The Poinciana Crane

Over $1 Million for Osceola Homeless

Ready or not? Apparently, Osceola County's human services department has received $1,041,569 federal assistance for housing, and they don't even have an application ready.  That's why they're only accepting "voice applications" for those who would like to be placed on their mailing list to receive an application ... later.  (Where have I heard that before?)  To get your name on the mailing list, contact Lania Crouch at (407) 742-8411 or by email at Lcro2@osceola.org.

The grant is targeted to individuals and families who are homeless, living in a hotel/motel, nearly homeless, or about to lose their housing because of eviction or foreclosure.  The program is being administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Poinciana's Own Real Florida

Now through May is absolutely the best time to visit Poinciana's largest guarded nature preserve.  Without even leaving the area, you can take-in the wild with your family and enjoy the relaxation of Disney's Nature Preserve's new a buggy tours.  Click on the image to see a close-up of the two paths Disney offers around Russell Lake, a Poinciana exclusive.  For more information, call (407) 935-0002.  If you are into weekend trips, take a look at University of Central Florida's comprehensive list of parks in Osceola called Solutions for Your Life.  There are enough parks to keep you and your little Poincianans active any day of the week.  Disney's Nature Preserve is located at 2700 Scrub Jay Trail, Poinciana, FL  34759.  Click here to find their hours of operation.

Crescent Lakes' CFD to Meet in October

The public is welcome to the next meeting of Crescent Lakes common facilities district (CFD) will be held on October 13 at 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 4727 (4th Floor), Kissimmee, FL  34741.  For more information, contact:

• Irene Overton-Morgan, President

• April White, Secretary & Treasurer

• George MacArthur, Supervisor

$70,000 Study Presented to Poinciana Residents

The University of Central Florida will present a community Town Hall Meeting to discuss the results of their Poinciana Incorporation Study.  The presentation is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at 11 a.m. and a second presentation at 6:30 p.m. at Palmetto Elementary School.  The school is located at Palmetto School 315 Palmetto St, Poinciana - (863) 427-6012.

Crist Runs Out on Homeless

According to Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, Governor Charlie Crist allowed the state's Office on Homelessness to run out of funding.  And that's not even the bad news. 

The bad news, according to Tom Pierce of the Office on Homelessness, is that they have received over 5,600 applications but can only assist about 4,000.  Pierce even went on to say "that applications received after Friday, August 7, are not likely to be assisted." 

That was yesterday!

Click here to read the full DCF memo regarding this funding.

Poinciana Walmart Tornadoed?

With hurricane season now kicking up a bit a steam in our direction, remember: be prepared.  Below's a video taken in the parking lot of the Poinciana Wal-mart just last year.

Hispanic Clout Covered by NPR

Puerto Ricans in Central Florida was the focus of a story by National Public Radio earlier this summer.  According to their report, nearly 750,000 Puerto Ricans now live in Florida and that number is expected to grow exponentially over the immediate future as residents of the island are given $2,500 government incentive to move to the mainland. 

Apparently, because of public sector layoffs in the 10's of thousands, the island's governor has been including in each worker's severance package $2,500 to pay for relocation costs.  Because of the migration to expected to Florida, many are already predicting that "Florida will move past New York as the country's third most populous state" when the 2010 federal census is complete.  According to Aubrey Jewett, associate professor of political science at the University of Central Florida, that will eventually make Central Florida "a big political force."  Now all we need is for Hispanics in greater numbers to start running for political offices and say, "Muévase, Charlie!"

Free Medical Care

Considering the devastating impact of the housing crisis on fellow Poincianans, everyone much pitch in in whatever way possible to help each other.  For that reason, we're compiling information to help Poinciana's children and families in our times of need.  If you're in need of medical care, consider the following source:

On the last Wednesday of each month from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., you may find free medical care,just south of downtown Kissimmee on Harrelson Lane.  (See map .)  The only requirement is that you meet the definition of homelessness, which according to the federal McKinney Act is loosely defined as:

A person who lacks an adequate residence. It includes people sharing other people's homes because of loss of their own, those living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to a lack of adequate housing, and people living in cars or parks, or one of Poinciana's increasing number of abandoned homes.

Just look for the Medic Van at the end of the street on Harrelson.  It's hard to miss. To find out more or to donate your help, go HCCH Mobile.

Statewide Foreclosure Survey Closes

The Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Task Forceclosed an online survey that focused on the foreclosure issue in Florida.  They're in the process of tallying their survey, which will be made available on their website, www.flcourts.org.

While "Brisas" Opens Quizno's Closes

La Brisas del Caribe restaurant opened last month at the Solivita Marketplace.  Las Brisas or The Breezes is located off the corner of Marigold and Cypress at the Marketplace.  Marketplace also saw the closing of Quizno's. 

Crescent Lakes' CFD to Meet in August

The public is welcome to the next meeting of Crescent Lakes common facilities district (CFD) will be held on August 4 at 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 4727 (4th Floor), Kissimmee, FL  34741.  For more information, contact:

• Irene Overton-Morgan, President

• April White, Secretary & Treasurer

• George MacArthur, Supervisor

Try FL Grass

Former CEO of General Nutrition Centers (GNC), Greg Horn says,

The average suburban lawn uses six times more chemicals per acre than conventional farming.  And your kids and pets play on that lawn.  If just 10 percent of us switched to natural lawn care, more than half a billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides would be prevented from entering the environment and our kids' bodies.

Crescent Lakes' CFD Meets in April

The public is welcome to the next meeting of Crescent Lakes common facilities district (CFD) will be held on April 28 at 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 4727 (4th Floor), Kissimmee, FL  34741.  For more information, contact:

• Irene Overton-Morgan, President

• April White, Secretary & Treasurer

• George MacArthur, Supervisor

What's a Poincianer?

We've been getting feedback on our new poll, "What do you call a Poinciana resident?" and have found that most think there are more than three options than:

A Poincianan, Poincianite, or a Poincianer.

Do you have a suggestion?  Let us know by clicking on the Comments hyperlink below or email us with your suggestions.  We plan to post "anonymously" all the best suggestions in our holiday edition of The Poinciana Crane.

Caribbean Fusion

Representing a cultural mix of different styles of Caribbean, Spanish, and Hispanic music and dance, March is Caribbean Fusion month!  Boy, oh, boy, I hope the steel drums are there! Check here for dates.

Tankless Savings

Former CEO of General Nutrition Centers (GNC), Greg Horn says,

Energy and fuel efficiency can dramatically reduce use of fossil fuels.  Insulating your home can save you up to 15 percent on your utility bills each month.

For those into cutting edge appliances, consider replacing your old tired water heater with one of those so-called newfangled tank-less water heaters.  They can save a load, or two, and aren't actually so newfangled.  In fact, tank-less has been around for some time, but with the new environmental movement, it's finally caught on in popularity. 

If you go cutting edge, go Florida.  We build tankless water heaters right here.  Write us at Home@PoincianaHome.net for more information.

For more by Greg Horn visit the Poinciana Library.  You'll find there - along with other environmentally forward publications and public-access computers - a recently donated copy of his book Living Green.

Living Green by Greg Horn, 2006, pg. 76, Freedom Press, 1861 North Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, CA  90290.

"Smart Change" Group Working to Expand

How many reasons can we find for a "Smart Change" group in Poinciana?  Let me count a few.  We don't want:

• Poinciana referred to as a "ghost town," as "Angelina of Florida" describes our once bustling expanse of "Disney Preserve" real estate.

• The quality of our community to suffer from the long-term effects of its current housing crisis, such as green pools, which are now ripening for our upcoming hurricane season.

• A lawsuit because some unnamed governor couldn't manage to get an approval for a hospital.

That's why a group of Solivita residents, the same ones who stopped the Lake Hatch Ranch project, are now formalizing plans to start a group they've officially named "Poinciana Residents for Smart Change" or PRSC.(1)  To find out more about joining this growing group, contact Keith Laytham at (863) 496-1884 or email Keith.

Home Defenders Needed

According to Credit Suisse, there will be upwards of nine-million foreclosures in the next four years, at a potential cost to the economy of $702 billion, if something isn't done today to stimulate the economy. In response, ACORN is launching a "homesteading" campaign as part of their effort to prevent the widespread abuse of foreclosure.  Orlando, Florida, was chosen as one of their Tier 1 cities.  The Home Defenders program links members of local communities with families who have taken the assertive step of refusing to cooperate with the foreclosure process.

Meet the Senators

According to the Osceola News-Gazette, Osceola County, Florida, will hold a public meeting on January 9 to hear residents concerns, review bills, etc.  About half of Poinciana residents, who live in Osceola side of Kissimmee, are invited to attend.  See image at right for details.

Piggie's Hoard Store Opens

To fill the void of gifts and such not readily available in the area, we've joined Amazon and other big names in virtual retail to open shop here in Poinciana, Florida.  It's a safe and gas-saving alternative to traveling to even the local Walmart.  It's Piggie's Hoard.  We've stocked our shelves with:

• Books for Homeowners, Home Sellers & FSBO's;

• La Tienda de Poinciana con cosas para todas las familias de Poinciana; and

• Unique Lifestyle Merchandise

Look at some of what we're selling by clicking on our store below.

Osceola Oo-la-la

On November 15, the Osceola News Gazette kicked off a web site for the Hispanic community of Osceola County!  HolaOsceola.com offers Poinciana residents a meeting place for instantaneous distribution of information.  Anyone may register and post event information, business news, personal celebrations, school news, and free classified ads.  It was kicked off with tremendous local support including the following sponsors:

• Association of Poinciana Villages

• Poinciana Home Network. Email: Home@PoincianaHome.net. Direct: (407) 738-8042. PoincianaHome.net. Local foreclosures.  Real estate in Kissimmee.  Agent: Darhlene Zeanwick

Need Feed?

Considering the devastating impact of the housing crisis on each of our neighbors, everyone much pitch-in.  For that reason, we've compiling information for residents of Poinciana, our children and our families in this time of need. 

If you're in need of food, consider the following area sources:

Jobs for 2010 & Beyond

There's a statistic out there that young adults--between the ages of 18 and 24--leave the Poinciana area in droves.  The thought is that they're all going to colleges and universities around the world.  That's wonderful!  But does Poinciana have a place for them when they return?

Good local development will encourage these "natives" to return to Poinciana to live after their education or whatever spawns their interests.  Fortunately, Poinciana's got a future for them in the making.

Mozy on Backups

Mozy is the home computer's answer to seamless data backup.  For a limited time, get 2 GB of backup space absolutely free.  No setup fee, no credit cards, no expiration, no hassle.  Click the link here and Mozy will know we sent ja!

Loot for Thought

Many homeowners in the Poinciana area have been asking me why they have to pay Osceola and Polk taxes on high assessments when their home values and have dropped and their equities are gone.  The answer is, "You don't."

You can appeal your tax assessment.  In Poinciana, where home values continue to drop, if you win your appeal, you won't have to pay your county's over-inflated tax but one that would likely be more in line with your home's value.

In Osceola, appeals are handled through their Value Adjustment Board.  In Polk, they also have their own Value Adjustment Board.

As well, if the county does not re-evaluate your taxes, you may be able to present an argument that is gaining popularity among Florida voters.  It originated with a a letter to the editor of a publication produced by the the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR).

Internet is King Key

A new door locking system, the Schlage LiNKsystem, is not a newfangled gizmo that only promises to pocket your money, it actually has modern practical value.  It can be wirelessly set and opened via the Internet or from a mobile phone.

Users can lock or unlock the deadbolt, as well as change, activate or disable the locks using a secure four-digit code. If the high-tech approach isn't reasonable, the lock can also be opened using a keypad or the old-fashioned way with a key.

Help 4 Homeless

Rental assistance is available to any U.S. citizen who lives in Florida.  If you are in need of help go to the Department of Children & Families Office on Homelessness.  You can write to them at: PDHO, 1317 Winewood Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 23299-0700, or call them toll-free at (877) 891-6445.

One-stop Voting Registration

We're coming down the pike towards the last laps of the race for the White House. You're on your way to Yeehaw Junction when all of a sudden you realize, "I forgot to register to vote!" (Yeah, right.)  But let's just say that really happened. What are your options?

Stop at the next Starbucks? Library, work, or home office?  No!  Get online.  Register to vote in one short sitting. While you're experiencing the greatness of one-stop registration, think about some important facts about the upcoming elections in Florida. 

• The deadline to register to vote is October 6th.
• A majority of Floridians are registered and are registering as Democrats.
• Florida is also experiencing an unprecedented surge of newly registered voters.
• If you don't vote, your vote is lost

Polk county references Florida's version of the No-Match/No-Vote law, one that is similar to the controversy making headlines from Michigan.

Hurricane Season Not Over !

As Hurricane Ike reminds everyone, be prepared, always. Here in Florida, there are two web sites you may want to bookmark to protect your home or business. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Web site includes a database of all insurers.  

Similarly, Citizens Property Insurance, Floridians' insurer of last resort, has its own web site.  If you need to report a claim on your Citizens policy, call (866) 411-2742.

Carts on the Byway

While using a downright mean approach in their September issue of the Poinciana Pioneer, the Association of Poinciana Villages (APV) did provide some useful information about how to get rid of shopping carts littering the sidewalks and byways in Poinciana. To help reduce this problem, when you see a cart (not an apple cart) in a place other than where is should be, the APV provided the following numbers for you to call:

• Publix - (321) 697-0008
• Wal-Mart - (407) 870-1903
• Walgreen's - (407) 343-8224
• Winn-Dixie - (407) 874-8844

Tell Crist How You Feel

The Florida Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Gov. Charlie Crist's office, created eight online surveys to find out the opinions of Floridians' on issues impacting the state. One survey focuses on small businesses, and specifically wants to know what you, as a small business owner, think state government could do to help you thrive.

It also wants to know what you think it should stop doing. All surveys are five questions long. To take the small business survey, go to the Florida COC web site.

DNC My Cellie

Cell phone numbers went public on Friday, August 29th, which means that you can now enjoy the thrills of receiving telemarketing calls on your costly cellie minutes. All cell phone numbers, nationwide, were released to telemarketing companies on the 29th.

To prevent those telemarketers, call the following number from your cell phone (888) 382-1222. To activate, your call must be from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. Or, if you have Internet access, go to the national Do Not Call list web site. It takes only a minute of your time, and it blocks your number for five years.

Insurance - The Bad & Good

There's good and bad news when it comes to damage caused by hurricanes and tropical storms. Damage caused by storms that never become hurricanes, like T.S.-Fay, are treated differently. For example, since Fay never became a hurricane, higher deductibles don't apply. Flood damage is also not covered under most policies. The bad news here is that less than half of Florida homestead owners have a flood insurance policy. For more information, read the full story from the Florida Association of Realtors.

SPCA Seeking Pet Foster Homes

According to The Abuse of Animals and Domestic Violence (1), one in five women involved in domestic violence situations are afraid to leave their homes for fear that the abuser will harm the family pet.  That's why the SPCA created its Safe Haven Home Program.

Safe Haven is a program designed to help victims of domestic violence find safety for their pets. The program is now in need of foster homes. The SPCA is looking for individuals in the community to open their hearts and homes for the pets of the abused.

This would be on a temporary and anonymous basis. Identity of homes would only be known to a handful of people on staff at the SPCA. For questions about the Safe Haven Home Program, contact Mandy Maxwell, Community Outreach Coordinator, at mandy@lovemyspca.com or 863.646.7722.

1) Ascione, Weber & Wood.

OK Again for Rail

The Federal Transit Administration okayed the final design for the commuter rail that will have at one end ... Poinciana! Central Florida's planned commuter-rail project passed a technical hurdle that frees up as much as $60 million to spend on land for proposed stations and train cars.

Unfortunately the federal okay does not ensure that the $1.2 billion train system will be built. It only keeps the project alive and moving toward possible. If kept on-track with further delays, completion is seen to happen in 2013.

Pina Savings

Ready to save $4.00 every time you eat a pineapple in Central Florida? Try pineapple gardening. It's the easiest fruit to tend to in a garden and gets better with every year. It's so simple a process, in fact, a kindergartner could do it. And the best part is that they're friendly to Florida's environment and extreme heat. If you'd like to learn more, go to Poinciana's Flora & Fauna section.

KidCare Opens to All

Charlie Crist and the Florida legislature this year approved more funding for Florida KidCare, which will enable 38,000 more uninsured children to join the federally subsidized program and obtain healthcare coverage. The program is open to all families regardless of income.

Officials note that the program is free for those eligible for Medicaid. Monthly premiums depend on your household's size and income. Most families pay $15 or $20 a month. If you need to pay more, Florida KidCare will let you know.

More than 1.4 million children are enrolled in Florida KidCare, which gives them access to preventive care such as regular doctor visits, immunizations, dental check-ups and prescriptions. For more information or to apply for Florida KidCare, go to www.floridakidcare.org. You can also call 1-888-540-5437 to receive an application by mail.

Free Massages

If your looking for a pleasant way to relieve the stress, consider a free massages from an Everest University student.  All you need to do is call Candice Morris at (407) 851-2525 to schedule and appointement.  Treatment is provided in the south Orlando area at 9200 Southpark Center Loop, which is near John Young and Sandlake.

Summer-Only Health Care

HelpNow, one of Osceola's greatest secret has a program that might help if you're suffering from housing crisis stress.  During the summer, they're offering a free licensed psychologist.  If that's not your bag, they're also offering free medical care for those without insurance.  Registration with HelpNow may be required to obtain services.  Call 407-847-3286 for more information.

REstore with Habitat

Here's a way to fix-up your home at a fraction of the cost of other appliance outlets, and you can do it while helping Kissimmee's Habitat for Humanity.  Go to the REStore.

 

RE stands for “restore." For more information, check out the REStore web site.  They are located on Main Street, near downtown Kissimmee near Appliance Direct.  They're only open on Fridays and Saturdays, so plan ahead.

Be Safe this Hurricane Season

If you would still like a free hurricane home inspection -- courtesy of the State of Florida -- sign up now!  Most homeowners save money on property insurance following an inspection, but the program will achieve its goals and probably stop taking new applications soon ...read more...

APV Neglects Green Pool Issue

POINCIANA, Fla. -- June 10, 2008 -- If you blinked at yesterday's meeting of the Association of Poinciana Villages (APV), you would have missed the board's touching on the issue of foreclosed homes in Poinciana. With foreclosures on the rise, officials throughout Florida are fielding more complaints about pools, those in-ground symbols of luxury, that have become host to algae, frogs, turtles and other wildlife.

As the issue of foreclosures worsens, local families -- becoming ill from living near these types of swimming pools -- may force the APV to act. If left too long to fester, "green pools" produce a foul smell, which attracts the attention of those living by them and could also become a safety issue for children attracted to green-pool homes, which are for the most part abandoned, a.k.a., attractive nuisances.  In addition, "green pools" or pools with excessive algae growth are breeding grounds for water-borne bacteria, toads and disease-carrying mosquitoes. 

 

The APV reported a total of over-1,700 properties currently in foreclosure in Poinciana, which equates to about a one-in-ten chance of living near a green pool in this southwest Kissimmee community. The APV reported that they expect the issue of foreclosures to get worse in 2009.

 

The Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) recently publicized this growing problem in the West Palm Beach area, where more then 5,000 homeowners face foreclosure.

Making Customers into Local Stars

Excellence in all aspects of real estate is just as important to us as the variety of real estate services we offer. One of our services, for example, includes placing only the best tenants available in the Kissimmee area inside your home.

Through our unique program, last year we placed two tenants in one of our for-sale properties.  Over the year, they improved the property – out of their pockets – cleaning up a stained pool, planting a rock garden under the pool's filtering equipment, excellence in maintenance of the home's landscaping, and a new fence.  And, one year later, our tenants, Tim & "Sweet" Sue Melnick, won the Poinciana Pioneer Star monthly award.

If you're ready to sell or rent your home, call Darhlene @ (407) 738-8042 to discuss these and many more options available to you from a bona fide Realtor.®  For a short list of our comprehensive list of services, either click the link at left, visit our web site at PoincianaHome.net, or visit our broker's site @ Overton Realty, Inc.  For our full list, write me and ask for our Shopping List for Sellers.

Preventing Pests From Entering Home

From Love to Lady, Florida abounds with Bugs. Here are some suggestions for limiting the ways pests can infiltrate your home and for safely handling pesticides.

• Seal cracks in walls, floors or ceilings to keep out bugs.

• Clean kitchen daily removing food from under toasters and packages. Most important is to keep floors swept, which also offers an opportunity to inspect floor areas for evidence of rodents and other wood boring pests.

• Remove broken or unused appliances to avoid pest from nesting.

• Eliminate stagnant water outside home to prevent attracting pests.

• Empty pet water and food bowls nightly. Sweep and dispose of pet food that may have fallen on floor.

• Except for paper-only or dry-waste containers, make sure all garbage receptacles have sealed lids. Clean and cover trash receptacles and place them on cleanable material, such as concrete.

• Store insecticides away from other items in a locked, cool cabinet.

• Dispose of bags, bottles or cans as soon as they are empty.

• Do not pour leftover pesticides down the drain.

Putnam at New Post Office Dedication

After a delay caused by federal funding being redirected to Hurricane Katrina victims, Poinciana is finally seeing the first stages of its soon to be upgraded post office.  The new, 7,270-square-foot post office will be located behind the Publix supermarket on Cypress Parkway in the area known as the Promenade Shopping Center.  The groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Tuesday, March 25 at 10 a.m. will be attended by U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow, for the 12th district, which covers Poinciana.  The ceremony will be held at 4774 San Remo Road in Poinciana. 

Although postal services without the frustration of long lines will be one benefit of the project, a non-discussed side effect would be to make Poinciana more attractive to those who work in Orlando.  Coupled with other future projects, such as the hospital and connections to both I-4 and the Florida Turnpike, Poinciana is destined to become the community envisioned by early leaders of the area.  Click here for Ledger article.

How Does a Realtor® Benefit Poinciana?

If you have kids who are seniors in a Florida high school this year, they may qualify to participate an essay contest that’s offering a total of $106,000 in scholarship funding. The deadline to enter is March 7, 2008. Students must write a typed, double-spaced essay, 500 words or less, on the topic, “How Does a Realtor® Professional Benefit the Community?”

Sponsored by the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), the scholarship program benefits students from across the state, with prize money going to the first-, second- and third-place essays in each of the Association's 13 districts in the state. Students turning in the top district-winning essays each win a $5,000 scholarship prize; second-place winners receive a $1,500 scholarship award; and third-place winners each receive a $500 scholarship award. The 13 district-winning essays then compete for three $5,000 FAR scholarships on the statewide level.

All essays, along with an official Essay Cover Form, must be postmarked no later than March 7, 2008, and mailed to the FAR, 7025 Augusta National Drive, P.O. Box 725025, Orlando, FL, 32872-5025. FAR’s statewide scholarship awards program is open only to high school seniors who reside in the state of Florida and plan on continuing their education at any college, university, technical school or other institution of higher learning.

Children whose parents or guardians are licensed real estate practitioners are not eligible for contest entry; nor are children whose parents or guardians are employed by any local Realtor board/association or by FAR. Scholarship contest rules and the official essay cover form are available at public and private senior high school guidance offices throughout the state. Or students, parents, teachers – anyone – can go to FAR’s Media Center Web site ( http://media.floridarealtors.org) to download the required essay cover form and all other scholarship/essay contest materials.

Child Drowning a Reminder to All

While it is often thought that people only drown in pools, the recent drowning death of a 10-month-old baby is a stark reminder to residents of Poinciana that children can drown in as little as one inch of water. Children are at risk of drowning in wading pools, bathtubs, buckets, diaper pails, toilets, spas and hot tubs. For more information on this subject, check out the Orlando Child Safety site; en Espanol, go to the Spanish version of the site.