WHAT’S HAPPENING
Spotlight event
Civil War lecture: John Russell, Sgt. Major and President of the 3rd U.S. Colored Calvary/Buffalo Soldiers Florida and Seminole Negro Warriors, will present “The Civil War Cavalry Depends on Horse Power” as the first program of the new year of the Greater Orlando Civil War Roundtable. 7 p.m. Thursday, Pine Castle Woman’s Club, 5901 S. Orange Ave., Orlando, free, 407-889-0528.
Listings are subject to change. Please call in advance.
Class
Inside the Courts program: Sponsored by the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, the four-week class provides a behind-the-scenes look at the court system. In addition to providing the public with an up-close examination of the workings of the judicial branch, the program also addresses some of the more frequently asked questions and misconceptions the public has about the Courts. Advance registration required. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, March 8-29, Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, free, 407-836-0517.
Line dance: Enjoy music and get exercise at the same time. Beginners welcome. 10-11:30 a.m. Saturdays, 3-4:30 p.m. Sundays, Winter Park Community Center, 721 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, $5 per class, 407-5927835.
Orchid culture: Learn about selection, cultivation, and growing media to choose when purchasing and caring for your favorites. Registration required. 10 a.m. Saturday, Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, $8 for garden members, $14 for nonmembers, 407-246-3621. Common sense par
enting: A six-week course presented by Boys Town Central Florida. Learn how to build strong, healthy relationships with your school-age children, and correct or change a child’s problem behavior, plus many other easy parenting skills. Call to register. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Feb. 2, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 5900 Oleander Drive, Orlando, free, 407588-2170.
Butterfly gardening: Learn how to start a butterfly garden from the ground up. Topics include: how to identify and attract local butterflies, the best plants suited to the area, specific nectar and larval host plants for butterflies in Florida. Registration required. 9:30 a.m. Feb. 20, Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, $8 for garden members, $14 for nonmembers, 407-246-3621.
Grow your own herbs: Learn about the best herbs for Central Florida, growing methods and the harvesting process. Registration required. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17, Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, $8 for garden members, $14 for nonmembers, 407-246-3621.
Landscape design series: Learn landscape design concepts, Florida-friendly landscape principles, how to choose the proper plant, and how to conserve water. A course guide and drawing materials will be provided, along with one-on-one design help from Orange County Master Gardener volunteers. Registration deadline is Feb. 16. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 23March 8, Orange County University of Florida IFAS Extension, 6021 S. Conway Road, Orlando, $25 per household includes one set of materials, 407-254-9200.
Irrigation basics: Learn basic irrigation system maintenance with information on timers, rain shut off devices,
micro-irrigation and tips on how to conserve water and save money. Advance registration required. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Orange County University of Florida IFAS Extension, 6021 S. Conway Road, Orlando, $5 per household, 407-254-9200.
Basics of square foot gardening: Learn how to grow more fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers in less space than you thought possible. Advance registration required. 9 a.m. Feb. 6, Orange County University of Florida IFAS Extension, 6021 S. Conway Road, Orlando, $5 per household, 407-254-9200.
Basics of square foot gardening: Learn how to grow more fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers in less space than you thought possible. Advance registration required. 6 p.m. Feb. 11, Jessie Brock Community Center, 310 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden, $5 per household, 407-254-9200.
Citrus pests and diseases in the home garden: Learn what you can do to prolong your citrus production in the home garden and what you need to do once citrus greening has been diagnosed. Advance registration required. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18, Orange County University of Florida IFAS Extension, 6021 S. Conway Road, Orlando, $5 per household, 407-254-9200.
Micro-irrigation basics: Learn about retrofitting an existing irrigation system or installing a new system to micro-sprays that will save money and water. Homeowners will learn the stepby-step process of converting parts of their irrigation system to micro-sprays for more efficient watering. Registration required. 10 a.m. Saturday, Orange County University of Florida IFAS Extension, 6021 S. Conway Road, Orlando, $5 per household or $25 with a starter kit, 407-254-9850.
Tai chi and chi kung: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, Winter Park Presbyterian Church, 400 S. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park, $8 per class, 407-234-0119.
Butterflies, pollinators and beneficials in the garden: Learn how to attract and keep butterflies in your garden year round along with other pollinators and beneficial insects important to a healthy garden. Advance registration required. 6 p.m. Feb. 3, Maitland Community Park, 1400 Mayo Ave., Maitland, $5 per household, 407-254-9200.
Orange County Sheriff’s Office 2016 Civilian Police
Academy: A 13-week course designed to educate residents about the many different divisions which make up the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Attendees will participate in demonstrations, instructor guided tours and question-and-answer sessions. Participants must be at least 18 years old. A background check will be performed on all applicants. There are no physical requirements. Registration deadline is Jan. 26. Visit ocso.com. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Feb. 23, Orange County Sheriff’s Office Central Operations Complex, 2500 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, free, 407-254-7141.
Ballroom dance: Designed for people with limited experience as an introduction to intermediate level waltz, fox trot, tango, rumba, cha cha, swing, etc. No partner needed. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through April, Winter Park Community Center, 721 W. New England Ave., Winter Park, free, 407-599-3275.
Bugs in your garden: Learn about the good, bad, and ugly bugs in your garden. Best management practices and their relationships to the environment will be discussed. Registration required. 9:30 a.m. Feb. 27, Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, $10 for garden members, $16 for nonmembers, 407-246-3621.
Making Irish soups and
broths: Begin in the vegetable and herb gardens to collect fresh produce and then finish back in the kitchen. Discover parsnip and apple soup, Irish farm house broth, and the traditional potato soup. Registration required. 6 p.m. Feb. 10, Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, $25 for garden members, $30 for nonmembers, 407-246-3621.
Capturing camellias with your camera: Learn the importance of lens selection, including macro, wide-angle, and telephoto lenses, but also how to work with the unique properties of the lenses you have in your camera bag. Registration required. 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 20, Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, $30 for garden members, $40 for nonmembers, 407-246-3621.
Community
International Holocaust Remembrance Day program: The day commemorates the great losses of the Holocaust; the date was chosen by the United Nations in recognition of the
liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. The Holocaust Center will feature its founder, Tess Wise, sharing her own story of persecution and survival. Hear her first-hand account of how the rise of the Nazis affected her as a young Jewish woman in Poland. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida, 851 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, free, 407-628-0555.
Culture
Dragon Parade Lunar New Year 2016: The Year of the Monkey marks the fifth annual Central Florida Dragon Parade Lunar New Year. The Dragon Parade will begin at 11 a.m. and will be followed by five hours of Lunar New Year festivities. There will be cultural performances, arts and crafts, exotic food and other exhibitions. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 14, Orlando Fashion Square, 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, free, 407-808-0497.
Windermere Art Affair: The event will showcase more than 40 fine art artists, music, food and performing arts. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 20, Windermere Town Square, Main Street, Windermere, free, 407-448-0244.
Festival/Show
Florida Flute Convention: Featuring professionals from throughout the United States and abroad and student musicians in concerts, competitions, workshops, master classes, and participatory events, performing classical, jazz and world flute music, plus exhibitors of flutes and music. 2-10 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 31, Orlando Airport Marriott, 7499 Augusta National Drive, Orlando, $60 for adults, $35 for students, 8 p.m. evening concerts are $10 each at the door, 941-962-1649.
Battle of Townsend’s Plantation and Civil War
Festival: The event will include live Civil War battle re-enactments at 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Jan. 31, living history exhibits, folk music, weaponry demonstrations, authentic camps and sutlers, full scale artillery, cavalry and soldiers in time-period uniforms and weaponry. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Jan. 31, Renninger’s Antique Center, 20651 U.S. Highway 441, Mount Dora, $6 for adults, $4 for ages 12 or younger. 407-418-2075.
Antique telephone show: The Art & History Museums, Maitland, antique-telephone and insulator show features collectors exhibiting rare and historic telephones and insulators of all sizes and colors. Memorabilia also will be on display. The public is asked to bring antique telephones to sell and trade. Restored working telephones will be for sale. The A&H operates the Early Telephone Museum, which contains artifacts that chronicle the history of telephone service in the Maitland area from the early 1900s to 1979. The museum will be open and tours will be given throughout the day. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Germaine Marvel Building, 210 W. Packwood Ave., Maitland, $2 includes a tour of the telephone museum, 407-365-4686.
Porcelain art show: The Florida World Organization of China Painters’ annual show, “Elegance in Art,” will feature original hand-painted porcelain and artists’ demonstrations. Original porcelain art and supplies will be available for purchase. 1-5 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Bahia Shrine Center, 2300 Pembrook Drive, Orlando, $5, free for students, 863-840-1233. Orchid show and sale: The Greater Orlando Orchid Society’s Valentine orchids show will include blooming orchids and foliage plants. Potting and dividing service will be available for a nominal fee. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb 12-13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 14, Orlando Garden Club, 710 E. Rollins St., Orlando, admission is free, 407-310-0379.
Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival and Birdapalooza: The purpose of the event is to promote eco tourism of the Lake Apopka area. There will be nature and photography walking tours on the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, bus tours (limited seating), music and entertainment, exhibitors and vendors, bounce house, a tree give-a-way, face painting and live animal demonstrations. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 6, Magnolia Park, 2929 Binion Road, Apopka, free, 407-836-5850.
Calligrafaire: Presented by the Scribes of Central Florida Calligraphy Guild. Members will be writing names on free bookmarks, demonstrating many different styles of calligraphy, as well as related arts. There will also be several classes offered throughout the day. There is a $5 fee for most classes, to cover materials and handout cost. Reservations are strongly recommended. 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Feb. 27-28, Venue on the Lake: The Maitland Civic Center, 641 S. Maitland Ave., Maitland, admission is free, 407-339-7383.
Antiques Vintage and Garden Show: The Council of 101 presents its 34th annual event featuring dealers offering an array of fine antique furniture, paintings, jewelry, Oriental rugs, porcelain and vintage collectibles as well as inspiration from expert home and garden designers. From 1-3 p.m. each day, visitors can have their own items appraised by an expert. Reservations are required and are taken starting at noon each day. There is a two item appraisal limit and the cost is $10 per item. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 19-20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 21, Orlando Museum of Art, 2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, admission is $10, 407-896-4231.
Fundraiser
Golf tournament: The Central Florida Chapter of Professional Opticians of Florida and the Oviedo-Winter Springs Lions Club’s fourth annual tournament will benefit the Lions Entities of Central Florida. 8 a.m. Jan. 31, Eagle Creek Golf Club, 10350 Emerson Lake Blvd., Orlando, $99 includes green fees, cart, pre-round range balls, and awards luncheon, 407-765-5600.
Tables Extraordinaire:
Stroll through spectacular tablescapes in the Agape Ballroom featuring glamorous place settings, unique occasions, traditional holidays and whimsical favorites. There will also be Greek food and desserts. On Feb. 6, there will be a gala dinner and silent auction at 6 p.m. Gala admission is $150. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida Inc. and the Florida Hospital Transplant Institute. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 3-5, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Feb. 6, Holy Trinity Reception and Conference Center, 1217 Trinity Woods Lane, Maitland, tour admission is $15, 407-333-3895. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: Harbor House of Central Florida will host the fourth annual domestic abuse awareness event. The event will take place in the streets of downtown Orlando where men and women will strap on their high heels in the west courtyard steps of the Orange County Courthouse and walk nearly one mile to the Orange County Regional History Center. 6 p.m. March 3, Orange County Courthouse, 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, $25 donation per participant, 407-886-2244. Appetite for the Arches: Attendees will enjoy an assortment of culinary delights that have been created by some of Central Florida’s best chefs using McDonald’s ingredients. Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida. 7-10 p.m. March 5, Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center, 8701 World Center Drive, Orlando, $150-$200, 407-206-0957.
Paws in the Park:
Sponsored by the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, the event will raise awareness and money to benefit homeless pets. There will be pet-friendly vendors, contests, training tips, splash dogs dock diving competitions, and a canine sports arena featuring agility competitions. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 13, Lake Eola Park, 227 N. Eola Drive, Orlando, $10, 407-351-7722.
Health
CPR training: In recognition of the American Heart Association’s Heart Month, CPR Associates of America is offering its 14th annual “CPR for Friends and Family Day.” Class size is limited to the first 50 people per session. This is a non-certification course. 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. Feb. 13, First Covenant Church, 1720 Howell Branch Road, Winter Park, free, 407-829-3344.
Tools to quit smoking
class: Sponsored by the Florida Area Health Education Center Network and the Florida Department of Health. Free carbon monoxide testing, materials, and nicotine patches for participants (while supplies last). Advance registration required. 10 a.m. Tuesday, WellMed at Lake Copeland, 3160 Southgate Commerce Blvd., Orlando, free, 877-252-6094.
Blood drive: Sponsored by The Knights of Columbus. Walk-ins welcome. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. today, Incarnation Catholic Church, 1515 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, free, 407-425-1355.
Treatment of venous disease: Dr. Richard S. Bragg will discuss the cause and treatment advancements of varicose and spider veins, the symptoms associated with
them and how to improve these conditions. A light lunch will be served. Call tor register. 10 a.m. Feb. 17, Marks Street Senior Recreation Complex, 99 E. Marks St., Orlando, free, 407-710-3191.
Quit Smoking Now program: Sponsored by the Florida Area Health Education Center Network and the Florida Department of Health. The weekly program offers free carbon monoxide testing workbook and incentives and free nicotine patches for participants (while supplies last). Advance registration required. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 3-March 2, Florida Hospital East Orlando, 7727 Lake Underhill Road, Orlando, free, 877-252-6094.
Take Charge of your Diabetes program: The nine week program is designed to improve blood glucose control, help reduce long-term health complications, and improve your overall quality of life. Advance registration required. 3:30-5 p.m. beginning March 21, Orange County University of Florida IFAS Extension, 6021 S. Conway Road, Orlando, $20, 407-254-9200.
Kids & Family
Bug-A-Palooza: Bring the entire family for a chance to enjoy the wide world of insects in an environment with hands-on activities, crafts and an insect petting zoo. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Harry P. Leu Gardens, 1920 N. Forest Ave., Orlando, free with garden admission of $10 per adult, $3 per child, free for Leu members, 407-246-2620.
“Pedals, Pipes and Pizza” organ program: The event includes a presentation on the pipe organ, a musical demonstration of the instrument, and a chance for students to play the organ. The program is open to students of all ages. Parents and music teachers are welcome to accompany their children. Sponsored by the Central Florida Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Registration is required. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, Winter Park Presbyterian Church, 400 S. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park, free, 407-647-3413.
Ping Pong Tournament: All ages welcome. Sponsored by Orange County Parks & Recreation. 9 a.m. Feb. 6, Barnett Park, 4801 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, $2 per person, 407-836-6248.
“Bee My Valentine”