The Irish fever hits Florida next month and the City of Winter Park, Fl, is once more proud to present the 31st annual Winter Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade, taking place on the 7th of March at 2 in the afternoon, here at our very own Winter Park. It’s worth noting that this St. Patrick’s Day parade is the only recognized parade in the Central Florida area, so you can’t afford not to take part in it. The parade kicks off at the Winter Park Country Club, passes through Park Avenue, and then over to City Hall. Over 75 units are expected to participate in this year’s parade, making it one of the most jam-packed ever.

But that’s not all. As a tribute to the Irish, the celebrations will feature Irish music accompanied with step-dancing in the city’s Central Park. Indeed, this is one party you shouldn’t miss.

Of course, such a large event of this kind would not be possible without the help of sponsors. Special thanks goes to the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency, the Schenck Company, and Fiddler’s Green Irish Pub and Eatery.

For details and information on the parade, logon to www.cityofwinterpark.org. You can also call 407-694-8228 for inquiries and the like.

Earlier this month the Winter Park Police Department (WPPD) was pleased to receive its re-accreditation status from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. (CFA) – the state’s respected authority in charge of accrediting local police agencies that meet their 250 stringent standard points. Each law enforcement group has a specific set of standards outlined by the CFA that’s exclusively designed for them.

According to Bob Merchant, CFA’s Commissiner and Police Chief of the Altamonte Springs Police Department, receiving the commission’s recognition is a mark of a law enforcement agency that puts the utmost importance in serving the interests of the community above all else. The long-time police officer spoke about the importance of accreditation at a City Commission Meeting held in Winter Park on the 8th of February.

The WPDD first received accreditation in 2000, and received the status twice more in 2003 and 2006. December of last year marked the end of the designation, during the period, a team of law enforcement reviewers from other agencies in Florida came to Winter Park to asses the competence and work ethic of the city’s police force.

With the WPDD’s re-accreditation, we think it’s pretty safe to say that they passed with flying colors.

Residents from the City of Winter Park, Fl, have a reason to celebrate after the Department of Homeland Security lent some assistance in the form of $224,100 as part of the government department’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The money will be used by the Winter Park Fire-Rescue Department to purchase new, state-of-the-art cardiac monitor/defibrillators for the department’s existing Advanced Life Support Units.

On most cases when the WBFD s called to an emergency situation, cardiac monitoring is performed by paramedics and sometimes even firemen. Those suffering from sudden heart attacks have a higher chance of surviving thanks to the defibrillator’s use of therapeutic electrical charges. The new monitors will also be used to provide ECG readings, helping medical personnel root out the cause of the heart attack.

The new monitor/defibrillators use the latest in today’s medical technology and are especially useful due to their compact and lightweight design. Durability is also not a problem – something that is a major concern for the fire department since most of the time, they’re called to extreme emergency situations and environments. Each machine features color, scratch-resistant displays that are also water resistant.

Fire Chief Jim White could not be happier with the news, saying that the grant will finally help them replace their 10-year old machines.

Before February comes to an end, the Winter Park Country Club (WPCC) in the City of Winter Park, Fl, will be having their February edition of the popular Gold Lecture Series, which is presented with the help of the North Florida PGA and the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

The February edition of the lecture series will feature one of golf’s most renowned women, Jan Stephenson of the LPGA. Stephenson’s rise to fame first began in 1974, the year she joined the Tour. On that same year, she won the LPGA Rookie of the Year Award, an achievement that was soon followed by many and more significant awards and wins. Two years later in 1976, Stephenson won her first LPGA at the Sarah Coventry Naples Classic.

The Winter Park Country Lecture Series is an event held each month and features experts specializing in different aspects of the golfing world. In past months, the WPCC has had some of the best PGA and LPGA Tour golfers as guests, with the likes of Ken Green, Lee Janze, and Jim McLean visiting the city to talk about fitness, the sport’s history, mental coaching, and more.

This month’s lecture will take place on the 23rd of January, at 6:30 in the evening.

Do you have a green thumb? If so, then we’ve got news of a great series of seminars we’re sure you’re going to enjoy.

The City of Winter Park, Fl, together with the Orange County Cooperative Extension brings you the “Nine Principles of Landscaping Seminar”, a seminar that discusses the ins and outs of landscaping, and shares with everybody gardening techniques and secrets.

The seminar, which takes place on one Thursday of the month, running from March until August of 2010, will feature a guest speaker each month tasked with discussing vital landscaping information. He or she will also be answering questions from those in attendance.

Each seminar will also tackle the nine principles of landscaping, which are:

• Water efficiently
• Fertilize appropriately
• Pollution Management & pollution
• Right plant, right place
• Plant selection, soil, pH Irrigation & calibration
• Mulch
• Selection, application, scheduling Guidelines
• Manage yard pests responsibly Recycle
• Integrated pest management Benefits, mowing,
• ID, treatment & disease pruning & composting
• Reduce stormwater runoff Protect thewaterfront

The seminars will be taking place at the Winter Park Welcome Center, located along 151 West Lyman Avenue, from 7 to 9 in the evening, on one Thursday of the month.

Mark your calendars and register now by calling 407.599.3597.

Are you married and love live stage performances? Here’s a musical happening in Winter Park, Fl that you might like.

Taking place until the 14th of February is Married Alive!, a musical onstage at Winter Park Playhouse that presents a humorous take on married life.

Although definitely not an original plot, Married Alive! is still a fun series of sketches that deal with marriage, married sex, babies, Viagra, sports metaphors, and a whole lot more. Each subject is cleverly woven together by songs performed by talented actors.

Michael Edwards, arguably the most known actor associated with Winter Park Playhouse, plays a middle-aged man who is somehow dragged into the marriage service of a couple he doesn’t even know. His performance of a cranky and exasperated middle-aged husband is undoubtedly the most popular.

Married Alive! isn’t really what we’d call “Broadway worthy,” but the material is rescued by excellent actors and actresses time and time again. The musical’s director, Roy Alan, has in his arsenal a talented cast of veterans and newcomers. All of them are undeniably great at what they do.

Again, check out Married Alive! at the Winter Park Playhouse in Winter Park Fl. The musical will be running until the 14th of February, Valentine’s Day.

With spring just around the corner, nature lovers have a reason to truly smile about. If you care about the planet we live in and want to know more about conservation methods and the like, we have an event – rather, a series of presentations in one event you’ll definitely love.

Taking place today from 9 to 11 in the morning is Nature’s Bounty “Growing Green”, a series of 3 presentations packed into one morning. The first, which begins at 9:30 in the morning is an icebreaker titled “Growing Your Photography Skills,” a presentation/workshop about garden and floral photography and its appreciation. Professional photographer Claudia Wickham will be the guest speaker.

At 10:30 in the morning, another presentation titled “Growing Green and Blue” kicks off. It’s a discussion on low maintenance water conserving yards to be presented by Teresa Watkins, a Florida Water Specialist.

Last but not least is “Greening Your Own Piece of the Planet,” a presentation that tackles landscaping methods that are eco-friendly and cause the least damage to the environment. Ed Fosgate, architect, landscape artist and owner of Landscapes Orlando will be the featured speaker.

If you’re interested, simply head to the Winter Park Garden Club. The best part? Admission is free.