PACKAGE DELIVERIES

With Christmas right around the corner our office has become a warehouse for packages delivered to our residents =). Just remember that on Christmas Eve, Friday, 12/24/10, our offices will close at 12:30pm and the Clubhouse will close at 6:00pm so make sure to come in to pick up your packages before then! If you are not sure if your package has arrived just give us a call at the office and we will check for you.

NEW YEAR'S EVE SAFETY TIPS...

New Years Eve is a huge night for everyone, which means crowds will be swarming toward all the metropolitan hubs around the world. People feed off eachothers' excitement, and sometimes things can get out of hand if safety precautions are not taken. Everyone wants to have an unforgettable night (in a good way!). By simply using some common sense, we can keep it that way. Ring in the New Year safely!

Designate a Driver: If you are going to be driving New Years Eve, don't drink and drive. If you have a friend who does not prefer to drink, make sure they take the wheel. You might even be on the water this New Years Eve. The person in charge of navigating the boat needs to be cautious, and this still applies to them! It is important to be safe on the water as well, so drink sensibly.

Don't forget about your pets! They are just as much a part of the family as everyone else. If you are using fireworks, anything with loud noises, or fire, be sure that pets are kept at a distance as well as children. None of these are a good mix. Candles are also a potential hazard.

Be Alert: Be aware of your surroundings and how others are acting. Stay away from those who are out of control and might cause harm. Taking preventive measures is key. If someone is really intoxicated, prevent them from trying to drive or leaving with someone they do not know. It's important to keep an eye out for each other.

Don't Drive: If you don't have to go behind the wheel, avoid it. More people will be driving under the influence on this particular night, so avoid a potentially dangerous accident by staying off the road. Otherwise, be alert and drive defensively. Most importantly, wear your seatbelt! Also, using public transportation is a wise option. If taking a cab is too expensive, crashing at a friend's place nearby is a convenient solution.

Stick Together: This way we can look out for our friends and family. Going out to parties and nightclubs means a fast-paced, crazy night; so be sure to travel in groups. Having a safety net around you in this environment, especially for women, is imperative.

Monitor your Alcohol Intake: A majority of people will be drinking on New Years Eve, and there is nothing wrong with that. Just be sure to pay attention to how much you and others are consuming. Drinking too much alcohol can have lethal affects. Be responsible.

Follow up your New Years Eve by making some New Years Resolutions and starting fresh! Check out this New Years Resolutions page for some tips!

SAY GOOD BYE TO 2010, AND HELLO TO 2011

So you are undecided on what to do to celebrate the new year. Here's a few things you can do to welcome 2011:

• Celebration Towne Center
A great place to be this New Years Eve Weekend. Back by popular demand, Celebration Town Center will bring the New Year in with a bang at an all new fun, family friendly celebration like none other. The event will kick off with special reunion-show performances by VonRay (as heard on the Smallville soundtrack and more) followed by the sensational sounds of the multi-talented Mo Geetz Band and live music throughout the streets. Then stick around till the clock strikes midnight and catch the fireworks spectacular and music until 1:00 a.m.

•Old Town
Ring in the New Year at Old Town in Kissimmee. There will be something for everyone to do, food, kids' activities, music and more! Enjoy classic rock n’ roll performed by cover band Reunion, taking the stage at 7:30pm. Rides and the fireworks show at midnight. Free admission.

THEME PARK NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATIONS

•Walt Disney World Theme Parks
The Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios are all open past midnight for a special night of family celebrations to ring in the New Year.

•Universal Orlando Theme Parks
Extended hours at both parks. Islands of Adventure is open till 10:00pm and Universal Studios will stay open until 1:00 am with special events for New Year's Eve.

•SeaWorld Orlando
Enjoy a New Year’s Eve bash at SeaWorld Orlando. Dance to a 14-piece band, jazz musicians and a DJ keeping the party going all the way through midnight.

Apple Walnut Cake

INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups white sugar
- 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 pound butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 cups sliced Macintosh apples

1. Preheat oven to 350º F. Butter and flour one 10” tube pan. 2. Cream together the butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. Set aside. 3. Sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add to wet ingredients and mix well. 4. Stir in vanilla, walnuts and apples. Mix well and pour into prepared pan. 5. Bake at 350º F for approximately 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Set aside to cool. Slide knife along outer edges to release bottom of tube pan. Slide knife along bottom of tube pan and inner tube to release cake.

STAYING SAFE THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS

Dear Residents,

Tis the season for increased crime activity. Take every precaution that you can to keep you and yours safe this holiday season!

• Always be mindful that thieves are opportunists... removing opportunities for a criminal to commit a crime will reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

• Most people display their Christmas trees in a window in the front of their homes. Almost always there will be a bounty of wrapped gifts under that tree. Whenever you leave your home for an extended period of time be sure to pull those drapes shut or close your blinds to remove those gifts from the view of a thief. If you have a live tree closing those drapes will help it stay fresh longer too.

• When you leave your home for an extended period of time make certain it is secure. The weather is great this time of year and many people like to leave their doors and windows open. Be sure to close and lock them before you leave your residence unattended. Ditto for vehicles parked in your driveway.

• Unlocked cars are almost always the first ones to be burglarized.

• If you are out shopping or are coming home from shopping, be sure to keep your gifts out of view. A bounty of new toys, electronics or other shopping bags can be very tempting for a criminal.

• Christmas almost always means new bikes, trikes, skateboards, and a myriad of toy vehicles will be out in full force in the days following Santa’s visit. Many of the operators of these new acquisitions will be inexperienced. Make certain your kids understand the rules of the road and wear helmets whenever appropriate. Even more important... be on the lookout for these “inexperienced” riders and drivers when you are driving through Integra Meadows.

We hope you have a safe and happy holiday!!!!

ENJOY THESE LOCAL HOLIDAY EVENTS!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
November 8 – December 19 (On select nights)
Walt Disney World Resort® - Magic Kingdom®
A specially-ticketed event with snow on Main Street USA, character greetings throughout the park, live stage shows and holiday entertainment.

SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration
November 26 – January 2
SeaWorld® Orlando
Journey to the North Pole on The Polar Express Experience, share a smile with a sea lion and hear stunning live shows inspired by the natural world, all in a wintery, watery wonderland.

Best of Florida Christmas at Gaylord Palms Resort
November 20 – January 2
Gaylord Palms Resort
ICE!, featuring Twas the Night Before Christmas, is carved from more than two million pounds of ice by 40 skilled artisans from Harbin, China. SNOW!, a North Pole Carnival, will be packed with all-new holiday chills and thrills (and real snow!). Try the "Kiddie Snow Tube Run," play games or sample seasonal treats.

Wonderland of Lights
November 26 – January 9
Osceola Heritage Park
A new family holiday tradition has arrived in Central Florida! This unique, mile-long drive-through lighting event will thrill the entire family with the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Walk through Santa’s village, ice skate, watch holiday movies and much more.

Holidays Around The World and Candlelight Processional
November 26 – December 30
Walt Disney World Resort® – Epcot®
Delight in the sights and sounds of the season. The Candleight Processional retells the stirring story of Christmas with a special celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a mass choir.

Celebration's Snowing Nightly
November 27 – December 31
Celebration Town Center
The nightly snow falls and festival are packed with holiday essentials, including photos with Santa, holiday carolers and the Celebration Express train ride.

Holidays at Universal Orlando® Resort
December 4 – January 1
Universal Orlando® Resort
Celebrate Grinchmas™ at Universal's Islands of Adventure®, and join in the fun of the Macy's Holiday Parade™ at Universal Studios®. All the festivities are included with your theme park admission during select dates in December.

Miracle on 34th Street Broadway Show
December 3 – December 12
Osceola Center for the Arts
As the Macy’s Santa, Kris Kringle enchants children and shoppers so completely that he is deemed dangerous by fellow employees who question his competency. A girl’s belief in Santa and the magic of the holiday is at stake in this family classic.

Festival of the Seasons
November 19 – December 24
Downtown Disney
Santa Claus is coming to town – to Downtown Disney, that is – and he'll be meeting kids, listening to wishes and posing for pictures.

DECEMBER'S HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

Friday, 12/24/10 - Leasing Office: 8:30am - 12:30pm. Clubhouse will be open from 8:30am - 6:00pm.

Saturday, 12/25/10 - Leasing Office and Clubhouse: CLOSED... MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Friday, 12/31/10 - Leasing Office and Clubhouse: 8:30am - 1:00pm

Saturday, 1/1/11 - Leasing Office: CLOSED / Clubhouse: 1:00pm - 11:00pm... HAPPY NEW YEAR!

If you have a maintenance emergency, please call (407) 396-8259.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!

PLAYGROUND NEWS

GREAT NEWS EVERYONE!!! We just received notice that the playground we have been contemplating for a while now has been approved! The playground will be located in the Courtyard, between buildings 2, 3 and 4 and it should be set up and ready for everyone's enjoyment by the end of January, 2011. If you have any questions, please stop by the office or give us a call at (407) 396-8259.

SAFETY AND THE HOLIDAYS… MAKING THEM MERRY…

With the holidays approaching, traffic will be hard to deal with, parking spaces will be hard to find in establishments, long lines everywhere we go, kids will be out of school and running around, the cool and dry weather will make snakes and alligators move around (in places you may not like or want)… so… give yourself plenty of extra time for that traffic, have patience when that parking spot is hard to find or worse when you are waiting for the space and someone takes it from you, make time go faster and talk to the person in front or back of that long line, drive slow and focus on the drive so all those kids are safe and when all those critters come out don't play or antagonize them, call the proper authority. Here are a few tips to help the holiday season be a safe and merry one:

• Shop with friends or relatives if possible; there IS safety in numbers. As you shop, be alert in crowded places. Among pickpockets' favorites are revolving doors, jammed aisles, elevators, and public transportation stops and vehicles, especially at rush hour. Carry the day's most expensive purchases closest to your body, and don't carry so much you lose the ability to react quickly. If possible, leave your children with a baby-sitter while you are shopping. For holiday shopping, consider making arrangements with family or friends/neighbors, and take turns baby-sitting. If you take your children with you, keep a close eye on them while shopping.
  
• Travel and conduct your business during daylight hours if possible. When driving, keep doors locked and windows rolled up. When returning to your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings; scan the area from time to time. Avoid concentrating so hard on shopping that you fail to keep track of your surroundings, others near you, or your personal property. Carry your keys in your hand and be ready to unlock the door and enter as quickly as possible. As you approach your vehicle, scan the area, glance underneath the vehicle, and take a quick look inside before entering.


• Using debit or credit cards is much safer than carrying a lot of cash.


• If planning a "road trip" over the holidays, have your vehicle services and checked out sufficiently far ahead to allow for repairs if needed. Don't forget to have the mechanic check your spare tire and all fluid levels along with the other preventive maintenance procedures.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY… FROM YOUR STAFF AT INTEGRA MEADOWS

RESIDENTS CHRISTMAS DINNER INVITATION

Click on the invitation for details! Please RSVP by Saturday, 12/11/10. Thank you and we hope you can join us!