Baldwin Park Living March 2023

BALDWIN PARK LIVING

"If you are looking for a Realtor who is knowledgeable, experienced, professional, savvy and kind-hearted, then I strongly and unequivocally recommend Kimberley Gernert. She helped us strategically navigate the market to find a home for our lifestyle. Her professionalism, enthusiasm and good-natured wit alleviated stress every step of the way. Then, she turned around and sold our current home within the month. It was certainly smooth sailing

“We had such a wonderful experience with Kimberley! From start to finish, she was kind, helpful, considerate, and thorough. She knows the real estate market very well, and truly loves what she does! She listened to our criteria and helped us to find the perfect home for our family. I highly recommend Kimberley if you are in the market to sell or purchase a home. You will be glad you did!”

MARCH 2023 DEPARTMENTS

8 BALDWIN PARK NOTEBOOK

Read about recent decisions made by community leaders.

12 SWEET DREAM

Resident relaunches her chocolate business.

14 WE ARE BALDWIN PARK! Will Campbell shares a little bit about himself.

18 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Find your community fun in our monthly calendar.

19 BEAUTIFUL BALDWIN

Pull our your calendar! We have plenty of fun in store.

BALDWIN PARK LIVING

MARCH 2023

Editor and Publisher Michael Eng, meng@orangeobserver.com

EDITORIAL

Design Editor — Jessica Eng, jeng@orangeobserver.com

News Editor — Annabelle Sikes, asikes@orangeobserver.com

Contributors — Brie Bernstel and Will Campbell

ADVERTISING

Sales Manager Cyndi Gustafson, cgustafson@orangeobserver.com

PRODUCTION

Graphic Designer — Andrea Rukstalis, arukstalis@orangeobserver.com

CONTACT

To submit story ideas, calendar listings or have your event considered for coverage, contact Annabelle Sikes at asikes@orangeobserver.com.

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.

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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 Jan. 24, 2023, Meeting Minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork.com.

The board approved the following items/work:

n Hotwire bulk internet contract.

n The door fees of $637,245.00 after the CCG deductions and a hold-back of $34,386.72 for internet-related expenses be returned to residents as a credit on their account within 30 days of receipt of the door fee. This credit shall go to the property owner whose account is linked to the property on the date credits are issued. The board estimates this credit at $315 per residence (2,023 homes).

n Once a violation fine is in excess of $500, SMI is to send a one-time balance-due letter to inform the owner that the fine has exceeded $500.

n $5 an hour increase in the OPD off-duty pool patrol hourly rate.

n Canopy tree and crepe myrtle pruning for the trees located in the ROA parks and mews.

UPDATES

COMPLETED ACTIONS

1. Roof repairs at Enders NEV garage.

2. Enders patio wood and screen repairs.

3. New surveillance cameras at Enders were installed.

4. Annuals were installed at Grace Hopper.

5. Preventative maintenance at the fitness centers was completed, including repairs at Grace Hopper fitness center from the 2022 fourth-quarter preventative maintenance inspection.

6. Pool heater igniter was repaired at Grace Hopper.

7. Downstairs AC system at Grace Hopper was replaced.

8. Holiday tree and decorations were removed at Corrine Commons.

9. Holiday décor was removed at Grace Hopper.

10. New surveillance cameras at Grace Hopper were installed.

11. Playground mulch at High Park was replenished to ensure proper coverage.

12. Trip hazards at High Park large pavilion sidewalk were repaired.

PENDING ACTIONS

1. Hiring of additional maintenance/custodial person was approved for the 2023 budget.

2. Mailing of notice to members related to the adoption of the basketball equipment policy and change to Exhibit C will have to be a separate mailing as the coupon mailing can be no more than four pages. This is currently being reviewed by the City of Orlando TDRC for approval.

3. Proposals for picnic tables at Enders playground and High Park facility. Deferred to 2023 by the board. Adopted as part of the 2023 budget. Will bring back updated proposal in February.

4. Proposal for pressure washing, caulking and touch-up painting at Grace Hopper Hall and Enders facility centers that was deferred in 2023 by the board will be brought back to the board in the first quarter.

5. Proposal for pressure washing, calking and painting of the pergolas at Parkland Quadrangle and Longview that was deferred in 2023 by the board will be brought back to the board in the first quarter.

6. Proposal for pressure wash-

BALDWIN PARK COMMERCIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC.

Top of the season to you! Shamrocks are all around as we prepare for spring. For all your seasonal decorations and delicacies, shop local at Baldwin Park.

THINGS TO KNOW

n Annual Tree Trimming. The annual tree trimming for the commercial lots will start sometime in March. The purpose is to lift the trees to keep and establish

the canopy. The crepe myrtles will be trimmed, as well.

n Loading Zones. Most parking lots around Baldwin Park have loading zones. These areas are for short-term loading and unloading vehicles only — and not for parking. Please make deliveries and unloads quick, because it can cause a traffic jam if these zones are blocked. Vehi-

BY BILL PATTERSON

cles parked in these areas which are not loading/unloading will be tagged for towing at owner’s expense.

n ARC Architectural Review Committee. Meetings take place twice a month, on the second and fourth Tuesday for application reviews regarding commercial changes to exterior structures (roofing replacements

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR OWNERS WILDLIFE IN STRUCTURES

The tree-lined streets of Baldwin Park offer shady canopies for residents to enjoy the outdoors and provide homes for amazing animals like songbirds, squirrels and even bats.

Bats provide great pest control. They are protected year-round from harm and cannot be evicted from buildings until after the end of the annual bat maternity season, between April 15 and Aug. 15.

Now is the time to evaluate your home for potential wildlife entry points and make necessary repairs. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provided us with a comprehensive video addressing “How to Remove Bats from Buildings.” You can access it by visiting youtube.com/ watch?v=IbaKnvc8sZA.

ing and painting of the bollard lighting in CH No. 2 Mews that was deferred in 2023 by the board will be brought back to the board in the first quarter.

7. Proposal for pressure washing and painting of the knee walls and benches in CH No. 2 and CH No. 3 Mews that was deferred in 2023 by the board will be brought back to the board in the first quarter.

and painting), landscaping and signage. For the city to approve permits, the Commercial Owners Association must sign off on the project. All corresponding applications can be located on the Baldwin Park Network under Commercial Owners Association and Commercial Architectural Review Committee. For questions and application submission

Continued on opposite page

TOWNHOME SERVICE AREA COMMITTEE MEETING

BY MELISSA PARKER

The following information is a glimpse of the business that the Townhome Service Area Committee addressed in the Jan. 19, 2023, meeting. A complete copy of the official minutes can be obtained on the Community Network, BaldwinParkNetwork. com.

n The TSAC moved to approve the annual tree trimming proposals provided by BrightView Tree Care.

n The TSAC moved to approve a drain installation at 1132 and 1144 Lake Baldwin Lane.

UPDATES

n Please remember to report any landscape, building or irrigation issues on Baldwin Park Solutions. Reporting items on Baldwin Park Solutions allows residents to share photos of the reported area(s) and receive real-time updates from management staff on corrective measures being taken. Baldwin Park Solutions can be accessed on the Baldwin Park Network.

Continued from opposite page

please feel free to email Bill at BPatterson@BaldwinParkPOA. com.

n Parking Lot Guidelines. The Commercial Owners Association has clarified and adopted new parking lot restrictions and rules effective Oct. 10, 2022. These rules govern all the commercial owned parking lots, including the nine parking lots in the Village Center and the lot at the Neighborhood Business District off Lake Baldwin Lane. Village Center

n Roof replacements are wrapping up in the Issa 22 service area. The city of Orlando will be providing final inspections on any outstanding items. Management will meet with R.F. Lusa & Sons and A/R/C Associates Inc. at the end of the roofing project to finalize construction.

n Roof replacements are coming to the Issa 28 service area (not all addresses will have roof replacements this year; some addresses are listed to be replaced in 2024 per the Reserve Study). A notice will be left on the townhome’s front door a week prior to the projected start date confirming the roof replacement is beginning. Make sure to remove all items located in the backyard/private zone area, as well as items that may be attached to the roof (e.g., satellite dishes or cameras). The roofing contractor nor the association will be held responsible for these items. The buildings to receive roof replacements within Issa 28 are the following:

n 4450-4470 Twinview Lane: week of March 6, 2023

n 4451-4475 Twinview Lane: TBD

n 4479-4499 Twinview Lane: TBD

HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR TOWNHOME OWNERS

DRYER VENT CLEANING

The townhome Service Area Committee would like to ensure every owner is aware of the importance of cleaning your dryer vent. It is recommended the dryer vents be cleaned every year. Lint clings and can build up inside of the vent hosing. This can create a potential fire hazard by trapping the heat inside the vent system. When this happens, it also can cause condensation to form that in some cases creates what looks like a leak on your ceiling. Please check the phone book, internet or any other referral source for carpet cleaning companies, dryer vent cleaning companies or other general contractors for this type of work.

n Advanced Roofing will release a more detailed schedule to the community for roof replacements once the exact dates have been selected.

n New sod that was installed in January/February has been treated with a fungicide.

n BrightView is continuing the annual trimming of crepe myrtles within the service areas.

n BrightView currently is working on a schedule for the annual tree trimming of the canopy trees. This schedule will be available once it has been provided by the vendor.

n Per DRS Inc. here is the Townhome painting schedule for March/April 2023:

CAMBRIDGE

n Feb. 27 to March 10: 926-942 Fern Avenue

n March 13 to 24: 991-999 Juel Street

n March 27 to April 7: 1001-1007 Juel Street

n April 10 to 21: 1009-1017 Juel Street

n Per DRS Inc. here is the Townhome maintenance schedule for February/March: Cambridge, Ethan Lane and Meeting Place

Schedules will be projected one to two months out to anticipate any possible future changes or delays. Notices are still being left on townhome front doors one to two weeks in advance to inform residents of any upcoming projects beginning in their address range.

parking areas shall be used by the employees and customers of any businesses in the Village Center and employees or tenants of the Village Center residential apartments. The Neighborhood Business District parking lot only should be used only by owners, tenants and patrons of the buildings there. No overnight parking is permitted without prior written approval from the association. You can find a full breakdown of the parking lot uses restrictions and rule at the following path on the Baldwin Park Network: Home/Resident Home/Asso-

ciation Information/Commercial Owners Association/COA OVERVIEW & DOCUMENTS/COA Declaration & Supplements.

n Trash Talk. The dumpsters in the commercial lots are meant for trash bags and small items only. For all large items, please use OUC bulk pick-up. Stuffing these items in the dumpster or leaving them causes multiple issues, including dumpster breakdown and rodents. Visit orlando.gov/Trash-Recycling for more information and to schedule future pick-ups.

n Baldwin Park Solutions. Commercial owners, tenants and managers can submit work requests through our new Baldwin Park Solutions system. It is located on the Baldwin Park Network. Simply click “Resident Home” at the top right, and you will find the link in the middle of the page. If you do not have a Baldwin Park Network account, you can request one from that page as well. Go to baldwinparknetwork.com to get started.

Sweet success

France Sullivan is opening her own gourmet chocolate business using skills she learned from her past experiences in Brazil.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

France Sullivan’s love for chocolate began from a dream.

When Sullivan was only 16 years old, she began to create chocolate Easter eggs from scratch to pursue her hope of attending law school in her home country Brazil.

More than 30 years later, Sullivan is going back to her roots to bring her successful Brazilian gourmet chocolate business to the United States.

PURSUING PASSION

Sullivan, now 48 years old, was born in São Paulo, Brazil.

Since she was a teenager, Sullivan remembers wanting to make her dreams come true, but they depended on financial circumstances her parents didn’t have the ability to provide.

The dreams started small — wanting to purchase a bicycle — but grew bigger, turning into hopes of attending private high school and then law school.

“I had a dream to study in another city but my parents did not have the money to send me there,” she says.

“It was so expensive. If my parents could not pay for it, I thought I could work to help pay.”

Although she never had made chocolate from scratch before, the first time Sullivan decided to make chocolate Easter eggs it was a huge success. She produced about 200 pounds of eggs with the help of her parents and her older sister.

After successfully providing funding for her private schooling, Sullivan continued to sell chocolate through decorative baskets in college with the help of her parents. She was the first person in her family to attend college.

Upon graduating law school, Sullivan went on to open her own law office.

Although the work was rewarding, she quickly realized something

Annabelle Sikes

France Sullivan moved with her husband last June to Baldwin Park.

was missing in her happiness — chocolate.

In 2000, Sullivan opened her first shop, a flower shop paired with chocolates.

After becoming one of the most successful stores in the state, Sullivan discovered her second love — Brigadeiros.

A Brigadeiro is a traditional Brazilian dessert typically made of condensed milk, butter and cocoa powder. The mixture is rolled and then covered in sprinkles or other toppings. Although simple, the chocolate dessert is delicious, and similar to chocolate truffles in the U.S.

Brigadeiro is the most famous handcrafted sweet in Brazil. It is found at all types of celebrations, including weddings, birthday parties and gift boxes for commemorative dates.

Sullivan opened her second store called Griff do Brigadeiro in 2010.

However, after saving enough money, she sold her brand and business consultancy in 2015 for $100,000.

MOTIVATED MOTHER

In 2020, Sullivan’s oldest daughter, who was 17 at the time, was accepted into a private college of medicine in Recife, Brazil.

Although an incredible accomplishment, her daughter’s monthly bills totaled more than $3,000 — including classes and living expenses.

Sullivan knew she had to do something to help her daughter reach for her dreams.

“That year, given the political and economic situation in Brazil, it was impossible for me to make my daughter’s dream come true,” she says. “So I decided to come to the United States to work and pay for my daughter’s college.”

Sullivan arrived in March 2020 in Atlanta — one of the biggest challenges of her life.

“I arrived here with just a suitcase of clothes and a suitcase with all the utensils for my Brigadeiro business,” Sullivan says. “I had one sole objective: to help my family in Brazil and pay for my daughter’s medical school.”

While living with her friend from law school, Sullivan began to sell Brigadeiros in the U.S.

Although ironic, the first time she

sold the chocolate in the new country was just in time for Easter. She sold more than 140 chocolate eggs with the help of her friend.

To make more money, Sullivan temporarily stopped selling chocolate to work more than 12 hours, seven days a week, in a waxing studio.

She lived a year in Atlanta before moving to Orlando after meeting her future husband, Douglas Sullivan, through mutual friends.

The couple was married less than a year later, in February 2021.

“My husband is the most handsome and friendly American man — the most amazing and encouraging man I have ever met in my life,” France Sullivan says. “He is the best sales negotiator I have ever seen, and he has taught me the way of doing business here in the country. I am so grateful for him.”

France Sullivan says she was on her way to work at Rio Body Wax when she accidentally got lost in Baldwin Park. It was love at first sight.

The Sullivans moved in June 2022 to Baldwin Park from Melbourne.

In her free time, France Sullivan is now restarting her Brigadeiro business from her new home.

“What I did in Brazil, I now want to do the same thing here,” she says. “It’s so delicious, easy and beautiful.”

BRAZILIAN BACKGROUND

France Sullivan says the women mainly educate their daughters in Brazil. Her mother worked three jobs to help send her to the schools she wanted.

Chocolate has now become an important staple in France Sullivan’s family.

She has taught her parents to make chocolate, and her mother, who is 73, still does so in Brazil to pay for the family’s insurance.

In Brazil, France Sullivan is wellknown. She has her own YouTube channel — Prosperidade Financeira — through which she sells nutritional shakes. After starting at Herbalife, she migrated to the Brazilian company Hinode with more than 750,000 consultants. In addition to being the No. 1 in sales in Brazil for the company, she traveled across the country showing people how to earn money from home and teaching courses on financial prosperity.

“France is such a positive person,” Douglas Sullivan says. “She will always find a way. She doesn’t let things like money, stress bother her; she just drives through it. She has the hardest determination of anyone I’ve ever met.”

France Sullivan says she is seeing all her dreams come true but wants to do the same for others.

“My biggest mission is to help women who cannot work full-time for some reason and therefore are left out of job opportunities,” she says. “At The Brigadeiro Factory, they will be able to choose how many hours they can work a day and will be very well reimbursed for their effort and dedication.”

Although operations are just now starting on the Yep! website, France Sullivan’s goal is to find entrepreneurs to open the first physical store and start a franchise. In addition, she hopes to turn the business into a popular drive-thru destination.

“She’s experienced so much in her life already,” Douglas Sullivan says. “She wanted to be educated, and she was going to find a way. When her dad said no the family could not afford it, she said, ‘I will,’ and she did it. Most people would turn around and give up, but she found a way.

“What’s extraordinary about this chocolate business is it has so much dear to heart for her, because it brought her to where she is today,” he says. “It’s kind of gone full-circle, and now she’s back here doing chocolate again, because she knows what that did for her then. Now, she’s exploring what it can do for her in America.”

YEP! CHOCOLATES

EMAIL: yepchocolates@gmail.com

PHONE: (678) 531-3785 INSTAGRAM: @yep_chocolates

Courtesy photo France Sullivan has made chocolates for most of her life.

WE ARE BALDWIN PARK!

Allow me to introduce myself…

Hello friends and neighbors, and happy March! Because it’s my birthday month, I thought now would be a good time to introduce myself to those of you who may be new here — and to tell you a little more about what we do on the Joint Committee.

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve introduced myself, so let me give you a little background. After all, I’m more than a pretty headshot and a great writer (I’m also totally modest, as you can see!).

I’m originally from South Florida — Coral Springs to be exact — where I graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. After graduating in 1998, I moved to Orlando to attend the University of Central Florida, from which I earned my degree in advertising and public relations. In 2004, after graduation, I moved back south to help my mom, who had been diagnosed with cancer.

By 2006, my mom’s cancer had gone into remission, and I had met someone, my (now) husband, Andrew. We had gone to the same schools in town, and I had known his brother, but we had never met. It’s strange how things happen right when they’re meant to. Andrew had wanted to get out of South Florida for some time, and my parents had been talking about moving to Central Florida around the same time to be closer to our family here. So, in 2011, after waiting months for his transfer, we made the move to Orlando, and boy was I glad to be back. Not only does a lot of my family live in the area, but also my best friends from college had somehow found their way back to Orlando.

In our search for where we wanted to be once we got here, we stumbled upon Baldwin Park

and signed a lease right away at Ender’s Place. After a couple of years there and a couple more Downtown, it was time to consider buying. We looked at no fewer than 80 homes in different areas of Downtown and in Baldwin Park. Fun fact: You may think that all the townhouses are the same based number of floors. But I can assure you, after having seen at least 25, they are all different! We finally decided on a City Home near Grace Hopper and spent six wonderful years in it.

The timing felt right to sell, so we did. The day after signing a lease at Baldwin Harbor, a friend of a friend was like, “Oh you want a single family in Baldwin? We’re thinking of selling!” And that’s how we ended up on Hanks Avenue!

Clearly, I love Baldwin Park, which is what led me to becoming more involved in our neighborhood. I was a resident, I have friends who own businesses in the Village Center, so what better way for me to be involved than through the Baldwin Park Joint Committee?

The Joint Committee is the unifying board between the Residential Owners Association and the Commercial Owners Association. It consists of two members from the ROA, two from the COA and one member-at-large. Each member serves a one-year term so, every year in August, new members are appointed from the ROA, COA and then they appoint the member at large. I served as the member-at-large for several years before I was elected to the ROA last year.

This five-member board is responsible for the Overall Benefit Property, which is basically the shared spaces between the residents and the commercial properties. This includes the sidewalks,

signage, plants and public space outside of the commercial spaces along New Broad Street — from Chatfield Place down to Lake Baldwin Park — which is city of Orlando property.

As a resident of Baldwin Park, I know how much pride we all take in our community and the Joint Committee takes equal pride in the areas we service. You would be surprised at how much effort is put into all of the details within the Village Center — from the planters to seasonal banners to the flags that are displayed at the end of New Broad Street. No detail goes unnoticed!

In addition to overseeing the OBP, the Joint Committee is responsible for the planning and coordination of the larger community-wide events that benefit of our beautiful corner of The City Beautiful. These events include the Independence Bash and Winter Wonderland Extravaganza. It’s been amazing to be able to have a role in these events and allowing them to showcase all that Baldwin Park has to offer. There are many other functions that the Joint Committee oversees, but I can assure you, they aren’t nearly as pretty as the Village Center or as fun as the events!

As always, it’s a true pleasure to be able to serve our community on both the Joint Committee and the ROA. Our community is so vibrant, inclusive and diverse, and to be able to write about it each month is an honor and something of which I am very proud to be a part. It’s always great to meet neighbors, as well, so don’t hesitate to say hi if you see Andrew and me out and about in the bubble!

Until next time, stay safe, stay well and remember, We Are Baldwin Park!

WILL CAMPBELL PRESIDENT BALDWIN PARK

JOINT COMMITTEE

Clearly, I love Baldwin Park, which is what led me to becoming more involved in our neighborhood. I was a resident, I have friends who own businesses in the Village Center, so what better way for me to be involved than through the Baldwin Park Joint Committee?

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be confident. choose well.

Dental Dedication

Illume Dental Studio, run by Florida-native Dr. TuTrinh (Gin) Do-Casano, is bringing modern dentistry practices with a focus on comfort to the Baldwin Park community.

ANNABELLE SIKES NEWS EDITOR

For Dr. TuTrinh (Gin) Do-Casano, the inspiration behind her work pays tribute to her parents.

Do-Casano’s parents worked minimum-wage jobs in welding and assembly-line work before fleeing to the United States during the Vietnam War in search of a better life for their children.

“My parents didn’t really have much growing up and the Vietnam War pushed them out of the country,” Do-Casano says. “It was my brothers and my parents who fought their way to get over here. My parents just wanted a better life for us. I feel sad whenever I talk about my parents, because they worked low paying, tough jobs just to get by and make sure we had a good education. They basically gave everything that they could for us and that’s why my siblings and I strive so hard to have a great profession or be in a good position where we could take care of our parents. We just want to make them proud.”

On a path to fulfill that goal, Do-Casano is embarking on her next chapter: opening Illume Dental Studio.

STUDIO START

Illume Dental Studio has been in a soft-opening phase since December 2022, but Do-Casano hopes to host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony this spring.

The new dental studio is a unique experience from before the patients even first enter the office. Digital forms allow patients to complete their paperwork before they arrive, and part of the digital forms include a spa form. The spa form asks patients how they would like their room to be prepared — with questions catered to drink choice, preference of television show

or channel, cooling neck pillows, blankets, heated masks for those that have high anxiety, ear plugs and even noise-canceling headphones.

“That feeling of comfort really resonates with our patients, because they feel that it’s a totally different experience from what they thought a dental appointment would be like,” Do-Casano says. “Me being a millennial, I just love places that make me feel at home. The type of dental office that I wanted to build was something with aesthetics to make people feel welcome. I wanted something that made people feel comfortable and we wanted to bring

Annabelle Sikes Dr. TuTrinh (Gin) Do-Casano is the owner of Illume Dental Studio.

ILLUME DENTAL STUDIO

WEBSITE: illumedentalstudio.com

PHONE: (407) 487-8030

ADDRESS: 1925 Prospect Ave., Suite 110

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/ illumedentalstudio

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/ illumedentalstudio

something that was new and vibrant to the community.”

Do-Casano has been a dental practitioner in Orlando for eight years and honed her skills in cosmetic dentistry.

She has specialization in noninvasive cosmetic bonding and enjoys creating digital smile designs. As an active member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, she also performs Botox and dermal fillers for facial enhancements, and to treat frontline TMJ, headaches, and orofacial pain.

DENTISTRY DREAMS

Do-Casano, 35, was born in Panama City and raised in St. Petersburg. Although she said she always knew she wanted to be in some type of health career, wanting to take care of her parents who are Vietnamese immigrants, she first knew she wanted to be a dentist in ninth grade.

“I started seeing that a lot of people who are not from this country have a big fear of going to medical and dental offices, just because they feel like things will get lost in translation,” she says. “They either need to find an interpreter or they kind of struggle through the whole process.

“I realized it’s not just immigrants who go through this; it’s everyone,” Do-Casano says. “When you go to a medical office or a dental office, you just don’t quite understand the lingo being used. When I saw that was something that I could be beneficial in, I knew that was something I wanted to do … to make sure the community gets the communication and treatment they deserve.”

Do-Casano moved to Orlando,

where she received her bachelor’s degree in microbiology and molecular biology from the University of Central Florida, before continuing her doctoral education at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, from which she graduated in 2015.

She practiced as an associate at a corporate office, where the work was fast-paced. The large number of patients she saw gave her the ability to hone in her skills.

Although Do-Casano lives in the SoDo area, she eventually wants to move to Baldwin Park. She says her biggest goal is to provide an experience for her patients.

“I want to make sure they feel comfortable and they feel heard,” she says. “The biggest concern that I had while I was growing up and going to dental offices was that I always felt like medical professionals would brush you off or assume your symptoms and diagnose.”

As the business expands, Do-Casano would love to open more offices. Her goal is to devise plans for the next office in the next five years.

Her hobbies outside of work include trying new restaurants (Do-Casano and her husband are big foodies); traveling (she has visited more than 20 countries); and spending time with family.

Although her father died a few years ago, her mother now lives in Orlando with one of her three older brothers, who also all pursued fields in the medical industry.

Throughout her journey, everything Do-Casano has done has been for her parents, and she hopes she can continue to make them proud with the next chapter in her story.

“It’s plain to see from our marketing, our atmosphere and the amenities we provide that our focus has been on delivering complete dental care in a thoughtfully curated patient experience that feels elevated and luxurious,” she says. “However, if there’s one thing that we want people to know us by, it’s more than just our ambiance, but rather by how we build and foster life-long relationships. We want you to come for the clinic but stay for the team.”

We want you to come for the clinic but stay for the team.”

DR. TUTRINH (GIN) DO-CASANO

Community Calendar AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1

WALKING GROUP

NEW WALKING GROUP!

Join your community dance instructor Page for a comfortable walk around Lake Baldwin once a week. The group will meet March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 down by the lake; all are welcome. You may turn back at any point and do not have to commit to the whole walk. If you have any questions, please email Page at pperrigan26@ gmail.com. Don’t forget some water and your walking shoes!

Meets Wednesdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, at Lake Baldwin. Join community dance instructor Page for a walk around Lake Baldwin once a week. You may turn back at any point and do not have to commit to the whole walk. If you have any questions, please email Page at pperrigan26@gmail.com. Don’t forget some water and your walking shoes!

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

FIRST FRIDAY

5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 3. First Fridays are back thanks to Ace Productions. This event will feature local vendors, shopping and music. Check your weekly newsletter for more information and follow Ace Productions on Facebook for up-todate vendor announcements.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

BALDWIN PARK COMMUNITY MARKET DAY

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4, on New Broad Street. Enjoy goodies from more than 60 local vendors while enjoying the beautiful weather. Find out more information by visiting BPCommunityMarket.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

ROA ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Meets at 6:30 p.m. twice monthly virtually. Because of the high volume of ARC applications, the number of applications accepted is being capped at 25 per meeting. Once this number is reached, subsequent applications will be held for the next scheduled meeting.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

SMILE MILE 5K

8 a.m. Saturday, March 11, at Blue Jacket Park, 2501 General Rees Ave., Orlando. Presented by Barney Butter, this fun running festival just for kids ages 5 to 11. Runners who participate in the one-andone-half-mile run will receive a bib, T-shirt and finisher medal. For more information or to sign up, visit trackshack.com/smilemile.

MONDAY, MARCH 13

MOVIE NIGHTS IN THE PARK

6:30 p.m. Monday, March 13, at Corrine Commons. Refreshments are provided, making for an easy date night, solo night or an easy pre-bedtime treat for the kiddos. Please take a blanket or chair for the lawn. Check your weekly newsletter and Facebook page leading up to see what movie will be shown.

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

TOWNHOME SERVICE

AREA COMMITTEE

Meets at 6:30 p.m. virtually. All information for the meeting can also be found on the Baldwin Park Network, along with the link to join the meeting.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

March 18: I Love the 80’s 5k will take place at Harbor Park beginning at 6:30am. Come celebrate the decade of bright colors and big hair with a fun 5k right in Baldwin Park. Find more information by Googling “I Love the 80’s 5k Orlando” or by checking your weekly newsletter.

MONDAY, MARCH 20

ROA COVENANTS HEARING

6:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, virtually. All information for the meeting can also be found on the Baldwin Park Network, along with the link to join the meeting.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

ROA ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Meets at 6:30 p.m. twice monthly virtually. Because of the current high volume of Residential ARC applications, the number of applications accepted is being capped at 25 per meeting. Once this number is reached, subsequent applications will be held for the next scheduled ARC meeting. More information can be found in your weekly newsletter.

TUESDAY, MARCH 28

ROA BOARD MEETING

6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, virtually. All information for the meeting can be found on the Baldwin Park Network.

JOINT COMMITTEE

BOARD MEETING

5:45 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, virtually. All information for the meeting can also be found on the Baldwin Park Network.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31

BACKYARD FOOD FARE

5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 31, at Corrine Commons. This free-toattend event will be the first of this year’s food fares take place monthly from January though May for residents and their guests. Local food vendors such as Noodle Baby, Fui Yo Mexicana, Lobos Coffee

Roasters + Parlor Kitchen will take care of all your dinner needs. Why cook when delicious food will be right in your backyard? Email Brie at mediacomm@baldwinparkpoa. com with any questions. You do not have to pre-register for this event. Please take your own blanket or chair.

The perfect Baldwin Park event lineup

This year is more jam-packed with events and happenings than ever before! From markets to movie nights to resident classes to major events, there is never a dull moment. So grab your calendar, and let’s make some plans!

First up, we have our thriving Backyard Food Fare taking place March 31, April 28 and May 26. Each month local food vendors come out to Corrine Commons to provide dinner options right in your back yard. There is nothing better than good weather, great food and company of your fellow neighbors. Take a chair or blanket and enjoy what makes Baldwin Park so great.

Movie Nights in the Park started last December and will continue until May. The upcom-

ing dates are March 13, April 28 and May 26; all begin at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments are provided, making for an easy date night, solo night or an easy pre-bedtime treat for the kiddos. Please take a blanket or chair for the lawn. Check your weekly newsletter and Facebook page leading up to see what movie is being shown.

Community Market Days are also a new addition to the community that has been a huge success. The events now have more than 60 vendors in attendance, music and food. Mark your calendars for March 4, April 15 and May 20; all event take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Follow “Baldwin Park Community Market” on Facebook for full vendor lists. Thanks to your friends who run the Market Days over at Ace

Productions, new to 2023 is the return of First Fridays! If you haven’t heard already or do not remember them from a few years ago, the events turn New Broad Street sidewalks into a showcase of art, music, food and fantastic vendors from throughout Orlando. Find more information through your weekly newsletter or by visiting the market’s Facebook page. In the meantime, mark down March 3, April 7, May 5 and June 2, and we will see you soon!

Don’t forget about your annual, fan-favorite events such as the annual Spring Porch Sale April 15, Easter Egg Hunt April 1 and the Independence Bash July 3! See you soon in #BeautifulBaldwinPark!

BRIE BERNSTEL MULTIMEDIA & COMMUNITY COORDINATOR

Stephenie Poris, MD

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