Calendar and Family Calendar

Ongoing

Tax-Aide volunteers will provide free income tax assistance at the Winter Park Library from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, through April 14. Visit AARP.org/Taxaide or call 1-800-227-7669.

“The Art of the Label: Our Colorful Citrus History Exhibit” is on display at Winter Park Land Co., 122 S. Park Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon on weekdays.

Thursday

On Thursday, March 31, at 10 a.m., Winter Park Mayor Kenneth W. Bradley and Orlando District 3 City Commissioner Robert Stuart will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the Lake Baldwin Trail. The ceremony will take place near the walkway just south of the main entrance to Fleet Peeples Park at 2000 S. Lakemont Ave. For more information, please call 407-599-3428.

“Women in the Shadows”: Discover the talented women composers and performers who were prohibited from pursuing music prior to the 20th century. Hear a live piano performance of selected works at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at the Winter Park Public Library Community Room.

The Mustard Seed of Central Florida partners with the NE Orlando Main Street Chamber from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, to officially introduce their new mattress recycling program to the Central Florida community. So far, the mattress recycling efforts have saved more than 80,500 cubic feet of space in local landfills. Mustard Seed is located at 12 Mustard Seed Lane.

Join Jewish Family Services at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 31, for a Women’s Forum titled SAFE (Self-defense Awareness & Familiarization Exchange). Attendees will experience an unparalleled two-hour educational awareness, crime-victim prevention program facilitated by Officer Jamie Loomis from the Winter Park Police Department and held at JFS, 2100 Lee Road in Winter Park. The forum is free but limited to the first 20 reservations. Register at [email protected] or call 407-644-7593 extension 227. Visit JFSOrlando.org

Friday

Friday Brown Bag Matinees at the Morse Museum is showing “The European Garden” at noon on Friday, April 1. This 50-minute film will be playing for free in the Jeannette G. and Hugh F. McKean Pavilion, 161 W. Canton Ave., just behind the museum.

The city of Winter Park will host a public meeting from 9-11 a.m. on Friday, April 1, at the Winter Park Welcome Center, 151 W. Lyman Ave, to gather input to assist in developing a “brand identity” for Winter Park’s Central Business District. Questions and inquiries may be directed to 407-599-3398 or [email protected]

Saturday

Art & History Museums – Maitland hosts the 13Th annual pARTicipation event and exhibition. This year showcases the vibrancy of Orlando through the pairing of regional artists and colorful cooking. Maitland Art Center opens its galleries to the community for Top Artist and Top Chef Dinner Affair from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2. Cost is $5. For those interested in purchasing tickets to any or all of the events, contact Juliet McIntosh, Director of Development at 407-539-2181 extension 262 or visit RedChairProject.com

Saturday, April 2 is the free Annual Hibiscus Show at Mead Gardens hosted by the Central Florida Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society. You can find the show Saturday by turning east on Garden Drive from Mills Avenue in Winter Park. The times are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fifth Third Bank’s Financial Literacy Mobile, also called the “eBus,” is a vehicle that has been electronically retrofitted to serve as a mobile classroom with all the financial tools needed to help you become financially successful. The eBus will be at Hannibal Square Land Trust, 642 W. New England Ave., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 2. For more information about the eBus, please contact Joyce Odongo at 407-999-3101.

Sunday

The eighth Annual Doggie Art Festival takes place Sunday, April 3 from 10 a.m. in downtown Winter Park. This fun-filled dog and art event is hosted and presented each year by The Doggie Door in Winter Park and BullFish Baldwin Park. This event is free and features more than 40 pet-inspired artists, pet-related vendors, adoption organizations and live music throughout the day. For more information, call BullFish at 407-894-3474, visit BullFish.net or visit us on Facebook or Twitter.

British Garden Party: You are invited to attend a delightful afternoon on the lawn of the University Club on Sunday, April 3 from 2-5 p.m. hosted by the English-Speaking Union of Central Florida, The University Club of Winter Park and the British-American Chamber of Commerce. Join fellow members and special guests while enjoying traditional social and culinary delights of our British Garden Party in delightful Winter Park. For reservations, send a check of $25 per person payable to ESU to Post Office Box 758, Winter Park, FL 32790.

The Central Florida Jazz Society presents the UCF Jazz Ensemble I under the direction of Jeff Rupert on Sunday, April 3. Please note time change – it starts at 4 p.m. at the Plaza Theatre on Bumby Avenue. Cost is $13 for members and $20 for non-members. Students with a college ID is $3 and admission for high school and younger is free.

The Central Florida Watercolor Society will hold its next monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 3, in the Marvel Building at the Art and History Museums of Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave. The meetings program will feature a demonstration entitled “Fun with Collage” by member-artist Nancy McCarthy. Contact [email protected]

Monday

The University Club of Winter Park offers ballroom dancing lessons at 7 p.m. every Monday. Contact 407-644-6149.

The Zumba Fitness class with Jenny at the Winter Park Farmer’s Market indoor facility is held Mondays at 7 p.m. E-mail [email protected]

Find Peace and Balance in the Gardens: Stretching + Meditation = Relaxation

Enjoy the world as the body and the spirit come together. Counselor and fitness instructor, Teri Reuter will guide you through 60-minute sessions, combining strengthening stretch and peaceful meditation in our beautiful Polasek Gardens. You will learn how these movements and techniques can be included in your daily lives to promote balanced living and to reduce stress and anxiety. Each week Teri will lead the group in stretching for the body and meditation exercises for the spirit with a specific focus:

Monday, April 4: Relaxation Response - Use effective breathing to instantly reduce stress and feelings of anxiety.

Monday, April 11: Decision Bridge – Feel more confident in your decision-making.

Monday, April 18: Perfect Place – Find a mental oasis for rejuvenation.

Monday, April 25: Visiting the Child You Were – Learn from your past to better enjoy the present.

All classes will be held rain or shine from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wear comfortable clothing and bring an exercise mat. For cooler days, you may want to bring a throw. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. Register at [email protected] or by calling 407–647-6294.

Tuesday

Marie Arana will speak about “A New Kind of American“ at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 5 at the Bush Science Center Auditorium, Rollins College. Arana, author of the prize-winning memoir “American Chica” as well as two novels about Latin America, “Cellophane” and “Lima Nights”, will speak about the growing phenomenon of biculturalism in America. What does it mean to be loyal to two ethnic identities? What advantages and tensions does it create? How has having a president who is bicultural and biracial affected our civil mindset?

The Morse Museum has Curator Tours, a new program from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5. Space is limited and is available for free on a first-come, first-served basis to visitors in the Museum. There are no advance reservations.

The Tarflower Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, at Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave. Dena Wild will discuss “Hidden Gems in our Gardens,” the many beneficial insects in our environment. The public is cordially invited to this free program.

Wednesday

Wednesday, April 6 is National Start! Walking Day. Walking is the single most effective form of exercise to achieve heart health. Studies show that for every hour of brisk walking, life expectancy may increase by two hours. Visit StartWalkingNow.org and download free tools like the Start! Daily Walking Guide

The American Legion, Winter Park Memorial Post 112, extends a very cordial invitation to the general public for a “Chicken Dinner,” complete with potato, green beans, garlic bread, and ice tea or coffee, from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 6 at 4490 N. Goldenrod Road. The proceeds from this special community event will go to help support various Post 112 programs and community projects. Please call/contact Gerard Dress at 407-671-8616 for event information. 4490 N. Goldenrod Road. Cost is $7.50 per person.

Thursday

The Orange County Retired Educators Association will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 7, at College Park United Methodist Church, 644 W. Princeton St. for “Friends of the Library” program presentation. Visit our website at ocrea-fl.org or call 407-677-0446. Anyone who has worked in education is invited to join.

“Fun With Flowers” is from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 7, at the Winter Park Garden Club, 1300 S. Denning Drive. Gloria Blake will lead a spring floral arrangement ”make and take’ workshop. Cost is $20. Must register by calling 407-644-5770.

Florida’s Great Garden Challenge is on Thursday, April 7. All classes will be held rain or shine from 10-11:30 a.m. Gardening Celebrity Tom MacCubbin, author of the Florida Gardener’s Resource, radio show host and former Orange County Extension Agent will bring his wonderful wit, wisdom and lots of stories and information that will demystify the challenges of gardening in our intense heat, freezing cold, sandy and soilless, buggy and beloved Central Florida. Do not miss this class! The cost for this class will be $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. The box lunch is available at a cost of $10, paid in advance. Register at [email protected] or by phone 407-647-6294. All registrations must be received no later than Tuesday the week of the class.

Family Calendar

Join the JCC for a preschool open house from noon-2 p.m. Friday, April 8, at the Roth Jewish Community Center, 851 N. Maitland Ave. RSVP at OpenHouse.JCCPreschool.com

An Ice Cream Social benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Winter Park Civic Center, 1050 W. Morse Blvd., for $7 in advance or $10 at the door. Visit rmhccf.org and click on “Calendar of Events” under “What’s Happening.”

Maitland Movie in the Park is playing “Legend of the Guardians” at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Quinn Strong Park, 347 S. Maitland Ave.

News 13 will award nine $1,000 Project Weather scholarships to local high school seniors who excel in science. One high school senior will be selected from each Central Florida county. The deadline to enter is Saturday, April 16. Apply by printing out an application form at CFNews13.com/community/project-weather

Pizza Wars is from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, April 17, at JCC Maitland, 851 N. Maitland Ave. Sample all-you-can-eat pizza and award the honor of best pizza in North Orlando! Cost is $25 for families of four, $10 for adults and $5 for children. Contact Julie Varkonyi at [email protected] or 407-645-5933 extension 238. Visit OrlandoJCC.org

Athletes of all ages are invited to compete in the Central Florida Gliders 19th Annual Spring Track Classic on Saturday, April 30, at the beautiful Lake Brantley High School track in Altamonte Springs. No same-day registrations accepted and cost is $6 per event. Register at CoachO.com and more information is available at CFGliders.com

The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra invites string music students to be part of a world premiere that is a tribute to former local music educator Jonathan May. Students chosen will perform with the Orlando Philharmonic on its concert, “Joshua Bell,” at 8 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, 401 W. Livingston St. Download an application at OrlandoPhil.org/Daniel-Mays-World-Premiere/

Children’s programming continues at the Maitland Public Library, 501 S. Maitland Ave. Story times for toddlers and preschoolers are at 6 p.m. every Monday and 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday. Baby story time is at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. Reading Buddies, a program to help reluctant readers, is at 4 p.m. every Thursday. Call 407-647-7700.

Become a global family! Host families are needed for exchange students for the 2011-2012 school year. Student bios are now available. Contact Betsy at 321-277-7198 or visit afsusa.org