The Midtown Press - August/September 2023 Issue

The

august 2023

6 Friendship Day

10 First Day of School (OCPS)

12 National Garage Sale Day

13 Left Hander’s Day

17 Neighbor Night

25 National Banana Split Day

31 National Eat Outside Day

september 2023

4 Labor Day

6 Read a Book Day

8 International Literacy Day

9 Teddy Bear Day

12 Chocolate Milk Shake Day

18 National Cheeseburger Day

About the Cover

Back to School is always a a fun time. It marks the end of summer and a return to a sense of "normalcy" in terms of schedules and planning. As our parents, students, teachers, staff, adminstrators, bus drivers and school crossing guards return, we wish everyone a safe 2023-24 school year!

EDITOR’S CHAIR

Italways amazes me when it comes to writing this section. It provides an opportunity to reflect on how fast time passes by. Just a couple of months ago, I was excited for the beginning of the summer season; now, before you know it, we will soon be seeing Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations, and if you look close enough, you might see a Christmas tree display in your favorite retail store.

I hope you enjoy our Back To School issue. I always enjoy putting this issue together as I fondly remember back-to-school seasons while growing up. I couldn't wait for the first day of school to show off my new school clothes and to see friends I hadn't seen all summer. As I got older, that nostalgic feeling never disappeared as I watched my children create their own version of excitement. The feeling is different with now with no children in "school". Now that my daughter is a college graduate and my son is entering his sophomore year of college, the back-to-school talks are now focused on financial aid, GRE prep exams, roommates, and security deposits. While I miss the days of receiving the back-to-school shopping list from the teacher, I wouldn't trade this period of my life. I look forward to watching my children blossom into young adults.

There is so much hope at the beginning of a new school year, primarily because it is a season of new beginnings. As we embark on this new year, I wish all students a fantastic year! To all the educators - teachers, admin, support staff, bus drivers, custodians, and school crossing guards, I offer encouragement and patience in everything you do. You are the true superstars in all of this, watching over and guiding our prized possessions. I hope this is your best year ever! With school busses getting prepared to return to the streets, it was imperative to include a section school bus safety.

Too many preventable incidents occur because people neglect to follow the proper laws when it comes to engaging with a school bus while driving. Please see our story on Page 18

Having a reliable internet signal is no longer considered a luxury. It is becoming a necessity. To that end, we wanted to ensure our readers knew of the Affordable Connectivity Program program and how eligible households can save up to $30/ month off their internet or wireless service if they qualify. You can read more about the program requirements on Page 11. In other school-related news, OCPS announced that it would be offering free breakfast and lunch to all students beginning this school year. This initiative will be a game changer as many children in our community deal with food insecurity challenges. Please read more about this story on Page 17. In keeping with the back-to-school theme, check out our crossword puzzle featuring the names of area schools and streets on Page 26

A special "thank you" to Kassandra M. Santiago for covering and including a story regarding the ongoing fight to try to locate, if approved, the 15th liquor store in Pine Hills. She had the opportunity to attend the most recent hearing at the Orange County Commission Chambers and to speak to concerned residents. Her story appears on Page 21.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our advertisers, and I know they all join me as I wish everyone a safe and happy 2023-24 school year!

Press THE Midtown

The little paper with the big picture!

“The little paper with the big picture”

Publisher EJP North, LLC.

Editor Glen R. Providence

Associate Editor

Barbara Chandler

All materials contained herein (unless otherwise noted) are owned and copyrighted by EJP North, LLC and Glen R. Providence. No material may be reproduced in any manner or form without the written consent of the publishers or their designated representative.

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but doesn’t have a house of his own.

The face of the housing crisis isn’t always who you think

The number of Central Floridians struggling to secure aaordable housing threatens to undermine workforce supply and erode regional quality of life.

As a community, we face the choice to sit on our hands or to put them to work collectively. Raise your hand and pioneer the change needed.

It’s time to Face The Housing Crisis™ .

it is.

He’ll run into a house on fire

Senior Focus

Pine Hills Seniors: Staying Active & Involved!

We Share Because we Care!

CONTACT US: Phone 407-254-9107

Email pinehillsseniors@gmail.com

pinehillsseniors2@gmail.com

Address

Despite being on their summer break, several Pine Hills Seniors group members gathered together to enjoy the hit play Dreamgirls! The hit play was performed at the Garden Theater in Winter Garden, and the group was extremely excited to see the performance. Pine Hills Seniors President Lorna Wilmoth said, "Dreamgirls sent us reminiscing about our younger days trying to pursue our dreams. It's about life's journey in a ruthless world, not knowing who you will encounter, but life is a journey, not a destination, so they venture on," she continued.

The Pine Hills Seniors will hold a leadership meeting on September 7th and will resume with the entire group beginning September 14th starting at 9 am. The group's members look forward to restarting healthy exercise programs and sharing about their summer experiences.

Pine Hills Community Center 6408 Jennings Road, Bldg B Orlando, FL 32818

PHS BOARD MEMBERS President

Ms. Bridget Monroe Secretary

Ms. Bertina Busch Treasurer

Mr. Glen R. Providence Member

Ms. Gail P. Bradshaw

Founder / President Emerita

Ms. Sheila Belle

PHS LEADERSHIP President

Ms. Lorna Wilmoth

Vice President

Ms. Andrea Jackson Secretary

Ms. Shirley Lewis Treasurer

Mr. Oliver Batson

PHS STANDING COMMITTEE

Mr. Oliver Batson

Mr. Compton Belle

Ms. Alwyn Brown

Mr. John Moore

Ms. Jeane Telford

PRESENTS

Renaissance Artist of the Americas

On View | September 15, 2023–January 20, 2024

Opening Reception Friday, September 15

7–9pm 8–10pm Alice & William Jenkins Gallery Hannibal Square Heritage Center with Live Music

Gallery Talk with the Artist

Wednesday, September 20

7pm Alice & William Jenkins Gallery

crealde.org

Patrick Noze, Madame Monet, Acrylic on Canvas, 30x40 in.

AT&T Expands Home Internet Access into Pine Hills

n an effort to help close the digital gap AT&T recentely expanded home internet access into the Pine Hills community. The company announced it was bringing AT&T Fiber to nearly 5,000 homes and businesses in the Orlando area, including nearly 1,000 customers in Pine Hills. This action allows customers in the impacted areas to access speeds of up to 5 gigabits per second

According to the Indicators of Broadband Need map, 10.3% of Orange County homes are without internet access. Some parts of the county, including parts of the Pine Hills area, see at least 30% of homes without internet access. AT&T Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) households can save up to $30/mo. off their internet or wireless service.

The ACP is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more. So just who Is Eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program? A household is eligible if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:

• Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;

• Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider's existing low-income internet program;

• Participates in one of these assistance programs:

• Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools.

• SNAP

• Medicaid

• Federal Housing Assistance, including:

• Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)

• Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/Section 202/ Section 811

• Public Housing

• Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• WIC

• Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits

For more information and to determine if you qualify, visit https://www.att.com/ affordable-connectivity-program/

Orange County Tourist Development Tax Citizen Advisory Task Force Makes Recomendations

TheOrange County Tourist Development Tax (TDT) Citizen Advisory Task Force meet for the seventh and final time on Monday, July 17, 2023.

The task force aims to review and provide input to the Board of County Commissioners and Tourist Development Council on potential uses of future, unencumbered TDT revenues within current statutory framework.

The task force was co-chaired by Jane Healy, former Managing Editor of the Orlando Sentinel, and Tony Jenkins, Florida Blue Market President for the Central Florida region, and comprised of a diverse cross-section of Orange County residents, with members from government, trade groups, the hospitality industry, and Chambers of Commerce that represent the range of Orange County populations.

The task force settled on five projects to receive a portion of the hotel tax revenue. Those projects include expanding the Orange County Convention Center, building a roof for Camping World Stadium, improvements at Amway Center and the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and money for UCF sports facilities.

After several weeks of meetings and reviewing dozens of proposals, many task force members also said they felt their options needed to be expanded by state law, which requires that tourist tax money be used to boost tourism. The task force recommended calling on Mayor Jerry Demings and county commissioners to push state lawmakers to approve allowing all Florida counties to charge an additional one-cent hotel tax, which could be used to pay for infrastructure and social projects. A vote on which individual projects will get funding will come at a later meeting.

When:

KNOW THIS!

Stop When You See "STOP"

The new school year is here! As we begin a new school year, it is a perfect opportunity to remind everyone of the rules when it comes to school buses as they transport our most precious commodity, our children. Especially during the first few weeks of school, as kids navigate new routes to school and become familiar with new surroundings, please remain extra vigilant for school buses and crosswalks! It should go without saying however, please know that the inconvenience of an extra few seconds spent waiting for a stopped school bus is insignificant compared to the loss of a child’s life.

Florida Motor Vehicle Laws require that motorists stop upon approaching any school bus which displays its flashing red lights and has its stop signs extended. The penalty for failure to stop for a school bus is $200, and if a second offense is committed in 5 years, the person’s license will be suspended for up to 1 year. The penalty for passing a school bus on the side that children enter and exit when the school bus displays a stop signal is $400, and if a second offense is committed in 5 years, the person’s license can be suspended for up to 2 years

Did You Know?

In a 180-day school year, it is estimated that there are almost two million illegal “passes” of Florida school buses, each representing the possibility of tragic injuries or fatalities to students.

School Bus Passing Rules

• All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (See diagram, TWO-LANE)

• On a highway divided by a paved median, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal, and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (See diagram, MULTI-LANE)

• The only time traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop, is if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic. (See diagram, DIVIDED HIGHWAY)

Preserving a Clean, Safe & Prosperous Community

August 2023 Updates

PHCC HAS A NEW WEBSITE HOME

ThePine Hills Community Council, Inc., has a new website that will serve as a vital community resource. This update marks the first in a series of changes as the Council continues to expand the site and get feedback from residents. This will ensure improvements necessary for optimal performance are made. Please vist the newly redesigned site at www.pinehills.info

Central Florida Employment Council Job Fair

The23rd Annual Governor's Job Fair will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 from 12:00-4:00 PM at the Orlando Fairgrounds - 4603 W Colonial Dr. Orlando, FL 32808. This hiring event will feature nearly 100 employers offering thousands of job openings in various industries from around the Central Florida Region, as well as employment resources to help assist you with your needs! Join us and meet, network, and interview with nearly 100 employers ready to hire, under one roof! Register as a job seeker today and then attend job fair day in Central Florida!

Maynard Evans High School

Maynard Evans High School

As a child of the '80s, I grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons. I have fond memories of pouring myself a bowl of Honeycomb cereal and plopping down on the couch for the next few hours to see all my favorite shows. I can go on and on about the nostalgic feeling about these shows and what they meant to me. The shows had hidden messages about strength, courage, fear, and sadness. Some of my favorites were He-Man & Masters of The Universe, GI Joe, and Transformers. My absolute favorite show was called Superfriends. Superfriends was an ensemble show featuring the best superheroes, including Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman. I loved them all! What was unique about each superhero was that they all had a vice - something that could strip them of their powers and bring them to their knees. For my favorite superhero, Superman, it was Kryptonite. When used against him, the green, crystalline material from Superman's home world of Krypton would strip him of his powers, rendering him useless.

While I am not a superhero by any stretch, I am used to feeling strong, powerful, and agile. Combine that with a good night's sleep and a strong cup of coffee, and sometimes I do feel like I can leap buildings in a simple bound (hopefully, you got the Superman reference). Well, just like Superman's Kryptonite, I met my vice. For the past six weeks, I have been dealing with sciatica pain. The pain radiates from the hip area and can extend down through the calf muscle and down to your toes. I had a classic case that left me bedridden for ten days, limiting my mobility and causing chronic pain. When I thought things couldn't get worse, my lack of mobility, an overabundance of pain pills, and poor diet led me to develop Gout. While I had heard of this condition, I always associated it with "older" people (no offense). When the doctor gave me the diagnosis, my response was one of denial. "How could that be?" I asked him. He said it was the perfect set of conditions. For those unfamiliar with the condition, Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes pain and swelling in your joints. Gout flares (including mine) often begin in your big toe or a lower limb. It usually flares for a week or two and then resolves itself. I am on medication to help reduce the effects of the symptoms.

In keeping with the superhero theme, while they all typically have an arch nemesis, I would not wish this pain on my worst enemy. During this time, I have had plenty of time to think about how I arrived here. Initially, I thought this was the "universe" telling me I needed to slow down. However, as the long days and sleepless nights continued, my thoughts went elsewhere. Is this a wake-up call for me to reevaluate my lifestyle? I am one year away from the big "50". I am expecting my AARP card in the mail any day now. But what does turning 50 really mean? What hit me is that based on CDC data, which puts the average life expectancy of men at 73, I have probably lived more than half of my life already! But then I thought, I know plenty of people who are living active, vibrant lives in their 70's and 80's. Just look at our Pine Hills Seniors. I love being around them. Their energy and zest for life is amazing!

Based on how I have felt over the last few weeks, I am considering some wholesale changes to my lifestyle to help ensure my remaining years on this earth are as meaningful (and pain-free) as possible. For all of my readers, if you suffer from chronic pain, please ensure you get the proper care you need. Seek out a second opinion if you don't think your condition is improving. While money and finances will always play an important role in determining your overall lifestyle, let us also remember that health is wealth!

-The Editor