FEB. 24
Millennium Middle School Fine Arts and Communication Magnet will present Disney’s, “Mulan, Jr.” featuring 40 of their musical theatre students on Friday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. The school is located at 21 Lakeview Drive, in Sanford. Tickets are $4. For more information call 407-320-6550. Pictured clockwise from left are Brandon Deuber of Altamonte Springs, Jacob Bushey of Oviedo, Madison Meltz of Altamonte Springs and Kayshala Pendleton of Sanford.
This month’s Sanford Art Walk has variety from A to Z. Edible art, zebra art, abstract art and art that’s all about love, including “Sculpted Wine Chiller” by Cathy Larson (pictured). The event is free and runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, in Historic Downtown Sanford. The fourth Friday of each month, multiple venues showcase local talent along with opportunities to meet visiting artists. Visit sanfordartwalk.com.
The Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida will host the sixth annual Florida Down Syndrome Conference at the University of Central Florida from Feb. 24-25. The conference, at UCF's Student Union, will feature a myriad of workshops, sessions and seminars led by national and local experts in the field of Down syndrome. For more information contact 407-478-5621 or dsacf.org.
The Fine Arts Department at Seminole State College of Florida hosts Yow Dance of Orlando for “Spring into Dance.” Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 in the Fine Arts Theatre (building G) on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus. The performance on Sunday, Feb. 26, will take place at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10. Reservations are strongly recommended. Call 407-708-2040.
FEB. 25
The Krewe of Leaders will host the Regional Mardi Gras Gala Ball at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, at St. Alban’s Cathedral Grundruff Hall, 3348 W. State Road 426, in Oviedo. Join emcees Allison Walker from Channel 13 and Arnie Nussbaum and get to know the community volunteers selected for the Royal Court. Tickets: member: $35 single, $65 couple, non-members: $40 single, $75 couple. Call 407-484-5461 for your gala reservations.
On Saturday, Feb. 25, Central Florida will be treated to a concert featuring Grammy-winning recording artist Doug Cotler. This concert is part of a yearlong celebration of Temple Shir Shalom's 10th Anniversary. The event will take place at the Reformed Theological Seminary, 1231 Reformation Drive, in Oviedo. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with Havdalah followed directly by the concert. Visit templeshirshalom.org for more information.
FEB. 28
Seminole State College of Florida’s Tuesday Voices, an open-mic poetry reading series, continues its season at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the Sanford/Lake Mary campus Multipurpose Room (building C). This event is free. Visit seminolestate.edu/arts or call 407-708-2040.
MARCH 2
The Sixth Annual HeART of Winter - South comes to the Jeanine Taylor Folk Art gallery at 211 E. First St., in Sanford from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 2, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 3. Two powerhouse folk art dealers will partner to bring the best to savvy art collectors at winter's end. Expect a packed house for the second visit from Jen O’Connor’s Earth Angels as they travel from all corners of the country to set up a “pop up” show. The event is free. Visit jtfolkart.com for more information.
For one night only, St. Luke's Lutheran Church presents international Christian recording duo Keith & Kristyn Getty live in concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 2. Come and worship with the Gettys, as they perform timeless hymns, like “By Faith” and “In Christ Alone”. This event is free. Seating is limited. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. For more information, contact Joshua Jones at 407-365-3408 or jjones@stlukes-oviedo.org.
The Planetarium at Seminole State College of Florida will host its Spring Star Party on Friday, March 2, with telescopes set up outside the planetarium for a unique opportunity to view Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn in one night. This free event will take place from 6:30 to 11 p.m. with the live sky show beginning at 9 p.m. in the faculty and staff parking lot adjacent to the planetarium. Visit seminolestate.edu/planet or call 407-708-2360.
MARCH 3
Wine & Dine for the Arts to benefit the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at Carrabba's; 5820 Red Bug Lake Road, in Oviedo. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information about FSYO please visit fsyo.org
Shop at the 10th Annual Geneva Community Yard & Craft Sale on Saturday, March 3, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be more than 50 tables with great yard sale bargains and beautiful crafts for sale at the Geneva Community Center on First Street.
MARCH 4
Celebrate Pulaski Day with PNA Lodge 3216 at the Polonia Restaurant from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 4, at 750 S. Highway 17-92 in Longwood. Entry fee is $20 for Lodge 3216 Members and $30 for non-members. Dinner includes salad, a breadbasket, one non-alcoholic beverage, tax and gratuity. Polish beer and wine will be available for sale. Music will be provided by Joe Oberaitis, the Polka Prince. For further information contact 407-365-2586 or wodahowski@cfl.rr.com.
MARCH 8
Come out and commemorate St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, March 8, at downtown Sanford’s Alive After 5 “It’s a Green Thing!” Our street festival just keeps getting better and better with food and beverage samples, live music, local art and community businesses. This event is every second Thursday of the month from 5 to 8 p.m. in Sanford. Tickets are only $7 per person. Contact 407-302-2586 or info@sanfordwelcomecenter.com.
MARCH 9
Epiphany Lutheran Church is hosting a community rummage sale Friday, March 9, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, March 10, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The church is located at 1498 Tuskawilla Road, Oviedo. Call 407-678-6672 for information.
MARCH 10
The Rotary Club of Casselberry will present the best cultural performing arts from around the world at The World's Festival 2012, scheduled from noon until 6 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at Metro Life Auditorium, 910 S. Winter Park Dr., in Casselberry. For more information visit RotaryFestival.org.
Come and celebrate 20 years of finding jobs, reducing hunger and providing hope with Christian HELP as we celebrate our 20th birthday with an open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 10 at 450 Seminola Blvd., in Casselberry. There will be food and fun, with a short program at 1 p.m. honoring some of the people who have helped us provide services over the past 20 years. We will also be sharing our vision for the future. Call 407-834-4022 for more information or to RSVP.
Free Family Fun Day is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at Waterstone Fellowship, 1925 W. County Road 419 Oviedo. Everyone is invited to attend, meet the WaterStone Fellowship family & have a lot of fun! There will be a bounce house, puppet show, kids crafts, games, free hot dogs and refreshments. Call 407-366-7775 or visit WaterStoneFellowship.org
MARCH 11
The Sundew Gardens and Voice columnist Tom Carey hosts Intro to Sundew Gardening Organic Gardening Workshop, for $20, from 10 a.m. to noon, on Sunday, March 11. Following a lunch break from noon-1 p.m., there will be a "Propagating Seedlings and Transplants" workshop at the greenhouse from 1-4 p.m. for $15, or $30 for both. Please RSVP to sundewgardens@gmail.com or 407-430-2178.
Leadership Seminole’s 5th Annual Bowling Green Tournament will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, at the AMF Bowling Center in Longwood. The event, which has an Irish-theme, offers opportunities for four-person teams and sponsors to enjoy a day of friendly competition. Awards will be presented to the teams having the highest score, most Irish spirit, most enthusiasm, highest number of gutter balls and best team name. Funds raised from the event will support the leadership development programs of Leadership Seminole. For information contact Gerie Vogt at 866-880-4814 or gerie@innovativesource.com.
On Sunday, March 11, St. Luke's celebrates 100 years of Faith & Service with a Community Picnic. Celebratory Worship will be at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. The festivities begin outside at 12:30 p.m. with free lunch from Bubbalou's BBQ, old fashioned games, musical entertainment from the 'Celery Pickers' and the Brass Band of Central Florida, and a special honoring and recognition of many local charities. This is a family event provided to the community free by St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 2021 W. State Road 426, in Oviedo. Visit stlukes-oviedo.org for more information.
February's Food Truck Crazy event was such a success that the food truck owners have asked to add March 11 to the calendar for the regular monthly event, on top of the already scheduled March 31 Food Truck Wars event. Food Truck Crazy will be at Oviedo Mall on Sunday, March 11, from 5 to 9 p.m. Visit myoviedomall.com for more information.
ONGOING
The Winter Springs Farmers Market is every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on State Road 434 and Tuskawilla Road in the Winter Springs Town Center. Visit WinterSpringsFarmersMarket.com for more information.
The Oviedo Farmers Market is the first Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the grounds of the Historic Lawton House, 200 W. Broadway St. Visit OviedoHS.com for more information.
TheDailyCity.com Food Truck Bazaar is the third Sunday of the month at Oviedo Lowe’s Home Improvement, 1155 Vidina Place, Oviedo. Visit TheDailyCity.com for more information.
The Intro to Sundew Gardening tour/workshop is held on the second Sunday of each month, from 10 a.m. to noon. Learn the different methods of natural and practical gardening we use at Sundew Gardens. Cost is $20. Field trips for groups and clubs start at $100. Visit Sundew Gardens on Facebook and Sundewgardens.com or send an email to sundewgardens@gmail.com.
The Planetarium at Seminole State College of Florida presents the following shows: “Central Florida Nights” will be presented at 8:30 p.m. on March 16 and March 30. “Earth’s Neighborhood” will be presented from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 25. “Stories of the Night Sky” will be presented from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 24. “Cretaceous Countdown” will be presented from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on March 17, March 24 and March 31. For more information and a full schedule of events, please visit seminolestate.edu/planet or call 407-708-2360.
Family Calendar
“Follow That Rabbit…The Wonderland Story”: Come and join Alice in this family favorite, suitable for all ages, at the Indian Trails Middle School Cafeteria on Tuskawilla Road, in Winter Springs. Performance dates are Friday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance, $6 at door. For more information call 407-320-4350.
The Annual Shakespeare Competition for Orange, Seminole and Osceola students in grades 9-12 sponsored by the English-Speaking Union of Central Florida will be held at The University Club of Winter Park at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27. The winner is given an all-expenses paid trip to New York to compete at Lincoln Center in the National Competition. The first place winner there receives a scholarship to study at the British American Drama Academy the following summer.
This March, Lymlight Productions travels to the 1946 Iowa State Fair as they mount the Rogers and Hammerstein musical, “State Fair”. This beloved musical takes the stage from March 1- 3 at 7 p.m. in the Lyman High School Auditorium. Middle school students may enjoy one free ticket for each paying adult — just bring along your valid middle school ID! Reserve your priority seating tickets before they sell out at $12, or view the show from all other seating at $7 in advance, and $10 at the door. Reserve your general admission tickets at the presale price by contacting 407-746-2329, or email SusanM_Jones@scps.k12.fl.us
In celebration of its 50th birthday, the students of Jackson Heights Middle School in Oviedo are hosting the inaugural JHMS: Run the City 5K Run/Walk 7:30 a.m. at Oviedo Mall on Saturday, March 3. Registration is $25 per person, $20 for any Florida student, with all proceeds to benefit local charities and the Seminole County Public School’s Families in Transition program. Visit http://www.jhms.scps.k12.fl.us
Join the Seminole County Natural Lands Program for Nocturnal Animals Night Hike on March 3 at the Lake Harney Wilderness Area from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Come learn about habitats and the wonderful and sometimes mysterious creatures that come out at night. Call 407-349-0959. It’s $3 per person. Please register in advance.
Join the Seminole County Environmental Studies for a weeklong spring break day camp for ages 7-12. The registration deadline is March 5. Call 407-349-0959 for more information.
Email calendar submissions to editor@observernewspapers.com
4-H Exploding Bacon Robotics, a robotics team made up of students from 12 Central Florida schools from 5 counties, will be competing at the FIRST Robotics Competition Orlando Regional at the University of Central Florida Arena this March 9 and 10. Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m., and the competition runs until the award ceremonies at 5 p.m. each day. Visit www.explodingbacon.com
Enjoy all that spring has to offer at the inaugural Spring Family Festival in Winter Springs on Saturday March 10th 5 p.m.-9 p.m. The Event will feature great live entertainment for the entire family and great vendors will be on hand. There will also be a kids area with great games for kids of all ages.
Simon Kidgits Club, Dr. Seuss Enterprises L.P. and Random House Children’s Books together are celebrating the 75th anniversary of Theodor Seuss Geisel’s first-ever published children’s book, “And To Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street.” Seminole Towne Center invites Central Florida families to celebrate “75 Years of Imagination” at a free Dr. Seuss special event on Saturday, March 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Seminole Towne Center is pleased to announce the following March events:
March 3: Yo-Yo Demonstrations
March 7: Florida Hospital Fish Memorial Mall Walkers Event
March 10: Dr. Seuss 75th Anniversary Celebration, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Center Court
March 14: Read.Play.Shop., 10 to 11 a.m., Play Area
March 17: Spring Fashion Show/Easter Bunny Arrival, 1 p.m., JCPenney Court
March 18: Sweet Pea Pageant, JCPenney Court
March 22-25: RV Show, Dillard’s Parking Lot
March 27: Kidgits Birthday Party (February Birthdays)
Join Seminole County Natural Lands Program for guided hikes and programs throughout the county. Come learn about habitats and the wonderful and sometimes mysterious creatures that live there. Call 407-349-0959. It’s $3 per person. Please register in advance.
March 17th Owl Prowl 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. @ Geneva Wilderness Area
April 7th Nocturnal Animals 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. @ Chuluota Wilderness Area
April 21st Insects After Dark 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. @ Geneva Wilderness Area< /div>
April 28th Swamp Walk 8 a.m.-10 p.m. @ Spring Hammock Preserve
May 5th Frog Hop Hike 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. @ Geneva Wilderness Area
May 19th Nocturnal Animals 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. @ Lake Harney Wilderness Area
June 2nd Herp (reptile) Hike 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. @ Lake Proctor Wilderness Area
June 16th Nocturnal Animals 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. @ Chuluota Wilderness Area
For more information about hikes or other Natural Lands programs call 407-349-0959. For more information on Seminole County Natural Lands visit www.seminolecountyfl.gov/natland.