Calendar of events

FRIDAY

On Friday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m., more than 100 people will take part in Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s “Portraits of Hunger” competition showcase party at Enzian’s Eden Bar, 1300 S. Orlando Ave. The event is free and open to the public. Portraits of Hunger started in 2006 as a way to engage the community in bringing visibility to the invisible problem of hunger and the solutions. Through this event, photographers of all abilities have gone out into their community to capture images that tell the story of hunger in Central Florida. The winner of the photography contest will be announced along with a display of all photo entries at the showcase party. The winning photo will be displayed at Enzian Theater for one month.

The 35th Annual Maitland Rotary Art Festival “Art Under The Stars,” presented by the Maitland Rotary, will take place at Lake Lily Park daily from Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Admission is free. For more information, visit MaitlandRotaryArtFestival.com

SATURDAY

Winter Park’s new 38,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Community Center located on 721 W. New England Ave. will be open to the public for an interactive open house on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As part of the city’s sustainability initiative, the center was specifically designed to be more energy efficient, conserve water and improve indoor air quality for visitors and guests, making it the city’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified green building.

The grand opening of NRG-Dance Studios LLC in the Winter Park Community Center will also be on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit NRG-DanceStudios.weebly.com for class information and studio details.

The German-American Society’s Annual Oktoberfest celebrations are from 2 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Oct. 1, and Saturday, Oct. 22, at 381 Orange Lane in Casselberry. Admission is $5 and children 12 and younger are free. There will be German beer on tap, authentic German cuisine and desserts, and live bands and dance performances. Call 407-834-0574 for more information.

SUNDAY

The American Legion, Winter Park Memorial Post 112, 4490 N. Goldenrod Road, will host a formal commissioning ceremony of its Centurion Battalion, United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps Unit, on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m. The Centurion Battalion currently has more than 50 Central Florida young adults enrolled as members. A number of American Legion and Naval Sea Cadet Corps VIP's are scheduled to attend and participate, including, but not limited to: Vice Admiral Al Harms, USN (ret); LCDR June Tillett, USNSCC Regional Director for Sea Cadets; Lt Doyle, USCG; and Post 112 Commander, Richard (Dick) Padgett.

The Central Florida Watercolor Society will hold its next monthly meeting on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 1:30 p.m. in the Marvel Building at the Art and History Museums Maitland, 231 W. Packwood Ave. The meeting’s program will feature a demonstration titled “Drawing and Painting a Portrait from a Live Model,” by member-artist Bob Hague. The meeting is free and open to the public. Visit CentralFloridaWaterColor.org

Explore the hot topics and headlines of the day with two of the most incisive and provocative voices of our time, Eliot Spitzer and Alan Dershowitz. "A Turning point for the Middle East and the World" will be broadcast on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 6:45 p.m. at Congregation Ohev Shalom, 600 Concourse Parkway S. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

MONDAY

On Monday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. the University Club of Winter Park will be hosting a one-hour line dance lesson, followed by a practice session, for a donation of $5 to the instructor. Come alone or with a partner. Open to the public. Call 407-644-6149 or visit UniversityClubWinterPark.org

On Monday, Oct. 3, the Orlando Philharmonic presents orchestral arrangements of folk songs, dances, ballet music and more in “The Great Arrangers”, the first concert of the 2011-2012 Focus Series. Featuring the rich, robust vocals of baritone James Brown III, who lends his voice to Aaron Copland’s “Old American Songs,” the program also includes works by Stravinsky, Bartok, Holst, Respighi, Still and Vaughan Williams, all under the direction of Orlando Philharmonic Music Director Christopher Wilkins. The concert takes place at 7 p.m. in the Margeson Theater at Lowndes Shakespeare Center, 812 E Rollins St. For tickets or to learn more, call 407-770-0071 or visit OrlandoPhil.org

TUESDAY

The Tarflower Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave. Catherine Bowman, botanist, and Marc Godts, owner of Green Isle Gardens Native Plant Nursery, will discuss "Native Landscaping for Dry Shade". This program is free and the public is cordially invited.

“Experience Peace & Balance in the Gardens: Meditation & Tai Chi Qi Gong”:

Six sessions of Meditation and six sessions of Tai Chi Qi Gong will be offered every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. from Oct 4. to Nov. 8 in The Polasek gardens. All sessions will be held rain or shine. Pre-registration is required. Class sizes limited. For more information call 407-647-6294 or email [email protected]

WEDNESDAY

Mark your calendars for exciting trivial pursuit games on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Oct. 5 and Oct. 19) from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at University Club of Winter Park. Bring your friends and form your own team of four or five players or join other teams who are eager for new players. Your hosts, Charles Kulmann or Mike Anderson, bring new topical questions to each event, plus occasional surprises for the winners. Wines and snacks are provided. The event is free. Call 407-810-3611 or email [email protected]

OCT. 6

The Orange County Retired Educators Association will meet Thursday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m. at College Park United Methodist Church, 644 W. Princeton St. Valerie Mardle will present a program on "A Gift for Teaching." Visit ocrea-fl.org or call 407-677-0446. Anyone who has worked in education is invited to join.

The opening of the Learning & Cultural Center at the Maitland Public Library is 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at 501 S. Maitland Ave. Dress is casual business attire. RSVP to Sean at 407-647-7700.

ONGOING

The Winter Park Farmers’ Market is every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the old train depot, 200 W. New England Ave. Visit cityofwinterpark.org

The Maitland Farmers’ Market is every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lake Lily Park. Visit itsmymatiland.com or call 407-539-6268.

Food Truck Café is every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Lake Lily Park in Maitland.

Orange Audubon Society sponsors Saturday Bird Walks at Mead Botanical Garden through Oct. 29. The walks begin at 8 a.m. Call Dick Smith at 407-257-7361.

“Music at the Casa” is a free weekly Sunday open house featuring live performances and tours of the historic Casa Feliz, 656 N. Park Ave. Visit CasaFeliz.us or call 407-628-8200 ext. 3.

“Mid-Century: A Photographic View of Three African-American Communities in Florida” is at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center through Dec. 30. Visit HannibalSquareHeritageCenter.org

Ballroom Dancing Lessons are every Monday night at 7 p.m. at the University Club of Winter Park, 841 N. Park Ave. Call 407-644-6149.

The Florida Artist Group Exhibition runs through Nov. 6 in the Maitland Art Center Gallery, 231 W. Packwood Ave. and in the Germaine Marvel Building, located 210 W. Packwood Ave. (across the street from the Center). Gallery hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for seniors (55 & older) and children (4-18 years). A&H members and children (3 & under) are free.

“Darker Shades of Red: Soviet Propaganda from the Cold War” will be on exhibition at the Albin Polasek Museum through Jan. 8. The pieces on exhibit are drawn from the private collection of Gary Hollingsworth, an Orlando-based art restorer who traveled extensively in the former Soviet Union. Call 407-647-6294 or visit www.polasek.org

In an effort to make flu shots more accessible at convenient locations this fall, the city of Winter Park Fire-Rescue Department will be offering seasonal flu shots at their upcoming “Flu Shot Fridays.” Clinics will enable citizens to obtain quick and affordable influenza vaccines administered by licensed, insured professionals. The influenza vaccine is the common flu vaccine, which the National Center for Disease Control recommends once a year. “Flu Shot Fridays” will take place on Friday, Oct. 7, through November, from 8 a.m. to noon at Station 62, 300 S. Lakemont Ave., and Saturday, Oct. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market, 200 W. New England Ave. For additional information on these clinics, call 407-599-3613.

The Adult Literacy League, the premier provider of literacy services and information in Central Florida, is now offering free classes to adult learners who are eager to learn how to manage money, find a job and retain employment. The classes are funded through the Heart of Florida United Way’s Improving Financial Stability program. Known as L.I.F.E. — Linking Information For Employment — this workforce development class helps individuals improve their computer skills and teaches them how to conduct a job search, complete applications and develop interviewing skills and strategies. This class is held on Thursdays from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Adult Literacy League Office, 345 W. Michigan St., Suite 100, Orlando. The More for the Money class is held at the League on Saturdays from 12:30-2 p.m. For more information, call Paola Lopez at 407-422-1540.

FAMILY CALENDAR

Bring the whole family and enjoy carnival games, giant inflatables, rides, music, face painting, contests, food and more at Orangewood Christian School’s annual community family fun day, Friday, Sept. 30, from 3-8 p.m. at 1300 W. Maitland Blvd. For details, call 407-339-0223 or visit www.orangewoodchristian.org

The Test the Waters Fishing Tournament is Saturday, Oct. 1, from 8-11 a.m., at Lake Island Park located at 455 S. Denning Drive. Children of all ages are invited to participate. Bait, fishing poles and snacks will be provided. The city’s Parks & Recreation Department also guarantees that everyone will take home a fish. For more information, call 407-599-3203 or visit www.cityofwinterpark.org

Parenting magazine invites the whole family out to the Winter Park Village on Saturday, Oct. 1, for an exciting day of health and fitness at the Parenting’s Fit Generation 5K Run/Walk and Family Festival. The festivities will kick off at 8 a.m. with a chip-timed 5K race through the streets of downtown Winter Park for serious runners, while those with little ones can participate on the same course at 8:05 a.m. for the un-timed 5K Stroller Roll. The final races of the day will be held on a special course within the Winter Park Village at 9 a.m. for a Kids Fun Run and Diaper Dash for toddlers.

Post-race festivities wrap up at noon. Visit FitGeneration.com

The Juilliard School will be offering a special presentation for prospective students and families in Central Florida, titled “Juilliard in Orlando”. Representatives from dance, drama and music admissions will offer a program about applying and auditioning for Juilliard, followed by a question-and-answer session, on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 6-8 p.m. at Edgewater High School, 3100 Edgewater Drive, Orlando. Pre-registration is available at www.juilliard.edu

UpStander Day, a day designed to make Central Florida aware of bullying, will be on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 3-5 p.m. at Lake Eola. For more information, visit www.holocaustedu.org

Trinity Preparatory School will hold open houses on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 9:30-11 a.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 12-1:30 p.m. at 5700 Trinity Prep Lane, Winter Park. RSVP at www.trinityprep.org/join-us or call 321.282.2515.

4Rivers Smokehouse, 2103 W. Fairbanks Ave., has kicked off its giveback program for football season. Each school has a sandwich — Edgewater High has the “Screaming Eagle” and Winter Park High has the “Wildcat.” 4R will donate 10 percent of these sales through Oct. 31.

The Maitland Public Library, 501 S. Maitland Ave., has bedtime stories for all ages at 6 p.m. every Monday. Preschool story time is 10:30 a.m. every Tuesday. Infant and toddler story time is at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. Call 407-647-7700.

Maitland youth basketball preseason practice starts in early November with games beginning in December. Boys and girls of all levels are welcome. Coaches are needed. Limited scholarships are available. Call 407-539-2830.

Movie in the Park featuring “Tangled” is 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Quinn Strong Park in Maitland. Bring your blankets and chairs and the city will bring you the stars. Visit itsmymaitland.com for more information.

Popcorn Flicks in Central Park featuring "The Fly" will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 8-10 p.m. The event is presented by the city of Winter Park and Enzian Theater. Bring a blanket or chair to enjoy the movie under the stars in Central Park. Free popcorn will be provided for everyone. Rain date will be Oct. 27. Contact 407-629-0054 or visit www.enzian.org for more information.

St. Mary Magdalen Church, 861 Maitland Ave., presents CommunityFest 2011, "Come On And Safari With Us!" on Oct. 21-23. CommunityFest features non-stop live entertainment, a 21-booth international food court, midway rides and games for all ages, and a spectacular super raffle. The super raffle grand prize this year is a 2012 Ford Fiesta or $15,000 in cash. The opening parade will be at 6 p.m. on Friday night followed by the traditional opening ceremonies for the festival. For more information, visit www.stmarymagdalen.org and click on the CommunityFest link on the home page.

Movie in the Park featuring “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” is 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at Quinn Strong Park in Maitland. Bring your blankets and chairs and the city will bring you the stars. Visit itsmymaitland.com for more information.

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