Community Bulletin and Business Briefs

Missing person reward increased

On May 24, 2010, Stephanie Edwards left her home with the intention of returning a short time later. Edwards visited a friend in the area of Lyman and Virginia avenues and left to return home on foot a short time later. Ms. Edwards has not been seen since. In an effort to obtain information that results in the recovery of Stephanie Edwards, the Winter Park Police Department, in cooperation with Crimeline, is increasing the reward for information in this case to $10,000. Anyone with information about this case should contact Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS(8477) or Detective Jeff Harris at 407-599 3393. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000.

Have you seen this bell?

Between Jan. 5 and Jan. 8, this church bell was taken from Warner Chapel, located at 753 W. Comstock Ave. in Winter Park. The copper church bell is 100 years old and has been on display at the chapel since 2000. Anyone with information regarding the location of the bell, or information on the theft of the bell, please contact the Winter Park Police Department at 407-644-1313.

Interview audio

CMF Public Media recently interviewed Ken Bradley and Nancy Miles. Listen to the interview at cmfmedia.org/2012/01/winter-park-mayoral-election/

Interlachen on National Register

The Interlachen Avenue Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service on Nov. 30. This district now joins the Winter Park Downtown Historic District, which was listed in the National Register on May 3. The historic period of significance runs from 1882 through 1964, for which the district was deemed significant in the areas of architecture and community planning.

Student honors

Christopher Berube of Winter Park is a January graduate of Lycoming College. Berube graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and business.

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 Wednesday, 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]

Volunteer for Build Week

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando Area has launched its fundraising effort for “National Women Build Week,” a volunteer-driven event designed to empower women to take action against poverty-level housing conditions. Habitat Orlando needs more fundraising teams to meet its goal of raising $100,000 – the cost to sponsor one Habitat home. Women Build Week runs from May 7 to 12 and will take place at the nonprofit’s first multifamily community, Stag Horn Villas. To learn more visit www.habitat-orlando.org/Women-Build

Learning grant awarded

The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County was recently the recipient of The Orlando Magic Youth Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund grant totaling $50,000. The award was publicly presented Wednesday, Jan. 18, during the Magic vs. Spurs game. The grant will provide 80 hours of CDA specific training to support infant/toddler teachers, provide scholarships to pay the cost of the final assessment fee, and provide incentives for the participating infant-toddler teachers.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

January marks Fannie Hillman and Associates’ 31st anniversary, and for the sixth time in the past seven years (2005-2011), the company has been named the “Best Residential Real Estate Office” in Central Florida for 2011 by the readers of Orlando Business Journal. Located at 205 W. Fairbanks Ave., Fannie Hillman and Associates can be reached by calling 407-644-1234 or by visiting FannieHillman.com

One Senior Place Orlando opens Wednesday, Feb. 1. Two dozen senior and health care-related businesses will eventually have a presence at the newly remodeled facility at 715 Douglas Ave. in Altamonte Springs. For more information, visit OneSeniorPlace.com

Dozens of Central Florida children had a brighter holiday as recipients of the nearly 100 toys — including bicycles, games and plush animals — collected by the Holler-Classic organization for Toys for Tots.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, appointed four professionals to its design and project teams: Christian Paulo was appointed a CAD technician. Jose Diaz, E.I., was named senior mechanical designer. Lee Murrah was appointed project coordinator. Jaison Moras was appointed electrical project manager.

BankFIRST of Winter Park completed the acquisition of the Ormond Beach-based East Coast Community Bank. For more information on BankFIRST, visit bankfirst.com

Mercantile Capital Corporation reported it had a record-breaking year in 2011. The eight-year-old firm closed 57 commercial loans in 15 states in 2011 to finance commercial real estate projects valued at more than $174.4 million, a 24 percent increase over 2010.

The city of Apopka and the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program anticipate opening an incubator site in downtown Apopka before April 1.

James “Jim” Rickard, CPA, has been admitted as a principal with Averett Warmus Durkee Osburn Henning.

Emerson International Inc. recently negotiated six commercial lease agreements that total more than 10,300 square feet of office space. Maxine Carr ED. D., P.A. leased 493 square feet at 1177 Louisiana Ave. at Louisiana Office Park in Winter Park.