Calendar for week of Sept. 21, 2017

THURSDAY, SEPT. 21

WOHS FOOD PANTRY DRIVE

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on school days at West Orange High School, 1625 S. Beulah Road, Winter Garden. Donate non-perishable items to the school’s food pantry during this semi-annual drive. All goes to students and families in need. In addition to food and water, there is a need for new socks and underwear, backpacks and feminine hygiene products. (407) 905-2400.

WEST ORANGE WOMEN

11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at Roy's Restaurant, 7760 W. Sand Lake Road, Orlando. There will be a set menu consisting of either mahi-mahi or braised short ribs plus sides and beverages. Cost is $28. Call or email Dottie Ansel at (407) 258-8155 or [email protected] or call (407) 258-8155.

WIDOWS GROUP

10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home, 1138 E. Plant St. Every third Thursday, spend time with other widows and share stories about loved ones. Ask questions about cleaning out one's closet, who to call to hang a ceiling fan or if you have car trouble. Occasionally, a short video on coping is shown. Light snacks are available. Meet-up is free. (407) 877-6700.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 22

ROTARY CHARITY POKER TOURNAMENT

6 p.m. registration and training session, 7 p.m. event Friday, Sept. 22, at Co-op Ballroom in the Garden Building, 146 W. Plant St., Winter Garden. Presented by the Rotary Club of Winter Garden in conjunction with Big Stacks Poker League, the event will benefit the West Orange Scholarship Fund and local charities. Prizes include $1,000, $500 and $250 Visa gift cards, golf foursomes and gift certificates. Cost is $50 pre-registration and $60 at the door. Register at (407) 877-9400 or [email protected].

WINDERMERE FAMILY FOOD TRUCK NIGHT

5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, near Windermere Town Hall, 520 Main St. Hosted by the Town of Windermere Downtown Business Committee, the event brings a variety of food trucks to the community. Attendees should take chairs or blankets, as well as an appetite. (407) 876-2563.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 23

BAD PANTS BASH GALA

6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando. For this black-tie dinner and event, attendees are asked to wear the loudest, craziest, ugliest and baddest pants they can find. The evening includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a martini bar and wine tasting, plated dinner, live music and dancing and silent and live auctions. Event supports the Sunshine Kids Foundation. Tickets are $150 and can be purchased at sskorlando.com. For information, call (407) 876-2090.

GOING GOLD FEST FOR CHILDREN’S CANCER

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at Waterfront Park, 100 Third St., Clermont. Event benefits CureSearch and will include food trucks, activities, vendors, a chance drawing and live music featuring a concert by Christian group Finding Favour. The family event is free. Curesearch.org.

TIA LOLA'S LIBRARY

2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by enjoying fun stories and crafts with a Dominican twist. Ages 6 to 12. (407) 835-7323.

MONDAY, SEPT. 25

TODDLER CARNIVAL

10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Little ones can enjoy carnival games and a festive themed story. Ages 18 months to 3 years. (407) 835-7323.

CAREERSOURCE CENTRAL FLORIDA

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Spend time with the experts from CareerSource Central Florida to explore the services they provide and get connected to employment opportunities using career counseling, skill development, workshops and more. (407) 835-7323.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 26

SMARTER SENIOR SERIES: FINANCIAL WELL-BEING

10:30 a.m. at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. In this informative seminar, financial experts will discuss topics such as Medicare/Medicaid, veteran’s benefits, long-term care, wills/trusts/estate planning and annuities. Learn how you can improve your financial strategy. Part of the Smarter Senior Seminar Series sponsored by Mike Flahaven, certified senior housing professional. Light refreshments will be served. Registration required at (407) 340-5291 or yourfloridahaven.com.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 28

EXPLORING CHURCH AND CEMETERY RECORDS

6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Windermere Library, 530 Main St. Church and cemetery records are a strong source of information for births, marriages and deaths, especially in the period before the civil registration of vital statistics. Discover what types of information are contained in these records, how to access them and how they can help enhance the family research. (407) 835-7323.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 29

JAZZ IN THE PARK

5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, in the Oakland Town Center, 221 N. Arrington St. Hosted by HapCo Music Foundation. Enjoy a relaxing evening featuring live smooth jazz music. Food for sale from Melts on Main Street, Winter Garden. Free. (407) 656-1117.

CUISINE CORNER: HEALTHY COOKING FOR ONE OR TWO

11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at the West Oaks Library, 1821 E. Silver Star Road, Ocoee. Cooking for one or two can be a challenge. Yamira Lee Johnson, head chef and founder of Breaking Bread with Mira and certified holistic life coach, will demonstrate how to cook for one or two and still make tasty food that is also good for you. For information about Breaking Bread with Mira, visit bbwmira.com. Space is limited. Registration required at (407) 835-7323.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 30

WINDERMERE HIGH MATTRESS FUNDRAISER

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at Windermere High School, 5505 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Windermere. Every purchase benefits music and drill design at WHS. All mattress sizes and a variety of styles and name brands will be available. Layaway and deliver is available, and mattresses and accessories can be purchased by cash, check or credit charge. Bit.ly/beds4wolverinesband.

VFW FREEDOM WEEKEND BBQ COOKOFF

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at West VFW Post 4305, 1170 E. Plant St., Winter Garden. A People’s Choice Best BBQ contest will be held, and there will be horseshoe tournaments and corn hole, children’s water games and other activities. (407) 656-3078.

MINDFULNESS TO HELP KIDS DESTRESS

Noon Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Join mindfulness coach Danielle Hope as she teaches families to practice mindfulness through storytime and exercises that build presence and awareness. Learn mindfulness tools to help you be more present, improve concentration and handle difficult emotions calmly. Recommended for ages 5 to 12. (407) 835-7323.

MAD SCIENCE LIVE: UP, UP AND AWAY!

2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St.Mad Science Live: Up, Up and Away. This special event will introduce you to the principles of air and pressure. Hot air balloons, vortex generators that will send flying smoke rings over your heads, floating balls, giant wind bags and even a hovercraft will help you understand the power of air. Ages 6 to 12. (407) 835-7323.