FREE DONUTS!!!!

What are you up to on Friday, June 3rd? RSVP and invite your frienDDs to one of the most delicious days of the year – National Donut Day!  Participating U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants are celebrating National Donut Day by offering you a FREE DONUT of your choice with any beverage purchase. To locate a Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant near you and for details on this freebie, visit www.dunkindonuts.com

GO TO THE MOVIES FOR JUST $1 THIS SUMMER!!!!!!

Want to keep kids entertained this summer for just a buck??? Treat kids to a movie for just $1 this summer at Regal's SUMMER MOVIE EXPRESS! During this 9-week festival, select Regal Cinemas will offer selected G or PG rated movies for only a dollar on Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10am.  Visit regmovies.com for full details.

8 Smart Ways to Pay Less for Gas

Here are 8 great ways to save money on gas whether you cover a lot of ground for work or are gearing up for a fun summer road trip:

Tip #1: Buy discounted gas gift cards from various vendors at sites like PlasticJungle.com and GiftCards.com.

Tip #2: Buy gas in the morning or at night when it's cooler so less evaporates from your tank.

Tip #3: Don't idle for more than a minute because that wastes more gas than restarting the engine.

Tip #4: Fill up during the middle of the week because gas prices rise on Thursdays in anticipation of weekend travel.

Tip #5: Lighten your load--every extra 250 pounds of weight in your vehicle burns an extra mile per gallon of gas.

Tip #6: Download an app for your smart phone that makes it easy to find the cheapest gas prices like GasBuddy or CheapGas!

Tip #7: Ask a mechanic about the lowest octane gas recommended for your vehicle--the manual may recommend high octane even though it's not necessary.

Tip #8: Drive with your windows closed on the highway (to save as much as 10%) and open the windows and turn off the air conditioning in stop-and-go traffic.

These tips were inspired by energy expert, Chris Faulker, CEO Breitling Oil & Gas.

Renters Insurance... PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY!

Dear Valued Residents,

Recently within our apartment portfolio we have experienced two stove grease fires that occurred when a resident was cooking. In both incidents neither renter had “RENTERS INSURANCE”. In one situation the fire itself caused minor damage however, the water from the sprinkler system and Fire Department caused severe damage to the resident’s apartment as well as the neighbors below. The cost for repair, cleaning, and replacement of furnishings exceeded $5,000. In the other incident the staff arrived on the scene and was able to put the fire out in time to keep the sprinkler system from flooding their apartment and the apartments below! The cost for the damage to the apartment stove, cabinets and cleaning up of smoke damage still exceeded $5,000.

In the past two months we have experienced forest fires near some of our apartment communities. Fortunately the quick action of the local fire departments kept the fire from spreading into the apartment communities. This could have been catastrophic loss for hundreds of residents. With no renters insurance your personal belongings would not be covered by the apartment community’s property insurance.

To those of you who reside in any of our coastal communities, hurricane season is beginning in June just weeks away. Storm damage is probable in the wake of a hurricane. Damage to your personal items from any type of storm is not covered under the apartment community’s property insurance. Many of you have seen the recent devastation in North Carolina and Georgia from tornado activity. If your building is damaged or destroyed you are not covered for your personal belongings.

What you need to know is that YOU are personally liable for damages to the apartment community as well as damage to units surrounding you even if the Fire Department creates the damage with their equipment and water! This could be financially devastating to you and your family. Below are list of the many reasons you need to be insured.

Did you know that if lightning were to strike your apartment building causing damage to your electronics (TV, computer, etc.) you would be responsible for the replacement/repair costs of these items? The Landlord’s insurance is not.

Did you know that if lightening were to strike your apartment building causing a fire you are responsible for all of the personal contents inside your apartment home? The Landlord’s insurance is not.

Did you know that if a neighbor leaves a candle unattended causing a fire, and/or smoke or water damages your personal belongings, Integra Meadows would not be responsible for the loss? And, if your neighbor does not have their own personal property insurance, again, you would be responsible for the replacement cost of these items.

Did you know that if a hurricane or tropical storm causes your apartment’s roof to leak or windows to break causing water damage to your personal belongings, the replacement cost of your items would not be covered by the landlord’s insurance?

And finally, did you know that if a visitor is injured in your apartment or at the community while visiting you, you could be held liable for their medical expenses and more? Your current and future earnings could be at risk.

Many people are under the impression that an apartment communities’ insurance will cover such losses but this is inaccurate. The landlord’s policy does not include liability for something that happens in your rented residence or to your personal belongings.

How can you protect yourself and all of your personal property? Please obtain renter’s insurance. It is fairly inexpensive and your car insurance company may offer discounts for multiply policies. Most insurance carriers can help you select just the coverage you need based on exactly what you own so the renter’s insurance policy will suite your specific needs. The average annual cost for renter’s insurance today is approximately $120 per year a small price to pay to be able to replace your entire household. Often times you can add renter’s insurance through your current automobile insurance policy for a better rate!

Section 8 of your lease agreement clearly expresses your need for insurance and your responsibility for protecting your personal property. Please protect yourself and your property by contacting your insurance company and begin a renter’s insurance policy today!

Last but not least: This picture was taken on May 17, 2011 from a local apartment community where the neighboring woods began to burn. High winds caused the fire to spread quickly. Fortunately the local fire department was able to contain the fire. As you can see by the picture, there is a car in the parking area next to an apartment building and had this fire gotten out of control several people could have lost everything. Protect yourself! Don’t be a victim!

Healthier Living with an Apartment Pet

When you’ve got a pet, you benefit from the unconditional love that your furry friend showers on you. Research shows that besides making you feel warm and fuzzy, the love you experience as an animal owner can actually lead to better health for you, too. Read about these benefits here in these tips for healthier living with a pet in your apartment.

Health benefits of pets for all ages
As a source of unconditional love and comfort, pets just make us feel good. When we dote on these lovable buddies, our brains release powerful mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which make us feel calm and happy. Some of the benefits of living with a pet include lower blood pressure, an immunity boost, and a healthy dose of social interaction.

Fido, the fitness coach
One reason why life with pets leads to healthier living is that pets encourage us to get up off the couch and get physical. It’s easy to forget about exercise or make excuses not to go to the gym, but when your beloved pet is demanding playtime, it is hard to say no. Whether you’ve got a cat who likes you to toss her feather toy across the floor to chase or a dog who begs you for walks, spending time with pets helps you get healthy amounts of physical activity, as well. In this way, Fido or Kitty can become your unexpected fitness coach.

Allergy fighters
There’s also research to indicate that living with pets in an apartment can help children overcome sensitivity to allergies. While the traditional school of thought was that allergy-prone families should avoid having furry pets, current studies show that children who grow up in homes with pets end up decreasing their chances of developing severe allergies or asthma. It turns out that exposure to these animals helps children develop a stronger immune system against allergens.

Friend (or date) magnets
Regular social interaction is another cornerstone of healthy living, and owning a pet is a shared experience others enjoy relating to. Dogs are like friend magnets because they are cute and are such great conversation starters. It’s nearly impossible to take a dog to the park without having someone ask to pet the animal or inquire about the breed. These social exchanges can mean a lot when you are looking to make new connections with people, say, after a move to a new city. And if you’re a little on the shy side, walking a dog can really help you break out of your shell.

Pets and unconditional love
Because dogs and cats encourage physical activity and social interaction, it’s not hard to see why life with pets can lead to healthier living. For the chronically ill, these benefits are just the tip of the iceberg. For those who may be dealing with a health crisis, living with a pet can be a big mood booster. That’s because caring for a pet takes the focus off of one’s own troubles. In fact, studies show that AIDS patients who live with pets are less likely to suffer from depression, and those with high blood pressure who live with pets are more likely to remain calm in high-stress situations.

Pets, then, are like powerful non-prescription medicine — not to mention that having a snuggly pet curl up next to you nightly can make you feel loved and needed. It seems amazing that something as simple as scratching your dog behind the ears can make you feel so good, but the simple truth is that living with pets is a meaningful way to help improve your overall sense of health and well-being.

Our Brave Men & Women

We would like to take a moment to honor all our brave men and women who have fought so valiantly for our country. We encourage our resident to go to events commemorating this very special holiday and to give thanks to the families of these veterans!

We also want to let our residents know that the office will be closed on Monday, May 30th, in observance of Memorial Day.

Osceola School District's Out of Zone Requests

The window for Osceola School District parents to request an out-of-zone (OOZ) transfer for the 2011/2012 school year will end on June 1, 2011. Applications will not be accepted after June 1, 2011. All out-of-zone transfer requests for elementary, middle, and high school will be handled at the district level in the following manner:

- Parents/guardians may pick up out-of-zone transfer forms from the home-zoned school or school their student is currently attending. Forms may also be picked up at Student Services, located at 801 Bill Beck Boulevard in Kissimmee.

- Parents/guardians completing the out-of-zone requests, please make sure to answer all questions on the form. Incomplete information may result in a processing delay. Completed forms may be hand-carried to Student Services, located at 801 Bill Beck Blvd., Kissimmee, or sent in by mail. Schools will not process, deliver, or forward the completed forms.

- Once the out-of-zone request is received at the district level, supporting information from the student database, as well as the approved criteria guidelines, will be used to approve or deny the request.

- An approval or denial letter will be forwarded to the parents/guardians, to the home-zoned school, and the requested school.

- The approval letter will reiterate the principal’s prerogative to revoke the out-of-zone if the student does not comply with the responsibilities of acceptable standards in the areas of conduct, attendance, and grades as outlined in the out-of-zone agreement. Additionally, the parent/guardian will be directed to contact the school to complete a schedule request for his/her child.

- Parents/guardians are responsible for out-of-zone student transportation.

- Parents/guardians will continue to have the right to request an appeal by contacting the Student Services office. Appeal information will be provided in the denial letter.

Requests received after the June 1, 2011, deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Questions regarding out-of-zones may be addressed to Millie Mercardo in Student Services at 407-870-4897 or mercamil@osceola.k12.fl.us.

Source: Osceola School District's website: www.osceola.k12.fl.us

Have a Happy and Safe Cinco de Mayo!

On this day, each year, we celebrate teh victory of the Mexican Army against the French forces in the City of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Even though this is not a National Holiday in Mexico, it is in Puebla AND the United States ~ thanks to you!

Are you looking to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a bang? Check out Azteca Mexican Restaurant! Azteca will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo beginning on Thursday, May 5th, 2011 and finishing up with Mother's Day on Sunday, May 8th, 2011. After 6pm they have Mariachi bands are they also offer the best Margaritas in town!

For more information you can contact them at (407)826-9191, or visit them at 12403 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837.

Huntington's Desease 101

Imagine having the worst aspects of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Lou Gehrigh’s Diseases all at once. For the 30,000 Americans living with Huntington’s Disease this is an everyday reality and struggle.

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder. It causes the loss of cognitive, behavioral and physical control, and presently, there is no treatment or cure. HD slowly diminishes an individual’s ability to walk, think, talk and reason. Symptoms usually appear in an individual between 30 and 50 years of age and progress over a 10 to 25 year period.

Eventually, every person with HD becomes totally dependent upon others for his or her care.
This May, the Huntington’s Disease Society of America needs your help to raise awareness of HD, and to help educate our community and provide support and services to families affected by HD.

For more information, please visit www.hdsa.org

Kids Night

We will be hosting a special “Kids Night’ on Friday, 5/6/11, from 4pm— 5pm in honor of Mother’s Day. We will have arts and crafts for the little ones to give to Mom on her special day. Please note that all children must be accompanied by an adult.

We hope to see you there!