JUNE/JULY
Seniors First, Inc. recently launched Help fuel Meals on Wheels, a campaign to offset the cost of gas for the volunteer Meals on Wheels (MOW) drivers. The campaign runs June 1-30. To donate, call 407-581-9366 or email Jan Ingrando at jingrando@seniorsfirstinc.org
Cornerstone Hospice's Grief and Loss Support Group is every Friday from 2-3:30 p.m. at Starlight Ranch Community Front Clubhouse, 6000 Pershing Ave., Orlando. This group is free and open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. For more information, call Claudia Swonger at 407-206-2273.
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is seeking grant applications from families in need of financial assistance to help pay for their child’s health care treatments, services or equipment that is not covered, or only partially covered, by their commercial health insurance plans. Children must be 16 years of age or younger, families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the U.S. and have a commercial health insurance plan. Parents or legal guardians may apply at www.uhccf.org. Organizations or private donors can also make tax-deductible donations directly online at this website.
Orange County Parks and Recreation is offering free daily nature walks and orienteering course adventure programs at Moss Park, 12901 Moss Park Road, Orlando. Both will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 407-254-6840 or visit www.OrangeCountyParks.net
JUNE 25
Join Orlando Health and WFME for the Healthy Woman Education Series, 9-11 a.m. Saturday, June 25 at Hugh F. McKean Public Broadcasting Center, 11510 E Colonial Drive, Orlando. The mini conference features experts sharing important information for you and your family. Complimentary parking, registration required. For more information, visit www.orlandohealth.com
JUNE 27
The 2011 Annual Job and Community Resource Fair is from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 27 at the Amway Center, 400 W Church St., in downtown Orlando. In addition to the job fair, on-site mini workshops will be available to help job seekers sharpen their skills. For more information, visit corrinebrown.house.gov
JULY 4
There will be no garbage or recycling collection service in unincorporated Orange County on Monday, July 4. If Monday is your garbage collection day, garbage will be collected on the following Thursday. If Monday is your recycling collection day, recycling will be collected on the next Monday. There is also no collection of bulky items during a holiday week. For more information, call 407-836-6601, visit www.ocfl.net/utilities or email Solid.Waste@ocfl.net
JULY 9
Learn the basics of vegetable gardening, including soil preparation, adjusting soil pH, fertilizing, irrigation, pests and diseases from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 9 at the Orange County Extension office, 6021 S. Conway Road, Orlando.
JULY 16
The 17th Annual Orange County community conference is from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 16 at the Orange County Renaissance Senior Center, 3800 S. Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando. The goal of the conference is to educate and assist citizens in making their neighborhoods the best possible places to live. Registration is $10 in advance and $15 at the door. For more information, call 407-836-5606 or email NeighborhoodServices@ocfl.net
JULY 20
Boy Scouts' Cub Day Camp will run July 20-24 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 5449 N. Dean Road, Orlando. The camp is open to boys entering grades 1-5 (first-graders must have an adult with them). Daily activities include archery, arts and crafts, science experiments, shooting BB guns and hearing guest speakers. Camp cost is $90 and is open to non-Scouts as long as they sign up and pay $15. For more information, contact Jerry Brady at 407-435-8634 or Jerry.Brady@cflscouting.org or visit www.cflscouting.org
Free library events:
The following events will take place at the Alafaya Branch Library, 12000 East Colonial Drive, Orlando:
Practice your reading skills by reading aloud to a loveable, furry listener at Paws to Read at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 25. Seating is limited.
Learn how to create a basic spreadsheet and how to apply basic formulas in Microsoft Excel 2007 at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, June 25. More advanced levels are at various times throughout the day.
Put together cool comic drawings using Microsoft Publisher, learn how to change layouts, add cartoons and write a story during Camp Savvy 2011: Create Comic Strips for Kids at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 27.
Spend the day sharpening your job-seeking skills on Monday, June 27, with a resume-writing class at 11:45 a.m., job searching class at 1:30 p.m. and a job interview class at 2:45 p.m.
Add special effects to photos, such as image morphing, cartoon transformation and artistic painting during Camp Savvy 2011: Digital Photo Editing for Teens at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 29.
Bring your children to enjoy folk and animal tales, flannel and big book stories, plus rhymes, songs, and poetry during Storybook Fun for your Little One at 10:45 a.m. Friday, July 1. Read-aloud programs are recommended for children ages 3-5 and last about 25 minutes.
At the Kids Safe Workshop, learn the skills to avoid and escape stranger danger. This fun workshop hosted by Torukukai Aikijitsu is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 5.
Learn to record, edit, mix, and playback music files during Camp Savvy 2011: GarageBand for Teens at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 13.
Direct, produce and edit your own movie using Microsoft’s Windows Movie Maker during Camp Savvy 2011: Make a Movie for Kids at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 14.
Get your motor running and get to the Alafaya Branch Library for Motorcycle Madness, a motorcycle show and bike ride presentation, at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16. No registration required. All ages welcome.
Learn how to buy and sell on eBay, how to bid on items and how to have a successful auction during eBay Buying at 2 p.m. and eBay Selling at 3:15 p.m. Sunday, July 17.
Clubs and organizations:
Avalon Park Garden Club is every first Monday at 7 p.m. at Avalon Church. Visit www.AvalonParkGArdenClub.com
Avalon Park Kiwanis Club is every first Thursday at Eastside Bistro. Visit www.facebook.com/pages/Avalon-Park-Kiwanis-Club-Orlando-FL
Avalon Park Teen Club is at Timber Creek High School. Visit www.avalonteenclub.webs.com for details.
Avalon Jet Setters-Senior Group is every second Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the South Village Club House. Visit www.jetsettersofavalon.webs.com
Eastside Cycling Club Bike Rides are Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 7 a.m. at Avalon Park YMCA. Visit www.eastsidecyclingclub.org
Orlando Adoption Network — Visit www.OrlandoAdoptionNetwork.com for monthly meetings.
La Leche Groups is every first Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. and second Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. at Avalon Church.
MOPS is every first Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in Avalon Church.
The Rotary Club of Avalon Park meets every Wednesday at Avalon Park's South Village Clubhouse. Meetings during the first and second Wednesday of the month are at 7:30 a.m. and meetings during the third and fourth Wednesday are at 6:15 p.m. For more information, email avalonparkrotary@gmail.com