The Midtown Press - April/May Issue

THE

Midtown

Press

APR/MAY 2022 VOLUME XXVII NUMBER 2

PROUDLY SERVING GREATER PINE HILLS & LOCAL COMMUNITIES

The little paper with the big picture!

ask the expert

Type II Diabetes & Your Brain Page 8

Penny Sales Tax increase The Plan for a Penny Page 12

Q&A

Your Community Pharmacy Page 14

KNOW THIS

Exciting Updates In Pine Hills Page 18

www.themidtownpress.com

2 / THE MIDTO W N P R E SS

IN THIS ISSUE 4 6 8 10 14 18 29

EDITOR’S CHAIR MIDTOWN TRIVIA? ASK THE EXPERT TIDBITS Q&A KNOW THIS POSTSCRIPT

Virginia Santana Felix, MD

COVER PHOTO

Carthia Joachim, ARNP

T H E M I DTO W N PRESS / 3

EDITOR’S CHAIR

W

here does the time go? Yes, it is a rhetorical question, but seriously, sometimes I feel as if I need time to slow down or maybe even outright pause just enough so I can catch my breath. It seems as if just a few short weeks ago, we wished each other Happy New Year, and now we are in April and quickly zooming into May. Before you know it, we will be in the dog days of summer, looking for the next pool or body of water to cool off.

new journey. As the "baby" (now ironically the biggest in size) in the family, he has always had someone to do something for him. This next stage in his life will require a level of personal growth which will be great for him. Of course, as a father, it has me questioning did I do all I could to prepare him for what is to come. He (and Madison) thus far have lived a somewhat sheltered life - free from many of the trauma and obstacles that other peers their age have had to face.

To let you in on a bit of my process when putting this paper together, the "Editor's Chair" section is one of the last I write. After all of the other stories have been completed and the layout is pretty much done, I take a step back and take stock of what I am thinking and how I am feeling. As you read this section, think of it as a snapshot in time. For example, the current events of today include the war in Ukraine, high gas prices, and of course, the infamous "slap around the world" involving Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars.

However, what is occupying my mind is graduation. That's right, in a few short weeks, we will be attending graduation ceremonies for friends and loved ones taking their next step. For me, that means my son Christian, a senior in high school, will be "crossing the stage" and taking his talents to a college yet to be determined. So again, I ask, where does the time go? I can clearly remember when he was four years old, taking him to sit in the parking lot of his daycare so he could become aware that he was going to begin "big boy" school. Fast forward 15 years, and in the last month, we have visited four colleges in three states (Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota) to find a school setting that checks the boxes on his list. With my daughter Madison wrapping up her junior year of college, I can officially be considered an "empty nester"! How strange. I am excited and nervous for Christian as he embarks on his

I often tell my children that I can better connect with them now because I can remember being 18 and 21 (their current ages), what my state of mind was and what motivated me. In comparing my experience at their ages, I find it completely different. I was so focused on being successful, making a name for myself, and making my parents proud that I didn't let too many things take away from that goal. I am now in the proverbial battle of "letting them go" to forge their own paths while still trying to guide them. I don't think that ever changes as I still have that kind of relationship with my parents.

4 / THE MIDTO W N P R E SS

Anyone who really knows me knows how I feel about my children. I am motivated to set an example of what hard work and dedication looks like. I want them to know that nothing in this world is a substitute for hard work. I mentioned that my Dad was my first hero in a previous issue. I am not sure if they would say the same about me, but I hope they at least realize that I tried to lead by example to be the best that I could be. So to all the upcoming graduates, I say "congratulations"!

Be sure to take the time to celebrate your accomplishment!

Glen

PLUS+ T

here is so much to celebrate this issue! As we fully usher in Spring (although we know that season really doesn't exist in Florida), the next few months are jam-packed with celebrations and activities to keep us busy. From Easter in April to Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and the graduation season in May, there will be no shortage of activities to keep you and your wallets busy.

With fingers (and toes) crossed that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to improve, after a two-year absence featuring virtual "get-togethers," these upcoming celebrations with friends and family are expected to be bigger than ever. Starting with Easter, according to the American Retail Federation, 79% of Americans will celebrate the holiday and, in doing so, will spend an average of almost $180. Mother's Day (otherwise known as "Christmas in May" to retailers) this year will be no exception, with some restaurants already advertising their brunch options with hopes of capitalizing on the trend of increased spending this year.

Between the flowers, gifts, and dining out, consumers are going all out for moms this year.

It is expected that 83% of consumers plan to celebrate Mother's Day this year. Shoppers plan to spend over $220 on average, $16 more than they planned to spend last year and the highest in history. Retail categories like jewelry and electronics are seeing record spending levels this year. We will quickly then turn our attention to Memorial Day, the unofficial kick-off to summer. While the day was created to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the U.S. military, the day has become widely associated with fireworks, barbecues, and big-box store sales. More than 80% of consumers report they plan to have a celebration and will spend $100 on average on food & drinks. Not to be outdone is the graduation season, where consumers are forecasted to spend an average of $119 on graduation gifts, with most of that being cash and gift cards.

Let's hope that there is still some stimulus money stashed away in a shoebox under the bed somewhere to help pay for these upcoming celebrations. It feels good to be coming together with friends and family once again. 

­ ­ T H E M I DTO W N PRESS / 5

MIDTOWN TRIVIA The Midtown Press (formerly known as The Pine Hills Press) has continuously served Pine Hills and surrounding neighborhoods for over 25 years. Throughout that time, there have been a lot of changes and history made. But how much do you really know about the neighborhood? We created this fun quiz to test your knowledge.

1. Based on the US Census estimates, the Pine Hills area increased by 31.49% since 2010.

Approximately how many now individuals reside in Pine Hills?

A. 102,879 B. 60,076 C. 78,995 D. 204,624 2. In terms of land area, by square miles, (mi²) how large is Pine Hills?

A. 84.8 sq mi B. 55.9 sq mi C. 101.9 sq mi D. 12.2 sq mi 3. In what year was Pine Hills started?

A. 1777 B. 1975 C. 1953

D. 1968

4. How many public & charter elementary schools are located within Pine Hills?

(Not including private schools)

A. 4

B. 7

C. 5

D. 9

5. What is the median age of a resident in Pine Hills?

A. 31 B. 56 C. 43

D. 69

6. What many zip codes are in Pine Hills?

A. 8 B. 3 C. 2

D. 7

7. What is the median household income in Pine Hills?

A. $29,845 B. $38,951 C. $42,678 D. $50,362 8. Who is the current mayor of Pine Hills?

A. Victoria Siplin B. Rolando Bailey C. Derrick McRae D. Jerry Demmings

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The little paper with the big picture!

Dates to Know APRIL 2022 1 2 10 15 17 22 24

First Day of Ramadan Autism Awareness Day Palm Sunday Passover/Good Friday Easter Earth Day Orthodox Easter

mAY 2022 1 4 5 6 8 21 30

May Day Star Wars Day Cinco de Mayo National Nurses Day Mother's Day Armed Forces Day Memorial Day

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Ask the Expert |

Edith Gendron

Type II Diabetes and Your Brain

W

e know through extensive research that Type II diabetes is strongly correlated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease, indeed all forms of dementia. You may have heard the term “Type III Diabetes,” coined by Suzanne De La Monte, MD, MPH, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Professor of Neurosurgery, Brown University.

She explains, “I created the term type three diabetes because at the time I was studying insulin effects in the brain, and for a completely unrelated reason, we developed a model to see what would happen if you were to knock out Insulin from the brain, prevent it from being there. And I was expecting to find effects of what we see in alcoholic brain disease, but instead, we looked at the brain, and it looked just like Alzheimer’s, and it was at that point we stopped all research and just focused on whether Alzheimer’s could be this kind of diabetes thing. And we looked at the human brains and found that there were features of type one diabetes, which means there wasn’t much Insulin there, and as the disease got worse, you had less and less Insulin in the brain. And at the same time, you had insulin resistance, which is like what you see in type two diabetes. So, they were both going on simultaneously, and one plus two is three, so we said, you know what? It’s both of them, so let’s call it Type 3 diabetes.”

Some data shows that half of the people in the US either have developed Type II diabetes or are prediabetic (higher rate of fasting blood glucose, but not yet high enough to cause full-blown diabetes). Prediabetes is as dangerous because this condition also changes 8 / THE MIDTO W N P R E SS

the brain’s ability to remain healthy and functioning at a stable cognitive level.

We know too that high blood glucose (sugar) increases your risk of cardiac disease and death due to stroke and complications of circulation.

Additionally, with a diagnosis of Type II diabetes, you have more than doubled your risk for Alzheimer’s disease. When we place this scientific reality in the context of AfricanAmericans being at the greatest risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, it is clear we need to take action to protect our brains.

To better understand what diabetes is, it is important to know that Type I is a lack of Insulin, and Type II is a malfunction of Insulin.

In Type II, Insulin is like an escort. It places blood glucose inside muscles, liver, or fat.

With Type II diabetes, Insulin can no longer place the blood glucose after eating into your muscles (the healthy place for it to be). When this happens, the “escort” is overwhelmed, and your cells become “numb” to Insulin making it much harder to get the blood glucose inside the cells where it should be.

It is not wrong to say that Type II diabetes is at epidemic levels in our country. However, you can protect yourself against this disease by making what is commonly known as “lifestyle changes.”

It is important, critically important, to understand the role of the food you eat. Eating a diet heavy in processed foods, sugaradded foods, fried foods, fatty meats, and sodas is a near guarantee to heading down the road to developing Type II diabetes and, therefore, Alzheimer’s disease, all other

forms of dementia, as well as the aforementioned cardiovascular diseases.

Choosing real food, food that does not have an ingredient list, without added sugars, replacing soda (including diet drinks) with water or other non-sugar added beverages are good places to start decreasing your risk of developing Type II diabetes and the associated devastating diseases.

Make slow changes to your diet. Replace one thing at a time so you can see and feel the difference the changes make. For example, replace soda with water that has been infused with fruit.

It’s refreshing, provides necessary hydration, tastes great, and does not compromise your health. You may want to try removing as much added sugar from your diet as possible. Consider using dried fruit in small amounts when something sweet is wanted. What can you change about your diet today to protect your health?

Another lifestyle change that will help you reduce your risk of developing Type II Diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease is to move your body more. Dance, walk, swim, go up and down the stairs more than once per trip, park further away from the door whenever possible ( for wherever you are going) and walk a little further. Take the stairs when you can. Take one flight if you cannot take them all. Dance and sing! Whatever you are doing now, do more of it.

If you have already developed Type II Diabetes, it is crucially important to get your blood sugars under control. Look at what you are eating and be ready to remove the carbohydrates from your diet that are hurting you. Say goodbye to the fried food and hello to broiled or grilled. Kick the donut to the curb and replace it with a piece of fresh fruit.

We are in control of our lives, the food we eat, and the amount that we move our bodies. We can significantly increase our health and quality of life by eating clean, real food and increasing our exercise.

Edith is the Chief of Operations with Alzheimer’s & Dementia Resource Center. With over 25 years of experience Edith develops and presents informative workshops that address understanding the illnesses of dementia and caring for someone with a dementia related illness, prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and a wide variety of other topics. Edith co-hosts the podcast, Informed Aging that address health, help and hard choices of growing older in the US. T H E M I DTO W N PRESS / 9

Tidbits

Orange County Redistricting Process Complete In keeping with the Florida Constitution and the Orange County Charter, Orange County is required to undergo a redistricting process after each federal census. The process aims to reconfigure the political boundaries of the six County Commission Districts to account for population changes as indicated by the census.

The U.S. Census Bureau completed the latest census in 2020, and the County subsequently completed its required redistricting process on February 22, 2022.

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners established the Orange County Advisory Committee for Redistricting in August 2021. The Committee's recommendations were presented to the Orange County Board of County Commissioners on January 25, 2022.

The Board then held a public hearing in February where it further reviewed and discussed the Committee's recommendations and then adopted Ordinance 2022-06, which approved the final County Commission District map.

An interactive map of the new Commission Districts adopted by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners can be found by scanning the QR Code. 

Grand Opening of CASA CULTURE On March 25th, community leaders, elected officials, minority business owners, and other nonprofit organizations celebrated the grand opening of CASA CULTURE. The organization provides a safe space for creativity, innovation, and collaboration to bring forth equity in the arts and entrepreneurship development for under-estimated and under-funded artists, creators, and entrepreneurs. CASA CULTURE, which is located inside Orlando’s Fashion Square Mall, featured Mayor Jerry Demings as the officiant for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“The under-estimated and under-served community of artist-entrepreneurs, producers, and creators that CASA CULTURE serves has had little to no support with regards to access to business development training, resources, and channels to expose their art,” stated Samí Haiman-Marrero, Founder of SOS Orlando and President/CEO of URBANDER. According to the Florida Cultural Alliance, arts and culture are critical to the state’s recovery from the pandemic, representing 227,000 jobs in Florida, 59,000 (mostly small) businesses, and a highly desirable adaptive and creative workforce powering entertainment, tourism, education, communication, and design industries. 1 0 / THE MIDTO W N P R E SS

Tidbits

continued

Shepherd’s Hope 25th Anniversary Celebration The Winter Garden community showed up on March 25th to join Shepherd's Hope in celebrating 25 years of healing and health.

Shepherd's Hope has continually supported the Central Florida community with free healthcare services for the uninsured since 1997.

Staff members, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners gathered to recognize the importance of having Shepherd's Hope doors open to those who need medical care but can't afford it.

The ribbon-cutting celebration featured tours of the new expanded medical facility, live music, games, a partner showcase, and words of inspiration from the leaders of the organization.

Nonprofit is Looking for Young Professionals to Help Drive Social Change ELEVATE Orlando, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping Orlando’s urban youth graduate high school with a roadmap for the future, needs your help.

ELEVATE Orlando is looking for more young professionals to join its Young Professional Council, a diverse group of like-minded individuals who passionately believe “no one gets there alone.” Research shows that one consistent, caring adult can change the trajectory of someone’s life. The advisory council uses members’ influence and resources to create positive social change in Central Florida. Young professionals interested in joining would commit to a two-year participation, host a job shadow, invite colleagues and potential donors to site visits, and connect with ELEVATE Orlando alumni.

Anyone who is interested can request additional information by emailing info@elevateorlando.org or scanning the QR Code to access the Contact Us page. 

T H E M I DTO W N PRESS / 1 1

The Plan for a Penny (Sales Tax)

O

n Monday, March 14th, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings presented an update to his penny sales tax proposal to

fund projects to improve transportation within the County. Originally announced at the 2019 State of the County by Mayor Demings, the current plan calls for putting the proposed penny sales tax on the November 2022 ballot for Orange County residents to decide, pending a vote by the Board of County Commissioners. If passed, the transportation tax dollars would go through a three-step oversight process, with review by a Technical Committee, as well as an appointed Citizens Oversight Board and the Board of County Commissioners.

The measure would raise the sales tax, currently sitting at 6.5% to 7.5%, providing an estimated $600 million per year for transportation projects, including expanding Lynx and SunRail stops.

According to the proposal, tourists and visitors are expected to contribute 51% of that revenue. The added tax would apply to the first $5,000 per single purchase, 1 2 / THE MIDTO W N P R E SS

but essential food items, prescription drugs, and utilities would be exempt.

Touting the proposed benefits of the plan, Demings said residents would see a return on their investment; adding the money collected from the sales tax hike will help create time-saving and efficient transit and developments that will protect pedestrians and bicyclists. However, not everyone is "on board" with the extra penny. In an environment of record-breaking inflation, increased gas prices, and coming off the heels of a global pandemic, opponents of the plan feel that the proposal is ill-timed.

The Mayor's question to opponents is, "If not us, then who? If not now, then when?" There's no better time because, with this, we are talking about reducing the cost of transportation for those very residents who now only have one option in our community," continued Demings.

The County has held open houses to discuss the initiative in each of the six commission districts. Additionally, there is also a survey to get residents' input. A link to the survey can be accessed by scanning the QR Code in this story.

T H E M I DTO W N PRESS / 1 3

Q&A

Because this issue focuses on health and wellness, we decided to catch up with Dr. Suresh Mekapati of Rx Meds Pharmacy located in Pine Hills to ask some questions about proper medication usage and tips and strategies to save time and money. Dr. Mekapati has been a Pharmacist since 2005 and worked with one of the larger chain pharmacies until taking over Rx Meds Pharmacy in 2017, which has been in existence since the mid 1990's.

Dr. Suresh Mekapati Rx Meds Pharmacy

Q: What advice would you offer to seniors regarding proper medication usage?

A: We make monthly blister packs and monthly dispill packs that can last the entire month and combine all medications that someone would have to take in a day. The convenient packs are even labeled by the time of day, including morning, noon, and night. This is a free and convenient option that many other larger pharmacies do not offer.

Q: Why should someone come to Rx Meds instead of one of the larger pharmacies?

A: First and foremost, we are community-oriented. For medications, we can beat any price in the market. Even if individuals have medicines that are not covered by insurance, I would urge them to stop in to see how we can assist them. Recently I helped a customer who was being charged $47 dollars for a medication he needed. I was able to get his price down to $5 dollars.

Q: As a pharmacy and business in Pine Hills, what does this community mean to you?

A: I believe we provide a service to the community. If anyone has questions, I want to make sure I answer them. I encourage residents to check us out by comparing our service and our prices so that they can save money while getting the care they deserve. We also offer delivery to the surrounding neighborhoods at no extra charge.

Q: Can you explain what has kept you going for so long with all of the competition that exists?

A: People are familiar with the larger chain pharmacies, and most people don't even realize they

have a choice. Why would someone want to stand in line to receive mediocre customer service?

I know that their time is valuable, so I want to make sure I care for them. If anyone is looking for a different pharmacy experience, I encourage them to give us a try.

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Making a Difference: One Strike at a Time

W

hen founder and organizer, Richardeen (Ricki) Jones moved to Orlando back in the 1980's she could see that participation in tournaments and leagues for black women bowlers in the Orlando area left much to be desired.

She wanted to build an organization of black women bowlers for team participation in local, state, regional, and national competitions. So in 1985, with ten charter members, she formed The Pinsetters of Florida. Almost 40 years later, the group is still active, with some of the original members a part of the organization. Today, membership is not limited to black bowlers.

The group welcomes women bowlers from all backgrounds.

In 2018, the group became a non-profit organization consisting of 16 active members and is actively involved in several community functions, such as: Purchasing school uniforms and supplies for local students.

Providing bowling equipment for students in need.

Collecting toys for Toys for Tots (with the help of (league bowlers) Presenting two (2) one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) scholarship awards for deserving students.

• Contributed to the RAFMAN’s (The Retired Air Force, Marine, Army, Navy Club) scholarship fund.

For more information about the group visit their website at www.pinsettersofflorida.com.

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KNOW THIS $447,000 for new Job-Training program in Pine Hills

O

range County Commissioners approved $447,000 for a jobtraining program in Pine Hills to help residents find jobs closer to their neighborhood. The funding is part of the federal funding earmarked for community services in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, intended to blunt economic harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of the new initiative is to connect Pine Hills residents with employers in the area looking for workers. Large scale employers including Amazon, Coca-Cola, Frito-Lay, Goya Foods, and HD Supply are among the employers with operations located within or near Pine Hills.

The program has several goals, including having raising the median income of residents of Pine Hills” said Sam Weekley, Executive Director of the Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District (NID). Weekley went to potential employers within a 5-mile radius and created a database of available jobs and salaries where the average annual salary was over $50,000. The project was launched at the last NID meeting where one of the next steps is to partner with an organization to conduct community outreach, teach job-training classes and hire job coaches that will show residents how to find new career paths. The program will be housed at the Pine Hills Community Center. Some of the positions require specialized skills so relationships have been established with Valencia College, which has a grant program to cover training.

A marketing campaign will be forthcoming to promote the initiative. Weekley is hopeful that this effort will result in a shift in the community where residents invest more in the community and purchase and improve homes resulting in more opportunities for Pine Hills.

Septic-to-Sewer Project Approved for Pine Hills

D

id you know that about 50,000 septic systems in Lake, Orange, and Seminole counties affect the Wekiwa Springs and the Wekiva River? State authorities estimate that about 29% of nitrates polluting the springs flow from septic systems.

Eliminating septic seepage is a crucial but expensive part of a state plan for improving the health of the Wekiva River. This problem, years in the making, is finally being addressed mainly in part to a $41 million grant to help pay for the massive sewer project involving 14 neighborhoods. For Pine Hills, the result is a $4.3 million project along North Pine Hills Road.

The money will help pay to connect 173 properties between West Colonial Drive and Silver Star Road to sewers.

Many properties rely on septic systems installed between 25 and 40 years ago, meaning they were due to be replaced, said Sam Weekley, Executive Director of the Pine Hills Neighborhood Improvement District. “These very old septic systems, especially from Balboa Drive north, were leaching into the Wekiwa Springs watershed,” he said. Once fully funded, the project will go through several phases, including bid, design, and implementation, which could take up to two years to come to fruition and take over four years to complete. An analysis of the plan determined that the project would create approximately 204 jobs and $16.2 million in value-added for Pine Hills.

1 8 / THE MIDTO W N P R E SS

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On February 11 – View June 4, 2022

Artists from the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Folk & Urban Art Festival

642 W. New England Ave. Winter Park, FL 32789 407.539.2680 HannibalSquareHeritageCenter.org

Community Collage dives deeper into the creative genius behind the dynamic works by artists who have exhibited at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Folk & Urban Art Festival over its 12-year history.

These culturally and ethnically diverse artists will share their paintings, jewelry, quilts and sculptural works, along with their inspiration and artistic journeys in text panels and video.

This program is funded in part by grants from Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program.

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Julio Sanchez, Nature Woman, Mixed Media on canvas, 18x 24 in.

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he Weeks Experience is a unique Baseball and Softball After School Program. Our Youth Sports Program includes Transportation, Healthy Feeding, Tutoring Homework Support, Life Skills Coaching, and Top level Training. The training will come from Major League Baseball Players Jemile Weeks, first round pick by the Oakland A's, out of University of Miami at the helm, along with his brother Rickie Weeks Jr., MLB All Star for the Milwaukee Brewers, and also from their father Rickie Weeks Sr. a UCF Alumni and Director of Operations for WeFam United, Inc. The Weeks Experience is a method of successful components and codes of conduct that has been used for over 30 years resulting in many successes. All three of the Weeks' children were raised embodying this collegiate pipeline process, as well as nine other players signing pro contracts, and over 75 kids attended college and finished. Our records are displayed at the downtown Orlando Tinker Field Memorial.

The Weeks Experience has all the components to start a successful pathway for your child in sports and in the classroom.

Join our Soldiers Team every Tuesday and Thursday at Rolling Hills Baseball Complex, 5 pm to 7 pm. The schedule begins 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm-Healthy Feeding & Tutoring, 5:15 pm to 7:15 pm-Life Skills Coaching, and finishes with elite softball/ baseball training. We encourage parents to sign up ASAP as they are only accepting 40 applicants for the first two months of operation.

LET US REPLACE YOUR ROOF FOR FREE! We are taking applications for a roof replacement program funded by the Orange County Government.

Eligibility requirements include: No mobile or manufactured homes Meet income requirements (visit website) Must own and live in your home Taxes & mortgage are current Located in unincorporated Orange County Certain specialized roof types may not be eligible

Learn more & apply: HabitatOrlandoOsceola.org/FreeRoof or 407-472-0748 T H E M I DTO W N PRESS / 2 1

Two Generations to Serve Your Family Douglas J. Dobbs, Funeral Director Brandon J. Dobbs, Licensed Funeral Director

Professional Service with a Personal Touch

Full Service Burial & Cremation • Religious Rites Including: Protestant, Catholic, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and other faiths

Casman Mosby Medicare Benefits Consultant

Ce ll: 321-318-6413 CMosby2@humana.com

430 North Kirkman Road  Orlando, Florida 32811

Phone:407-578-7720

Fax: 407-295-5504

info@dobbsfuneralhome.com  www.dobbsfuneralhome.com 2 2 / THE MIDTO W N P R E SS

2966 Commerce Park Dr. Suite 300 Orlando, Florida 32819

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Pine Hills Safe Neighborhood Partnership newsletter

APRIL/MAY 2022

PINE HILS SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIP UPDATES • • • •

The Pine Hills Safe Neighborhood Partnership and Pine Hills Community Council have been working together to bring a positive change in the maintenance of the State and County Roads, as well as the code violations in the community.

We met with Orange County Government and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), State Representatives Kamia Brown, Travaris McCurdy, and Geraldine Thompson.

FDOT will be working with both organizations to bring about needed change in the way the State Roads are maintained.

The Agape school has been ordered to be demolished and we expect to see demolition to start in the near future.

We will continue to work together for the benefit of the Pine Hills Community.

The Pine Hills Safe Neighborhood partnership, Pine Hills Community Council and Pine Hills Seniors are now planning our second annual Pine Hills Parade. We need sponsors and volunteers. Join us to make this event bigger, better and more enjoyable for the community.

Contact: pinehillssafeneighborhoods@gmail.com info@pinehills.info pinehillsseniors2@gmail.com

Get Involved with The Pine Hills Safe Neighborhood Partnership Need help with a specific issue or project? Want to learn more about community activities/events and socialize? Want to help improve your community? Join Us! • • • • •

Meetings are usually held at the Pine Hills Community Center, (6408 Jennings St, Orlando FL 32808) on the second Thursday of each month - Due to COVID-19 we are currently having Webex meetings.

NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO ATTEND. Meetings are open to the public and provides an opportunity to discuss issues/ideas with the board, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and Orange County Neighborhood Services Division.

Receive community updates/listen to speakers with valuable information pertaining to the community.

Please become a member. We need you.

Contact us with your ideas and questions: Roselyn Clouden, President pinehillssafeneighborhoods@gmail.com 407-360-7953 2 4 / THE MIDTO W N P R E SS

Hebni by Nature:

A Farm-to-Table Breakfast Experience

GET READY!

It is National Minority Health Month

YOGA & MEDITATION CLASS

INTERACTIVE GARDEN TOUR OF THE FARM

Date:

Location:

Time:

Saturday April 23, 2022

Infinite Zion Farms South Street Farm 626 W South St, Orlando, FL 32805

9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

SMOOTHIE & BREAKFAST DEMO UTILIZING FARM PRODUCE

RSVP: bit.ly/Hebnibynature2022 OR CALL : (407) 872-1333

MOBILE FARMERS MARKET, AND MORE!

HEBNINUTRITION.ORG

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Health Equity is achieved when everyone can attain optimal health!

he Florida Department of Health’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) works with government agencies and community organizations to address the barriers inhibiting populations from reaching optimal health. A focus on health equity means recognizing and eliminating the systemic barriers that have produced disparities in achieving wellness.

In response to Chapter 2021-1700 of the Florida Statute, effective July 1, 2021, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County is currently coordinating a Health Equity Plan to address health disparities in the community. The Health Equity Plan will be a guiding tool to create and improve systems and opportunities to achieve optimal health for all residents, especially vulnerable populations.

Mission

Establish a Health Equity Taskforce to support the mission of the Florida Department of Health to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Strategy

Collaboration with community partners and stakeholders of Orange County to reduce and eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.

Addressing the social determinants of health (SDOHs) by fostering multi-sector and multilevel partnerships, conducting surveillance, and integrating data from multiple sources.

Membership

We are actively recruiting new members to the Health Equity Taskforce. It is a voluntary membership of individuals from different organizations who support and would like to contribute to the mission. If you or your organization is interested in being part of the task force, please contact us for more information.

Audrey Alexander Health Equity Coordinator

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407-723-5123 Audrey.Alexander@flhealth.gov

Maynard Evans High School

1st Annual College and Career Expo at Evans Community Partnership School

Trojans Learn about College through College Conversations

Evans Students Take the Senate

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n late February, more than twenty Central Florida employers and colleges gathered at Evans for the inaugural College and Career Expo. What originally started as an opportunity for some of the senior class to look at options after high school turned into a three-hour event for more than 300 students. Representatives from Walt Disney World, Orlando Health, Advent Health, Valencia College, Orange Technical College, Children’s Home Society of Florida, SeaWorld Orlando, Rosen Hotels, and the four branches of the United States Military met with students to talk about employment and educational opportunities both while in high school and upon graduation. This was the first event of this kind at any school in Orange County, and it promises to be an even larger event next year.

he inaugural session of the College Conversations series kicked off with a panel discussion featuring students from the University of Central Florida. The visiting Knights, most of whom were first-generation college students, shared their experiences at UCF and provided great suggestions to Evans students. It was a standing-roomonly session, and students stayed after to talk one on one with the UCF students to hear more about the UCF Student Government Association, LEAD Scholars Program, and the various majors and minors they were in. Due to the overwhelming success of this session, another panel discussion will be scheduled for later in the Spring.

Three Evans High School students had the opportunity to travel to Tallahassee for a week to serve as a Senate Page.

Thanks to the Children's Home Society of Florida, Synchrony Bank, and JC Penny, the students were able to spend the week shadowing Florida State Senators, sit in on hearings, meetings, and other events and learn what it is like to serve as a lawmaker at the State level. All three unanimously agreed that the experience was life-changing and furthered deepened their desire to go into public service in the future. Senior Gabrielle Jean-Louis shared that "this program definitely exceeded my expectations because I learned a lot about the senate process and about politics in general."

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COVID-19 CORNER The FREE COVID-19 testing site at Barnett Park closed on Friday, March 25, 2022.

COVID-19 testing is available at many retail pharmacies and medical clinics.

At-Home COVID-19 Test Kits

Residential households in the U.S. can now order one set of 4 free at-home tests from the U.S. Postal Service. All tests distributed as part of this program are FDA-authorized at-home rapid antigen tests. If you already ordered your first set, order a second today by visiting COVID.gov.

Watch for Symptoms

Individuals with COVID-19 may experience a wide range of mild to severe symptoms.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and may include, but is not limited to, fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, new loss of taste or smell, and fatigue.

When to seek emergency medical attention

If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately: • Trouble breathing • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest • New confusion • Inability to wake or stay awake • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone • This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your health care provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility. Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.

NOTE: With the continued reduction of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, this will be the last COVID-19 section. We will reintroduce this section should conditions warrant.

Residents can stay informed about the Orange County’s COVID-19 testing and vaccination updates by texting OCFLCOVID to 888777 to receive text updates.

MIDTOWN TRIVIA Correct answers to the questions.

1. C

2. D

3. C

4. B

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5. A

6. C

7. B

8. D

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{ PostScript }

ith this being the April/May issue of The Midtown Press, we would be remiss if we didn't dedicate a section of the paper to all of the incredible mothers.

While we included the date in our "Dates to Know" section (which this year happens to be Sunday, May 8th), that alone does not do the day enough justice. Now I am one of the people who believes that every day should be Mothers Day! I once saw a Facebook post that stated that if you can still receive a phone call where the caller-ID says "Mom" or "Dad," then you are a blessed person. I am doubleblessed because, among many of my friends, I am one of the few people that can still say that I still have both of my parents. I hear the pain, admiration, and love of friends who have unfortunately lost their mother. I have heard it described as a void that can never be filled. I have also heard that you never really get over losing your mother; instead, you learn to cope by hanging on to precious memories.

I am not a big TV watcher, but a few months ago, I happened to be watching one night and came across the Late Night with Stephen Colbert Show where the guest that night was Oscar winner Denzel Washington (one of my favorite actors). Washington, who lost his mom last year at the precious age of 97, said something about his mom that really caused me to think. He mother is said that "A mother is a son's first true love ."He continued by saying a son's first that "A son, especially that first son, is a mother's last true love." true love!

When I thought about it, I thought of how true these statements were. My mother is my example of what unconditional love from another person looks like. No matter the situation, she has always been my biggest supporter. I have seen the interactions between my mother and my older brother (her firstborn) and realize that they share an unbreakable bond. I have even seen my own son Christian and how he cares for his mom and reflect back to these statements and think of how true they are. So this Mother's Day, especially after the last two years that we have had due to the COVID-19 pandemic, if your mom is still with you, make sure you start today by showing her your appreciation and not waiting until Mother's Day. For those who have unfortunately lost their mother, my hope and prayer is that you are comforted by the sweet memories and the love she had for you.

A

"

-The Editor

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Seniors and Scams: How to Keep Your Information Safe Courtesy of McCoy – Your Community Credit Union

Imposter Scams In an imposter scam, an individual impersonating someone else calls (sometimes from a spoofed number) to convince you to make a bogus payment. They could say they’re with a government agency, like the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security Administration or Medicare. They may pretend to be one of your utilities providers. They could even claim to be a loved one in an urgent situation.

If someone says they’re from a legitimate organization and asks for money, hang up and call the customer service line for that organization to inquire. If they’re impersonating a loved one, reach out to that person directly.

Phishing Scams Similarly, phishing scams involve emails or text messages appearing to be from a legitimate company that convince individuals to provide credit card numbers, login credentials and more. The company logos in these communications look official. They may include a link to make a payment or claim a prize, or an attachment that doesn’t make sense in relation to the message. Review unexpected messages for anything out of the ordinary, and never click links or open attachments in messages you weren’t expecting.

Charity Scams During times of crisis, such as natural disasters, scammers prey on the kindness and goodwill of others. When donating, stick to well-known organizations and avoid crowdfunding campaigns. Before giving money, check that the organization you want to help is registered on Charity Navigator and review how contributions will be used. Never give out banking information to unsolicited requests for donations – by phone or email. If you think you’ve paid a scammer, call your financial institution immediately so they can help you.

It’s also important to report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.

The information you provide helps with discovering trends and educating the public about current scam threats. You can submit a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

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Top Tips for Avoiding Scams 1. Hang up! Legitimate businesses and federal agencies will never call you out of the blue demanding payments or asking for personal information. They will also never threaten you.

If you’re experiencing this on a call, you’re talking to a scammer.

2. Read Carefully. If you’ve received a random text or email with a link, don’t click it. It could include malware that will infect your device.

Typos are a sign you’re dealing a scammer. It’s common for them to use misspellings that your eyes may miss with a quick glance, like swapping a lowercase L for the number 1.

3. Stay Calm. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics and threats to create a sense of urgency. Remember, you don’t have to make decisions right away.

Get a Checking Account that Pays & Protects.

ID Theft Prevention Credit Monitoring Cell Phone Insurance and so much more!

Now that’s SMARTER! Learn more at McCoyfcu.org or call (407) 855-5452 today!

Smarter Checking Ad_Feb2022_FINAL.indd 1

2/4/2022 8:39:25 AM

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Please visit our website to find information about service status of our restaurant due to Covid-19 mandates from our local government

www.HardeesOrlando.com

5212 SILVER STAR ROAD