<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="0.92">
<channel>
	<title>Insight Magazine &#124; Monthly East &#38; Southeast Orlando News Magazine</title>
	<link>http://www.insighteastorlando.com</link>
	<description>Community Print Magazine Serving East and Southeast Orlando</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 14:24:13 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<docs>http://backend.userland.com/rss092</docs>
	<language>en</language>
	<!-- generator="WordPress/3.3.2" -->

	<item>
		<title>Word on the Street: Do You Feel Safe in Lake Nona?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The mention of the Lake Nona area tends to spark conversation about growth and high quality of life from both the residential and business communities. With the rapid expansion of the area, has public safety and crime become a concern? Let’s go to the streets to get some answers directly from those who live and work here to find out exactly what their experiences have been with safety and crime in the Lake Nona. How safe do you feel in Lake Nona? By Kyle Davis His specialty is personal financial planning for individuals and families. Kyle is a true student of the financial planning environment, as it is an ever-changing and evolving business. His emphasis with his clients is education, and he believes that it is the planning process and discipline that drives success, not the products. Integrity Financial Group 9161 Narcoossee Road Suite 210 Orlando, FL 32827 Toll Free: 888-668-1414 Local: 407-271-8029]]></description>
		<link>http://www.insighteastorlando.com/featured/word-on-the-street-do-you-feel-safe-in-lake-nona/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=word-on-the-street-do-you-feel-safe-in-lake-nona</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Home1st Lending Helps Clients Afford Their Piece of the American Dream</title>
		<description><![CDATA[You’ve found the perfect new home and you’re ready to make an offer on it. You know that having a savvy Realtor on your team is crucial, but did you know that if you are planning to finance your home, it is equally important to have the right mortgage professional on your team? A reputable mortgage broker can save you time, money, and legal worries along the way, and help you avoid losing your dream home to financing errors and delays. Home1st Lending, LLC is full service Mortgage Lender based out of Central Florida, with offices located throughout the state of Florida.  The team of mortgage professionals pride themselves in offering personalized assistance, quality customer service and guidance to individuals seeking to buy a home loan, or those wishing to refinance their current home loan. From start to finish, they operate with the client in mind. You have the option of applying online, over the phone, or in person.  In most cases a pre-approval letter will be provided within 24 hours of applying. Theresa Lentini, CEO of Home1st, encourages home buyers to seek out a reputable mortgage company that works with a strong network of professionals, and one that has a relationship with a variety of lenders. “That is why Home1st has an established relationship with over 60 reputable lenders,” she says. Dedicated Loan Officers are available to work with you throughout the entire process. They work alongside a team of trained professionals that will assist in a smooth and stress-free loan process from start to finish. Their Central Florida offices are located in Heathrow (managed by Christian Lopez) and Avalon Park (managed by Zachary Bleznick). With the amount of twists and turns that could potentially play a factor in the financing of your home, it is important to be tied in with a lender that has a large arsenal of options to assist you. If an issue arises, you want a solution right away so you don’t have to start the process all over. They are able to match a client with a lender that best fits their needs, so that they can get approved without having each lender or bank re-pulling their credit. According to Bleznick, the real estate market is experiencing an upswing, and has become more of a ‘seller’s market’.  For this reason, a homebuyer needs to be strategic, and have flexible lending options available. Despite it being a seller’s market, there is good news for homebuyers. “Interest rates are at an all time low, so payments are extremely affordable,” says Lopez. With programs that offer as little as zero to three percent down, no mortgage insurance, or rehabilitation loans, it has made most clients who never thought they could buy before, eligible.  The banks have opened up lending for average credit score buyers as well again. There’s also good news for buyers who have been renting their current homes. With the combination of low rates and affordable home prices, many buyers are finding that their mortgage payments are the same if not lower than their existing rent payments Current homeowners can also look into refinancing options with Home1st. “Homeowners who have a loan backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac that originated their last loan before June of 2009, can now refinance regardless of the value of their home through the HARP 2.0 program,” explains Bleznick. The Home1st staff pride themselves in compliance and strive to uphold the highest ethics. They never promise anything that they cannot hold up to. “We never promise you anything just to get you into the door, what we offer is what we intend to deliver,” says Lopez. Home1st requests no upfront fees and offers an expanded residential loan portfolio, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, FHA REHAB, and HOMEPATH loans. “When looking for a lender, the best thing you can do is find one with a solid reputation and who will be available when you need them. In the ever changing market you need someone who is knowledge and trained to help you through the process,” says Lentini. “At Home1st, we are here for you. We want to help you through the whole process and get you into the home of your dreams” Looking for more information? Contact the Home1st Lending team today to learn how they can help you. Offices in Lake Mary and Avalon Park 407.624.4784 Info@MyHome1st.com www.MyHome1st.com By Lisa Hollaender]]></description>
		<link>http://www.insighteastorlando.com/rollingfeatured/home1st-lending-helps-clients-afford-their-piece-of-the-american-dream/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=home1st-lending-helps-clients-afford-their-piece-of-the-american-dream</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>School Safety Update: Orange County Protecting Students</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Ever since an intruder killed 26 people, including 20 children, at Sandy Hook Elementary, the country has questioned the safety of its schools. Parents, students and even teachers have wondered whether they’d ever feel safe in a school again. In response, local governments and school administrators have done their part to ramp up security in school districts across the country, including here in Central Florida. “Security is our number one focus,” says Daryl Flynn, a member of the Orange County School Board. “The most important aspect is that kids have a safe and secure environment to learn.” Flynn says that after the tragedy at Sandy Hook, the school board received a lot of questions from the public about the safety of Orange County Public Schools.  To assure the public of the schools’ safety, and to ensure that students are as safe as possible, the school board has taken multiple steps to enhance the security of local schools. One of the things the school board did was host a group meeting with representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and other organizations. Although much of the meeting and the plans that were discussed are confidential, Flynn says those representatives did help to strengthen the safety plan for local schools. Part of that plan does include common sense procedures, such as having one entrance accessible for visitors and having visitors identify themselves when they enter a school. The school board has also implemented mandatory intruder drills for the schools, so that students and teachers can be prepared in case of an emergency. But an intruder isn’t the only emergency that may arise. Bad weather and nearby criminal incidents are all issues that Flynn says the schools are prepared to handle. “If there’s something going on in the neighborhood, if we get a call from law enforcement, [we implement] what’s called a lockdown,” says Flynn. “No one can enter or leave the school.” But perhaps the biggest safety measure that was implemented this year was the addition of extra safety resource officers in certain elementary schools. In December, Orange County commissioners agreed to spend $3 million to staff the elementary schools in unincorporated Orange County with extra resource officers. Those officers have been in place since January and will stay until the end of the school year. Kathy Marsh, the PIO for Orange County Public Schools, says that before the tragedy at Sandy Hook, elementary schools had to share resource officers. This meant that the officers were in each school about once a week. But now, the resource officers are full-time. “On January 7, 2013 we began providing a deputy at every elementary school on a daily basis,” says Jane Watrel, the PIO for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. “It is done on a rotating basis since it has to be an overtime assignment for our deputies in addition to their patrol duties.” So the same officer may not be in the same school five days a week, but an officer is at each of those elementary schools at all times. The middle schools and high schools also have full-time resource officers and some high schools even have two officers on duty. Above all, Flynn says one of the best safety measures anyone can take is to communicate. Parents and children should talk with each other about what’s going on in school, and parents should address any safety concerns with either their children’s teachers or with Flynn herself. But Flynn says that parents should rest assured that their children are safe. “Our schools are secure,” says Flynn. “We have the best interest of child’s security at the forefront of everything we do.” To contact Daryl Flynn directly, visit www.DarylFlynnForEducation.com. By Marisa Ramiccio]]></description>
		<link>http://www.insighteastorlando.com/public-safety/school-safety-update-orange-county-protecting-students/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=school-safety-update-orange-county-protecting-students</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>What You Need to Know About Brush Fires</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Brush fires occur throughout the year in Florida. With the heat of summer on the horizon and the current lack of rainfall in Central Florida, an increased number of brush fires have broken out. Wildfires have become a major issue in the East Orlando area this season and it’s important to know exactly what they are, how they can affect you, and how you can protect yourself and your home. What is a Brush Fire? A brush fire, often called a wildfire, is an uncontrolled fire in an area of highly flammable vegetation. They can be started in numerous ways, spread rapidly and are fueled by dry, windy conditions. Recently, a bout with brush fires in Avalon Park has been keeping firefighters on their toes, causing them to evacuate five apartment buildings in the area as they attempted to get the flames under control. On March 2, a massive brush fire caused authorities to shut down I-95 and evacuate families from nearly 300 homes in Ormond Beach. Brush fires pose a major threat, especially with the prime conditions the Central Florida area offers. How Do Brush Fires Start? Just because the conditions are ripe for wildfires, doesn’t mean they always happen naturally. The most common cause of brush fires, about 9 times out of 10, is human carelessness. This includes people tossing out lit cigarette butts and burning dead branches. A few other, less common causes for wildfires include lightning and arson. In the United States, especially in this Central Florida heat, brush fires are primarily caused by the evaporation of moisture from the soil and plants. When the balance of water in these areas is not naturally equal, the plants dry out, and release ethylene, a very flammable gas. This gas spreads through the air and can be rapidly ignited. Brush Fire Safety Tips Florida experiences the second highest number of brush fires in the nation. In order to help prevent these wildfires from spreading in our community, especially during the current dry season, there are a few precautions you should take. If possible, be sure to clear 30 to 100 feet of space around your home and have a garden hose that is long enough to cover the perimeter. Keep your gutters and roofs clear of any debris and remove any combustible items from your home. In case a wildfire breaks out near your home, it’s important to have an evacuation plan. Create an escape route from your home to a safe location. Inform your family and designate a specific meeting place in case you get separated. Instruct your children on what to do if a wildfire should break out. Believe it or not, you can actually fight the fire with proper landscaping and create a defensible space around your home. You can do this by keeping trees and bushes trimmed and removing vines and shrubs that can carry fire upward from your yard. You should also replace any flammable mulch with gravel or lava stones. Lastly, it’s important to know your county’s burn bans, which are a mandatory, but temporary order that restricts the usage of fireplaces, wood stoves, and outdoor burning. As of April 18, 2013, both Polk County and Osceola County have burn bans in effect. By following these few simple steps, you can help ward off wildfires that destroy Central Florida homes, disturb the community and affect our economy. By Jacklyn Levine]]></description>
		<link>http://www.insighteastorlando.com/public-safety/what-you-need-to-know-about-brush-fires/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=what-you-need-to-know-about-brush-fires</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Insight on Education: Summer Reading with Your Student</title>
		<description><![CDATA[June 5 may mark the end of another school year for the students in Orange County Public Schools, but the summer offers approximately 11 weeks of exciting possibilities for learning.  Some families may embark on memorable vacations or take day trips to the beach while other children may spend time with relatives or attend various summer camps. Whatever experiences await your family this summer, don’t  forget to make reading a priority. Summer is a perfect time to discover the adventures that can be found within the pages of a book. Dr. Barbara M. Jenkins, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools, is challenging all students in grades (K-12) to read a collective 20 million minutes this summer. This challenge is based on clear research that children who do not read during the summer can lose up to three months of reading progress. According to Richard Allington (2007), by the time a struggling reader reaches middle school, summer reading loss can accumulate to a 2 year lag in reading achievement.  To embrace this challenge, parents can encourage their child to set personal, weekly goals that the family can monitor.  Keep in mind that for young children, reading to and with your child is appropriate and actually beneficial to them as developing readers. Logging all minutes will be easy to do using an online system sponsored by Scholastic.  More specific information about logging onto the system will be coming from your child’s school by the end of May. So, you may be wondering “What should my child be reading?”  Most middle school and high school students will have a required summer reading assignment. Have conversations with your child early in the summer will help to ensure that this assignment is not put off until the end of the summer. This assignment will vary based on the child’s grade in school and the language arts course that your child will be taking in the fall.  Required reading assignments provide a consistent foundation for instructional conversations when students return in the fall. Although required reading fulfills an important purpose, a child’s summer reading diet should also include self-selected titles and genres. Elementary, middle and high school aged students can find suggested book lists at The Orange County Library that will entice them to “Dig into Books!”   When considering materials that may be appropriate for your child to read, be sure to take a special look at digital options.  Digital books are very engaging! Through a generous partnership, two online book depositories, MyOn Reader and Raz-Kids, will be offered free of charge to the students currently in grades (K-8).   Visit ReadingIsFun.ocps.net for links to these and other websites for free educational content to keep your child’s brain engaged all summer long.  Together we can ensure that your child’s love of reading and learning heats up this summer! By Ella Shanks, Senior Administrator, Orange County Public Schools, Curriculum Services]]></description>
		<link>http://www.insighteastorlando.com/education/insight-on-education-summer-reading-with-your-student/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=insight-on-education-summer-reading-with-your-student</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Dissecting Local Crime Numbers</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Orange County saw a slight rise in total crimes between 2011 and 2012.  Data tracked by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in its semi-annual Uniform Crime Report indicated a climb in some crime categories, with a decline in others. The semi-annual report tracks total crimes, in addition to tracking specific categories of criminal activity during a six month period. While county burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, larceny, and forcible rapes were on the rise, reported incidences of murder, robbery, and aggregated assault declined. Areas patrolled by Orange County Sherrif’s Office, the agency that investigates and handles law enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Orlando, including the East Orlando neighborhoods of Waterford Lakes, Eastwood, Avalon Park, and the UCF area, experienced a 2.3 percent index change between 2011 and 2012, with a total crime index of 15,657 for January through June of 2012. Orlando Police Department jurisdiction, covering the incorporated City of Orlando, including Lake Nona, saw a 1.0 percent index change between 2011 and 2012, at the end of its semi-annual reporting period of January through June 2012.  OPD’s Total Crime Index was 9,345. According to OCSO’s Crime Analysis Unit, criminal activity in Sector 2 of East Orlando (including Waterford Lakes-Eastwood-Avalon Park), has so far risen in certain crime categories, but declined in most. While criminal activity is up in homicides and robberies, criminal activity, so far for this year in areas such as sex crimes, auto thefts, and residential and commercial burglaries. According to Sergeant Jim Young of OPD, “The safety of Orlando residents is a priority to both OCSO and OPD.” As an added responsibility, local law enforcement agencies must also tend to the safety and welfare of tourists who frequent the city each day. OCSO provides the following tips on how to make you a less likely victim of crime in Orlando: Protecting Your Home Have outside lights at all entrances to your home at night Keep plants around your home trimmed so an invader cannot hide near windows or doors Make sure garage doors are kept closed and locked at all times Outside doors should be made of solid core construction, including doors leading to garages Have a peephole viewer (180 degrees) on front door Use a deadbolt lock on doors Mark your valuables with your Florida Driver’s License Number CAR SAFETY If you cannot take valuables inside with you whenever you leave your car, store them in the trunk or out of view of passersby Park in well-lighted areas with pedestrian traffic When you return to your vehicle, have your door key in your hand TOURISTS Ask the hotel for directions to your destination and have a map or GPS for use (be sure to remove the GPS from your windshield or dashboard whenever you leave your car Always lock your hotel door using the deadbolt Don’t open your hotel door unless you know the person. If the person claims to be an employee, call the front desk and ask if they have sent someone to your room If you see something suspicious, call 911 immediately and the hotel management Give kids the hotel’s business card, so they will have on them the contact information of your hotel should you be separated Small children should have their name and number placed on their clothes label or inside of a shoe flap By Lisa Hollaender]]></description>
		<link>http://www.insighteastorlando.com/uncategorized/dissecting-local-crime-numbers/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=dissecting-local-crime-numbers</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Severe Weather Season 2013: Are You Ready?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[With Severe Weather Season in full swing, many residents are starting to see tornado warnings, flooding and severe thunderstorms in their own backyard. But what steps can you take right now, before disaster strikes? Keith Kotch, warning coordinator of the Orange County Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, provides a few steps that you can take to prepare for the next disaster. “If they haven’t already done so, they should 1) Make a Plan, 2) Build a Kit, and 3) Be Informed,” Kotch says. “We tend to focus on hurricanes but there are many hazards that can confront us throughout the year. We’re in severe weather season right now and wildfires can easily affect us during dry season.” Manual Soto, emergency manager for the City of Orlando, recommends that all residents purchase an NOAA battery-powered weather radio in order to receive information and alerts from the National Weather Service before disaster strikes their area. Kotch advises residents to purchase an AM/FM battery-powered radio as well, to stay connected to other areas around Central Florida if an evacuation is necessary. To see the East Orange Evacuation Route Map, Click Here. “The best time to prepare is now. We need to be prepared year-round for any kind of disaster,” Soto says. One of the easiest ways to prepare yourself and your family in times of emergency is to keep a self-sufficient energy and food source. “We recommend having sufficient clean water and non-perishable food supplies to last three to seven days,” Kotch says. “That’s based upon the idea that outside water and food supplies will be arriving within three days or services will be restored to the point that grocery stores will be able to be re-opened in a few days.” The most common and infamous natural disaster window, Hurricane Season, takes place from June 1 to November 30; however, Florida is also prone to other disasters such as tornadoes, floods and wildfires depending on the season. Evacuation routes in Orange County are marked along major and minor roadways by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and will be made known through the county’s OCAlert system, according to Kotch. “Simulation software is available to predict traffic choke points in order to help develop plans to re-route traffic as needed,” Kotch says. “Sometimes the best plans may not work quite right, so it’s to everyone’s benefit to always be prepared and have a plan to evacuate and do so if told to.” However, counties along both coastlines tend to evacuate into Orange County during times of emergency and opened shelters will be made available within the county via OCAlert. OCAlert is a text messaging-based opt-in emergency alert system that activates when weather warnings and disasters are made for Orange County through the National Weather Service, Soto says. When the OCAlert is activated, it will remain up-to-date on what is happening throughout the county. “People can register online and can highlight which alerts they are interested in,” Soto says. “It will notify you of emergencies, transportation and related information.” With the rise of social media during times of disaster, the City of Orlando and Orange County have jumped on the bandwagon and set up a Facebook and Twitter account for access during times of emergency. Citizens can also use both accounts to inform the county and/or the city of weather changes, traffic changes, missing persons and additional disasters such as fallen trees, loose electrical cables and wildfires. The OCFL Alert App and the Orange County 311 App are available for iPhones and Android smartphones. Stay in the Know For more information about how to prepare for an emergency, visit www.ready.gov  or www.floridadisaster.org.  To learn more about OCAlert, visit www.OCalert.net. Visit www.facebook.com/ORLOEM or www.twitter.com/ORLOEM to help keep the county up-to-date during natural disasters. By Anna-Michelle Lavandier]]></description>
		<link>http://www.insighteastorlando.com/featured/severe-weather-season-2013-are-you-ready/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=severe-weather-season-2013-are-you-ready</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Building Homes for Heroes</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Military veterans gave so much when serving this country, that it’s no wonder so many people want to give to them in return. Many nonprofits are dedicated to giving back to veterans and one of those nonprofits is making an impact here in  East Orlando. The nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes provides new, mortgage-free homes for severely wounded veterans. This past month, Building Homes for Heroes broke ground on a home in Lake Nona, the future home of Army Specialist Robert “BJ” Jackson and his family. In 2003, Jackson was wounded in Iraq when the vehicle he was driving struck a land mine. Jackson lost both of his legs below the knee and he suffered severe burns on his back, legs and arms. He spent almost two months in the post burn unit and now uses prosthetics to move about. After his recovery, Jackson was working with a nonprofit similar to Building Homes for Heroes when fate intervened. “I was working with another nonprofit and I was on the radio with J.R. Martinez to raise funds for the conference it was putting on,” Jackson says. “I guess while Andy [Pujol, the founder of Building Homes for Heroes] was driving around he heard the interview on the radio and he donated money to help us hold the conference.” After the event, Pujol decided that he wanted to provide mortgage-free homes for veterans. By 2006, Pujol had started Building Homes for Heroes, and Jackson, a motivational speaker, started working with the nonprofit. In the past seven years that the nonprofit has been operating, it has built dozens of homes in various states including New York, Florida, Texas, Arizona and California. The homes are built where the recipients choose. Jackson’s family, which includes his wife, Abby, and their six children, are originally from Des Moines, Iowa, but they decided to relocate to Lake Nona. “Actually, I’ve been coming down to Florida quite a bit in my travels and we love it here, we love the weather,” says Jackson. He said that his wife also saw it as an opportunity to give back and stay more involved with Building Homes for Heroes. Although the nonprofit is based in New York, it does have an office in Orlando on 3333 McCoy Road. Jackson says his wife knew that Lake Nona was the place after seeing the neighborhood of NorthLake Park, the subdivision where the house is being built. Although Jackson’s family is excited to move into the new house, Jackson wasn’t always ready to accept a new house from the nonprofit. “Actually [my home] was the one home Andy wanted to build, and he offered several times and I kept saying no,” says Jackson.  “And unfortunately my health and the secondary effects of my injuries from 2003 have gotten worse, and so I finally accepted.” The house will be built to meet Jackson’s needs and will hopefully be finished before Thanksgiving. “It’s a little different than a normal project – we work with contractor and they want to donate time but they have to fit the project into their schedule,” says Rodgers. “As we try to get donations, the timeline to complete a project will be six months versus three months.” Anyone can donate to Building Homes for Heroes or host a fundraiser for the nonprofit. For more information, visit www.BuildingHomesForHeroes.org or call the Orlando office at 407-803-5398.  By Marisa Ramiccio]]></description>
		<link>http://www.insighteastorlando.com/featured/building-homes-for-heroes/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=building-homes-for-heroes</link>
			</item>
</channel>
</rss>
