Park Avenue Refresh finishes its first phase
A final OK for a Lake Virginia home, a new furniture showroom and Motown at the Playhouse.
"It feels like home when you come here," Winter Park's mayor said Tuesday. On Park Avenue, that home now has new streetlights and repaired sidewalks.
Crews repaired cracked sidewalks, put up new streetlights and added safety features along Park Avenue. The goal of this round was infrastructure that makes the avenue safer and easier to get around on foot. Speaking Tuesday about the city's push to improve the corridor, Winter Park's mayor said the upgrades are meant to support residents and visitors who like spending time there. "We love our community," the mayor said. "People love it for all kinds of reasons." The mayor pointed to the city's events, boat tours and museums, adding, "It makes us special." The project's second phase is scheduled to begin in January.
7th Avenue opens a furniture showroom at 520 South Park Avenue
Los Angeles furniture brand 7th Avenue has opened a showroom of more than 2,400 square feet at 520 South Park Avenue. It is the company's first Greater Orlando showroom and its third presence in Florida. The brand is best known for modular sofas. Doors opened Oct. 9. The store runs on an appointment-first model, though walk-ins are welcome too. Appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can be booked through the brand's website.
Rollins debaters take third in the program's second season
Rollins College's debate team placed third overall in team debate sweepstakes at Sunshine Series 1, a forensics tournament. That came in just the program's second year on the intercollegiate circuit. More than 20 colleges and universities took part. Five Rollins debaters went a combined 19-6, finishing ahead of established programs at bigger schools. Ella Afrifa '29 was the standout. She went 7-0 in the novice division, won the Novice Debate Championship and was named Top Novice Debate Speaker.
A French-inspired home wins final approval on Lake Virginia
Winter Park's Planning and Zoning Board voted 7-0 on Oct. 6 to approve a French-inspired house at 1340 Lakeview Drive on Lake Virginia. Owners Aaron and Desiree Isler plan a 6,728-square-foot home with a glass-roofed dining room and a pool looking out on the lake. They paid $1 million for the property when they bought it from Luthra Ventures in 2009. Aaron Isler said the couple is finally getting ready to build. This lakefront approval is final, and the City Commission does not have to vote on it. The plans still have to clear building permit review.
City Hall's first pumpkin patch stays open through Oct. 25
- When
- Through Oct. 25 · 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday
- Where
- Next to Winter Park City Hall
About 2,200 people have stopped by the first pumpkin patch beside Winter Park City Hall. It stays open through Oct. 25. Hours are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Volunteers from schools and local businesses have taken 150 shifts to keep it running. Money raised goes to the Park Avenue District, which backs small businesses and promotes the avenue's shops and restaurants, said executive director Allison Chandler.
'The Men of Motown' plays one night at the Winter Park Playhouse
- When
- Thursday, Oct. 22 · 7:30 p.m.
- Where
- The Winter Park Playhouse
- Address
- N. Orange Ave.
- Price
- $75
Four male vocalists and a four-piece band bring the Motown sound to the Winter Park Playhouse on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. The show is part of the Playhouse's One-Night-Only series. Quentin Avery Brown, Trevion Ellis, Casey Gulledge and Alantae Jackson take on classics from the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, the Jackson Five and the Temptations. Expect hits such as "My Girl," "Superstition" and "This Magic Moment." Tickets to the show cost $75. Shows in this series are popular and often sell out.