ChampionsGate, located in the heart of Florida, is a complete destination community catering to the needs of both residents and tourists alike. This hybrid, mega-community features new construction homes in the greater Orlando area that has thriving dining, retail and leisure entertainment surrounding it. ChampionsGate features three Lennar Resort Collection® communities and four primary home communities that offer resort-style living with comfort and convenience. Homes are available in a variety of styles, floorplans and budgets with plenty of space for families of different sizes.Lennar at ChampionsGate recently added to its list of homeowner amenities with the grand opening of the ChampionsGate Country Club Golf Clubhouse, offering homeowners and their guests an additional recreational space as part of the ChampionsGate Country Club Golf course, also available for private rentals and group functions. This amenity center is located right on the ChampionsGate Golf Course – 8950 Clifton Draw Dr. ChampionsGate, FL 33896. The facility includes a golf shop where you can purchase all of your golfing needs from fresh new shoes to clothing and more. There is also a full service restaurant and bar that provides indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as domestic and local beer. Visitors can enjoy their beverages and meals while overlooking the beautiful golf course views that catch a breathtaking sunset. While the ChampionsGate Golf Club and the Golf Clubhouse are privately owned by the ChampionsGate home owner’s association, non-resident play promotes experiencing the benefits of the ChampionsGate lifestyle. During a grand opening event in March, guests participated in a celebratory golf tournament and enjoyed food and beverages during the ribbon cutting ceremony.ChampionsGate is centered on the active leisure lifestyle with 54 holes of championship golf, 36 of which were designed by International golf champion Greg Norman. The community is home to the David Leadbetter Golf Academy.

It’s Bigger, Crazier & Messier Than Ever  Challenge yourself in the messy obstacle course, marvel at foam explosions, set slime aglow in the Cosmic Mess Zone & more!  May 19 & 20, 2018| 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. WHAT: Orlando Science Center is ending its Messy Science Month with a big explosion of color and the messiest of science experiments! Get ready for a weekend full of the gooiest, slimiest and messiest hands-on-activities ever at Orlando Science Center. Mess Fest is growing this year with five different Mess Zones, featuring activities like paper marbling, alka rockets, slingshot splatter art and many more. Check out some huge messy demonstrations outside on the SunTrust Terrace*, then head over to the birthday rooms for black-lit Cosmic Mess and see black light experiment demos. Top off your day with a run through the Messy Obstacle Course! *Activities are weather permitting. WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, May 19 & 20 from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. WHERE: Orlando Science Center |777 E. Princeton St. | Orlando, FL 32803 PARKING: Please note that Orlando Fringe will also be taking place in Loch Haven Park that weekend and parking in Orlando Science Center’s garage will be limited. We strongly encourage visitors to enjoy both events and recommend carpooling with friends and arriving early. COST: Orlando Science Center’s Mess Fest is included with general admission, which is free for members, $20.95 for adults, $18.95 for students and seniors, $14.95 for youth (ages 3–11), and free for children 2 and under. Admission includes access to all four floors of hands-on exhibits, giant-screen films in the Dr. Phillips CineDome, 3D films in the Digital Adventure Theater and live programming. INFO: For more information on Orlando Science Center, please call 407.514.2000 or visit www.osc.org.

For anyone who has ever been behind an open microphone, on a stage, all eyes on you - you know "that feeling".  I liken it to the feeling of being strapped in on a fast roller coaster, when it’s too late to back out. You think: I might die. I probably won’t. But I could throw up. I call it roller coaster scary and I love that feeling! If you have a bucket list, consider adding one of these exciting "out of your comfort zone" experiences.  Or if roller coaster scary isn’t your thing, take a seat in the audience, it's a blast to see creativity in process. Here are some great opportunities to hear and be heard in Orlando. Diverse Word is a night of the authentic spoken word poetry, comedy, singing, rap, and random surprises! Hosted by Shawn Welcome on the patio at Dandelion CommuniTEA (618 Thornton Ave. Orlando) every Tuesday night at 7:30 (10 years strong). At the last event I attended, Shawn said the most amazing thing, “…what if you woke up each day only with what you were grateful for the night before.”  Improvisational comedy/theatre is completely unscripted, spontaneously co-created by the actors on the stage. In Orlando you can take a class or see a show at SAK Comedy Lab. IMPROV classes are designed to get you out of your comfort zone and to connect you with interesting people in a fun and supportive environment. I have taken improv acting classes at SAK University for four years, it’s been transformative for my communication skills, confidence level and my overall attitude towards life. It’s taken me so far out of my comfort zone, I forget where I left it. It can be terrifying to step on stage and have no idea what will be coming out of your mouth. But the safety is that there are no wrong answers in IMPROV, you make it up as you go. And that it’s a team sport, just you and the other performers in a mind-mind of spontaneity. If you say it’s raining peanut butter, your co-creator won’t think twice they’ll just grab the jelly. How often in life do you walk into a room with absolute confidence that anything you say or do is accepted and supported? No worries if you’re not ready to get that real with it, you can check out a show at SAK Comedy Lab.  PechaKucha 20x20 began in 2003 in Tokyo and is now in over 1,000 cities, the art of concise presentation. It is an elegantly simple presentation format where the presenter shows 20 images, each for 20 seconds. The images advance automatically as the speaker talks. Pecha Kucha nights are informal and fun gatherings where creative people get together and share their ideas. We are lucky in the city beautiful to have a surplus of interesting people. Pecha Kucha Orlando hosts events at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.  Nerd Nite is a national movement that invites you to be there and be square. Nerd Nite is an evening of entertaining yet thought-provoking. Speakers present for 15 minutes each on a fascinating subject, often in an uncanny and unconventional way. Following each presentation is a brief Q&A. Nerd Nite Orlando recently celebrated its 5-year anniversary.  TedX Orlando - In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.  Open Word at Austin Coffee (929 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park) on Wednesdays features open mic poetry and spoken word.  Orlando Story Club – builds community by sharing stories. Founded by filmmaker and storyteller Robin Cowie in 2014, monthly events offer opportunities to hear and to be heard in Orlando. For a more structured approach to public speaking check out Toastmasters International - Orlando. 

Now in its 27th year, the Florida Film Festival will take place in Central Florida on April 6-15, 2018. Through ten days of world-class films and first-class events, film lovers mingle with filmmakers and celebrities in Maitland, Florida at the iconic Enzian Theatre and the adjoining Eden Bar. The festival footprint also extends to other unique venues in Maitland and Winter Park. See full event schedule. The Festival will screen 183 films representing 38 countries, along with celebrity guest appearances, forums, and parties. Of the films selected, 152 have premiere status, including 23 world premieres. As an Oscar®-qualifying festival, premiering the best in current, independent, and international cinema community support is strong including Full Sail University, Orange County Government and the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. “This is going to be a banner year in every aspect,” commented Matthew Curtis, Florida Film Festival Programming Director. “With a greater number of films making their Florida debut than ever before, we could not be more excited about introducing these talented filmmakers and presenting such an extraordinary and diverse group of films to our audience. We are proud that this year’s lineup includes 82 women filmmakers--the most ever and more than 45% of our total programming! Their voices will be represented everywhere in the Festival, including our first-ever experimental shorts program (“Sunspots: New Visions of the Avant Garde”), and our first-ever “X Real” Doc shorts program completely directed by women. Let the story-gazing begin!” You can purchase festival passes for various levels of access to films and events such as the story-gazing or film lover pass. Or you can select the specific films and events you'd like to attend. Here are some things I'm really excited about:1. Opening Night Party on Friday April 6th is sponsored by Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor and Reed, P.A.  Tickets for the film and party are $140. Celebrate opening night of the 2018 Florida Film Festival with a thrilling premiere of American Animals and meet the film’s star Blake Jenner. After the movie, sample food and cocktails from your favorite local spots.  2. Block Party at Winter Park Village on Saturday, April 7th. Festival ticket and pass holders will receive free drinks and appetizers from select Winter Park Village restaurants and also enjoy live entertainment.  3. FESTIVAL FORUMS: WRITE NOW! A Screenwriter’s Road from Keyboard to Storyboard will be held on Wednesday, April 11th from 11AM–12:30 PM. In celebration of this year’s “Story-gazing” theme, the Florida Film Festival has gathered together a group of acclaimed screenwriters to give you the inside scoop on what it takes to break into the industry—including the changing markets and opportunities thanks to Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu.  4. An Evening with Pam Grier featuring Jackie Brown Sunday, April 8th at 7pm  at Enzian Theatre. 5. INDIE WOMEN: GRAB ‘EM BY THE MOVIES is sponsored by Full Sail University on Thursday, April 12th. This year’s lineup includes 82 women filmmakers--the most ever and women represent more than 45% of the total programming for the film festival.  6. AWARDS BASH on Saturday, April 14 - 4:30PM–6:00PM Come out and support the Florida Film Festival. I'll see you there! Spread the word: @FloridaFilmFest #FFF2018 #LetsGoStoryGazing 

As a native Floridian I get very excited when Florida is mentioned as the biggest or greatest of anything and especially proud of Florida’s recognition as the leader in the global aerospace industry. I heard my first sonic boom when I was in 4th grade, it came from F-15 fighters at MacDill Airforce Base (US Central Command in Tampa Florida). It was an explosive thunder- like sound that my teacher said was caused by shock waves from an object traveling through the air faster than the speed of sound. I heard the sonic boom again when I moved to Central Florida, this time coming from space shuttle and rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center, and just t recently from a Boeing’s X-37B unmanned and reusable spaceplane re-entering from an extended missions in orbit. The 100 Most Amazing Space Photos of 2017.  In February when Vice President Pence and Air Force Two landed at Space Florida’s Shuttle Landing Facility to discuss strengthening United States leadership in space, the Vice President tasked NASA, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of State to work together to develop a framework for partnerships with the private sector and international partners. Vice President Pence chaired the second meeting of the National Space Council, the event was called: “Moon, Mars, and Worlds Beyond: Winning the Next Frontier.”  Whether you call Florida home, or you are one of our 68 million tourists who visit the Sunshine State each year, it would be a shame to be just one small step from world-changing innovation and not to join the journey at KSC Visitor Complex. You can watch a rocket launch at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. My advice for attending a rocket launch is to enjoy the process and plan to explore the many exciting parts of the visitor complex just in case your launch is scrubbed (which happens quite often). Also, a great excuse to visit the historic Cocoa Beach Pier for dinner on the way home. For a really special experience, you can attend the April 21, 2018 US Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction honoring veteran astronauts Dr. Thomas D. Jones and Capt. Scott D. Altman. The ceremony will take place at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Space Shuttle Atlantis® at 11:00 AM, while the orbiter floats overhead. Guests are invited to attend the ceremony, included with daily admission. I wouldn’t say I am full-fledged space-geek (not yet), but more like a space-groupie, which includes my brand-crush on Elon Musk. If you are bordering on space-geek status here are some interesting people, places and things you may want to follow: Space Florida is Florida’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, they are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. Beyond rockets: Space Florida gives rundown on what’s ahead in 2018 Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos also founded Blue Origin who is upgrading Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Launch Complex 36 to support New Glenn launches, not far from the Florida factory Blue Origin is opening to build the rockets. Follow Jeff Bezos on Twitter I follow basically everything that Elon Musk does, especially SpaceX which just won a $290 million contract to launch three Global Positioning Satellites. Elon says SpaceX will be ready with its Mars rocket by next year Stephen Hawking, physicist who came to symbolize the power of the human mind, dies at 76 Nomination of Congressman Jim Bridenstine to lead the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). SpaceX Falcon Heavy montage highlights launch, Sturman and that one failed landing S.442 - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Transition Authorization Act of 2017 Cape Canaveral Spaceport: the premier transportation hub for global space commerce SpaceX, Blue Origin have Florida's Space Coast poised for change

Orlando is one of the hottest spots in the country for events. The Posh Able Events team has had the pleasure to work at the finest event venues and hotels in Central Florida. We use our knowledge of the marketplace to save our clients valuable time and money by steering them to the venues that best match their style and their budget. As your Event Planner, we fully manage the venue relationship including: contract negotiation, logistical design, permitting and insurance.  But if you are embarking on your event planning journey without a planner - enjoy the process- it's so much fun! Here are some tips on selecting the perfect Orlando area venue for your next corporate or social event. Hotels are all-inclusive they charge a fee for room rental which includes use of their tables, chairs and linen. They make their money on food and beverage, so usually aren't keen on allowing outside food or beverage.  Stand alone venues, on the other hand, come in all varieties, but many provide use of space for a flat rate. Then you bring in your own (rental items: chairs, tables, linen) and licensed caterer. Get an Estimate of TOTAL DUE Before You Sign - Venue and hotel contracts are notorious for not giving the actual amount due, this is partly because the largest driver of your bill is your pending headcount. For example your catering or venue contract might list: $65 per person++.  A few calculations later you'll see that $65 is really $83 per person (once you ad service fee of 20% or so and tax).  Plan for Parking - Is parking at your venue ample, convenient and free? If not, get a plan together and budget accordingly.  Vendor Selection- Confirm if you can bring in your own vendors and what the insurance requirements are before you book a vendor or a venue. Some venues are stricter than others. Your vendors can also purchase an inexpensive one-day event policy.  What Else is Going On? - Will the venue be hosting other events that evening that may impact your event run time, set up time or strike time?  Check community event calendars and road closures. Set up and Strike Time - Best to have this inked before you sign. As a professional event planner, we typically plan 2-3 hours for set up and 1-2 hours for strike. But some vendors such as staging and AV may need longer. Know in advance what your vendor's access and exit times are. At Posh Able Events, we always have vendors (design, entertainment, catering) include exact arrival and departure times in their contracts.  Anything is Posh Able! Sharing Innovative Ideas and Helpful Hints on Event Planning, Image Building and Philanthropy at POSH University. Follow Posh Able Paula at Orlando News Room a BLOG about interesting people and exciting places in Central Florida.

I'm really into interesting people! And I meet some REAL CHARACTERS in my line of work (events, image building,philanthropy).  So much so, that in 2014 I started hosting a quarterly luncheon called:  Just Ten Interesting People Having Lunch so that these characters could connect. Fun! It's a potpourri of cool-ness from celebrities, politicians, artists, business elite, philanthropists and other RCPs (random cool people).  I'm excited to share some of their stories here, on the Orlando News Room - A BLOG about interesting people and exciting places in Central Florida. A character, by any definition! Performance artist and speed painter, Rock Demarco takes his audience on a wild ride of imagination by challenging them to look at the world through a different window. Rock has performed thousands of his signature rock n roll live painting shows around the globe. Life in the fast lane for Rock horsing around with celebs and selling artwork at $100K+ per piece. Rock's work can be found on display in many corporate headquarters, airport installations, and private collections of professional ball players, musicians and movie stars. Rock has performed for live audiences as large as 200,000 fans - from the Super Bowl half-time show to Good Morning America. I've had the great pleasure to work with Rock at many Orlando area charity art auctions and events. His presence always generates a ton of excitement and his performance artwork gets top dollar for the charity! You can always count on his energy to get the party started or to keep it going!  Rock is also founder of a unique nonprofit organization called Paint Like a Rock Star where he is helping children in hospitals to create, explore and dream through art. I ask all my interesting friends the following questions about what makes Orlando such a magical place to live. 1. What is the most exciting part of living in Orlando? As Orlando continues to grow it's interesting to watch old neighborhoods also grow. Winter Park, College Park, Thornton Park with their own unique shops and restaurants. Reminds me of living up in the Northeast. 2. Who is the most interesting person you've met in Orlando?  Bryce West philanthropist/humanitarian/world traveler/ and all around nice guy. 3. In your field of work, what is the next BIG thing?  There is always that next live concert, gala or sporting event that I am rehearsing to perform. 4. Plan the perfect Central Florida Sunday, for someone new to Orlando. People immediately think theme parks when visiting Orlando. Try lunch on Park Ave in Winter Park followed by the boat tour of the scenic chain of lakes. Check out Rock's Art Gallery - Book Rock for your Next Event

You never forget your first oyster, mine was at Lee and Rick’s Oyster Bar, a window-less boat-like structure located at an un-obvious corner of Kirkman and Old Winter Garden Road. Lovingly, in the exact same location that the Richter family commenced shucking in 1950 and, after 68 years, is still shucking! In fact, “everybody shucks” explains: Tricia Richter Blunt. “We don’t have servers, we have shuckers – and everybody shucks. It’s part of the culture.” Tricia and her brother Gene grew up with the family business and manage it still today in the spirit of their parents and their parents before them the original Lee and Rick Richter. Their family has been serving up oysters on the half shell with a side of fun for 68 years.  The parking lot at Lee and Rick’s reminds me of a potpourri of lifestyles, made up of equal parts construction trucks and Lamborghinis. But when you enter the door, everybody is equal. No reservations, no VIPS, no loyalty programs – oysters are the great equalizer. As Tricia says: “We treat everybody the same here. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are from, if there is space at the oyster bar you’re welcome here.” Orlando must have been a very different place in 1950 (when Lee and Rick's opened), it’s hard to make a list of even ten restaurants that have been in Orlando that long. What’s their secret to longevity? A quick google search for advice for new restaurant owners offers: pick a popular location, advertise, monitor your competition, create loyalty programs and diversify.  The Richter family has seemingly side-stepped the standard business model and succeeded in a way that so many restaurants have not.  They have: Designed an Organic Loyalty Program – Their loyalty program isn’t about getting 50% off on Tuesday, it’s the organic loyalty that is passed down from generation to generation.  Kept it Daringly Simple – Steamed or raw? No reservations. No shirt – no problem. Flip Flops are cool. Bring the kids.  Created an Interactive Dining Experience - Lee and Rick’s is the place to “get oysters” and more than the food, the shucker relationship is all part of the presentation. People are serious about their customized butter/lemon/horseradish/tabasco dipping sauces.  Built an Iconic and Relatable Brand – Without advertising and in a pre-yelp world. Word of mouth fueled by a cult-like following from generation to generation.  Lee and Rick’s Oyster Bar seems to have found the fountain of youth for restaurants. Celebrating 68 years in 2018, their recipe for restaurant success would read something like: Serve something special, in a relaxed environment, in a fun way and the experience will sell itself. People will tell people, they will bring their family and friends - it becomes tradition. Follow the tradition on Lee and Rick's facebook page. 

Sales Functions, Lead Generation Rallies and Networking Events are an exciting and hands-on way to connect with the people, places and things that can fuel the growth of your Orlando area business. Events are a surprisingly cost-effective way to get qualified leads and industry influencers to engage with your company's message. Get the right people -  in the right space - at the ideal time.  Select an interesting venue with built-in style so you don't have to spend money on decor.  Use a digital webpage and RSVP system that allows for easy lead generation and picture sharing.  Give your guests something to talk about. Don't forget to add at least one WOW factor, something like a celebrity guest, free product sampling or unique entertainment experience.  Activate your brand in a variety of ways including: printed items, video, brand ambassadors and social media contests.  Central Florida is Growing! At Posh Able Events we have events for every stage of your business growth from Ground Breaking to 50th Anniversary. We offer full service event planning, comprehensive media promotion with integrated social media marketing. Anything is Posh Able! Sharing Innovative Ideas and Helpful Hints on Event Planning, Image Building and Philanthropy at POSH University.  Follow Posh Able Paula at Orlando News Room a BLOG about interesting people and exciting places in Central Florida.

It's 6 o'clock anywhere in Orlando and a room full of influencers are chatting it up about the latest in real estate, land development, sports and healthcare. I give it exactly two minutes, until Lake Nona is mentioned. It's impossible not to talk about Lake Nona in a conversation about innovation and growth in Central Florida. Lake Nona is one of Orange County's most exciting areas of town. I invite you to check out the five most interesting things I've heard about Lake Nona recently and then to join the conversation. Join the conversation as a sponsor of the next State of Orange County real estate event. Forward Thinking Meets Future Living. Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh and a distinguished panel of business leaders discuss insights into future of Lake Nona. The State of Lake Nona Real Estate event will be held on Wednesday, May 9th at Lake Nona High School's Performing Arts Center. We expect to welcome over 700 Central Florida movers and shakers. Doors open at 6:30 for networking, main event to follow. Attendance is Free- Register Today Panelists to be announced soon.   REGISTER YOUR SPONSORSHIP TODAY The Five Most Interesting Things I've Heard About Lake Nona Lately Tavistock to launch hotel brand at Lake Nona Discover USTA National Campus Lake Nona makes play to become new home for USA Gymnastics team The University of Central Florida wants to create a hub for a comprehensive, advanced cancer care in Lake Nona.  Johnson & Johnson institute announces plans for Lake Nona global flagship