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  • 4 weeks later...

Sad to say, longtime radio host, provocateur and institution Jim Philips has left the building.

Jim never took any guff from anyone, especially bloviating "suits." He did, however, follow the maxim of "afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted."

Listening to the radio without the Philips Phile just ain't gonna be the same. Thanks for 30+ great years, Jim!

As 'Philips Phile' host signs off, Orlando radio institution cherishes his luck
http://bit.ly/2A7vSLa

From the Sentinel

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  • 2 months later...
  • 3 months later...

Longtime Orlando Sentinel film critic (23 years) and UCF/Rollins adjunct Jay Boyar has died.

I generally agreed with his reviews, although giving five stars to “Howard the Duck” gave me pause.

More importantly, he was active in helping to bring alive a number of film events in Orlando, which we really didn’t have before his arrival. He’ll definitely be missed.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/obituaries/os-ne-jay-boyar-obituary-20190504-story,amp.html

From the Sentinel 

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Apple’s Tim Cook makes surprise visit to local teen computer whiz Liam Rosenfeld:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-bz-tim-cook-lyman-high-school-20190507-ja72v6z3j5esjn47nbc35vzxqe-story.html

From the Sentinel 

It’s good to note Liam is a student at Seminole County’s public Lyman High, which includes kids from a wide range of backgrounds and incomes.

Great job, Liam, SCPS and thanks to Tim Cook, one of the country’s most successful out and proud CEOs (even if he did go to Auburn. :-)

Edited by spenser1058
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The Orange County Regional History Center wins a national award (OCLS won it last year - they’re tearing it up with culture on E. Central!). 

Also, a little more on the upcoming museum expansion:

Orange County History Center wins national award, plans renovation http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/orange-county/os-ne-orange-county-history-center-award-20190514-4xpsnurbz5antkd4mvafgkq7vm-story.html

From the Sentinel 

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  • 3 weeks later...

It seems he didn’t win enough but WPHS cross country coach Will Anguish helps his kids become successful at life:

Firing of beloved Winter Park cross country coach has been Anguishing for athletes, parents | Commentary http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/mike-bianchi-commentary/os-sp-winter-park-coach-mike-bianchi-0602-20190602-ta3cvxdb5bgvhiumjo4xu2buc4-story.html

Great job, Coach and hopefully someone at OCPS will rethink this.

From the Sentinel 

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Managing Director PJ Albert at the Shakes leaves after 6 years in the post and nearly 20 years with the company.

During his tenure, the Shakes grew and raised money. He’ll definitely be missed but he does plan to remain in the area.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/arts-and-theater/os-et-orlando-shakes-pj-albert-20190603-bljgyaizyvhklhs74p3p2xh6iy-story.html

From the Sentinel 

Edited by spenser1058
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5 hours ago, spenser1058 said:

Managing Director PJ Albert at the Shakes after 6 years in college he post and nearly 20 years with the company.

During his tenure, the Shakes grew and raised money. He’ll definitely be missed byt he does plan to remain in the area.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/arts-and-theater/os-et-orlando-shakes-pj-albert-20190603-bljgyaizyvhklhs74p3p2xh6iy-story.html

From the Sentinel 

This was announced several months ago - PJ has done an amazing job, particularly as major funding has shifted and the building continues to age. I hear the new ED will be relocating from out of town - interested in finding out who it will be!

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Disney designs medals for runners in Pulse memorial event:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-disney-medal-pulse-20190607-hzpeahlyzvbgrio4w4z7ha3hm4-story.html

From the Sentinel 

Three cheers for the Mouse!

Team member Jen at IOA knew just what to do for a boy having an autistic meltdown event:

https://fox6now.com/2019/06/07/after-boy-with-autism-melted-down-at-universal-orlando-an-employee-knew-just-what-to-do/amp/

From FOX6

Incredible service for visitors is what our theme parks are all about. Great job, Jen!

 

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Chief Judge Frederick Lauten of the Orange-Osceola Circuit is retiring. In his five years as the chief judge, he humanized the local courts, brought aging technology into the 21st century, and opened the system up to citizens via an innovative podcast.

It’s unusual to wax rhapsodic about a local judge but Judge Lauten is professional, smart and an all-around good guy. Here’s hoping he has a great retirement.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/crime/os-ne-ninth-circuit-chief-judge-lauten-retires-20190617-ruh2mn6idvdmzowjtvqetgxasi-story.html

From the Sentinel 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Joel Strack - a leader in Orlando’s LBGTQ+ community who was involved at the start of everything you could imagine from Gay Days to the Orlando Gay Chorus, has passed at 59. 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-ne-joel-strack-lgbtq-leader-obituary-20190715-gfq2p6q4p5b7doscmj6w3qds7i-story.html

From the Sentinel 

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...

I was excited to see Kris Cosme had won an AT&T contest which gives him $10000 to donate to a favorite charity. Kris is giving his award to the Zebra Coalition here in Orlando.

I first got to know Kris from his work with Young Democrats and also on local chat rooms back when those were still a thing. Great job!

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-bz-orlando-att-10k-prize-zebra-coalition-20190923-epxik5lewfftnkdgbwgpeneqp4-story.html

From the Sentinel 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Lou Frey, one of Central Florida’s finest and most respected politicians, has died. A Republican before the party lost its mind. he was a gentleman deeply involved in the local community and was a great friend of our local youth. He will be greatly missed.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/politics/os-ne-lou-frey-obituary-orlando-20191015-inp3aejk3vfh5gjjwiw5gu5oxe-story.html

From the Sentinel 

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  • 2 months later...
On 1/9/2020 at 2:55 PM, AmIReal said:

FL Trend did a nice bit on Orlando Sustainability Director Chris Castro.

This young man is a bright spot in the future... https://www.floridatrend.com/article/28129/orlandos-sustainability-director-chris-castro

 

I'm all for stuff like this, but does the city really need to spend our tax dollars on an entire dept of people to implement common sense/basic green initiatives? There is nothing special with any of the green initiatives that the city has come up with and the return is minimal because Orlando is not anywhere near the top of green/sustainable cities in the US. Don't get me wrong, sustainability a step in the right direction, but these types of jobs are better suited for non-profits or private companies.

The salary for this ridiculous position: $72,384 to $117,561 https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orlando/jobs/1368800/director-of-sustainability . The city needs to eliminate useless/bloated depts like this, sorry not sorry.

Edited by nite owℓ
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On 1/11/2020 at 10:33 AM, nite owℓ said:

I'm all for stuff like this, but does the city really need to spend our tax dollars on an entire dept of people to implement common sense/basic green initiatives? There is nothing special with any of the green initiatives that the city has come up with and the return is minimal because Orlando is not anywhere near the top of green/sustainable cities in the US. Don't get me wrong, sustainability a step in the right direction, but these types of jobs are better suited for non-profits or private companies.

The salary for this ridiculous position: $72,384 to $117,561 https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orlando/jobs/1368800/director-of-sustainability . The city needs to eliminate useless/bloated depts like this, sorry not sorry.

I hear you and I think many people may agree with you. I'm not one of them. 

If the Mayor, or any government exec, feels this is an important issue and they know the Feds and State are not doing anything, then they need/ should put someone in charge of it. The problem with making it an in-line staff position is what department and who does it report to. This type of job needs to be inter-governmental and intra-governmental. The person also needs to have authority to enact and enforce requirements- which a lower level staff person wouldn't have. In this role the person can work with and possibly help fund non-profits and privates. Getting someone of Castro's quality is a pretty good get- "Chris has been internationally recognized for his efforts; including being named the 2018 Public Official of the Year by Governing, a ‘Champions of Change' by President Barack Obama, the 'Guru of Green' by the Orlando Business Journal, the Grist 50 Fixer Award, Top 30 Under 30 sustainability professionals by GreenBiz, and formal recognition from President Bill Clinton, President Jimmy Carter, and Vice President Al Gore. "

These roles may just be trendy right now, but pretty much every top 100 city has the equivalent. In fact, I think Mayor Demings just hired a Director of Sustainability and Resiliency although I haven't seen it announce yet. As far as metrics and how to best account for success I'm not sure being anywhere near the top of green cities is needed. How about just playing catch up and not continuing to fall behind for now. But if scoring is needed I see Orlando was named a LEED Gold city this month (last I checked not many cities did that).

Again, it comes down to how important it is for the leader. The same philosophy could be used for numerous issues- economic development, homelessness, downtown development, etc..

 

 

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