18 minute read
WHAT A GREAT
WHAT A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD WE LIVE IN! Coming together when we need it most
Howdy neighbors! As Florida starts to move into new phases of reopening, some people’s initial instincts are to remain cautious, while others are ready to get back out there. I was more than ready to sit at a bar, socially distanced from people I don’t know, and have a nice adult beverage — just to do it outside of the house for the first time in so long. It’s impressive to see our neighborhood businesses, as well as the committees and associations, take the necessary steps to reopen for the community.
There are plenty of opportunities to get out there and be around people. All the restaurants in downtown Baldwin Park are open for service — albeit with limited seating at the bar area and dining room — but still open. Our neighborhood bars also have reopened under the same restrictions, as have almost all of the stores, services and shops. Seeing neighbors WILL CAMPBELL PRESIDENT, BALWIN PARK JOINT COMMITTEE
and businesses help each other through these difficult times and come together with respect and love is one of the many reasons I love Baldwin Park.
There’s something special about a resident of Baldwin Park, and one of our downtown Baldwin Park businesses came together and really shows what our community is about. One such group that deserves a little shoutout is the Tactical Brewing Run Club. You may have seen the brightly colored shirts around Lake Baldwin, but you may not know the story behind them. Baldwin Park resident George Champigny had the idea of combining two of his favorite things into one: beer and running. With the idea of starting an inclusive weekly run club already in his mind, he approached Tactical Brewing Co. owners Doug Meyer and Kreis Holland with the idea of making their brewery the meeting point for the club, and they were in!
Not long after that meeting, the Tactical Brewing Running Club was born. A Facebook group was created that now has more than 400 members. T-shirts were created and sold out quickly. On that first Thursday, they expected maybe 10 or so people would show up, but they had more than 40 come to get their fitness on. Since that first meet-up — until COVID, at least — at 6 p.m. every Thursday, dozens of people meet at Tactical Brewing Co. before heading out to Lake Baldwin at 6:30 p.m. to run, walk and meander for a few miles.
When I say the club is inclusive, I really mean it. Whether you are a marathoner or a walker, in your athletic prime or not quite an exercise person, in your teens or some higher double-digits, everyone is welcome. As someone who is not a runner but married to a marathoner, even I feel welcome in the group. As we start to get back to some sense of normalcy, or at least our new normal, the club is slowly starting to meet up again.
In times of such great divisiveness, seeing groups of people come together who normally wouldn’t gives you hope. I encourage everyone to find a way to come together with others, however you feel comfortable. We could all use a little more love these days. Until next time, stay safe neighbors and remember, #lovewins in the end.
COMMERCIAL OWNERS ASSOCIATION
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the cancellation of its expansion project of 300 additional square feet to the ground floor of 946 Lake Baldwin Lane.
GENERAL UPDATES
n Please remember to properly dispose of sanitizing wipes, masks and plastic gloves. Thank you for your help in keeping Baldwin Park beautiful!
n Landscape replacements occur monthly in both the Village Center and the Neighborhood Business District. n Have you noticed incorrectly parked dockless bikes or scooters around Baldwin Park? The city provides an easy way to report them to the correct company on the city of Orlando’s website under “Parking and Transportation” and “Report a Transportation Issue.” Directions and details on what is considered as incorrect parking of a bike and scooters will be listed under “Report an Incorrectly Parked Dockless Bike or Scooter.”
n Parking lot light replacements occur monthly in both the Village Center and the Neighborhood Business District. n Architectural Review Committee meetings take place twice a month on Tuesday for application reviews regarding commercial changes to exterior structures (roofing replacements and painting), landscaping and signage. All corresponding applications can be located on the Baldwin Park Network under Commercial Owners Association and Commercial Architectural Review Committee. Feel free to submit your Architectural Review forms to AMaddox@BaldwinParkPOA. com.
TOWNHOMES
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UPDATES
n Enhancement crews will be working in the Cambridge, City Home 4, Live/Work and Issa 22 service areas. n BrightView has completed the annual tree trimming in all service areas. n BrightView irrigation technicians have performed monthly inspections in all service areas. n Per DRS Inc., below is the townhome painting schedule for 2020: City 1, City 4 and Live/Work n Per DRS Inc., this is the townhome maintenance schedule for 2020: City 4 (June), Issa 28 (July), Live/Work (September), Issa 22 (October) and Cambridge (November)
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Luis Morales holds his pop-up bakeries each Friday outside a business in the Village Center. Here, he is outside Baldwin Park Realty.
Made with love
DANIELLE HENDRIX | ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Luis Morales, a Baldwin Park-based baker, and his daughters have been holding pop-up bakeries in the neighborhood every Friday since the coronavirus pandemic began.
Luis Morales is up bright and early. The Baldwin Park resident and baker checks on the goodies he created the night before — croissants, macaroons and puff pastries among them — and pops more into the oven.
It’s 6 a.m. as he and his daughters, 11-year-old Estefania and 13-year-old Bianca, get to work finishing, packaging and preparing the sweet treats for their next stop — the pop-up bakery.
Morales and his daughters head to a predesignated spot in the neighborhood — lately, in front of Baldwin Park Realty — and set up their makeshift shop. The girls unload the pastries and arrange them carefully on the umbrella-covered table as Morales brings over their signs. By 8 a.m., the pop-up bakery is open for business.
Every Friday since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Morales and his daughters have been out from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. somewhere in the Village Center to sell the sweet treats and breads he makes. The location of the pop-up bakery changes from time to time, but the demand never wavers.
Born largely out of a need to provide for his family once the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily put himself and his wife out of their jobs, the pop-up bakery idea has been a combined effort between Morales, his daughters and local business owners.
“Here, once the COVID started, we felt the pressure,” he says. “This is what I know how to do. We talked to Baldwin Park Realty. They kind of inspired me to (do this) — they said, ‘Hey, we have a table, let’s do some croissants, let’s do something.’ They inspired me to do that.”
Morales has been baking for 13 years and learned his craft from some of the best bakers in the business. Born in Canada and largely raised in Venezuela, Morales immigrated to the United States years ago. He started off as a dishwasher in a bakery, cleaning his dishes as fast as he could before clocking out to learn under the tutelage of a French baker.
“I always cooked, I always worked in kitchens, but a bakery never worked in my life,” Morales says. “I started as a dishwasher. I was struggling in the country at the moment — I came from Canada, I was immigrating. I started my baking career with a little bakery in Gainesville. That’s how I learned, with a French baker. I just practiced with him for about four to five years, and then after that he left, he went to Europe. They closed
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— LUIS MORALES
Photos by Danielle Hendrix
Continued from page 15 the bakery, they sold it. And then we moved here.”
Here, Morales attended Le Cordon Bleu, a hospitality and culinary school that teaches French cuisine. He also worked for a Mediterranean bakery for four years, and today, he works at New York International Bread Company.
He started Goodies by Luis 11 years ago. His business has always been open online for preorders, and he even brought his products to some flea markets in Gainesville. It’s been a successful side hustle for Morales, but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic began that he realized it was much more than that.
When COVID-19 hit, Morales had to think quickly to provide for his family. The idea of setting up shop with his products outside a local business scared him at first.
“It’s scary just staying here and (waiting) to see their reaction,” he says. “And their reaction has been phenomenal. As soon as I open, they’re coming here. … The general response has been great. Every Friday, I keep having the same customers and more. They keep asking me if I can do it more often.”
His bestsellers are the chocolate croissants, guava cheese croissants and macaroons. However, he specializes in all varieties of laminated doughs and pastries.
He usually begins making an order 24 hours in advance. The dough is started even earlier than that because of the fermentation process. But his pastries always are freshly baked — one of the reasons why they sell so quickly every Friday.
Estefania and Bianca love being involved in the process and helping their dad in any way they can. Estefania loves the hands-on baking process, while Bianca is crafty and specializes in organization. For Bianca, it’s her favorite part of the week.
“I find this a good experience, because one day I would like to be business owner,” Bianca says. “I usually stay up late at night and then go to bed and wake up early in the morning, and I’ll help him wrap, set everything up and put stickers on the bags. It’s pretty fun. … It’s all baked with love and nothing else.”
“When people love his food, it makes me happy that he’s doing what makes him happy,” Estefania says. “It’s just amazing how he’s getting so many interactions and good reactions.”
Morales most enjoys that the pop-up bakeries give him more time to spend with his daughters. It also allows him to teach them about business and baking — all while having fun.
“This is the most wonderful experience,” he says. “It’s really an inspiration for me to have them working with me, learning what hustle is. It’s not easy. It’s an encouragement for me, and I guess it’s an encouragement for them. I love it.”
“He’s my biggest role model,” Bianca says of her dad. “The whole point of this is to learn what a job is and learn how to work together as a team. If you don’t work in a team, you’re not getting anywhere.”
GOODIES BY LUIS
(407) 949-2350 FACEBOOK: facebook.com/goodiesbyluis INSTAGRAM: @luismoraleschef and @artisan.breads DETAILS: Since midMarch, Luis Morales and his daughters have been out from 8 to 10 a.m. every Friday morning in Baldwin Park to sell croissants, macaroons and more at his pop-up bakeries. To stay up to date on pop-up locations and offerings, follow Morales’ Goodies by Luis Facebook page. To place a preorder for a variety of baked goods, you can direct message Morales via the Facebook page or text the number listed.
Trust Your Baldwin Park Expert Your health and safety are important to us. We are helping our clients navigate the evolving market and lending changes. We offer Virtual Listing Appointments, Electronic Signings, Virtual Tours, 3D Tours, Private Tours, Virtual or In-Person Open Houses.
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AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD Groups & gatherings
Connect with like-minded neighbors. Choose from dozens of activities every month. For a complete list of groups, visit baldwinparknetwork. com. We’re also now on Facebook! Check out our new page for clubs, classes and Meet & Mingle, plus photos from around the neighborhood! Find Baldwin Park Groups and Gatherings and ask to join today.
Even though most groups are not currently meeting face-to-face because of social distancing, many of Baldwin Park’s clubs are meeting online, via Zoom and through email. Now is a good time to reach out to the group you’ve been wanting to connect with and find out more about what they do!
BALDWIN PARK ART
Baldwin Park’s art club is a mixture of art classes, studio tours and gallery openings for art lovers. It’s open to everyone! Contact Pat at plremingt@ gmail.com.
BALDWIN PARK KIDS CLUB
Activities for children ages infant to 5 years old. Parents and kids enjoy a variety of casual get-togethers, including story time, play dates, park picnics, mom’s night out and more. Contact bpkidsclub1@gmail. com.
COOKING AROUND THE WORLD
Learn the artful craft of cooking ethnic foods with hands-on cooking demonstrations. Contact Becca Schmidt at lifestyledirector@baldwinparkpoa.com for more information.
ETHNIC FOOD ENTHUSIASTS
Explore exceptional epicurean dishes every month. Experience a chef talk or food flights and bites at local restaurants. Singles and residents new to the area are encouraged to jump in and enjoy incredible food and conversation. Contact Shannon at sfaith14@gmail.com.
GAMES GALORE!
Adults are invited to play a variety of games on various Saturdays. Learn new games like
Settlers of Catan or play the classics. Contact Robyn at rhzgrodin@ gmail.com.
MAHJONG
Ready, set, play Mahjong. Mahjong is a tile-based game played by four people at a time. All levels are welcome. Contact Christopher at cfc106@gmail.com.
MIGHTY MOMS STROLLER WALKS
Baldwin Park moms doing something good for themselves while building friendships. Children must be willing to sit in a stroller or be worn for the duration of the walk. Contact Dana at dana@drobinfitness.com. All book clubs listed below welcome new members! Find the day of the week and type of book that best suits you. Book clubs meet once a month at a member’s home.
BOOK BUDS
This fiction book club welcomes new members. Book Buds meet at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month at various members’ homes. Contact Audean at audean63@gmail.com.
HOOKED ON BOOKS
This club is welcoming new members who love fiction. They meet on Mondays at various members’ homes. For July’s book selection and location for their gathering, contact Melissa at melissajay522@gmail.com.
REAL DEAL NON-FICTION BOOK CLUB
This group reads and discusses biographies, memoirs, business books and contemporary non-fiction. For July’s book selection and location for this month’s gathering, contact Kathy at klhgibbons@gmail.com.
PAGE TURNERS BOOK CLUB
This club meets on the second Monday of each month to discuss a variety of books. New participants are always welcome! Ask about the next book selection and the location of the July meeting by contacting Genie at bsrocky@hotmail.com.
NIFTY FIFTIES PLUS
Socials for active couples and singles, age 50 and up, meet several times a month for a variety of social activities including ladies coffee, happy hour, luncheons, parties and more. Reach out to niftyfiftiesplus@ gmail.com.
NOVEMBER PROJECT
Unlike the name, this group meets all year round. Run, squat, plank and laugh while you work out with this all-levels fitness group. Meets at 6:29 a.m. every Wednesday at Harbor Park. Contact Dyani at novemberprojectorlando@ gmail.com.
PICKUP BASKETBALL
Basketball enthusiasts meet at Blue Jacket Park basketball courts at 8:15 a.m. Saturdays for five-on-five play. Contact Rick at rickschreiber2@gmail. com.
WIN! WOMEN INNOVATORS NETWORK
This new group is for Baldwin Park women who own or manage a business – big or small. Come for lunch to exchange ideas and hear guest speakers. Reservations can be made by contacting Bekah at beautifiedbybekah@gmail.com.
WRITERS’ BLOCK WRITING GROUP
For bloggers, poets and aspiring authors. This group will discuss many topics to help writers, like thinking outside the box, preventing stagnation, practicing new vocabulary words, research and more! Come with a desire to meet other writers and learn to hone your writing skills.
What kind of Baldwin Park residents’ group would you like to join? Community service? Golf? Single moms and dads? Empty nesters? Sailing? Cigar club? Optimist club? Speakers round table? Wine tasting? Frisbee football? Friends of animals? If you don’t see your interests reflected in the groups listed here, consider spearheading a new group. Contact Becca Schmidt at lifestyledirector@baldwinparkpoa.com for more information.
VIRTUAL FITNESS
So many people find friendships at the gym. Although many gyms are slowly reopening, some Baldwin Park-area fitness and yoga studios are continuing the connection with live Zoom classes, Instagram feeds and Facebook Live.
n BLUE MOON YOGA — Live Zoom yoga classes at 8:30 a.m. Friday mornings, followed by outdoor yoga classes at 9:30 a.m. Friday mornings (ask for location). Meditation classes are available to whoever needs a one-on-one session! Classes are 100% donation based. Contact Becca Schmidt at becca@ bluemoon.yoga.
n CHAMPIONSHIP MARTIAL ARTS — Virtual training classes still take place directly from the studio so kids don’t miss a thing! Visit championshipmartialarts.com/baldwin-park. n MIGHTY GIRLS FITNESS — Dozens of live classes a week are offered on Zoom, Facebook Live and Instagram. Classes include Go With the Flow Yoga, Pilates, Barre and Burn, Cardio Hip Hop Fit, Core and Cardio, Restorative Yoga, Self Care and Mighty Mobility. Classes cost $7 per drop in. Newcomers welcome! Sign up for classes at mightygirlsfitness.com or on the MINDBODY app.
n 9ROUND FITNESS — Online workouts are being offered on Instagram and more. For information, visit facebook. com/9RoundOrlandoJakeSt.
n ZOOM PILATES — Baldwin Park resident and PMA-certified instructor Adriana Duarte Pontual offers Zoom Pilates classes 11 a.m. Wednesdays and 9:15 a.m. Saturdays. Classes are $10 each. Those interested in taking a class should fill out a form at bit.ly/2AR6JJ8.
n WARRIOR ONE YOGA — The studio offers dozens of virtual classes each week. Choose classes on the MINDBODY app or online at wearewarriorone.com.
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