Pet Friendly Orlando and Central Florida

Recently, I was called by a free-lance writer in regard to a story that she was writing for the Orlando Sentinel about pet-friendly communities in Orlando and decided to do some further research to assist her. It appears that AAA (American Automobile Association) and Dogfriendly.com, which came out with its 2007 List of the Top 10 Dog-Friendly Vacation Spots in North America, Orlando ranks #8 in both surveys. Since Orlando is the first Florida city on both surveys, one can deduce that Orlando is then the #1 Pet Friendly city in Florida.

One may not have assumed that the Greater Central Florida area and Orlando particularly was that pet-friendly up until a few years ago when they finally allowed doggie dining. Granted, an establishment has a pay a $150 permit fee to allow doggie dining, but it appears that many have signed on. There is quite a large list of restaurants with outdoor dining that allow you to bring your pets along. Some even provide water bowls and special treats for your loved ones.

In addition to the fact that there are 57 AAA-rated pet-friendly hotels and motels in Orlando, but Walt Disney World, Universal Studios & Sea World all have facilities for your pets.

There are now 10 animal hospitals in the area according to AAA and I’ve noted at least a dozen off-leash Dog Parks as well as over 60 parks and trails that allow your pet, but on a leash. That isn’t too shabby.

Can you say Woof!?!

For more information, there are many sites including www.OrlandoDogParks.com.

What’s Happening in Central Florida - April 28, 2008

This is a guide to a smattering of events occurring in the Orlando Central Florida area. The sections are divided into Art, Music, Theater, Author, Etc, On-Going and Plan Ahead. There is surely something for everyone.

ART

SPRING SHOW

What: works by Frank Milo, Stefano Cecchini, Thomas Arvid &

others

When: through April 30

Where: Grand Bohemian Gallery

325 S. Orange Ave.

Orlando

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-581-4801

HIPPIES USE SIDE DOOR

When: through May 10

Where: Boom-Art Gallery

1821 N. Orange Ave.

Orlando

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-281-0246

HARRIET LAKE: THE CLOSET

When: through June 22

Where: Mennello Museum of American Art

900 E. Princeton St.

Orlando

Cost: $8 adults, $7 senior, $5 students, children under 12 free

Contact: 407-246-4278

THEATER

LALALA SHOW

When: May 3 – 7:30pm

Where: Helen Stairs Theatre

203 Magnolia Ave.

Sanford

Cost: $16 – 22 general admission; $12 children and seniors

Contact: 407-321-8111

ORLANDO CABARET FESTIVAL

When: May 1 - 18

Where: Mad Cow Theatre

105 S. Magnolia Ave.

Orlando

Cost: $15 – 20 evenings and weekends; $12 matinees

Contact: 407-297-8788

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

What: Joseph Robinette play adapted from the C. S. Lewis novel

When: April 18 through May 25

Fridays – 7pm

Saturdays – 2 & 7pm

Sundays – 2pm

Where: Orlando Repertory Theatre

1001 E. Princeton St.

Orlando

Cost: $15 adults, $10 children 17 and younger

Contact: 407-896-7365

WICKED

What: touring production

When: April 23 through May 4

Tuesdays - Saturdays – 8pm

Sundays – 1pm

2pm Matinees – April 24, 26, 30

6:30pm – April 27

Where: Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre

401 W. Livingston St

Orlando

Cost: $35 - 90

Contact: 407-849-2577

MUSIC

DANCING UNDER THE STARS

What: Orlando Philharmonic Ochestra

When: May 3 – 8pm

Where: The Springs

400 Woodbridge Road

Longwood

Cost: $30 advance; $35 day of show

Contact: 407-770-0071

ETC

DATE NIGHT AT LEU GARDENS

What: Outdoor screening of Moonstruck

When May 2 – 8:30pm

Where: Harry P. Leu Gardens

1920 N. Forest Avenue

Orlando

Cost: $7 adults; $2 children

Contact: 407-246-2620

FORECLOSURE PREVENTION AND PREDATORY LENDING

What: The City of Orlando will put on a presentation to educate

residents about resources available to ease the effects of

foreclosures and predatory lending practices. HUD, Freddie

Mac and Titanium Solutions will present.

When: May 3 – 9am – 1pm

Where: Northwest Community Center

3955 Country Club Drive

Orlando

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-246-2708

KID FEST

What: activities and refreshments

When: May 3 – 10am – 3pm

Where: Cranes Roost Park

Altamonte Springs Drive

Altamonte Springs

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-571-8863

RECORD & CD SHOW

When: May 4 – 7:30am – 4pm

Where: Central Florida Fairgrounds

4603 W. Colonial Drive

Orlando

Cost: $10 before 10am; $3 after

Contact: 352-665-0259

ON-GOING

OPEN MIKE POETRY

When: Wednesdays – 8pm

Where: Cup O Soul

906 W. Fairbanks Ave

Winter Park

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-647-7685

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL

What: 15^th Annual show with the Flower Power Series nightly at 5:45, 7 & 8.

When: through June 1

Where: Epcot

10000 Buena Vista Blvd.

Lake Buena Vista

Cost: park admission - $70 adults, $60 children

PAINT THE TOWN

What: works from traditional to contemporary

When: through June 1 - 8am – 9pm

Where: Orlando City Hall Terrace Gallery

400 S. Orange Ave.

Orlando

Cost: Free

PLAN AHEAD

POPCORN FLICKS

What: Outdoor screening of Jailhouse Rock

When: May 8 – 8pm

Where: Central Park

Park Ave.

Winter Park

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-629-0054

ARMY OF HOPE

What: gala and auction to benefit families of military casualties

When: May 9 – 7pm

Where: Global Gallery at the Plaza

183 S. Orange Ave.

Orlando

Cost: $100

Contact: 407-588-1260

ROBODOC

What: Premiere screening of the Stephen Maddocks comedy

When May 10 - 11pm

Where: Hard Rock Live

Universal CityWalk

Orlando

Cost: $35 advance tickets; $45 day of the show

Contact: 407-351-5483

SPRING JAZZ STROLL

When: May 10 – 7PM

Where: Harry P. Leu Gardens

1920 N. Forest Ave.

Orlando

Cost: $17

Contact: 407-246-2620

ORANGE TREE ANTIQUES SHOW

When: May 9 – noon -5pm

May 10 – 10am – 5pm

May 11 – 11am – 4pm

Where: Maitland Civic Center

641 S. Maitland Ave

Maitland

Cost: $4

Contact: 407-644-4547

ORLANDO FRINGE FESTIVAL

When: May 15 - 26

Where: Orlando Loch Haven Park

Mills & Princeton Aves.

Orlando

Cost: Individual show admissions; Fringe Button $6

Contact: 407-648-0077

GREAT ORLANDO BEER FESTIVAL

When: May 17

Where: Downtown Orlando

42 W. Concord St.

Orlando

Cost: $25 advance; $35 day of the event

Contact: 321-277-5079

ZELLWOOD CORN FESTIVAL

When: May 24 – 25 – noon – 10pm

Where: Zellwood Sweet Corn Festival Grounds

4253 W. Ponkan Road

Zellwood

Cost: $25 – advance; $30 – at the gate; 12 & under free with a

paid adult

Contact: 407-886-0014

Orlando, Step Up To The Plate - It’s Time To Buy Your Next Home!!!

Yes, Orlando, it is time to get off of the fence and purchase a home. Let me qualify that. That is if it is within your means to do so financially. The previous mentality that we’ve seen has hopefully stopped, but unfortunately, once things get better, people tend to forget. Sad but true!

There have been several articles over the past week and half that I’ve read that have shown once again how Florida and especially Orlando have bucked the national trend in real estate.

According to NAR (the National Association of Realtors®), not only did the number of existing home sales dip 19.3% below the previous years sales in March, but they also slipped from February to March of this year. Now, before I get into the Orlando numbers, I must state that there is some conflicting information. While ORRA (the Orlando Regional Realtor Association) reported 1080 closed sales on April 14^th for the previous month, in today’s Orlando Sentinel, it was reported at 1312 homes sold.

But even going with the lower figure, sales again increased from February to March as they also did from January to February. I have to admit that at first I pleased with this trend, but was also a little skeptical. Granted, it’s been a couple of months and January’s #’s were quite low.

The national median price is $200,700. In Florida it is $205,600, which represents a 15% drop from the year before. In Orlando, the median housing price is $220K, which is down $20K from or 8.3% from the same period the last two years and in fact is over the 2005 level by 8.2%. In the big picture, that is not too shabby at all. Remember, and I can’t stress this enough, real estate is a long-term investment. Actually, let’s repeat that again – real estate is a long-term investment!

Now back to the original premise of this article. Consider the facts. Interest rates are quite low and this is a buyer’s market where they tend to be much higher. There are so many excellent properties to choose from that are priced correctly for today’s market.

I keep on hearing buyers are concerned and waiting for the prices to hit bottom. Personally, I think this has occurred. Now, while I may not be a seer or have a crystal ball, this is a quite educated stance. If a funny thing, OK well may be not so funny, but people will wait for the prices to rise more and then by the time they get in the game they have risen even more. Just look back over the past couple of years and you’ll see what I mean. Many saw others getting into the market and making some money. They figured that if they can do it, so should I, but they got in too late and are in many cases struggling with the properties that they’ve acquired.

Additionally, Orlando’s affordability index increased in March to 102.35. That means that buyers earning the median income make 2.35% more than necessary to purchase a median priced home.

Orlando, get off the fence and start being realistic about our current market.

Realtors® put their pants on…

…just like everyone else, one leg at a time!

There is definitely a perception and an assumption about realtors® in our society. But then we do that with a lot of professions (lawyers, doctors, et al). There are realtors®, in some eyes, that are elevated to some top levels and there are others that are denigrated to the lowest rungs on the totem pole, so to speak.

There is the perception that what we do is a simple task and that we make way too much money. But, of course, it is not known by most what it costs us to perform the duties that are necessary to be successful. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for a licensed real estate sale agent is under $40K a year. In fact, if you’d like to know about what it takes to be a realtor®, follow this link to their site http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos120.htm. It’s quite informative.

As with every profession, we have all degrees of capacity. Just as with any profession, there are better and then some that are just not up to par. But do those professions acquire the stigma of those with lesser ability as does the real estate profession? I think not, or at least not to the degree that the general public places on my chosen profession.

A realtor®, a true realtor® if there is such a term, is not out there to sell homes. This person is there trying to help people achieve a goal - achieve a dream in many instances. We could be talking about the first-time home buyer; someone who’s looking at upward mobility; even those that have been through life and have decided that it time to make a change and maybe downsize. But they have a goal and it is our job to help them achieve this goal in the best and easiest possible fashion.

The following is my mission statement: In working with a Seller - to sell their property for more money net to them in less time with minimal inconvenience to their lifestyle. In working with a Buyer - to assist them in purchasing a property within their prescribed parameters with the experience being comfortable, exciting and fun for all those involved. In fact my vision statement reads: To make a difference to everyone I work with on a daily basis by adding value and quality to their lives through my knowledge, expertise and service.

Now, this may seem corny and canned to some, but to me it is not. It is the essence of what I bring to the table. It is me! Forgive me, for this is not being written as a self-promotion of myself. I am not that egotistical, but there does need to be a change in attitude towards realtors®. Additionally, this should not be perceived as a rant. Moreso, I would prefer this to be considered somewhat of an education.

Perceptions and assumptions are found throughout our society. It unfortunately is what drives too many people. I can only gather to a point, that it is human nature of sorts because so many do it so often. Yes, we do perceive things – we do have perceptions of things, we do have assumptions of certain people and industries. But when you look at the whole picture, there should be no reason for this.

I saw a therapist once and he posed a question to me asking if I would be concerned about a person (maybe a little disheveled) coming towards me from the opposite direction. My answer to him is what did that person do that should provoke that reaction in me. No, I am surely not a polyanna, but why? Has that person given me any reason to feel that way? If not, then why should I have that perception?

There’s the old saying that you can a book by its cover. We’ve all seen in our careers how often this can be untrue. I’ve encountered people looking like schleps; and yet, they could buy and sell me.

What is a perception? It is cognitive recognition utilizing the senses. But it is not fact.

What is an assumption? It means to take for granted without proof.

Can you see how dangerous these two concepts can be?

Someone told me a long time ago that the word ‘assume’ is made out of three words and as you look at it you might see them. Obviously, I’m not going to decipher it right here. But the fact of the matter is. An assumption is a presupposition based on usually very little if any facts whatsoever. And that is the issue right there. If you had all of the facts, then you would have a clear definition.

Over 85% of all real estate transactions were performed with the use of a realtor®. So why does the general public still try to denigrate this profession? Look at the numbers, we must be doing something correct.

Your realtor® is a human being, with feelings and emotions like yourself. They have lived through trials and tribulations – just like you! They are no different than you, except for their chosen career, which requires constant education to the changing laws, contracts, market, economy, interest rates… Do I need to go on? A realtor® stands by a strict Code of Ethics. Much more than most can surmise.

I won’t say that they deserve your respect, but they surely earn it day in and day out. Respect as with anything else is a two-way street. If you give it, it will come back to you.

What’s Happening in Central Florida

This is a guide to a smattering of events occurring in the Orlando Central Florida area through April 17^th. The sections are divided into Art, Music, Theater, Author, Etc, On-Going and Plan Ahead. There is surely something for everyone.

ART

HIPPIES USE SIDE DOOR

When: through May 10

Where: Boom-Art Gallery

1821 N. Orange Ave.

Orlando

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-281-0246

JURIED STUDENT ART EXHIBIT

When: through April 28

Where: Seminole Community College Fine Arts Gallery

100 Weldon Blvd.

Sanford

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-708-2040

SPRING SHOW

What: works by Frank Milo, Stefano Cecchini, Thomas Arvid &

others

When: through April 30

Where: Grand Bohemian Gallery

325 S. Orange Ave.

Orlando

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-581-4801

HARRIET LAKE: THE CLOSET

When: through June 22

Where: Mennello Museum of American Art

900 E. Princeton St.

Orlando

Cost: $8 adults, $7 senior, $5 students, children under 12 free

Contact: 407-246-4278

MUSIC

LIFEHOUSE

When: April 16 - 8pm

Where: Hard Rock Live

6050 Universal Blvd.

Orlando

Cost: $25 - 32.50

Contact: 407-351-5483

VALENCIA STRING ENSEMBLE

When: April 17 - 1pm

Where: Valencia Community College East

701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail

Orlando

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-582-2329

ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

When: April 19 - 2 & 8pm

Where: Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre

401 W. Livingston St.

Orlando

Cost: $13 - 62

Contact: 407-770-0071

THEATER

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

What: Joseph Robinette play adapted from the C. S. Lewis novel

When: April 18 through May 25

Fridays - 7pm

Saturdays - 2 & 7pm

Sundays - 2pm

Where: Orlando Repertory Theatre

1001 E. Princeton St.

Orlando

Cost: $15 adults, $10 children 17 and younger

Contact: 407-896-7365

WICKED

What: touring production

When: April 23 through May 4

Tuesdays - Saturdays - 8pm

Sundays - 1pm

2pm Matinees - April 24, 26, 30

6:30pm - April 27

Where: Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre

401 W. Livingston St

Orlando

Cost: $35 - 90

Contact: 407-849-2577

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

What: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical

When: through April 20

Fridays & Saturdays - 7:30pm

Sundays - 2pm

Where: Helen Stairs Theatre

203 Magnolia Ave

Sanford

Cost: $15 -23 adults, $10 students

Contact: 407-321-8111

MID-LIFE: THE CRISIS MUSICAL

What: production of the Jim & Bob Walton musical

When: through April 19

Fridays - 7:30pm

Saturdays - 2 & 7:30pm

Where: Winter Park Playhouse

711-B Orange Ave.

Winter Park

Cost: $30 general, $28 seniors, $22 matinees, $20 students and

industry professionals

LEMONADE

What: Doug Ba'aser and Tommy Wooten comedy

When: April 19 - 8pm

Where: Footlight Theater - Parliament House

410 N. Orange Blossom Trail

Orlando

Cost: $10

Contact: 407-540-0317

I HAVE BEFORE ME A REMARKABLE DOCUMENT GIVEN TO ME BY A YOUNG LADY FROM RWANDA

What: by Sonja Linden

When: through April 20

Thursdays - Saturdays - 7:30pm

Sundays - 2:30pm

Where: Mad Cow Theatre

105 S Magnolia Ave.

Orlando

Cost: $24 & $26

JOHNNY GUITAR

What: Martin Silvetri and Joel Higgins musical

When: April 17 through April 27

Thursdays - 3pm

Fridays - 8pm

Saturdays - 3 & 8pm

Sundays - 4pm

Where: Plaza Theatre

425 N. Bumby Ave

Orlando

Cost: $39.5

Contact: 407-228-1220

RABBIT HOLE

What: David Lindsay-Abaire drama

When April 20 - 26

Thursdays - Saturdays - 8pm

Sundays - 2:30pm

Where: Theatre Downtown

2113 N. Orange Avenue

Orlando

Cost: $18 general admission; $15 students and seniors

Contact: 407-841-0083

AUTHORS

KIM HAHN

What: signing by the author of the Fertility Journal

When April 24 - 5pm

Where: Urban Think! Bookstore

625 E. Central Boulevard

Orlando

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-650-8004

ETC

SIERRA CLUB

What: Florida's Showcase Green Envirohome

When: April 16 - 7 - 8:45pm

Where: Harry P. Leu Gardens

1920 N. Forest Ave

Orlando

Cost: Free

CENTRAL FLORIDA FAIR

When: April 17 - 27

10am - 10pm

Where: Central Florida Fairgrounds

4603 W. Colonial Drive

Orlando

Cost: $5 advance, $10 gate; students & seniors $5 advance, $7

gate; children 6-10 $2 advance, $5 gate; children under 5

free; Family 4-pack $80 advance, $96 gate

ORANGE AUDUBON PROGRAM

What: Riverine Turtles of Florida

When: April 17 - 7pm

Where: Harry P. Leu Gardens

1920 N. Forest Ave

Orlando

Cost: Free

EARTH DAY FESTIVAL

What: Art, refreshments, music

When April 19 - noon - 9:30pm

Where: Lake Eola

Downtown

Orlando

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-595-3731

GREAT AMERICAN PIE FESTIVAL

What: baking competitions, demonstrations & games

When: April 19- 11am - 7pm

April 20 - noon - 5pm

Where: Lakeside Park

631 Sycamore St

Celebration

Cost: $10 adults, $5 seniors and children

Contact: 407-566-2200

INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

What: entertainment and cooking demonstrations

When: April 19- 5 - 9pm

Where: Avalon Park

13001 Founders Square Drive

Orlando

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-658-6565

ORANGE TREE ANTIQUES SHOW

What: 19^TH & 20^TH century pottery, glass, porcelain, books, et.c

When: April 11 - noon - 5pm

April 12 - 10am - 5pm

April 13 - 11am - 4pm

Where: Maitland Civic Center

641 S. Maitland Ave

Maitland

Cost: $4

EDUCATION FUND GALA

What: To benefit scholarships of the Business and Professional

Woman of Orlando Education Fund

When: April 19 - 6pm

Where: Orlando Marriott Downtown

400 W. Livingston St.

Orlando

Cost: $60 - singles; $100 - couples

Contact: 407-928-6279

FASHION FUNDS THE CURE

What: Fashion show to benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation

When: April 22 - 6pm

Where: Saks Fifth Avenue

8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail (Florida Mall)

Orlando

Cost: $75

Contact: 813-269-0955

AIR NAUTIQUE WAKE GAMES

What: Pro and Amateur Wakeboarding. There will also be music,

food, raffles and shopping.

Where: Orlando Water Sports

8615 Florida Rock Road

Orlando

When: April 24 - 27

9am - 11pm

Cost: Free for spectators

Contact: 407-438-5889

ON-GOING

OPEN MIKE POETRY

When: Wednesdays - 8pm

Where: Cup O Soul

906 W. Fairbanks Ave

Winter Park

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-647-7685

BECKETT FESTIVAL

What: several plays

When: through April 20 - check for times and schedule

Where: Orlando Shakespeare Theater

812 E. Rollins St.

Orlando

Cost: $20 general, $15 students and seniors,

3-day pass - $45 general, $30 students and seniors

Contact: 407-328-9005

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL

What: 15^th Annual show with the Flower Power Series nightly at 5:45, 7 & 8.

When: through June 1

Where: Epcot

10000 Buena Vista Blvd.

Lake Buena Vista

Cost: park admission - $70 adults, $60 children

PAINT THE TOWN

What: works from traditional to contemporary

When: through June 1 - 8am - 9pm

Where: Orlando City Hall Terrace Gallery

400 S. Orange Ave.

Orlando

Cost: Free

PLAN AHEAD

BASH FOR BOOKS

What: Wine tasting and auction to benefit the Winter Park Public

Library

When April 26 - 7pm

Where: Winter Park Public Library

460 E. New England Avenue

Winter Park

Cost: $75

Contact: 407-623-3486

REVOLUTION

What: Hosted by the Pintura International Graffiti Conference to

raise money for the construction of the Orlando

Contemporary Museum of Art.

When: April 26 - noon - 2am

Where: 630 W. Central Studios

630 W. Central Boulevard

Orlando

Cost: $15

PUPPETS FROM THE EDGE

What: Puppetry shorts hosted by Jason Home

When April 26 - 8pm

Where: Mad Cow Theatre Company

105 S. Magnolia Ave

Orlando

Cost: $8

Contact: 407-297-8788

FREUHLINGS FEST

What: German Spring festival with music and refreshments

When April 26 - 2pm

Where: German American Society of Central Florida Clubhouse

381 Orange Lane

Casselberry

Cost: $4; 12 & younger free

Contact: 407-834-0574

2008 FRINGE PREVIEW

What: A sneak preview of 30 of the productions of the upcoming

Fringe Festival

When: April 28 - 7 - 10pm

Where: Orlando Shakespeare Theater

812 E. Rollins St.

Orlando

Cost: $5

DATE NITGHT AT LEU GARDENS

What: Outdoor screening of Moonstruck

When May 2 - 8:30pm

Where: Harry P. Leu Gardens

1920 N. Forest Avenue

Orlando

Cost: $7 adults; $2 children

Contact: 407-246-2620

KID FEST

What: activities and refreshments

When: May 3 - 10am - 3pm

Where: Cranes Roost Park

Altamonte Springs Drive

Altamonte Springs

Cost: Free

Contact: 407-571-8863

ROBODOC

What: Premiere screening of the Stephen Maddocks comedy

When May 10 - 11pm

Where: Hard Rock Live

Universal CityWalk

Orlando

Cost: $35 advance tickets; $45 day of the show

Contact: 407-351-5483

For information on Seminole County real estate and Seminole County homes for sale in addition to Seminole County relocation contact Marc Grossman, your Seminole County Realtor @ 407-463-1034. Additional information is available for Seminole County real estate, Orange County real estate, West Volusia County and South Lake County.

To learn more about Marc and the services he has to offer, visit his profile & website.

Marc Grossman, GRI - http://www.OrlandoHomes-4u.com/ - 407-463-1034

Marc donates 10% of his net proceeds to Hospice of the Comforter.

Marc It Sold!

What’s Happening in Central Florida

This is a guide to a smattering of events occurring in the Orlando Central Florida area through April 17th. The sections are divided into Art, Music, Theater, Author, Etc, On-Going and Plan Ahead. There is surely something for everyone.

ART

CAFFEINE FOR THE ARTISTIC SOUL ART SHOW
What: pop, graffiti, modern & digital art from local artists
When: April 10 – 5 -10pm
Where: Full Sail
3300 University Blvd.
Winter Park
Cost: Free
Contact: 407-679-0100

THE GREAT PUBLIC ART CHALLENGE
What: 2 hours to find 7 pieces of art and complete tasks, prizes and
walking involved.
When: April 12 – 2 - 4pm
Where: Orange County Administration Center
201 S. Rosalind Ave.
Orlando
Cost: Free

HIPPIES USE SIDE DOOR
When: through May 10
Where: Boom-Art Gallery
1821 N. Orange Ave.
Orlando
Cost: Free
Contact: 407-281-0246

JURIED STUDENT ART EXHIBIT
When: through April 28
Where: Seminole Community College Fine Arts Gallery
100 Weldon Blvd.
Sanford
Cost: Free
Contact: 407-708-2040

SPRING SHOW
What: works by Frank Milo, Stefano Cecchini, Thomas Arvid &
others
When: through April 30
Where: Grand Bohemian Gallery
325 S. Orange Ave.
Orlando
Cost: Free
Contact: 407-581-4801

HARRIET LAKE: THE CLOSET
When: through June 22
Where: Mennello Museum of American Art
900 E. Princeton St.
Orlando
Cost: $8 adults, $7 senior, $5 students, children under 12 free
Contact: 407-246-4278


MUSIC

AL JARREAU
When: April 10 – 8pm
Where: Hard Rock Live
6050 Universal Blvd.
Orlando
Cost: $45 - 65
Contact: 407-351-5483

BUDDY GUY AND THE LOS LONELY BOYS
When: April 11 – 8pm
Where: House of Blues
1490 E. Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista
Cost: $38.50 advance, $41.50 day of the show
Contact: 407-934-2583

BACH FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
What: Mahler’s Symphony #2
When: April 12 – 8pm
April 13 - 3pm
Where: Knowles Memorial Chapel
1000 Holt Ave
Winter Park
Cost: $20 - 45
Contact: 407-646-2182

ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
What: “Beethoven Lives Upstairs”
When: April 13 – 3pm
Where: Bob Carr Performing Arts Center
401 W. Livingston St.
Orlando
Cost: $16 adults, $8 ages 3-12
Contact: 407-849-2577

TODD RUNDGREN
When: April 14 – 8pm
Where: Hard Rock Live
6050 Universal Blvd.
Orlando
Cost: $35
Contact: 407-351-5483

LIFEHOUSE
When: April 16 – 8pm
Where: Hard Rock Live
6050 Universal Blvd.
Orlando
Cost: $25 - 32.50
Contact: 407-351-5483

VALENCIA STRING ENSEMBLE
When: April 17 – 1pm
Where: Valencia Community College East
701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail
Orlando
Cost: Free
Contact: 407-582-2329


THEATER

I NEVER SAW ANOTHER BUTTERFLY
What: by Irena Synkova about children, The Holocaust and a little
world of laughter
When: April 11 – 7:30pm
April 12 – 2:30 & 7:30pm
April 13 – 2:30pm
Where: Orlando Repertory Theatre
1001 E. Princeton St
Orlando
Cost: $15 adults, $10 ages 17 and younger
Contact: 407-896-7365

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
What: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical
When: April 11 through April 20
Fridays & Saturdays – 7:30pm
Sundays – 2pm
Where: Helen Stairs Theatre
203 Magnolia Ave
Sanford
Cost: $15 -23 adults, $10 students
Contact: 407-321-8111

MID-LIFE: THE CRISIS MUSICAL
What: production of the Jim & Bob Walton musical
When: through April 19
Fridays - 7:30pm
Saturdays – 2 & 7:30pm
Where: Winter Park Playhouse
711-B Orange Ave.
Winter Park
Cost: $30 general, $28 seniors, $22 matinees, $20 students and
industry professionals

LEMONADE
What: Doug Ba’aser and Tommy Wooten comedy
When: April 12 & 19 – 8pm
Where: Footlight Theater – Parliament House
410 N. Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando
Cost: $10
Contact: 407-540-0317

I HAVE BEFORE ME A REMARKABLE DOCUMENT GIVEN TO ME BY A YOUNG LADY FROM RWANDA
What: by Sonja Linden
When: through April 20
Thursdays – Saturdays – 7:30pm
Sundays – 2:30pm
Where: Mad Cow Theatre
105 S Magnolia Ave.
Orlando
Cost: $24 & $26

JOHNNY GUITAR
What: Martin Silvetri and Joel Higgins musical
When: April 17 through April 27
Thursdays – 3pm
Fridays – 8pm
Saturdays – 3 & 8pm
Sundays – 4pm
Where: Plaza Theatre
425 N. Bumby Ave
Orlando
Cost: $39.5
Contact: 407-228-1220


AUTHORS

JOHN MANRIQUE
What: signing by the author of Ocean Raton
When: April 11 – 6:30pm
Where: Urban Think! Bookstore
625 E. Central Ave
Orlando
Cost: Free
Contact: 407-650-8004

FRANK RICH
What: NY Times journalist and author speaking on “Art, Culture
and Politics”
When: April 12 – 7:30pm
Where: Harold & Ted Alfond Sports Center – Rollins College
1000 Holt Ave.
Winter Park
Cost: Free


ETC

MR. RICHARD
What: musical storytelling
When: April 10 – 10am
Where: Barnes & Noble
481 N. Alafaya Trail
Orlando
Cost: Free
Contact: 407-275-1765

STARS OF TOMORROW
What: showcasing Orlando Ballet School’s emerging talent
When: April 11 - 8pm
April 12 - 2 & 8pm
Where: Dr. Phillips Center of Performing Arts
1111 N. Orange Ave.
Orlando
Cost: $20
Contact: 407-426-1739

BREWS AROUND THE ZOO
What: sample a variety of beers and regional cuisine with music
When: April 12 – 6 - 9pm
Where: Central Florida Zoo
3755 NW Hwy 17-92
Sanford
Cost: $25, $10 designated drive
Contact: 407-323-4450

PET FAIR
What: pageants, crafts, children’s activities, etc.
When: April 12 & 13 – 10am - 5pm
Where: Orlando Loch Haven Park
Mills Ave & Pricenton St
Orlando
Cost: $12, free to children under 11 & Orlando Science Members
Contact: 407-514-2000

54TH ANNUAL BAHIA SHRINER’S CIRCUS
When: April 12 & 13 – 1:30 – 5:30pm
Where: University of Central Florida Arena
North Gemini Blvd.
Orlando
Cost: $14

FAMILY FESTIVAL
What: rides and activities
When: April 13 – 10am – 5pm
Where: Lake Eola Park
1 N. Rosalind Ave
Orlando
Cost: Free + some rides ticketed separately
Contact: 407-645-5933

SIERRA CLUB
What: Florida’s Showcase Green Envirohome
When: April 16 – 7 – 8:45pm
Where: Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 N. Forest Ave
Orlando
Cost: Free

CENTRAL FLORIDA FAIR
When: April 17 – 27
10am – 10pm
Where: Central Florida Fairgrounds
4603 W. Colonial Drive
Orlando
Cost: $5 advance, $10 gate; students & seniors $5 advance, $7
gate; children 6-10 $2 advance, $5 gate; children under 5
free; Family 4-pack $80 advance, $96 gate

ORANGE AUDUBON PROGRAM
What: Riverine Turtles of Florida
When: April 17 – 7pm
Where: Harry P. Leu Gardens
1920 N. Forest Ave
Orlando
Cost: Free


ON-GOING

OPEN MIKE POETRY
When: Wednesdays – 8pm
Where: Cup O Soul
906 W. Fairbanks Ave
Winter Park
Cost: Free
Contact: 407-647-7685

BECKETT FESTIVAL
What: several plays
When: through April 20 – check for times and schedule
Where: Orlando Shakespeare Theater
812 E. Rollins St.
Orlando
Cost: $20 general, $15 students and seniors,
3-day pass - $45 general, $30 students and seniors
Contact: 407-328-9005

EPCOT INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL
What: 15th Annual show with the Flower Power Series nightly at 5:45, 7 & 8.
When: through June 1
Where: Epcot
10000 Buena Vista Blvd.
Lake Buena Vista
Cost: park admission - $70 adults, $60 children

PAINT THE TOWN
What: works from traditional to contemporary
When: through June 1 - 8am – 9pm
Where: Orlando City Hall Terrace Gallery
400 S. Orange Ave.
Orlando
Cost: Free


PLAN AHEAD

THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
What: Joseph Robinette play adapted from the C. S. Lewis novel
When: April 18 through May 25
Fridays – 7pm
Saturdays – 2 & 7pm
Sundays – 2pm
Where: Orlando Repertory Theatre
1001 E. Princeton St.
Orlando
Cost: $15 adults, $10 children 17 and younger
Contact: 407-896-7365

GREAT AMERICAN PIE FESTIVAL
What: baking competitions, demonstrations & games
When: April 19– 11am – 7pm
April 20 – noon – 5pm
Where: Lakeside Park
631 Sycamore St
Celebration
Cost: $10 adults, $5 seniors and children
Contact: 407-566-2200

INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
What: entertainment and cooking demonstrations
When: April 19– 5 – 9pm
Where: Avalon Park
13001 Founders Square Drive
Orlando
Cost: Free
Contact: 407-658-6565

ORANGE TREE ANTIQUES SHOW
What: 19TH & 20TH century pottery, glass, porcelain, books, et.c
When: April 11 – noon - 5pm
April 12 – 10am – 5pm
April 13 – 11am – 4pm
Where: Maitland Civic Center
641 S. Maitland Ave
Maitland
Cost: $4


WICKED
What: touring production
When: April 23 through May 4
Tuesdays - Saturdays – 8pm
Sundays – 1pm
2pm Matinees – April 24, 26, 30
6:30pm – April 27
Where: Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
401 W. Livingston St
Orlando
Cost: $35 - 90
Contact: 407-849-2577

KID FEST
What: activities and refreshments
When: May 3 – 10am – 3pm
Where: Cranes Roost Park
Altamonte Springs Drive
Altamonte Springs
Cost: Free
Contact: 407-571-8863

Orange County, FL – Market Sales Statistics for March ‘08

The following are the market sales statistics for Orange County, Florida for March 2008. The major city in Orange County is Orlando. For purposes of this analysis we are splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.

Single-Family Homes

532 homes sold during the month of March.

The average sales price, which is the total sold volume divided by the number of homes sold is $343,968.

The median sales price, which means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less, is $245,000.

The most expensive home sold for $5M and was on the market for 5 days. It was a 5 bedroom, 5 full baths, 4 half baths 7497sf gated lakefront estate in Maitland built in 1991 on 2+ acres on a chain of lakes with a 3-car garage with an apartment, a swimming pool, a boat house w/hoist, wine room, billiard room with no HOA.

The least expensive home sold for $35,000 after 100 days on the market. It was a 2 bedroom, 1 bath ‘handyman special' home with 824sf built in 1930 on .29 acres and was listed as "a fixer-upper or a tear downer."

The average sales price for the same period a year earlier was $350,296.


Condos, Townhomes & Villas

86 homes sold

The average sales price was $234,816.

The median sales price was $162,000.

The most expensive condo sold for $1.4M and was on new construction. It was a 3 bedroom, 3½ bath 2-story townhome with 3751sf with a 2-car garage in Winter Park with a private balcony and direct street access with a monthly maintenance of $571.28.

The least expensive sold for $14,000 and was on the market for 128 days. It was a 1 bedroom, 1 bath bank owned condo listed as ‘down to the bare studs' and ‘in need of total renovation' with 548sf built in 1979 in a community with a pool and tennis courts with a monthly maintenance of $146.

The average sales price a year earlier was $210,137.


For information on Orange and Seminole County real estate and Orange and Seminole County homes for sale in addition to Orange and Seminole County relocation contact Marc Grossman, your Orange and Seminole County Realtor @ 407-463-1034. Additional information is available for Seminole County real estate, Orange County real estate, West Volusia County and South Lake County.

To learn more about Marc and the services he has to offer, visit his profile & website.

Marc Grossman, GRI - http://www.OrlandoHomes-4u.com/ - 407-463-1034

Marc donates 10% of his net proceeds to Hospice of the Comforter.

Marc It Sold!

Seminole County, FL – Market Sales Statistics for March ‘08

The following are the market sales statistics forSeminole County, Florida for March 2008. For purposes of this analysis we are only splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas.

Single-Family Homes

188 homes sold during the month of March.

The average sales price, which is the total sold volume divided by the number of homes sold is $324,801.

The median sales price, which means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less, is $256,250.

The most expensive home sold for $2.8M and was on the market for 411 days. It was a 6 bedroom, 6 full bath, 2 half bath 11,089sf home with an 8-car stone floor exhibition garage built in 2006 in Heathrow/Lake Mary on 1.7 acres of land, with swimming pool and spa, 22' ceilings in the living and dining rooms, 50' x 30' game room, his and her offices and huge exercise room. The HOA of $550/quarter.

The least expensive home sold for $45,000 after 40 days on the market. It was a 2 bedroom, 1 bath, 1-car detached garage bank-owned home with 660sf built in 1930 in Sanford in need of repairs from some previous water damage with no HOA.
The average sales price for the same period a year earlier was $351,832.


Condos, Townhomes & Villas

60 homes sold

The average sales price was $171,756.

The median sales price was $160,395.

The most expensive condo sold for $362,800 and was a new townhome in Lake Mary. It was a 4 bedroom, 3½ bath 3-story townhome with 2428sf and a 2-car garage with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, tile roof in what some consider a luxury guarded community with a pool, workout room and playground with a monthly maintenance of $298.

The least expensive sold by auction for $77,000 after 294 days on the market. It was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo with 1085sf built in 2002 in Sanford in a gated community with a pool, clubhouse, tennis courts with a monthly maintenance of $190.

The average sales price a year earlier was $180,628.


For information on Seminole County real estate and Seminole County homes for sale in addition to Seminole County relocation contact Marc Grossman, your Seminole County Realtor @ 407-463-1034. Additional information is available for Seminole County real estate, Orange County real estate, West Volusia County and South Lake County.

To learn more about Marc and the services he has to offer, visit his profile & website.

Marc Grossman, GRI - http://www.OrlandoHomes-4u.com/ - 407-463-1034

Marc donates 10% of his net proceeds to Hospice of the Comforter.

Marc It Sold!