Community Bulletin

Math stars

Massey Services recently rewarded three Killarney Elementary School students with two VIP Massey Skybox suite tickets to an Orlando Magic Game. The reward came as a result of the students’ top scores in a contest, “Massey Math Miles,” sponsored by Massey PrevenTech Commercial Services. The contest challenged students to improve their math skills over a three-month period.

Transformations

An opening reception was held on March 7 for “Transformations, The Photography of Betty Scott Owen” at the Winter Park Library Community Room, 460 E. New England Ave. in Winter Park. The exhibit runs through March 31. Contact 757-343-0313 or [email protected]

Winter Park in NYT

The New York Times featured Winter Park in its travel section on Sunday, March 11. In the short article titled “Near Orlando, Fla., a Sophisticated Alternative to Disney”, Times journalist Erica Cerulo writes, “Though businesses there (in Winter Park) have historically catered to the 9-iron set … forward-thinking shops and restaurants have started appearing along the two main thoroughfares, Park Avenue and New England Avenue.” A photo gallery, “Winter Park, Fla.: An Old-Time Resort Looks Ahead”, featuring merchants such as the Winter Park Fish Company and Prato, accompanied the article. Visit tinyurl.com/NYTWinterPark to view the piece.

Novelist visits

On Feb. 23, Nigerian novelist Chiamanda Adichie, author of “Half of a Yellow Sun” and “Purple Hibiscus," spoke to attendees of Rollins College’s Winter With the Writers event. Throughout the event, renowned writers shared their work and expertise with students and the community.

Student honors

The following students were named to the Dean's List of Emory College, the undergraduate, Liberal Arts College of Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., for the 2011 fall semester. Students must be in the top 20 percent of Emory College or have about a 3.81 grade point average or higher to be named to the Dean's List.

• Alissa Tabirian of Winter Park, daughter of Dr. Nelson Tabirian and Dr. Anna Tabirian

• Youngdoo Choi of Winter Park, son of Dr. Pyoungho Choi and Misook Kang

• Brian Taussig of Winter Park, son of Mary Taussig of Winter Park, and Dr. Andrew Taussig of Winter Park

• Emily Brennan of Maitland, daughter of Robert Brennan and Wendy Brennan

Join pet festival

The 9th Annual Doggie Art Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 15. Artists and vendors are invited to participate. It will be taking over half of Park Avenue from Morse Boulevard to Canton Avenue this year. Email [email protected] or call The Doggie Door at 407-644-2969 to sign up and arrange payment. Every $50 helps another greyhound find a new home. Friday, March 30, is the deadline.

Pancake pandemonium

In its seventh year, National Pancake Day, IHOP’s annual free flapjack fundraiser, shattered a fundraising record, raising more than $3 million in donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities.

Fundraising volunteers needed

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Area is seeking women to fundraise and participate in Women Build Week Orlando from May 7 to May 12. Across all 50 states, more than 7,000 women are raising funds needed to build affordable homes at more than 300 Habitat for Humanity construction sites. Contact Lynn Ivanek at [email protected] or call 407-648-4567 ext. 404. Fundraising teams must sign up by March 30.

Call to artists

The city of Winter Park and the Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board announce a “call to artists” for Art on the Green 2012, a juried exhibition of eight sculptures in downtown Winter Park. The exhibition presented by the city of Winter Park and Massey Services, Inc., will run from Saturday, Sept. 1, through Friday, March 1. Complete details regarding artist entries may be found by visiting the home page of the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org and clicking on the Art on the Green button.

Food drive

The greater Orlando area will host the JFS Feinstein Challenge from March 1 to April 30.

Every year, Jewish Family Services (JFS) teams up with the Feinstein Challenge $1 Million Food Drive, a national hunger awareness campaign, by collecting non-perishable items, canned goods and cash donations for its food pantries. JFS is reaching out to the community to “Help Fill the Cart.” Conduct a food drive in your neighborhood or office and help supply the groceries for a family in need. JFS will be happy to provide you with all the supplies: a collection bin, flyers and posters. You may also drop off individual donations of food, or mail checks to JFS at 2100 Lee Road in Winter Park. Visit jfsorlando.org/events.html

Greek trip with Josh

Adventurous “student-travelers” from ages 16 to 80 may join Observer Arts Columnist Josh Garrick as he leads a three-week college course for Americans who wish to immerse themselves in a Classical Greek experience. Whether you follow the course-work for three college credits or simply turn “study-time” into time on Greece's magnificent beaches, this small-group trip provides access to Greek sites and beaches that no “bus-group” could include. Email [email protected].

Be a mentor

Junior Achievement (JA) of Central Florida has partnered with the city of Orlando for its “Path Finders” initiative. Volunteers are needed to serve as career coaches and mentors for middle and high school students. For more information, visit jacentralfl.org, email [email protected] or call 407-898-2121, ext. 36.

Volunteer for literacy

The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools is asking the community to consider volunteering for one hour a week during the school year in order to improve literacy in children though the Read2Succeed program. Go to foundationforocps.org to register as a mentor today.

Send submissions to [email protected]