18.05.2020 Views

052120 SWB DIGITAL EDITION

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE THAT’S MY DAD! PHOTO CONTEST ... PAGE 12

West Family

Law Group

Richard D. West (left) and Adam R. Sackrin

of West Family Law Group help families

during their most uncertain times.

HOME & GARDEN

A WILDCAT CARAVAN


When you want it SOLD

Darrell Nunnelley

BROKER

407-467-8069

For Sale

Lake Down

Windermere

Vacant Lot * No HOA * Bring Your Builder

For Sale

638 Duff Drive

* Gated Community *

4 Bed * 4 Bath * Game Rm

Theater * Inlaw Suite

Under Contract - Multiple Offers

10972 Bayshore - Lake Down

For Sale

1828 Tumblewater

Brookestone

* Gated Community *

* Solar House*

Huge

Game Room

Updated Interior

501 Main Street – Windermere

Local Office

DarrellSells.com


www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x 3


4 x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HOW TO .......................................................................................... 5

Update Your Home

ON THE SUBJECT OF ......................................................................... 6

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season

IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD ............................................................... 8

NEWS & BUSINESS BRIEFS .............................................................. 10

SOUTHWEST SEEN ......................................................................... 12

Share the Love Tour

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE ................................................................. 13

West Family Law Group

SCHOOL NEWS SEEN .................................................................... 14

Whispering Oak Elementary School

SOUTHWEST ORLANDO HOME & REAL ESTATE ................................ 15

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD ....................................................... 22

SOUTHWEST SERVICE DIRECTORY ................................................... 22

$

2 99

Meatball Marinara

271 West Rd

Ocoee

1569 E Silver Star Rd

Ocoee

2468 S Maguire Rd

Ocoee

8894 W Colonial Dr

Ocoee

May 21, 2020

Vol. XXXIV, No. 14

PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

Rick V. Martin

VICE PRESIDENT

Yvette Martin

MANAGING EDITOR

Lisa Sagers

Cold Cut Combo

13530 Summerport

Village Pkwy

Windermere

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Lauren Salinero

7315 SR 535

Windermere

FREELANCE WRITER

Leona Braun

Limited time only at participating restaurants.

Additional charge for Extras. Plus applicable tax.

No additional discounts or coupons may be applied.

Prices and subs included may vary. Delivery available in

select areas. See Subway.com/delivers for details.

Subway® is a Registered Trademark of Subway IP LLC. © 2019 Subway IP LLC.

Black Forest Ham

Spicy Italian

Also includes:

Veggie Delite ®

15504 Stoneybrook

West Pkwy

Winter Garden

1001 S Dillard St

Winter Garden

Now delivering with

P.O. Box 851

Windermere, FL 34786

407-351-1573

www.southwestorlandobulletin.com

The Southwest Orlando Bulletin is published semimonthly by

Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media LLC. No material may be reproduced

without written permission. Subscriptions are available in the U.S. and Puerto

Rico for $25.56 per year and in Canada for $31.80 per year. For foreign

surface mailing, add $20 per year.

Neither the publishers nor the advertisers are responsible or liable for

typographical errors, misinformation, misprints, etc., unintentionally contained

herein. All letters received become the property of Cornerstone Publishing &

Multi-Media LLC and may be reproduced and edited without consent.

©2020/Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media LLC

CIRCULATION

Robert Barlow

MARKETING CONSULTANTS

Madeline DeVito

407-351-1573, option 1

mdevito@kearneypublishing.com

Michelle Oakes

321-277-3467

michelle

@cornerstonepublishinggroup.com


It’s fair to say that lately we’ve

been spending more time in our

homes than ever before. With the

stay-at-home order in effect and

most outside sources for entertainment

closed, I’ve been staring at the

same walls for months. One thing

I thrive on is change. Since I’m not

planning on moving any time soon,

there are only so many ways I can

change my environment without committing

the time and money to a full

renovation. Luckily, there are several

ways to make significantly noticeable

changes around the house that

don’t require a general contractor.

One of the easiest ways to change

the look of your home is with paint.

Even if you aren’t changing the color,

a fresh coat of paint immediately

spruces up a room. For the adventurous,

try creating a bold focus wall

or use different paint techniques for

a unique finish. Think beyond your

walls by painting cabinets, the garage

floor or even old furniture. Take

an old coffee table and side tables,

dining room chairs or outdoor furniture

and give them new life with

chalk paint. The stressed look is still

very much in style. You don't have

to get it perfect — making it a great

project for newbies. In fact, it looks

better if you don’t.

Have you ever noticed how outdated

the fixtures in your home can

appear? It could be doors, hinges,

door and cabinet handles, light fixtures,

overhead fans, the list goes

on. I often find myself being drawn

to these seemingly small elements

in the house that could benefit from

replacements. There’s something so

satisfying to me about getting rid of

HOW

Updating a room doesn’t have to mean

spending lots of money.

old brass hinges and handles, and

replacing them with stainless steel.

It’s pretty satisfying on the wallet,

too. There are so many different options

out there for these elements, the

choices are endless.

Light fixtures and overhead fans

can also be replaced with something

more suited to your style. Whether

you go for geometrically shaped

hanging lights, recessed lighting,

palm leaf ceiling fan blades, crystal

or wood, you can find a fixture that

suits your style and literally brightens

www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x 5

TO ...

Update Your Home

Simple Ways to Freshen Your Space

by Lauren Salinero

up or cools off your room. Replacing

overhead fixtures is fairly easy. Just

make sure you turn off the power before

handling wires, and follow the

instructions that come with your new

fixture.

Maybe it isn’t the inside lighting

that you want to update, but the light

coming in through the windows. If

you’re tired of looking at the same

standard miniblinds, update your

windows with fresh curtains, curtain

rods, shades or blinds. Wood or

faux wood shutters are a huge upgrade

to plastic miniblinds that will

automatically elevate your style.

Create a clean no-curtain look or

frame them with a tasteful set of curtains.

A classic set of white sheer curtains

allows light to filtrate the room,

or ward away unwanted brightness

Thank Youto all

eXp Realty Orlando

with blackout curtains that match

throw pillows or a rug.

For a more significant change, invest

in some new pieces of furniture.

Perhaps not the cheapest option,

buying a new piece of furniture can

be a great investment to update your

home. Last year, I upgraded a wornout

couch with a new sectional, and

my living room has never looked better.

Take some time to think about the

functionality of each room in your

home. Is this an entertaining space

or somewhere just for the family?

Are you looking to relax or be productive?

The furniture in your home

should reflect and enhance each

room’s overall purpose.

Making upgrades to your home

can freshen your space while giving

you a productive activity to do.

Get the entire family involved for a

fun weekend project. Whether you

are painting the walls or replacing

a faucet, a trip to your local home

improvement store will give you

access to everything you need, including

advice from experts and creative

ideas if you get stuck. ª

my friends and neighbors for voting me

a Best of Southwest Realtor for the 6th year in a row!

Visit our site today to:

• Find a Home with real time MLS property search;

• Request a Free and Fast Home Valuation;

• Use the Mortgage Calculator to prepare for monthly expenses;

• Request a Free Buyer or Seller’s Guide;

• Learn about the Rent-to-Own Program;

• Stay current with local real estate trends;

• And so much more!

Esther Pelissier, ARPN-BC

Esther Pelissier


6 x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com

If the coronavirus, stay-at-home

orders and social distancing are not

enough for Central Floridians to contend

with, we now have to add the

2020 Hurricane season to our lists

of things to worry about. Yes, come

June 1 through Nov. 30, we have to

pay close attention to news sources

or watch the Weather Channel to

see what is happening during this

year’s hurricane season.

This year, forecasters are predicting

a very active hurricane season

(see image). Last year, we were

glued to the news about the onset

of Hurricane Dorian, which was

a Category 5 storm predicted to

head straight toward Central Florida

and the Orlando area. However,

Hurricane Dorian headed for the

Grand Bahamas instead and stalled

there, leaving us to wait for days to

see where it would go next. Florida

lucked out, but the Grand Bahamas

was not so lucky — 84 deaths and

$4.68 billion in damages.

So far in 2020, the sea surface

in the Atlantic Ocean is at an

above-average temperature, and

ON THE SUBJECT OF...

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season Begins June 1

by Andy Phillips, Agent State Farm Insurance

7608 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando • 407-354-1320 • andy.phillips.kraa@statefarm.com

Named Storms

Hurricanes

Cat 3 or Greater

predictions are that it will be well

above by the time June 1 gets here.

This means that we could see more

2020 2019 Actual

16 18

8 6

4

3

hurricanes coming off the coast of

Africa, and the storms could intensify

more rapidly.

The following is a list of some

things you should consider doing between

now and June 1:

• Since you are already in the

mode of stocking up on essential items

for the coronavirus, do the same for

the beginning of hurricane season.

Make sure you add flashlights and

batteries to your previous list.

• Take a look at your homeowners

or renters insurance, so you are

fully aware of your coverages before

hurricane season arrives. If you

have any questions, call your insurance

agent. Pay particular attention

to your hurricane deductible. It is

difficult to change once hurricane

season begins.

• In case a hurricane does strike

Central Florida this year, make sure

you have an evacuation plan in

place if you choose to leave or it’s

mandatory to evacuate your home.

Everyone is under stress with

COVID-19 currently; however, preparing

now for the 2020 hurricane

season will help to eliminate

stress to accomplish last-minute

preparations. ª

Beth Moffett, RNFA

When all this is over you

deserve a makeover!

Face the world again looking better than ever.

FREE CONSULTATION

As the most experienced injector in

Orlando, Beth will work closely with you

to customize an anti-aging treatment

plan to meet your individual goals in a

comfortable setting.

Book Online at

NaturallyYouOrlando.com

30+ YEARS

EXPERIENCE

12139 S. Apopka

Vineland Rd.,

Lake Buena Vista,

FL 32836

863-604-6021

Jan V. Karlin, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon


With over 40 million Americans unemployed

and 20 million small businesses or more at risk

of failure as they rack up losses due to closures

and layoffs, businesses and consumers alike, at

no fault of their own will default on loans and

other debt obligations. America was not built on the principal of shutting down

because of wars, pandemics, or any other disaster. Unfortunately, because of this

unforeseeable pandemic, we were forced to shut down our country and are just now

feeling signs of reopening. The financial impact of this shutdown is going to fall

upon the people, not the government. Small businesses especially will struggle to

keep staff on the payroll as their revenues collapse.

Like it or not, our country is about to face financial difficulties and businesses

and individuals will be forced to file bankruptcy. It isn’t easy to file bankruptcy and

start over but it is going to happen; for many it will occur sooner than later. The

sooner this reality is accepted, the sooner financial futures will restart.

Initial Grief

Following any crisis, acceptance is the last concession we make. Catastrophic

events cause a chain of emotions beginning with disbelief, then denial, anger, hope,

reflection and finally, acceptance. Don’t wait for the government’s guarantees of

false hope. You need to financially protect your own family. If you are forced

to file bankruptcy, remember that there is nothing shameful about the process.

Bankruptcy laws were put into effect to give a chance at a Fresh Start.

Consider Your Alternatives:

• Debt Settlement by striking an agreement with creditors to pay less;

• Debt Consolidation through a personal loan;

• Selling Assets such as coin sets, guns, antiques, or even your home;

• Credit and Debt counseling.

Bankruptcy Can Be A Fresh Start

by: Kristen M. Jackson / Attorney

www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x 7

If you are unable to find an alternative, you should seek legal advice for options

about bankruptcy.

Don’t Go It Alone

In times of crisis, when grief, stress and emotions are already running

high, you need the most experienced allies you can find. If bankruptcy

appears imminent, a bankruptcy lawyer can advise you on the most prudent

courses of action to preserve your business and personal assets and protect

your long-term financial interests. Because bankruptcy laws are complex, the

counsel and support of an experienced lawyer is essential to avoid losing assets

unnecessarily.

What Will Happen To Me?

Nothing harmful is going to happen. You will not go to jail because

America does not have debtors’ prison for not paying bills or filing bankruptcy.

What will happen is your debts will be wiped out with certain exceptions, giving

you a chance to rebuild your credit and pay your normal living expenses.

Road To Recovery

Remember, bankruptcy provides a new financial beginning, and you need

not be ashamed if you have no other alternatives. Financial sacrifice due to this

Covid-19 pandemic is not your fault and if you believe bankruptcy may be your

only course of action, you should consult an experienced bankruptcy lawyer

to protect your interests to give you and your family the

Fresh Start you deserve.

Legal Areas of Practice

By our Team of

Attorneys

Administrative

Advance Directives

Bankruptcy

Business

Buy / Sell Contracts

Commercial

Contracts

Corporation

Criminal

Employment

Estate Planning

Family Law

Guardianship

Litigation

Last Wills

Medicaid

Powers Of Attorney

Pre-Nuptials

Probate

Real Estate

Special Needs

Title & Closings

Trusts

Trademark

Estate Planning

Wills, Trusts, Probate, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives,

Pre-Need Guardians, Trust Administration, Pet (Animal) Trusts

Probate

With or without a Last Will, in order to obtain assets, pay debts and taxes

and distribute remaining assets to the heirs or beneficiaries, the deceased’s

estate requires the assistance of an attorney to manage the court supervised

administration.

Corporation & Business Law

Contracts, Start-ups, Purchase or Sales, Corporations (Inc.), Limited Liability

Companies (LLC’s), Trademarks, Copyrights, Franchise Agreements

Real Estate

Closings, Title Insurance, Sales & Purchases, Leases, Contract Review,

Contract Preparation

(407)363-9020

www.JacksonLawPA.com

Offices: Orlando

Credit Cards Accepted

Kristen Jackson

Attorney At Law


8 x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com

n Dr. Phillips

Tori Torres of Dr. Phillips played

Gibbon/Lindsay in Assumption

College’s production of the 2012

Broadway revival of Godspell. Tori,

a member of the Class of 2020, is

a political science major and philosophy

minor; one of Assumption’s

Vocal Scholars; the current president

of Chorale; and a member of the select

a cappella chamber ensemble

Voce, which means “voices” in Latin.

She also performed as one of the

narrators in the college’s 2018 production

of Joseph and the Amazing

Technicolor Dreamcoat.

n Oakland

The Committee of One Hundred of

Orange County, a charitable organization,

donated funds to the Oakland

Police Department to assist with the

department’s purchase of ballistic

shields and vests. The equipment will

better protects officers in the field.

“I would like to thank The

Committee of One Hundred for this

IN YOURNEIGHBORHOOD

The Oakland Police Department receives

a donation to allow for the purchase of

ballistic shields and vests to better protect its

officers.

generous gift and their charitable

support to the men and women of

the Oakland Police Department,”

said Oakland Police Chief John

Peek. “This donation will go a long

way to help modernize and protect

our personnel should they need to

respond to extreme situations and

encounters.”

n Windermere

compiled by Lauren Salinero

Kalen Wright, a Dr. Phillips

High School Class of 2011 alumna,

graduated from the University

of Louisville School of Medicine.

She will begin a residency in emergency

medicine at Harvard Medical

School’s Massachusetts General

Hospital and Brigham and Women’s

Hospital next month. Kalen looks

forward to the diversity of cases

and fast pace of the ER. She thanks

the Disney Scholarship Program for

helping her to obtain chemistry and

biology degrees from the University

of Kentucky. Kalen’s proud parents

are Keith and Donna Wright of

Windermere.

n Winter Garden

Windermere

resident Kalen

Wright

graduates from

the University of

Louisville School

of Medicine.

Officials of the Orange County

Bar Association presented annual

professionalism awards to three

women in the legal profession.

One of the honorees was Winter

Garden resident Keshara Davis

Cowans, Esq. Keshara received

the Lawrence G. Mathews, Jr. Young

Lawyer Professionalism Award. She

is the EEO/equity and title IX officer

of Orange County Public Schools

and previously served 11 years as

Save $761. *

Combine Home & Auto.

Andy Phillips, Agent

7608 W Sand Lake Road

Orlando, FL 32819

Bus: 407-354-1320

Andy.Phillips.kraa@statefarm.com

Save money and time when you combine your home and auto insurance.

Just another way I’m here to help life go right.

CALL ME TODAY.

1601489

*Average household savings based on 2015 national survey of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm ® .

State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company

Bloomington, IL


counsel for The Florida Bar. Keshara

was recognized for her volunteer

work with the Teen Parent Education

Program.

U.S. Naval Logistics Specialist

3rd Class Quinn Koller of Winter

Garden was assigned to the amphibious

assault ship USS America

(LHA 6). He assisted with cargo

during a replenishment at sea with

fleet replenishment oiler USNS

excellence in accounting, business

administration, economics and finance,

management and marketing.

It takes its name from the initials of

the Greek words that signify wisdom,

honor and the pursuit of meaningful

aspirations.

n Et Al

Southwest resident Nikhil Reddy

earned an R.J. Knobel Scholarship

from the Robinson College of

Business at Georgia State University.

The R.J. Knobel

Scholarship was established

upon Roland

“Knob” Knobel’s retirement

in 1985, after

teaching at the institute

since 1970. This

award is given to MHA

students based on academic

performance

and to recognize those

who have achieved

distinction through professional

and community

activities.

www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x 9

and continue to plan for future events,

including safety and protective procedures.

In an effort to support the

Rotary Club

of Lake Buena

Vista member

Jeff Calvert

(left) presents

a $500 check

to Freddie

Clayton,

president of the

Orlando Union

Rescue Mission.

community during the coronavirus

pandemic, the club donated $500 to

Orlando Union Rescue Mission.

Although we try to ensure that all information presented above is the most current, correct and dependable

available, we do rely on others for the source of our news. Therefore, the Southwest Orlando Bulletin and

Cornerstone Publishing & Multi-Media LLC cannot be held responsible for the validity of the information presented

here, nor does mentioning it constitute an endorsement. In Your Neighborhood news is welcome and may be

mailed to P.O. Box 851, Windermere, FL 34786; or emailed to Lauren@kearneypublishing.com. ª

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Vincent E. Zline

Winter Garden resident and U.S. Navy Logistics Specialist

3rd Class Quinn Koller moves cargo on the ship’s port

aircraft elevator during a replenishment at sea.

John Ericsson (T-AO 188) and dry

cargo and ammunition ship USNS

Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11).

America, flagship of the America

Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st

Marine Expeditionary Unit team,

was operating in the 7th Fleet area

of operations to enhance interoperability

with allies and partners and

serve as a ready response force to

defend peace and stability in the

Indo-Pacific region.

Winter Garden resident Sarah

Simpson, a senior majoring in business

administration at McKendree

University, was welcomed into

Sigma Beta Delta, an international

society in business, management

and administration. Sigma Beta

Delta honors students for scholastic

Several Southwestarea

residents were

initiated into the Honor

Society of Phi Kappa

Phi, the nation’s oldest, most selective,

collegiate honor society for

all academic disciplines. They include

Florida State University students

Emily Logan of Southwest

Orlando and Windermere

residents Jessica Beasom,

Kathryn Crowell and Lauren

Diaz; Windermere resident Sally

Murrell of Texas Tech University;

and Winter Garden residents

Quinn Corbett of East Carolina

University and Allison Donley of

the University of North Florida; and

Windermere resident Caroline

Price of Troy University.

Rotary Club of Lake Buena

Vista has conducted its meetings

through Zoom in lieu of in-person

gatherings. Members are hopeful

SWIM LESSONS

REDUCE RISK OF

DROWNING BY 88%*

DROWNING IS THE

LEADING CAUSE OF

ACCIDENTAL DEATH

IN CHILDREN 1-4

YEARS OLD.**

*National Institutes of Health **U.S.

Centers for Disease Control

Safety First Swim School

teaches children as young as

six months old how to roll on

their back and float in case they

accidentally fall into water.

call 321-236-0240 ext. 5

visit www.safetyfirstswim.com

268293


10 x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com

n Shepherd’s Hope medical

appointments available

To best serve the medical needs

of the uninsured, Shepherd’s

Hope is providing by-appointment,

face-to-face care for urgent medical

needs at its West Orange Health

Center. It is also offering telemedicine

appointments in English or

Spanish; however, Shepherd’s Hope

is not a COVID-19 testing or treatment

center.

Community partners helped the

nonprofit obtain the necessary safety

equipment and fixtures to comply with

COVID-19 protection requirements

issued by the Centers for Disease

Control, the health departments of

Orange and Seminole counties, and

other authorities. ABC Fine Wine &

Volunteers are ready to assist patients at the Shepherd’s Hope West Orange Health Center.

and

For more information, please call the professionals 407-345-1191

at John E. Russi, CPA, PA immediately to learn more about this program.

NEWS & BUSINESS BRIEFS

compiled by Lauren Salinero

Spirits donated 10 plexiglass screens,

which were installed at the Winter

Garden Health Center reception

and treatment areas. AdventHealth

has provided financial support. Along

with Orlando Health, they both continue

to partner with Shepherd’s Hope

in patient care. Supporters have also

donated to the nonprofit’s

critical needs fund.

“The generosity of spirit

and support of the Central

Florida community is truly

amazing,” said Southwest

resident Pam Gould,

president and CEO of

Shepherd’s Hope. “People

all over our community are

helping us provide medical

treatment to the most vulnerable

men, women and children

in our community. They

are also helping us expand

our services to continue to

meet the increase in acute

care needs, keeping these patients out

of the already-strained hospital emergency

rooms.”

Under-insured and uninsured people

can contact Shepherd’s Hope

at 407-876-6699, ext. 221, for

condition assessment and eligibility.

Information is also available at

www.shepherdshope.org.

n He touched the lives of

thousands

Harry Robert Bumba, aka

Santa, who brightened Christmas

Harry Robert Bumba, aka Santa, dies at the age of 79.

for many children and adults, was

laid to rest by his family and friends

on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.

Well-known throughout the Southwest

Orlando community, Harry portrayed

Santa Claus for many local businesses,

including the Loews Portofino

Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando for

12 years; Orlando Health Dr. P.

Phillips Hospital; Beverly Hills

Jewelry, Watch & Loan; and Dave

Duffy’s Christmas parties. He was

loved and cherished by many people,

including his parents, John and

Eva Bumba; his wife, Barbara

Becker of Orlando; his children,

Beth Sullivan (John) of Winter

Garden and Edward Bumba of

Orlando; his grandchildren, T.J. and

Megan Sullivan of Winter Garden;

and of course, his two dogs, Taffy

and Shadow. Harry leaves behind a

legacy that touched the lives of thousands

and brought cheer to many. In

lieu of flowers, the family requested

donations be made to the Society for

the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

n Resource for families with

special needs kids

Nathaniel’s Hope, a nonprofit

operating since 2002 and one of

nine organizations tapped by the Tim

Tebow Foundation as a “Shine On”

partner, provides free resources, training

and education; and Buddy Break

respite programs, a series of special

events and plenty of encouragement

for special needs (VIP) kids, their families

and caregivers throughout North

America.

To provide extra support to VIP

families during this critical time,

Nathaniel’s Hope produced a series

of free programs, including

a recently launched

virtual online version of its

traditional “Buddy Break”

brick and mortar respite

program, which operates

in 32 states throughout

the nation. Fun activities

to engage VIPs are now

available in digital format

for families to enjoy together

in the comfort and

safety of their homes. The

virtual Buddy Breaks are


available at www.youtube.com/

watch?v=u0RcdhUHBAY&t=1300s

and www.nathanielshope.com.

In addition, Nathaniel’s Hope

has produced a host of downloadable

activities and materials to keep

VIP kids entertained, along with resources

for parents and caregivers,

through its website and social media

pages.

n Firehouse Subs meals for

local heroes

Local Firehouse Subs franchisees

Scott Anthony and Don Davey

partnered with the Firehouse Subs

Public Safety Foundation to donate

more than 300 Firehouse Subs meals

to feed health care workers and first

responders who have been going

without warm meals during this time.

They have donated meals to doctors,

nurses, police officers, firefighters

and staff at AdventHealth Hospital in

Apopka, Deland Police Department,

Orlando Police Department,

City of Altamonte Springs Police

Department, Orange County Fire

Rescue Station 36, Osceola Regional

Medical Center, Solaris Healthcare in

Subs Public Safety Foundation partnered

with Firehouse Subs restaurants

to feed health care workers

and first responders on the front lines

of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well

as individuals and families in need

and seniors who are unable to leave

their homes. People also can donate

to support the relief efforts online at

www.firehousesubsfoundation.org/

donate/.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Following the announcement of

Gov. Ron DeSantis initiating Phase

1 of the safe, step-by-step plan for

Florida’s recovery, West Orange

Chamber of Commerce

President and MetroWest resident

Stina D’Uva declared west

Orange County open for business.

“If we are smart and follow all of

the safety protocols, we will be

able to get to Phase 2 sooner,” she

said. WOCC builds partnerships,

strong businesses and commitment

to the community by serving as

the leading business advocate in

www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x 11

photo courtesy of WOCC

West Orange Chamber of Commerce President and MetroWest resident Stina

D’Uva (center) and team members Tracy Solly (left) and Krista Carter declare west

Orange County open for business. ª

Your health and safety is our top

priority. Please visit our website at

WWW.WINDERMERESMILES.COM

for our advanced safety protocols.

And a BIG THAIMK YOU to all the frontline workers who

helped keep us safe these last 2 months.

AMERICA STRONG!!!

Scott Anthony and Don Davey, local Firehouse Subs franchisees, partner with

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to deliver Firehouse Subs meals to Orange County

Fire Rescue Station 36, as well as other police, firefighter and health care organizations.

Ocoee, AdventHealth in Kissimmee,

Orlando Health in Winter

Garden, and Nemours Hospital.

Through the foundation’s COVID-19

Disaster Relief Fund, the Firehouse

Central Florida, facilitating opportunity

to nearly 1,000 member businesses.

For more information about

WOCC, call 407-656-1304 or visit

wochamber.com.

Emilia Godoy-Rapport

D.M.D.

(407)909-1097

401 Main Streel, Suite A, Windermere, Fl 34786


12 x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com

SOUTHWEST

SEEN

Cornerstone Hospice teams have been visiting local hospitals,

assisted living facilities and nursing homes to express their

appreciation to staff members and support personnel for the

patients and/or residents. Dubbed the Share the Love Tour, the

caravan recently visited the Orlando Health campus in Ocoee,

including a stop at the Orlando Health Center for Rehabilitation.

#AmericaWorksTogether

Send us your favorite photo — old or new — of you

and your dad. (Don't worry, we'll return it!) The best

ones, as judged by our editorial staff, will win your dad

some great prizes from area businesses. Even if you don't

win, your picture could appear as an honorable mention

in the Southwest Orlando Bulletin. Don't delay! All

photos must be received by May 27 for a chance to

appear in our June 18 issue.

Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, email address, your

dad's name and your dad's neighborhood. Feel free to include any additional

information about the photo. You and your dad must reside in Southwest

Orlando. Professional photos will not be considered.

Submit online at www.southwestorlandobulletin.com

To submit photos, email lauren@kearneypublishing.com

2018 Winner 2019 Winner


www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x 13

West Family Law Group

A Collaborative Approach to Family Law

Life’s journey has many stressful

situations. Moving to another state,

losing a job, marriage planning and

divorce are among those which create

the most emotional stress. Luckily,

there are experts for advice and support

in such times of uncertainty.

When it comes to family law,

West Family Law Group has the

expertise needed to help navigate

the emotional experience of separating

from one’s spouse. Attorneys

Richard D. West and Adam R.

Sackrin empower their clients by

giving them facts and the options

they need in order to focus on a positive

outcome for all concerned.

The firm is a boutique marital and

family law practice that advocates for

their clients’ rights and for their best

interests. Richard focuses on customtailored

solutions for restructuring

families. For more than 35 years, he

has participated in high-profile cases,

litigating financially complex and

high-asset divorces. He is board-certified

in marital and family law by The

Florida Bar and a fellow of both the

American Academy of Matrimonial

Lawyers and the International Academy

of Family Lawyers.

This year, Richard was named

a diplomate of The American

College of Family Trial Lawyers. The

American College is a select group

of 100 of the top family law trial lawyers

from across the United States.

It was formed in 1993 to bring together

some of the best trial lawyers

in America, practicing sophisticated

and complex family law and matrimonial

matters both domestically and

abroad, ranging from the dissolution

of marriage (divorce), paternity, alimony,

child abduction and domestic

torts. Diplomates, all of whom are

members of the American Academy

of Matrimonial Lawyers, are chosen

based on their recognized litigation

skills and courtroom abilities.

Adam received his Juris Doctor in

2013 from the University of Miami

School of Law and is currently working

on his board certification. He

also received the 2020 Elite Lawyer

Award from Elite Lawyer. According

to their website, this award is given

to the most outstanding and experienced

lawyers who can meet or exceed

a demanding criteria. Adam is

a native of Miami and sees Richard

as a mentor and an admired friend.

“Richard has a wealth of knowledge

and experience,” Adam said.

“He is a walking encyclopedia of

Florida family law. He is available to

consult with me and shed his wisdom

on every case we accept.

“Richard handles both domestic

and international cases with complex

family holdings and closely

held businesses. I provide support

on those cases while also managing

my own robust caseload of custody

and timesharing disputes, original divorces,

paternity actions and modifications

of existing judgments.”

West Family Law Group is a pioneer

in the practice of collaborative

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

law, which resolves family differences

without going to court. By focusing

on settlement, not conflict, and

without a trial, the parties maintain

control of the outcome. Families can

move on with life faster and avoid

the financial and emotional expenses

of litigation. A collaborative case

is generally less expensive, quicker,

more confidential and achieves a

more desirable result than traditional

divorce litigation. Richard was

one of the first attorneys in Central

Florida trained in collaborative law.

“We believe the collaborative approach

is the future of marital and

family law in the United States,” he

said.

If a person wants to retain control

of decisions affecting the restructuring

of a family’s emotional and financial

future, a collaborative decision

may be the most desirable way to

go. Collaborative settlements make

successful divorces. Ninety percent

of Richard’s cases settle amicably

outside of court.

When a divorce does go to court,

there are many concerns which West

Richard D. West (left) and Adam R. Sackrin take a team approach to family law at West Family Law Group.

Family Law Group can help a client

consider and resolve. These include

alimony, child support, custody and

timesharing with children. The attorneys

also handle enforcement and

modification actions.

Richard has extensive experience

in drafting and litigating pre- and

postnuptial agreements. When thinking

of getting married, it is important

to learn what legal rights and

obligations are created that affect

a person’s financial future. The firm

can give clients that education and

discuss whether a prenuptial agreement

is appropriate.

Richard and Adam believe in a

team approach to helping their clients.

“We work with only the most qualified

and experienced financial and

mental health professionals in order

to help our clients through this difficult

experience,” they said. “An educated

client is our strongest ally.”

West Family Law Group is located in Suite 130 at

7009 Dr. Phillips Blvd. in Orlando. For more information

or to schedule a consultation, call 407-425-

8878 or visit westfamilylawgroup.com. ª


14 x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com

NYC Dance Company, Bloque 45, Publix Supermarket

at Plantation Grove Shopping Center, The Big Cheese

Truck, and Westbrooke Elementary’s PTO.

School News

SEEN

Since students couldn’t come to school because of

COVID-19, the teachers and staff members of

Whispering Oak Elementary School decided to go to

their students. To show their love and support for each

other, the teachers and staff decorated their cars and

drove through students’ neighborhoods. The children

returned the gesture by making and holding up signs

while waving as the cars drove by.

#AmericaWorksTogether


Southwest Orlando Home & Real Estate | May 2020 | 1

A Starter Home

Wish List

Preparing to

Sell a Home?

The State of Home

Improvement

Home & Garden

©Simon Simaan/407-558-1396

Available in Isleworth

6300 Deacon Circle, Windermere


2 | May 2020 | Southwest Orlando Home & Real Estate

A home is one of the biggest purchases

and sales people will make

in their lifetimes. Selling is typically a

well-thought-out decision. According

to the Zillow Group, sellers spend

about seven months on average

thinking about their decision to sell.

It also states that 62% of sellers own

their homes for 10 or more years before

selling. That’s a decade or more

of memories within the walls of your

home. Getting it ready for a new

family and making sure your home

sells for its top value can be a challenge,

but there are steps you can

take to show your home at its highest

potential.

• Create curb appeal. First impressions

are important. The first

in-person view a buyer has of your

house is while pulling up to the curb

or into your driveway. This can make

or break a buyer’s impression of your

home. Make your landscape appealing

by keeping the lawn mowed,

bushes trimmed and all flowerbeds

neat and weed-free. Pay special attention

to the front door area, as most

buyers will pause here while their

Realtors open the door. Sweep away

cobwebs or unsightly bug areas. Even

power-washing the driveway, walkway,

front porch and roof turns a drab

appearance into a sparkling one.

• Depersonalize. As difficult as

it may be, you have to take a step

back and stop thinking about your

house as yours. You want buyers to

be able to imagine themselves living

in the home, which means removing

any personal items. Take down

cute knickknacks, family photos or

anything else that makes potential

buyers feel like a visitor instead of

DON’T MISS OUT

ON FUTURE ISSUES!

Delivered

to your

mailbox

or inbox.

407-351-1573

www.southwestorlandobulletin.com

Preparing to Sell a Home?

Tips for Showing Your House at Its Best!

by Lauren Salinero

Most people begin to draw conclusions about a home as soon as they pull up to it, so curb

appeal is a must for a quick, stress-free sale.

a potential owner. No matter what

your personal tastes are, remember

that you want your house to appeal

to as many people as possible.

• Paint. According to the Zillow

Group, 36% of sellers paint prior to

selling. It’s one of the easiest ways to

freshen up your home. When choosing

a paint color, remember to keep

it neutral. Though you may love that

teal color on the walls, it is hard for

potential buyers to look past colors

that don’t match their tastes. Light,

neutral colors will appeal to the most

people while also making rooms appear

large, bright and airy.

• Declutter. If you are still living in

your home, you’ll want to rent a storage

unit and declutter as much as

possible. Remove all oversized furniture

that may make rooms appear

smaller than they are. Remember,

you want potential buyers to visualize

their own furnishings in the

space, which is easier to do without

all of your personal items in the way.

Don’t be tempted to fill up your closets

and storage areas. Buyers want

homes that have plenty of storage,

and a messy closet looks small and

unappealing. Clear out anything

from the home that isn’t essential.

• Stage with purpose. You’ll want

to use the furniture and items that

you do keep in the house to show

off each room to its best advantage.

Make sure each space has a purpose.

If you have a spare room that

isn’t used for anything in particular,

consider turning it into an office,

playroom or guest bedroom. The

idea is to show buyers the potential

in the home. To appeal to the majority

of people, try to distance yourself

emotionally from the house. Walk

through room by room, pretending

that you are seeing it for the first

time, and make any adjustments you

may notice.

• Make minor repairs. If there is

anything in the house you’ve been

meaning to repair but haven’t gotten

around to — leaky faucets, squeaky

hinges, damages to the walls, etc.

— now is the time to fix it. Not repairing

minor fixes makes your

home look older and less cared for.

It gives the impression that you didn’t

keep up with the maintenance while

living there, which is a red flag for

buyers. They will likely doubt your

upkeep on major issues, like the roof

or AC unit, if small repairs aren’t

taken care of.

• Clean, clean, clean. If you’ve

ever thought your house was at its

cleanest, think again. Now is the

time to clean your home like you’ve

never cleaned before. You’ll want to

deep-clean carpets, dust every inch,

wipe down floorboards and scrub

tile grout. If you feel overwhelmed,

don’t hesitate to call in a professional.

Residential cleaning companies

are well-versed in how to get a home

spotless for a sale. Don’t forget the

smell test. The way your home smells

is just as likely to influence a buyer

as how it looks. If it smells like pets,

is stuffy or stinky, buyers will be put

off no matter how great the house

looks. There’s a reason why baking

cookies before an open house is a

favorite trick of Realtors everywhere;

it gives the house a homey, comforting

smell. You can also use essential

oils, candles or wax melts to infuse

an inviting scent of your choice.

• Take photos. Though in-person

first impressions have been mentioned

before, the true first impression

happens before a buyer steps anywhere

near your home. According

to The National Association of

Realtors, 87% of homebuyers who

used the internet during their home

search found photos very useful. The

pictures you post of your home can

mean the difference between potential

buyers contacting their Realtors

to view the home or moving on to

the next listing. If you can, have a

professional take photos. Some

Realtors even offer photos as part of

their service to sellers. If you take the

photos yourself, make sure you have

good lighting and take clear photos

of each room and the outdoor

areas. Consider including a virtual

tour. In today’s digital age and with

strictures of social distancing, many

buyers appreciate the virtual experience

of walking through a home

before taking the time to view it in

person.

Although other factors — like location,

style and size of the house,

and price — play pivotal roles in

buyers’ decision-making, when preparing

your home to sell, show it

at its absolute best, and buyers will

imagine themselves turning your

house into their home. ª


When we’re young, many of us

dream about living like the “king and

queen of our castle” — residing in a

big, bountiful, mansion-like home in a

coveted community. While that grandiose

vision may eventually come to

fruition for some, the reality is that the

first home most people end up buying

likely comes with some compromises:

perhaps a smaller footprint,

fewer amenities or a neighborhood

that may not be our first choice.

Clovered officials recently conducted

a study (details at tinyurl.

com/clovered19) to find out what

is on the starter home wish list for

most. The following are among the

key findings:

• The ideal size is 3,320 square

feet for millennials, 3,311 for

Generation X, and 2,949 for baby

boomers.

• The top-three ideal home styles

are, in order: modern, ranch and

Victorian for millennials; and ranch,

modern and Victorian for Gen Xers

and boomers.

• The ideal number of bedrooms

and bathrooms, respectively, is 4.2

Starter Home Wish List

Features That Matter Most in a First Home, by Generation

by Erik J. Martin

and 3.3 for millennials; 4.1 and 3.2

for Gen Xers; and 3.7 and 3.1 for

boomers.

• The top-rated factors when buying

a starter home are affordability

(ranked tops by 75.1%), low crime

rates (70.5%), proximity to work

(45.2%), climate (40.3%) and geography

of the area (39.7%).

• The most-valued starter home features

are central A/C (62.7%), a private

backyard (61.9%), storage space

(53.5%), ample natural light (50.4%),

hardwood floors (39.5%) and a separate

laundry room (40.3%).

The difference between the perceived

acceptable starter home cost

and the actual starter home price

is highest in Massachusetts (where

starter home costs are $86,811 higher

than anticipated), Washington

($69,854 higher) and California

($51,689 higher); and lowest in

Southwest Orlando Home & Real Estate | May 2020 | 3

Ohio ($5,928 less than expected),

Texas ($3,353 less) and Michigan

($3,171 less).

Janelle Thomas, a real estate

agent, says most of these findings

align with what she sees in the market

nowadays.

“Today’s starter homes are often a

matter of taste and expectation,” she

said. “In many cases, starter homes

have evolved into more functional living

spaces that have been updated

for style as well as the current needs

of today’s families.”

Given that starter homes are typically

purchased by younger buyers

(especially millennials), it’s essential

for these home shoppers to set realistic

expectations based on what they

can afford.

“Most buyers of average-priced

starter homes in my market will not

find the central air or private laundry

room that they desire,” says Jeremy

Zucker, an agent. “I constantly remind

buyers that they need to stick

to their budget and keep their housing

expense at a maximum of 35%

of their monthly gross income. This is

important so that buyers don’t stress

out about their upcoming mortgage

payment and can ideally save money

for other goals, like renovations,

retirement, college savings and

more.”

Zucker stresses that, instead of

wish list amenities like a decked-out

kitchen, private backyard or hardwood

floors, first-time buyers should

prioritize quality construction and

a desirable neighborhood with low

crime and reliable services.

But if you can afford it, a wellequipped

first home that you won’t

need to fix up soon after moving in

can be a smart purchase.

“Many millennials are staying in

their starter homes longer and looking

for a turnkey residence,” says Alison

Bernstein, president of a real estate

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4


4 | May 2020 | Southwest Orlando Home & Real Estate

RULES

OF

MODERN

TM

INVESTING

#1

#2

ASK YOUR BROKER QUESTIONS.

ASK YOUR BROKER MORE QUESTIONS.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

firm. “They don’t want to be spending

their weekends picking out faucets or

remodeling their home.”

Kyle Wallace, CEO of Wallace

Group/Keller Williams Realty in

Franklin, Tennessee, finds this latter

trend troubling.

or be looking for luxurious amenities

and features. And they need

to keep timelines in perspective —

no purchase is worth being ‘house

poor.’”

For these and other reasons,

Thomas recommends considering a

condominium, townhome, duplex or

other residences within a new/newer

#3

IF YOU DON’T LIKE THEIR ANSWERS,

ASK MICHAEL.

Visit Schwab.com/Questions to learn more

Michael Wytiaz, CFP ® , Financial Consultant

Windermere Independent Branch

4848 S. Apopka Vineland Rd, #204

407-909-0485

schwab.com/windermere

The Charles Schwab Corporation provides a full range of brokerage, banking and financial

advisory services through its operating subsidiaries. Its broker-dealer subsidiary, Charles

Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), Member SIPC, offers investment services and products, including

Schwab brokerage accounts. Its banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank (member FDIC and

an Equal Housing Lender), provides deposit and lending services and products.

©2020 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC.

(0917-739) SCH1484-7 (2/20)

When buying your first house, a wish list can help you decide what you need in the home

and what you’re willing to compromise on.

“Many first-time buyers aren’t willing

to put in the sweat equity like

previous generations, often due to a

mix of demanding jobs and lack of

know-how with fixer-upper projects,”

he says.

Consider that, on average, most

homeowners remain in their properties

for only about seven years,

“and that number is even lower for

first-time buyers,” Wallace says.

“So first-timers should not expect

subdivision as a starter home, if you

can afford it.

“Being in a building or subdivision

can offer a good start for first-time owners,

and builders often have attractive

buying options that buyers may not get

with an existing older home,” Thomas

says. “This also allows you to live in a

community that is required to be wellkept,

which will aid in selling quickly

when it’s time to move.”

©CTW Features ª

Pressure Washing

Drainage Solutions

Lightning Damage

Locate Valves

Wire/Valve Issues

Timers/Rain Sensors

Moving/Adding Heads

Sprinkler Maintenance Program

Pre/Finish new Pools/Patios

Landscaping

Residential & Commercial

Since 2005

Licensed & Insured

IRRIGATION

The Water Conservation Specialist

Joseph A. Kelly

407-433-3233 • 407-433-3234

www.sparklingjak.com

E: info@sparklingjak.com


Judging by the numbers, this

country continues to have home improvement

fever. Consider that an

estimated $326 billion was spent on

remodeling in 2019, according to

the Joint Center for Housing Studies

of Harvard University data — down

from a record $425 billion spent in

2017, but still no small amount.

Of course, some states spend

more on residential upgrades than

others. Curious where your home

state places among renovation dollars

paid in 2019? Fixr.com has

gathered a list (details at tinyurl.

com/fixr112019) based on data provided

by the National Association

of Home Builders. While some of

the top states aren’t surprising, others

are. Among the findings:

The 10 biggest spenders are: (1)

California ($20.2 billion spent); (2)

Texas ($14.2 billion); (3) New York

($12.9 billion); (4) Florida ($11.8 billion);

(5) Pennsylvania ($9.8 billion);

(6) Illinois ($9.2 billion); (7) Ohio

($8.3 billion); (8) Michigan ($7.8

billion); (9) New Jersey ($6.7 billion);

and (10) North Carolina ($6.0

billion).

The bottom five spenders are

Wyoming, D.C., and Alaska ($400

million each), Vermont ($500 million),

and North Dakota ($600 million).

Most states are expected to

spend between $1 billion and $5

billion. The top-spending states are

also those where the construction industry

is booming.

Nearly 31% of homeowners make

improvements in each state. This

growth in home improvement spending

is likely due to a rise in median

income levels and the fact that many

owners are opting to stay put and

upgrade versus buying a new home

with upgrades already built-in.

Yuka Kato, an industry analyst

at fixr.com, says the main takeaway

here is obvious: More highly populated,

urban and developed states

have higher rates of expenditure

than others. Yet, she didn’t expect

the wide divide in spending between

many states.

“Given the cost of living in

California, it makes sense that it

would come in above the others,”

she says. “But the rate of spending

The State of Home Improvement

Where Does Florida Rank on Home Improvement Spending?

by Erik J. Martin

Effective planning is the key to an effective renovation.

outstrips other states so much that it

was a little surprising. I’m going to assume

it has something to do with the

cost of living and how urban or rural

areas are. Take New Hampshire

and Massachusetts, adjacent states

with similar climates and styles of

architecture. Massachusetts is much

more urban and developed than

New Hampshire, and the spending

on home improvement in the former

is much higher than in the latter —

$5.5 billion versus $1.1 billion.”

Realtor Amanda Bettencourt

says these results lined up with her

expectations.

“I think if we were to look at the

states where the population is investing

more into home renovations, we

would also find a connection with

increased pay compared to other

states,” says Bettencourt.

Even though officials of the Joint

Center for Housing Studies of

Harvard University expects remodeling

activity to decelerate this year,

others predict a continuation of big

spending on home improvements

across the nation.

“More consumers have built up

equity in their homes and are able

to draw it out for home improvement

Southwest Orlando Home & Real Estate | May 2020 | 5

projects today,” says Realtor Maria

Holland. “Today, consumers want

their upgrades now, without waiting,

and they want it to look like

what they find on the internet or

HGTV.”

If you’re planning a renovation

project this year, prepare carefully

and crunch the numbers.

“Ask yourself: How are you going

to fund these improvements — by

paying cash, taking out a home equity

line of credit, pursuing a home

equity loan, or using credit cards?”

Bettencourt says. “Each method has

its pros and cons that you should

investigate carefully. Also, are the

improvements you want to invest in

this year going to make it easier or

harder for you to sell later on down

the road? Which projects offer the

best return on your investment?”

Kato says if you’re planning on

putting a lot of money into your

home, “you should also be seriously

considering remaining in your

home for at least five years in order

to see the biggest benefits and

still get a decent return on your

investment.”

©CTW Features ª

EXTERIOR HOME CLEANING

AND SPECIALTY

COATING SERVICES

PRESSURE WASHING

DECORATIVE SCORED CONCRETE

PAVER SEALING

POOL DECK COATING

321-947-2541

Imperial Outdoor Living, LLC

Facebook.com/imperialoutdoorliving


6 | May 2020 | Southwest Orlando Home & Real Estate

Home & Garden

Spring has sprung and so has the organizing and sprucing-up energy

that usually goes with it. Southwest Orlando Bulletin’s Home & Garden is

a compilation of local experts who can improve and protect your home

and garden this season.

Imperial

Outdoor Living LLC

A screen enclosure is a great way to enjoy your backyard in bug-free comfort,

and it provides a perfect place for entertaining and hosting celebrations. MD

Construction LLC offers free estimates and custom designs. For more information,

call 321-663-5203 or email info@mdconstructionfl.com.

MyGardens

Imperial Outdoor Living LLC is an exterior home improvement company

with more than 10 years of experience in its field. The staff handles

everything from pressure washing to paver sealing. They are highly focused

on providing the best possible service available for all their clients’ home exterior

needs. Imperial Outdoor Living shows up! They get the job done right,

and they do it in a timely fashion. Absolute customer satisfaction is what they

strive for, and it’s their guarantee for every customer every time. They are

confident that you will enjoy working with them. For more information, call

321-947-2541 or visit facebook.com/imperialoutdoorliving.

MD Construction LLC

MD Construction LLC is your expert source for pool/screen enclosures,

screen rooms, sunrooms, patio covers and lanais. The company provides highquality

enclosures using material that is manufactured right here in Florida.

Enjoy growing flowers, tomatoes and lots of fresh vegetables and herbs in

just 8 square feet on your balcony or patio. KoolSci Inc. makes and supplies


professional, carefree, hydroponic MyGardens of all sizes for both indoor

and outdoor use. Nothing thrills like “Kool Science!” For more information,

call 407-965-9867, email info@koolsci.com or visit www.koolsci.com.

Southwest Orlando Home & Real Estate | May 2020 | 7

area’s largest paver display for your outdoor living spaces. Royal Landscape

Nursery is located at 2204 Hempel Ave. in Gotha. For more information, call

407-296-3042 or visit www.royallandscapenursery.info.

Royal Landscape Nursery

Royal Landscape Nursery is the place to go to beautify your garden.

You can avoid crowds at the big box stores, save money and get better quality.

Browse beautiful outdoor gardens for all sizes of plants, trees, palms,

shrubs, sod, mulch, rocks and pottery. For homeowners and professional landscapers,

Royal has the best quality and prices. In addition, check out the

Sparkling Jak’s Irrigation

The staff at Sparkling

Jak’s Irrigation know what

they’re talking about when it

comes to commercial or residential

irrigation. With more

than 40 years of experience in

the business, they’ve seen it all

and done it all. Sparkling Jak’s

specializes in sprinkler system

repairs; sprinkler system upgrades

along with rain sensors;

valve locations/solenoid issues;

new construction before and

after pools, patios or septic

tank installations; modifying existing

new or old irrigation systems;

moving sprinkler heads;

lightning damage; drainage

issues; pressure cleaning;

tree removal and more.

For more information, email

info@sparklingjak.com. ª

Royal Landscape Nursery

• Pottery

• Citrus Trees

• Topiaries

• Palm Trees

• Mulch

• Rocks

• Ground Cover

• Shrubs, etc.

WE DELIVER

Call for availability

and pricing

Royal Brick Pavers

• Driveways • Patios • Walkways • Retaining Walls • Pool Decks • Fire Pits

SOD, SOD, SOD

• By the Piece • St. Augustine Floratam

• St. Augustine Palmetto

• Pallet

• Zoysia Empire

• 1/2 Pallet • Bahia

Paving the way to beautiful living

Now selling

Fruit trees

Nursery: (407) 296-3042

Pavers: (407) 296-8545

*Please call ahead or check us on

google for Saturday hours

RoyalLandscapeNursery.info

For future Events and Specials, visit our website and follow us on social media.

2204 Hempel Avenue, Gotha, FL 34734 | Mon–Fri 7am – 4pm • Sat* 8am – 3pm


22 x May 21 — June 3, 2020 x www.SouthwestOrlandoBulletin.com

n Charities/Fundraisers

Aug. 29 — Benefit Wine Tasting

The Mini Cooper Showroom, 350 S. Lake Destiny

Drive, Orlando, hosts The Dunhill Companies and

Fields Auto Group’s 13th annual Benefit Wine

Tasting. Time: 7-10 p.m. Cost: $100, with proceeds

benefiting Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and

Go Baby Go, UCF’s mobility and sociabililty program.

For more information, visit www.varietyflorida.org

or www.facebook.com/varietyflorida.

Oct. 9 — A Grand Night For Singing

The Alford Inn at Rollins College, 300 E. New

England Ave., Winter Park, hosts Opera Orlando’s

fifth annual gala, A Grand Night for Singing, a

black-tie event hosted by Orlando Sentinel columnist

Scott Maxwell and honoring Mary and Frank J.

Doherty. Activities include dinner, drinks, dancing,

silent and live auctions, and operatic selections

performed by renowned soloists. Time: 6 p.m. for

cocktail hour, 7 p.m. for formal dinner. Cost: $250,

with proceeds benefiting Opera Orlando’s future

seasons as it prepares to move to Steinmetz Hall at

the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. For

more information, to RSVP or to purchase tickets,

call 407-512-1900, email info@operaorlando.org

or visit operaorlando.org/gala.

Oct. 15 — Celebration Of Motherhood 2020

Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave.,

Orlando, hosts the Celebration of Motherhood

2020, including a plated breakfast. Time: 8:30-11

a.m. Cost: $50, with proceeds benefiting Healthy

Start Coalition of Orange County families. Donations

are appreciated, and sponsorships are available.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

For more information, call 407-228-1481 or email

info@healthystartorange.org.

Nov. 14 — Harvest Of Hope Garden Party

Matthew’s Hope Ministries’ seventh annual Harvest

of Hope Garden Party, including light hor’doeuvres,

music and fellowship, takes place at the Pines of

Windermere. Cost: $75, includes catered meal.

Donations are accepted online, and partnerships

are available. For more information, call 407-

905-9500, email scott.billue@gmail.com or visit

matthewshopeministries.org/partnership-levels.

n Classes/Programs

Through Sept. 1 — Virtual Events & Classes

The Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St., Winter

Garden, is open for essential services — returns,

grab-and-go service and computer usage for up

to one hour — only. Face coverings are required.

Virtual library events and classes take place through

Sept. 1. The Summer Reading Program also takes

place online through virtual Zoom events and meetups,

livestream events, prerecorded entertainment

on social media, and virtual reading challenges

and activities. For more information about the reading

program, visit ocls.beanstack.org/reader365.

For more information about library services, call

407-35-7323.

compiled by Lisa Sagers

n Events/Performances

June 1, July 6, Aug. 3, Sept. 7, Oct. 5,

Nov. 2 & Dec. 7 — First Free Mondays

Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando,

hosts First Free Mondays, during which guests can visit the

50-acres garden and explore more than 8,000 varieties

of plants. Time: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free. For more

information, call 407-246-2620 or visit leugardens.org.

n Networking/Clubs

May 27 — Virtual Horizon West

Networking Group Meeting

West Orange Chamber of Commerce holds a virtual

Horizon West Networking Group meeting. Time:

8-9 a.m. The meeting is exclusive to one person per

industry. For more information, email Tracy Solly at

tsolly@wochamber.com.

May 28 — Virtual Thursday Networking

Group Meeting

West Orange Chamber of Commerce holds a virtual

Thursday Networking Group meeting. Time: 8-9 a.m. The

meeting is exclusive to two business members per industry;

however, you must be a WOCC member to join. For more

information, email Tracy Solly at tsolly@wochamber.com.

n Volunteer Opportunities

Ongoing — Volunteers Needed

The Foster Grandparent Program seeks limited-income

volunteers 55-older to join in helping children in schools

all around Central Florida. For more information, call

407-298-4180 or visit volunteersforcommunityimpact.org/

wp-content/uploads/2020/01/FGP-Info-Flyer-1-13-20.pdf.

Ongoing — Volunteers/Docents Needed

Oakland Nature Preserve, 747 Machete Trail, Oakland, seeks

adults interested in learning about the history, wildlife, plants

and restoration efforts at ONP to volunteer at the preserve

to greet visitors, help answer questions and lead a tour from

time to time. Workdays are Mondays and/or Saturdays.

For more information, email outreach@oaklandnaturepreserve.org

or visit www.oaklandnaturepreserve.org/guide. To

register online, visit oaklandnaturepreserve.org.

Ongoing — Volunteers Needed

The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, 12 Mustard Seed Lane,

Orlando, seeks volunteers who can help with donation sorting,

mattress recycling, warehouse maintenance, administrative work,

special events or general maintenance. For more information,

call 407-875-2040, ext. 110; or email jessi@mustardseedfla.org.

Ongoing — Volunteers Needed

The town of Oakland seeks volunteers to assist in various

fun and fulfilling roles at The Healthy West Orange

Arts and Heritage Center. Applicants must consent to

a criminal background check. For more information,

call Pamela Stewart, 407-656-1117, ext. 2112; email

arts&heritage@aoklandfl.gov; or visit bit.ly/artsandheritagecenter.

Contributions to Community Bulletin Board are welcome. Please send

information six weeks before the event to P.O. Box 851, Windermere, FL

34787; call 407-351-1573, option 5; or email Lisa@kearneypublishing.com. ª

Mention

this ad and

get 10% off

any service.

Universal Service Center

YOUR ONE-STOP, ON-THE-SPOT SERVICE CENTER.

• ASE Certified Techs

• Import Service

• Precise Diagnostics

• Tires

• Towing

• Oil Change

ALL GENERAL REPAIRS.

• Batteries

• A/C Repairs

• Brakes

5989 Turkey Lake Road • 407-345-4860

Hours of operation:

M-F 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sat 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sun Closed

The West Orange Chamber of Commerce

FACILITATING OPPORTUNITY FOR OVER 45 YEARS

Dr. Phillips | Gotha | Horizon West | Lake Avalon | MetroWest | Oakland

Ocoee | Orlo Vista | Pine Hills | Windermere | Winter Garden

(407) 656-1304

Networking

Marketing

Education

Advocacy

Live and in Person.

Your Message Targeted.

Sharpen Your Saw.

Stay “In The Know” So You Can Grow.

Dr. John Nowell • Dr Ben Konynenbelt

SouthwestOrlandoEyeCare.com

7208 Sand Lake Rd., Ste. 202, Orlando, FL 32819

24/7 Emergency Eye Care 407.271.8931

• Adult and Pediatric Optometry • Routine Vision, Medical Eye Care and Vision Therapy

• Award-Winning Optical Boutique • Most Insurance Accepted

• Early Morning, Evening and Weekend Appointments Available

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Ken

PROFESSIONAL HANDYMAN

Interior & Exterior Painting

All Flooring • Pressure & Chemical Cleaning • Screen Repair

Drywall • Texture • Popcorn Removal • Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

407-769-1348

All Repairs, Improvements & Odd Jobs, Large or Small

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★


One record day after another. Although our intention was to be 100% mobile twice a week, the flow of people in

need is growing at the Outreach Center, as well. We are now caring for more people than we ever have, people

finding themselves homeless right here in our community. We are providing a Protective Mask, Food, Clothing and

Hygiene Items, and more to every Structurally Challenged Individual we serve, twice a week. Our inventory burn

rate is 6X what it was before the COVID-19 Crisis.

Our Bus has been converted into a moving pantry, distributing nonperishable foods, hygiene essentials and

basic clothing needs. Our Medical & Mental “Health Care” Team is visiting with each person, comforting, taking

temperatures & blood pressures, and making sure our homeless friends remain compliant on their medications,

dress wounds, etc. A third Team is delivering warm, prepared breakfasts and lunches sponsored by or prepared by

some of our Community Partners.

If you can’t get to us, would you consider ordering online and having your donation delivered to us; or donate

financially instead in the same amount you may have otherwise purchased? Without you, we cannot continue to

care for the homeless men, women and children of our community.

Want to help in some way? Need more information? Call 407.905.9500

or contact us at info@MatthewsHopeMinistries.org

To donate financially, TEXT MHM to 41444

or https://www.matthewshopeministries.org/donate-money

Donations can be delivered or shipped to 611 Business Park Blvd., #101, Winter Garden, 34787


P.O. Box 851

Windermere, FL 34786

PRESORT STD

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit #335

Lakeland, FL

Emergencies are never convenient. But your emergency care can be. With 24/7 care

that’s right in your community, the Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital Emergency

Room has the experience and expertise to care for any emergency situation.

• Accredited Chest Pain Center

• 24/7 adult and pediatric emergency care

• Dedicated Children’s ER

• Board-certified emergency medicine physicians

• Nurses certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and

Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and neonatal resuscitation

• Online scheduling for minor emergencies*

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!