A rock-and-roll legend was in Central Florida on Thursday, September 1, 2011.

The Beatles band member Paul McCartney was seen in Winter Park on the campus of Rollins College and on Park Avenue.

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McCartney wasn’t on the campus of Rollins College for long. The school wouldn’t comment on what he was doing there or how long he spent on campus.

But McCartney did spend some time dining on Park Avenue. The tables and booths at Luma on Park looked pretty much the same except for something special about one tucked in the corner.

Table No. 40 as it is known by the staff will now be known as the spot Paul McCartney sat and quietly dined with a group of friends.

“It was really cool to see someone like him in person,” Luma General Manager Tim Noelke said.

Noelke wouldn’t give up too many secrets about the surprise McCartney visit. He was part of a 7 p.m. dinner reservation for nine people,including his fiancee Nancy Shevell.

“They kind of did a family style at the table. They did a lot of pizzas and pastas and salads, and they all just kind of shared,” Noelke said.

McCartney didn’t go unnoticed. People who passed the restaurant tried to catch a glimpse.

There were no photos or autographs for the Luma staff, but there was a quick thanks.

“At the end of his dinner, he did come up, shook his hand and told me what a great experience he had and thanked me. I thanked him, and then he left,” Noelke said.

When he left, restaurant staff said he was greeted by a small crowd outside the restaurant. He apparently didn’t sign autographs, but waved quickly before getting into a car.

The restaurant wouldn’t say how much McCartney and his party spent on the meal.

Since 2005, Winter Park Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Council of Leaders, and members have dedicated countless hours to supporting the development of commuter rail in Central Florida. Today, Florida Department of Transportation Secretary, Ananth Prasad, announced that Governor Rick Scott has lent his support for SunRail.

This is a historic decision that will positively impact the Winter Park community for generations. “Winter Park was built on the railway and SunRail will further enhance the quality of our community and the success of our local economy,” explained Patrick W. Chapin, President/CEO for the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. “The residents, businesses and community leaders have long supported this initiative. I applaud their tireless support of SunRail and celebrate the success of all our efforts.”

“We’re looking forward to the first train pulling into Central Park in 2014,” added Chapin. “Winter Park truly stands to benefit from this new transit alternative.”

For additional information on SunRail, visit www.sunrail.com.

The people of Winter Park, Florida, are calling out to everyone to join their cause of saving the environment and conserving wildlife. For nearly 2 decades, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been helping out in saving the state’s beloved sea cow simply by selling manatee decals. The decals this year, which will be out in July, will be from a high school art student at the Circle Christian School in Winter Park. The 14-year-old, Bekah Scoville, created a portrait of two manatees swimming in water; the beautiful image was made by using pastel blues and greens. The teenager’s amazing work will honor the 20th edition of the manatee decal with the slogan “Support Manatee Conservation”.

The annual decal sale draws in around $70,000, which will go to the Save The Manatees Trust Fund. Bekah Scoville and 53 other pupils from 23 high schools all over Florida joined the 2011-2012 competition to pitch in; you too can help save these gentle animals by purchasing a decal at their local tax collector’s office and following a simple set of guidelines.

Every time you go boating or fishing, always remember to provide a better outlook for manatees. It would be great if you slow down in manatee areas for you to avoid disturbing them. You should also obey posted speed zones. This event will not just be for fun and excitement but also for the betterment of our world. Simple steps can make a great change. This is another great event brought to you by the City of Winter Park, Florida.

Come Mother’s Day, the Winter Park Memorial Hospital will be unveiling its gift to the city’s moms: a new maternity wing that’s equipped with spa features that give off a relaxing vibe – something which most hospital fail to do these days.

The expanded wing of Dr. P. Phillips Baby Place boasts of free massages for mom, soothing afternoon tea, and a snazzy lounge where delicious smoothies are served. All the rooms in the wing come with a large HDTV, DVD player, and relaxing flameless candles and high-end beauty soaps in the bathroom. Each room also has an iPod dock so pregnant ladies can listen to music while they’re in labor. Whether its nature sounds, rock music, or rhythm and blues, your choice of music is totally up to you.

And if that’s not enough, dads also get to enjoy free massages, or they could just choose to calm their nerves at the lounge. Pregnancies can be tough on dads too you know.

Expecting mothers first get a tour of the facility when they’re 28 weeks pregnant. They get to see the amenities, check out the services, and get a feel for the place that’ll be they’re home for a few days come the Big Day.

With hospitals all over the country competing for maternity patients, it’s good to know that the City of Winter Park, Florida, isn’t about to be left behind.

First started in January of this year, the Winter Park Ambassador Program is aimed at enhancing customer service for the hundreds of people that visit City Hall daily for a number of reasons ranging from paying their utility bills, having a business permit furnished, and applying for an employment position.

Like most City Hall offices in other parts of the country today, Winter Park’s City Hall, which is in the downtown area, is extremely busy. Fortunately, the layout of the building is superb, and visitors can easily locate their destinations. The ambassador program was designed to enhance that visitor experience, with the help of two people who welcome guests at the entrance, taking questions and providing directions to the City Hall’s many departments and services offices.

As of the moment, 50 city employees are serving as City Hall Ambassadors on a volunteer basis. Each employee works only twice a month for two-hour shifts. According to City Manager Randy Knight, who had the honor of serving as the first Ambassador, an organization will be successful if they pay attention to customer service. Since volunteering as an Ambassador, he’s found out how much a smile can change the whole demeanor of a person.

Due to the program’s success, the city is now opening the Ambassador Program to the public, and those who want to volunteer can call 407-599-3245 or e-mail the city at jgrant@cityofwinterpark.org on how to be a Winter Park, Ambassador.