Community Bulletin

Artists recognized at Sidewalk Art Festival

Three artists were recognized among 260 participants at the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival last weekend as thousands of art lovers visited Central Park to view their creations. Michael Paul Cole of Hannibal, Mo. took “Best of Show” for his photography piece “Cicadas Seventh Year Confession.” Cole earned a $10,000 purchase award. The “Art of Philanthropy Award” meanwhile went to Marius Moore of Gulfport for his photography titled “For the benefit of all sentient beings.” Metal-working artist Robert Farrell of Venice earned the “Award for a Distinguished Work of Art” with his piece “White Shed.”

FattMerchant wins “Shark Tank” competition

The Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business has announced FattMerchant as the 2015 winner of its annual Venture Plan Competition, Central Florida’s very own “Shark Tank” where start-ups battle for funding and mentorship before the region’s top entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. FattMerchant, a flat-rate subscription-based credit card processing service, went head to head with three other finalists on March 26 at Rollins College and took home $25,000 in prize money. By offering its clients access to the direct cost of interchange rates and removing surcharges, FattMerchant empowers the merchant services industry to save an average of 40 percent on processing fees. It was brought to market April 2014 and has been recently featured in Forbes, Fast Company and TechCrunch. FattMerchant will receive a $25,000 cash prize and the option for an additional $25,000 in equity funding as part of a newly formed partnership between Orlando-based venture capital firm venVelo and Rollins College. Together they have committed equity funding and cash prizes toward winners of the competition for the next four years. This unique partnership provides winners access to a large network of mentors to assist in the success of their business. Runners-up Nighthawk Running, Freedom Audio and Sipper Cocktails will take home $15,000, $7,500, and $2,500, respectively.

Maitland seeks participants for focus group

The city of Maitland Leisure Services Department invites residents, partner agency representatives, business community representatives, and parks users to participate in a focus group about Maitland’s recreational facilities, services and programs. Focus group participants will be asked to assess the extent to which Maitland’s recreational facilities and services meet the needs of the community. Similarly, participants also will be asked to comment on the community’s perception of needs for future facilities, amenities, services, and programs. The city will develop a master plan for its recreational facilities, programs, and services and it will apply focus group feedback to that plan. Focus group sessions will take place at various times in early April. A master plan public meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, April 8. from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Maitland Community Park.