Baldwin Park Community Update

On behalf of all Baldwin Park businesses, we would like to wish all of you a happy New Year. Baldwin Park kicks off this New Year with several exciting events.

On Jan. 19, Jack's Steakhouse is hosting the Cystic Fibrosis Food & Wine Festival Ticket Party. Starting at 6 p.m., many eager volunteers will enjoy one free glass of wine and appetizers just for signing up as a ticket captain. The captains will then sell tickets to the Food & Wine Festival taking place at Baldwin Park on Saturday, Mar. 6. For more information on the event, please visit www.cff.org/Chapters/orlando/ChapterEvents and click on "2010 Food and Wine Festival."

On Jan. 27, New Broad Street Realty is hosting the Rotary International. All neighbors are encouraged to attend this one-hour informational meeting led by Baldwin Park Resident Marilen Marnett. Marilen has been a member of a unique Internet-based Rotary club concept which was launched three years ago specifically for the X and Y generations.

"Being an involved resident of this community and knowing how Rotary exists to improve communities with its wide range of humanitarian, intercultural and educational activities has made me step up to the challenge of opening up a club in Baldwin Park." If you are interest in attending, please RSVP at [email protected] .

If you think you can compete with the best chili cooks around, or if you simply want to come out and enjoy some great chili, Baldwin Park is your destination. The first Orlando Chili Cook-off at Baldwin Park is a fun way to showcase Central Florida's best amateur and seasoned chefs. It is also an event that will bring the community together for a great time and for a great cause. The cook-off will take place on Saturday, Jan. 30 on the lawn across from Baldwin Park's Grace Hopper Hall. Gates open at noon. Proceeds will support Special Olympics of Florida (specialolympicsflorida.org ). The cook-off will have something for all ages, including live music, chili samples, adult beverages and a kids' fun zone — everything needed for the entire family to enjoy. Visit orlandochilicookoff.com for more details.

For more activity and community support, come out to walk Lake Baldwin on Saturday, Feb. 6 in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The Central Florida Chapter (afsp.org/cfl) is hosting its 3rd Annual 5k Walk Around Baldwin Park. For more information, to register and to donate visit outofthedarkness.org .

As we approach spring, the Baldwin Park Merchants Association will keep you posted on more exciting developments. You can always keep up to date by visiting baldwinparknetwork.com