365 Challenge – A year in Sanford, FL

Entries from June 2009

Day 282 – Congo River Mini Golf in Altamonte Springs FL

June 27, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Congo River Mini Golf

Congo River Mini Golf

Mini Golf is always a fun activity. I can’t remember when was the last time though that I actually played mini golf. It must have been years… So I was even happier when the idea was brought up, and of course excited to be able to take some pictures for my blog.

We were quite lucky: it had just rained heavily and the air cooled off. Also, due to the earlier rain there were not many people (unusual for a Friday evening) so we didn’t have to wait at any point. And shortly after we left it actually started raining again. Talk about perfect timing :)

Throughout the course of the game I realized that I am not the best player… It was very fun though to at least try! I really like the theme of the Congo River mini golf course in Altamonte Springs (off 436). It’s nicely done and even though you are quite close to the road at some spots, you still feel a bit like on vacation when there. Consisting of 18 rounds you can run through a game with 4 players within about 1.5-2 hours, depending on your skills and on how long each player “plans” their game. I am quite impatient so I just started hitting the ball in the right direction and went from there…

The price seemed kind of high, we paid $50 for the four of us (Jose’s nephew and his girl friend were with us) but I think that is the going rate. At the end of your game though the staff tries to make sure you win a free game for the next time. So out of 4 tickets, 3 of us won a free game – not bad! Also, watch out for coupons before you go, I am sure there are some out there because we were asked repeatedly if we didn’t have any coupons with us…

Below are some more pictures of our fun evening of mini golf in Altamonte…

Categories: 365 Pictures · Activities · Altamonte Springs · Things to Do
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Day 281 – Brusters Ice Cream in Lake Mary FL

June 27, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Brusters Ice Cream Lake Mary

Brusters Ice Cream Lake Mary

Summer time is ice cream time! Well, in Florida, it’s actually ice cream time most of the time… My favorite ice cream place in the Sanford area is Brusters in Lake Mary (right off Lake Mary Boulevard). Their ice cream just tastes very fresh to me and I live the flavors. Jose is more a Coldstone Creamery guy but we can agree to alternate our ice cream visits…

Brusters also has a drive through (kind of funny because the last place I would like to eat ice cream is inside my car…) but I guess it makes sense if you just pick up a huge serving to share with everyone at home.

If you want to check out Brusters, here is their info:

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
4355 W Lake Mary Blvd
Lake Mary, FL 32746-2448
(407) 323-0055

There are more locations throughout Central Florida. Check out their web site here to find them.

Brusters Real Ice Cream

Brusters Real Ice Cream

Categories: 365 Pictures · Lake Mary · Restaurants
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Day 280 – David Maus Toyota in Sanford FL

June 27, 2009 · Leave a Comment

David Maus Toyota Sanford FL

David Maus Toyota Sanford FL

Every once in while I have to bring my beloved Toyota Corolla to service. Since I bought my car brand new at the end of 2005 (back then David Maus was still in his old Longwood location) I have been religiously following the scheduled service visits.

What I liked so much about Toyota when I bought my car was the fact that they were no pushy at all when it came to “negotiating the deal”. At this point I have to say that I much prefer CarMax attitude because their prices are what they are – take it or leave it. I am not the person that is up for games and bluffs, I like straight, honest business. Early on I knew that I wanted to buy a Toyota Corolla so before I visited David Maus I had been at Toyota dealerships all over town looking for my new car. The far worst experience was the one at Toyota on Colonial Drive. The sales person treated us very badly, even insulted Jose. It was the classic car dealer experience (I hate to say this because I am not trying to stereotype people here, but the car dealer there was wearing Cowboy boots, gold jewelry, including rings, had blond bleached hair and tanning salon skin). When that person got into a fight with us over floor mats (!) we left and turned down a pretty good deal – in fact, I believe the price was even slightly better than what I ended up paying later on. To me this wasn’t about money, it was about being treated with respect. I care much more about good service and I do have my pride!

Serice Center David Maus Toyota

Serice Center David Maus Toyota

The next experience was the dealer in East Orlando, not bad and also here we did negotiate a good deal but just didn’t feel it – I know it’s funny how it is when buying a car, you got to have that feeling that things are right. Much like buying a house in fact, I see that every day…

The Kissimmee dealership was great and I actually did find a great deal and car – just the way I wanted it. In fact, I had the paperwork signed! But then they messed up and told me that they had “accidentally” sold my car already. Since they didn’t have the same model in the same color (back then Corollas were selling like crazy!) I decided to wait. I could have left a deposit and then go back to Kissimmee (as you know quite a drive from Sanford) the following week to pick up my car but the moment was just over…

So last but not least, on a cold December night in 2005 we went to David Maus Toyota (back then in Longwood). The sales person there was super nice and so was the sales manager. They didn’t push us in any way, were very respectful and also willing to negotiate a great deal. Financing was great too but I decided to pay the car in full after a couple of months. And also now, 4 years later, the service hasn’t changed. The David Maus Toyota location in Sanford is a huge state of the art facility with a very comfortable customer waiting area. They are right by the mall. They also offer a free shuttle to the mall in case you get bored waiting at their facility – rarely happens to me since they have WiFi and a nice little coffee shop with Tvs.

Lots of Cars at David Maus Toyota

Lots of Cars at David Maus Toyota

All in all, if you are looking to buy a Toyota in the Central Florida area I can highly recommend David Maus Toyota. I hope I can drive my car for a long time to come. In less than 4 years I have put about 70,000 miles on it already (I think though that is pretty average for working in real estate, we drive A LOT) but if I keep treating my car well I am sure it will last at least another 70,000 without a problem :)

Here is their information:

David Maus Toyota
1160 Rinehart Road
Sanford, FL 32771
1-866-956-7340

Opening Hours
Monday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Below is an old picture from early 2006. I had just gotten my German license plate attached to the car (drove to David Maus and they attached for me, of course for free).

My Toyota

My Toyota

Categories: 365 Pictures · Miscellaneous
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4th of July Events in Orlando FL and Central Florida 2009

June 25, 2009 · 1 Comment

4th of July is only 10 days away! In case you haven’t made any plans yet, check out this list I have put together of Central Florida’s best 4th of July events in 2009.

In case you want to add an event to the list please post your comment below to share it with everyone!

Sanford 4th of July Event

Sanford 4th of July Event

4th of July in Sanford FL – Star Spangled Sanford - starts at 5pm until approximately 10pm

The City of Sanford and Orlando Sanford International Airport invite you to this fun 4th of July celebration that ends with spectacular fireworks over the St Johns River (around 9pm for 40 minutes). There will be music, entertainment (extreme trampoline show, acrobatic stilt walkers etc.), food, drinks and fun activities for the kids. There will be free admission to the Ft. Mellon Park Splash Pad from 10:00am to 8:00pm. Sorry but the city doesn’t allow you to bring your own food and drinks or pets! Parking is difficult so either be there super early or expect to walk quite a bit!

Sanford’s River Walk & Fort Mellon Park
300 N. Park Ave. Sanford, FL.
More Information at 407-688-5004

Cost: Free Admission

Sanford Zoo – Red, White and Zoo – July 4th 9am-3pm

This is a day time event at the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford FL. Celebrate the 4th of July weekend and the Sanford Zoo’s 34th birthday with live music, games, food, children’s crafts, face painting, a water slide, watermelon eating contest and zoo animal encounters. While visiting you can also enjoy the zoo’s newest attraction, the ZOOm Air, a system of zip lines and rope bridges that lets you explore the world from the trees. Also fun on a hot July day: the popular water splash park for the kids.

Central Florida Zoo, 3755 NW Highway 17-92, Sanford, FL 32771

More info at 407.323.4450, ext. 136

Cost: Not free, call for tickets or visit their web site

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

Wekiva Falls 4th of July Celebration, Sorrento FL

I think this is a great idea for a 4th of July celebration: Visit the Wekiva Falls resort by Sorrento (click here to read more about Wekiva Falls) to enjoy a day by the Wekiva River and huge pool/lake. There will be a DJ for music and a fireworks around 9pm. Kayaking, canoeing and all the other fun activities are available that day and in case you want to stay over night you can camp here too. Bring your own food and barbecue. Bring a gazebo tent and invite your friends and family over. The cost is only $6 per person or $20/car of 6 people (saves you $16) and you can stay all day. Sounds like a fun beach/pool party in the nature of Central Florida – very relaxing!

Lake Eola 4th of July Event

Lake Eola 4th of July Event

4th of July by Lake Eola – Big Fun at the Fountain – starts at 4pm until approximately 10pm
WFTV Channel 9 News and the Mayor of Orlando will be present at this  4th of July celebration that ends with amazing 20 minutes fireworks over Lake Eola in downtown Orlando (around 9pm). There will be food (BBQ turkey legs, Spanish or Chinese food, traditional hamburgers, sausages, etc.), drinks (beer and wine gardens) and entertainment as well as fun activities for the kids. Bring a blanket and sit down in the park as you observe the fireworks. The event is an annual tradition in Orlando (this year celebrating its 32nd anniversary) I have attended this event in the past and felt it was a bit too crowded. No wonder, over 100,000 people attend every year. Parking can be quite complicated so try to get there as early as possible – and expect to face some traffic when leaving! Very conveneint though this year: since the 4th is a Saturday (and most of us don’t have to work on Sunday), just plan to stay downtown for one of the many 4th of July parties in the clubs and bars or for the block party on Wall Street (see below).

More info at (407) 246-3104 or visit www.cityoforlando.net
Lake Eola Park
195 N Rosalind Avenue
Orlando, FL 32801

Cost: Free Admission

Early 4th of July Celebration in Altamonte Springs – Red Hot & Boom – starts at 4pm on the 3rd of July (!) until 11pm

If you are planning to celebrate the 4th early or, even better, twice, this is a must go event: XL 106.7 presents this fun, annual 4th of July party (with nationally and internationally famous artists) at Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs. Of course, this celebration also ends with awesome fireworks around 9pm. There will be food and drinks available for purchase throughout the event and this year you are not allowed to bring your own coolers or pets. This is the largest Independence Day celebration in Central Florida with nearly 200,000 people every year! So be prepared for a difficult parking situation and try to be there as early as possible! Great entertainment, music and activities await you at this popular event!

Scheduled live entertainment for 2009 Red Hot & Boom: We the Kings, Kevin Rudolf, Matt Nathanson, Carolina Liar, Hey Monday, Jessie James, Parachute, The Cab and Evan Taubenfield.

150 Cranes Roost Blvd. Altamonte Springs, FL.
More Info at (407) 571-8857

Cost: Free Admission

Red, Rock & Blue 2 – Lake Mary City Hall on July 3rd! starting at 6pm (until 9pm)
Another early celebration of the holiday takes place at Lake Mary’s Red, Rock & Blue event. A live band will perform all your favorite party songs! Bring blankets and chairs and enjoy this free concert! Food and drinks from local vendors will be available for purchase.

Admission is free.

4th of July Celebration in Deltona – Dewey O. Boster Park – starts at 6pm until approx. 10pm
This is the annual 4th of July celebration of the city of Deltona at Dewey O. Boster Park. The party starts at the Park and Sports Complex and end with with fireworks around 9:15PM. Live music will keep everyone entertained from 7pm-10pm. Of course there will also be food and drinks available for purchase.

Now can you guess? Be there early because just like all the other events, this one fills up fast! 10,000 to 15,000 people are expected at this event so expect it to be quite crowded!

1200 Saxon Blvd. Deltona, FL

Cost: Free Admission

Old-Fashioned July 4 Celebration in Debary – starts at 10am-2pm

Looking for an old fashioned 4th of July celebration? Then the DeBary Hall Historic Site is the place to visit. A DJ will play patriotic music, and guests can participate in a number of events, including pie-eating contests. You are allowed to bring your own picnic lunch but there will also be food and drinks available for purchase.

To make this event even more historic, there will be tours of the mansion (listed in the National Register of Historic Places) available. Entrance fees are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for children ages 3 – 12, and the tour is free for children 2 and under.

DeBary Hall Historic Site, 210 Sunrise Blvd., Debary, FL 32713

More info at (386) 668-3840 or www.debaryhall.com.

Cost: Free Admission

4th of July Festivities in Orange City – starts at 3pm until approx. 9pm

Visit the Orange City Valentine Park on 1595 West French Avenue for an Independence Day Celebration with a firework show around 9pm. The admission is free, but the city requests you bring a canned food item or school supply. The donations will benefit local families in need – what a great idea! There will be lots of entertainment for young and old (including inflatables, a rock wall and bungee jump) as well as contests and prizes. Lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are welcome. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

More info at 386-775-5454 or x.5455.
Valentine Park, 1595 West French Avenue, Orange City, FL 32763

Cost: Free Admission

4th of July in Downtown Avalon Park – starts at 5pm to 9pm

This is a fun family event with hot dog eating contest, apple pie bake off, a bike parade and, of course, amazing fireworks!

Downtown Avalon Park, 3651 Avalon Park East Blvd., Orlando, FL 32828

4th of July Celebration 2009 in Apopka FL – starts in the afternoon

Join this fun Independence Day celebration with lots of live music, food, games, prizes and a amazing fireworks.

Roger Williams Field, Apoka High School, Apopka, FL
More info at 407-886-2777

Cost: Free Admission

Walt Disney World® July 4th 2009 Celebration

For all you Disney fans, of course Disney invites you all to any of their 4th of July celebrations (of course, those events are not free!). Be sure to call 407-W-Disney (407-934-7639) before you go, as some of these events can change schedule without notice, e.g. because of severe weather conditions.

Fourth of July celebrations take place at each of the the major parks – Magic Kingdom®, Epcot®, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios ™ without a doubt great places to see fireworks – the people at Disney sure know how to create magic, don’t they?

“Disney’s Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” at Disney’s Magic Kingdom® starts at 9:00 PM. This is said to be one of the best 4th of July firework displays in Central Florida. There will also be a 10:30 PM and 12:30 AM “spectromagic” night time parade.

Here’s the only FREE Disney event: Downtown Disney® 4th of July Fireworks

Downtown Disney® is scheduled for its fireworks show at 10.30 PM. While there enjoy a bit of shopping or any of their restaurants.

4th of July in Central Park – Winter Park’s 2009 Old-Fashioned Celebration – starts at 9am to 1pm

This is the City of Winter Park’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration in Central Park. The celebration will include live entertainment, fun activities and food and drinks (for purchase).

Central Park, Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792 (map)

Admission is free.

2009 Celebration of Freedom in Winter Springs -starts in the afternoon

Enjoy awesome fireworks over Lake Jesup and a day of fun and entertainment in Winter Springs.

Central Winds Park, 1000 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida
More info at 407-327-6593

Admission is free.

2009 City of Kissimmee July 4th Celebration – starts in afternoon

Osceola County’s most popular event on 4th of July takes place in Kissimmee. This 4th of July Celebration attracts more than 45,000 people! Live entertainment, karaoke, arts and crafts, bingo, a food festival, water-ski show and a gorgeous fireworks show are only some of the things that await you.

Kissimmee Lakefront Park, 101 Lakeshore Boulevard, Kissimmee, Florida
More info at 407-93-EVENT (3-8368)

Admission is free.

2009 Fourth of July at Universal CityWalk

Of courseSpend the Fourth of July weekend enjoying the thrilling rides at Universal Orlando®. Experience an amazing Fourth of July extravaganza that involves a simultaneous display of fireworks from Universal Studios Florida®, Islands of Adventure® and Universal CityWalk®. The Fourth of July celebration at Universal CityWalk® is included in the regular admission price. For more information about 2009 Fourth of July at CityWalk, visit www.universalorlando.com.

Universal CityWalk®, Universal Orlando®, Orlando, Florida

More info at 407-363-8000

Downtown Orlando – 2009 Fourth of July Block Party

This is definitely the hottest spot to party on the 4th of July. Visit downtown Orlando at night for a fun block party at Wall Street plaza – or any of the many clubs that also offer 4th of July specials. One thing is for sure, downtown will be super crowded that night – the ideal atmosphere for a fun summer party! Even better, if you’re planning to view the Lake Eola fireworks show you are right there already!

Wall Street Plaza, Downtown Orlando, Florida

Here’s the winner of the most creative 4th of July event:

A Flashback 4th of July at the Celebration Town Center – starts at 9am until 11pm

If I hadn’t already picked my 4th of July event, I’d definitely check out this one! I love the 70s so this sounds like a blast!!

Quoted from web site:

This 4th of July, travel back in time to an era when “Pong” was a state-of-the-art video game,  Disco was king, Star Wars was a cinematic sensation and the whole world was just getting to know “The Brady Bunch”.

Celebration Town Center’s “A Flashback 4th of July” will feature a 70’s costume contest at 7:30 PM, so break out your leisure suits, your halter tops, or whatever you can find and come dressed to impress. It will also feature a fireworks spectacular set to the theme of the 70’s best loved music, and a concert by local favorites-The Reflections Band beginning at 6:00 PM. And if you aren’t ready to “Do the Hustle” yourself, professional dancers from the Arthur Murray Dance Schools will be on hand to show you how.

There will be something for people of all ages as Town Center’s KidZone will feature an assortment of inflatable games for kids and teens that will include a jousting area, a rock climbing wall, face painting and more.

Celebration Town Center, 610 Sycamore Street, Orlando, FL 34747
More info at 407-566-4007 or (407) 566-4015 or the event web site

Admission is free!

July 4th Celebration in Oviedo- starts at 12pm

MIX105.1 and the city of Oviedo invite you to this fun annual celebration. The event will end at 9:15pm with spectacular fireworks. There will be lots of entertainment, and of course, food and drinks.

Other spots in Central Florida that offer 4th of July Celebrations:

2009 St. Cloud 4th of July Celebration
St. Cloud Lakefront, St. Cloud, Florida
More info at 407-892-3671
Admission is free.

Cocoa Beach – The Cocoa Beach Pier is the ideal spot to watch the fireworks.

Historic Cocoa Village – Cocoa Village Riverfront Park Amphitheatre at 8 pm. The show is scheduled to begin at 9:15 pm.

Daytona Beach – Daytona Beach Main Street July 4th Block Party: 8-block long party with a summer barbecue theme. Starts at 6 pm until midnight with firework show at 9:30 pm (includes live music, food vendors & kids activities). On the same weekend there is also the Coke Zero 400, a 160 lap, 400 miles NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway (July 2 – 4, 2009). We went last year and had a blast, but it was honestly just a once in a lifetime experience – I’m typically not a fan of races.

Sea World Orlando 4th of July Celebration

Missed the 4th of July or simply can’t get enough of this holiday? Sanford’s Alive After Five Street party celebrates Independence Day one more time on July 9th!

With the theme Red, White & Bluegrass there will be lots of food, drinks ($7 for all you can eat samples) and entertainment. The event starts at 5pm and lasts until about 9pm on First Street in Sanfrod FL. The band Bluehemians will play live in the Riverhouse Pottery Courtyard (on Palmetto). Sanford’s Alive After Five has become Central Florida’s biggest monthly street party.

More info at 407-302-2586.

Categories: 365 Pictures · Community · Events · Seasonal
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Day 279 – Meeting Shaquille O’Neal

June 24, 2009 · 3 Comments

Meeting Shaquille O'Neal in Lake Mary

Meeting Shaquille O'Neal in Lake Mary

Oh yes, it’s true – and here’s the proof: we met Shaquille O’Neal to show him one of our listings in Lake Mary! I still can’t believe it!!! This totally made my day :)

When he called we first couldn’t believe it, thought someone was playing a joke on us. But we went to meet him anyway and, sure enough, there he was Shaquille O’Neal, the famous basketball player! He is a very nice guy, totally down to earth and we enjoyed meeting him. What else can I say – I am speechless (and so glad I always have my camera with me!) …

Categories: 365 Pictures · Random
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Day 278 – Orlando Skyline from Colonial Drive Exit on I-4

June 23, 2009 · 2 Comments

Partial Skyline of Orlando FL

Partial Skyline of Orlando FL

I always wonder how I could possibly take a good shot of the Orlando skyline but it seems very difficult. So today I just tried to take one from the car as I was waiting to exit I-4 at the Colonial Drive Exit. Let’s see where I can find a better spot without risking to be run over by a car ;) I will keep searching…

Categories: 365 Pictures · Orlando · Random
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Day 277 – Wekiva Falls

June 23, 2009 · 1 Comment

Wekiva Falls Resort

Wekiva Falls Resort

One of the best (and very affordable) activities for a summer weekend is visiting Wekiva Falls Resort in Lake County (Sorrento) – not to be confused with Wekiva Springs in Longwood, FL. It is actually only a short drive away from Sanford (10 minutes from mall area) but canoeing on the Wekiva River will make you feel as close to Florida’s nature as you could possibly be.

The Wekiva Falls Resort is actually an RV resort and great spot for camping. At the Wekiva Falls Resort you can enjoy:

  • RV Camping
  • Tent Camping
  • Swimming
  • Picnic Areas
  • Beaches
  • Volleyball
  • Logaoon Slides
  • Biking
  • Nature Trails
  • Canoeing
  • River Cruises
  • Kayaking
  • Fishing
  • Boat Launch
  • Bait & Tackle

So we decided to go there on Sunday to do some canoeing on the Wekiva River and afterward hang out by the huge pool like lake with water slide. Since I have previously only has experience with kayaking I wasn’t too afraid of canoeing – little did I know how shaky the canoe can get. Not sure if the reason was that I sat in the middle of a 3 person canoe or maybe canoes are just shaky in general? Anyway, it didn’t take longer than 5 minutes until the 3 of us landed IN the river! We tried to avoid a tree that “suddenly” appeared in front of us and, of course, all leaned to ONE side of the boat. Luckily we were still close to a shore and were able to turn the canoe back over and get all the water out of it – only took 5 minutes. I have to say I was pretty mad – not because I was soaking wet (it actually felt very refreshing with temperatures close to 100) but because I am terrified of alligators and there ARE alligators along the river. Yes, they are afraid of people and all, but knowing that they are in nesting season right now makes me wonder, what if we accidentally step a bit too close into a gator’s territory? Well, I don’t want to ever try that… We learned from our mistake though and managed to stay ON the boat for the next 2 hours enjoying the amazing beautiful nature that surrounded us! If you are not absolutely terrified of alligators you have to try this! And there is an alternative to canoeing: a river cruise on a larger boat. I will opt for kayaking next time though. Being closer to the water actually gives you more balance…

After our little adventure on the Wekiva River we moved over to the lake/pool and cooled off a bit. The water has a high percentage of sulfur so be prepared for it to be a bit smelly. You get used to that though. There was a live DJ who played some good up beat music and had some games prepared. You can barbecue and just enjoy the day by the lake/pool/river shores. Of course, being a Sunday and being Father’s Day it got pretty busy but there is plenty of space for everyone.

The Wekiva River Resort is having a 4th of July event and we are thinking about celebrating there. It’s an all day event with lots of music, games and prizes. Fireworks start at 9:30pm. I will post more details soon!

Here is their information and below some more pictures of our fun day by the river:

Wekiva Falls Resort
30700 Wekiva River Road
Sorrento, FL 32776
Phone: (352) 383-8055



Quick Snapshot Video of Wekiva Falls

Categories: 365 Pictures · Activities · Nature · Things to Do
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Day 276 – Lake Forest Community Entry Area

June 22, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Brick Archway by Lake Forest Sanford

Brick Archway by Lake Forest Sanford

Just a snapshot of one of the brick archways in the community entrance area of Lake Forest in Sanford (right off highway 46 in Sanford FL, less than a mile from Exit 101 C, west of I-4). The community entrance area is beautiful (just as Lake Forest itself) and makes a nice spot for pictures.

Below are some more pictures I took today…

Categories: 365 Pictures · Communities · Miscellaneous · Random
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Day 275 – Carlos’n Charlies Lake Mary Opening Party

June 22, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Carlos'n Charlies Lake Mary

Carlos'n Charlies Lake Mary

Yay! Carlos’n Charlies in Lake Mary (at Colonial Town Park) is finally open! Since Jose and I were assigned to help the manager find a home in Lake Mary/Sanford we met him early on and were invited to the grand opening VIP party (Friday June 19th)! The party was a great success – it started at 6pm for invited guests with free drinks (love their margaritas!) and opened for the public at 9pm. At that time people literally stormed the place – I think I wasn’t the only one that couldn’t wait for Carlos’n Charlies to open :)

We got to try some of their appetizers, lots of their drinks and experienced a great party night – this atmosphere is supposedly normal for any Carlos’n Charlies location but I heard their restaurants/bars in Cancun and Acapulco are the really wild ones – even though, there were several guests dancing on tables and chairs. The music was perfect: a mix of pretty much everything, all very up beat. Sing along classics, pop, Latin music and rock. So I am glad to announce: with Carlos’n Charlies, Lake Mary has a new party location – and pretty decent Mexican restaurant :)

Some quick facts:

  • Carlos’n Charlies is not only open for dinner but also lunch with specials starting at $7.99.
  • Happy Hour is every day from 3pm-7pm with $2 Margaritas and 50% off their wine.
  • Thursday nights is FIESTA LATINA starting at 9pm with $2 Margaritas and $5 Mexican Appetizers.
  • Vamonos Taqueria (also opening in Colonial Town Park soon) belongs to Carlos’n Charlies as well.

Here’s their complete information:

Carlos’n Charlies
951 MARKET PROMENADE AV
LAKE MARY, FL 32746
(407) 333 3482

Below is a little gallery of pictures taken during the opening party and a “snapshot” video.

Categories: 365 Pictures · Colonial Town Park · Events · Lake Mary · Night Life · Restaurants
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Day 274 – Photo Session with Kamran Malik

June 19, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Photo Session with Kamran Malik

Photo Session with Kamran Malik

Today we met with Kamran Malik, a very talented photographer in Sanford for our first photo session. I took this shot during our session right by our office at Parkplace at Heathrow. Below you will find the results of this fun evening photo shoot – obviously all taken by Kamran himself I won’t take credit for those even though I wish I could take pictures like that ;)

We are scheduled for some more shoots around Historic Sanford (can’t wait for that one because downtown Sanford is one of the best places in Central Florida to take pictures! So many beautiful spots, I expect it to be quite overwhelming), Winter Park and Downtown Orlando.

For ore info about Kamran Malik check out his web site here.

Jose at Work

Jose at Work

Jose and I

Jose and I

I love this one :)

I love this one :)

Categories: 365 Pictures · Miscellaneous · Personal
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