Community Bulletin and Business Briefs

Tracy Nelson of Winter Park is one of only 98 young women who attended the 65th American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation in Washington, D.C., July 23-30. Two outstanding citizens, known as “senators,” are selected at the 49 Girls State sessions held across the country to represent their state at Girls Nation. After running for office, electing a mock U.S. Girls Nation President and campaigning for the passage of mock legislation, the participants met with real national government leaders. The highlight of the week includes a visit to the White House. Visit ALAforVeterans.org

On July 14, Full Sail University was the host location for the production of ESPN’s Monday Night Football show opening featuring award-winning country superstar Hank Williams Jr., performing his hit song “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Monday Night.”

The Bar Method Winter Park hosted a grand opening celebration on July 25 in the Winter Park Village. The studio owner is Karen Moreno, a former dancer and cheerleader at UCF. Visit orlando-winterpark.barmethod.com

On July 24, children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House on the campus of Florida Hospital for Children were treated to a meet-and-greet with two performers from the most recent season of “American Idol,” Hayley Reinhart and Jacob Lusk.

Spring Arbor University is pleased to announce that Christianne Squires from Winter Park was granted an M.A. in Spiritual Form and Leadership.

The Gardens at DePugh — a rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility — recently received a $35,000 grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation for technology upgrades to residents’ rooms, including flat screen televisions.

Junior Achievement of Central Florida recently completed its 28th annual Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser. Nearly 10,000 employees from 80 companies raised $765,000 to help JA provide economic programs to 77,000 students in local schools.

Sniffing Snouts, Winter Park, has joined other animal welfare organizations in the area that list their homeless pets on Petfinder.com, the oldest and largest database of adoptable animals on the Internet. Visit petfinder.com/shelters/FL1067

Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Week is looking for contestants in the HPAFW Emerging Designer Contest. Contestants must submit three to five finished looks plus photos or sketches of additional designs to form a 10-look collection by Aug. 29. Visit parkavenufashionweek.com

Ways to give back

Host a high school foreign exchange student in August. Contact Betsy at 321-277-7198 or visit afsusa.org

Run or walk a half marathon with Team Challenge Central Florida at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon in December. Contact Lindsey at [email protected] or 646-875-2079 to RSVP. Visit ccteamchallenge.org

Cornerstone Hospice is experiencing an increase in the number of veterans that are receiving its hospice services. If you are a veteran and are interested in spending quality time with terminally ill veterans, contact [email protected] or call 407-304-2604.

Business Briefs

A custom home by Phil Kean Designs Inc. of Winter Park captured the Golden Aurora Award in the 2011 Aurora Awards design competition presented at the 33rd annual Southeast Building Conference. Phil Kean Designs partnered with CRT Studio, Inc. and Cabinetry Creations to produce the 4,728-square-foot, $3 million luxury home in Winter Park that a team of independent judges deemed the best of more than 200 entries.

Winter Park-based La Familia Pawn opened its 18th and 19th stores: one at 1819 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, and the other at 1555 Pleasant Hill Road, Kissimmee.

The Chronicle of Higher Education recently named Rollins College in its “2011 Great Colleges to Work For” list. It’s the third consecutive year that Rollins was recognized.

Ronald R. Burns, DO, of Winter Park was recently re-elected to serve on the American Osteopathic Association’s Board of Trustees.

Fueled by five existing home transactions of more than $1 million, Fannie Hillman and Associates posted a total of 116 second-quarter closings for just more than $39.3 million.

Shaw Mechanical Services of Orlando signed a $3 million contract with PPI Construction Management, Inc. to provide and install new HVAC systems at Westridge Middle School in Orlando.

Masterpiece Design Group has promoted longtime marketing executive and homebuilder liaison Marilyn Anderson to vice president.