News & Bizness Briefs - 07/19/12

Voters are encouraged to update their signatures on file with the supervisor of elections prior to the Aug. 14 primary election. Florida law changed recently regarding verification of absentee ballots, and now only signatures found on a voter’s official application form may be used for signature comparisons. In some cases, it has been years since a voter last completed an application form, and signatures frequently change over time because of age, illness or injury. There are also cases where signatures are from high school students when they first registered to vote, and this signature no longer matches the one used in their workplace. Application forms can be found at any public library or at www.orangecountyvotes.com on the Web. For more information, call 407-836-8683.

Kiddie U Learning Center in Dr. Phillips, located at 7666 Wallace Road in Orlando, raised $3,500 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Kiddie U families raised the money through the school’s annual Trike-A-Thon week. This was the most successful year for the fundraiser. Students in the 3.5-year-olds class raised the most money and received an ice cream sundae party for their efforts. For more information, call 407-345-5550 or visit www.kiddieu.org on the Web.

Just Dance Studios, located in Suite 103 at 5911 Turkey Lake Road in Orlando, will hold open houses Aug. 4 and Aug. 5 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The state-of-the-art studio boasts professional-grade sprung wood floors with Marley overlay. Classes are offered at all levels for students age 2 through adults, and include ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, musical theater, hip-hop and boy’s hip-hop. The studio provides proper dance training by highly qualified staff members who inspire dedication, teamwork and discipline in a positive, rewarding environment. For more information, call 407-730-9845.

Thornebrooke Elementary School, located at 601 Thornebrooke Road in Ocoee, is celebrating 10 years of success. Since opening in 2001, TES has earned consecutive A grades, including school-record results the past three years. The school, which educates students who reside primarily in Ocoee, Gotha and Windermere, is especially recognized for its academic standards, numerous events, arts programs and work with children on the autism spectrum. For more information, call 407-909-1301.

County Line Ornamental & Tree, located at 13246 W. Colonial Drive in Winter Garden, is running a special for children and parents who would like to purchase a plant for a student’s new teacher.

One-gallon plants are $2.25 each. For more information, call 407-654-4644 or visit www.countylineot.com on the Web.

Solivita, an age 55-and-older active adult community in Kissimmee, saw sales jump by 70 percent during the first quarter of 2012, compared to the same time period last year. It recorded $6.6 million in new home sales, and the inventory of homes for sale was reduced from 55 to 24. Solivita recently launched a summer sales program that includes discounts between $15,000 and $31,000 on its inventory of new homes, many of which are move-in ready. For more information, call 877-889-7098 or visit www.solivita.com on the Web.

Foundation Academy students attended their 2011-12 prom at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, where Jordan Daley and Kylee Butcher were crowned prom king and queen. FA is located at 15304 Tilden Road in Winter Garden. For more information, call 407-877-2744 or visit www.foundationacademy.net on the Web.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando, located at 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane in Orlando, offers Enchanted Evenings through Sept 4. The summerlong event includes the Waldorf Astoria Enchanted Glow Chinese lantern release each Friday and Saturday, drink specials, various children’s activities, nightly entertainment, golf specials, lawn games, cooking demonstrations, astronomy walks, crafts, family events and much more. For more information, call 888-353-2009 or visit www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com on the Web.

Garage Mama Fitness, located in Suite 116 at 1232 Winter Garden-Vineland Road in Winter Garden, is offering a Get Your Body Back back-to-school special. The programs are guaranteed to keep clients fit and provide nutritional plans to keep cravings controlled. The Get Your Body Back program helps participants shed those extra summer pounds. Garage Mama Fitness is led by Marissa Herring, a mother of three who is an International Fitness Professional Association-certified personal trainer and women’s fitness specialist. For more information, call 407-347-7977 or visit www.gmamafitness.com on the Web.

Footworks Dance Studio, located in Suite 5-B at 1201 Winter Garden-Vineland Road in Winter Garden, held its end-of-season recital last month. The 2012-13 dance season begins Sept. 4, and registrations will be held Aug. 24, Aug. 25, Aug. 27 and Aug. 28. The studio offers classes for children, adults and its dance team. For more information, call 407-877-2260 or visit
www.footworksdancestudio.com on the Web.

West Orange Political Alliance representatives announced the endorsement of the following 2012 candidates: Orange County Commission — District 1, S. Scott Boyd; District 3, Lui Damiani; District 5, Ted Edwards; Property Appraiser, Bill Donegan; Supervisor of Elections, Bill Cowles; Clerk of Courts, Lydia Gardner; Orange County School Board — District 4, Pam Gould; District 5, Mike Scott; District 6, Nancy Robbinson; District 7, Christine Moore; State Attorney Circuit 9, Jeff Ashton; and Florida Senate — District 12, Geraldine Thompson; and District 15, Kelli Stargel. Of seven Orange County judgeships slated to be on the ballot, only two drew more than one candidate. WOPA is endorsing Antoinette Plogstedt in Group 11 and Leon Cheek in Group 13. For the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, WOPA endorses Belvin Perry in Group 3, Eric DuBois in Group 7, Keith White in Group 27, and Tim Shea in Group 42. For more information, call Bob Gosselin, WOPA   chairman, at 407-654-6688.

Peter Vivaldi Jr., a 34-year resident of Orange County, is a candidate for District 4 of the Orange County School Board. The Lakes of Windermere resident served on the Orange County Charter Review Commission and is a board member for Hope Now International and Mavericks Charter School. Vivaldi believes the best way to affect students’ futures is to serve on the school board. For more information, visit www.votevivaldi2012.com on the Web.

Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida, located at 4755 N. Kenansville Road in St. Cloud, opened the state’s first and only Zipline Safari. The 2.5-hour adventure reaches heights of 68 feet and speeds up to 30 mph. Reservations are required. For more information, call 407-957-9794 or visit www.floridaecosafaris.com on the Web.

Realtors open a new RE/MAX office

A group of experienced and award-winning Realtors have joined together to open a new RE/MAX office at 8934 Conroy-Windermere Road in Orlando. Broker/owner James Roth, Frank Baloun and Barbara Vance comprise the RE/MAX Showcase management team. Together, they have almost 75 years of real estate experience. Roth has a background in commercial and residential real estate and development, and Baloun has been with the RE/MAX network since 1989 and is a member of the prestigious RE/MAX Hall of Fame. He serves as the managing broker and handles day-to-day operations. Vance was an agent with RE/MAX previously, but most recently ran her own successful independent real estate office. As sales manager, she recruits, mentors and coaches RE/MAX Showcase agents. The office houses a title company, is staffed on weekends, and someone is always available to answer phone calls. For more information, call 407-706-3100 or visit www.showcasehomesorlando.com on the Web.

Let the games begin

WhirlyDome, Orlando’s newest attraction, opened at 6464 International Drive in Orlando and features the sport of WhirlyBall. This mechanized team sport is a combination of bumper cars, basketball, jai-alai and hockey. Players need no prior experience or athletic skills, but must be at least 12 years old and 54 inches tall. The court can be reserved in advance with a one-hour minimum. Two WhirlyBall courts are the centerpiece of WhirlyDome, which also features a Formula 1 racing simulator; Laser Frenzy; laser tag; bowling; billiards; arcade; live entertainment; and the Bloodhound Brew Pub & Eatery, a casual dining restaurant with a full-service bar. WhirlyDome has multiple party rooms and can host large corporate functions, family reunions, bar mitzvahs and more. There is no admission charge, and visitors only pay for each activity. Hours of operation are 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily. For more information, call 407-212-3030 or visit www.whirlydome.com on the Web.

Creating healthy habits

JPMP Cafe offers healthy, gourmet coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The company promotes healthy lifestyles by introducing health to one’s daily routine. Its beverages are infused with 100 percent-certified organic ganoderma, a genus of polypore mushrooms. Some of its benefits include better blood circulation, body detoxification, a boost to the immune system, reduction in blood pressure and blood sugar, weight loss, mental clarity and more. Free samples are available. The company also offers at-home business opportunities. For more information, call 321-300-5351 or visit www.jpmcafe.com on the Web.

Providing picture-perfect memories

Brenda Bryant Photography, located in Suite 290 at 20 S. Main St. in Winter Garden, specializes in portrait artwork for maternity, newborns, families and high school seniors. The natural-light studio is centrally located in historic downtown Winter Garden. Consultations are recommended prior to photography sessions to share an artistic vision with the photographer and personalize the experience. Bryant does not just take pictures, she builds relationships with her clients, which allows her the opportunity to grow with families and provide a lifetime of memories. For more information, call 407-362-7089 or visit www.bbp-studios.com on the Web.