The Orange County Convention Center will be the location for a slew of pizza competitions including a Gluten Free Pizza Contest on Sunday, September 12, the American Pizza Championship (APC) on Monday, September 13 and the U.S. Pizza Team Trials on Tuesday, September 14.   All competitions are hosted by PMQ Pizza Magazine during its annual Orlando Pizza Show (OrlandoPizzaShow.com).

The Gluten Free Pizza Contest will pit 10 contestants from across the U.S. against each other and the APC will draw 18 contestants to see who will make the best pie in these two competitions. Contestants are allowed to make any style pizza they desire, but it must be made on-site. The winner of the APC will represent the United States during the annual international America’s Plate competition held each year in New York. The 10 contestants in the U.S. Pizza Team Trials will compete in freestyle acrobatics, largest dough stretch and fastest dough stretch competitions for a coveted spot on the Team scheduled to march this year in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Judges for the competition will consist of industry experts with a diverse background. For the Gluten Free competition, the judges will be Chef Michael Bersell from the Disney Animal Kingdom, Julie Kincart of the Celiac Disease Foundation, Frank Baldassare of “The Missing Ingredient,”a web-series dedicated to gluten free cooking and Carolyn Vanderzyden of the National Foundation of Celiac Awareness.

Judges for the APC will be Chef Ralph Pagano known best for his role on Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen” and 16-year-old chef and blogger Jeremy Salamon. Finally, judges for the U.S. Pizza Team Trials will include Bruce Hofmann, Ph.D., a life coach and business success consultant; Marc Chaykin, president of U.S. Cheerleading Championships and U.S. Pizza Team veteran Dave Smith, winner of the 2009 U.S. Pizza Team Triathlon.

The competing contestants come from as far away as Ohio, New York and Texas and as close as Jacksonville and Miami.

See full statement below:

“The death of 15-year-old, Wekiva High School freshman football player Olivier Louis is tragic and rare on our district’s playing fields. When parents allow students to sign up for extra-curricular athletics in Orange County, parents place great trust in our coaches and trainers. There are still many questions regarding Olivier’s passing but we do know that this young man was an excellent student who displayed good sportsmanship and was well-liked by all who knew him. We know that Olivier had a physical exam prior to his playing freshman football as mandated by the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). We also have great confidence that our athletic coaches and trainers are properly prepared and educated to create a safe environment. In fact, our trainers are certified medical professionals who maintain current CPR/AED certification.

After the recent incident at Apopka High School, where several football players were overcome by heat and treated at the hospital, our athletic trainers attended a special session to reemphasize nutrition and hydration information. Each school’s athletic trainer was given time to meet with all football team members and football staff to remind them of proper nutrition and hydration prior to the start of the following day’s practice. In the case of freshman football players, athletic trainers met with the freshman players prior to the start of their first practice session. Our trainers discussed sufficient water breaks at practice, the importance of eating breakfast and lunch before attending practices, as well avoiding caffeine/energy drinks. This is all in an effort to maintain the safety of our student athletes.

Again, the district mourns the loss of Olivier Louis. Wekiva High School is planning several moments and/or events to memorialize Olivier Louis. The school will plant a tree in his honor and erect a plaque near the tree. Players from Apopka and Wekiva high school football teams will participate in a moment of silence prior to Friday night’s game at Wekiva High School. Wekiva varsity players will wear a black emblem with Olivier’s initials on their helmets at Friday’s game. Olivier’s fellow teammates plan to give his family a football signed with all team members’ names as well as a helmet. Freshman team members have not yet selected their jersey numbers for the season but Olivier’s number will be selected by his fellow team members.”

The exact cause of death of Olivier Louis is awaiting the outcomes of the medical examiner’s report.

Orange County Sheriff’s detectives said that the deceased is Werner Poitevien whose body was found floating face down just before 11:00 am on Wednesday in a retention pond at 6500 Silver Queen Way in Windermere near Orlando.

According to the Incident Report filed on September 6, 2010, Poitevien was visiting a friend, Sandra St. Cyr, 43,  13550 at Carroway Street in Windermere near Orlando, on the day he went missing.  St. Cyr told investigators that Poitevien was due to return to New York later on September 6.  She also told investigators that Poitevien usually gets up early on mornings to take a walk and she thought he would return. However, he did not return that morning and St. Cyr contacted law enforcement, indicating that Poitevien was a diabetic and she was concerned for his well being.

Poitevien was found in a retention pond at 6500 Silver Queen Way in Windermere, floating face, down earlier today.

See Incident Report Here.

The exact cause of death is not known at this time, as the Medical Examiner’s report is yet to be completed.

Check back for more on this story.

Bill Spoone Stadium-Dr. Phillips High School (Photo credit: DPHS)

Rena Denson, 49, of Conroy Road, Orlando told investigators that her son, Darrion Denson, 15, told her he was punched, struck several times and chocked by another player.  Her son also told her he believed several other unknown players may have struck him in the scuffle, during which he lost his wallet with $30.00, she told police.   The incident stemmed from D. Denson being in the Varsity locker room, according to the Incident Report.

R. Denson, who received a message from her son, drove to the campus and onto the school’s practice field to confront the player(s), but was stopped by football coaches.

Police who arrived at the Dr. Phillips High School, at 6500 Turkey Lake Road around 3:15 pm, on Tuesday, said that D. Denson was transported to the Arnold Palmer Hospital. His injuries are unknown.

See Incident Report Here.

Investigators have not released the name of the player who allegedly battered D. Denson.  They have referred the matter to the Assault and Battery Unit for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the matter of R. Denson attempting to drive onto the football practice field is also under investigation.

Check back for more on this Story.

Notwithstanding the GOP claims of fiscal conservatism, Florida’s debt service as a percentage of state revenues was a manageable 5 percent when then-Republican Governor Jeb Bush took office in 1999.  But, nine years later, under Bush’s successor, then-Republican Gov. Charlie Crist, that level had risen to an unprecedented  7.9 percent, although that slid backwards to new dollars available for Florida’s transportation bond program, analysts said .

According to state officials, earmarks of $2.1 billion would be made again next year to cover Florida’s record-setting debt levels.

Florida’s $26.4 billion in outstanding debt has climbed 57 percent over the past decade – with another $10.2 billion worth of borrowing expected to be issued over the next 10 years to meet the state’s current needs.

The state’s long-range financial outlook is expected to be adopted next week by the Legislative Budget Commission.

The annual $2.1 billion set-aside is expected to fall to $1.8 billion by 2014, forecasters said.

The News Service of Florida

Darden has been honored with the following recognitions:

• Black Enterprise Magazine included Darden among its “40 Best Companies for Diversity,” recognizing the company’s commitment to inclusion as part of its business strategy.  This marks the second consecutive year and fourth time Darden has appeared on this list.

• Hispanic Business Magazine also listed Darden as part of its “Diversity Elite 60″ for its commitment to diversity in all areas of its corporate       structure.  Darden has been included on this list three times.

• LATINA Style Magazine ranked Darden among the 50 best companies in its “LATINA Style 50 Report,” which recognizes the best companies for Latinas to work for in the U.S.  This is the fourth consecutive year Darden has been named to this list.

“At Darden, we consider diversity and inclusion business imperatives that are critical to our success and future growth,” said Clarence Otis, CEO of Darden Restaurants. “Every level of our organization is strengthened by a diversity of perspective, attitude and ideas. We’re committed to enriching our business and culture by understanding and embracing differences to realize the full benefits of diversity.”

Darden’s long history of diversity and inclusion dates back to 1938, when company founder Bill Darden welcomed anyone as a guest in his first restaurant during an era of racial segregation and discrimination. Today, diversity remains at the core of Darden’s culture. The company’s diversity initiatives reflect its guiding principles to attract and retain a workforce that mirrors its diverse customer base, provide opportunities for diverse suppliers, and contribute to the well-being of the communities it serves.

Attendees at the Pine Hills Community Council meeting, September 7, 2010 (Photo credit: WONO)

Speaking before the Pine Hills Community Council meeting on Tuesday, Christiansen sketches out his vision for Evans High. Already an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma authorized school, Evans will have its first graduating class this year. There are other unique strengths too–over the past three years the number of courses offered has increased from 7 to 18, leading to Advanced Placement (AP) status; increased participation in the AVID program and now recognized as a Nationally Certified School and rated in the top 100 nationwide, in Navy Junior ROTC, among others.

Although there has been an increase in the graduation rate from 50% to 75%, a fall in dropout rates from 9% to 2% and increased student activities, Christiansen’s vision to turn Evans High into a world class educational facility is relentless.

With a new facility set to be completed by November 2011, Christiansen is working closely with the University of Central Florida (UCF) that has made a long-term commitment to turn Evans High into a community school, combining the best educational practices with a wide range of vital in-house health and social services to ensure that children are physically, emotionally and socially prepared to learn.

Professor Michael Frumkin, Dean and Professor of the College of Health and Public Affairs, UCF, who addressed the meeting on Tuesday, explained that the community school concept, first undertaken in Harlem, New York City twenty years ago, is an innovative vision of the school’s role within the community.

Frumkin said the community schools strategy works as it builds on a strong body of research over the past 15- 17 years.  He added that, in a community school, parents and community leaders play active roles in the school.  Adults, guardians and parents are encouraged to get involved in their children’s education and children have ongoing access to good medical, health and wellness services, free of cost.  Adult education, after-school classes and week-end programs are offered for parents, along with job training and a range of other activities, including advice and support.    Most importantly, how Evans High evolves into a community school will be determined by the specific needs of the community and the strengths already resident in the area, Frumkin said.

The Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS), the largest and oldest statewide not-for-profit organization that cares for vulnerable children in Florida, is also playing a key role  in the adoption of Evans as a community school.

Davidson Joacius, winner of the Tulie Phillips Scholarship (l) and Dr. David Christiansen (r),

The meeting was informed that Evans High would be one of only two schools in Florida where the community school concept is being adopted, with Friendship Elementary High in Deltona, Volusia County being the other.  Currently, 3,500 schools nationally and internationally operate on the community schools concept, with 22 such community schools’ programs in New York City.

Based on the evaluation of community schools programs, improved student achievement; increased parental involvement; higher student and teacher attendance; improved school climate and improved mental and physical health, among others achievements, have been documented.

The Pine Hills Community Council meeting was attended by 35 participants. Among the attendees was Bill Segal, candidate in the race for Orange County Mayor, who said he welcomed the initiative to turn Evans High into a world class educational facility, while lauding the existing assets of the community. Observing that Orange County Commission did have limited resources, Segal reiterated his commitment, if elected mayor, to support the development and revitalization of the area.

Philip Holt

Holt oversees the creation of some of EA’s best-selling titles in the industry: Madden, NFL Football, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, and the highly anticipated EA SPORTS MMA.  His responsibility includes managing all aspects of design, production, engineering and content for EA SPORTS titles.

“We are grateful to have someone of Philip’s creative caliber on our board,” said Jim Pugh, performing arts center chairman.

Prior to joining EA, Holt was senior vice president of product development for interactive entertainment developer and publisher THQ.  He also served as vice president of product development and operations at THQ-owned software developer, Volition, Inc.  Before joining THQ, he worked for EA in its Seattle development studio, where he was the development director for multiple EA SPORTS branded FIFA games.

Holt currently serves on UCF’s College of Computer Engineer and Computer Science Board, Florida High Tech Corridor Council, and the Central Florida Technology Forum.  He also sits on the board for PRISM, a business community and public school partnership which focuses on improving science and math education in public schools across Central Florida.

Amway Center under construction (Photo credit: Fernando Medina)

Sponsored by Drano, the “Royal Flush” aims to observe sanitary sewer flows, water consumption and pressure in and around the arena.

Approximately 443 toilets will be flushed simultaneously; there are 18 men’s and 19 women’s restrooms in the new Amway Center, compared to just four of each in the old facility.

The new 875,000 square feet arena is scheduled to open on October 1, 2010.

Flores recently presented his findings at Athens Institute for Education and Research’s (ATINER) 8th Annual International Politics Conference in Athens Greece. In Flores’ study, “The Changing Face of the American Electorate and the Possible Effects on USA Immigration Policy,” he found that 80 percent of Latinos, no matter what their party affiliation or their national heritage, galvanize over one central issue—immigration reform! Flores’ study shows that traditionally 65 percent of Latinos vote Democrat. He asserts that if Democrats present a party platform on immigration reform that Latinos would support that voting block would jump to 80 percent.

Flores’ report got the attention of Time magazine this summer when they examined the Texas Governor’s race. Flores was interviewed about how incumbent Governor Rick Perry’s stance on Arizona’s newly-implemented and controversial immigration law could impact how much of the Hispanic vote he garners.

Looking ahead to the 2012 Presidential Elections, Flores’ study reminds us that 90 percent of Latino Registered Voters live in 15 states which hold 295 of the electoral college votes. It only takes 270 to elect the President. In 2008, Barack Obama won 13 of those key 15 states. Flores predicts that immigration is such a key issue for Latinos that it could decide whether or not President Obama stays in the White House.

Besides being a Latino political voting expert, Flores is also a nationally known election redistricting expert. His work was crucial in LULAC v. Perry case, the 2006 U.S. Supreme Court case resulted in lines in five Texas Congressional districts to be redrawn. Flores’ expert testimony helped prove that the division of two congressional districts in Laredo, Texas had violated provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He has provided expert testimony in more than 40 cases, many of which resulted in landmark decisions upholding voting rights for minorities like LULAC v. Perry case. He has also presented before Texas Legislature Redistricting Committees and testified before U.S. House Committees on voting irregularities.

The upcoming 2010 Census figures will undoubtedly show a huge population growth in Texas, mostly from the Latino community. It’s expected that South Texas will gain at least one new Congressional seat and three overall. Texas state legislators will begin redrawing the district lines after the first of the year when the federal government announces the number of congressional seats apportioned to states based on the Census figures. Flores will be participating in the redistricting process as a consultant.

Flores research interests have led him to author and co-author books and numerous chapters and academic articles on voting rights and the political history of Latinos in Texas and America. He is frequently called on to present his findings at national and international conferences, as well as being a source for media worldwide. Flores expertise and knowledge of the Chicano Civil Rights movement led him to be interviewed and featured as part of the PBS documentary “American Experience: A Class Apart”—a series that focused on the U.S. Supreme Court case Hernandez v. Texas which successfully challenged Jim Crow-style discrimination against Mexican Americans. Along with being the dean of St. Mary’s University’s Graduate School, Flores has also taught political science courses for more than 25 years. He holds a B.A. in political science from St. Mary’s and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, and was also a Fulbright Scholar.

St. Mary’s University is ranked No. 1 by Washington Monthly’s 2010 “College Rankings—What Can Colleges Do for the Country” for promoting community service, fostering scientific and humanistic research, and making a quality college education accessible and affordable. St. Mary’s is also ranked seventh in the West Region for quality and value in “Great Schools, Great Prices” by U.S. News & World Report and also ranked among Forbes list of “America’s Best Colleges” for 2011. St. Mary’s University, as a Catholic Marianist University, fosters the formation of people in faith and educates leaders for the common good through community service, integrated liberal arts and professional education, and academic excellence.

To learn more about St. Mary’s, visit www.stmarytx.edu.