News & Bizness Briefs - 03/22/12

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando officials launched the organization’s fundraising efforts for National Women Build Week, a volunteer-driven event designed to empower women to take action against poverty-level housing conditions. More fundraising teams are needed to help reach the event goal of $100,000 — the cost to sponsor one home. Last year, 375 Central Florida women volunteered 2,500 hours and raised more than $100,000 to fully fund a home for a family in need.

Women Build Week will take place May 7 through May 12 at the nonprofit’s first multifamily community, Stag Horn Villas in Orlando.

For more information, call 407-648-4567, ext. 407; or visit www.habitat-orlando.org/women-build on the Web.

Estate planning attorney Silvia Ibanez, C.F.P., J.D., C.P.A., is offering a breakfast seminar to explain how beneficiaries can receive their inheritances and avoid probate court, which can be lengthy and costly. The free event will be held March 29 at 8:30 a.m.
in Suite 500 at Sand Lake IV, located at 7380 W. Sand Lake Road in Orlando. Reservations are required by March 26. For more information, call 407-856-9449.

Pointe Orlando representatives announced that Monkey Joe’s is relocating from Festival Bay Mall to Pointe Orlando on International Drive. The inflatable-filled indoor play facility will open next month, and the venue will be expanded to 17,250 square feet. Monkey Joe’s serves children ages 2 through 11 and offers wall-to-wall inflatables, including a main play center and separate Mini Monkey Zone for toddlers; a parents lounge; computer stations; snack bar; and more. It is known for its birthday and group parties, but also accepts walk-ins. For more information, call 407-248-2838 or visit www.pointeorlando.com on the Web.

Just in time for spring, County Line Ornamental & Tree Inc., located at 13246 W. Colonial Drive in Winter Garden, will soon offer tropicals for planting. The facility also has an assortment of palm trees, and its azaleas are blooming flowers. For more information, call 407-654-4644 or visit
www.countylineot.com on the Web.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal Orlando Resort reopened earlier this month with all-new 4K digital high-definition animation, as well as a new Infitec 3-D projection system and music score, and new high-tech 3-D glasses. The attraction’s sets, audio system and lighting also have been upgraded. Live special effects, such as heat blasts and water surges, as well as the motion of the ride vehicle, are also precisely calibrated to match the animation. For more information, call 407-363-8000 or visit www.universalorlando.com on the Web.

Big Fish Swim School representatives announced that the facility is expanding. Big Fish partnered with Artesian Pools near Baldwin Park, and, beginning May 7, three outdoor pools will be available for both group and private swim lessons. For more information, call 407-251-9869 or visit www.bigfishswimschool.com on the Web.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce will hold its 10th annual Best Fest “The Taste of West Orange” on April 5 from 5-8:30 p.m. at the Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves, in the parking lot near Bealls. The event includes food and drink samples from some of the area’s best restaurants, caterers and beverage distributors, as well as exhibits by leading businesses. Admission is $31 in advance; $41 the day of the event; or $46 in advance for VIP tickets, which includes entry to an exclusive air-conditioned tent. For more information, call 407-656-1304 or visit www.wochamber.com on the Web.

Celebrity wildlife expert Jack Hanna will return to SeaWorld Orlando, located at 7007 SeaWorld Drive in Orlando, for Jack Hanna Weekend, which is March 24 and March 25. Included with park admission, the limited-time series will take place in the Nautilus Theater, and seating is first-come, first-served. SeaWorld Pass Members also can attend a Jack Hanna Breakfast, which includes quality time with Hanna and some of the wildlife, as well as reserved seats to the 1:15 p.m. show. For more information or to make a breakfast reservation, call 888-800-5447 or visit www.seaworldparks.com on the Web.

Titanic The Experience opened at 7324 International Drive in Orlando. The newly expanded and enhanced attraction reopened earlier this year with 100 new and authentic artifacts from the RMS Titanic, including 31 never-before-seen items and the second-largest piece ever recovered from the ship’s hull. The 20,000-square-foot interactive museum offers 17 galleries, guided tours, full-scale re-creations of the ship’s most famous rooms, trained actors in period costumes, and more. The attraction is open daily from noon-8 p.m., with the last tour running at 7 p.m. For more information, call 407-248-1166 or visit www.titanictheexperience.com
on the Web.

Huntington Learning Centers in the Orlando area celebrated National Education Association’s Read Across America Day, which marked the 108th birthday of children’s author Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. For more information, call 407-620-4121 or visit www.huntingtonlearning.com on the Web.

Cariera’s Cucina Italiana, located in Suite 12 of The Marketplace at Dr. Phillips at 7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd. in Orlando, will celebrate Easter and Holy Cannoli Day on April 9. On that day, patrons will receive a free cannoli at dinner. The restaurant also offers entertainment Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. For more information, call 407-351-1187 or visit www.carieras.com on the Web.