For those who haven’t noticed yet - gas prices are climbing again. This comes as terribly bad news to those who value their money and don’t really appreciate watching large portions of it go into a gas tank.

Because gas prices are an ever fluctuating expense, it’s best to prepare for these pricey seasons of life and learn the little known (and lesser used) driving habits that help improve gas mileage.

Principal Research Scientist at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), Danny Parker, wrote the article “Energy Efficient Transportation for Florida” that catalogues some of the smarter driving techniques for driving more miles on less cash.

According to the article, the average Florida automobile is driven more ethan 10,000 miles a year burning about 550 gallons of gasoline and costing its owner about $1,500 in fuel costs alone.

Parker suggests alternatives like walking, cycling, carpooling or using mass transit where applicable.

While fuel-efficient automobiles are a great option for some, they can be somewhat pricey, and thus, not a viable option for others.

For those who can’t take the hybrid electric-gasoline automobile route, there’s several ways to improve gas mileage.

“A car in top running condition will improve fuel efficiency and performance,” Parker says.

This includes being certain that tires are properly inflated, the car is tuned, and that the car is at its lightest.

“Drop the weight,” Parker says. “Golf clubs, bowling balls and other heavy items belong in the garage, not your trunk. A lighter car gets slightly better mileage. For every 100 pounds of extra weight in your car, your mileage will drop by about one to two percent.”

According to Parker, the FSEC found in testing 21 percent improvement in fuel efficiency from efficient driving habits like smooth acceleration, anticipating lights and normal speeds when compared with aggressive driving.

“I always try to practice gas saving tips when I drive,” says Roger Balding of Lake Nona. “I’ve always found that coasting to red lights is a huge help or running without the A/C. The hardest one is definitely to not speed,” he jokes.

Unlike what a lot of people think, it actually isn’t a good idea to warm up the engine. It’s best to simply start the car and drive away. Parker also suggests utilizing cruise control when driving on highways.

“Don’t speed,” Parker says. “Although perhaps the least popular saving-tactic, observing the speed limit will improve your safety, and increase your gas mileage.”

Parker also emphasizes the importance of minimal braking. This is an easy to task to accomplish once it becomes habitual to pace oneself in traffic by braking gradually or letting the car coast up to red lights. It’s also important to avoid sudden acceleration, and to instead do so smoothly.

“Park at the first available space rather than driving around to hunt,” Parker says. “You’ll get some exercise while saving gas and aggravation. Remember, over 20 percent of all accidents happen in parking lots.”

It’s also best not to let the car idle for more than thirty seconds, unless in traffic. It’s actually more fuel efficient to turn off the vehicle and restart it than to let it sit idle for long periods of time.

“Every hour the car idles uses half to a gallon of fuel depending on engine size,” Parker says. “Thus every two minutes that you idle costs you another dime.”

Next time you’re driving, try being consciously aware of your habits and adjusting them according to make your wallet a little fuller.

“If I can extend my visits to the gas stations just one extra day, then it’s totally worth it to change my driving style,” says Balding.
Article by Katelyn Schmidt

Transportation, job creation and generational transformation.

A futile short-term solution, and waste of money.

No matter what light you see it in, plans for Florida’s first High Speed Rail were stopped in their tracks February 16 when Governor Rick Scott rejected federal funding for the Tampa to Orlando project.

Scott’s prepared statement catalogued three main reasons for his decision to reject the money.

“First - capital cost overruns from the project could put Florida taxpayers on the hook for an additional $3 billion,” Scott said.

Local resident Picton Warlow disagrees and sees the Government’s decision as “incredibly short sighted.”

“These are generational transformations and the Feds were paying for 90 percent of it,” Warlow wrote on Facebook in a response to a question asking what local residents thought of the high speed rail project. “The private sector was in line to pay for the rest.”

Though many see it this way, others, like local resident Chris Carroll, argue that there was no guarantee that costs for the High Speed Rail wouldn’t eventually trickle down.

“I’m pretty sure that what’s short-sighted is the idea that this wouldn’t cost Florida anything in the long run,” Carroll wrote in response to the same question. “Nothing that I’ve read about the proposed high speed rail sounded useful.”

This was also Scott’s second point - that perhaps the High Speed Rail wouldn’t necessarily be utilized as often as its’ supporters thought.

“Ridership and revenue projections are historically overly-optimistic and would likely result in ongoing subsidies that state taxpayers would have to incur,” Scott said.

However, several local residents claim that had the project survived, they would have used it.

“I would use it,” Sara Au posted. “It would open up so much in terms of economic development - not to mention options for jobs - in our region, placing CFL and the Tampa-Orlando powerhouse combination in a position to rule the state.”

Scott’s third reason is “if the project becomes too costly for taxpayers and is shut down, the state would have to return the $2.4 billion in federal funds to D.C.” Scott believes that “the risk far outweighs the benefits.”

Local resident John Evertsen posted that he feels the High Speed Rail would be a “total waste of money.”

“It was a poorly thought out plan,” Evertsen writes. “Yes we need mass transit, but we need something that is viable and fits our needs.”

The Florida High Speed Rail was a part of “A New Vision for High Speed Rail in America” which was unveiled in April of 2009 by the Federal Government. In October of that year, former Governor Crist applied for funding, and on January of 2010 President Obama awarded $1.25 billion to start construction.

Mary Hurley voices her approval of the National Rail project on Facebook.

“We are not just speaking of a link from Orlando/Tampa, but the first leg of a national rail system similar to the federal highway system we take for granted today. This link will stimulate and support sustainable jobs and economic development along its corridor. The Federal dollars rejected by Florida will not stay in DC to reduce the deficit but will go to fund High Speed Rail in CA or NY. Once again, Florida is the great donor state.”

Scott ensures that our focus should be elsewhere, and that investing in a “high-risk rail project” is not the way to go.

In the wake of Scott’s announcement, a wave of protests and new proposals have begun.

With an issue that’s constantly being re-evaluated, and a story that’s consistently changing, it’s hard to say what the final answer will be on Florida’s High Speed Rail. One thing’s for certain, though - this is not the end of the proverbial road, or rail, in this case.

Article by Katelyn Schmidt

*Editors Note: As of 3/4/2011 the Florida High Speed Rail project is reported as dead. To read more, click here.

As a chiropractor in the Central Florida area for more than 15 years, Dr. James Finnie deals with auto accident victims on an almost daily basis in addition to all of his other patients. He is the owner and sole practitioner at Finnie Chiropractic Center, where they specialize in treating the entire person, not just the symptoms.

Below are some of the common questions Dr. Finnie hears while treating auto accident victims.

1.       I was recently in an accident but I haven’t really felt any different. Should I see a chiropractor anyway and will my insurance pay for it?

There are differing opinions among chiropractors on this issue. It is my opinion that if you are not feeling any pain post motor vehicle accident, it is unlikely that chiropractic care, as it relates to the auto accident, would be indicated. However, for your own peace of mind and from an insurance perspective, you are entitled to an examination to determine the appropriateness of care. Automobile insurance companies offer variable personal injury protection (PIP) policies. The most expensive policy pays for care of injuries directly related to the accident at 100 percent of the state mandated fee schedule. The most common policy is an 80/20 policy where your insurance company pays 80 percent and you are responsible for the rest. When in doubt, call your insurance carrier to check your personal financial responsibility.

Be mindful of what your state legislators are doing in response to pressure from the insurance industry. Automobile insurance coverage may follow recent trends in hurricane liability insurance which has been to shift greater financial responsibility to you when you can least afford it.

2.       How common is it for someone to experience back and neck pain following an accident? Is it usually felt immediately?

Neck and back injuries are pandemic post motor vehicle accidents. The severity of injuries varies widely from a sprain/strain to nonsurgical or surgical disc injury and even fracture.  It is common to feel some pain immediately. However, it should be noted that sometimes symptoms are delayed up to 48 hours post trauma.

3.    I’ve never been to a chiropractor before. If there is a problem, how likely is it you can correct it and how long will that take?

The severity of possible injuries varies widely. Some minor muscular strains may resolve within two to four weeks of treatment, whereas a moderate sprain/strain within two to four months. More severe sprain/strain injuries and/or nonsurgical disc involvement may take six months to a year to stabilize. Some “whiplash” injuries resolve without residual symptoms. Some chronic injuries stabilize but are subject to recurrent painful episodes as physical limitations are exceeded.

4.       Is there anything I can do at home to help speed the process along or help it in some way?

Your chiropractor should always address and encourage your involvement in the healing process. Appropriately timed ice packs, heat packs, nutritional supplements as well as timely stretching, strengthen and stabilization exercise protocols will help facilitate optimal outcomes.

5.       If I have pain flare up suddenly, should I attribute it to the car accident? What can I do when it gets intense but I can’t schedule an appointment immediately?

If you feel unfamiliar neck, back, headache, hip, shoulder, arm or leg pain post auto accident, you should be examined by a chiropractor. Common sense dictates that is unlikely your first sign of pain six months to a year after an accident is related to that accident. “Intense” pain can imply the need for emergent evaluation at a local hospital.

If your question was not answered or you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Finnie, contact Finnie Chiropractic Center today. The center is a provider for many general health insurance companies, including Medicare.

Finnie Chiropractic Center

1130 S. Semoran Blvd, Suite E
Orlando, FL 32807
Phone: 407-277-3535

www.FinnieChiropractic.com

So how do bees get to school?  By school “buzz” of course! And the buzz that’s hardly a surprise to anyone is, similarly to most government agencies, school district budgets have been slashed potentially by 10 percent in the coming year.  Although difficult to catch up with representatives at Orange County Public schools, most likely due to having to do more with less, transportation costs are likely targets for cutbacks.

Fleet reductions will most likely impact reserve busses and maintenance vehicles for which Orange County keeps a slightly higher inventory than is typical. Selling some of those vehicles may assist in meeting some of the deficit, along with fuel and vehicle maintenance savings.

Anyone who owns a personal vehicle understands from a small perspective the expense of ownership - gas, insurance and maintenance costs.  Consider also, that as of January last year, all diesel engines must meet new EPA standards at a cost of thousands per bus.  With price tags of busses starting around $80,000 a piece, implementation of cost saving measures is fundamental.

Upon speaking with an educational grant coordinator with local ties - in his South Florida district - he said that the county has considered several options. “Routes have been cut that didn’t generate sufficient ‘ridership’ and others have been consolidated,” he continues, “they are also re-examining forced bussing requirements and considering a return to the community school concept.” Current Orange County policy indicates that students living within 2 miles of their school do not qualify for bus services, although there are some exceptions for special needs populations.

Several parents, representative of the Southeast corner of Orange County, shared their diverse thoughts on school bussing.  Overall responses were fairly positive with most concerns surrounding timeliness and safety.

In several subdivisions along Narcoossee Road, it is not unusual to see cars and parents stacked up waiting with children in the early morning hours. “I’m not comfortable having the girls wait in the dark,” says one parent of three daughters. Overall pleased with the service offered by the school’s transportation department, this parent’s only concern was the tardiness of bus on a handful of occasions.  “I’m not too concerned,” she said, “as students are not considered tardy if they are late due to the bus. It would be nice if he was consistent.”

For working parents, inconsistencies with bus schedules create havoc particularly in their mornings as they wait for their children to load up. One parent in the Lee Vista area admitted she has never allowed her two children to ride the bus.  “I’ve heard horror stories about the bullying, fights, and behavior and I’m still not sure about safety without seatbelts,” she says. Instead, she opts to drive or carpool with other parents. County policy does state that parents are responsible for their children between home and actually getting on the bus.

Consolidating routes and increasing students on busses will have multi-faceted effects. One East Orange County parent has seen the impact of adding more students to busses of her high schooler. “Three high school kids in a seat with books and backpacks just isn’t safe, and neither is expecting drivers to monitor that many children while focusing on driving,” she says. Understanding that drivers are trained and will pull over when things get “out of hand” is just not enough for this particular parent, hence why ridesharing is the best option for her family.

Although parents express some concerns, none are ready to see the wheels on the bus come to the end of the road. So while the future may not be entirely clear, one thing is certain: students will continue to ride the bus until an alternative solution can be found.

Article by Monica King

Owning a boat is a lifelong dream for many East Orlando families, but it’s one many never reach because of their finances. Others purchase their dream vessel only to find out that they can’t use it as often as they like, or that maintenance costs and headaches are overwhelming. If you’ve found yourself in either one of those positions, the new world of shared boat ownership may provide a solution for you.

Shared boating is exactly what it sounds like: members pay a fee to use a collective, shared resource that costs far less than owning the fixed asset on your own. Think of it as a gym or a golf club membership but on the water. At your gym, you expect the equipment to be clean and ready to use. At your golf club you expect your tee time to reserve your round and for the course to be ready when it’s supposed to be. It’s much the same a shared boating experience.

“Our boats are maintenance free and delivered either to your door on a trailer or they’re housed and ready to use at marinas across the state,” says Derrick Meer, president of All Points Boat Club.  The All Points fleet consists of more than a dozen vessels of various sizes from smaller fishing boats to 40 foot and larger yachts. Boats in their fleet are either purchased by the club itself, shared with a member who wants to sell time on their boat or simply maintained for a group of owners who don’t want the headache.

The result is a more economical way of experiencing the oceans and waterways of Central Florida, and it’s catching on. “We grew by almost 40 percent last year,” says Meer. “We anticipate we’re going to see that type of growth again this year as more people find out about the benefits shared boating really offers.”

According to Meer, boats, on average, are only used 20-25 days by their owner. “These are generally $50,000 to $250,000 assets that sit for most of the year with a single owner,” he says. “The cost per use can literally be measured in thousands of dollars and it just doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.” With his club in particular, members reserve a calendar spot, be it a weekend or a week, and a boat of their choosing. Then, they’re given a clean, turnkey vessel at a yearly cost that’s about one third of owning and insuring a boat on their own.

“About 75 percent of our members are people that have principal ownership in a small, local Central Florida area business,” says Meer. “The other 25 percent or so is made up of attorneys, doctors and white collar professionals.” One of the ways to help keep costs down for all member is making sure the right type of people become members of the family-friendly boating club. “It’s a shared privilege so we spend a lot of time meeting with people and making sure they are a good fit for the boats and the club,” he says. “Ideally, we want to turn boaters into yachtsmen.”

From the St. John’s River to Mosquito Lagoon and from Cape Canaveral to the Atlantic, Central Florida is home to some of the most diverse waterways in the country and members are encouraged to take their boats wherever they want to enjoy them and for whatever purpose they choose. With all that water to explore and all the member growth in the concept, scheduling conflicts must come up, right? “To tell you the truth, we’ve never really had an issue,” says Meer. Most members plan weeks or months in advance so they know what’s available and they are able to get the boat they request.

At the end of the day the idea for the All Points Boat Club, and others similar in concept, is to bring the perks of boat ownership to everyone without the hassle, according to Meer. “It’s something that’s incredibly relaxing and fun for the whole family,” he says. “Everyone should experience boating on their terms; you can’t replace the feeling you get out there.”

Article by Corey Gehrold