Sunday Edition
POSITIVELY OSCEOLA WEEKLY
Making a Positive Difference in and around Osceola County!
Inside this issue Osceola Chamber announces new name, new look at their 2022 Osceola Update at Reunion Resort
Page 35
Osceola Community Comes Together to “Rock the Bald” and to Conquer Childhood Cancer! Page 11
Attorney General Moody Presents Award to Trooper who collided with drunk driver to save 10K runners
Page 10
Meet Valencia College’s 2022 Distinguished Graduate Turning Tragedy into Triumph: Leah Basaria
Page 38
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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The Florida Department of Health in Osceola County and Osceola County Branch 5121 of the NAACP invite you join us at a
HEALTH EXPO food Enjoy ns tratio s n o dem ow to h n r a and le ur ve yo o r p im ating e y b s! health s food u o i t i nutr
Chambers Park Community Center
2380 Smith Street, Kissimmee Saturday, April 2, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Join us for a panel discussion with local community leaders and learn more about important minority health topics from a variety of community organizations.
WEEKLY LIVESTREAMS Good Morning Osceola Mon, Wed, Fri at 7:30AM
In the Loop LIVE Tue at 6:00PM
Daybreak LIVE Wed at 9:00AM
Osceola Matters Thu at 6:00PM
In the Loop LIVE Sat at 8:00AM For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 4
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ON DEMAND LIVESTREAMS Positively Osceola’s Coffee Club Talk LIVE with Guest: Anil K. Singh, MD March 30th, 2022
Positively Osceola’s In the Loop LIVE with Guest: Kristen Arrington March 28th, 2022
Positively Osceola’s In the Loop LIVE with Guest: Brandon Arrington March 22nd, 2022
Positively Osceola’s Good Morning Osceola LIVE With Krissi Hardy March 30th, 2022
Positively Osceola’s Good Morning Osceola LIVE With Krissi Hardy March 28th, 2022
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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IN & AROUND OSCEOLA LIVE at Kissimmee Utility Authority’s Cane Island with Leadership Osceola
LIVE as Rotary Club of Kissimmee gives $45,000 to their Clay Shoot charity “Operation Outdoor Freedom”
LIVE with Andrew Sullivan from Osceola Fire Rescue and EMS at the 5th Annual Rock the Bald 2022 Fundraiser LIVE with Sheriff Marcos Lopez at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Community Appreciation Day
LIVE at St. Cloud Elementary School with their robotics team For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 6
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VIDEOS ON DEMAND District 2 - Drive-Thru Farm Share Food Distribution
Save the Date #Osceola When: Wednesday, April 13th at 10am Where: Archie Gordon Memorial Park Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer and Farm Share invite you to their FREE District 2 - Drive-Thru Farm Share Food Distribution. First come, first served. While supplies last
Divinity: Works by local artist Patricia Cavazos
Osceola Arts is kicking off Spring with a new visual arts exhibit called Divinity: Works by local artist Patricia Cavazos, now through April 1st. The exhibit “Divinity” is an abstract interpretation of the Aztec world’s creation and the gods behind it. For more information on works by Patricia Cavazos go to www.bycavazos.com.
Osceola Animal Services’ Dog Fostering Program! Osceola County Animal Services is encouraging the community to try their Dog #Fostering Program, for those that are willing to provide short-term in-home care for dogs in need. Its FREE and all veterinary care, food, and supplies are provided. Apply online at OsceolaCountyPets.com.
Hop on Downtown
Hop on Downtown to Historic Downtown Kissimmee on April 16th from 11am – 2pm for a hippity hoppity day of awesome Easter fun! Bring your basket and set out to search for over 1,000 hidden eggs throughout the area. There will be cookie decorating, a jelly bean hop, pictures with the Easter bunny and more! This FREE event starts at the Kissimmee Main Street Welcome Center and will be fun for the whole family!
Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras The good times continue to roll at Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras. All the festivities, including Universals’ spectacular parade and savory cuisine will continue through April 24th. For information on all things Universal Mardi Gras and more go to UniversalOrlando.com/MardiGras.
For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE
Attorney General Moody Presents Award to Trooper who collided with drunk driver to save 10K runners Attorney General Ashley Moody presented a Back the Blue Award to Master Trooper Toni Schuck of the Florida Highway Patrol. On March 6, a drunk driver barreled toward runners in a 10K race in St. Petersburg. Trooper Shuck risked her life by driving a patrol vehicle in front of the speeding drunk driver, injuring herself to protect the runners. Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Every now and then, you read a story so powerful that words escape you. That’s how I felt when I heard about the heroic actions taken by Trooper Schuck and watched the terrifying dashcam video. Her instant reaction to put her life on the line to protect countless Floridians is admirable beyond words. Thank you, Trooper Schuck for your selfless service.” In front of Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, Attorney General Moody presented the Back the Blue Award to Trooper Schuck. Gov. DeSantis also presented a resolution to the Florida Master Trooper. Attorney General Moody launched the statewide Back the Blue campaign soon after taking office in 2019. The campaign highlights law enforcement officers, citizens and organizations taking extraordinary steps to forge positive relationships between law enforcement and local communities. Since its inception, Attorney General Moody has issued more than 40 Back the Blue Awards. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 10
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MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE
Osceola Community Comes Together to “Rock the Bald” and to Conquer Childhood Cancer! More children are lost to cancer in the U.S. than any other disease – actually, more than many other childhood diseases all combined. In the U.S. before they turn 20, about 1 in 264 children in the U.S. will have cancer. At Saturday’s St. Baldrick’s Kissimmee Police and Fire Rock the Bald event, the Osceola County community came together once again united in one purpose, to conquer childhood cancer! Downtown Kissimmee’s Dakin Avenue was filled with volunteers willing to be shaved, those making financial donations, spectators, community leaders, law enforcement agencies, and families who have unfortunately experienced childhood cancer. The event raised over $21,000 this year to help battle childhood cancer – exceeding its $18,000 goal, and it happened with a spirit of unity, joy, and definitely some laughter! The name St. Baldrick’s is a cross between “bald” and St. Patrick’s, and in Osceola, the Kissimmee Police Department, Kissimmee Fire Department and Osceola County Fire Rescue get involved, taking donations to see officers, community leaders and others get their heads shaved. KPD gets its inspiration from a young girl named Leila, who fought childhood cancer and is a real-life miracle. She was joined on stage this year by a young man named Bryson, another local childhood cancer victim who fought off the disease and now stands with his family healthy, happy, and smiling. These are just two amazing young people who have been touched by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, and by the shave fest in Kissimmee that works to be part of the cure. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is volunteer-powered and funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government with 100 percent of the proceeds from the event going toward the mission of conquering childhood cancer. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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District 4 Commissioner Cheryl Grieb invites you to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Bonnet contest and more at the Marydia Community Center! Enjoy food, fun and prizes plus an appearance from the Easter Bunny!
Remember to bring your basket!
El Departamento de Salud de la Florida en el Condado de Osceola y la oficina 5121 de la NAACP en el Condado de Osceola los invita a ser parte de
LA EXPOSICIÓN DE LA SALUD ute de ¡Disfr es de n o i c a str demo ntos y alime mo da có n e r p a lud su sa r a r o mej entos m i l a ndo comie ivos! nutrit
Chambers Park Community Center
2380 Smith Street, Kissimmee sábado, 2 de abril de 2022 de 9:00 a.m. a 1:00 p.m.
Únase a nosotros para disfrutar de un panel de discusión con líderes de la comunidad local y aprenda más sobre temas importantes de salud en las poblacimes minoritarias.
NEWS
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoes new Florida congressional maps, calls for special session On Tuesday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill on congressional redistricting maps and called for a Special Session of the Florida Legislature to produce a new map that will establish new congressional voting districts in Florida. Governor DeSantis vetoed CS/SB 102 this morning after reviewing the bill, citing legal concerns. A supporting memorandum can be found here. The Special Session will convene at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, and will extend no later than 11:59 p.m., Friday, April 22. “We have a responsibility to produce maps for our citizens that do not contain unconstitutional racial gerrymanders,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Today, I vetoed a map that violates the U.S. Constitution, but that does not absolve the Legislature from doing its job. I appreciate the Legislature’s willingness to work with me to pass a legally compliant map this Special Session.” “Our goal is for Florida to have a new congressional map passed by the Legislature, signed by the governor and upheld by the court if challenged,” House Speaker Chris Sprowls and Senate President Wilton Simpson shared in a joint statement. “Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to exhaust every effort in pursuit of a legislative solution.”
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3IU9sOK For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 14
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NEWS Orlando International International Airport Celebrates Women’s History Month with Florida Artists Exhibit March is celebrated as National Women’s History Month, and a new exhibit in the Main Terminal at Orlando International Airport highlights women artists from Florida whose works are part of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority’s (GOAA) permanent art Collection. Timeless Florida: Women Artists from the GOAA Collection brings together paintings, prints, mixed media, pottery and fiber that evoke a sense of natural Florida. Featured artists in the exhibit are Beth Appleton, Karin Bastidas, Donne Bitner, June Bowers, Marjorie P. Bryan, Anna Chen, Sherry Lynn Lee, Frances M. Hancock, Laura Magnuson, Carol Elder Napoli, Betty Neubauer, Madeline Landing Pots, Vina Schemer, Jeanne Schubert, Leah Wiedemer and Jean Yao.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3NAIRtA
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NEWS Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody Urges TikTok and Snapchat to Strengthen Parental Controls
Attorney General Ashley Moody, and a bipartisan coalition of 43 attorneys general, sent a letter to TikTok and Snapchat this week urging the companies to give parents the ability to monitor a child’s social media usage to protect children from online threats using parental control applications and features.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The internet is a dangerous place for children to explore without any guidance or protection. As a mother, I worry about what my child may encounter online. As Florida’s Attorney General, I am aware of how predators use social media to stalk the innocent and inexperienced online. It is imperative that these popular social media platforms develop strong, easy-to-use parental control systems to enhance child safety online.”
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3iMdWwn
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NEWS Go slow, look out below; Manatees need your help As water temperatures warm, manatees naturally disperse from their winter habitats, traveling to other areas of the state and beyond. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking Florida residents and visitors to help keep manatees safe, especially while out on the water. Manatees are leaving their winter refuges and are more likely to be in rivers, canals and nearshore waters. Florida boaters are also enjoying the season, so it is crucial to stay alert and avoid manatees while traveling through Florida’s waterways. From April 1 through Nov. 15, seasonal manatee zones require boaters to slow down in certain areas to prevent manatees from being injured or killed by motorboats or personal watercrafts. Boat strikes are a major threat to Florida manatees.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3tS8YVm
Osceola County Announces Road Resurfacing Work in Oak Island Harbor Area
Osceola County has announced that the following roads are tentatively scheduled for micro-resurfacing Monday, April 4th through Friday, April 8th. • Blooming Alamanda Loop: Playing Otter Court to Blooming Alamanda Loop • Drifting Lilly Loop: Formosa Boulevard to Formosa Boulevard • Formosa Boulevard: Funnie Steed Road to Formosa Gardens Boulevard • Lotus Court: Formosa Boulevard to cul-de-sac • Playing Otter Court: Yellow Crane Drive to cul-de-sac • Sweet Plum Court: Formosa Boulevard to cul-de-sac • White Crane Court: Formosa Boulevard to cul-de-sac
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NEWS Florida Space Art Contest Open to K-5 Students Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez has announced the “launch” of the 2022 Florida Space Art Contest designed to encourage K-5 students to create an art piece inspired by the theme Florida is the Place for Space: Celebrating Florida’s Contributions to Space Travel and Exploration. Students in grades K-5 are invited to participate in the art contest and student contest rules and guidelines can be found online at www.FloridaSpaceArt.com. “As Chair of Space Florida’s Board of Directors, I am proud to launch Florida’s Space Art competition for K-5 students,” said Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “This is an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and artistic talent while highlighting Florida’s iconic space coast, space travel, and exploration. I look forward to seeing all the submissions that, no doubt, will be out of this world.” Space Florida, as a key sponsor of the Lieutenant Governor’s Space Art Contest, believes supporting STEAM education initiatives are an integral part of its mission.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3IQJr2X
April 8th - 10th and November 18th - 20th For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 18
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NEWS Florida Department of Health in Osceola County to Raise Awareness During National Minority Health Month April is National Minority Health Month, a time to raise awareness about health disparities that still affect racial and ethnic minority populations and encourage action through health education, early detection, and control of disease complications. To commemorate Minority Health Month in April, the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County (FDOH-Osceola) is partnering with the Osceola County Branch 5121 of the NAACP to host a Health Expo on Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Residents will be able to learn about important health topics from a variety of community organizations during this event which will take place at Chambers Park Community Center located at 2380 Smith Street in Kissimmee.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3Ixlmy6
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District 3 Commissioner Brandon Arrington invites you to a free, drive-thru Springtime Meal Distribution. Meal Boxes will be distributed to the first 600 families. This is a drive-thru event. Food boxes will be distributed one per car. First come, first served. While supplies last.
SPORTS County Sports Roundup: Osceola’s Cooper Haase Captures National Championship With spring sports going full bore, the big news last week in high school sports came from the winter sport of wrestling. Osceola’s Cooper Haase took on some of the top high school juniors in the nation and came away with a national championship. WRESTLING Last month Cooper Haase won his third consecutive state title, now the junior can add National Champion to his resume. Competing in the junior class at the National High School Coaches Association Nationals, Haase bested more than 300 other juniors from around the country by going 7-0 to win the 132-lb. weight class. Along the way, he defeated Colorado state champion Lain Yapoujian in the round of 32(1-0), Southwest Miami all-state performer Danny Martinez in the semis (5-3), before claiming the national championship by beating Ohio State Champion David McClelland (Desales HS) in the finals, 6-3. Four other wrestlers from Osceola High competed and brought home All-America honors as Anderson Heap (6th) and Gunner Holland (3rd) placed on the podium in the sophomore class; while Elijah VanSickle took third place in the Freshman Division and Kyla Oliver took second in the girls’ freshman division at 112. In other wrestling news, you have to be tough to participate in the sport, but apparently being smart doesn’t hurt either. There are more than 120 Florida Schools that wrestle in Class 3A. A recent report listed the team grade point averages of each team. Osceola County had three schools in the top 25 including #2 Celebration (3.395), #12 Harmony (3.240) and #24 Osceola (3.088). It should be noted that both Osceola (4th) and Harmony (5th) also finished in the top five in Class 3A on the mat at this year’s state tournament. Former Kowboys wrestler Malyke Hines, who now wrestles at Lehigh University, qualified and participated in his second consecutive NCAA Tournament this past week.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3NCbcjh For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 32
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SPORTS First Academy Shuts Out Longhorns 12-0 on March 22, Longhorns respond with two back to back wins Since the game against the First Academy Royals where the Harmony Longhorns were shutout 12-0, Harmony’s Varsity Boys Baseball team has bounced back and tacked on two nice wins. The first last Friday against 4-0 at St. Cloud and the second win on Monday at home where they took out Lake Nona 5-4. But, let’s still take a look back at March 22nd, when the Longhorns got dominated at home by First Academy from Orlando – a big loss that looks to have motivated the Longhorns a bit. At the end of the day, it will go down as a 12-0 defeat for the Longhorns. But even in the lopsided defeat on March 22, Harmony Head Coach Heath Williams found some positives in the contest against the highly ranked First Academy Royals. “For a lot of the game, we had four freshmen on the field,” Williams said after the game. “Their starter no hit us last year and I thought we have some good at-bats against him tonight. Walks and a couple of misplayed balls really hurt us tonight but I think we can still take some positives from the game.” Starting Longhorn pitcher Caden Scarborough was forced to exit the game after just eight pitches when he experienced tightness in his pitching arm. Scarborough, who came into the game with a 1-1 record and a 2.62 ERA, struck out the first hitter he faced before walking the second batter on four straight pitches before exiting the game. “Hopefully it’s nothing but we certainly didn’t want to take any chances with him,” Williams said of his ace. Sophomore Ashton Mogorrian would replace Scarborough and would have got out of the inning unscathed but a throwing error led to three unearned runs. The Royals (11-0 on the season and ranked third in the state in Class 3A) would extend the lead to 4-0 in the third on a double by Riley Parker and a RBI single Tyler Rondon.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3wO4gJU For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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COMMUNITY
OCSA Jazz Band receives $20,000 “magical” gift from Disney, band to perform in Essentially Ellington Competition in NY The Osceola County School for the Arts Jazz Band felt some serious magic recently as Walt Disney World Resort helped them reach their fundraising goal with a $20,000 donation for their upcoming trip to New York where they’ll perform with 14 other high school jazz bands at the the 27th annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. “The kids were literally stunned for a moment…as was I,” OCSA’s Jazz Director Mr. Anderson shared. “Disney World has a whole division dedicated to enriching the community around it. Every year they look for opportunities to give back specifically to kids in enriching ways. What it means to us practically speaking is that we don’t have to worry about money anymore! We were already accepted to go to the Essentially Ellington competition, but now we know we can actually go! We had already received some money from the school district, as well as several individuals, but we were nowhere near the marker we needed to reach. This rocketed us to that goal so that now the kids can simply focus on what matters most… their academics and making music.”
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/373Lxzr For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 36
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COMMUNITY
Osceola Chamber announces new name, new look at their 2022 Osceola Update at Reunion Resort The Osceola Chamber made their new branding official on Tuesday at their Osceola Update which was held at Reunion Resort and featured legislative updates from State Representative Kristen Arrington for District 43, State Representative Fred Hawkins for District 42, and Florida Senator Victor Torres for District 15. Chamber Chairman Kevin Crain introduced Immediate Past Chair Adrianna Sekula, who explained to the sold out crowd at Reunion via video the process the chamber engaged in for their rebranding initiative. The rebrand includes a name change to “The Osceola Chamber,” a new logo, color scheme, and DNA statement. The rebranding also includes new logos for the Chamber’s eight area councils and 501(c)3 arm The Chamber Foundation. The Chamber’s rebranding committee hired North Star Place Branding & Marketing to conduct member and community surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one interviews, as well as a site visit and familiarization tour, as part of a research process that would ultimately lead to a new DNA statement and the basis for creative rebranding.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3JW0Kkq For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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COMMUNITY
Meet Valencia College’s 2022 Distinguished Graduate Turning Tragedy into Triumph: Leah Basaria When Leah Basaria arrived on campus at Valencia College, she took one look around and decided to get her credits and degree and graduate as quickly as possible. “Coming into Valencia, I was very apprehensive,” she says. “In my first class, New Student Experience, I was older than the professor.” But Leah Basaria had come to Valencia at a crucial juncture in her life – after a family tragedy that sent shock waves through their family. In 2015, her brother-in-law committed suicide, but it also sent her mother-in-law into a deep depression, and she too would later take her own life. Determined to learn how to help people battling depression and dedicating everything she does to her brother-in-law and mother-in-law, Leah began taking psychology classes at Valencia, but along the way, she discovered a support system at Valencia that gave her a new direction. And now, Leah has been named the Valencia College Mary S. Collier Distinguished Graduate for 2022.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3tRsNvI For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 40
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COMMUNITY
St. Cloud Elementary School Robotics team to compete in Vex Robotics World Competition in Dallas in May The St. Cloud Elementary School Robotics team will be doing some serious representing as this team of amazing kiddos travels to Dallas Texas in May to compete in the Vex Robotics World Competition. Positively Osceola visited some of the members early Monday and got a glimpse of the talent and excitement that these amazing young leaders have and will take with them to Texas for the competition. “There are a bunch of little teams we have in all of robotics, but we all work together as one team,” 4th grader Addison shared with Positively Osceola when we visited the Robotics team on Monday. 4th grader Silas summed it up best, “I think robotics is mostly about having fun!” At a recent St. Cloud Council meeting the fun continued as the city recognized the group’s achievement when Mayor Nathan Blackwell issued a proclamation in their honor and also awarding them with a $5000 check to help the team with its expense on their upcoming trip to the robotics competition.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3wMGuOA For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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COMMUNITY
St. Cloud to host an “egg-citing” event – a moonlight adult egg hunt! The City of St. Cloud is putting together another – eggciting event… that’s right… it will be egg-citing! On Friday night April 8th from 7 pm – 10 pm at the Ranch at St. Cloud – located at 5452 Jones Road, St. Cloud’s Moonlight Adult Egg Hunt will take place, and it’s an event you’d have to be “cracked” not to attend. There will be food and drinks for purchase, Egg Hunt Candy Filled Egg Prizes, a DJ for dancing, and loads of other fun and surprises. The adult egg hunt will cost $15 per person and all participants must be 21 and older. Please bring a flashlight and wear comfortable shoes. For more info call 407.957.7243 or to register by April 1st go to webtrac.StCloud.org. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 44
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
St. Cloud High School to present THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL April 8-16, directed by Mr. Alex Moore St. Cloud High School Theatre Company is getting ready to present another one of its amazing productions. This time they’re heading to the sea! Well, kind of. Beginning on April 8, the St. Cloud High School Theatre Company will present THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, directed by Mr. Alex Moore. Head to Bikini Bottom for a comedic adventure under the sea April 8, 9, & 15 at 7:00pm and April 10 & 16 at 2:00pm in the Susan E. Hill Performing Arts Center at St Cloud High School (2000 Bulldog Ln St. Cloud, FL 34769). Tickets start at $8.00 for students and $15.00 for adults, and $10.00 for Seniors and Military. Tickets are now on sale, including to the general public, by visiting stcloudhs.booktix.com. Featuring a cast, crew, and live musicians of more than 140 students from St Cloud High, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL is a robust, colorful musical with a great message, named Best Musical by the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle and earned 12 Tony Award nominations.
READ MORE, CLICK HERE: https://bit.ly/3L8kaTg For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website!
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POSITIVELY DELICIOUS Florida Grouper with Roasted Corn and Peppers, It’s Positively Delicious If you’re a fish lover, you have likely tried some delicious Florida Grouper. Grouper is a wonderfully lean, moist fish with a distinctive mild flavor, large flakes and a firm texture. For those who haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy a nice piece of Grouper, this wonderful recipe might be just what you need to give it a whirl. We believe you’ll agree, that Grouper is Positively Delicious! INGREDIENTS • 4 (6-ounce) Florida grouper fillets • 1 cup Florida red bell pepper, chopped • 1 cup Florida green bell pepper, chopped • 2 cups fresh Florida corn kernels • 1 cup onion, diced • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 teaspoon salt, divided • 1 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper, divided • 1 teaspoon dried thyme, divided • ½ cup french-fried onion rings, crushed PREPARATION Heat oven to 450 degrees. Combine 1 tablespoon of the olive oil with red and green bell peppers, corn, onion and ½ teaspoon each of the salt, pepper, and thyme in a large ovenproof pan. Roast mixture in the oven until the corn and peppers start to brown, about 12 minutes, stirring twice. Coat fillets with remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and remaining ½ teaspoon of salt, pepper and thyme. Top with crushed onion rings. Remove roasting pan from oven; spread corn-and-pepper mixture to sides of the pan. Place fillets in middle of pan; return to oven and cook 10 minutes until fillets are opaque in the center. Serve fillets on a bed of roasted vegetables.
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POSITIVELY DELICIOUS Florida Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage, They’re Positively Delicious! As the warmer months in the Sunshine State draw closer and closer, it’s time to shift a bit in the delicious fare we enjoy in Florida. Check out this recipe for Florida Shrimp Tacos with Cabbage. We think you’ll agree… they’re Positively Delicious! INGREDIENTS • 1 pound medium-sized Florida shrimp, peeled • 8 corn or flour tortillas • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped • 2 cups Florida cabbage, shredded • 2 Florida tomatoes, diced • 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce (your favorite) • 1 fresh lime, juiced • Vegetable oil (cooking) • ½ cup plain yogurt • 1 teaspoon dried cumin • Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste PREPARATION Wrap tortillas in foil and warm in 300 degree oven. Preheat a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat. In a small mixing bowl combine the yogurt, lime juice, cumin, and hot sauce. Stir ingredients to combine. Taste, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper. Set aside the yogurt sauce for later use. Lightly season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the preheated sauté pan. Carefully add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2 to 4 minutes or completely cooked. Assemble tacos by layering cabbage, cilantro, and tomatoes in the tortilla shell. Place an even portion of shrimp on top of the vegetables. Spoon the yogurt sauce on top of the shrimp.
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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS
Country Music Superstar Jimmie Allen Visits Universal Orlando Resort, and a Velociraptor GRAMMY Award, multi-platinum country music superstar Jimmie Allen made a pit stop at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and into the Velociraptor paddock for a face-toface visit with Jurassic World’s Blue at Raptor Encounter. Allen was in town for a performance at Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras celebration – a family-friendly version of the iconic New Orleans bash that features live concerts, a spectacular parade and savory food & beverage. Allen is currently on his headline Down Home 2022 Tour and released his brand new single “Down Home” on March 8 – listen HERE and watch the music video HERE. Universal Orlando Resort is a next-level vacation destination and home to three incredible theme parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Universal’s Volcano Bay – eight amazing hotels, and an entertainment complex, Universal CityWalk. For more information, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com. For more Positively Osceola, visit our Social Media & Website! 50
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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS New Ways to Connect with the Magic of Nature at Disney’s Animal Kingdom During Earth Week Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park shines the spotlight on our beautiful, bountiful planet with its annual Earth Week Celebration, set for April 18-24, 2022. During this popular event, guests are steeped in the wonders of the natural world through family-friendly experiences and special offerings. They become part of the park’s conservation story and connect with many of the animal species the Disney Conservation Fund is working hard to protect. To celebrate the third planet from the sun, the park is pulling out all the stops! Guests will be treated to unique character sightings, fun learning opportunities, specialty merchandise, themed food and beverages, a limited-time Wilderness Explorer badge and more. Along the way, guests will discover the power that lives within them to create positive change and be inspired by the natural world everyone shares. “Earth Day 2022 is one day, April 22, but our celebration of this planet we call home is so magical, it goes on all year long,” said Sarah Riles, vice president of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. “We invite guests to join in fun that is both entertaining and inspiring.” Highlights of the week include: • Find a riverbank perch and catch a glimpse of special characters who will join other favorite Disney pals on the Discovery Island Character Cruise as it sails around Discovery River. Be on the lookout for more character sightings on Discovery Island! • Throughout the month of April, guests can learn to draw favorite Disney Characters at The Animation Experience at Conservation Station. There, Disney artists bring favorite characters to life by using animals for inspiration. Guests can try drawing characters like Crush and Squirt, Bruce, Dumbo, Terk, Heimlich, Shere Khan and Simba, whose real-life counterparts represent amazing stories of conservation work around the globe. Each 25-minute session features step-by-step instruction so guests can let their creativity shine!
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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS
Universal Orlando Resort Announces Allnew Starting Pay Rates for Full-time and Part-time Culinary Positions
Universal Orlando Resort is now hiring more than 800 new Team Members for full-time, part-time and professional career opportunities within the resort’s Food & Beverage team. New starting rates for Culinary Team Members range from $16.50 to $20 per hour based on the position. These roles also offer the training and opportunity to build a progressive culinary career. Universal Orlando has a wide variety of Culinary and Food & Beverage positions available including line cooks, senior cooks, chef assistants, dishwashers, quick service personnel, cashiers, full-service wait staff and more.
Here you can make your career sizzle. Interested applicants can sign up to attend Universal Orlando’s Virtual Culinary and Food & Beverage Job Fair on Wednesday, April 6 by visiting UniversalOrlandoJobs.com. It is an exciting time to join the team as Universal Orlando recently debuted an allnew species of roller coaster, Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Plus, Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras is filling the streets of Universal Studios Florida now through April 24 – louder, spicier and better than ever – with the return of the spectacular parade and savory cuisine inspired by diverse flavors from around the world. Universal Orlando provides Team Members great perks like free park admission, discounts, complimentary guest passes and more.
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IN THE LOOP - THEME PARK NEWS
Yah-hoo, Disney’s Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue to return in June You may have heard… Disney’s fan favorite musical dinner show Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is coming back this summer to Walt Disney World Resort! You’ll be able to reserve a seat at the table at DisneyWorld.com beginning May 26 and frontier-style family fun dining experiences in Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will return beginning June 23. Hoop-Dee-Doo, which kicked off in 1974, will be back at it with its unforgettable Wild West performance, singing, crazy comedy with lots of laughs and an unforgettable feast loved with fried chicken, smoked BBQ ribs, deliciously savory sides and of course, strawberry shortcake! According to Disney, Hoop-Dee-Doo will makes its “re-debut” with a few exciting changes to its script and scenery, but will be sure to hold on to the treasured experience the whole family can enjoy for years to come! So, get ready to clap your hands and hoot and holler, Disney’s Hoop-Dee-Doo is coming back to Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground this June!
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REAL ESTATE A Key To Building Wealth Is Homeownership The link between financial security and homeownership is especially important today as inflation rises. But many people may not realize just how much owning a home contributes to your overall net worth. As Leslie Rouda Smith, President of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says: “Homeownership is rewarding in so many ways and can serve as a vital component in achieving financial stability.” Here are just a few reasons why, if you’re looking to increase your financial stability, homeownership is a worthwhile goal. Owning a Home Is a Building Block for Financial Success A recent NAR report details several homeownership trends and statistics, including the difference in net worth between homeowners and renters. It finds: “. . . the net worth of a homeowner was about $300,000 while that of a renter’s was $8,000 in 2021.” To put that into perspective, the average homeowner’s net worth is roughly 40 times that of a renter. Equity Gains Can Substantially Boost a Homeowner’s Net Worth The net worth gap between owners and renters exists in large part because homeowners build equity. As a homeowner, your equity grows as your home appreciates in value and you make your mortgage payments each month. In other words, when you own your home, you have the benefit of your mortgage payment acting as a contribution to a forced savings account. And when you sell, any equity you’ve built up comes back to you. As a renter, you’ll never see a return on the money you pay out in rent every month. To sum it up, NAR says it simply: “Homeownership has always been an important way to build wealth.”
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HEALTH Orlando Health Cancer Institute Expands Services, Adds New Cancer Specialist for Osceola County Patients Orlando Health Cancer Institute – Osceola reached two important milestones earlier this year with the addition of infusion therapy and a new medical oncologist to serve patients in Osceola County. The expansion of service means Osceola cancer patients will now be able to access chemotherapy treatments close to home and much more conveniently than ever. “We’re very excited to continue to open up more services to our Osceola County patients,” says Margo Shoup, MD, president of Orlando Health Cancer Institute. “We listen to our patients and know they really appreciate and benefit from the convenience of having their treatments nearby, in their communities.” Treatments will be administered in three newly-built chemotherapy infusion bays in the 5,500-square-foot clinic located inside Orlando Health Emergency Room and Medical Pavilion – Osceola (1001 E. Osceola Pkwy., Suite 250, Kissimmee, Florida 34744). Construction on a fourth infusion bay is expected to begin soon. The space also features 12 exam rooms where patients are able to meet with Orlando Health Cancer Institute specialists for medical oncology and surgical oncology consultations. To help guide the debut of the infusion treatment program in Osceola County, Orlando Health Cancer Institute has hired Dr. Simi George. Dr. George is a board-certified medical oncologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of all cancer types with special expertise in gastrointestinal cancers. She received her medical degree from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine in Brooklyn, New York and completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick. She performed a fellowship in hematology/oncology at Hofstra North Shore-Long Island Jewish School of Medicine in New Hyde Park, New York.
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HEALTH
Gabrielle Mancella, RD Registered Dietitian Orlando Health
Orlando Health: Where’s the Beef? Not in These Meatless Alternatives With major national brands launching lines like Incogmeato and menu items like the Impossible Whopper, faux meat is moving from a specialty item to mainstream trend. The Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger get a lot of the credit for driving the buzz about plantbased patties that mimic the taste and texture of a beefy burger. But as more people shift to meatless eating, it’s worth exploring whether these meat substitutes actually are better for us than beef. Meatless Eating on the Rise There was a time when the world was divided into two categories: meat-eaters and vegans. Those categories have blurred as fewer people eat meat and those who do consume less of it. Seventy percent of the world’s population has decreased its meat consumption. Some reasons include concerns about animal welfare, the environmental impact of ranching and health effects. Even though people may eat less meat, they still crave it (or a reasonable facsimile). Enter the meat-alternative industry. Although meat substitutes have been around for years, recently two brands have come closer than any other to approximating the texture and taste of genuine meat. Beyond the Impossible: A Comparison The Beyond Burger is made of pea protein, with beet extract, which gives it a red color. The Impossible Burger is primarily made from water and soy protein concentrate and is fortified with vitamins and minerals lost in processing. An ingredient in the Impossible Burger, called soy leghemoglobin, makes the burger appear to bleed like real meat. The nutritional breakdown between the two brands is similar. However, compared to beef, the meatless options are lower in calories, cholesterol, fat and saturated fat. While comparable in protein, they are superior in fiber. Although sodium in these meatless options is higher than for beef, that often can be countered by increasing your water intake.
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INJURY LAW Do You Know the Leading Cause of Motorcycle Accidents?
There’s certainly no limit to the ways a motorcycle can end up in a collision, from drunk drivers to mechanical and component malfunctions, however, there is one cause that is far and above the reason for most motorcycle-vehicle collisions. And, you may have guessed it, it has nothing to do with motorcycles. The majority of motorcycle-vehicle collisions are in fact caused by the other vehicle. The most common cause of such crashes is motor vehicle drivers failing to adequately check their left-hand lane and blind spot before merging into the left-hand lane or making a left-hand turn. Left-hand turn motorcycle accidents are the most common type of motorcyclevehicle collisions. These accidents can be easily avoided when motorists honor their duty of care to all other drivers on the road and take adequate precautions, such as checking their blind spot and intentionally looking for motorcyclists, before switching lanes or making left-hand turns.
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FAMILY LAW Divorce is unfortunate, but a DIY divorce can be dangerous
Today, the market has DIY or “do-it-yourself” creations for just about everything conceivable. Some of these offerings are aimed at people who want to handle legal matters without the benefit of advice from an attorney. While DIY legal products tend to be attractive to those seeking to save money on their divorce, they can end up costing the purchaser dearly in the long run. Do-it-Yourself legal planning services are usually designed to address a limited and uncomplicated number of circumstances. However, when it comes to divorce, cases are as unique as the people involved and tend to have more complex issues than those contemplated by a DIY product. People have various conditions, assets, and family relationships which make it essential that each case be prepared and managed according to what is best for the individual.
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TechCentral is a brand new creative space providing access to tools and technologies that will help the community gain the necessary skills to make their dreams a reality! Featuring: Recording Studio Sewing Studio iMac Computer Lab with Adobe Creative Suite Virtual Reality Equipment Robotics for Kids Photography Studio 3D Printing On Demand Located on the second floor of Hart Memorial Central Library 211 E Dakin Avenue | Kissimmee, FL | 34741
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