Calendar of events

For our special Halloween calendar, click here. Submit your best Halloween costume photos to our editor for a chance to be published in the Observer and win Regal movie tickets! Please include first, last name, email address and phone number.

THURSDAY

Oktober-fete, a community social benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, will be at the Winter Park Welcome Center on Oct. 27 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information, call the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce at 407-644-8281 or visit WinterPark.org

Join the Winter Park Farmer’s Market for “Bubbles & BBQ” on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. This dinner affair will be a good old-fashioned barbecue with a nod to the upscale. Tickets are $20. Visit Winterpark.org

Tails on the Avenue, a shopping and dining out fundraiser to help homeless pets sheltered at the SPCA of Central Florida, is the entire month of October at businesses along Park Avenue in Winter Park. Buy a $15 voucher at participating businesses or OrlandoPets.org then present the voucher to participating restaurants or businesses to enjoy fabulous discounts and promotions. View the entire list of specials being offered at OrlandoPets.org

FRIDAY

Due to the rainy weather earlier this month, the Park Avenue Area Association’s fall sidewalk sale has been rescheduled to Oct. 28-30. Discounts of up to 70 percent at participating stores. Hours vary by location.

The Winter Park Institute at Rollins College will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the founding of the National Organization for Women with various events during Oct. 28–29. The free events are open to the public and feature activists who played significant roles in the women’s progressive movement and who can speak to the future of feminism. Speakers include author Gloria Steinem, former Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder and Rollins College alumna and co-founder of NOW Muriel Fox along with other key veteran feminist activists. For more information, visit Rollins.edu/wpi, or call 407-691-1995.

New Hope for Kids will present Hold ‘em & Roll ‘em at Fields BMW, 963 N. Wymore Road, on Friday, Oct. 28 from 6-10 p.m. This annual Halloween Casino-night fundraiser supports the programs aimed at providing specialized support to children and families grieving the death of a loved one and to grant wishes to children with life threatening illness in Central Florida. Cost for admission is $65 per person or two for $100. Brio Tuscan Grille, Budweiser, Godiva Chocolatiers, Jake & Micky’s, O’Charley’s, Panera Bread, Stonewood Grill & Tavern and Tolla’s Italian Café will provide food and drinks. For more information or to secure your reservation, call 407-331-3059 ext. 10 or visit NewHopeForKids.org

The traditional day of Czech Independence will be celebrated with free admission to the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens on Friday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Museum founder Albin Polasek was born and raised in the province of Moravia, in what is now the Czech Republic.

Fresh Med Spas is hosting a Spooktaculor Peel Party Friday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Customers can get any chemical peel or Erbium resurfacing for $99 with 15 percent discounts on all products, refreshments and door prizes. To RSVP, call 407-897-2211 or visit FreshMedSpas.com

The Breakthrough Theatre of Winter Park will present the musical revue, "Redlight: The Bad Girls of Broadway", from Oct. 28-30. The revue features Broadway songs featuring hookers, strippers and bad girls. The show will include songs from “Best Little Whorehouse In Texas”, “Jekyll and Hyde”, “Evita”, “Cabaret”, “Sweet Charity”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Grease”, “The Life”, “Miss Saigon”, “Gypsy”, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, “Chicago”, “Rent”, and “The Wild Party”. The show will be performed on Oct. 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 senior citizens/students. For reservations call 407-920-4034.

*This show is for mature audiences only.

SATURDAY

Is there a masterpiece in your attic? Art Appraisal Day is Oct. 29 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum, 1000 Holt Ave. Parking is available adjacent to the museum and in the SunTrust garage on Lyman Avenue. Cost is $10 per appraisal from experts in fine art, Asian art, art glass, art and pottery. Proceeds benefit the museum. Please bring hand-carried objects only.

SUNDAY

On Oct. 30, the Winter Park Sunday running group of the Orlando Runners Club will conduct its annual drive to collect blankets for residents of the Men’s Pavilion at Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida. The main collection effort will take place in Winter Park at Park Avenue and Welbourne Avenue starting at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, prior to the Sunday Running Group’s weekly run starting at 7 a.m. We invite all runners and other interested parties in Central Florida to join us for this informal group run and bring along a new or gently used blanket or two and some hope for the homeless. Visit OrlandoRunnersClub.org

TUESDAY

The Foundation for Success will hold a fundraising event at 6 p.m., Nov. 1, at the Home of Susan Johnson in Winter Park. At this fundraising event, you will hear stories of both academic and life successes right from some of the young ladies who are recipients of the Foundation for Success scholarship. A $100 donation is requested per person. All donations will be used to provide financial support to our current and future recipients during their college adventure. To RSVP, call the Foundation for Success at 407-838-1892.

Winter Park will hold its General Election on Tuesday, Jan. 31, the same day as the Presidential Preference Primary. Winter Park’s General Election is for the purpose of electing a mayor. If a primary is necessary, it will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Qualifying for this seat will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at noon and will end on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at noon. For more election information, call the City Clerk at 407-599-3277, visit CityOfWinterPark.org and click on the election button or visit OCFElections.com

WEDNESDAY

Winter Park’s purchasing division will host the 13th annual Central Florida Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Reverse Trade Show on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at the Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center located at 1050 W. Morse Blvd. The NIGP Reverse Trade Show will occur in one session from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The admission fee for early registration is $85 per person through Friday, Oct. 21. The registration fee will be $110 per person as of Saturday, Oct. 22. If you are interested visit CityOfWinterPark.org/Purchasing > Reverse Trade Show Application.

Junior Achievement of Central Florida will host the 34th annual Mid-Florida Business Hall of Fame event on Nov. 2 at the Rosen Centre Hotel on International Drive. Three laureates will be inducted into the Hall of Fame, as well as the awarding of the Spirit of Achievement award — an honor presented annually to an exceptional business and civic leader who is making a difference in the community. This year’s laureates include Jimmy Hewitt, Linda Chapin and the late Hy Lake, all of whom represent the entrepreneurial spirit of JACF and who have significantly contributed to the business world of Central Florida. For more information, visit JACentraFL.org or call 407-898-2121.

NOV. 3

Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando will participate in the “Faces of Hunger” program, sponsored by the Community Relations Committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando on Nov. 3. Eric Geboff, JFS Executive Director will represent JFS on the panel. “Faces of Hunger” will address the growing and invisible problem of hunger in Central Florida and ways by which community members can help alleviate the problem. The program will be held at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 613 Concourse Parkway S. in Maitland at 7 p.m. For more information visit OrlandoJewishFed.org

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF announces its lineup of new play readings, special events and panel discussions for PlayFest. The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays, running Nov. 3-6 at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E. Rollins St. For an in-depth look at the PlayFest Readings and Special Events visit OrlandoShakes.org/PlayFest

Join Chef Tracy as he teaches you how to spice up your evening meals with new techniques and quick tips of cooking a full-course meal at JFS Women’s Forum “Spice Up Your Culinary Skills”. Cook in a state-of-the-art kitchen using high quality, fresh ingredients, and enjoy the “fruits of your labor” after preparing the food! A Tuscan style three-course dinner will include orzo salad, oven baked tilapia and fresh berries with a limoncello sauce. The cost is $25 and it will be held at 617 Mercy Drive on Thursday, Nov. 3, at 6:30 p.m. Register online at JFSOrlando.org, email [email protected] or call 407-644-7593.

The Orange County Retired Educators Association will meet Thursday, Nov. 3, at 10 a.m. at College Park United Methodist Church, 644 W. Princeton St. Alison Issen will present a program on the Hospice of the Comforter. Visit OCREA-fl.org or call 407-677-0446. Anyone who has worked in education is invited to join.

ONGOING

The Winter Park Farmers’ Market is every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. 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. at Lake Lily Park. Visit itsmymatiland.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.

Orange Audubon Society sponsors Saturday Bird Walks at Mead Botanical Garden through Oct. 29. The walks begin at 8 a.m. Call Dick Smith at 407-257-7361.

“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.

“Mid-Century: A Photographic View of Three African-American Communities in Florida” is at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center through Dec. 30. Visit HannibalSquareHeritageCenter.org

Ballroom Dancing Lessons are every Monday night except the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. 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.

The Florida Artist Group Exhibition runs through Nov. 6 in the Maitland Art Center Gallery, 231 W. Packwood Ave. and in the Germaine Marvel Building at 210 W. Packwood Ave. (across the street from the Center). Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for seniors (55 & older) and children (4-18 years). A&H members and children (3 & under) are free.

“Darker Shades of Red: Soviet Propaganda from the Cold War” will be on exhibition at the Albin Polasek Museum through Jan. 8. The pieces on exhibit are drawn from the private collection of Gary Hollingsworth, an Orlando-based art restorer who traveled extensively in the former Soviet Union. Call 407-647-6294 or visit www.polasek.org

Winter Park Fire-Rescue Department is offering seasonal flu shots at “Flu Shot Fridays” through November, from 8 a.m. to noon at Station 62, 300 S. Lakemont Ave., and Saturday, Oct. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market, 200 W. New England Ave. Call 407-599-3613.

Throughout the month of October at participating Panera Bread bakery-cafes, $1 from any baker’s dozen of bagels sold will be donated to MD Anderson Cancer Center Orlando.

The hit off-broadway musical comedy “Ruthless! The Musical” camps its way into the Winter Park Playhouse, 711 Orange Ave., through Oct. 29. Performances are Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Thursday (Oct. 27) at 2 p.m. Tickets are $38 Evening / $35 Senior Evening / $28 Matinees / $20 Industry Professionals and Students 25 and under. Visit WinterParkPlayhouse.org

Florida Hospital and Florida Radiology Imaging (FRi) is offering digital screening mammograms for $35 at 10 convenient Florida Hospital or FRi locations around Central Florida until Oct. 31. Mammograms can be scheduled by calling 407-303-7500.

Periodic road closures will occur at Temple Drive between Palmer Avenue and Howell Branch Road through February because of power line undergrounding. Visit CityOfWinterPark.org for more details.

Visit wpmobserver.com/events for more details. Send submissions to [email protected]

FAMILY CALENDAR

Halloween events

The Junior League of Greater Orlando’s fourth annual Harvest Hustle 5K run/walk is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at the intersection of New Broad and Jake streets in Baldwin Park. An after-party and costume contest will follow. Cost is $30 on race day. Visit JLGO.org or Run4Acause.org/JLGO

Enzian’s Haunted Swamp: Walk of Terror tour is 8 p.m. to midnight Oct. 28-29 and Monday, Oct. 31, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Enzian is also showcasing a series of scary movies. Visit Enzian.org

Halloween Trick or Treat on Park Avenue is Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Rollins College’s Halloween Howl is Saturday, Oct. 29, from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Enjoy trick-or-treating, haunted houses, arts and crafts, carnival games, a costume contest and snacks and beverages. This event is free and on Mills Lawn at Rollins, 1000 Holt Ave. Call 407-691-1250, or email [email protected]

The 5k Halloween Fun Run will be 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Mead Gardens. All net proceeds benefit St. Margaret Mary Church’s Haiti relief. Visit stmargaretmary.org/haitifunrun.html

The 12th annual Pet Costume Contest will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Doggie Door, 329 N. Park Ave. There will be a large pet costume contest at 11 a.m. and a small pet contest at 1 p.m. Call 407-644-2969.

Pumpkins & Munchkins is 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on Halloween night in Shady Park in Hannibal Square adjacent to the Winter Park Community Center at 721 W. New England Ave. Event activities will include games, bounce houses, costume contest and Trick-or-Treat Trail. It's free. Call 407-599-3275.

Other events

Popcorn Flicks in Central Park featuring “National Velvet” is 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in Central Park in downtown Winter Park. It’s presented by Winter Park and Enzian Theater to coincide with Orange County’s annual “Week of the Family.” There will be free popcorn for everyone. Rain date will be Nov. 17. Contact 407-629-0054 or visit Enzian.org

Movie in the Park featuring “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” is 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Quinn Strong Park in Maitland. Bring your blankets and chairs and the city will bring you the stars. Visit ItsmyMaitland.com for more information.

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. Call 407-647-7700 for more information.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is launching a campaign to combat hunger in all the cities where it has Believe It or Not! Odditoriums. Ripley’s Gimme Five Food Drive will take place from Sunday, Nov. 6 through Thursday, Nov. 10. Guests who bring a donation of five non-perishable food items can get a ticket to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium for just $5 (regular adult ticket price is $19.99). All the food collected will go to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Movie in the Park featuring “Tangled” is 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Quinn Strong Park in Maitland. Bring your blankets and chairs and the city will bring you the stars. Visit ItsmyMaitland.com for more information.

The Young Composers Challenge Composium, the premier U.S. national composition event, will take place on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 13 from 2-5:30 p.m. at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, in downtown Orlando. Winning contestants, ages 13 to 18, representing states from coast to coast, will have their compositions performed for the first time on stage by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.

This free concert is sponsored by the University of Central Florida, Rollins College, Full Sail University, The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, United Arts of Central Florida, and the Goldman Charitable Trust.

For more information, visit YoungComposersChallenge.org.

Trinity Preparatory School will hold open houses on Wednesday, Nov. 30, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 5700 Trinity Prep Lane. RSVP at TrinityPrep.org/Join-us or call 321-282-2515

Maitland youth basketball preseason practice starts in early November with games beginning in December. Boys and girls of all levels are welcome. Coaches are needed. Limited scholarships are available. Call 407-539-2830.