Calendar of events

JAN. 6

On Friday, Jan. 6, and Saturday, Jan. 7, St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park will host a pair of concerts with the iconic musical group The Lettermen to benefit Bring Change, a local nonprofit organization that offers resources, programs and housing assistance for Central Florida’s homeless. Each show costs $25 for general seating and $45 for reserved seating. To purchase tickets prior to the event, visit www.stmargaretmary.org/TheLettermenConcerts.html

The Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park will present our second annual "Superior Thespians" showcase from Jan. 6-8. This event features Central Florida students that earned Superior ratings at their District Thespian Festival from Orange, Seminole, Lake, Osceola, Volusia, and Brevard counties. Three days, three shows, each show a different lineup of entertainers. All tickets are $10, but there are only 46 seats available so make reservations at 407-920-4304. The Breakthrough Theatre is located at 419A W. Fairbanks Ave. in Winter Park.

JAN. 7

Crealdé School of Art will host an open house this Saturday for its newly refurbished darkroom preserving and celebrating the art of film photography and development. The day will culminate in a Night of Fire as the campus is ignited by a live bronze sculpture pour, kiln fires and handmade clay lanterns. The “Day of Film Photography” is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7 and will be followed by “A Night of Fire,” from 5 to 8 p.m. all on the Crealdé School of Art campus at 600 St. Andrews Blvd. in Winter Park. Both events are free.

JAN. 8

Orlando Area Historical Rose Society will hold the program “Singularly Beautiful Roses.” This program will focus on collecting the single and nearly single hybrid teas, many of which date back to the early decades of the 20th century. They were a novel and unique part of the early evolution of the class. You will go on a journey around the world, rediscovering roses that truly reflect a wonderful part of our rose heritage. Stephen Hoy, who has been an accomplished gardener, author, musician, and rosarian for over 30 years, presents this event on Sunday, Jan. 8. Doors open 2 p.m. and the program itself starts at 2:30 p.m. at Harry P. Leu Gardens, which is located at 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando. Parking and admission is free and if you need more information, call 407-497-1639.

The Central Florida Watercolor Society (CFWS) will hold its next monthly meeting on Sunday, Jan. 8, at 1:30 p.m. in the Marvel Building of the Maitland Art Center (MAC), 231 Packwood Avenue. Carol Frye of Lakeland will present a program entitled “Watercolor and Gesso on Paper.” The meeting is free and open to the public.

The University Club of Winter Park invites you to a free reception honoring the work of artist Patricia Brooks on Sunday, Jan. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. Both Club members and the general public are welcome. If you wish to contact them, call 407-644-6149 or visit http://www.universityclubwinterpark.org/

JAN. 10

Winter Park Garden Club is holding a Digging It Class on Aroids (philodendrums, anthuriums, etc.) at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10. This class is located at 1300 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park. Cost is $15; please pay by January 6. Call 407-644-5770 for more information.

Mr. Craig Miller cordially invites you to a Meet and Greet at 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10. This event is located at his family home on 851 Georgia Ave., Winter Park. For your viewing pleasure, he will be showing the New Hampshire Republican Presidential Primary results. Requested Contributions are as followed: Host: $500, Guest: $100. To RSVP, please contact Tara Emory at [email protected] or 301-213-7289.

JAN. 11

The Concerned Citizens of Maitland is having a “Meet the Candidates” forum on 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, in the east wing of the Maitland Civic Center. Contact John Book at 407-222-8230.

If you shop on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at Whole Foods Market in Winter Park, they will donate 5 percent of the day’s net sales to Meals on Wheels, whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for young and old by providing appetizing and nutritious meals. They also provide support services for seniors, making them able to maintain their independence and dignity.

JAN. 12

Winter Park mayoral candidates Ken Bradley and Nancy Miles will attend forums on the following dates: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, at the Winter Park Public Library; 7:45 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce; and at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 13, at Winter Park Towers.

On 7 p.m. Jan. 12, the Central Florida Anthropological Society meeting will feature a presentation by Dr. Nancy Marie White, professor of Anthropology at the University of South Florida. This presentation, “Adventures in Northwest Florida Archaeology”, is free and open to the public. For more information contact Kevin Gidusko at [email protected] or at 321-948-3994.

“Winter Park Sip & Stroll” is 5 - 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, in downtown Winter Park. Enjoy wine and appetizer pairings at your favorite shops and restaurants on this unique walk through downtown Winter Park. Only 300 tickets are available, and each ticket costs $30 in advance. Reserve your glass today!

ONGOING

The Winter Park Farmers’ Market is every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located at the old train depot, 200 W. New England Ave. Visit CityofWinterPark.org

The Maitland Farmers’ Market is every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located at Lake Lily Park. Visit ItsMyMaitland.com or call 407-539-6268.

Food Truck Café is every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lake Lily Park in Maitland.

The Winter Park Food Truck Stop is located at 1127 N. Orlando Ave. in Winter Park, and is open for food trucks 24/7. Follow the site on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/FoodTruckStop

“Music at the Casa” is a free weekly Sunday open house featuring live performances and tours of the historic Casa Feliz, 656 N. Park Ave. Visit CasaFeliz.us or call 407-628-8200 ext. 3.

Art & History Museums - Maitland’s Culture and Cocktails takes place the second Friday of every month until April, both inside and outside of the Maitland Art Center’s Germaine Marvel Building, 210 W. Packwood Ave. Guests are sure to enjoy this evening of art, music, poetry, food and fun. For more information, phone 407-539-2181 or visit ArtandHistory.org

Schedule includes:

6-9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, featuring artist Doug Rhodehamel

6-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, featuring artists Cherie Dacko, Cake Marques and Tracy Burke

6-9 p.m. Friday, April 13, 6-9 p.m., featuring artist Andrew Spear

Ballroom Dancing Lessons are every Monday night at 7 p.m., except the first Monday of the month at the University Club of Winter Park, 841 N. Park Ave. Line Dance Instruction is held on the first Monday. It’s $5 per lesson. Call 407-644-6149 for more information.

The Art & History Museums – Maitland invites you to come and explore as it presents “Borders of Paradise: The New World in the Eyes of Explorers” through Feb. 26 at the Maitland Historical Museum, 221 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland. Call 407-539-2181 or visit www.ArtandHistory.org

Friday Nights at the Morse features free admission to the Morse Museum on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. through April 27. Occasional programs include live music, art demonstrations, curator tours and family tours. Visit MorseMuseum.org for details.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays in January at Morse Museum there are Curator Tours of the New Tiffany Wing from 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Space is limited and there are no advance reservations. Curator Tours are available on a first-come first-served basis and are free with the price of admission.

FAMILY CALENDAR

Winter Park presents the 10th annual Unity Heritage Festival on Sunday, Jan. 15, and Monday, Jan. 16. It begins on Sunday, Jan. 15, in Shady Park in Hannibal Square from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Heritage Festival continues in Shady Park at 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, which is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Join Mayor Ken Bradley and Winter Park city officials at 10 a.m. for a symbolic program, including the Feature Family Presentation.

The 2012 Metropolitan Opera National Council Florida Vocal Competition is Saturday, 10:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Trinity Preparatory School Auditorium, 5700 Trinity Prep Lane, Winter Park. For information contact 407-922-4688 or [email protected]

The Seasons 52 Park Avenue 5.2k presented by Florida Hospital as the 5th race of the Track Shack Running Series. Saturday, Jan. 21, at 7:30 a.m. is the 5.2k (3.2 miles). Then, at 8:45 a.m. is the Healthy 100 Kids' Run. The Awards Presentation is at 9 a.m. Please plan to arrive 45 minutes to one hour early due to traffic. Stage at Central Park, Winter Park, at the corner of Garfield Ave and Park Avenue. Visit http://www.trackshack.com/events/individual/parkave/parkave.shtml

Experience the "coolest" event of the year at Aquatica on Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Polar Plunge, presented by Florida Professional Firefighters. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the opening ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Those who raise or donate a minimum $100 may come to Aquatica and take the Plunge. For full details and to register, visit www.specialolympicsflorida.org/polarplunge

All Saints MOPS Sweetheart Ball and Reverse Draw: Bring your Valentine and enjoy a fun evening of dinner, dancing, prizes and a chance to win $2,000. It starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Hilton Altamonte Springs. Tickets are limited and include dinner, entertainment, Flipbook favors, and entry into the reverse draw. It’s $150 per couple. Contact 407-808-2764 or [email protected]

Kids of all ages will love Touch-A-Truck, a unique, interactive community event held in a festival-type atmosphere where children can climb on, learn about, and explore various trucks, as well as meet the people who use these vehicles. Hosted by Maitland Community Preschool at Orangewood Presbyterian Church, Touch-A-Truck is pure fun for the whole family! Touch-A-Truck is Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 from 10am-2pm at 1300 W. Maitland Blvd. Maitland, FL 32751. Admission is $5 (Family max. $20). Visit www.orangewood.org/touchatruck.

ONGOING

The Maitland Public Library has bedtime stories for all ages at 6 p.m. every Monday. Preschool story time is 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday. Infant and toddler story time is at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. Reading buddies is Thursdays at 4 p.m. Call 407-647-7700 for more information.

The Crosby Observatory atop the Orlando Science Center is open for seasonal sky-watching every first and third Saturday from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. until Feb. 18. Admission includes a live planetarium show. Tickets are $10. Call 407-514-2000 or visit www.osc.org