It’s a fair question: is food recession proof? Sure, we all have to eat, but, what makes going out for a meal a viable option, even in times when the wallet is a little tighter? Is it the food? It certainly plays a role. The price? Yeah, that factors in. Location?  Of course. But what about the experience? When it all comes together just right, that can make the difference between a night to remember or a going out of business sale for small, locally-owned eateries.

“We try to change up what we do to give people what they want,” says Shelly Gref, co-owner of Eastside Bistro in Avalon Park. “Being successful in our industry is all about being hands-on - I want people to know who I am so they feel comfortable to tell me when we do something right or wrong; we want to be approachable.”

Her desire to create a memorable dining experience goes back to the couple’s initial concept and business plan long before the doors opened 10 months ago to their American Cuisine style restaurant, the first of its kind in Avalon Park.

More than just being friendly, they recognize that operating a small mom-and-pop style restaurant requires a customer first approach and a touch of something unique. “When we opened this place, we knew we didn’t want to be an ‘occasion place’, we wanted to be an ‘everyday place’ - somewhere local residents want to go to because there’s a great atmosphere, you can get to know everyone in the place and there’s good food to boot,” says Gref.

The same concept applies for Sweet Mama’s Restaurant, located just off Narcoossee Road and SR417 in Lake Nona. Upon opening three years ago the two co-owners, Lisa Matson and Linda Moore, knew that to succeed they had to have good food and a better atmosphere. As if providing home-cooked meals to order wasn’t enough, they’ve also gone the extra mile to make every customer feel important at their quant, roadside restaurant. “We make every effort to make every single person that walks through the door feel like they’re at home, surrounded by friends,” says Matson. “Our employees know most of our customers by name and ask them how the birthday party went last week or what’s coming up next for work or whatever the case may be; and it really can help make their day, as silly as it sounds,” adds Moore.

The duo has been rewarded for their efforts with a customer base that not only is increasing in number, but in loyalty. “We have so many regular customers that come in, and we may not see them five days a week, but we see a lot of them three or four days a week for sure,” says Matson.

Gref attributes their success to much of the same mentality - staying local works. “Our entire staff lives in East Orlando, with 80 percent of them in Avalon Park,” she says. “My family and I live here, go to church here, our kids go to school here and all of that just adds to wanting to see the community succeed and customers identify with that.”

Both local eateries have seen the current economic state as a positive. Their daily food and drink specials, location and community outreach programs have helped, but at the core, their stability goes back to the unique atmosphere they each create and own. “Business has gradually increased over the three years we’ve been open; so, even if people are going out to eat less, they still want a quality atmosphere where they feel like they belong and we give them that,” says Moore.

“Business has been great since opening thanks to word of mouth from customers and us being able to create that feeling of belonging to everyone that walks in the door,” says Gref.

So is food recession proof? The consensus from the local restaurateurs is yes, to an extent. “When you provide a quality product that others can’t match, you’re going to stay busy no matter what,” says Matson.

“We set ourselves apart because we want people to choose us over the chains,” sheGref. “Why would you choose us if there was nothing special about us?”

Article by Corey Gehrold

Thanks to a new initiative, Osceola County is committed to a smart growth future. That means they will plan to build complete communities complete with a balance of uses including residential, retail, education and recreation, instead of simply approving development projects like they have in the past. The county has designated the area adjacent to the budding medical city in Lake Nona as the “Northeast District” and they have big plans for the 17,000-acre property.

County leaders believe the move toward smart growth concepts can evolve the county’s character from a mainly service-driven economy into a high-tech environment fueled by the medical industries located a mere six miles away.

“Our smart growth emphasis is on walkability within an urban setting that provides opportunity for easy access to day-to-day needs of residents and businesses,” says Jeff Jones, smart growth director for Osceola County. All activities necessary for successfully pursuing this novel approach to growth are being coordinated through the county’s various departments including economic development, growth management and public works.

The Northeast District, located roughly two miles east of Narcoosssee Road beginning on the Orange/Osceola county line, is designed to be a large regional employment center supporting the bioscience cluster just down the road. According to Jones, approximately 44,000 jobs are expected to be located within the Northeast District when it is fully built-out. It will house an estimated 60,000 residents.

To date, approximately one-third of the land area is already designated as mixed-use development. The future land use is being processed through an amendment to the County’s Comprehensive Plan as of this printing.

As for encouraging developers and businesses to move into the district, the county is prepared for that as well. “We provide numerous incentives through our Economic Development program that is made available to qualified developers and businesses in the area,” says Maria Toumazos, economic development administrator for Osceola County.

The county is currently processing the conceptual design for the Northeast District and anticipates its adoption in August, 2010. “The goal is to create a major regional employment center focusing on high-wage, high-value jobs,” says Jones.

Achieving smart growth goal will require higher population densities, a unique mixing of uses and an area transit plan. Once all of those pieces are in place, the County will begin to move forward on construction for the district.

“The Northeast District will, by design, bring significant employment opportunities to the county, and support other economic development initiatives to diversify the County’s economy,” says Jones.

Article by Corey Gehrold

In April of 2005 Tyler Youtz was just 5-years-old when he was diagnosed with Stage Four Neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nervous system. The next year would prove to be one of the most difficult of his young life. Numerous chemotherapy and radiation treatments, eight surgeries and a bone marrow transplant later, Tyler emerged not only as a cancer survivor, but a healthy, fully-recovered, free-spirited Vista Lakes Elementary student.

Today he is getting ready to celebrate his tenth birthday alongside the East Orlando Relay for Life at Timber Creek High School on April 30. The overnight fundraising event is the largest Relay for the American Cancer Society of Metro Orlando and it lasts right up to Tyler’s birthday. “We’re actually going to have a big party at the East Orlando Relay because it falls on his birthday and we couldn’t be more excited,” says Angela Youtz, Tyler’s mother.

The new tagline for the American Cancer Society is creating “A World with More Birthdays” and they’ve done just that by helping the Youtz family, offering education and support when they needed it most. “It definitely makes each birthday extra special,” says Angela.

As the team captain of his school’s Relay for Life team, Tyler, along with his teacher, is leading the fundraising efforts for the elementary school’s team, which will participate in the Lake Nona Relay for Life on April 23.

“He is a true miracle; the type of cancer he had has the lowest cure rate of all childhood cancers,” Angela says. “He’s definitely my hero.”

Relay for Life is a team event that spans 18 hours, beginning at 6:00 p.m. and ending the next morning. Teams raise dollars by hosting everything from car washes to bake sales leading up to the big day. At the event itself, teams set up booths and tents to camp out. Each team member takes turns walking the track throughout the night, making sure one person from each team is always walking to symbolize that those affected by cancer do not get a break, and neither do they.

“Relay For Life is such a special event because it really brings the community together to feel empowered in the fight against cancer,” says April Carpenter, community representative for the American Cancer Society. “The atmosphere is like nothing you have ever seen before and once you’ve experienced it, you’re hooked.”

Article by Corey Gehrold

May 8, 6-11 p.m., Church Street Ballroom, 225 South Garland Avenue, Orlando. The 2010 GSSF Gala and Auction will honor Patricia McNamee, who will retire in June after 28 years as Principal of Good Shepherd Catholic School. The evening will include reception, dinner, silent and live auctions, honoree program and DJ. Sponsorships available. Tickets: $60 per person; $110 per couple. Proceeds benefit GSSF and its mission. For information and registration, visit www.goodshepherdschoolfoundation.org or call Reba Fritz at 407-277-4200 x 309.

To submit your event to Insight Magazine, please e-mail Events@InsightMG.com today.

The University of Central Florida Student Athletic Trainer’s Organization received a big check (both literally and figuratively) this February thanks to Orlando Orthopaedic Center (OOC).

Hosting a record crowd of more than 500 individuals for their 2010 6th Annual Cutting Edge Concepts in Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Seminar, OOC was able to donate $2,250, the largest check ever written from the seminar’s proceeds to the UCF group. Throughout the past six years, more than $18,000 has been donated back to UCF in an effort to help students experience the orthopaedic profession hands-on. “We are thrilled to continue our innovative seminar series while encouraging students as they prepare to shape the future of our industry and medicine in general,” says Bob Hammons, director of client services and sports medicine outreach coordinator for Orlando Orthpaedic Center.

Conference leaders and speakers will fly in from around the country to take part in the nationally recognized educational seminar. In addition to speaking on various orthopaedic and sports medicine issues ranging from advanced recovery therapies to state-of-the-art surgical procedures, proceeds from the day are donated back to the UCF student group in an effort to help students interested in the profession gain valuable hands-on experience with industry leaders today.

Representatives from the UCF Student Athletic Trainers Organization were joined by hundreds of physicians, physician assistants, certified athletic trainers, registered nurses, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and other allied healthcare professionals.

“The students in this organization at UCF are the future of the athletic training profession, hands down. They are present day leaders and future coworkers; so we try to do everything we can to help them develop and gain the skills they need to be successful in our profession,” says Hammons. “The young minds at UCF and programs like theirs around the country, coupled with new technological advances in surgical and rehabilitation procedures, will continue to revolutionize the sports medicine profession for years to come.”

Article by Corey Gehrold