Community Bulletin and Business Briefs

In November the Center for Independent Living held its Stroll & Roll fundraising event at Lake Baldwin. CIL’s clients and advocates fundraise to support the nonprofit’s programs. Visit cilorlando.org

Disney’s harvest

Minnie Mouse joined Disney VoluntEARS recently to deliver bushels of green to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in the form of a $500,000 gift for the organization’s expansion. Disney also pledged 20,000 pounds of fresh produce during the next year as part of the commitment.

Record trot

Seniors First, a nonprofit social service organization dedicated to serving the needs of Central Florida’s elderly population, had yet another very successful Turkey Trot event this Thanksgiving. There were 5,589 registered participants — an increase of 271 people from last year’s trot.

Empowering families

Fifth Third Bank recently presented a $40,000 check to the Central Florida Urban League. The donation will be used to host a Financial Empowerment Summit and a housing counseling program on Jan. 28 for first-time homebuyers, small business owners and low- to moderate-income families.

JA awards

The following award winners were honored by Junior Achievement of Central Florida with Bronze Leadership Awards for providing superior leadership and outstanding support for Junior Achievement: Ronald Blocker, superintendent, Orange County Public Schools; Christine Callahan, accountant; and Michel Champagne, vice president of Operations/General Manager Bright House Networks.

Bella’s book

Bella Cucina Chef Isabella Morgia di Vicari was raised in her family's restaurant and says many of her life's golden lessons and teachings were instilled in the kitchen and around the dinner table. Her new book “What Can I Bring” is a recipe book that is steeped in the traditions of her Italian roots. Visit www.foodwithpassion.com

Dean’s listers

Bryan Rogers of Maitland and Sarah Ikegami of Winter Park have been named to the Dean's List at the Savannah College of Art and Design for fall quarter 2011.

Register to vote

Voter registration books will close on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 5 p.m., for the upcoming Jan. 31 election. Those who wish to participate in this election must be on the Orange County books before the cut-off date. Maitland residents may obtain Voter Registration Application Forms at the Maitland City Hall, 1776 Independence Lane. Call the Supervisor of Elections office at 407-836-2070.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Howard Axner and Syd Jackowitz, associated with Winter Park Land Commercial, represented the seller, Musa Realty Group, in the sale of Essex Manor, a 16-unit apartment project located at 813 Irma Ave., Orlando. The buyer, NAF DOF 01 LLC, was represented by Gordana Belsa, Silver Peacock Realty. The sales price was $1,275,000.

NAI Realvest recently completed two new lease agreements totaling 2,947 square feet at office facilities in Maitland.

A project designed by SchenkelShultz Architecture, Orlando, and design-build partner Turner Construction Company, Orlando, new $9.1 million Winter Park Community Center was designed to achieve LEED Silver certification from the United States Green Building Council.

The city of Winter Park was selected by the Orlando Business Journal as the winner of Central Florida's Healthiest Employers 2011 among organizations with 100-999 employees.

Rollins MBA at the Crummer Graduate School of Business announced that Jane Trnka has joined the Career Development Center as executive director.

Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, Engineers & Planners LLC, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently named Roberto Archila, PE, a new senior structural engineer, a project coordinator and a mechanical designer.

Mercantile Capital Corporation in Altamonte Springs will mark a record year of commercial loan transactions this year and will be in new offices in the Old Florida National Bank building at 60 N. Court St. in downtown Orlando this month.

Winter Park-based Handex Consulting & Remediation LLC, which specializes in petroleum-environmental cleanup services along the East Coast from New Jersey through Florida, was recently named to the Zweig Letter Hot Firm List for 2011.