Building a Community All Year Long
April might mark the beginning of World Autism Month but for those whose lives have been touched by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), awareness and advocacy efforts aren’t limited to just one month a year. “We have to educate every day,” affirms Silvia Haas. “We have to keep educating our audience.” Haas is the chief executive officer and one of the “founding sisters”... Read More
Rising to the Occasion
Braden Holcomb, Foundation Academy baseball A senior shortstop/third baseman who will also see time in center field this season, Holcomb has been a difference-maker in Foundation’s lineup throughout his career and hit .537 with eight home runs and 26 RBIs last year. He is committed to Vanderbilt but is drawing serious interest from MLB teams as well. OFM: Is it weird to be heading... Read More
2023 Awesome Attorneys
Having a trusted, respected legal mind in your corner is always an asset, but you might not always be sure where to start your search. That’s why we annually ask our readers to nominate the attorneys they’ve had great experiences with, as well as the region’s leading law firms and lawyers to identify those professionals who are truly some Awesome Attorneys worthy of recognition... Read More
A Winning Formula
In addition to being former No. 1 overall draft picks and current NBA superstars, there is another common thread that binds Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons and Cade Cunningham: They were all once mentored by the man who many consider to be the best high school basketball coach in the country. First at St. Patrick’s in New Jersey and for the past 12 years at Montverde Academy here in... Read More
Better Than Ever
For a little more than 30 years, Marlon Wayans has been making folks laugh out loud. Whether he’s on screen, on stage or behind the scenes, he has enjoyed tremendous longevity in what can be a sometimes unforgiving entertainment world. Yet, despite his track record of success, he shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, he may just be ramping up. “I feel like I’ve been... Read More
A Guiding Light
Jessica Villegas knows as well as anyone that the teen and young adult years can be a tricky time to navigate, especially with no guidance on the journey. Although she is a successful career woman now—and the mother of three daughters—her childhood was anything but ideal, and having a strong role model or mentor in place would have done wonders for her self-esteem, not to mention... Read More
A Better View
Ask any parent about what they want most for their children and the response will likely revolve around seeing them grow up to live long lives full of happiness and good health. And while looking into their little one’s eyes can elicit instant feelings of joy, sometimes it’s what they don’t see that can be a cause for serious concern. A young child’s vision plays an integral... Read More
Pushing Pediatrics Forward
From the benefits of natural remedies to the most advanced, high-resolution orthopedic imaging, pediatric doctors throughout the area are finding incredible ways to enhance their patients’ treatments and quality of life. Orlando Family Magazine spoke with local physicians in different disciplines to discuss the latest in pediatric healthcare. The Future of Spine Surgery Dr. Raymund... Read More
King of the Kitchen
Richard Blais has had quite the storybook career thus far. He learned the art of cooking working alongside some of the world’s most renowned chefs such as Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud. He became a household name after appearing as a contestant (twice) and later a judge on the hit show Top Chef. What’s more, Blais has opened up restaurants on both coasts, become an author,... Read More
Rising to the Occasion
Braden Holcomb, Foundation Academy baseball A senior shortstop/third baseman who will also see time in center field this season, Holcomb has been a difference-maker in Foundation’s lineup throughout his career and hit .537 with eight home runs and 26 RBIs last year. He is committed to Vanderbilt but is drawing serious interest from MLB teams as well. OFM: Is it weird to be heading... Read More
Great Escapes Without Leaving the State
There’s nothing like calling one of America’s favorite vacation destinations home. What most people travel from all over the world to cram into a vacation that never seems to last long enough or include everything to see and do, Central Floridians can enjoy any time of year. Plus, living in and around Orlando means you’re the first to know when something big happens, like... Read More
Drama Queen
It says a lot for Emilia Clarke that between filming the eight seasons of Game of Thrones, the actress additionally managed to squeeze in appearances in two of the biggest movie franchises of all time. She played the role of Sarah Connor opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator Genisys in 2015, before starring as Qi’ra in the Solo: A Star Wars Story three years later. In more... Read More
Opening Acts
While we may enjoy cooking in the comforts of our own kitchen or having our favorite takeout delivered to the front door, the truth is nothing can replace the ambiance of going out to eat. As we settle into our seats and take the first sip of our drink, we’re asked the question we’ve been waiting for: “Would you like to start off with any appetizers?” The answer is always... Read More
Tax Talk
Whether it’s the looming tax season or a formidable letter from the IRS, taxpayers should never go through such daunting circumstances alone. That’s why Kimberely Bates, EA, is committed to supplying her clients with the results and professionalism of a large-scale corporation while supporting them with the intimate attention and care found in small businesses. After years of... Read More
In Perfect Harmony
Michelle Jones wears many musical hats. She is a renowned instrumentalist, composer, recording artist and educator. After years of studying violin, viola and piano, the versatile instrumentalist decided to form a top strings rock ensemble, Violectric, in 2008. Since then, the world’s only string rock band of its kind has captivated audiences worldwide with its unique sound. Jones... Read More
What’s Trending?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, college enrollment plummeted to record lows in 2020. The drastic drop was largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and marked the lowest enrollment rate in about 15 years. Now, two years later and in the end stages of the pandemic, this trend has yet to shift gears. In fact, from the spring of 2020 to the spring of 2022, there was a 7.4%... Read More
A Changing Economy
When the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season officially ended Nov. 30, what was assessed as a season of overall average activity also emerged as one of the costliest on record, a pain that Floridians throughout the state still keenly feel. But while those in the massive Hurricane Nicole’s path largely bounced back faster than those in the aftermath of the Category 4 Hurricane Ian’s... Read More
Oral Report
While February is most associated with sending flowers and chocolates on Valentine’s Day and whether Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow or not, the shortest month on the calendar also has another important meaning. Every year at this time, the American Dental Association sponsors Children’s Dental Health Month, bringing together doctors, other health care providers and educators... Read More
Preventing a Tragedy
According to the U.S. Department of State, there are an estimated 24.9 million victims of human trafficking at any given time worldwide. Those children and adults of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities are exploited for others’ profit and nefarious intent, robbed of the safety, security and autonomy that every human being ought to be guaranteed. In recent years, forced labor,... Read More
A Lot on Her Plate
Anya Taylor-Joy has a hearty appetite, both on and off the screen. At 26, when many actors are just getting their footing, the charming Taylor-Joy is winning awards, leaving her indelible mark on movies in a variety of genres and making lifelong friends in the entertainment world. Most recently she portrayed a young woman in The Menu, a dark comedy about a couple, Margot and Tyler... Read More
YEAR IN REVIEW 2022
As we get ready to welcome 2023 with open arms, we wanted to first take some time to reflect back on the year that was. From the many notables that graced our pages to our annual celebrations of the best that Greater Orlando has to offer; 2022 was a year to remember. In these pages, you’ll find a roundup of our lists for the top physicians, attorneys, dentists and other leading... Read More
