With spring just around the corner, it’s time once again to enjoy the great outdoors and the fast green scenery here in Winter Park, Fl. The city is holding an event next month that’ll let you do just that. Interested? Read on.

The Multifaith Education Project, together with the City of Winter Park is proud to once more bring you the 7th annual Trees for Peace Interfaith Tree Planting Project, which takes place on the 19th of April, Monday, at Lake Island Park, situated along West Morse Boulevard here in the city. Winter Park Mayor Kenneth W. Bradley will be present during the opening ceremonies to officially kick things off at 11:30 in the morning. The program will be led by the director of the Multifaith Education Project, Louise Sheehy.

Over 60 students from 3 different schools in the Central Florida region will come together next month to plant trees for peace. And as a way of bridging the gap between different cultures and beliefs, students get to bless the newly planted trees according to their respective faiths.

Of course, such an event wouldn’t be complete without a bit of celebration. A picnic will be held right after the activity on the lawns of Lake Island Park.

Do you have a green thumb? If so, then we’ve got news of a great series of seminars we’re sure you’re going to enjoy.

The City of Winter Park, Fl, together with the Orange County Cooperative Extension brings you the “Nine Principles of Landscaping Seminar”, a seminar that discusses the ins and outs of landscaping, and shares with everybody gardening techniques and secrets.

The seminar, which takes place on one Thursday of the month, running from March until August of 2010, will feature a guest speaker each month tasked with discussing vital landscaping information. He or she will also be answering questions from those in attendance.

Each seminar will also tackle the nine principles of landscaping, which are:

• Water efficiently
• Fertilize appropriately
• Pollution Management & pollution
• Right plant, right place
• Plant selection, soil, pH Irrigation & calibration
• Mulch
• Selection, application, scheduling Guidelines
• Manage yard pests responsibly Recycle
• Integrated pest management Benefits, mowing,
• ID, treatment & disease pruning & composting
• Reduce stormwater runoff Protect thewaterfront

The seminars will be taking place at the Winter Park Welcome Center, located along 151 West Lyman Avenue, from 7 to 9 in the evening, on one Thursday of the month.

Mark your calendars and register now by calling 407.599.3597.

With spring just around the corner, nature lovers have a reason to truly smile about. If you care about the planet we live in and want to know more about conservation methods and the like, we have an event – rather, a series of presentations in one event you’ll definitely love.

Taking place today from 9 to 11 in the morning is Nature’s Bounty “Growing Green”, a series of 3 presentations packed into one morning. The first, which begins at 9:30 in the morning is an icebreaker titled “Growing Your Photography Skills,” a presentation/workshop about garden and floral photography and its appreciation. Professional photographer Claudia Wickham will be the guest speaker.

At 10:30 in the morning, another presentation titled “Growing Green and Blue” kicks off. It’s a discussion on low maintenance water conserving yards to be presented by Teresa Watkins, a Florida Water Specialist.

Last but not least is “Greening Your Own Piece of the Planet,” a presentation that tackles landscaping methods that are eco-friendly and cause the least damage to the environment. Ed Fosgate, architect, landscape artist and owner of Landscapes Orlando will be the featured speaker.

If you’re interested, simply head to the Winter Park Garden Club. The best part? Admission is free.

In the wake of the cataclysmic disaster that claimed thousands of lives in Haiti, the City of Winter Park, together with the Salvation Army Orlando Area Command is presently putting up a fundraiser to help pool money and other supplies used for the relief and recovery efforts for the victims of the massive earthquake that struck Haiti just recently.

Winter Park Fl Mayor Ken Bradley, urged his fellow community members to extend a helping hand to the victims devastated by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake. He pointed out that while America may have its own share of problems today, the lives of those in Haiti literally depend on our assistance.

Winter Park’s residents have stepped up to the plate by donating money and non-perishable food items.

Donations will be accepted through the 29th of January, 2010. You can drop supplies and monetary donations at the Winter Park City Hall, the Winter Park Public Library, and the Winter Park Public Safety Facility.

Officials in the city are encouraging residents to drop by with batteries, children and infant clothes, blankets, powdered milk, bottled drinking water, other clothes, and canned goods.

Haiti needs our help. If you want to know more, logon to www.salvationarmyusa.org, or dial 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769).

Central Park residents can now look forward to a season of pure skating bliss and pleasure. The city of Winter Park FL is gearing up for “Winter in the Park”, starting Friday, November 20, 2009 until Sunday, January 3, 2010. It’s a freezing treat for locals like me and travelers alike. This is the first time that the city will have its own ice skating rink in Central Park West Meadow in the downtown area.

For only $10 per skater, one can already glide, spin, turn and enjoy time with friends and family the whole day. This fee already includes skate rental so there’s no need to bring those bulky skates along. The more the merrier as those gliding in groups of 10 can take advantage of group discounts and rates.

Private parties or exclusive rentals of the ice skating rink are available from Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well, perfect for those who are looking for other options when it comes to celebrating the Holidays in Winter Park FL. For regular ice skaters, the rink is available from Mondays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. During the weekends, people can skate all they want from 10 a.m. to 10.p.m. On Sundays, they can start gliding at noon until 6 p.m.

“Winter in the Park” will feature something special every night. Special frosty nights include date night for lovers, snow angels can glide gracefully during the local schools’ night and our very own “Politicians on Ice”. These nights are really what locals should look forward to and we can even invite relatives from neighboring cities and states. Great additions to the chilling Holiday experience in Winter Park FL are Holiday music, Santa appearances for the kids to enjoy, carolers and games.

To get to know more of “Winter in the Park, interested parties can call 407-599-3203 or browse through www.cityofwinterpark.org.