When you picture your neighbors in East Orlando, you may think of the young couple down the street or your friends and family across town. Those not often considered are the diverse population of homeless individuals that live among us. For these neighbors, help and resources are scarce. Recently a daytime drop-in center was proposed to help the homeless, although the center’s location has been one of heated controversy. The proposed East Orlando center is a necessity to help the homeless however, according to Cathy Jackson, executive director of the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida. “We can see that the number of homeless... [Read more]

Owner and Operator of Fitness Together East Orlando, Glenn Beard, PT. I’m a big fan of author Max Lucada. I’ve read several of his books and, in fact, start every day by reading an inspirational thought from him. What I like most about how Max writes is how he simplifies even the most complex subjects to one or two key concepts and, in the process, challenges me to re-examine how I think and act. It’s not always comfortable for me to be challenged in this way, that’s for sure, but it’s always beneficial. I found a recent daily thought titled “Some Days Never Come” so powerful that I wanted to share it... [Read more]

After almost a year of operating without a director, the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce recently announced they have brought on Elaine Hinsdale, a former public relations executive and Lockheed Martin spokesperson, to lead the group. With more than 600 members and businesses east of Semoran Boulevard, the EOCC is responsible for an area that includes everything from the growing Alafaya Trail and University of Central Florida corridor, through Waterford Lakes and even the new medical city in Lake Nona, among others. Elaine Hinsdale, executive director of the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce. The move is a sign that the organization is, again,... [Read more]

The project is set to install approximately 16,000 feet of water main piping south along Woodbury Road. By now, if you’ve driven down Woodbury Road, you’ve noticed the construction commissioned by the City of Orlando Public Works Department that began on July 27, 2009. The project, officially titled the Eastern Regional Reclaimed Water Distribution System (ERRWDS) Phase II Contract 1B, is set to install approximately 16,000 feet of 42-inch diameter ductile iron reclaimed water main piping south along Woodbury Road. Officially, the project begins 1,500 feet south of State Road 50 and continues to the intersection of Golfway Boulevard... [Read more]

A new partnership building in the Central Florida Research Park will help Metro Orlando keep and add thousands of high-tech, high-wage modeling and simulation jobs and remain a national leader in that expanding industry. The University of Central Florida and the military will share the Partnership III building, which will be home to UCF Institute for Simulation & Training laboratories and related modeling and simulation research. The UCF facility, scheduled to open in fall 2010, will be built to meet at least the silver level of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. UCF President John Hitt will join military and... [Read more]