Calendar for the week of Feb. 8 , 2018

THURSDAY, FEB. 8

VALENTINE FAMILY EVENT

5:30 to 6:15 p.m. at the Winter Garden Art Association's SoBo Gallery, 127 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. Families of all ages are invited to create a Valentine's Day art project with art educator Lenore Eastham. Cost is $12 per project. RSVP at wgart.org or (407) 347-7996.

WEST ORANGE REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED MEETING

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at the West Orange Country Club, 3300 W. Orange Country Club Drive, Winter Garden. The guest speaker is from American For Prosperity, and the topic is School Choice. Lunch is $20. RSVP to Rebecca Mellen at [email protected] or (407) 230-5968.

FRIDAY, FEB. 9

NIGHT TO SHINE

6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at First Baptist Church Windermere, 300 Main St. More than 500 churches around the world are hosting this prom event, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. People ages 14 and older with special needs are invited to this complimentary red-carpet night, which includes limousine rides, a catered dinner, karaoke and prom favors. Each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom, too. myfbcw.com/specialneeds.

“LIFT EVERY VOICE” CELEBRATION

7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in The Miracle Room, 737 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Suit 100, Orlando. FarMor Entertainment is hosting the event, a community showcase, with the theme “It's Your Winning Season.” Local vendors will be set up. Tickets are $10; buy at youwillwin2018.eventbrite.com or by calling (407) 476-8121.

FRIDAYS ON THE PLAZA

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at the gazebo on Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden. Enjoy jazz music from the Da Capo Jazz Trio. (407) 656-4111.

LIFT DISABILITY NETWORK BREAKAWAY WINTER RETREAT

3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, to noon Sunday, Feb. 11, at the Life Enrichment Retreat Center, 4991 Picciola Road, Fruitland Park. Lift Disability Network is a nonprofit committed to supporting the interdependence of people and families with disabilities. The retreat provides a weekend getaway, where volunteers give personalized attention to each family with activities, relaxation and spiritual renewal. Cost is $149 for adults and $99 for children. For information, to register or to volunteer, visit liftdisability.net/winter-retreat.

THE MAGIC OF ERIC CARLE

10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Inspired by the classic stories of Eric Carle, join in the fun as some of his most well-known stories, like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” are presented live, followed by some interactive activities. Presented by Actors Reaching Out. Ages 2 to 6. (407) 835-7323.

SATURDAY, FEB. 10

7TH ANNUAL WINTER GARDEN BLUES & BBQ

4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at the downtown pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Ave., Winter Garden. This festival pairs the hottest blues and roots musicians with award-winning local barbecue connoisseurs for a celebration of true Southern soul. Performers are Ari & The Alibis at 4 p.m., Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones at 6 p.m. and Albert Castiglia at 8 p.m. Admission is free; barbecue, beer and wine will be available for purchase. (407) 656-4111.

DEPUTY SCOTT PINE COMMUNITY PARK GRAND OPENING

10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Deputy Scott Pine Community Park, 17199 Ficquette Road, Windermere. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and District 1 Commissioner Betsy VanderLey invite the community to the event in the park that memorializes the late Pine. RSVP to [email protected].

SUNDAY, FEB. 11

GUNNAR BRADSHAW WIFFLE BALL TOURNAMENT

Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, at Windermere High School, 5523 Winter Garden-Vineland Road, Wndermere. Proceeds go to former Warrior Gunnar Bradshaw to help cover medical expenses associated with his cancer. Five-player teams with four defenders and one catcher. Cost is $40 for three guaranteed games and a T-shirt. Sign up at teamorlandobaseball.com.

MONDAY, FEB. 12

1920 OCOEE MASSACRE AND BEYOND: PATHS TO TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at the Tom Ison Center, 1705 Adair St., Ocoee. Learn about the tragic incident of racial terror and explore its impact on local race relations, voting practices and economics. Event includes the screening of an award-winning short film, “Ocoee: Legacy of the Election Day Massacre,” community dialogue and a panel including a local scholar, activist and historian. This is part of a larger project led by the Equal Justice Initiative and its efforts to face the history of lynchings in America. Free and open to the public.

CENTRAL FLORIDA RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING

7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at the Central Florida Railroad Museum, 101 S. Boyd St., Winter Garden. Topic is “Two of the Five Railroads That Served Tavares,” by Ken Murdock. Free. (407) 656-0559.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14

VALENTINE'S MUSIC IN THE PLAZA

5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the gazebo on Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden. Jazz musician Dayve Stewart will play romantic melodies with the Breezeway Trio. (407) 656-4111.

LITTLE CUPID'S CARNIVAL

10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Feb. 14, at the Jessie Brock Community Center, 310 N. Dillard St., Winter Garden. A special sweetheart-filled morning for children ages 3 to 5 including arts and crafts, fun games and face painting. Group head counts are required in advance. (407) 656-4155.

FRIDAY, FEB. 16

INISHMORE GHOST TOUR

10 p.m. to midnight Friday, Feb. 16, in downtown Winter Garden. Presented by American Ghost Adventures, the tour takes participants through the Garden Theatre and shares its history and ghost stories. Tickets are $30, and a portion of this goes back to the theater. Advanced sales only at americanghostadventures.com.

LITTLE CHEF: STRAWBERRY YOGURT PARFAIT

10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at the Southwest Library, 7255 Della Drive, Orlando. Take your little one to learn cooking skills such as kitchen safety, layering, measuring, smearing, tasting and presentation as you interact with a delicious recipe. This class is a "Mommy or Daddy and Me" event. Ages 3 to 5. Space limited. Registration required at (407) 835-7323.

FRIDAYS ON THE PLAZA

7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at the gazebo on Plant Street in downtown Winter Garden. Enjoy music from Scotty Long, who performs folk and country music and hits from the 1960s to today. (407) 656-4111.