Tails & Tales!

I like a Friday night with things to do!

And this past Friday night, there were two . . . and CLOSE together. I also like convenience. THAT is part of what LOCAL is all about.

We were driving down Park Avenue on our way to the events and noticed the big sign on what will be The Tiffany Deli's door announcing the party has been moved to the mall area adjacent, in back and around Simmons Jewelers. We drove further down and a big crowd was already waiting to get in. After we'd parked and come back around, it was even larger.

So, we hurried off down the street to the other gathering, the kick-off for Tails on the Town, to benefit the SPCA of Orange County. I bought out passes, which had us wandering between Doggie Door, Spice & Tea Exchange, 10,000 Villages, Scott Laurent Wearable Art, G R Bridges Jewelry, The Ancient Olive, Earth Inspired Living and Timothy's Gallery.

A few standouts here . . . . that dip at Spice & Tea Exchange, made with their Florida Sunshine spice blend and herb turkey was YUMMY! Kudos on that one, guys. I understand it's a Spice & Tea Exchange Winter Park special creation and it was delicious.

Kudos again to your hiring practices. We were shortly across to The Ancient Olive and I have to say Nick Brown is one you want to keep! Personable and knowledgeable, engaging and, well, he put up with me! I had him taking my microphone and giving me a narration of what he'd recommend for this and that and he didn't miss a beat!

Over at G R Bridges we met Jim Ireland and George Bridges. George is the owner of G R Bridges Jewelry and after checking out his facebook page since, I can tell you he has some LUVly pieces! We also came upon Jenny Adreasson (Editor WPM Observer) and Isaac Babcock (Writer / photographer of WPM Observer).

Also special note to Allan Semmler for enduring my "show me all the peacocks and owls" mantra at Earth Inspired Living. Yeah, I get to be a bit of a broken record sometimes, I guess, but I just like to know what might be new! Linda was off in Vegas -- we will not ask her to reveal any details, of course, I know that mantra -- but Allan was very accommodating and, well, I can never get enough of the wonderfully creative ways people recycle and repurpose. I LUV something that comes with a story.

Back down to The Tiffany Deli party, things had picked up. I'd forgotten I saw that Liz's / Bebe's was to be involved and a fashion show from the side stairs to the large lit tree behind the koi pond was now fully underway. That space worked quite well for that, except when going one side to the other. With the way the weather looked, though, way to improvise! I haven't heard when The Tiffany Deli will officially open, but I hope soon. I hear this and that about some antagonists to those efforts, but I'm sure they must be incorrect. I, for one, am very THANKFUL to Bobby for keeping the business in that spot LOCALLY owned and operated, unique.

Last act of the evening . . . . dinner at The Bistro in the Hidden Garden Courtyard off Park Avenue. I had their California Cobb salad and it was FIVE STARS! It truly was delicious! I may very well be back this week for another one of those!

A few other shout outs before I cease finger yapping . . . . I spoke on Saturday with Lynne Martin of Artistree Gifts in College Park. She and Artistree will be the focus on my column in this week's Winter Park Maitland Observer. It's a nice story and I hope I did it justice.

Stopped by to see Don & Lettie Sexton @ Downeast on Saturday also and tomorrow, via the LUV (Local Use Voucher) on ILUVWinterPark.com you can get some GREAT deals at Downeast, with basically the whole store 20% off for one day! ONE DAY only, so don't miss it.

Was out and about doing a man on the street sort of thing for the WPMO over the weekend also. So nice to meet new people and the subject of this one? Dogs! So even nicer!

One place I stopped at today was Winter Park Land Company. I'm just gonna say . . . Pam Stewart, you look mahvelous! :-)

Lastly . . . . come on people, consider . . . Giving A Dog A Home!

Meet Timmy! Holy bricks and Spanish moss this guy is a cutie! He looks like just the happiest little fur ball on earth! Read more about Timmy and all the dogs and cats looking for new furever homes on the website for Pet Rescue by Judy . . . . a Saint looking to find homes for animals I LUV! THANK YOU Judy Sarullo and crew for all you do! See more on Timmy here: http://www.petrescuebyjudy.com/animals/detail?AnimalID=4483296