A Shooting in the Reserve at Belmere

A shooting took place today on Lake Whitney Dr. in the Reserve at Belmere at the home of DeShawn Stevenson, an ex Orlando Magic basketball player who currently plays for the Washington Wizards. Cleveland Cavaliers forward Brandon Hunter was also reported at the home during the shooting.

The two basketball players had supposedly been at the Destiny Club at Universal Studios and invited some women back to Stevenson’s home off Maguire Rd which is located at the dividing line between Windermere and Ocoee. When they arrived, a male in a white Cadillac Escalade that had followed them began an argument with the women and the shooting ensued. WESH 2 News reports that a Curtis Ruff was treated for gunshot wounds at Health Central today and that he owns a white Cadillac Escalade.

I live near the area and began hearing search helicopters flying by around late morning. Here is the link to the channel 6 newscast

Federal Reserve Lowers Rates

The Federal Reserve chairman Bernake lowered the fed funds rate by 50 basis points on Friday making it easier for banks to lend money to each other but not necessarily to consumers. The Federal Reserve has effectively made it cheaper and easier for banks to lend other banks money especially for loans of larger amounts such as Jumbo Mortgages and adds liquidity for the credit market. Perhaps Bernake should have done something about the funds rate earlier when the sub prime market started becoming a problem in March of this year. The financial institutions began making it harder to borrow money at about the same time. Why didn’t the Fed do anything then? I believe the rate cut will have a minimal effect on the mortgage market for now but I do like the fact that they are taking action on this crisis.

About Windermere and the Butler Chain

Most first time visitors to the area may say that it is a little further away from everything than Dr. Phillips, but for luxury living at its best, look no further than the Town of Windermere. Pristine sand bottom lakes surround this small West Orange community. Boaters and Bass fisherman will love the system of canals that connects eleven lakes known as the Butler Chain of Lakes comprised of Lake Down, Little Lake Down, Wauseon Bay, Lake Butler, Lake Louise, Lake Isleworth, Lake Chase, Lake Pocket, Lake Tibet, Lake Sheen, and Fish Lake. The most popular types of boats to navigate the chain are ski boats, pontoon boats, and bass fishing boats. Lake Butler is the largest lake in the chain and houses a island bird sanctuary commonly referred to as “Bird Island” which many boaters use as a gathering place. A large blue pontoon boat covered in speakers, coolers, and of course a grill named “Grillin and Chillin” is a fixture there on most popular weekends and holidays. Some popular neighborhoods on the Butler Chain include Isleworth, Lake Butler Sound, Kelso, Keene’s Pointe, Windermere Downs, Marina Bay, Osprey Isle, Tibet Pointe, Bay Hill, Emerson Pointe, Cypress Isle, Cypress Point, and Chaine du Lac.

Lake Down is the northernmost lake but when the water levels become too low or high it becomes difficult to make it through the canal to the rest of the chain depending on the type of boat you’re in. Lake Tibet is the second largest lake in the chain and the Bay Hill marina offers a place to buy gas while on the chain. Another place to get gas on the chain is the Orange County Sportsman’s Club on Lake Sheen. A Sportsmans’s Club membership is a sought after commodity in Southwest Orlando because it’s only just a few hundred bucks a year and you get 2 boat ramps, boat storage, clubhouse, and a beach for your weekend boating excursions. The waiting list for membership typically runs at least two years but like many clubs, knowing the right person could expedite the process. To join the legions of boaters waiting to join, membership information can be obtained at 407-876-2010. The only public access to the Butler Chain is at the R.D. Keene Park located on Chase Road in Windermere and during the summer months the 47 parking spaces fill up by the early morning hours. The Lake Down ramp does provide another place for access but there’s no place to park so what’s the point.

Probably the least desirable lake on the Butler Chain, if there is such a thing, is Wauseon Bay because much of the lake is a no wake zone. Dont’ get me wrong, I would take a house on Wauseon Bay in a second. Heck, I’ll take one on one of the canals. The water on this chain are crystal clear and are spring fed. Most lakes in Central Florida such as the Clermont Chain, Conway Chain, Winter Park Chain, Harris Chain, and Lake Toho tend to have bathwater temperatures during the summer months but the water in the Butler Chain remains cool even in the peak summer months. The only complaint I have about the Butler Chain of Lakes is that I can’t afford a house on it but other than that, boat houses on docks are no longer allowed and the pre-existing boat houses have been grandfathered in.

The depth, temperatures, and water clarity also contribute in making the Butler Chain one of the best for bass fishing. It’s a little less renowned than nearby East Lake Toho, but the locals know that the Butler Chain is pretty comparable and a heck of a lot easier to fish. Bass tend to congregate tightly during the cold winter months at the ledges of drop offs which can go as deep as 41 feet then migrate to offshore submerged grass beds in 10 to 20 feet of water. Spring brings spawning season and the best time of the year for bass fishing where bass bed in shallow water which can be a foot or less. There’s so many different types of structures to fish here and most of them are easy to access. Jigging a gold spoon works well in fishing deep water holes like the one on Little Lake Down and popular baits for fishing various structures on the lakes include: Gary Yamamoto Senkos, Zoom Trick Worms, Zoom Flukes, White Willow Leaf Spinnerbaits, and various swim baits suited for really clear water. I really like the chartreuse shad color on my crankbaits and slashbaits and the watermelon color with red or black flecks work well for Senkos and Trick Worms. Fishing on the Butler Chain is a lot more pleasant during the weekdays with far less boaters crowding the waters. The fish bite all year round, but your best chance to catch the bass of a lifetime is during the Spring spawning season. Tim Fey, a resident of SW Orlando, is a well known guide along these waters who authors Bass Fishing Florida, a great resource for finding out what lures are working where.

This chain of lakes makes waterfront living in Windermere the premier location to live in Southwest Orlando. Windermere was given its name from Dr. Stanley Scott, whose father purchased 160 acres in this picturesque location in 1885. Dr. Scott built his home on the shore of Lake Butler, and it is believed by many that he named this town after England’s Lake Windermere. A book entitled Windermere Among the Lakes by Carl D. Patterson, Jr. published in 2005 creates the most detailed account of Windermere’s history.

Today, more than 2,300 people inhabit the Town of Windermere. The community, however, has not based its success on how rapidly it grows, but on how natural and pleasant a community in which it is to reside. Windermere tries to focus on preserving the town’s natural state and strong community atmosphere. The town’s quality of life is its most distinguishing feature. In fact, many of the town streets remain unpaved to continue their commitment to retain the pristine nature of the chain of lakes. The only paved street is 2nd Avenue which leads to Bumby Point, a peninsula that lies between Wauseon Bay and Lake Butler.

For luxury living with a small-town feel, you can’t beat the Town of Windermere. The Windermere Police Department, although comprised of I believe just 3 officers, have a reputation in the area for handing out speeding tickets for going even a mile an hour over the speed limit so beware. They’re probably bored from the lack of crime so I guess I can’t blame them. Other than that, the dirt roads, small town feel, and the canopy of age old oaks makes Windermere a really neat place to call home.

Click this link to see a stunning QTVR of the Butler Chain of Lakes created from a helicopter by Ed Fink of Big Eye in the Sky.

click fishing map to view in full screen

related post: Private Lake Access on the Butler Chain

related links: Butler Chain of Lakes Ecology, Butler Chain Conservation Association, Orange County Environmental Protection Division, Butler Chain Fishing Tips, Central Florida Fishing Report

Gotha: A Place for History in SW Orlando

Yellow Dog Eats

Age old oaks and peaceful lakes surround the tiny town between Windermere and Orlando called Gotha. It was found in 1885 by Henry Hempel after his hometown in Germany. Throughout this tiny town you’ll find wonderful examples of old Florida architecture. A quaint sandwich shop called Yellow Dog Eats is a great example of this style of architecture and the church across the street. I believe the church was called Camp Ithiel and it served as a camp for German POW’s in World War II. Both these buildings can be found at the corner of Hempel Rd. and Gotha Rd. The Palm Cottage Gardens established by a famous botanist Dr. Henry Nehrling, a property listed in the National Register of Historic Places as Florida’s oldest Botanical Garden, is located at 2267 Hempel Ave. More detailed information about Henry Nehrling can be found HERE.

The history here, the tall oaks that canopy the streets, and the unique architecture have contributed to the charm of Gotha but today some over development and a few new subdivisions have taken away from its ambiance. My personal feelings are that the town should have kept a closer watch on what some these developers have been doing.

Palm Cottage Garden by Botanist Dr. Henry Nehrling

School Starts Today

Schools starts today. For those of us a little older this day can be some well needed relief and for those a little younger a dreaded day. Here is the 2007-2008 school calendar for Orange county schools.

Click this link to download the pdf orange county school calendar.

School districts have a significant impact on the resale value of your home and a good place to research schools is greatschools.net

Orlando’s 25 Most Powerful People

Here are the top 25 of Orlando Magazine’s list of the most powerful people in Orlando with many of them residing right here in Southwest Orlando. I’ve made the Southwest Orlando residents bold in the list below.

1. When John Hitt was chosen as Orlando’s Most Powerful person last year, it could have been seen as an at-a-boy for landing a new medical school. But Hitt just keeps on coming. The medical school is moving along nicely, upcoming at the campus is a new convocation center and a new stadium, and Hitt shows no signs of slowing down. By this time next year, UCF should be a real community center for everything from football to concerts.

2. Joe Lewis could be standing in front of you right now and odds are great that you would not recognize him. He likes it that way. The British import made his fortune in theme restaurants and financial dealings before acquiring Isleworth and starting Lake Nona. His Orlando real estate holdings initially seemed like just another one of his worldwide investments, but Lewis is taking more than an investment interest in Orlando. He is also one of those people who gets what he wants. One of the things he wants is the new Nemours hospital to be built on his Lake Nona land.

3. State Senator Dan Webster continues to be a power in Tallahassee. Because Sen. Gary Siplin is the joke of the Senate, Webster has ended up representing two districts and doing it well. But his power position on this list gets a boost because many people think he will be Orange County’s next mayor.

4. State Representative Andy Gardiner seemed to have been eclipsed briefly by another Orlando officeholder, Dean Cannon, who had buzz as a future House speaker. But Gardiner continues to be the workhorse, while Cannon has emerged as a nice enough fellow. Gardiner has earned points by taking on the Orange County school board even though he doesn’t help his political career by doing so. Gardiner may soon be moving up the political ladder.

5. Al Weiss now has worldwide responsibilities for the Disney theme parks, but he still calls Orlando home and is still viewed as the tourism heavyweight in Orlando.

6. Most of the people on the Power 50 list make it because of their jobs. Harris Rosen makes it because of the hotel empire he’s created. He added his upscale Shingle Creek to his hotel lineup and continues to play a major role in the tourist industry.

7. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will find out soon if he gets a free ride in next year’s election. He’s raising lots of money for his campaign, but the financing for the venue projects remains shaky, and Dyer could overextend the city’s already less-than-rock-solid finances.

8. Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty is in his last term and determined to spend as much tax money as he can before he heads off into the sunset. He has three years to go, but quacks are already being heard from this lame duck.

9. The 2006 elections sent Senator Mel Martinez from the majority party to the minority party. Ordinarily, this would send him down the most powerful list. But thanks to his pal, George Bush, Martinez has a part-time job as chairman of the Republican National Committee. This gives Martinez a big say over party spending, which gives him lots of IOUs.

10. Clarence Otis took over at Darden Restaurants just a few years ago, and he’s moved to put his mark on the company. He’s made it clear the company is open for acquisition and dropped money-losing restaurants.

11. Dick Batchelor moves up the list thanks to the Democratic victories in the 2006 election and his role as Hillary Clinton’s biggest local supporter. Batchelor continues to play a leading role in challenging the ineptness of the Orange County School Board while leaders such as Dyer and Crotty have decided to concentrate on picking out their skybox seats.

12. Jim Seneff’s CNL empire is a major economic force, and Seneff is active on a number of local boards—such as at Rollins, Orlando Regional, United Way and United Arts—that make him a power.

13. Tom Williams’ Universal Studios will get a boost from a new Harry Potter attraction, but he still has a lot of work to do to figure out how to make his original park as popular as Islands of Adventure.

14. Jim Pugh has gone from highly successful but little-known business executive to the high-profile leader of the drive to get a new performing arts center in Orlando. He’s faced just about every possible obstacle, but has shown he can overcome them.

15. Local attorney John Morgan moves up dramatically on this year’s list because his long exile in the political desert is finally over. He is one of the area’s most successful attorneys and, with the Democrats taking power in Washington and a presidential race underway, Morgan is a power to be reckoned with.

16. Rick Walsh has given up his day job at Darden, but his influence has remained potent. He’s been elected chairman of the UCF Board of Trustees and remains active in a slew of local organizations. His name comes up for just about every appointive job that comes along.

17. It’s been a year attorney Hal Kantor might want to see the back of. It turns out that his law firm, Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor and Reed, was bankrolling some nefarious activities of perennial nuisance Doug Guetzloe. This would never have come to light if State Attorney Lawson Lamar hadn’t released a slew of documents he uncovered during his investigation of Guetzloe. Still, it showed that Kantor was willing to do almost anything to help his clients, and he remains an attorney who can get things done.

18. Senator Bill Nelson moved from the minority to the majority and now is getting the attention that used to be reserved for the Republicans. That moved him up the list, but he still isn’t the local power that Mel Martinez is.

19. Craig Ustler’s real estate empire continues to grow along with his restaurant lineup. His connections give him plenty of clout, and he’s a major influence in the development of downtown Orlando.

20. Richard Kessler’s hotel empire has expanded in the last year, and there is more on the horizon. Kessler is already planning a second downtown hotel, and a performing arts center across the street should make his Grand Bohemian even more of a center.

21. Lars Houmann has moved quickly to put his stamp on Florida Hospital. Houmann took over from Don Jernigan last year and has continued the rapid growth of the health-care giant. With a biotech company on the way and a medical school set to open, Orlando will become even more of a medical center.

22. Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Thomas has emerged as the leading voice at the daily. He can be counted on to take on the powerful and go against the grain.

23. Downtown developer Phil Rampy is growing his companies despite the slowdown in real estate, and he wields vast influence in downtown affairs. Rampy and Craig Ustler recently added another swank restaurant to downtown’s lineup—Citrus on Orange Avenue.

24. Attorney Fred Leonhardt is one of the city’s leading attorneys and is well connected in Republican Party circles.

25. Developer Picton Warlow IV has raised his profile with his downtown film festival and his role in making Orlando better.

Numerous Places in SW Orlando Make Orlando Magazine’s Best Places List

Orlando Magazine published in their August Issue the “Best Places” list with many of them being right here in Southwest Orlando. Fresh Market came up quite a bit on the list. Many of the best places to shop & corporate citizens on the list were right here in Southwest Orlando and all of the best golfers were right here. Isleworth and Reserve at Belmere here in Windermere topped the best gated communities category. Some notable places in Southwest Orlando that made this list are: Season’s 52, Blue Martini, Capital Grill, Christini’s, Bay Hill Jewelers, and Parchment. I’ve put the places and people in Southwest Orlando in bold in the list below.

EAT AND DRINK

Best Atmosphere

1. Seasons 52
436 East Altamonte Drive
Altamonte Springs
770 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando

2. The Beacon
The Sanctuary
100 South Eola Drive
Orlando

3. K Restaurant
2401 Edgewater Drive
Orlando

Best Bakery

1. Charlie’s Gourmet Pastries
3213 Curry Ford Road
Orlando

2. Panera Bread
With locations throughout Orlando

3. Publix
With locations throughout Orlando

Best Bar

1. Monkey Bar
26 Wall Street
Orlando

2. Blue Martini
4200 Conroy Road
Orlando

3. Bösendorfer Lounge
Grand Bohemian Hotel
325 South Orange Avenue
Orlando

Best Brunch

1. The Beacon
The Sanctuary
100 South Eola Drive
Orlando

2. Dexter’s
With three locations in Orlando

3. Boheme
Grand Bohemian Hotel
325 South Orange Avenue
Orlando

Best Burger

1. Back Yard Burger
With three area locations

2. Five Guys Famous Burgers
and Fries
With three area locations

3. Fuddruckers
5250 International Drive
Orlando

Best Caterer

1. Puff ‘N Stuff
158 Lake Avenue
Maitland

2. Absolute Catering
12000 International Drive
Kissimmee

3. Arthur’s Catering
860 Sunshine Lane
Altamonte Springs

Best Health Food Store

1. Whole Foods Market
1989 Aloma Avenue
Winter Park

2. Fresh Market
5000 Dr. Phillips Boulevard
Orlando
995 North State Road 434
Altamonte Springs

3. Chamberlin’s Market and Café
With six locations in Orlando

Best Hotel Bar/Lounge

1. Bösendorfer Lounge
Grand Bohemian Hotel
325 South Orange Avenue
Orlando

2. Velvet Lounge
Hard Rock Hotel
5800 Universal Boulevard
Orlando

3. Bar American
Portofino Bay Hotel
Universal Orlando
5601 Universal Boulevard
Orlando

Best Ice Cream

1. Marble Slab Creamery
With six locations in Orlando

2. Twistee Treat
With locations throughout Orlando

3. Cold Stone Creamery
With four area locations

Best Lunch To Go

1. Pita Pit
With three area locations

2. (tie) Crispers
With six area locations

Panera Bread
With locations throughout Orlando

3. Room 3-Nine
39 North Orange Avenue
Orlando

Best Outdoor Dining

1. The Beacon
The Sanctuary
100 South Eola Drive
Orlando

2. HUE
629 East Central Avenue
Orlando

3. (tie) Park Plaza Gardens
319 South Park Avenue
Winter Park

Seasons 52
463 East Altamonte Drive
Altamonte Springs
7700 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando

Best Pizza

1. Antonio’s Café and Deli
611 South Orlando Avenue
Maitland

2. Pisa Italian Pizza
7058 West Colonial Drive
Orlando

3. Anthony’s Pizza Café
100 North Summerlin Avenue
Orlando

Best Restaurant in
Winter Park

1. Luma on Park
290 South Park Avenue

2. Houston’s
215 South Orlando Avenue
Winter Park

3. Park Plaza Gardens
319 South Park Avenue
Winter Park

Best Restaurant
Downtown

1. Kres Chophouse and Lounge
17 West Church Street
Orlando

2. (tie) The Beacon
The Sanctuary
100 South Eola Drive
Orlando

HUE
629 East Central Avenue
Orlando

3. Manuel’s on the 28th
Bank of America
390 North Orange Avenue
Orlando

Best Restaurant
on I-Drive

1. The Capital Grill
Pointe Orlando
9101 International Drive
Orlando

2. Texas de Brazil
5259 International Drive
Orlando

3. Café Tu Tu Tango
8625 International Drive
Orlando

Best Restaurant on
Restaurant Row

1. Roy’s
7760 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando

2. Seasons 52
7700 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando

3. Christini’s Ristorante Italiano
7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard
Orlando

Best Restaurant in
Seminole County

1. Bonefish Grill
1761 West State Road 434
Longwood

2. Seasons 52
436 East Altamonte Drive
Altamonte Springs

3. Enzo’s on the Lake
1130 South Highway 17-92
Longwood

Best Restaurant to Seal
the Deal

1. Del Frisco’s
729 Lee Road
Orlando

2. Manuel’s on the 28th
Bank of America
390 North Orange Avenue
Orlando

3. The Beacon
The Sanctuary
100 South Eola Drive
Orlando

Best Sports Bar
1. Tap Room at Dubsdread
549 West Par Street
Orlando

2. Orlando Ale House
With nine locations in Orlando

3. Gator’s Dockside
With six locations in Orlando

Best Specialty Foods Store

1. Fresh Market
5000 Dr. Phillips Boulevard
Orlando
995 North State Road 434
Altamonte Springs

2. Whole Foods Market
1989 Aloma Avenue
Winter Park

3. (tie) Harmoni Market
2305 Edgewater Drive
Orlando

Petty’s Meats
2141 West State Road 434
Longwood

Best Supermarket

1. Publix
With locations throughout Orlando

2. Fresh Market
5000 Dr. Phillips Boulevard
Orlando
995 North State Road 434
Altamonte Springs

3. Whole Foods Market
1989 Aloma Avenue
Winter Park

Best Wine List

1. Seasons 52
436 East Altamonte Drive
Altamonte Springs
770 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando

2. The Venetian Room
8101 World Center Drive
Orlando

3. Old Vines Wine Merchants
709 North Alafaya Trail
Orlando

PERSONALITIES

Best Corporate Citizen

1. Harris Rosen
2. Clarence Otis
3. (tie) Dick Batchelor
Tico Perez

Best Local Entertainer
1. Carrot Top
2. Jeff Howell
3. Michael Andrews

Best Local Politician
1. Teresa Jacobs
2. Buddy Dyer
3 .Rich Crotty

Favorite Local Golfer
1. Tiger Woods
2. Lee Janzen
3. Arnold Palmer

Favorite Magic Player
1. Dwight Howard
2. Grant Hill
3. Bo Outlaw

Local Person You’d
Like to Trade Jobs With
1. Buddy Dyer
2. Marla Weech
3. Tiger Woods

Person Who Most Exemp-lifies Orlando
1. Jim Philips
2. Dennis Salvagio (The Fat Guy)
3. Toni Jennings

GOODS/SERVICES

Best Art Gallery

1. Q Gallery
CityArts Factory
29 South Orange Avenue
Orlando

2. Millenia Fine Arts
555 South Lake Destiny Drive
Orlando

3. Grand Bohemian Gallery
Grand Bohemian Hotel
325 South Orange Avenue
Orlando

Best Audio Store

1. Absolute Sound
862 South Orlando Avenue
Winter Park
360 Minnesota Avenue
Winter Park

2. Sound Advice
4835 East Colonial Drive
Orlando
1431 Sand Lake Road
Orlando

3. Best Buy
With locations throughout Orlando

Best Bicycle Store

1. Orange Cycle
2204 Edgewater Drive
Orlando

2. Locomotion
125 West Fairbanks Avenue
Winter Park
1776 Jake Street
Orlando

3 David’s World Cycle
With four locations in Orlando

Best Bookstore

1. (tie) Barnes and Noble
With six locations in Orlando

Borders
With five locations in Orlando

2. Urban Think
625 East Central Boulevard
Orlando

Best Business Hotel

1. (tie) Grand Bohemian Hotel
325 South Orange Avenue
Orlando

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
9300 Airport Boulevard
Orlando

2. Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center
8701 World Center Drive
Orlando

Best Day Spa

1. Ritz-Carlton Spa Orlando
Grande Lakes
4012 Central Florida Parkway
Orlando

2. (tie) Canyon Ranch Spa
Gaylord Palms
6000 West Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee

Euro Day Spa and Salon
800 Formosa Avenue
Orlando

Best Florist

1. Lee James Floral Designs
809 North Mills Avenue Orlando

2. Harry’s Famous Flowers
1252 North Semoran Boulevard
Orlando

3. In Bloom
With three locations in Orlando

Best Gated Community

1. Isleworth
Windermere

2. Heathrow Woods
Lake Mary

3. Reserve at Belmere
Windermere

Best Golf Course (Private)

1. Isleworth Country Club
9350 Conroy-Windermere Road
Windermere

2. Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club and Lodge
9000 Bay Hill Boulevard
Orlando

3. Interlachen Country Club
2245 Interlachen Court
Winter Park

Best Golf Course (Public)

1. North Shore Golf Club
11507 North Shore Golf Club Boulevard
Orlando

2. ChampionsGate Golf Club
1400 Masters Boulevard
ChampionsGate

3. (tie) Dubsdread Golf Course
549 West Par Street
Orlando

Orange County National Golf
Center and Lodge
16301 Phil Ritson Way
Winter Garden

Best Hair Salon

1. Xander Blue Salon
990 North State Road 434
Altamonte Springs
5232 Red Bug Lake Road
Winter Springs

2. Garrett and Company
301 Circle Drive
Maitland

3. Kendall and Kendall
339 South Park Avenue
Winter Park

Best Jeweler

1. Bay Hill Jewelers
7782 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando

2. Park Promenade Jewellers
4200 Conroy Road
Orlando

Best Lamp Store

1. Lightbulbs Unlimited
1100 West Fairbanks Avenue
Winter Park
6203 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando

2. Lightstyle of Orlando
1155 North Orange Avenue
Orlando

Best Local Resort

1. Walt Disney World Swan and
Dolphin
1500 Epcot Resorts Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista

2. Ritz-Carlton Orlando
Grande Lakes
4012 Central Florida Parkway
Orlando

3. Gaylord Palms Resort and
Convention Center
6000 West Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee

Best Mall

1. Mall at Millenia
4200 Conroy Road
Orlando

2. Florida Mall
8001 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando

3. Seminole Town Center
200 Towne Center Circle
Sanford

Best Men’s Specialty Store

1. Siegel’s
130 South Orange Avenue
Orlando
330 South Park Avenue
Winter Park

2. Men’s Warehouse
With five locations in Orlando

3. Christopher Jude
1235 North Orange Avenue
Orlando

Best Movie Theater

1. Regal Cinemas Winter Park Village
510 North Orlando Avenue
Winter Park

2. Cinemark Festival Bay Mall
5150 International Drive
Orlando

3. AMC Pleasure Island
1500 Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista

Best Museum

1. Orlando Science Center
777 East Princeton Street
Orlando

2. Orlando Museum of Art
2416 North Mills Avenue
Orlando

3. Morse Museum of American Art
445 North Park Avenue
Winter Park

Best Outlet Store

1. Off Fifth—Saks Fifth Avenue
Outlet Store
5211 International Drive
Orlando

2. Coach
8200 Vineland Avenue, Suite 1213
Orlando

3. Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store
Orlando Premium Outlets
8200 Vineland Avenue, Suite 500
Orlando
Belz Factory Outlet Center
5209 International Boulevard
Orlando

Best Place for Great-
Looking Shoes

1. DSW
375 East Altamonte Drive
Altamonte Springs

2. Nordstrom
Florida Mall
8001 South Orange Blossom Trail
Orlando

3. Neiman Marcus
Mall at Millenia
4170 Conroy Road
Orlando

Best Place to Buy a Boat

1. Parker Boat Company
455 South Lake Destiny Road
Orlando

2. Boat Tree
2202 33rd Street
Orlando

Best Place to Buy Your Dream Car

1. Ferrari Maserati of Central Florida
525 South Lake Destiny Road
Orlando

2. Massey Cadillac of Orlando
4241 North John Young Parkway
Orlando

3. Fields BMW
963 Wymore Road
Winter Park

Best Plastic Surgeon

1. Dr. Kenrick Spence
130 Hillcrest Street
Orlando

2. Dr. James L. Baker
400 West Morse Boulevard
Winter Park

3. Dr. George Pope
3872 Oakwater Circle
Orlando

Best Pet Accessories Store

1. BullFish
102 North Park Avenue
Winter Park

2. PetSmart
With eight locations in Orlando

Best Private School (K-

1. Page Private School
10250 University Boulevard
Orlando
100 Aero Lane
Sanford

2. Lake Highland Preparatory School
901 North Highland Avenue
Orlando

3. Park Maitland School
1450 South Orlando Avenue
Maitland

Best Private School (9-12)

1. Trinity Preparatory School
5700 Trinity Prep. Lane
Winter Park

2. Central Florida Preparatory School
1450 Citrus Oaks Avenue
Gotha

3. The First Academy
2667 Bruton Boulevard
Orlando

Best Stationery Store

1. Papyrus
451 East Altamonte Drive
Altamonte Springs

2. The Paper Store
545 North Park Avenue
Winter Park

3. Parchment
7822 West Sand Lake Road
Orlando

Best Theater Company

1. Mad Cow Theatre
105 South Magnolia Avenue
Orlando

2. Orlando Shakespeare Theatre
812 East Rollins Street
Orlando

3. Orlando Repertory Theatre
1001 East Princeton Street
Orlando

Best Video Store

1. Blockbuster
With locations throughout Orlando

2. Hollywood Video
With locations throughout Orlando

3. Movie Gallery
With locations throughout Orlando

Best Wine Store

1. Tim’s Wine Market
1223 North Orange Avenue
Orlando

2. Wine Warehouse
959 West Fairbanks Avenue
Winter Park

3. Old Vines Wine Merchants
709 North Alafaya Trail
Orlando

Best Women’s Specialty Store

1. Ann Taylor
With eight locations in Orlando

2. Bella
550 West New England Avenue, Suite 115
Winter Park

3. Shou’Ture
339 South Park Avenue
Winter Park

Best Workout Facility/Gym

1. YMCA
With locations throughout Orlando

2. Winter Park Health and Fitness
1560 North Orange Avenue
Winter Park

3. (tie) LA Fitness
With locations throughout Orlando

RDV Sportsplex
8701 Maitland Summit Boulevard
Orlando

MEDIA

Best Local Television Show

1. The Daily Buzz, WRDQ 27
2. Hot Spots, Orange TV 9

Best Local Television

Station
1. WOFL 35
2. WFTV 9
3. WESH 2

Best Local Web Site

1. ICFlorida.com
2. WESH.com
3. HotSpots.com

Best Morning Radio Team
1. Dave and Leslye, WMGF 107.7 FM
2. Scott and Erica, WOMX 105.1 FM
3. Monsters, WKTS 104.1 FM

Best Newspaper Columnist
1 Scott Maxwell, Orlando Sentinel
2 Mike Thomas, Orlando Sentinel
3 Kathleen Parker, syndicated

Best Newspaper Reporter

1. David Damron, Orlando Sentinel
2. Jeff Billman, Orlando Weekly
3. Mark Schlueb, Orlando Sentinel

Best Radio Music Station

1. WXXL 106.7 FM
2. KKWA 92.3 FM
3. WTKS 104.1 FM

Best Radio News Station

1. WMFE 90.7 FM
2. WTKS 104.1 FM

Best Radio Sports Host

1. Shot Doctor, WQTM 740 AM
2. Jim Rome, WQTM 740 AM

Best Radio Talk Show

1. The Philips Phile, WTKS 104.1 FM
2. Monsters, WTKS 104.1 FM
3. Pat Campbell, WFLA 540 AM

Best Sports Columnist

1. Jerry Greene, Orlando Sentinel
2. Michael Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel
3. David Whitley, Orlando Sentinel

Best TV News Team

1. WESH 2
2. WFTV 9
3. WOFL 35

Best TV Sportscaster

1. Pat Clarke, WESH 2
2. Guy Rawlings, WESH 2
3. Lee Goldberg, WKMG 6

Best TV Weather Forecaster

1. Danny Treanor, News 13
2. Tom Terry, WFTV 9
3. Tony Mainolfi, WESH 2

POTPOURRI

Best Charity Gala

1. Headdress Ball
Hope and Help Center of Central Florida

2. Festival of Trees Patron’s Gala
Orlando Museum of Art

3. An Evening With Fabulous Friends
Friends of the Mennello Museum of
American Art

Best Entertainment

Experience

1. Cirque du Soleil, La Nouba
Downtown Disney

2. SAK Comedy Lab
380 West Amelia Street
Orlando

3. Walt Disney World
Lake Buena Vista

Best Live Music Venue

1. House of Blues
1490 East Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista

2. Hard Rock Live
6050 Universal Boulevard
Orlando

Best Local Getaway

1. The Club at Hammock Beach
200 Ocean Crest Drive
Palm Coast

2. Gaylord Palms
6000 West Osceola Parkway
Kissimmee

3. Ritz-Carlton Orlando
Grande Lakes
4012 Central Florida Parkway
Orlando

Best Orlando Building

1. LYNX Central Station
455 North Garland Avenue
Orlando

2. The Sanctuary Downtown
100 South Eola Drive
Orlando

3. SunTrust Center
200 South Orange Avenue
Orlando

Best Place To Get Married

1. Leu Botanical Gardens
1920 Forest Avenue
Orlando

2. Walt Disney World
Lake Buena Vista

3. Knowles Memorial Chapel at
Rollins College
1000 Holt Avenue
Winter Park

Best PLACE to Propose

1. Kres Chophouse and Lounge
17 West Church Street
Orlando

2. Manuel’s on the 28th
Bank of America
390 North Orange Avenue
Orlando

3. Lake Eola
Downtown Orlando