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By The Numbers 1.5 million The average number of riders, per year, on the I-Ride Trolley, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Consisting of an 18-trolley fleet, 100 stops and two route lines, it has extended its service area to a 14-mile route where trolleys run every day between 8 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. 2,950 The length, in feet, of SeaWorld Orlando’s newest roller coaster,... Read More
Extending Grace
Uniquely-abled students find the support they need to succeed at The First Hope. One of the first lessons we learn in life is that change is inevitable. While consistency is comfortable, change promotes growth. Unfortunately, over the last few years our boundaries of change have been challenged, and we’ve all been asked to take on more than our share. While we’ve all been affected,... Read More
Asking the Right Questions
Iconic sports broadcaster Dan Patrick brings The Art of Interviewing to Full Sail University with new short-form course. Whether on TV, radio or in print, few have interviewed as many distinguished individuals as Dan Patrick. Now, the legendary sportscaster is taking his decades of experience and sharing his in-depth knowledge on the finer points of being a great interviewer... Read More
Parenting Guide: Health Care
Local professionals offer tips for parents whose young children fear a trip to the dentist or orthodontist. Spend just a few minutes with any pediatric dentist or orthodontist, and it usually becomes quite clear why they got into the field in the first place. Most come off as cheerful, positive people who genuinely take pride in helping patients, and their gentle approach works... Read More
Parenting Guide: Senior Living
Having one’s affairs in order can make it easier on family members in the event of a medical emergency or death. Conversations about getting older and death are never easy to have, which is why so many people put off estate planning or making arrangements for if and when they suffer a medical emergency. But it is critical to address these issues not only to protect certain assets,... Read More
Parenting Guide: Education
Many families are recognizing the benefits of private education for their children, and Central Florida has plenty of options to meet their needs. With a career in private education that spans more than two decades and a range of positions at schools in five different states, Dr. Mitchell Salerno is somewhat of an authority on the subject. What most impresses him about Central Florida—an... Read More
Parenting Guide: Special Needs
Transitioning to adulthood is a big step for individuals with special needs, but there are local organizations that can help lead them to a secure future. Of the many challenges that parents of special needs children face, one that keeps many mothers and fathers up at night regards their child’s transition into adulthood. While school can provide a safe haven, much-needed services... Read More
Parenting Guide: Family Fun
Whether it’s a beautiful, sunny afternoon or a cloudy, rainy day, there is always something fun to do in the Orlando area. While out-of-towners may be hitting up all of the major theme parks that Central Florida has to offer, locals know that some of the best things to do and see in the area are often right around the corner or a short drive away. Here are a few of the many area... Read More
Off the Beaten Path
Summer fun in an RV has never been easier with the help of the experts at Giant Recreation World. As summer sets in and folks eagerly anticipate their seasonal getaways for some much-needed R&R, many are opting for a different style of vacation this year and instead of hitting the beach, they are hitting the open road in a RV for a one-of-a-kind experience that the entire family... Read More
Ask the Expert: Fravel Brewer Orthodontics
Why are braces still a great option to straighten teeth? Every time I open my ESPN app, I get a barrage of ads from a company who wants to straighten my teeth with mail-order aligners. This option has become a popular option for some adults, but it can often lead to disappointment when results do not live up to expectations. Aligner therapy under the supervision of an orthodontist... Read More
A Promising Approach
Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, affects millions of people worldwide and poses a significant public health challenge. As the global population ages, the burden of Alzheimer’s is expected to increase exponentially. While no cure for the disease exists, there has been growing interest in preventive testing to identify individuals at high risk of... Read More
Far From Finished
In the epidemic of mass violence across the nation, it is important to remember and to honor the victims and survivors that have been impacted. It is difficult to hear about, to understand and, most importantly, to ignore. It is common for Americans to personally know someone or somewhere that has been affected by gun violence. Within that horror, there have been increased efforts... Read More
Summer Fun
This season, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a sun – soaked afternoon or enchanting evening around Greater Orlando. From neighborhood celebrations to larger events, this is your guide to enjoying summer in style! Click HERE to view our roundup of all the hottest summer events going on this year! Read More
Notable Neighborhoods
Approximately 320,000 Americans moved into Florida between 2021 and 2022, the largest number in the continental United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. With no state income tax, an affordable cost of living and an average of 230 sunny days a year, it’s no surprise that so many opt to relocate to the Sunshine State. Orlando’s growth rate is above the state average... Read More
Preventive Health for Men: Why It Matters
There’s a common perception that men hate to go to the doctor and won’t go, even if they’re feeling sick. This theory has persisted throughout the years and is often the subject of jokes within families. But is it true? Unfortunately, this premise is sound: Men do not go to the doctor if they are feeling well. A 2019 Cleveland Clinic study found that up to 60% of men don’t... Read More
Bracing for Impact
Hurricane from space. The atmospheric cyclone. Elements of this image furnished by NASA With Ian’s and Nicole’s lingering devastation—not to mention the still-healing emotional scars and overall uncertainty they foisted on many in their paths of destructions throughout Florida—and The National Hurricane Center’s announcement last month of a reassessment that shows the... Read More
Cool Under Pressure
With over 35 years of service to the community, Matt Thurman built Advanced Refrigeration & Air into an incredibly successful business based on integrity, innovation and top-notch service. Now he turns over the reins to the new CEO, his son John Thurman. Established in 1986 in Orlando, Advanced Refrigeration & Air is a family-owned and operated company with five locations... Read More
2023 Men of the Year
The kind of people who end up on our annual Men of the Year list don’t set out to make an impact in the Central Florida region and beyond in order to receive personal accolades. Rather, they do things like create a difference-making organization following a family tragedy, devote their lives to nonprofit work or look for new ways to reach young adults on the autism spectrum because... Read More
Bringing It Home
No matter if you’re buying or selling a home, it’s a big process and one that can be stressful without the right guidance to help you see things through. Our annual list of the Top Real Estate Professionals in South Jersey is full of trusted experts who know the ins and outs of the marketplace and repeatedly deliver for their clients. REAL ESTATE SALES John Alexandrou... Read More
Super Women
No matter how old you are , where you come from or the resources you have access to , you can be someone else’s helping hand or guiding light . This year’s roster of Super Women is proof that all you need to be the change you want to see — and inspire others to follow — is having your heart in the right place and finding a cause worth fighting for WOMAN OF THE YEAR Rania... Read More
An Empathetic Ear
Dan Marcone’s interest in mental health is rooted in his youth. He grew up in a warm, loving home, but struggled with anxiety and depression for years without knowing how to describe those challenges. Like any good mental-health professional will emphasize, though, nothing is quite as formative as those childhood experiences. And nothing cuts through emotional barriers, mental-health... Read More
