WINTER PARK, Fla., an internationally recognized ICMA Excellence Award winner with accredited fire, police and parks & recreation agencies (April 30, 2012) – The City of Winter Park and the Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board announce that the Art on the Green 2012 “call for artists” deadline has been extended. Art on the Green 2012, a juried exhibition of eight sculptures in downtown Winter Park presented by the City of Winter Park and Massey Services ®, Inc., will run from Saturday, September 1, 2012, through Friday, March 1, 2013.

Olga Viso, Rollins College graduate and executive director of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, one of the most important contemporary art museums in the United States, will serve as guest curator for Art on the Green 2012.

Eligible artists nationwide are encouraged to submit entries for the competitive selection process between now and the updated deadline Friday, June 1, 2012. Complete details regarding artist entries may be found by visiting the home page of the city’s official website at www.cityofwinterpark.org and clicking on the Art on the Green button.

Winning entries to be included in the exhibition will be  announced on Friday, June 22, 2012. Each selected artist will receive a $1,000 honorarium. There will also be a $500 “People’s Choice” award presented to the artist with most the votes from the public during the exhibition.

For more information regarding “Art on the Green,” a project of the Winter Park Public Art Advisory Board,  please call 407-599-3498.

For information regarding additional events in the City of Winter Park,  please visit the city’s official website at www.cityofwinterpark.org.

WINTER PARK, Fla., an internationally recognized ICMA Excellence Award winner with accredited fire, police and parks & recreation agencies (April 18, 2012) – A presentation of the proposed elevations and floor plan of the new Winter Park train station will be presented by Associated Consulting International, Inc., (ACi) at the regularly scheduled City Commission meeting on Monday, April 23. The meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. at the Winter Park Community Center located at 721 West New England Avenue.

The proposed plans are currently available for viewing at the following locations:

•  Rachel D. Murrah Civic Center
  1050 West Morse Boulevard
•  Winter Park Amtrak Station
  150 West Morse Boulevard
• Winter Park City Hall West Wing Lobby
  401 Park Avenue South
• Winter Park Community Center
  721 West New England Avenue
• Winter Park Public Library
  460 East New England Avenue
• Winter Park Welcome Center
  151 West Lyman Avenue

The proposed plans are also available for viewing on the city’s official website at www.cityofwinterpark.org > Info at Your Fingertips > Amtrak & SunRail Information > Winter Park Amtrak Station Information.

Details regarding this agenda item can also be found on the city’s official website at www.cityofwinterpark.org under Government > City Commission > Agenda > Action Items Requiring Discussion – Item 10b.

WINTER PARK, Fla., an internationally recognized ICMA Excellence Award winner with accredited fire, police and parks & recreation agencies (April 3, 2012) – The City of Winter Park and Rollins College present “Earth Day in the Park” on Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Central Park. Winter Park Mayor Kenneth W. Bradley and Rollins College President Lewis Duncan will address attendees at 11 a.m. from the main stage.

Founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970, Earth Day is designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the earth’s environment. Winter Park’s celebration will showcase how the City of Winter Park and Rollins College are working to make Winter Park more sustainable. Attendees will learn how the city is working toward achieving the Florida Green Building Coalition’s Green Local Government Platinum certification; an effort spearheaded by the Environmental Review and Keep Winter Park Beautiful boards.

“Earth Day in the Park” will provide educational workshops focused on recycling, native landscaping, growing organic food, and awareness of endangered species. Music will be provided by the Rollins College Music Department led by Dr. John Sinclair. Additional music and a live broadcast will be provided WPRK, the radio station of Rollins College.

The city’s Forestry Division will have certified arborists in attendance to answer questions and they will perform a live tree-planting demonstration with a 25-foot tall Live Oak at 11:30 a.m. near the main stage. The division will also give away an array of 3-gallon containerized trees for city residents to plant at home (proof of city residency will be requested). A rope course will be available for anyone willing to try their hand at ascending/descending a tree.

Additional FREE sustainability events earlier that week include:

• Monday, April 16, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  “The Synergy of Sustainability: Campus and Community”
  Rollins College SunTrust Auditorium

•  Wednesday, April 18, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  Joel Salatin “Folks, This Ain’t Normal”
  Rollins College Bush Science Center Auditorium

• Thursday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  “Making a Difference: An evening with Dr. Jane Goodall”
  Rollins College Alfond Sports Center

For more information regarding the Earth Day Celebration, please call 407-599-3364 or visit Earth Day in the Park at www.rollins.edu/earthday.

For information regarding additional events in the City of Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at www.cityofwinterpark.org.

The Winter Park Florida city’s Parks & Recreation Department will present their Summer Camp Resident Registration Fair on Saturday, April 14, 2012, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Winter Park Community Center Ruby Ball Amphitheater located at 721 West New England Avenue. Non-resident registration begins on Monday, April 23.

Requirements to register for Summer Camp include: Proof of residency, a $25 registration fee and $5 deposit for each week of camp. The deposit will be applied to the weekly payment.

Summer Camp at the Winter Park Community Center will run from Monday, June 11, through Friday, August 17, 2012, and will include:

Summer Fun Camp (entering grades 1-5)
Registration > $ 25/child
Resident > $60/week
Resident (reduced lunch scholarship) > $10/week
Resident (free lunch scholarship) > $ 5/week
Non-resident > $80/week

Middle School Camp (entering grades 6-8)
$25/child > Registration
$35/week > Resident
$25/week > Resident (reduced lunch scholarship)
$25/week > Resident (free lunch scholarship)
$55/week > Non-resident

Junior Counselor Program (entering grades 9-12)
Applications available > Sunday, April 8
Turn-in deadline > Friday, May 18
- Teen leadership volunteer program is FREE.
- Learn valuable work experience and be positive role models for campers.
- Potential participants must apply & interview

For more information regarding the City of Winter Park’s Summer Camp program, please call 407‐599‐3275.

Come out to Central Park April 7, 2012 for the 58th Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Presented by the City of Winter Park, this fun-filled event will provide as much excitement and laughs for adults as it will for youngsters. Children up to 10 years of age can begin lining up at 9:30 a.m. The hunt will begin promptly at 10 a.m. Children with special needs are also encouraged to join in the fun. Over 10,000 eggs will be placed throughout Central Park. As always, children who come up empty handed will still be able to enjoy special treats at the designated candy area.

Cost: FREE
Contact: 407-599-3463

Each year the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce coordinates a series of Business After Hours events to facilitate networking.  Each event is hosted by a member business or organization as an opportunity to showcase their products and services.  Members look forward to the opportunity to mingle over appetizers and beverages and learn more about their community.  At $5 for members and $15 for non-members, this event is affordable and a guaranteed good time!

Events are typically held the third Thursday of each month (with few exceptions). The next up-coming After Hours event is scheduled for Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the New Traditions Bank (600 Wilkinson Street, #100, Orlando, FL 32803)

Be sure to mark your calendar for future Business After Hours events, including:
June 21, 2012, July 19, 2012 – Winter Park Village, August 16, 2012, September 20, 2012, October 18, 2012 and December 13, 2012

To view more details on specific times and locations click here.

Come out to Park Avenue and Hannibal Square for the Downtown Winter Park Sidewalk Sale. Stores are offering merchandise from 50-75% off. Taking place Thursday March 15 – Sunday March 18, 2012.

For more information call 407-644-8281.

The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 27th Annual Taste of Winter Park presented by CenturyLink on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 from 5 – 8 pm.

Taste of Winter Park is an epicurean indulgence featuring popular Winter Park dining destinations, top bakers and caterers, delectible desserts and new eateries destined to become your favorite. Enjoy an evening of unlimited food and beverage samples and live entertainment by Johnny Mag Sax at the Winter Park Farmers’ Market in beautiful downtown Winter Park. (200 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, FL 32789)

The Costs Are:
$40 Members (in advance)
$45 Non-Members
$350 Ten Ticket Package
$45 Everyone at the Door

To register for this event click here.

The City of Winter Park will proudly host the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra as they present Spring Pops “Masters of the Movies” on Sunday, March 11, at 7 p.m., in charming Central Park in downtown Winter Park.

Bring your blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy an evening of heart-warming music under the stars. This wonderful performance is made possible by a generous grant from the Charlotte Julia Hollander Trust. The event is free and open to the public.

Conductor Dirk Meyer will lead the Orlando Philharmonic in a program of music from movies on the big screen including Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Grease and Star Wars.

The Orlando Philharmonic is Central Florida’s resident professional orchestra, appearing in over 125 performances each year. The Philharmonic is currently in its 19th Anniversary season, led by Music Director Christopher Wilkins. To learn more please visit www.orlandophil.org or call the Philharmonic Box Office at 407-770-0071.

Dirk Meyer was appointed Associate Conductor of the Sarasota Orchestra in 2011, after five successful seasons as Assistant Conductor, during which he earned an outstanding reputation with musicians, audiences and critics alike. He also served as music director of the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, whose first season under his baton culminated in a 2008 Carnegie Hall performance in New York City.

In addition to his duties with the Sarasota Orchestra, Meyer’s current season includes a debut with the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, as well as return engagements with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, leading thirteen “Young People’s Concerts” as well as their Pops programs.

The Orlando Philharmonic is Central Florida’s resident professional orchestra, appearing in over 125 performances each year. The Philharmonic is currently in its 19th Anniversary season, led by Music Director Christopher Wilkins. To learn more please visit www.orlandophil.org or call the Philharmonic Box Office at 407-770-0071.

For details regarding additional City of Winter Park events, please visit the city’s official website at www.cityofwinterpark.org.

In honor of National Arbor Day, the Parks & Recreation Department of the City of Winter Park will proudly host the 20th annual Jeannette Genius McKean 5K Memorial Run for the Trees. Event takes place April 28, 2012. This exciting 5K (3.1 miles) run/walk will begin at Showalter Field, located at 2525 Cady Way, and finish on beautiful Genius Drive which is open to the public only once a year for this magnificent event.

Funds raised from the event will support the Winter Park Tree Replacement Fund. Each “Run for the Trees” race participant will receive a commemorative T-shirt as well as a young tree to plant at a location of their choice. For specific race details and registration information, please visit www.trackshack.com.