LUV . . True LUV!

Not all dinners on Park Avenue are created equal. Some have fun surprises you’ll see no other nights. After drinks at the Bistro on Park Avenue this past Saturday evening we wandered down Park Avenue and had just settled in to order when I looked down the street and noticed what appeared a proposal. This had caught my attention easily because the proposer hadn’t just walked up . . . he’d ridden up on horseback. I saw him kneel before a woman on a bench and then in a bit I saw her get up and leave. I thought: Oh no! She said NO! One of our dinner companions, Valerie Reeves, and I couldn’t stand it so off we went to find out just what was going on. As it turns out, it wasn’t a proposal, but a RE-proposal after 40 years of marriage. Mr. Romantic is John O’Brien and he was proposing once again to his wife, Sally Kilgore O’Brien. It was an unexpected sight and turned out to be one of the true highlights of our evening. Congrats, AGAIN, John & Sally!

Okay . . . I’m going to say something some people will know to be obvious, BUT, LOTS of people talk about wanting to provide an opinion to different efforts – city, state, group, club, WHATEVER – but when invitations to provide such are officially introduced . . . . crickets. I’m HOPING that is going to be a little – if not a lot – different with some things going forward. If you see me ASK for input, ASK for opinions, ASK for contributions, BELIEVE ME, I want them. So, here I go. You may or may not be familiar with a term I’ve coined: Parkpreneur. In general, a Parkpreneur can be any person or group which helps in keeping the Winter Park area the unique and interesting community we all enjoy calling home. Business owner, volunteer, Local activist or original character, etc. etc. this is a community which has many and I’d like to start shining a bit of a spotlight on them. But I’m not going to do it. YOU are.

Today I was reminded by the LUVly Editor of the Observer that I continue to exceed the word count she stipulated from the outset back in May. I pleaded Southerner, but that apparently no longer works. (Hey, I’m a chatter box . . . . once voted QUIETEST in my sixth grade class, I set out to change that and, maybe more than anything else I’ve done in my life, I did a dang good job! Holy bricks and Spanish moss! Yep, now it’s hard to shut me up.) But once I got over the reprimand, after I’d accused her of trying to put me on Ritalin and would be responsible for me sitting in a corner looking dejected and drooling . . . l thought: Ah, opportunity. For she said that I could STILL go longer ON-LINE. So, I thought, maybe that’s also the opportunity to also start spotlighting our Local wealth of Parkpreneurs!

YES. I believe so. So, here’s what I’m looking for . . . . a name. Identify a Parkpreneur you’d like to spotlight, then in less than 100 words (I’ll bend a bit, as I’ve already confessed to being wordy) tell me WHY he / she / they are being recognized. Send me a pic or a logo if you have one – and please try – and I’m going to start including those grateful profiles in with the on-line version of the column each week. Our community is better, more interesting, more fun and delightful to call home because of such people. This is YOUR chance to put a worthy spotlight on them, share what everyone else may not be aware of, may not realize. It’s up to you. PARTICIPATE . . . I am officially asking! 

Today on ILUVWinterPark.com I spotlighted some ‘Back to School’ deals from The Little Green Spa, located Locally on Lee Road, close to 17/92. I so wanted to call these ‘Back to Spoil’ because, well, from the moms & dads I know, I realize that the return of a new school year means the schedules get more hectic . . . . so, why not take a moment now to just immerse yourself in total relaxful bliss and then make a point to remember it every time in the future when you’re late for a pickup, the kids don’t want to get out of bed, and the like. YES, spoil yourself now before time becomes that much more scarce! Call them at (407) 254-0010 and see the accompanying graphics for specials.

I got a new invitation over the weekend for a new wine walk event at the Winter Park Village. It’s called ‘Toast: Winter Park Village’ and I believe this must be a first go of this for them. I was happy to see the hours: 6 til 10! No sprinting involved and if you work for a living, time to easily commute and then plenty of time to go from stop to stop. Cost is $20 before, $25 night of, and tickets can be bought here: http://toastwinterparkvillage-efbevent.eventbrite.com/.

I’m also planning to participate in a get-together of Winter Park High School alumni at Dexter’s in Hannibal Square the evening of Friday, August 24. I was told I could mention it here . . . and so I am. From what I’ve seen on facebook, I think these guys are already in a partying mood, so I’m going to say Dexter’s is going to be a fun – and maybe crowded – place to be that evening. Though I did not attend Winter Park High School, I’m going to be looking for interesting people who did and have stories to share for my column the following week. Looking forward to meeting some wild Wildcats that evening!

One week from today we attempt to take ‘TOTALLY LOCAL TUESDAY’ from week to week. If you’re a business who wishes to participate, contact me at [email protected], on facebook (ILUV WinterPark), Twitter (@ILUVWinterPark). I have on-line signs you can print, but will also be rolling out pieces you can order from a Local printer I recently got quotes from. This is all about Local businesses promoting LOCAL BUSINESS. In the end, it’s about each business telling their customers – via social networking or when they are in your store – about the benefits of supporting Local businesses. It’s so true. Let’s do it!

Later this week I’ll have some updates on the progress of LUVMyRate.com and Nuvo Company on the Local credit card processing option. I’m thrilled to say things are going well . . . but slower than I like because of the difficulty large banks especially put in your way when you decide to go Local. There are some terrific benefits for doing so, INCLUDING your lowest rate GUARANTEED! And, if all goes well, by Christmas, something unlike anything you’ve seen anyone else do anywhere. I’m already anticipating Local businesses saying . . . ‘Hey, how do I get in on this?’ Well, the answer is let me provide you a comparison now to show you just how much we will save you and THEN, when we roll out a way to go truly Local like no one else . . . you’ll already be on board and ready to benefit!

Lastly . . . as you may have noticed, I try to have a Local benefit in everything I do and my favorite among them is benefitting animals. I have a new credit card processing customer I’m hoping will be on board soon who’s going to take this to new, Local and very interesting levels, but the most common and frequent way is with ‘Give A Dog A Home’, here on the WPMO blog.

Tonight’s ‘Give A Dog A Home’ is focused on Boomer from Pet Rescue by Judy. He was actually adopted through them a few years ago, but the family moved and dropped him off at animal services, who then called PRBJ. (Believe me, there is much I am now holding back in an attempt to be G, family-acceptable. If you hear BLEEPS, that’s about right.) He’s such a cutie and now looking for his true furever home. Check him and other animals now available at the Pet Rescue by Judy website. There are lots of sad stories out there and you can provide a significant positive change for one of them. (OR more!)

Til next time . . . holy bricks and Spanish moss . . . I’m wordy as usual! Please by beat me, Miss Jenny! ;-)