4Rivers Smokehouse owner John Rivers shares his story

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – As one of the most talked-about barbeque restaurants in the Orlando area, 4Rivers Smokehouse proudly inaugurated its second location in Winter Garden, Florida this April.

Having not attended any culinary institute, founder and owner John Rivers has managed to create unique sauces for his famous and much-loved Angus brisket and pulled pork recipes. Facebook fan, Cindy LeGros said, “4 Rivers has the BEST brisket.”

The former president of a pharmaceutical operation, Rivers decided to quit his high-ranking job position and make his passion for cooking his new life and career. Rivers is a firm believer in doing what you love, and even though he admits that the first few weeks at the smokehouse were tough, he absolutely loves it. “I’m having too much fun right now,” he said.

Rivers' barbeque “business” originally began as a church fund-raising event in hopes of raising money to help a family in need. Today, 4Rivers Smokehouse employees make sure to set a monthly budget and continue the tradition of fulfilling donation requests for various organizations and people in the community.

Valencia professor and customer of 4Rivers Smokehouse, Ken Carpenter, has witnessed some of the busiest days at the smokehouse. “There was a line out the door,” said Carpenter. “I spent 20 minutes in the line."

Rivers said that parking is even sometimes a problem because of the tremendous overflow of loyal customers that want to go in and get their 4Rivers barbeque.  “It’s a very busy place,” said Rivers. “There’s no downtime.”

The rush of the people coming in and out of the restaurant still excites Rivers despite all of the hard work he and his employees put in. “Saturday is my favorite day of the week,” said Rivers. It is the day that he gets to personally serve his customers on the line along with his employees.

Although 4Rivers is considered to be a Texas smokehouse, Rivers confessed that his recipes are inspired by many other American barbeque cooking traditions, including those of Kansas’, Alabama’s, and the Carolinas’.

4Rivers Smokehouse serves the Ocoee, Clermont, Windermere, and Winter Garden areas. Rivers revealed that a third location in Longwood is already in the works, with hopes of one day reaching his goal of 24 locations.

Rob Jones performs at the Dandelion Communitea Café in Orlando

Local artist Rob Jones performed songs from his latest album, “Gypsy Heart”

By Gabriella Marin

Friday, March 25, 2011

ORLANDO, Fla. – At the young age of 24, Rob Jones shows no signs of wanting to do anything else with his life except focus on his music. “I’ve always done music; never done anything else,” said Jones as he set up his musical equipment outside the Dandelion Communitea Café on Friday.

Of all the career options available to Jones, this North Carolina southern boy has chosen music. Jones learned a valuable lesson through his mom. “I grew up watching my mom work a job that she hated,” said Jones. “My mom is a brilliant poet and can draw amazingly, but she had to put that dream on hold to raise her kids.” Jones wants to make sure he is on the career path of happiness and do what he loves now – music.

A self-taught guitar and piano player, Jones first showed an interest for singing. “I sang before I spoke,” he said.

Children’s choirs, church choirs, and music solos at school… Jones has done it all. He tells of the times when he’d beg hotel lounge managers to let him play, and sometimes there wasn’t even an audience to play for. “It was really just me playing for the couches,” said Jones, “but I loved it because it was a chance to play.”

Having seen Jones perform countless times since she was a child, close friend Leah Greenslade has had the privilege to see Jones grow with his music over the years. “He wasn’t always ‘this’ when I met him,” said Greenslade. “There can’t be a way that he won’t get famous.”

Before his performance outside the Dandelion Communitea Café, Jones made it clear that he was going to stay up on stage playing until he was kicked off.

Along with playing songs from his new album, “Gypsy Heart,” Jones also had the audience laughing and cheering as he performed a medley covering songs by Alicia Keys, Tom Petty, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson.

Audience member, Anthony Paez, agrees that Jones is not far from being famous. “I don’t have a doubt that we’ll be hearing him soon on the radio,” said Paez.

Although his music has somewhat of a soulful sound, Jones has struggled to break into the music scene because he has no specific genre. “I let people define me,” said Jones.

Being definable with his music is something that Jones least worries about. “I just write and perform what comes out; how I feel on a particular day or what mood I’m in,” said Jones. He refuses to put barriers to his music and feels that doing so will throw off people who wouldn’t normally listen to his “folky, soul” sound.

“Life is always tough,” said Jones. He simply wants the public to use his music as “escapism” from everyday life without worrying about what “category” of music it is.

Throughout the show, Jones sold and signed copies of his album, “Gypsy Heart.” Jones’s website provides links to his social-networking websites and a brief biography. Visit: RobJonesMusic.com.

SPCA strives to “go out of business"

Wildlife specialist, Helmut Hiller, speaks about pet overpopulation and volunteer opportunities at SPCA


ORLANDO, Fla. -- An audience of potential, pet-loving volunteers filled the meeting room of the SPCA of Central Florida humane society. Helmut Hiller, an environmental and wildlife specialist, spoke Saturday, Feb. 5, about the various volunteer opportunities and the importance of accomplishing SPCA’s number-one vision -- to go out of business.

Even though the SPCA gets about 14,000 pets each year, Hiller hopes that one day that number will become zero.  “The problem is that we have pet overpopulation,” he said. “We have too many dogs and cats and not enough homes for them. The vision is to put ourselves out of business and for every pet to have a home.”

Hiller declared that one of the main reasons for pet overpopulation is the lack of education. “People don’t know better,” he said. He explained that the lack of awareness on puppy mills and the importance of spaying and neutering is contributing to the immense overflow of pets. “If people would adopt dogs and spay and neuter their pets, we wouldn’t be having this problem as big as it is,” said Hiller.

Hiller made sure that all potential volunteers understood the importance of spreading awareness and their would-be involvement as “ambassadors” of the SPCA. “If you go out there and spread the word, it helps us out a lot. That’s one of the missions of the volunteers here,” he said.

The audience listened intently as Hiller also went over the wide-variety of volunteer opportunities at the SPCA. “The ‘bark buddy’ is the most popular one,” said Hiller about the pet- and customer-interactive position. “It’s fun, but it’s hard work.” There are over 10 different volunteer positions.

Rose Smith*, a current volunteer at the SPCA, enjoys being part of the organization. “I love volunteering here," she said. "I’m a dog person, so it’s an interesting experience.” She admires what the SPCA does and their respect for animals, unlike other shelters where dogs and cats are euthanized if not adopted within days of going in.

Volunteering at the SPCA is perfect for anyone who loves animals, is looking to pursue a career in the veterinary field, or simply needs volunteer hours. “Working here is a hands-on experience.  If this is your passion, then this is the best place to do it,” said Hiller.

All potential volunteers had the opportunity to take a tour through the facilities before making their final decisions.

If you would like to find out more on how you could volunteer or support the SPCA, visit their website: OrlandoPets.org.

*Last name not actual.

Author Dr. Michael Eric Dyson pays tribute to Dr. King on his visit to Valencia

VALENCIA EAST -- Renowned author Dr. Michael Eric Dyson visited Valencia Community College last week to speak to students about Martin Luther King Jr. and racial equality in America.

During his impactful and inspiring hour-long speech, Dyson primarily paid tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. “He wasn’t a formal politician…,” said Dyson, “and yet he was able to exert such profound influence over American events and the central issue of American life, which is race.”

Race is a topic that Dyson feels strongly about. Aside from doing research, he is a man who speaks from experiencing the struggles of American life as a young, black boy. He tells of the times when there were water fountains labeled "colored" and when blacks were looked negatively upon. “When they weren’t treating black folk right, they weren’t treating Americans right,” said Dyson of the treatment of blacks during the civil rights movement. Dyson talked about the “dehumanization” of colored citizens and compared that to how animals were treated. “If they treated animals the way that they treated us then I wonder how they treated their own pets.”

Dyson also strongly addressed some obvious misconceptions people have of racial equality in today’s society. When speaking of successful public figures, such as Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, Dyson made it clear that the success of few folks doesn’t save all folks. “One black man who’s done extremely well cannot offset or balance out the extraordinary difficulties that other people of color endure.” Dyson points out that the public cannot assume or conclude that a certain group of people is “doing well” just because one person of that group has done well. “While there’s been enormous progress, the struggle for equality remains,” he said.

“He’s controversial which makes him even better because he says the truth” said SGA’s Jayce Victor of Dyson’s unique approach. “He was phenomenal; he was able to keep you on your seats… you didn’t want to get up for water or a bathroom break. If we continue to have people like Dr. Dyson speak out for the truth, we’ll be able to change the world.” Victor was left hopeful for change after the presentation.

The event, attracting over 150 people, was primarily organized by Dyson’s long-time friend, Gerald Jones. Dyson met Jones during a 1998 UCF Diversity week presentation . “It was an ‘ah-ha’ moment for me,” said Jones about their first meeting. “Ever since, I’ve been a huge fan.”

Dyson’s “controversial”, yet mesmerizing ways of speech grasp the attention and get through to younger audiences. “Dr. Dyson understands the student. He relates to the student. He understands the culture of the 21^st century student that we have on the college campus today,” said Jones.

The reason why Jones wanted to bring Dyson to Valencia…? “I wanted to create the same experience that was created for me as a student at UCF back in 1998. I wanted to give Valencia students the same opportunity, and I believe I did. The students connected with him and he has the gift of doing that.”

Dyson hosted a book sale and signing after the event.

A sociology professor at Georgetown University and author of 17 published books, Dyson is also the host of The Michael Eric Dyson Show where he discusses current events and topics such as race, sexual orientation, immigration and hip-hop culture. “It’s interesting and it’s fun,” says Dyson. He has interviewed many celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Jay-Z and Lupe Fiasco.

Click to View Article: Valencia Voice - Vol. 11 Iss. 3