GREAT . . . . Everything's GREAT!

Last night's Winter Park Chamber of Commerce 'Business After Hours' event was a HUGE success! It was a BIG crowd, and I heard maybe one of their biggest. From what I saw, heard and TASTED, the new modifications at the Bistro on Park Avenue were all enjoyed, including the new oyster bar in back. Raw oysters, as well as some of their new authentic German dishes featured each Tuesday and Wednesday, were among the dishes served and that back space is simply amazing. It's like they added on to the restaurant! If you haven't been in you need to schedule a time. And if you were there last night, watch their facebook page for forthcoming photos. If you find yourself, tag yourself and then come in over the next week and a half to receive 10% off your check! Starting in August there will be yet another addition to the Bistro, as they open a gift shop upstairs!

Today on ILUVWinterPark.com I had a great deal to the Bagel King! Nothing to buy online, just a LUV (Local Use Voucher) to take in to receive $5 off any order $10 or more! There are THREE Bagel King restaurants in our immediate area and it is a LOCALLY owned and operated family business! So, print your LUV (http://iluvwinterpark.com/voucher.cfm?id=70) and use it at their restaurants in Maitland (on North Maitland Avenue), Casselberry (on Semoran in the Publix / TJ Maxx strip center) and Winter Park (on Lakemont). See more info here: www.bagelking.net. I was thinking all week that traffic around Winter Park was going to be a nightmare today so I'd made plans to do errands and such, ended up keeping that plan. So, I used a LUV myself today for a roast beef bagel sandwich and potato salad and it was D-LISH!!!

And, don't forget . . . . tonight until 9 o'clock ONLY . . . get 20% OFF when booking future accommodations at Thurston House in Maitland. Thurston House Bed & Breakfast in Maitland is celebrating its 20 year anniversary by offering LOCAL residents the opportunity to book rooms through tonight at 9 o'clock for 20% OFF! Have relatives or friends coming for a visit, need a bit of a getaway yourself, just ready to lock in some extra space for the holidays? Purchase in any amount, maximum order $500. Call now for this fantastic deal - #407-539-1911 / 800-843-2721, see more info and the awesome accommodations at their website (www.thurstonhouse.com) or facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/ThurstonHousebb). Offer good through tonight at @ 9 p.m. ONLY!

Tomorrow is our ice cream social / East India Ice Cream revisited get together at Briarpatch! At present, looks like we have 15+ committed to come, but also LOTS of maybes . . . . including Orlando's top blogger, Thomas 'Thor' Thorspecken. I'm trying to move that from a maybe to a definite YES! If you're not familiar with Thor's work, you are missing out. Since 2009 he's been doing an original new sketch EVERY DAY of the year! Back in March when I was doing 'The Attic' at Downeast, I organized a live art demonstration during the Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival, kicking it off with Thor. Each artist created a new piece from the three French doors at the front of the upstairs at Downeast. His work is amazing, wonderful, easy, beautiful. Thor, join us tomorrow and do your sketch for all to watch! :-) Okay, I won't beg any more!

If you're going to be around tomorrow, consider shopping among the shops on North Park Avenue taking part in 'Tails on the Town', benefiting the SPCA of Central Florida. Tomorrow 8 businesses participating in Tails on the Town will donate 10% of sales to the SPCA of Central Florida! Buy your $10 Tails on the Town coupon at The Doggie Door and save at 26 participating Winter Park businesses for the rest of July and August. Come out to Winter Park Saturday and visit SPCA tables posted up and down Park Avenue and at the Farmer's Market. Buy your Tails on the Town coupon, pick up a special card, have it initialed by all 8 participating businesses and be eligible to win a great raffle basket! Businesses donating are DOGGone Gourmet Treats, Earth Inspired Living, The Spice and Tea Exchange, Ten Thousand Villages, Wearable Art by Scott Laurent, The Ancient Olive, The Doggie Door and Devane's. You can also buy a coupon at The Doggie Door or https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TicketingWelcome.aspx?EventID=93947&LangPref=en-CA&Referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.e2rm.com%2FEventSummary.aspx.

And, while we're talking about dogs, come join us for Bark at the Park night for the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs vs the Sanford River Rats on tomorrow evening, Saturday, July 21, at 6 o'clock. These teams are in a semi-professional league that features the most talented of the college players that are expected to be drafted to the big leagues. There will be contests and prizes during the game too! The event drew the largest crowd of the season last year, over 600 spectators and their dogs. Tickets are adults 13 to 59 $5.00, adults 60+ $3.00, military with ID $3.00, children 7 to 12 $3.00 and children under 7 are free. It's going to be a FUN time . . . . some come out and bring your fur-kids!

Lastly, still on the dog front, give an Aggie a Home! Aggie is today's Give A Dog A Home pup from Pet Rescue by Judy. Aggie LUVs to play. She likes balls, chew toys, and rope toys best. She is doing well on housetraining, and is crate trained already. She gets along great with kids, cats, and other dogs. She's a typical puppy who loves to chew on everything, but easily redirected when she gets a hold of a Barbie or a sock. She's being worked with for walking on a leash, as well as "sit" and "stay." She LUVs to be with people and is friendly and LUVing, showing no fear or aggression to people, toys, or food. I think she'll be a very loyal, LUVing pet for anyone who adopts her. See more info on Aggie and all the other animals looking for their furever homes on the website for Pet Rescue by Judy.