Community Bulletin and Business Briefs

Winter Park High School student Natasha Fleury and Edgewater High School student Graham Galloway were honored as the Most Outstanding Youth Leaders at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leaders Class IX graduation luncheon in July. They received savings bonds from BankFIRST. Visit www.winterpark.org. Pictured from left to right are Galloway; John Casebier, BankFIRST; and Fleury.

Maitland Police Officer Andrew Moore was presented with an award for his efforts in identifying and apprehending impaired drivers on Aug. 8. Last year, he made 49 arrests of drivers who were driving while impaired on the city streets. He was responsible for individually making 30 percent of all arrests for DUI in 2010. His efforts were a significant contribution to the Maitland Police Department’s first-place finish in the Florida Department of Transportation Law Enforcement Challenge.

Also, Maitland Police Officer Kevin Plumlee was presented with an award in recognition of his efforts at educating and enforcing the safety belt law. Officer Plumlee has a passion for drivers to be as safe as possible when they drive. During the recent Statewide “Click it or Ticket” campaign Officer Plumlee issued 90 percent of all citations that were written in Maitland.

Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) and Goodwill Industries of Central Florida announced their first-ever partnership. Goodwill CEO Bill Oakley accepted at $91,481 grant check from HFUW that will be used to launch Money $ense, a financial literacy program designed to help improve the fiscal stability of Central Florida’s most vulnerable citizens. For details, visit www.hfuw.org

Maitland City Council on July 11 approved the long-term lease of the Art & History Museums’ two sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The approved lease provides for a 51-year term and an evergreen provision with the intent that the lease will automatically extend each year, so that the A&H will continually have a 51-year term with which to seek funding opportunities for future growth. There will be a lease-signing ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Maitland Art Center.

On Aug. 1, “The Old School Gator” host Roger Franklin Williams interviewed former Florida Gators Carlos Alvarez, John Reaves, Dr. Mac Steen and Dr. Larry Williamson. Nearly 100 fans crowded into Del Frisco’s Orlando to enjoy an event in which the four former teammates joked and reminisced with each other.

School news

Local residents recently graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design:

• Mary Disser of Winter Park earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion with a minor in advertising.

• Laura Hellinger of Winter Park earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interactive design and game development with a minor in graphic design.

The following local Kaplan University students were awarded degrees:

• Jennifer Amora of Winter Park was awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree in interdisciplinary studies.

• Jessica Powers of Winter Park was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration.

Ways to give back

A construction team from First United Methodist Church of Winter Park is going to Trenton, Georgia, from Aug. 19-22 to help needy families who lost their homes during tornadoes last April. Eighty percent of low-income housing was destroyed in the community, and many do not have insurance to repair or rebuild. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jensie Gobel at [email protected]

The first $10,000 raised through the Foundation’s Classrooms Supplies Campaign will be matched $1 for $1 by the state’s School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program to support low-income classrooms. More than 100,000 Orange County students are on the Free and Reduced Meal Program. Invest by visiting www.foundationforocps.org

A little more than 15 months ago, Robin Sanchez opened her heart and home to Reardon, a black Labrador-golden retriever mix. But this wasn’t just any spunky puppy: Reardon, who sports a bright yellow-and-blue harness, is training to be an assistance dog for those with physical disabilities. In recognition of this important contribution to the community, Holler Driver’s Mart honored Sanchez, Reardon and Canine Companions for Independence as Heroes during the July 23 Orlando Predators game.

Seniors First Inc. was recently awarded a $375,000 grant from Dr. Phillips Charities. The funds will be used to remodel Seniors First’s west office on L.B. McLeod Road. Since combining services with VNA/Community Care for the Elderly in 2009, the nonprofit has operated out of two locations. Following the renovation, the consolidation of staff under one roof will centralize services, create staffing efficiencies and save expenses.

If you wish to take part in the Winter Park Paint Out in 2012, send a letter of interest to [email protected] no later than Sept.15 in the following format:

·Provide an email explaining your interest in and commitment to the Winter Park Paint Out.

·Include an active link to your web site in the email. Your web site should contain examples of your recent plein air work.

·Attach a current resume that demonstrates past paint out experience and recent awards or achievements.

Business Briefs

NAI Realvest recently negotiated four lease agreements for a total of 20,834 square feet of industrial space at the Goldenrod CommerCenter. Tenants include Central Florida Indoor Sports Center, Green Planet Landscaping & Irrigation, Calderon Automotive Repair Services and Carl’s Tropical Tint. Goldenrod CommerCenter, located at 1460-1476 N. Goldenrod Road, is 90 percent leased.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, was recently awarded a contract to design interior improvements for the 5,000 square foot School of Rock in Oviedo.

SIKON Construction, with offices in Maitland, appointed Nicole Flier as manager of marketing and business development.

Mattamy Homes will host a showcase luncheon for Orlando area Realtors on Tuesday Aug. 30 at Tuscany Place on Millenia Boulevard.

Representatives of Holler Hyundai and the city of Winter Park opened the new VIP showroom building at the dealership that is designed to showcase the luxury Equus and Genesis vehicles and is staffed by specially trained product experts.

Rhodes+Brito Architects in Orlando was recently awarded a continuing services contract to provide architectural services for the city of Eatonville.

Beazer Homes has started presales of 157 single family homes it plans to build at Woodland Lakes Preserve, located off Curry Ford Road near Alafaya Trail in east Orlando.

Winston-James Development LLC recently leased 938 square feet of office space at the Aloma Business Center in Winter Park to Applied Behavior Center for Autism.

Forty-three Full Sail University graduates were involved in the creation of “Captain America: The First Avenger”, in roles ranging from lead character rigger and senior stereoscopic rotoscope artist to re-recording mix technician and digital effects supervisor.

Forbes ranked Rollins College first in Florida and 133 nationally among more than 650 undergraduate institutions in “America’s Top Colleges.” To view the full list, visit http://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list/