Calendar

DEC. 17

Winter Park residents are being asked to “reThink” their commutes, and earn a $5 gift card for riding SunRail, taking the bus, carpooling, biking or walking to Park Avenue area businesses. On Dec. 17, reThink will host a “Coffee & Commuting” networking event offering a light breakfast and coffee at Winter Park’s City Hall with support from the city of Winter Park, Keep Winter Park Beautiful & Sustainable Advisory Board and Healthy Central Florida. Network with SunRail, LYNX, Juice Bikes and reThink while learning about commute options from 7 to 10 a.m. at Winter Park City Hall. Coffee and a continental breakfast will be provided. For more information, call 866-610-7433 or visit reThinkYourCommute.com

Writer’s Block Bookstore invites science fiction and fantasy readers to its Science Fiction Open House on Dec. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Elle E. Ire and Joe Iriarte with special guest Usman Tanveer Malik, the event will include drawings, giveaways, including a “Star Wars” book, and a 20-percent discount on all science fiction books sold. Writer’s Block is located at 124 E. Welbourne Ave. in Winter Park.

Thursday, Dec. 17, is “Star Wars” Day on SunRail. SunRail staff will board trains and give out “Star Wars” memorabilia to customers as a token of appreciation. “Star Wars” SunRail selfies, for social media and the SunRail selfie billboard campaign, are encouraged to show that the force is strong with SunRail riders.

DEC. 18

Enjoy a live jazz concert under the stars from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, at the Alfond Inn, located at 300 E. New England Ave. in Winter Park. The event will include unlimited select wine, champagne, beer, Tito's Vodka, Roasted Chicken, smoked pig, vegetarian selection and valet parking included with a ticket – $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Purchase tickets online at http://bit.ly/GetYourJazzOnDec

DEC. 19

Tuba, euphonium, sousaphone and baritone players of all ages will perform a free concert on Dec. 19 for the 20th annual Merry Tuba Christmas. The one-hour concert will start at 1 p.m. on Central Park’s Main Stage. Registration is $10 for musicians and begins at 9 a.m., with rehearsal running from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Call 407-599-3463 for more information or visit GailRobertson.com.

Snowfest is returning to the RDV Sportsplex Ice Den on Dec. 19 from 2 to 6 p.m. The event will feature real snow, ice skating, snow slides, bounce houses and train rides. Cost is $16 for children ages 3-17 and $10 for adults. Tickets include admission, skate rental and tax. Coupons are not valid. For group rates contact Kim Herbine at 407-916-2666 or [email protected]. Call 407-916-2550 for more general information.

DEC. 24

In a community-minded spirit of the season, the Morse Museum hosts several open houses throughout the year with free admission for all visitors on those days. On Thursday, Dec. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors to the museum receive free admission to the galleries all day. Adding to the celebration is live music by the Raintree Chamber Players from 1 to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call 407-645-5311 or visit morsemuseum.org

DEC. 29

The city of Winter Park will host the ninth annual Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands on Dec. 29. As a prelude to the Russell Athletic Bowl game at 5:30 p.m., the school bands, cheerleaders and mascots will march through downtown Winter Park, performing a “Bandtastic Game Day Preview.” The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Park and Lyman avenues. Participants will proceed to Central Park, where they will perform a free concert. For more information, call 407-423-2476.

DEC. 31

Aloma Bowling Centers are ready to usher in the New Year in style! Join the celebration for affordable New Year's Eve group packages that will bowl you over! Daytime and nighttime packages are available. Bring your friends and your A-game for a strikingly fun wrap-up to 2015. Starting at just $50 for up to four guests, Aloma Bowl Winter Park's daytime offer includes 90 minutes of bowling, shoe rental, pizza, soda, discounted gaming cards and a balloon drop with prizes totaling $1,000 (including free bowling for a year). The nighttime package includes cosmic bowling, a champagne toast, party favors and live music from The Fabulous CT's. Individual bowlers are welcome to join the fun as well. Special pricing is available for individuals and larger groups. Space is limited. Reserve your party today by calling 407-384-0003, prompt 1, or emailing [email protected].

JAN. 4

The city of Winter Park will host its 15th annual Dinner on the Avenue on April 9 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tables will go on sale Jan. 4 at 8 a.m. in the Winter Park Community Center, located at 721 W. New England Ave. Dine under the stars with a group of eight for $125 a table. The city will provide the table, white linen cloth and chairs, but everything else is limited only by your creativity. Whether you want to bring your own potluck dinner or make it a catered meal is your call. For more information, visit CityOfWinterPark.org/dinner or call 407-643-1613.

JAN. 7

The Orange County Retired Educators Association will meet on Jan. 7 at 10 a.m. in the College Park United Methodist Church located at 644 W. Princeton St. An Elder Ambassadors Program will be presented by the Orange County Commission on Aging at the event. Anyone who has worked in education is invited to join. For more information, call 407-677-0446 for more information.

JAN. 14

If you have a latté beans to grind or you simply want to espresso your thoughts, CoffeeTalk may be the cup for you. Join Police Chief Brett Railey from 8 to 9 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14. This free, popular CoffeeTalk series gives the community an opportunity to sit down and talk with the mayor, city commissioners, city manager and department directors over a cup of coffee provided by Barnie’s Coffee Kitchen. CoffeeTalk provides a more informal setting to share ideas, concerns and thoughts with city leaders. The CoffeeTalk takes place at 151 W. Lyman Ave. For more information, call 407-644-8281.

Come out to Central Park in Winter Park for a free outdoor screening of “The Public Enemy” from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14, at Popcorn Flicks in the Park. Presented by Winter Park CRA and produced by Enzian Theater. This film series features classic films for the whole family. Bring a blanket, a picnic or snacks, and some family and friends! Free popcorn is available for everyone. For more information, call 407-629-0054.

JAN. 23

Share Fair Nation Orlando, a free, family-friendly event geared toward STEM majors, will take place on Jan. 23 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the UCF College of Education and Human Performance. Participants can take part in hands-on workshops about educational methods using technology through STEMosphere, an expo of interactive STEM projects. Professional development opportunities at the event abound for educators.

Florida Hospital invites you to kick off the New Year with Seasons 52 Park Ave. 5.2K on Jan. 23 at 7:30 a.m. Run in Winter Park to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and the Track Shack Foundation. Kids run for free. The run will start in Central Park, located at 251 N. Park Ave. For more information, call 407-896-1160 or visit TrackShack.com.

ONGOING

The city of Winter Park’s annual holiday ice skating rink, Winter in the Park, will be open through Jan. 10. Presented by the Community Redevelopment Agency, the rink is located at 150 N. New York Ave. on the corner of New York Avenue and Morse Boulevard. Skating hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $12 for the day, including skate rental. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. The rink is also available for rental opportunities with a reservation. Holiday movies, music and games will be offered throughout the event’s run. For more information, call 407-599-3203 or visit CityOfWinterPark.org/witp