Winter Park City Talk

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and were able to ring in the New Year safely. The city of Winter Park is looking forward to 2014, and already hustling with excitement and activity.

Qualifying for City Commission seats 1 and 2

The city of Winter Park will hold its municipal General Election for City Commission seats 1 and 2 on Tuesday, March 11. The qualifying period for interested candidates began Monday, Dec. 30, and runs through Tuesday, Jan. 7, at noon. If there are more than two candidates running for a seat, the Primary Election will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Qualifying papers and other information regarding the election must be obtained from the city clerk by calling 407-599-3277. Everything must be completed and submitted in its entirety to the city clerk before the qualifying period end, no later than noon, Tuesday, Jan. 7.

For more information, call the city clerk at 407-599-3277, visit cityofwinterpark.org/elections or click the Election Button on the homepage of the city’s website.

Last few days to ice skate!

The last day to skate at the city’s “Winter in the Park” ice skating rink is Sunday, Jan. 5. If you haven’t already taken a spin on the ice, there’s only a few days left! Come bring your friends and family to experience some cool fun before it’s all over. Open daily Monday through Thursday, from 3 to 9 p.m.; Friday, 3 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. until Sunday, Jan. 5. For more freezing information, please call 407-599-3203 or skate onto our blustery website at cityofwinterpark.org/WITP

Save the date for the State of the City Luncheon

Save the Date! The 2014 Winter Park State of the City Luncheon is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 17, at 11:30 a.m. at The Alfond Inn. It will feature the city’s Employees of the Year and Mayor Ken Bradley’s annual State of the City Address. For more information, please call the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce at 407-644-8281, or purchase tickets on their website at winterpark.org

Dinner on the Avenue tables on sale Jan. 6

The 13th annual Dinner on the Avenue will be held Saturday, April 12, from 6 to 10 p.m. Hosted by the city, this unique, fun-filled dining experience has become the social event of the year. Tables go on sale Monday, Jan. 6, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Winter Park Community Center located at 721 W. New England Ave.

Gather a table of friends, family, co-workers or neighbors to dine under the stars on beautiful Park Avenue. Tables of eight are available for just $100 each. Only the table, white linen tablecloth and chairs are provided - everything else is up to you. Get creative with table set-up and let your appetites decide whether you bring your own potluck dinner or hire a local caterer to satisfy your palate.

Creativity is encouraged and each group is challenged to develop its own unique look and individual décor. Awards will be presented to winners in various categories including most colorful, most elegant, most original, best TV/movie-themed and honorable mentions. The judging will begin at 7 p.m. sharp, and awards will be presented once the judges have announced the winners.

For more information regarding this unique dining experience, please visit cityofwinterpark.org/dinnerontheavenue or call 407-643-1613.

Recycle: gift-wrapping and Christmas trees

Holiday wrapping paper and gift boxes can be recycled with the exception of foil and flocked papers. Please, however, pitch any packing materials such as plastic bubbles and Styrofoam peanuts into your regular garbage cart. Be sure to bag first, especially those flyaway Styrofoam peanuts.

Cut your Christmas tree in 4-foot lengths the place curbside for yard waste pickup on your regular yard waste pick-up day. Be sure to remove all lights and decorations first!

Unity Heritage Festival

The city of Winter Park is proud to present the annual Unity Heritage Festival Sunday, Jan. 19, and Monday, Jan. 20. The annual community festival will promote family history and raise funds for the Educational Fulfillment Fund for local economically disadvantaged youth. The festival begins Sunday, Jan. 19, in Shady Park in Hannibal Square located at the intersection of Pennsylvania and New England avenues, from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Patrons are also encouraged to visit the Hannibal Square Heritage Center just across the street from Shady Park. The center pays tribute to the past, present and future contributions of Winter Park’s historic African-American community.

The heritage festival continues in Shady Park on Martin Luther King Jr. Day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Join Winter Park city officials at 10 a.m. for a special Martin Luther King Jr. symbolic program, including the Feature Family Presentation. Exciting events and activities will continue throughout the day including food and music.

For more information regarding the 12th annual Unity Heritage Festival, please call 407-599-3275.

Walk more, bike more - stay safe on the road

As we all become more focused on our New Year’s resolutions and look for ways to burn off those extra calories, here are some helpful tips for you as you hit the bicycle trails in Winter Park:

All trail users

• Show courtesy to other trail users at all times

• Use the right side of the trail except when otherwise designated

• Respect the rights of property owners

• Keep dogs on-leash and remove pet feces from trail

Bicyclists

• You are responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle

• Yield to pedestrians

• Give audible warning when passing pedestrians or other bicyclists

• Ride at a safe speed. Slow down during congested conditions, reduced visibility, and other hazardous conditions

Pedestrians

• Stay to the right side of the trail except when otherwise designated.

• Watch for other trail users

• Be especially alert when running

• Listen for audible signals and allow faster trail users to pass safely

For maps on the best trails in Winter Park, the city offers Cycling Guide Maps online that show bike lanes, shared-use paths, and streets commonly used by cyclists. Visit cityofwinterpark.org under Residents > Walking.

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