Community Luncheons to Focus on Quality of Life in East Orlando

May 18, 2005 — Community leaders and residents of East Orlando will meet to discuss issues shaping the area’s quality of life during a series of six luncheons beginning June 1 at Toscana Restaurant in Orlando’s Avalon Park community.

The “East Orlando Vision Luncheon” series is sponsored by Avalon Park, the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce and the University of Central Florida’s College of Health and Public Affairs.

The series will provide a forum for community discussions on issues related to the area’s rapid growth. These include issues in education, employment, health care, housing and architecture, recreation, and transportation identified in a visioning study commissioned by the East Orlando Chamber of Commerce. The study was published in December 2003.

“We believe it’s time to continue the discussions set forth during the original visioning study,” said Jennifer Thompson, president of the chamber. “We must again engage residents and the business community in talking about the future of East Orlando.”

The first luncheon will provide an overview of the issues, with remarks by Thompson; Beat Kahli, developer of Avalon Park; and Belinda McCarthy, dean of the College of Health and Public Affairs. Subsequent luncheons will focus on selected topics.

“The college is very pleased to support community discussions on issues that have a significant impact on not only East Orlando but the entire Central Florida region,” McCarthy said.

Attendance at the June 1 luncheon will be limited to the first 50 individuals who RSVP and pre-pay for lunch, which is available for $15. To RSVP, as well as view a complete luncheon schedule, visit www.eocc.org/visionlunch.htm.

The East Orlando Visioning Study Report is available online at www.eocc.org/visioningproject.pdf.

-- Karen Guin