Viewpoints

Summer's Great for Naked Potty Training

2008-06-03T20:41:20Z

Nakedtime is a great way to begin potty-training, and summer is the perfect time to try it. Basically, the idea is that you allow your children to simply be naked, but in fairly close proximity to a bathroom or potty chair, for periods of time, during which (we hope) they will need to go. To your child, it’s tons of fun, and perhaps something s/he hasn’t been able to do before. To you, it’s a fantastic teaching tool.

Nakedtime is non-threatening and passive; when you start you don’t even have to mention that it has anything to do with going potty.

Silent Night

2007-11-29T16:37:51Z

My favorite aspect of the entire Christmas season comes down to one single moment lasting only a few minutes. In this short time, I feel connected to my friends and family surrounding me, but most of all I feel a connection to the one whom we are celebrating.

Where We Belong

2007-07-05T15:05:47Z

It is indeed rare when such broad consensus exists in today’s society. Politicians, planners, community activists, business leaders, and other civic-minded individuals all agree – creating a sense of place is integral to the formation of a strong, safe community. The theory, to which I subscribe, is that one needs to feel comfortable in a location, almost like one is at home, before one will invest the time and resources necessary to protect and improve that location. In short, we need to feel that we belong.

Friends of East Orlando - Education

2007-07-05T15:04:23Z

Education is the key to success. No great communities exist without great educational institutions. No great companies build businesses and bring employees to an area without great schools and without a constant supply of educated workers. In today’s competitive marketplace, having a formal education is no longer about getting ahead but more about getting your foot in the door.

FRIENDS of East Orlando Column - Healthcare Discussion

2007-07-05T14:23:44Z

Great ideas come from great places, or at least that is what I mostly believe. Put yourself in the right environment, with the right people and you never know where the mind will wander. It’s not by accident that you feel academically inspired when walking across the campus at UCF. I’ve had the chance to sit in the offices of some pretty remarkable community leaders over the past few years and to participate in some pretty remarkable conversations about how together we can change the direction our community is headed, for the better.

Where are all the parks?

2007-07-05T14:14:52Z

Waterford Lakes Resident, Andy Kimpel Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane. When you were young, did you go to the park for a walk with Dad, a school outing or maybe just to burn off some excess energy? Have any fond recollections of a church picnic, a pickup softball game or a round of Frisbee with some buddies? It seems that these experiences are destined to remain in the past, since we in East Orlando are suffering from a severe lack of recreational facilities to create new memories with friends and families. Space is always at a premium in fast-growing regions, but many towns are being very innovative in working parks into their plans.

Friends of East Orlando - Recreation

2007-07-05T14:05:18Z

The Grass is Always Greener – or is it? Jennifer Thompson For the last few months, I have spent quite a bit of time touring the streets of our neighboring Oviedo community as part of a consulting project that I am doing for the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce. During my daily pilgrimage along Alafaya Trail heading from East Orlando to the Lawton House (that’s the name of the 100-year old historical building that the Chamber occupies), I often comment to myself about the noticeable difference in traffic congestion as I cross from one community into another. On a recent outing through the cities of Oviedo and Winter Springs, I found myself in awe over the abundance of green space and recreational options within these Seminole County bedroom communities.

Transportation - From 2007 EOCC Chair, Ed Alexander

2007-07-04T13:32:23Z

While I’m happy to hear that the Innovation Way – Beechline interchange was once again restored to the Expressway Authority’s 5 year plan, I think it’s important to remember there is a lot of work to do to make the interchange a reality in the near term.

How Long Shall We Wait?

2007-07-04T13:23:29Z

e-thousand feet, or just about the length of three football fields – that is the distance from the terminus of an extended Alafaya Trail to the Beachline Expressway. At least that is the distance until the Orlando – Orange County Expressway Authority builds an interchange from the Beachline that connects to Alafaya Trail. The good news; that interchange is now on the five-year plan. The bad news; it has been there before, and it won’t be finished until well after the Alafaya Trail extension is in place.

Environment – From the EOCC Chair, Ed Aleander

2007-07-04T13:14:49Z

Living with Ed, the reality TV show about the daily life of ultra environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr., and his wife, shows a dramatic picture of what can be done to reduce our impact on the environment. No one can dispute that going green – that is becoming environmentally conscious – is now mainstream. However, the problem with Living with Ed is that it gives the impression you have to go to extremes to go green.