LOOKING AHEAD THIS WEEK
GETTING YOUNGER,
The future has come calling. I work for a local nonprofit outfit that has, for the first time, added four members under the age of 40 to its board of directors in one fell swoop. And counting heads among the army of construction workers swarming Interstate 4 and other job sites, along with droves of retail salespeople in restaurants and grocery stores I frequent, suggests to me that the “retirement home for senior citizens” label of Central Florida so predominant when I came here in 1975 is disappearing. I wonder if we are ready for the onslaught of new thinking, audacity and change-making this all portends? We’ve tried the tried and true; it may well be past time for a little adventure!
BACH CONCERTS,
William F. Buckley Jr., founder of National Review, once said that when Johann Sebastian Bach was born on Mar. 31, 1685, “the event is as though God had decided to clear His throat to remind the world of His existence.” Thanks to the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park, we here in Central Florida are offered many reminders with performances by numerous musicians. There are Bach-inspired concerts happening in November and during the Christmas holidays. Take a break from the noise of the world this season and find yourself lost in music. Check out bachfestival.org for more.
GOOD FOOD BOOSTS MOOD,
We know that eating more fruits, vegetables, fish and lean meats is best for our physical health, but a recent study has found that eating healthy also benefits our mental health. Researchers found that young adults who switched to eating a healthier diet enjoyed better moods and fewer depressive symptoms than peers wolfing down processed foods, sugars, and fats. Nearly 30 percent of Florida high-schoolers struggle with depression and hospitalizations for mood and depressive disorders has been increasing steadily for years. We — as a great state and society — need to focus more of our attention on promoting proper diet and exercise.
HELPING VETERANS,
Coming from a family of veterans, Veterans Day is particularly meaningful for me — Mom and Dad served in World War II and my brother was in the Air Force during Vietnam. I am proud that CareerSource CF prioritizes support to former military members in finding their next career. November hosts several events in Orlando, and throughout the state, to support veterans employment, including Paychecks for Patriots, a targeted jobs initiative that connects businesses with former military talent. The upcoming holiday is a great time to thank a vet and their family members for their service and sacrifices, but we appreciate them all year.
BALLET AND OPERA,
Orlando Ballet and Opera Orlando take over Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Orlando Ballet opens their season with “Vampire’s Ball” on Halloween in the Disney Theater. That show runs through Nov. 3. Opera Orlando presents “The Marriage of Figaro” in the Pugh Theater beginning Nov. 1. The comedic opera will be presented through Nov. 5. Both organizations have experienced significant growth over the last year, and these two shows are an exciting start to a new season.
EOLA DEVELOPMENT,
Two self-described “little old ladies” have teamed up with a local philanthropist to block dense development on one corner of Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. The move was made as a reaction to a now-abandoned development that would have placed a 28-story tower on the lots that currently house a 7-Eleven and the historic Lubbe building at the corner of Central and Rosalind. While the concept of expanding our downtown green space should be applauded, in the face of increasing pressures to build housing in our walkable, downtown core, it seems a shame to lose one of the only worldclass development sites in the Central Business District that could have attracted something really special in favor of more zoysia grass.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
It’s a week out from Orlando’s mayoral election, and affordable housing is one of the key themes in the campaigns of Mayor Buddy Dyer and challengers Aretha Simons and city commissioner Sam Ings. Dyer touts incentives for 14 different affordable housing projects. Ings says the city could do a better job of providing affordable housing, and he says it’s important to make sure communities aren’t displaced when projects are torn down. And Aretha Simons wants the city to develop its own affordable housing fund, through public-private partnerships, grant writing and fundraising.
TRUCK SAFETY,
The Truck Safety Agency said that even though 4,951 pedestrians were killed by large trucks last year, the Trump administration is pushing proposals for truck drivers to be able to drive 17-hour days. Plus, they are pushing for removing required 30-minute breaks every 8 hours. At the same time, the report comes in that Orlando is back on top for Florida cities being the least safe for pedestrians while truck numbers on I-4 seem to multiply by the minute.