A-A
Financial Advisor
IT’S THE
HOLIDAY SEASON! FREE HOLIDAY CONCERTS BY THE FOUNTAIN (Across from Regal Cinemas) Thursdays from 6P.M.—9P.M. October 3—December 19
Join us by the fountain on Thursday evenings to relax and hear some of the area’s finest musicians.
SANTA & SANTA’S ELF
Saturdays, from 2P.M—5P.M. December 7—December 21
Catch Santa and his elf as they visit shops throughout Winter Park Village to spread holiday cheer. Bring your camera or phone for keepsake photos. Pets welcome!
STROLLING CAROLERS
Fridays and Saturdays, from 6P.M.—9P.M. November 22—December 21
Dressed as though they stepped straight out of A Christmas Carol, strolling carolers perform acapella holiday classics to the delight of the young, and young at heart. COME ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS AT WINTER PARK VILLAGE! And visit ShopWinterParkVillage.net for more information.
ShopWinterPark ShopWinterPark
ShopWinterParkVillage.net
WinterParkVillage
299995-1
A CASTO PROPERTY
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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O Oppeenn After-Hours
Weekends
Life happens outside of 9 to 5. That’s why CareNow® is open late 7 days a week. Web Check-In® at CareNow.com
Lake Mary | Sanford Winter Park | Winter Springs Open every day
Mon-Sat: 8am-8pm | Sun: 8am-5pm
No appointment necessary
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ONLY $20 38
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
FEATURED PROPERTIES
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Two story David Weekley home overlooks one of Baldwin Park’s private mews parks. The 4 bed/3.5 bath home features beautiful hardwood floors throughout the downstairs and a light and bright kitchen with granite counters, stainless appliances and a large center island . All bedrooms are upstairs plus a bonus room/loft area and the upstairs laundry room. Master bedroom suite includes a gorgeous spacious bath and large walkin closet. Nice fenced in backyard area with pavers. Within walking distance to one of the neighborhood’s pools and playgrounds.
2018 Award Winner of “Real Estate Agency Neighborhood Favorite” by Nextdoor Baldwin Park 2017 Ovations Award Winner for “Best Real Estate Agency” by the Winter Park/ Maitland Observer Readers
• One of Baldwin Park’s Top Realtors in 2018
Asking $629,000
• Highest Sales Volume in Townhomes in 2015
WHAT’S SELLING s ay 2D 2 in ld So
• Highest Sales Volume in New Construction in 2013
This three story townhome features 3 bedrooms/3.5 baths and is located in the heart of Baldwin Park. Downstairs bedroom and full bath are perfect for your teenager, guests or home office. Hardwood floors throughout the main floor and a custom wood and iron staircase. Gorgeous cherry cabinets w/ granite countertops and stainless steel appliances in the kitchen. Open living room/dining room combo flows easily from the kitchen. Front balcony off of the family room makes it easy to entertain. Master bedroom and 3rd bedroom are located on the third floor, as well as the laundry room. Upgraded features that include plantation shutters, crown molding and taller baseboards really set this home apart from the others. Brand new AC unit (April 2019) and foam insulation make this a very energy efficient home. Amazing location and close to everything. Just a short walk to Baldwin Park’s restaurants, shopping, pool/ fitness center, and schools. Less than two blocks from Baldwin Park Elementary and across the street from Bright Horizons Foundation for Children.
• Ranked Top Producer since 2002 • Resident of Baldwin Park since 2004
Sold for $375,000
This exceptional Baldwin Park beauty was custom built by RexTibbs and sits on an oversized corner lot, overlooking a beautiful park setting that is one of the best in the neighborhood. With 7 bedrooms and 7.5 baths, this home boosts almost 6200 SF of living space w/a spacious floor plan featuring refinished wood floors, beautiful ceilings, trim and moldings. Gorgeous chef’s kitchen with Wolf appliances and custom cabinetry w/a large island and wine refrigerator. Enormous downstairs master suite overlooks the custom built resort like saltwater pool and spa. Also downstairs is another bedroom, currently being used as an office, that would make a great nursery/guest bedroom with its beautiful built-ins and a full bath nearby. Upstairs are 3 full bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet and private bath. Large playroom area is perfect for the family’s needs and the fully equipped theater room that seats six. 1 bed/1 bath apartment over the 2 car garage. Plenty of covered areas and an outdoor summer kitchen for all your entertaining needs. Separate pool house with full bath is perfect for your home gym.
Sold for $1,476,870 Highly sought after park front location, this 4/3 townhome is a rare find! Spacious family room with park views, surround sound and plenty of storage. Upgraded kitchen w/cherry cabinets, granite countertops & stainless steel appliances open to large dining room. Master suite and two additional bedrooms are upstairs. Full bed/bath downstairs is ideal for a guest room, playroom or home office. Beautiful wood floors and custom plantation shutters throughout the home. Oversized brick paved patio with gorgeous new pergola. Just steps away from the community pool and fitness area at Grace Hopper Hall. Walking distance to schools and Baldwin Park’s downtown area with shops and restaurants, as well as, easy access to downtown Orlando and Winter Park.
Sold for $550,000
Lisa Fleming
407.644.1234 321.228.8341 cell Lisa@fanniehillman.com 313947-1
s ay 1D 1 in ld So
“The Right Representation Makes All the Difference”
BALDWIN PARK LIVING | DECEMBER 2019
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D I S COV E R
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NEW WORLD Announcing Bristol Landing at The Mayflower: WHERE YOUR LIFE PLAN COMES WITH AN ELEGANT LIFE STYLE Architect's rendering, subject to change.
The Mayflower has long been Winter Park’s premier senior-living destination. And now, the best is getting even better! Soon, we’ll be breaking ground on a brand-new neighborhood with a stunning Club House and Bistro, a state-of-the-art Health Center and spacious 2- and 3-bedroom waterview residences, each with open-plan living spaces, high ceilings and lots of natural light. Discover The NEW Mayflower – where you’ll find a world of choices and still have the assurance of onsite, quality long-term care. Call us at 407.672.1620 to learn more. Only a limited number of residences are going to be built – and they will go quickly. Don’t miss the boat!
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407.672.1620
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THEMAYFLOWER.COM 88141 PRAD BPL 12/2019 313951-1
1620 MAYFLOWER COURT | WINTER PARK, FL 32792 40 BALDWIN PARK LIVING |DECEMBER 2019