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By Stacey Gromatsky, President and CEO of Florida Youth and Family Services Network. Our Sunshine State is a shining example of many great things. Without a doubt, our number one priority is nurturing and protecting our children and families. This includes actively providing support to children who have serious problems, often face insurmountable challenges, and who are unable to manage their daily lives in a consistent and healthy way. That is our mission every day at Florida Youth and Family Services Network. Our organization is a statewide network of organizations that provide shelter, counseling, and family skill building. These programs…

Lawmakers considering putting property tax relief measures on the 2026 state ballot have announced seven joint resolutions. In November, the House Select Committee on Property Taxes said the current proposed tax cuts would not affect funding for education or first responders. Here are some suggestions: HJR 213 changes the cap on the Save Our Homes plan, allowing for a 15% appreciation increase over three years instead of the original 10%. HJR 211 eliminates the $500,000 cap on taxable amounts and eliminates the difference between taxable amounts and market value. HJR 209 supports an amendment to the Florida Constitution to create…

Early this morning, the University of Kentucky announced the firing of head football coach Mark Stoops. Stoops, the younger brother of former Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, was the defensive coordinator at Florida State from 2010 to 2012 and worked with his older brother Mike from 2004 to 2009 at Arizona before coming to Lexington. FSU is coming off a 40-19 loss to archrival Florida that eliminated the Seminoles from bowl contention. FSU’s final record for the 2025 season was 5-7, the team’s second straight losing season under embattled head coach Mike Norvell. FSU officially announced Norvell would return as…

Poinsettia, known for its bright red and green leaves, is affectionately known as the “Christmas flower” and is a symbolic plant of Christmas. This tradition is rooted in both cultural and botanical origins, stemming from the plant’s history in Mexico and its introduction to the United States. Native to Mexico and Central America, poinsettias were originally called cuetlaxochitl by the Aztecs, who used them for medicinal purposes and as a dye. The bright red leaves, or bracts, are associated with purity and became prominent in religious ceremonies. In the 16th century, Mexican legends associated this plant with Christmas. According to…

Liberty Partners President Jennifer Green has recently worked with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to promote the state’s economic development programs that seek to support rural communities, including the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund (FJGGF) and the Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF). Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Green highlighted how the program has revitalized rural areas across the Sunshine State. “It helps bring economic development to rural Florida,” Green said. Now, the issue is getting some much-needed attention from state lawmakers. It’s called the “Florida Rural Renaissance.” Most of the proposed funding is targeted to communities in northwest Florida. Elected officials intend to…

For the second year, up-and-coming artists will have a dedicated showcase at Mills Gallery in honor of one of Orlando’s late arts patrons. The Win Win Emerging Artists exhibition, on view through Dec. 28, celebrates the “timeless spirit” of the late Michael Wynn, a Central Florida philanthropist and arts supporter who underwrote the Florida Prize at the Orlando Museum of Art. Wynn worked with Mills Gallery Executive Director Juan Pablo Santa Luna to develop a platform to elevate emerging artists. This year’s selected artists are Jordan Carl Jones, Sophia Mitchell, Xavier Moss, Maia Osborne, and Alex Rogers. Although each creator…

Are you an avid Christmas decorator in your neighborhood? Do you pass by dazzling holiday displays on your way to work? Are you an ambitious Clark Griswold who brings out thousands of twinkling lights each year? The Orlando Sentinel is searching for the best holiday light displays in Central Florida for the 8th Annual Twinkle Awards. “Yuletide Yoda’s Galactic Adventure” is a Star Wars-themed holiday showcase coming to 110 Arla Court in Winter Park in 2024. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel) Eventually, I plan to make a list of my favorite holiday displays and name the awards accordingly. Entries must be from…

Question: Anthuriums are my favorite houseplant, but I don’t like growing them in planters or vases. Do you have any recommendations? Answer: Gardeners who want their houseplants to bloom for a long time should consider anthuriums, also known as flamingo flowers or pigtail plants. The waxy spatula-shaped flowers, which can be red, pink, purple, or white, can last for more than a month. The plants can be used as accents in your home or as outdoor flower beds. The trick to making your plants last longer is to avoid direct sunlight and store them in a humid place with bright…

yearbook Average temperature: high 73 degrees, low 53 degrees |Winter arrives December 21st Rainfall: 2.31 inches 1.Moon phase Full moon: December 4th Last quarter: December 11th New Moon: December 19th First quarter: December 27th 2. Moon Sign Planting Date Ground crops: 2, 3, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30 Underground crops: 6, 7, 10, 11, 15, 16 Control weeds and pests: 4, 5, 22, 23, 24, 31 Pruning trees and shrubs: 1, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 27, 28 When to plant 3.Flowers: Alyssum, baby’s breath, bacopa, begonia, bush daisy, calendula, California poppy, candytuft, carnation, chrysanthemum, delphinium, dianthus, dusty miller,…

Some of us love having friends and family over for the holidays. Some of us are so grateful that others want to do it. For the latter, read on for three great options that satisfy three mantras: small stores, local stores, and “never go empty-handed.” For the former, enjoy the sweet spoils at dessert time. Sit back, take a break from hosting, and enjoy a snack. I hope someone gets up and cleans while you’re at it. Have a great vacation! Blue Amphora Baklava (pictured with pistachio) makes a gorgeous ghee-filled host gift for the holiday season. (Courtesy of Lisa…