4 posts tagged “orlando”
Living in Central Florida for the last few years has been a treat. We chose to live in the Hunters Creek development due to its proximity to the attractions area and the general lack of difficulty in getting to most place in the Orlando area. Still, we're fairly isolated from anything in the Downtown area or northward. Since that is where most of the cultural and sports attractions are, we miss out on most of that as well. Then there are the mass-transit rail line routes that are pretty much north of us as well.
That's not to say things are boring down here around the Hunters Creek development but I don't feel any central planning going on either. The area south of the Central Florida Parkway and north of the 192 Hwy is growing and changing, but lacks any real planning. That might be because the region straddles two counties.
Despite the lack of planning the region is gaining an identity centered around The Loop (such as that is architectural wise). So far, there are no areas where little boutiques can set up shop or art galleries can prosper. Plus, The Loop isn't very inspiring as a community name. I don't think we should call it Hunters Creek since there is already some push back on that and the area does stretch much farther south.
So I'm voting we adopt the name "SoNo" as the first step to self-identify the area. The name SoNo comes from where South Orange County meets North Osceola County (SocNoc sounded like a High School Dance). It's more than Kissimmee-St. Cloud since it includes the Hunters Creek area (and parts northward) and excludes much of the tourist strip part of Kissimmee. The Loop is at its approximate center with John Young Parkway marking the North-South axis and Osceola Parkway marking the East-West route.
What do you think? Abandon all hope ye who live there, or is there something we can do about it? If you think we can make something of this area, let's start with a name - SoNo. What do you say?
The amazing blog Strange Maps is a look at different ways of Mapping the world. This one called "The United States of Florida" is a look at how Florida becomes divided into different states depending on who is snow-birding or living there. Click through for the full reasoning behind each area.
As part of the BlogOrlando wrap up, Chris at SocialMediaClub.org: posted his ideas of where do we go from here at his blog. It's a must read for every blogger, every person who is engaged in the world and ultimately in changing the way things work today to improve the world, true democracy, through social change.
I think it's important that bloggers continue to network, fleshmeet, unconference, and grow the our social media network here in Orlando and Central Florida (and elsewhere).
Btw, if you attended BlogOrlando and you want a Vox account let me know, I have 3 to give away.
Am checking in from BlogOrlando today. Before we get going I want to thank Josh (hyku.com) for pulling this un-conference today. I know the 'un' is supposed to mean less work, but that's not the case. Also want to thank Rollins.edu for helping provide the space. I've been to Rollins' non-profit workshops before and they are always very accomodating.
So now, on with the show.
It's my first unconference and we're expecting about 88 attendees, which is a great turnout for Orlando, which just a few years ago had only a couple of blogs devoted to the area. I'm looking forward to learning some new tips and tricks for The Disney Blog and will hopefully leave re-energized to provide my readers an event better experience and even more information from the Disney universe.
