Lake Nona Social Magazine - Issue 11

L A K E N O N A S O C I AL M AG A Z I NE I S S U E 11 | 2 0 21

JEFRË POINTS OF CONNECTION

WORLD CLASS FITNESS

Keeping Those New Year Resolutions

VERIZON 5G

The Innovators’ Playground

ISSUE 11 | WELCOME

N ONA

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

L AK E N O N A S O C I AL M AGA Z INE

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 11

What if you simply devoted this year to loving yourself more?

A publication of LAKE NONA SOCIAL

Publisher Omar Hickman Editor in Chief Samia Solh Associate Editor Samantha Montgomery Graphic Design Renée Blair Blair Creative Group, Inc. Contributing Writers Lawrence Bellido Dania Boustany Ashley Cisneros Mejia Samantha Montgomery David Plowden Alpa Rama

Photography Denee Hickman

ADVERTISING Sam Solh 407.873.9864 Sam@lakenonasocial.com

Nona Magazine is published by Lake Nona Social.

The publisher disclaims all liability for any and all advertisements, promotions, articles, and other affiliated content contained within this publication.

The opinions of the authors are those alone. We do not accept any liability for information or advice provided by any advertiser, sponsor, or associated business provided in this magazine. ©2021 Lake Nona Social. All Rights Reserved.

L

ove is in the air this year! 2020 might have brought a lot of craziness with it, but it also gave us the gift of time. We were able to spend more time with our loved ones, talking on Zoom with family and even sitting on the couch for hours with our dogs. It gave us the stillness we needed to spend time with ourselves. It gave us the space we need to have a little introspection. That feeling of looking within seemed to be trending everywhere I turned. I was hearing a shift in how people viewed the world and their place in the world.

When stripped of all the activities and daily fillers, it seemed like so many people had a chance to look inside. More often than not, they acknowledged something within themselves, or in their lives that needed to be improved, a change for the better.

Spending time with people is important, but sometimes spending time with ourselves can prove to be beneficial in our pursuit of being the best version of ourselves.

We are all searching for love, hoping to find it on the outside. But in reality, any kind of love you are looking for gets invited by the love you feel for yourself.

So this Valentine’s Day, my message to you is: to find or keep love, start with loving yourself.

Sincerely, Sam Solh

ONA L AKE N

S O C I AL

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Ë JEPOFINR TS OF CONNECT

DENEE HICKMAN

LakeNonaSocial.com

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Read the Digital Edition of Lake Nona Social Magazine at www.lakenonasocial.com/magazine

WORLD CL ASS FITNEThSosSe

Keeping solutions New Year Re

DOWNLOAD OUR APP

5G VERIZON round

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CONTENTS | ISSUE 11

10

12 1

Welcome

HOT TOPICS 4

8

JEFRE: Points of Connection Opening night of the artist's first solo exhibition Verizon 5G Innovation Hub New collaboration space for innovators in Lake Nona

By Dania Boustany

10 Lake Nona Performance Club World-Class Fitness Center to open in July 2021 12

Lake Nona Needs a Library Resident movement advocates for a local branch

By Ashley Cisneros Mejia

LIFESTYLE 14 Bookworms' Corner Book Reviews: City Spies and The Queen's Fortune

By Samantha Montgomery

15 Love Is in the Air! Fashion and accessories inspired by Valentine's Day

By Alpa Rama

2 NONA MAGAZINE | ISSUE 11

EAT LAKE NONA

16 ON THE COVER

16 Romantic Rendezvous in Lake Nona Roundup of local eateries for the Valentine holiday

By Samantha Montgomery

18 Date Night in Orlando Romantic restaurants in The Big O

By David Plowden

REAL ESTATE 20 How Home Ownership Can Help Reduce Taxes Tax advantages for homeowners

By Lawrence Bellido

4

JEFRË: Points of Connection solo exhibition at the Orlando Museum of Art. Photo Credit: Denee Hickman

OPENING SOON

EMERGENCY CARE CLOSER THAN EVER. Expert emergency care from a team you can trust is coming soon to your community.

Orlando Health Emergency Room - Randal Park will offer adult and pediatric services, so if your family faces the unexpected, you can expect to be taken care of by our H[SHUWV Ŋ IURP RXU ERDUG FHUWLƓHG SK\VLFLDQV WR RXU H[SHUWO\ WUDLQHG FOLQLFDO WHDP :LWK 13 conveniently located ERs across Central Florida, access to nationally recognized ER care in the safest environment possible is closer to home than ever.

OrlandoHealth.com/RandalPark

A service of Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital

HOT TOPICS | POINTS OF CONNECTION

JEFRË:

POINTS OF CONNECTION The exhibition presents a series of site-specific installations and sculptures constructed on a human scale.

Maquettes of monumental public works introduce the audience to the artist’s past projects, alongside a series of sculptures which exemplify his current studio practice. Visitors will journey through the exhibition guided by the stanzas of JEFRË’s poem “Heart to Heart”, as they interact with immersive installations, which explore the artist's immigrant identity and his history with heart disease and — through the integration of technology — illuminate our common humanity across age, gender, ethnicity and nationality. Soundscapes for the exhibition will be provided by Grammy award-winning artist Ayo the Producer. This exhibition is presented by AdventHealth and Dr. Phillips Charities. Additional support comes from The Mall at Millenia and Monster XP.

4 NONA MAGAZINE | ISSUE 11

DENEE HICKMAN

JEFRË: Points of Connection is the public artist’s first solo museum exhibition featuring large-scale multimedia sculptures and installations that have become the hallmark of his artistic practice. Experimenting with new materials and technologies, JEFRË activates public spaces in ways that transform the urban landscape and bring people together to enjoy a common experience.

DENEE HICKMAN

LAKENONASOCIAL.COM | NONA MAGAZINE

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DENEE HICKMAN

HOT TOPICS | POINTS OF CONNECTION

6 NONA MAGAZINE | ISSUE 11

HOT TOPICS | VERIZON 5G

VERIZON 5G

INNOVATION HUB

BY DANIA BOUSTANY

IF YOU THOUGHT 4G WAS FAST, 5G SOLUTIONS CAN TRANSFORM YOUR DAILY LIFE.

The Hub, a space where 5G-enabled solutions can be developed and tested across a variety of industries prevalent in our community such as healthcare, technology, autonomous mobility, health and wellness, education, retail, and sports.

And thanks to our exclusive Verizon 5G broadband ca-

8 NONA MAGAZINE | ISSUE 11

pacity, innovators that use the Verizon 5G Innovation Hub are also able to test their solutions in Lake Nona’s real world living lab environment.

The new Verizon 5G Innovation Hub is part of Verizon’s broader strategy to partner with businesses and organizations to explore how 5G can disrupt and transform nearly every industry.

“We’re creating Innovation Hubs powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband to serve as launch pads for high-impact, transformational experiences and are excited to see the new 5G use cases that will be developed in Lake Nona,”

COURTESY TAVISTOCK

N

ow, innovators, including startups, universities, large enterprises, and the public sector can come together in a dedicated development and collaboration space known as Verizon 5G Innovation Hub.

COURTESY TAVISTOCK

said said Sampath Sowmyanarayan, SVP and President of Enterprise at Verizon.

In fact, 5G testing is already underway in Lake Nona to improve safety features in our autonomous shuttles. Verizon is working with our partners at Beep on a pilot program that involves Verizon’s 4G LTE and 5G Ultra Wideband networks, Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC), Real Time Kinematics (RTK), and Computer Vision.

Lake Nona’s developer. We’re excited to expand our 5G capabilities in Lake Nona and to attract the brightest minds and biggest ideas to the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Orlando.”

The Verizon 5G Innovation Hub is sharing a space the leAD Lake Nona Sports & Health Tech Accelerator within the ground floor of the new 16,000-square-foot Pixon MS2 space creating an optimal environment for collaboration and innovation. O

“A 5G-enabled future will transform our daily lives in ways we’ve only just begun to imagine,” said Juan Santos, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Tavistock,

LAKENONASOCIAL.COM | NONA MAGAZINE

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HOT TOPICS | LAKE NONA PERFORMANCE CLUB

LAKE NONA UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON

WORLDCLASS FITNESS CENTER

cheduled to open in July 2021, the Lake Nona Performance Club (LNPC) will redefine the fitness center experience for the Central Florida region featuring leading edge workout equipment, state-of-art classes, and interactive programs driven by the latest performance technology. The 130,000-square-foot facility is currently under construction in the Lake Nona Town Center and the accompanying renderings show some of the iconic features.

S

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The fitness center will be one of the most comprehensive and thoughtfully curated in the nation providing a tailored approach to whole-person health for members of all ages and skill levels.

“The Lake Nona Performance Club will be a destination-worthy fitness center unlike any other deserving of people coming from miles away,” said Executive Director Jay Groves. “This incredible regional asset will provide programming and services across the entire spectrum of health, fitness, and performance led by a team of experts in the relevant fitness and mind-body fields. This new center will offer unmatched resources, tools, and support to help our members exceed their individual goals and achieve peak performance.”

LNPC highlights include: • Whole-person, evidenced-based and precision approaches to improving individual fitness, wellness, and performance • Highly credentialed professional staff including fit-

COURTESY TAVISTOCK

MEMBERSHIPS OPEN OPEN, VIRTUAL SNEAK PEEK TOURS AVA AVAILABLE

COURTESY TAVISTOCK

ness and performance experts, rehab specialists, and physicians • Precision programs for every level and health status • Region’s best rock-climbing gym with options for all skill levels featuring a 40’ climbing and bouldering wall • A dedicated, 5,500-square-foot Mind Body Zone to rival the best yoga, barre, and Pilates studios

• Aquatics facility featuring three different pools — a leisure pool, lap pool, and whirlpool — allowing injury rehabilitation and classes for family and group exercise • 150+ state-of-the-art strength and cardiovascular equipment, including renowned Technogym cardio training equipment with personal entertainment systems • 15,000-square-foot, cutting edge sports and high-performance center • Indoor walk/jog track • Multiple basketball and volleyball courts within indoor gymnasium • On-site integrative medicine and rejuvenation suites including massage therapists and acupuncturists

• Finely appointed locker rooms featuring towel service, sauna, and steam room • Health food and beverage café with curated offerings, including specialty shakes • 100+ weekly group exercise classes in six custom studios and exercise pools offering a full schedule of all-inclusive classes by a team of experts in the relvant fitness and mind-body fields • Wellness education conference and community room with healthy cooking demonstration capability • Supervised, dedicated children’s activity area with curriculumbased wellness programming

The Lake Nona Performance Club joins the growing 100-acre, six-milionsquare-foot, open-air Lake Nona Town Center. In addition to welcoming new office and mixed-use projects within the next year, the Town Center’s marquee project — the 17-story Lake Nona Wave Hotel — is also expected to open in 2021.

For more information about corporate, individual and family membership options and to schedule a virtual sneak peek of the facility, visit lakenonaperformanceclub.com.

The Lake Nona Performance Club is a joint venture partnership between Lake Nona and Integrated Wellness Partners (IWP), a subsidiary of Signet, LLC. O

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HOT TOPICS | LIBRARY DROP BOX

LAKE NONA

NEEDS A

LIBRARY

BY ASHLEY CISNEROS MEJIA

A

Home to world-class colleges and universities and Medical City the community made international news for being selected one of the only Verizon 5G innovation hubs in the country as well as the location for Lilium vertical-landing and vertical take-off air taxis. With all this exciting innovation, one essential asset is missing — a public library.

Even in our digital-dominated age, libraries serve as cornerstones of communities. At local branches, patrons can access computers, software, printers, and Wi-Fi; take classes in a plethora of subjects; and attend educational and entertaining events.

Library customers can participate in book clubs, access career resources, rent affordable study and conference rooms, and more.

While residents in Lake Nona can use their library cards to download audiobooks, access education apps,

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and take classes online, getting to an actual branch is not always convenient. The closest branch locations — the Southeast Branch off Semoran Boulevard and the South Creek Branch near Hunters Creek — each can take 30 minutes or more to reach from Lake Nona.

“I have young children and we have not been to a library since we moved to Lake Nona a year ago. When you’re a busy working mom, you need a library that is convenient and local,” said Lake Nona resident Jenn Miller.

“We used to make weekly library visits, and also frequent story times and other library events. We met many new friends there and it fostered a wonderful community spirit. Kids love looking at books and picking them out, and we are missing the experience we feel is vital to encouraging a love of learning. Finally, the community is lacking clean, air conditioned meeting spaces for small groups and events, which offer enrichment and new opportunities for all.”

Fellow resident Sara Griswold Winckler agrees. “Having a library in Lake Nona would be beneficial to the babies and toddlers in the area. It's difficult to find children's activities in this area, and my toddler enjoyed story times and different children's library events pre-COVID,” Griswold Winckler said. “She loves going into

Cristian Mejia, a Lake Nona preschooler, holds up one of his book selections during a recent trip to the OCLS Southeast Branch off Semoran Boulevard.

the branch and picking out her own books and DVDs. We don't get to go often because it's a bit of a hike for us. We would go more often if it was closer to us.”

Yet, the absence of a library in the Lake Nona area is not for a lack of trying, nor is it a new issue. For many years, the OCLS staff, Board of Trustees, elected officials, the Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce, organizations, and individual residents have had conversations to try to make a Lake Nona branch a reality.

One of the biggest issues is the cost of land in the area. Though the OCLS does not have an official price point, the highest price it has paid in the past is approximately $19 per square foot, and it found commercial options in Lake Nona to be closer to $45 per square foot.

According to the OCLS, Tavistock Development Company offered a small piece of land at market value.

The size of the parcel would require the OCLS to build a two-story branch in order to accommodate the same level of service as its other branches, and its policy is to only operate single-story branches to keep the cost down.

ASHLEY CISNEROS MEJIA

local resident movement has been ignited recently to advocate for a branch of the Orange County Library System (OCLS) to be built in the Lake Nona area. Regarded as the fastest-growing area within the City of Orlando, Lake Nona is booming with construction projects and new developments, even as a global pandemic has raged on.

A statement posted on the OCLS website states that adding a floor would require additional staff to tend to those floors, and doing so significantly increases both construction costs, and operating costs now and into the future.

“We have a general list of things we look for that includes a parcel in a highly visible area that can accommodate a one-story building of about 20,000 square feet. The parcel would also need to support about 150 parking spaces and ideally it would be on a bus route,” said Mary Anne Hodel, OCLS director and CEO. “There was only one specific parcel discussed in 2017 located between Tavistock Lakes Boulevard and Laureate Boulevard, which didn’t work due to size and lack of space for adequate parking. Our discussions over this parcel never made it to the point of discussing costs and expenses.”

ASHLEY CISNEROS MEJIA

As a large landowner in southeast Orange County, Tavistock says it supports a library in the Lake Nona area and remains committed to continuing conversations with the OCLS. “Ultimately, OCLS and their Board of Trustees determine new branch locations. As a taxpayer-funded entity, OCLS also establishes and approves how public dollars are spent and the criteria by which new library sites are assessed, which includes population, growth rates, accessibility, and visibility,” said Jessi Blakley, Tavistock vice president of strategic communications. “It is our understanding that based on these OCLS criteria, Lake Nona is second on their list for potential expansion locations, behind Horizons West. When OCLS is ready to advance plans, we would continue to welcome their interest and be supportive.”

As the library’s budget can only support the construction of one branch at a time, its leadership is moving forward with plans to build a branch in the

Horizon West area on a readily available parcel of land owned jointly by the City of Orlando and Orange County.

While the OCLS continues to search for the right parcel or partnership in Lake Nona, it has announced that it will install a return drop box at the Valencia College Lake Nona campus to give residents of the community a more convenient way to return library materials that they either have delivered to their home via the free MAYL service or check out from other locations. The drop box is expected to be installed sometime in summer 2021.

OCLS leadership shared this rendering of a new library drop box to be installed near the Valencia College Lake Nona campus during a recent virtual board meeting. It should be installed around summer 2021.

In addition to speaking with Tavistock, the OCLS has also been in communication with the City of Orlando about possibly collaborating on a library incorporated in an upcoming government community center off Dowden Road. City officials have been working with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) to solidify a plan to develop the land.

OCLS has not yet received information regarding the cost of adding a library to the government center.

“We have plans for a government center that will bring some of our services such as permitting and a police substation to the area,” said Laura F. Carroll, real estate agent and appraiser in the City of Orlando’s Real Estate Division. “We were

aware that residents had expressed the need for a library and asked if OCLS would like to join us in the venture. While we cannot control where the OCLS opens their next branch, we are working hard to come to an agreement that will allow them to be our partner in the project.”

A third area of potential opportunity for a library is at Valencia College Lake Nona. The college has expansion plans for a second building on its campus and an idea was proposed to have a public library incorporated into the new building. Leadership at this campus, the fastest-growing campus within Valencia’s system, worked with Rep. Rene "Coach P" Plasencia (District 50) at his last legislative session to try to secure funding from the Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) and Debt Service Trust Fund. Unfortunately, Valencia College did not receive the money needed for its expansion plans at the Lake Nona campus in 2020.

As this fund serves all pre-K to 12 schools in all 67 counties, the 28 members of the Florida College System (formerly known as community colleges), the 12 members of the State University System, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Division of Blind Services, and Public Broadcasting for the state, receiving funds is highly competitive.

The projects on the PECO list are ranked by need and time waiting and the projects or schools at the top get the funding first. Recently re-elected Rep. Plasencia said that he will pursue the funds again during the 2021 legislative session.

In the meantime, residents are continuing to demonstrate their support for a library by attending the OCLS board meetings and communicating with Tavistock and elected officials.

To express your support for a library in the Lake Nona area, please sign and share the resident petition at: www.change.org/nonalibrary O

LAKENONASOCIAL.COM | NONA MAGAZINE

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LIFESTYLE | BOOK REVIEWS

Bookworms’

CORNER

BY SAMANTHA MONTGOMERY

Allison Pataki – The Queen’s Fortune: Desiree, Napoleon, and a Dynasty

L James Ponti – City Spies

J

ames Ponti’s new series City Spies is a fast-paced thriller that takes readers on a romp around the globe. Recruited to the British Secret Intelligence Service, five kid operatives are taken in by a head spy named Mother. Mother is an Englishman who prides himself on finding talented tweens and teens to take on Umbra—an underground organization bent on destroying the world with a deadly virus. Brooklyn, Paris, Rio, Sydney, and Kat are renamed after the city they were discovered in by Mother. Each kid operative has unique talent that lends itself to thwarting crime. With a diverse cast of characters, children will love this high energy, exciting read and will pick up some fun historical facts along the way.

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ong before Napoleon and Josephine became the A-list celebrities of France, there was another woman who held Napoleon’s heartstrings: Desiree Clary.

Napoleon’s first love was a 19th–century French woman who was the daughter of a wealthy silk manufacturer.

When Desiree’s brother faces the guillotine, it is up to her to persuade a young Napoleon to intervene and save his life. He is immediately smitten with Desiree and declares himself to her. As soon as he can secure a military post and prove himself essential to the French Revolution, he swears they will be married—that is, until he meets and falls in love with Josephine.

The Queen’s Fortune takes you through the highs and lows of the French Revolution and details how it affected France and Europe as a whole. Author Allison Pataki does a fabulous job of making readers feel as though they are spectators in the court of Napoleon and Josephine. The lavish parties, Parisian couture, and endless flowing champagne are just one side of this moment in history; there is also the matter of the guillotine, sabotage, and the fall of the French Empire.

If you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall during this fascinating time in history, then pour a glass of bubbly, because this is the book you have been waiting for. O

FASHION | LIFESTYLE

Love

Air!

Is in the

BY ALPA RAMA DIGITAL INFLUENCER AND FASHION CONSULTANT www.aparisianinamerica.com

BONJOUR FEBRUARY — the month of love when we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Inspired by love, I chose this beautiful dress from one of my favorite brands MISA Los Angeles. I love everything about their collection, from the style to the fit to the quality. This is a dress that is truly adequate for the Florida weather. I wanted to pick something different rather than traditional red, so floral was my first choice as it has a romantic side to it.

For a selection that offers beautiful outfits you can wear on Valentine’s Day, let’s start with my favorite: MISA Los Angeles, TULAROSA, Michael Costello, RHODE, J.ING and Lovers + Friends.

To accessorize your new romantic look, here are some brands that offer beautiful bags and jewelry: Ora Era, Alix Yang, Polène Paris, and Monica Vinader.

JULIA ODNOLETKO@ODNOLETKO_PHOTO

Happy Valentine’s Day! O

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EAT LAKE NONA | ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS

R

omantic endezvous IN LAKE NONA

BY SAMANTHA MONTGOMERY

Looking for cozy, quaint or

romantic for Valentine’s Day? We’ve got you covered in Lake Nona. Check out these settings to take your family or your sweetheart out to eat for the holiday.

BREAKFAST OR BRUNCH:

Oreo Nutella Mocha Latte at Vanessa's Coffee Shop

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First Watch

cious. The fluffy texture comes from the brioche bread, which makes a great platform for the kiwi, bananas and fresh berries. Top it all off with a light sprinkle of cinnamon sugar and voila — breakfast is served! First Watch will be open on Valentine’s Day from 7am to 2:30pm. The weekends are busy, so make sure to download the First Watch app to “get in line” before you leave the house.

over their fabulous brunch specials.

You don’t want to miss the Strawberry Shortcake French Toast piled high with whipped cream and topped with fresh strawberries and a light dusting of powdered sugar — give yourself permission to indulge in this one. They will be open from 8am to 4pm on Valentine’s Day. Seating reservations are currently not available, so make sure to get there early!

Vanessa’s Coffee Shop is one of those hidden gems of Lake Nona.

Start off the holiday morning with some specialty drinks like the Oreo Nutella Mocha Latte or the S’mores Nutty Hot Chocolate. They will warm you and your sweetie up while poring

LUNCH OR DINNER: 310 Nona is the place for a romantic setting. Whether you are seated on the patio with a lush scene or in a cozy dim-lit booth perfect for conversation, you simply cannot go wrong. The House Wines’ List fea-

VANESSASCOFFEESHOP.COM (LEFT); WWW.FIRSTWATCH.COM (TOP)

First Watch at Nona Place is the perfect place to start the day. The menu upgrade now includes cocktails! The Pomegranate Sunrise is a beautiful burgundy concoction of Camarena tequila, pomegranate, fresh lime, agave and nectar. You won’t regret this one. The Floridian French Toast is as pretty as it is deli-

tures some very elegant reds and whites that can pair easily with any item on the menu. The linguini with hard-shell clams is a gorgeous-looking dish worthy of a nod from Martha Stewart. If you have any room left for dessert, the Italian Cream Cake is a confection featuring pecan and coconut cake with real cream cheese frosting. 310 Nona will be open from 10am to 12am on Valentine’s Day, and you can reserve a table ahead through the OpenTable app or on the restaurant website at www.310restaurant.com.

Piazza Italia is a family-owned establishment that proudly features homemade Italian dishes. With a brick wood-fired oven, they are known for their specialty pizzas that take center stage on the menu. All pastas are made fresh in-house, and all of them are delicious. The desserts are as delightful to look at as they are delectable. You can choose from tiramisu, cheesecake, profiteroles, cannoli, sorbetto al limone, tartufo al cioccolato and Nutella pizza.

They will be open on Valentine’s Day from 11am to 10pm. There are three ways to make a reservation: On the OpenTable app, by calling ahead at 407.413.5200 or by going online at www.piazzaitalianona.com.

WWW.BOSPHOROUSRESTAURANT.COM

DINNER: Durian Durian Thai Fusion Cuisine is one of those charming neighborhood finds that you will go back to often. Their specialty is true Southeast Asian fare, while only using the freshest ingredients. The décor can simply be described as soothing and sophisticated. Go straight for the Chef Creations’ section of the menu, and there you will find a variety of fun things to try. They are all sumptuous.

The Ginger Stir Fry with Grilled Salmon is a fabulous dish accompanied by fresh mixed vegetables and a healthy ginger brown sauce. Don’t close out the night without trying the Fresh Mango with Sweet Sticky Rice. This is

a true Thai treat. You can call ahead for seating at 407.282.2992.

Canvas Restaurant and Market will celebrate Valentine’s Day in style with a stunning four-course meal that begins with an appetizer of Lobster Beignets, a deep-fried pastry stuffed with fresh lobster meat.

Next up, is a corn bisque soup that is sure to please the palate, followed by a 24 oz. Bone-in Rib Eye Steak cooked to juicy perfection. Save room for the grand finale, which is a Chocolate Dome cake that will

dishes. With cocktails to go, you can bring the party back to your place. The Strawberry Rosé Spritzer and Red Apple Sangria serve about three drinks per person and are conveniently packaged to take home. They will be open from 11am to 10pm on Valentine’s Day and reservations can be made through the OpenTable app ahead of time.

Bosphorus Turkish Cuisine is the place to dine if you are in the mood to try something unique. The Mixed Grill for Two offers a sampling of some of the more popular dishes like Doner

Bosphorus Turkish Cuisine

please the most discerning of dessert aficionados. This four-course meal is $80 per person, and Canvas will be open for dinner from 3pm to 9pm on Valentine’s Day; it is strongly recommended that you make reservations through the OpenTable app or by calling ahead at 407.313.7800.

Chroma Modern Bar and Kitchen is a great place to share Valentine’s Day with a group of friends. Head straight for the Social Plates section of the menu and have everyone pick a plate or two and pass it around for a sampling. The Grilled Ciabatta and Meatballs, Lobster Pad Thai and Fish and Chips are all fantastic and a great way to sample some international

Kebap, Chicken and Lamb Adana Kebap, Chicken and Lamb Sis Kebap, Chicken and Lamb Kofte, and is served over rice pilaf with a side of cacik, which is yogurt with cucumbers and herbs. You can substitute all lamb for a modest upcharge. For dessert, give the Unefe a try. This exceptional dessert consists of sweet Turkish cheese and shredded filo dough that is baked with a citrus syrup and topped with pistachios. The generous portion is large enough to share with your special someone.

They will be open from 11am to 10pm on Valentine’s Day and you can make reservations on the OpenTable app or by calling the restaurant ahead of time at 407.313.2506. O

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EAT LAKE NONA | DAVID'S MANOR

DATE NIGHT IN

ORLANDO

BY DAVID PLOWDEN LIFESTYLE BLOGGER AND FOUNDER OF DAVID'S MANOR

W

ith Orlando being a hotspot for the hospitality industry, the options for a romantic date night on Valentine’s Day is practically endless in The Big O. With COVID-19 safety protocols in effect, many Orlando restaurants have precautions set in place to ensure their guests’ safety.

Lovebirds who are looking for an intimate date night near the Millenia area can check out Brio Italian Grille, located inside the Millenia Mall. Menu items include Chicken Milanese, Lobster & Shrimp Fettuccine, and Warm Chocolate Cake as a nightcap.

Floridians who’d rather something more casual and closer to the Lake Nona area can check out LIME Fresh Mexican Grill, located off Narcoossee Road. LIME Fresh is a new addition to the Lake Nona area that

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Lastly, Floridians can venture off to one of Central Florida’s most popular universities to dive into the delectable dishes over at The Aurora, located inside of one of UCF’s newest hotels The Celeste. The Aurora is an intergalactic-inspired restaurant that includes space themed entrees like The Supernova and drinks like The Black Hole. So, don’t fret, there are still many places open and safe in Orlando to wine and dine at with your secret admirer this year. O

COURTESY DAVID PLOWDEN

includes Mexican entrees and a mixture of a quick-serve and casual dining experience for their visitors.

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REAL ESTATE | HOME OWNERSHIP

HOW OWNING A HOME CAN HELP

REDUCE YOUR TAXES

BY LAWRENCE BELLIDO BROKER ASSOCIATE  KELLER WILLIAMS ADVANTAGE III REALTY

ith tax season in full swing — that’s right, folks, April 15 is approaching rapidly — it’s a good time to talk about how owning a home affects your taxes. Clearly, owning a home is a smart financial decision in most circumstances. That’s because, as you pay down the mortgage, assuming the value of the house increases, the difference between what the house is worth and what you owe on it grows.

That difference is known as “equity” and it’s a financial asset you own.

W

MORTGAGE INTEREST DEDUCTION With every monthly mortgage payment, a substantial portion of the amount you pay is interest on the loan. At first, the interest is almost 100 percent of the payment amount then very gradually decreases over time. When you file your taxes, you can deduct the total amount of in-

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terest you paid over the year from your income. Because the tax rate is applied to a lower income figure, it reduces your tax debt.

PROPERTY TAX DEDUCTION When you look at your monthly mortgage statement, you'll see a figure that is paid toward escrow to pay your homeowners insurance and property taxes. The property tax amount, which typically goes to local and state governments, can also be deducted from your income when filing your taxes.”

HOME OFFICE DEDUCTION If you own a business and run it from home, you may be eligible to deduct a portion of what you pay on your home from your income. However, the filing requirements are very strict so you should let a professional CPA handle your taxes if this is an option you want to explore.

Again, this is intended as a general overview and I strongly advise you to discuss this with your accountant, CPA, or financial advisor before making any important financial decisions. O

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There are also substantial tax advantages, known as “deductions,” that are available only to homeowners and they reduce what you owe on your taxes each year. By combining these tax savings with the growing equity, owning the home you live in is a great way to build wealth. Please note… before making any financial decisions based on the information below, consult with your CPA or tax advisor:

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