Community Bulletin and Business Briefs

The Winter Park YMCA/Ho Daddy O Fitness boot camp has concluded and the winner is Pearl Lefkowitz of Winter Park (pictured). The contest featured 22 participants who were challenged to work out a minimum 300 minutes per week. As a group, the class averaged 383 minutes per week. The winner averaged 405 minutes per week. The individual with the most weight lost was Pat Dejong of Winter Park, who lost 18 pounds. The boot camp is available to all YMCA members Monday and Friday mornings at the Lakemont YMCA at 5:45 a.m.

Studio K (studiokorlando.com) hosted a dance event on May 24 gathering dozens of Central Florida educators in response to First Lady Michelle Obama’s national call to action to support a healthier generation of children in her “Let’s Move!” campaign initiative. Pictured is teacher Lynsay Masters.

Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, Art & History Museums, Bach Festival Society, Crealdé School of Art, Enzian Theater, Performing Arts of Maitland, Winter Park Historical Association and The Winter Park Playhouse are some of the local organizations involved in the United Arts of Central Florida’s campaign to win $5,000. Log on to The ArtsMatter.com by June 14 to vote.

On Thursday, June 2, the Maitland Middle School National Junior Honor Society and Student Council presented a check to the American Red Cross from the Culture Fest that raised money for disaster relief. The total amount raised was $1,151.36, which included a generous donation of $400 from a parent.

Samuel Breit of Maitland was named to the Dean’s List at Florida Institute of Technology for the spring semester.

Nicholas Robert Reynolds graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history/political science from Colorado College. He is the son of Kathleen & Robert Reynolds of Maitland.

Several area students graduated from Rice University May 14. Pierre Elias of Winter Park graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. Erica Schoelkopf of Winter Park graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in music.

Longtime Winter Park residents Allan and Linda Keen have purchased the historic Kummer-Kilbourne House, located at 121 Garfield Ave., just 50 feet west of Park Avenue, and immediately adjacent to the north end of Central Park. This property has been continuously occupied by a member of the Kummer or Kilbourne family since 1916 when the home was constructed. As part of the purchase, the Keens have agreed to faithfully restore the structure in keeping with its style.

Sonny’s Franchise Company, the parent company of Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q, has raised $5,000 for local schools in Orange and Seminole Counties since February. A portion of the sales during various “Spirit Nights” has been donated back to schools across several Orange and Seminole County public schools.

Reservations can now be made for events and meetings at the new Winter Park Community Center, scheduled for its grand opening in September. Rental opportunities are available for weddings, parties, meetings and gatherings for up to 400 people. The first available date will be Saturday, Oct. 1. Call 407-599-3275.

WUCF TV, a partnership of the University of Central Florida and Brevard Community College, has officially been named Central Florida’s new home for the full PBS schedule. BCC’s television station, WBCC, will broadcast Central Florida’s primary PBS channel, WUCF TV, beginning July 1. Email [email protected] or call 1-855-423-9823.

Ways to give back

Palmano’s Café, Coffee and Wine Bar, 333 S. Park Ave., announced that throughout the summer, 50 percent of their bottled water proceeds will benefit The Morning Star School.

Seniors First, Inc. recently launched “Help Fuel Meals On Wheels,” a campaign to offset the cost of gas for the volunteer Meals On Wheels drivers. Seniors First, which provides meals to Orange County senior citizens, is asking for both monetary and $10 gas card donations to reimburse volunteer drivers. The campaign runs through June 30. Call 407-581-9366, or email Jan Ingrando at [email protected]

Host families are needed for exchange students for the 2011-2012 school year. Choose a student from an array of countries around the world. Act now to meet school registration deadlines. Call 321-277-7198 or visit afsusa.org

Business Briefs

The inventory of available ready-to-move-in spec homes in the Orlando region is decreasing and that means prices are beginning to rise. Currently, Lennar’s ready-to-move-in homes in the region are priced from the low $100s to the high $200s, said David Parker, director of Sales and Marketing in Orlando. For more information, visit Lennar.com or call 888-317-7489.

NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new lease agreement for 3,000 square feet of office and industrial space at 667-669 Cherry St. in Winter Park.

Rollins MBA Crummer Graduate School of Business is pleased to announce that 100 percent of the spring 2011 graduating class from the corporate and part-time MBA programs report that they had secured a job or plan to continue with their current employers. Over 50 percent of the graduates reported that they have received a raise in salary since starting graduate school, at an average increase of $22,000 at the time of graduation.

BlueChip Energy, LLC (BCE) announced it has received approval for rezoning of the 201 acres of land it purchased for the development of a 40 megawatt Solar Farm in Sorrento, Fla. At peak construction, the Sorrento Solar Farm will provide an estimated 250 jobs and nearly $7 million in total construction wages.

Full Sail University was honored in three separate categories by the United States Distance Learning Association at their 2011 National Conference. Full Sail received the 21st Century Best Practices in Distance Learning Award, Isis Jones received the award for Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning, and Kathy Craven was honored with the Silver Award for Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching.

Marketplace Advisors Inc. recently negotiated the $900,000 sale of a 1.2-acre commercial outparcel at the Shoppes at Aloma Walk, a Publix-anchored retail center located on Aloma Ave. at State Road 417 in Seminole County.

Goodwill Industries of Central Florida recently hired Victoria Gonzalez as its donor services director.