Stories for August 2012

UCF Knights kickoff season

Akron 1-11 last year

History may favor Akron in their first game against UCF since 2004, but recent history says it'll be all Knights.

Calendar

City Hall grand opening

The grand opening of the new Maitland City Hall is from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30. Visit itsmymaitland.com for more details.

Winter Park City Talk

Successful re-grand opening for City Hall

Thank you to everyone that was able to attend the grand re-opening of our newly renovated City Hall this past Monday afternoon.

Rotary Club Winter Park donates $43K

Donate $43K to nonprofits

The Rotary Club Winter Park donated more than $43,000 to 26 nonprofits serving the Winter Park area at its meeting on Monday, Aug. 27.

Louis Roney: Barack-a-bye baby

Obama promised to vacate the premises if he did not accomplish all that he promised us.

Of all the great Americans in this land, why did we have to choose this loser?

A star is born into the North Orlando Chabad Community

Naming ceremony celebration

What’s in a name? “Everything,” explained Rabbi Yanky Majesky of Chabad of North Orlando.

Mead breaks ground on FYSO music venue

Groundbreaking at Mead

Representatives from Mead Botanical Garden, the Florida Youth Symphony Orchestra and the city of Winter Park broke ground Monday on Mead’s outdoor concert pavilion.

Maitland City Talk

City Hall grand opening

On Thursday, Aug. 30, the city of Maitland will dedicate the newly completed Maitland City Hall located at 1776 Independence Lane.

Letters to the editor

Mascot Games brings “New Hope for Kids”

The 20th Annual Celebrity Mascot Games delighted thousands of area families and children as one of the summer’s most fun and inexpensive attractions.

Chris Jepson: Fits and starts

The Republicans bark and bray about an America that has lost its way.

The Republican National Convention is just one of the many historical “fits” that has preceded yet another human start (step) forward.

Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

The seventh annual Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month will run from Sept. 1-30 and will include more than 60 restaurants offering three-course prix-fixe dinners for $30.

Even if you have “champagne tastes and a beer-bottle pocket,” all can afford to indulge our palates in a month-long celebration of Orlando’s ever-more sophisticated dining universe.

Family Calendar

Sportsman’s Expo in Orlando

Sportsman’s Expo will be from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Bahia Shrine Center, 2300 Pembrook Drive in Orlando.

Maitland works to amend Art Center lease terms

Council proposes changes

The expiration of the one-year trial period of Art & History Museums – Maitland’s lease with the city of Maitland is a month away.

Review: Francesco’s in Maitland

Francesco’s Ristorante

Francesco’s Ristorante & Pizzeria is adding luster to the growing restaurant row that is happening on Orlando Avenue in Maitland.

Community Bulletin

4 Rivers gives back

4 Rivers Smokehouse awarded four students $1,000 scholarships for this semester.

Winter Park tries to justify $140K pool heater

Debate over pool heating price

Winter Park commissioners are hot and cold about seeing a popular outdoor pool get a heater by next year.

Clyde Moore: WPHS alumni get together

Winter Park High School alumni gathered in Hannibal Square last Friday evening.

High school reunions and social media now as perfectly matched as the head cheerleader and the star quarterback.

Business Briefs

New president for Keewin Real Property Company

The Keewin Real Property Company, based in Winter Park, announced Steven A. Rosser as its new president.

Winter Park businesses promote made in America products

Promoting USA products

Many businesses are now carrying more local and American-made items to please customers.

I Can See The Weekend From My House!

ANOTHER week that's sped by at a rapid rate and here we are ALREADY at Thursday night! Dang Good news I can see the weekend there . . . in the distance . . . ah, NICE!

Tom Carey: Starting seeds for the autumn garden

The majority of vegetable crops we grow at Sundew Gardens are started as transplants.

This initial chapter in a plant’s life is the best time to invest in quality, especially seeds and a seed-starting soil mix.

Tropical Storm Isaac alert

Keep ahead of the storm

Download the Orange County Office of Emergency Management alert or app to keep informed about Tropical Storm Isaac.

Senior Community Bulletin

The “Olympics” featured resident teams from ten retirement homes

The first annual Senior Health Care Olympics was held in Winter Park on July 10.

Review: Sushi Pop restaurant

Top notch fusian cuisine

Sushi Pop is a food destination for those who appreciate great food without the pretensions.

Calendar

Dog days of summer

The Sixth Annual Dog Days of Summer Wine and Beer Tasting is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, at The Doggie Door/Unleashed.

Winter Park City Talk

Re-grand opening of City Hall

The city will be celebrating the grand re-opening of City Hall Monday, Aug. 27, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

UCF and Rollins football teams ready for kickoff

Knights and Tars teams

It’s nearly college football kickoff time with the University of Central Florida and Rollins both gearing up for seasons they say are promising.

Surviving the slow times as a small business

Slow times, smart thinking

Surviving the slow times: tips on how small businesses can weather a stormy economy.

Louis Roney: The truth about untruths

"What is truth?"

Ever since Pontius Pilot asked Jesus, “What is truth?” human beings have been asking the same question.

Winter Park to unveil modernized City Hall

Gets modern makeover

The last time Winter Park built a city hall, America’s sense of style verged on psychadelia, computers were a rarely seen office oddity and cigarettes were as popular as the Beatles.

City says Winter Park is pedestrian and bicyclist friendly

City safe for bikers, walkers

I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the traffic safety improvements the city has made to be a more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly community.

Meet your neighbor: Don Myers

Osceola judge lives in Maitland

Award-winning Osceola County circuit court judge Don Myers is a longtime resident of Maitland.

Maitland City Talk

Meet Maitland's new K-9

What has two eyes, four feet, is covered with fur and has a badge? Bosco, the Maitland Police Department’s newest K-9 dog.

Letters to the editor

Has anyone noticed the increased clutter in our city? … The political signs may be an eyesore, but at least they go away.

These new laws, which purport to be designed to stop voter fraud may seem so on their face, but, as the saying goes, the devil is in the details.

Chris Jepson: What's wrong with Republican men?

Republicans vs. reproductive rights

What is it about “modern” women that Republican men just cannot seem to stomach?

Roth JCC in Maitland wraps up renovations

New look for Roth JCC

A $400,000 renovation project is under way at the Roth Jewish Community Center in Maitland.

Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

On Aug. 24, downtown Sanford becomes a pedestrian corridor enhanced by live music and award-winning restaurants.

The 8th Annual Red Chair Affair is known as the kick-off of the Central Florida arts and culture season.

Family Calendar

Chipotle for charity

From Aug. 24-31, all proceeds from each kids’ meal purchased at Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurants across the nation will go back to the classroom gardens of Veggie U.

Community Bulletin

Mica visits New Hope

Dynamic guests attended New Hope for Kids Get Acquainted Lunch on Friday, Aug. 10.

Clyde Moore: Social savvy pays for fledgling artist

Jessilyn Park is in no way your typical artist. But then, she’s not typical anything.

The more I found out about Jessilyn Park the more I was intrigued. I met her for the first time this past weekend in Oviedo at an art event.

Eatonville man rebuilds his life post-prison

Motivated post-prison

To some, a prison sentence might mean a life on pause. For Chris Curry, it was the start of a new one.

Business briefs

Art director excels

Artistic Director Dario J. Moore has been invited to attend the internationally acclaimed Djerassi Resident Artists Program.

Short & Sweet Tuesday!

Totally Local Tuesday . . . . Did you stay Totally Local today? I asked earlier on facebook for Locals to tell me about favorite Local businesses and some did!

Parkpreneurs & Entrepreneurs & More, Oh My!

It's a new Monday . . . a look back at some of the weekend, a look forward to tomorrow and more . . . . some cool pics from a weekend event . . . check 'em out!

TGIF!

Some Fridays are just sweeter than others . . . after a long week, this one's so sweet it just may cause cavities. Sassafras, Toast and Congrats to a Local artist!

Twitter, Parkpreneurs & Partypreneurs!

Twitter and Parkpreneurs who need a THANK YOU . . . a pat on the back! They're helping do that thing I talk about . . . making Winter Park more fun, unique . . . with their enthusiasm!

Baldwin Park Merchants Association brings in business

Boost Baldwin Park business

Merchants up and down the Baldwin Park Village Center have harnessed their powers to form an organization more powerful than each of them alone.

Louis Roney: Thoughts that cross in the night

An age to respect

When one was very young, in a traditional Southern family that had aged members, learning to “respect one’s elders” was traditional.

Social Security and women

What women need to know

Celebrate Women's Equality Day by exploring what women need to know about Social Security.

Becky Adney's art goes to the dogs

Meet Becky and Boris

At the top of most artists’ lists of inspiration, there probably isn’t a 5-year-old, droopy-eared, 100-pound bloodhound, but maybe that means Becky Adney isn’t most artists.

Winter Park City Talk

City Hall re-grand opening

A grand re-opening celebration for Winter Park City Hall will be held Monday, Aug. 27, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

This year the Men’s Club has once again come through for disadvantaged local school children by partnering with the Christian Service Center (CSC) to provide “Love Pantries” in each of Maitland’s three primary schools.

Letters to the editor

This could create a long-term problem that could change the character of Park Avenue forever.

Were the pilgrims smarter than us?

Maximize learning this coming school year

We were all amazed at the results: they were ready to learn, loved learning, engaged more easily and test scores improved.

Jepson: Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be …

The state tells you it needs your child as cannon fodder. Think. What do you logically, reasonably conclude regarding that request?

My father’s position was that under no circumstances would he recommend that my brother or I “serve” in Vietnam.

Amy Schwartz: What's up at the JCC

What’s unique about the JCC’s J University program is that children can build their own customized after-school schedule.

Baldwin Park doctor does home visits

Dr. B's micropractive

Dr. B. brings family-style practice and old-fashioned medicine service options to Baldwin Park.

Nurse Lugo: Clinical trials: hope or guinea pig?

A clinical trial may be just right for you. Or maybe not. The more you know, the better your decisions will be for you.

Who are they for? Criteria for each trial are different.

Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

Third Thursday in downtown Orlando is always one of my favorite events of the month.

Family Calendar

Movies in the Park: "Cars"

Family activities will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by entertainment and announcements at 7:30 p.m.

Maitland Council hosts first meeting in new chamber

Council meets in new space

The Maitland City Council gathered in its new chambers for the first time, Aug. 13, marking the completion of the seven-year, $8.5 million project to build the city new fire and police stations and a city hall.

Winter Park High sports kick off season

Athletic Director Gary Preisser joined Winter Park High School players on the field Thursday, Aug. 9, to check out athletic trainers on the job.

Winter Park looks to partner to silence trains

The cost of silence

With quiet zone money in the “if” column for Winter Park, Mayor Ken Bradley had another idea: partner with Maitland and Orlando.

Clyde Moore: Sun shines on my solar system

No more whining about the pool being too cold – it’s sometimes too warm!

Brad Launs, with Everything Solar, says it was due to the time of year, the “ambient air temperature” he speaks of, but our water temperature climbed 10 degrees in a day.

Calendar

Andre Smith restoration

The André Smith Restoration Project will hold a silent auction to support the restoration of eight newly discovered André Smith paintings on Aug. 18.

Business Briefs

Kean wins award

Phil Kean of Phil Kean Designs of Winter Park took his third Golden Award.

Threshold Center for Autism fills in the gaps

Autism center is 30

Threshold Center for Autism in Winter Park has been helping families and children for more than 30 years.

Jim Govatos: Be ready

Aloma Church plans revival

True confession: I tend to be a last-minute packer. And that has gotten me into trouble on a number of occasions.

John Mica defeats Sandy Adams

Blowout in primary win

Longtime U.S. Rep. John Mica handily defeated newcomer U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams in an election won by a margin of 61 percent to 39 percent.

Orange Commissioner Edwards wins third term

Third term in District 5

Edwards scored 59 percent of the votes, leaving opponent Gina Duncan with 40 percent.

Monday . . .Tuesday . . . This week's flying by!

It's already been a busy week and we haven't yet made it to hump day! More and more things to look forward to as we sprint towards fall! So, stay tuned here and I'll try to cover it!

Another Week Is Upon Us!

Another week is upon us! Wow . . . those weekends go FAST! Tomorrow is Totally Local Tuesday and Wednesday is your chance for a first glimpse of the WPHS band!

No injuries in Winter Park cemetery standoff

Man was suicidal

The suspect surrendered after about a two-hour standoff and was charged with two counts of aggravated assault.

Holy bricks & Spanish moss . . . It's FRIDAY!

Ah . . . the WEEKEND! I am super ready for this one . . . and I do not think I'm alone. Let's do it . . . enjoy it . . . immerse ourselves in it . . . and act like Monday is a million miles from here! ENJOY!

Galopin On To Park Ave Soon

I will say this already . . . Galopin is going to be unlike anything else on Park Avenue. Got a peak today and this space has been completely, totally transformed.

Winter Park Dawgs, Sanford Rats fall in semifinals

Championship Saturday

The River Rats had trouble all season putting together a solid record, but in the final week, they came alive.

March of Dimes Mudd Volleyball digs in

Dirty sport raises money

On Aug. 25 more than 2,000 people will descend on the Lee Vista Center in Orlando to play in the mud.

Tom Carey: Compatriot farmers of Florida

Only a small percentage of the expense of most processed foods actually goes to the crop producers.

With only a small percentage of the expense of most processed foods actually going to the crop producers, we have quite a bit of available margin to achieve.

Rain & WILDcats & More

Wow. I knew I LUVed Winter Park . . . but now I'm developing a REAL jealousy for having missed out on a Winter Park High School experience: WILDcats! Me-yow!

Calendar

Full Sail tour

The Art & History Museums – Maitland (A&H) continues its popular Summer Concerts in the Garden - Art. Music. Food. Architecture. on Friday, Aug. 10.

Winter Park Chain of Lakes book wins award

Students help research

Rollins Upward Bound Program is a pre-collegiate program designed to reinforce academic preparation and success for low-income or first-generation college aspirants.

Maitland reevaluates SunRail-FlexBus partnership

Will FlexBus work?

Cities re-evaluate proposed Lynx-partnered flexible transportation system

Last push for Mica, Adams before Aug. 14

Vote early till Aug. 11

U.S. Rep. John Mica and U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams are competing for the same district.

Will quiet zones help you sleep at night?

Winter Park quiet zones – will we all sleep better at night? I know I won’t.

Family Calendar

Popcorn Flicks rescheduled

Enzian’s popcorn flicks in Central Park will feature “Babe” at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9.

Garrick: Culture worthy of your calendar

A&H continues its popular Summer Concerts in the Garden on Friday, Aug. 10.

Breaking news – Arts are good for business

Jepson: An appeal to Maitland City Council

The Maitland City Council is being tested.

The city of Maitland is at a crossroads. You have what many cities across America could only wish for – an established art treasure in the form of the Maitland Art Center.

Letters to the editor

As a registered voter with proper ID, I too am concerned with being disenfranchised.

Re: “The freedom to vote is at stake”

Maitland City Talk

Digital Risk creates jobs

As with many successful companies, Digital Risk found opportunity in the face of adversity.

Real estate briefs

NAI Realvest “young bloods” take on bigger projects

Roney: Down and down we go

Is there any covert desire to weaken or eliminate the Second Amendment?

Can’t being wrong do great damage no matter what the intent?

Debunking the short sale myth

“Short sale” isn’t the four-letter word it once was.

Let’s debunk three of the most-common myths as they relate to the short sale process.

Winter Park City Talk

Coffeetalk with Leary

The city will be celebrating the grand re-opening of City Hall on Monday, Aug. 27, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Clyde Moore: Framing Ashley Hall's life

New mom turns passion into a from-home profession.

Designing life's framework

Business Briefs

Groundbreaking for clinic

The groundbreaking ceremony for construction expansion to the Vivere-Winter Park Fertility Center was July 24.

Maitland artist supports BASE Camp for kids with cancer

Boosting spirits with art

Once a year Maitland artist Sandy Bonus opens the doors to her studio for a BASE Camp for children with cancer.

Back to School Calendar

Calendar of drives, events

Here's a listing of back-to-school drives and events to help you and your community prepare for the new school year.

LUV . . True LUV!

LUV was all around on Park Avenue this past weekend . . . even rode in on horseback! That, Parkpreneurs, Totally Local Tuesday, Toast @ Winter Park Village and MORE!

Just Another Thursday In Winter Park!

It WAS just another Thursday in Winter Park, wasn't it? I sort of cocooned around the house today . . . so I'm sure it must have been . . . except . . . .

President Obama speaks at Rollins College

Grassroots event

President Barack Obama made a campaign stop in Winter Park on Thursday.

Hump Day! Hang On!

It's Yet Another Hump Day . . . . Yet, I think tomorrow may present more than the usual Local humps to overcome!

Seventy-six vets honored at The Bridge

Seventy-six WWII, Vietnam, Korea veterans and widows of fallen warriors honored by Cornerstone Salutes! at The Bridge senior living community.

Florida and fair elections: failure is not an option

State endangering eligible voters

Florida is on the frontlines of the national election, and the Florida Interstate - 4 corridor is a big part of that story.

Clyde Moore: Winter Park's champs

Some of these Winter Park Blaze boys have been playing baseball together since they were 6 years old — half their lives.

Winter Park Blaze little league team wins big.

Calendar

The Winter Park Police Department and the Victim Service Center of Central Florida will host a free women’s safety awareness class on Aug. 2.

Winter Park City Talk

Hazardous waste disposal

The city of Winter Park in partnership will be offering household hazardous waste disposal for all city residents this Saturday, Aug. 4.

Winter Park Commission talks tree penalties

Penalties could drop

Homeowners and builders wishing to remove trees on their property may be looking at a bigger incentive to replant new trees.

Senior Olympics held in Winter Park

Seniors go for gold

The first annual Senior Health Care Olympics was held in Winter Park at Westchester of Winter Park Assisted Living Facility.

Senior Calendar

Enjoy the orchestra

The Armand Marchesano Orchestra will play music for dancing from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Beardall Center.

Senior Bulletin

Practicing compassion

The Jewish Pavilion helps people flex their "compassion muscles."

Louis Roney: A timeless wonder gone

What can you do with a person who has destroyed something of unimaginable value, something irreplaceable?

The Big Tree was sacred in the eyes of most of us Floridians who knew it and loved it.

How to settle your IRS debt

Settling IRS debts

Because of the poor economy the IRS has recently changed its rules for settling IRS debts for less than the amount owed.

Maitland City Talk

Back to school safety

Tips to get your kids back to school safely.

Letters to the editor

Winter Park stuck in the 20th century

Evidence that Winter Park in so many ways remains stuck in the 20th century.

Chris Jepson: Can we talk?

When did it occur to you that maybe, perhaps, humans weren’t so good for the planet?

Meet Park Avenue Fashion Week's Harriett Lake

Shoes, hats and giving back

The only things more expansive than Harriett Lake's closet are her contributions to local art organizations.

Josh Garrick: Culture Worthy of Your Calendar

Old is new at MAC

New exhibit at the Maitland Art Center takes you back in time to the Center's beginnings.

Full Sail offers monthly Behind the Scenes tours

A look inside Full Sail

Full Sail University in Winter Park gives residents and potential students a look behind the scenes of its campus every month.

Winter Park Diamond Dawgs playoff bound

Games start this week

The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs have won their way into within a game of the league lead, and a spot in the playoffs.

Family Calendar

Free basketball camp

The second annual “Rising Stars Basketball Clinic” will serve nearly 300 Central Florida residents ages 8-18 focusing on life skills and teamwork.

Senior housing hits snag with Maitland City Council

Questions over taxes

City officials are working to determine if the 93-unit affordable senior housing project, dubbed Uptown Maitland, will pay property taxes.

Community Bulletin

Trinity prep to Scotland

Twenty-six Trinity Preparatory School students left on July 30 for the United Kingdom, bound for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.

Former Maitland Chamber director reacts to layoff

Chamber director responds

The former executive director of the Maitland Chamber of Commerce says she was shocked to learn of the Chamber’s strained finances in early July.

Business Briefs

Modernizing mediator methods

Winter Park’s Lawrence Kolin chaired a multi-year effort to modernize Florida’s Civil Procedure Rules to include Electronic Discovery.

Baldwin Park City Talk: August

First Friday and Movies in the Park

There are a couple of events that continue to grow in Baldwin Park, and you should check them out.