Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida Joins Costa’s Kick Plastic Ambassador Program
Eye Care professionals continue the movement to Kick Plastic in the Optical Industry

June 13, 2019, Winter Haven – Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida has partnered with Costa® Sunglasses in the Kick Plastic® Ambassador Program.  Costa launched the Kick Plastic campaign in 2015 to take action against single-use plastic that is polluting our watery world and we are one of the select Eye Care professionals to be invited to become Ambassadors and support the campaign.  In an effort to address the 420 million plastic lenses disposed by the optical industry every two years*, Costa launched an ambitious new plan, paving the way for Eye Care professionals and the optical industry to tackle the problem.  The Kick Plastic Lens Recycling Program is an innovative program that encourages Eye Care professionals to collect, recycle and repurpose any type or brand of plastic lenses.

As a Kick Plastic Ambassador, Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida has committed to taking steps to reduce our single-use plastic footprint. To name a few initiates, we will begin recycling all plastic lenses through Costa’s program, which offers a second-life for these lenses, cut back on single-use plastic in our offices, and organize a community cleanup.

By 2050 there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish, by weight.  “By joining forces with Costa Sunglasses and their Kick Plastic campaign, we are committed to reducing the amount of plastic we use in our office and sharing that message with our patients.” says Sarah Bryant – Marketing Manager for Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida

“We are excited and pleased to announce that Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida has joined the Kick Plastic Ambassador Program in movement to reduce their single-use plastic use,” said Holly Rush, CEO of Costa. “It will take all of us, working together, to Kick Plastic and ultimately protect our watery worlds.”

By joining the alliance to Kick Plastic, businesses become part of a collective action to reduce single-use plastic, an issue that is at the forefront of public awareness. Others can join by contacting Costa at [email protected]

ABOUT EYE SPECIALISTS OF MID-FLORIDA

Eye Specialists of Mid-Florida, P.A. is a multispecialty eye clinic that has provided outstanding eye care for over 50 years. Our five ophthalmologists and 12 optometrists provide services at eight locations ranging from ophthalmology, optometry, glaucoma, Lasik, laser surgery, treatment of cataracts, eyelid lifts, a full range of eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses, sunglasses, frame repair, and optical accessories. Eye Specialists’ mission is to provide the highest quality and most technologically advanced eye care with compassion and integrity. Visit us online at eyesFL.com.

ABOUT COSTA
As the first patented color-enhancing, polarized lens in the industry, Costa® offers superior sunglass lens technology and unparalleled frame fit and durability. Since 1983, Costa has created the highest quality, best performing sunglasses and prescription sunglasses (Rx) for outdoor water enthusiasts. Costa’s product portfolio now includes optical frames for men and women, reinforcing the company’s commitment to the optical channel. Costa’s pillars of “Explore, Perform and Protect,” are at the core of its growing cult-brand status, with roots starting among its tribe of dedicated fans who are passionate about spending time outdoors in, on, or around the water.

Honored by the industry as the leader in the 2017 Social Purpose: Company and 2018 & 2017 Eye Vote Social Purpose: Brand categories, Costa works hard to protect the oceans it calls home. Its commitment to sustainability is integral to the company’s vision, and this promise is inherent in every pair of Costas sold. By utilizing the Bio-Resin Raw Material Process, Costa has reduced its carbon footprint and helped to protect our planet’s waters. Additionally, from programs like its Kick Plastic® campaign, where Costa seeks to raise awareness about the growing plastic pollution problem threatening oceans worldwide to serving as a long-term partner to shark research organization OCEARCH®, Costa encourages the protection of the Earth’s aquatic resources in any way it can.

___________________

* The Vision Council Market Analysis Report December 2018. Vision Watch.

Dr. J. Owens Academy Gala Celebrates Black Music Month

by James Coulter

Melvin McCoy has been singing ever since high school. When he moved back to Polk County seven years ago and learned about Dr. Jessie Owens and her Sankofa Chorale, he leaped at the opportunity to join the choir once more.

What he loves most, aside from being able to warm up his vocal cords and sing alongside other talented singers, is the camaraderie he shares with his fellow choir members. He especially loves being able to perform at functions such as last week’s Dr. J. Owens Academy Gala.

“It gives the community an opportunity to come out and enjoy a variety of music, from the classical to jazz and rhythm and blues,” he said. “I hope to enjoy a wonderful time, hoping that the people who come enjoy themselves.”

Both their performances and their functions would not be possible if not for the hard work and dedication of Dr. Jessie Owens, the founder and director of the Sankofa Chorale, and the Adjunct Professor of Music at Polk State College. McCoy appreciates the hard work she puts into organizing such events, and in turn, it allows the local community to appreciate their own hard work that they put into their music.

“She is a down to earth person, a Christian, a lover of music, always has, and her dedication to what she is doing with the school of the arts and the choir itself,” he said.

The Sankofa Chorale were the star performers among other local musicians who had the opportunity to perform at the annual Dr. J Owens Academy Gala at Polk State Community Theater on Saturday evening.

The event is the “big finale” for the Dr. J. Owens Academy of Fine Arts, a local academy that accommodates musical education for local children, especially those from low-income households.

The event started with a social hour within the theater lobby at 6 p.m. Guests guests could enjoy appetizers while listening to a live jazz musical performance, perusing local art, and partaking in a silent auction.

One hour later, the guests moved into the main auditorium where they could listen to musical tributes of traditional black music ranging from classical spiritual and gospel song to jazz, blues, R&B, and rap.

The Sankofa Chorale, a local choir that specializes in traditional black music, provided the main performance that evening alongside other local talents such as The Mixx, Yvonne Collins, Kenan De, Sherwood Davis, Nikki Gadson, Jevon Falcon, Jayla McCree, Retta Hendry, and Kid Balla.

This year’s event was themed as “Rising—On This Journey—With Love”, paying tribute to the long musical legacy of African Americans from traditional spirituals to modern music such as jazz, Motown, and R&B.

“I just want to celebrate the legacy of all of those who passed before us, who brought us all those soulful, beautiful blues music and spirituals and gospels back in the day, and recognize their contributions to society, which has brought us the popular music of today, and give them credit for it,” she said.

While the annual event serves as a fundraiser for her musical academy, she views it more as an opportunity to share musical talent to the local community, and allow them to better appreciate great music and the local talent who provide it, she said.

“I love to see how many people from our community come out and support us, and appreciate what we are doing,” she said. “We love what we do, but we want to share it with others and not just ourselves.”

This year saw an exceptional turnout, with more people from the community gathering to attend than last year, said Dr. Anita Major, Assistant Director of the Sankofa Chorale.

Having been with the choir since its inception nearly eight years ago, she loves the camaraderie she shares with her fellow choir members and the love they all have for music, especially the music that celebrates their people’s history and heritage.

“[This event] is the culmination, the premiere event, [that shows] how we have all worked together, worked very hard to do things for our community,” she said. “It looks like a larger turnout than previous years. So we have high expectations for this year.”

The Sankofa Chorale meets every Tuesday evening at Jewett School of the Arts for rehearsal. Anyone interested in joining is more than invited to drop by, she said. The school is located at 2250 8th St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881.

Dr. J. Owens Academy of Fine Arts, Inc. is located at 1708 2nd St NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881. For more information about the school and future events, visit their website at: https://www.drjowensacademyfinearts.com/

Main Street Winter Haven Celebrates Fourth Annual Craft Beer Crawl

by James Coulter

For the past 90 years, Wauchula State Bank has been offering community-style banking at its family-owned business throughout the state of Florida; and for the past three years, it has been offering such quality customer service in Downtown Winter Haven.

Wauchula State Bank always does its best to reach out and support the community. One way it does this is by participating in community events such as the Craft Beer Crawl on Thursday evening.

The bank was one of 35 businesses that participated in the annual event, which allowed attendees to peruse businesses downtown to sample craft beer and appetizers.

During its involvement that evening, Wauchula Community Bank brought in two other local businesses, The Catering Company, and Twisted Soap, to offer their craft beer samples, appetizers such as candied bacon, and even a sample of their merchandise.

Amy Thompson, Branch Manager, and her staff have been involved with the event ever since it started three years ago, around the same time that they first opened their doors. Being able to participate has allowed them to become better acquainted with the local community and potential customers.

“It has been fantastic,” she said. “We love helping the community and all the business owners. We just love seeing the interaction with the community.  It is just great.”

Local businesses throughout the downtown area, especially those along Central Avenue, remained open late for the third consecutive year to participate in this year’s Craft Beer Crawl hosted by Main Street Winter Haven.

From local restaurants such as Tempo 1930, Fire Resturant, and El Olivio, to local shops such as Sugar and Spice Bakery, Oasis Catering Company, and The Shop, more than 35 businesses participated in this year’s event, making it the largest, said Bailey McDaniel, Assistant Director.

“This year is our biggest beer crawl yet,” she explained. “We have 35 different businesses that are participating and that is 15 more than in years past. So it has been more attending, more beers, more food, more exciting.”

While many businesses participated in the event directly, others stayed open late to benefit from the extra crowd and potential customers.

Rocco’s Downtown, a new burger joint operated by the owner of The Burger Bus food truck, decided to use the day as a soft opening for their restaurant, which is set to celebrate its grand opening next week.

Rocco Monteleone, who had previously owned Carolina Burgers and the Burger Bus, expected his new place to be busy, and both lunch and dinner that day certainly brought in more customers than he had expected, he said.

“I think it is great,” he said. “There are a lot of people downtown tonight. A lot of business and all the bars are busy.”

For $25, attendees at the event could purchase a wristband, glass, and map that would allow them to visit the different participants and sample their beer and appetizers. This year, for $5, a special designated driver wristband was sold, allowing attendees to sample the food without having to sample the drinks.

Even though pre-sale tickets did not sell as much, as the rainy weather all that week most likely dissuaded some people, this year sold more tickets than ever before, and thus brought in even more people than before, McDaniel said. In fact, this year’s event more than exceeded expectations, and set the bar for next year so high that it almost seems unimaginable how those expectations can be topped, she said.

“It is always tough to beat next year,” she said. “I would like to thank the businesses that have participated and to thank everyone who joined us. I think it is great to see so many people interested in their community and learning more about their downtown.”

For more information about future events by Main Street Winter Haven, visit their website at: https://www.mainstreetwh.com/