Community Bulletin

Jamming for peace

During the week of Jan. 30, Trinity Preparatory School’s PeaceJam club planned a week full of informative activities to encourage students to learn more about the issue of starvation and hunger.

Bee winner

Sana Saraf participated in the Glenridge Middle School Spelling Bee Contest on Feb. 8. She will be representing her school in the Orange County Spelling Bee Contest on March 9.

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 3 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].

Student honors

Alexander Koepsel of Winter Park has graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis, with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Electronic Engineering.

Berklee College of Music announces that Drew Moore of Winter Park has earned placement on the Dean's List for the fall semester of the 2011 academic year.

Valentine Tree

The Maitland Public Library is celebrating the month of February with its time-honored tradition of the Valentine Tree. With the Valentine’s Day theme, the Tree is an opportunity for residents to purchase a paper heart through a donation. This year, the proceeds will be used to purchase three computers for the children in the Youth Services Department. The goal is $1,500. Gulf States Credit Union will be matching the funds up to $750 toward the goal. Call 407-647-7700.

Tax help

Tax-Aide volunteers, trained and certified by the IRS, will provide free income tax assistance at 17 sites throughout the Orange and Seminole county area starting Wednesday, Feb. 1, through Tuesday, April 17. Sites include:

The Winter Park Library, at 460 E. New England Ave., from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from Feb. 1 through April 17.

St. Mary Magdalen Church, located at 861 Maitland Ave., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays from Feb. 2 through April 12.

The Maitland Senior Center, at 345 S. Maitland Ave., from noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 7 through April 17.

For additional information visit www.aarp.org/taxaide

Garage sale

The Maitland Men’s Club is having its annual Garage Sale on March 2-3 in the former Winn-Dixie parking lot in Maitland. The Club uses the proceeds to support “Christmas for Children”. The Men’s Club is accepting donations from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday morning in the Royal Plaza shopping center parking lot, and it has trucks and trailers available to schedule pick-ups. Call Phil Bonus at 407-694-8737 for more information.

Forging connections

The Orlando Museum of Art announced the beginning of a new program that connects developmentally disabled students to art and the world around them. This program, Creative Connections, is designed for third through eighth grade students. Although the first tour on March 4 is already sold out, other tours are scheduled at 11:30 a.m. for April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1 and August 5. The cost is $8 per adult, $5 per student, and $15 for families (up to 4 participants). Call 407 896 4231 x262 to register. Each program has limited attendance.

Opera star from UCF

Samantha Barnes, Soprano, a graduate of UCF Opera Program, won first place in the Regional Competition of the Metropolitan Opera Auditions. Samantha will proceed to the Semi Finals in New York on March 11. The Grand Finals Concert will be March 18, where the final winners will be chosen.

A new beginning

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Area recently welcomed the Clarke family to their new townhome at Stag Horn Villas, the nonprofit’s first multifamily community. Habitat is in the final stages of constructing Stag Horn Villas – currently, 41 of 58 units have been completed.

Mica versus Adams

Congressman John Mica will seek reelection for the congressional seat representing the 7th District of Florida, which includes Orange, Seminole and Volusia counties. Congresswoman Sandy Adams will challenge Mica in the district.

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, Winter Park 32789. jfsorlando.org/events.html

Be a mentor

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

Display your art

The Winter Park Public Library is now taking applications for artists who would like to exhibit their work as part of its continuing Community Room revolving art display during 2012 or the first half of 2013. Artists’ work will be displayed in the Library’s Community room for one-month periods. All interested artists should send an artist statement/biographical sketch accompanied by four to six digital images representative of the work to be displayed to [email protected]. Deadline for submissions is Monday, Feb. 13.

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 www.foundationforocps.org to register as a mentor today.

Help build wheelchair ramps

The Center for Independent Living (CIL) is in need of donations and volunteers for RAMPAGE, an annual, one-day event on Feb. 25, where volunteers will build wheelchair ramps. To donate, or for more information, please contact Lindsey Koeneman at 407-623-1070 ex. 127 or [email protected]