This year, several Lake Nona businesses and neighborhood communities are helping save lives from cancer by taking part in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Lake Nona.

The event is May 5th from 2PM until May 6th at 8AM.

The event is FREE, and will have a variety of family friendly activities including games, bands, inflatable’s, movies, prizes, giveaways, and MUCH MORE!!

For more information, visit the Lake Nona ascevents page.

From Orlando Sentinel:
Family members, friends and law-enforcement officials are resuming their search this morning for Lois Garcia Wilmeth, a Lake Nona mother who went missing Tuesday after walking her children to school.

Wilmeth’s family told investigators it is unusual for the 40-year-old woman to not return home.

Garcia Wilmeth, who recently moved to the area from Venezuela, was last seen walking her three children to Lake Nona Middle and High schools on Narcoossee Road, according to mother-in-law Sharon Wilmeth.

Continue Reading: Lois Garcia Wilmeth: Search continues for missing Lake Nona mom

If you live in Narcoossee or Lake Nona, there’s a good chance you’re excited about the future development of our area. Not sure how this info came to me, but I woke to an email telling me about a new shopping center coming to the area that should be opening in the beginning of 2012.

According to the flyer, it is a standard shopping center with a large grocery store as its anchor. The flyer is info for leasing space, so it doesn’t seem anyone has locked into the building yet, but with Publix 2 miles away, I’m curious to see who ends up here.

Here’s a map of the location:

View Larger Map

And here’s the flyer I received:

Lake Nona Plaza – Flyer

Any idea what’s coming here? Tell us about it in the comments.

The Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute scored $300 million in 2006 when it agreed to set up shop in Central Florida, making it one of the largest beneficiaries of public incentive money in state history.

Just five years later, the institute that is central to Orlando’s “medical city” development – along with UCF’s medical school and two hospitals – appealed to lawmakers for even more money.

It succeeded last week in the final days of the Legislative session, winning $2 million in economic development funds.

It’s official: Sanford-Burnham is too big to fail. We have to keep pumping money into it or risk putting a strain on one of the key anchors of Florida’s hopes for a thriving biomedical industry.

Continue Reading: Sanford-Burnham gets $2 million more

Turning the car into this manicured corner of Orlando’s gated Lake Nona enclave, the rear-view mirror fills suddenly with the vision of a hulking white Mercedes S-Class. Out into the midday sun, resplendent in a signature get-up of two-tone shirt and designer shades, steps Ian Poulter.

He is talking animatedly on his iPhone. An audience with the Hertfordshire harlequin must wait a couple of minutes longer. He opens the garage, wedging the Poultsmobile neatly between wife Katie’s SUV — not so much a Chelsea tractor as a combine harvester — and a Ferrari California. Both the other motors are white, too.

Poulter, if you had not already noticed from his taste in golfing slacks, is partial to a bit of colour-coding.

The California is a beguiling beast: a muscular, streamlined convertible that perfectly captures its owner’s embrace of the sunshine lifestyle. By its sheer elegance, it stops short of outright ostentation. But should it not, to take the view of the Ferrari purist, be red? Not if you exhibit Poulter’s OCD-degree of fetish for white.

His furnishings, his clubs, his status symbols: all of them, it appears, must be white. Even the gleaming new driver from Cobra, which he takes to swishing about absent-mindedly like a wand, has a white grip.

Continue Reading: The Masters 2011: Ian Poulter’s search for perfection in countdown to Augusta is a major white-knuckle ride

Orlando’s VA hospital, with 134 in-patient beds, will shorten the trip for 90,000 veterans in Central Florida who now go to VA hospitals in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Gainesville.

Veterans and elected officials marked the halfway point Sunday in the construction of the $665 million Orlando VA Medical Center with a “topping out” ceremony.

A 20-foot, 1,100-pound I-beam was lowered into place 140 feet above the ground, completing the steel framework.

The hospital, with 134 in-patient beds, will shorten the trip for 90,000 veterans in Central Florida who now go to VA hospitals in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Gainesville.

“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said Vietnam veteran Eustace L. Horne, 66, of Longwood.

Completion of the facility, first planned 30 years ago, is scheduled for October 2012.

It’s the latest piece in the “medical city” at Lake Nona in southeast Orange County. The complex also includes the UCF Medical School, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute and Nemours Children’s Hospital.

Continue Reading: ‘Topping out’ ceremony marks halfway point in VA hospital construction

Congratulations to Lake Nona golfers Ashley Holder and Ryan Stovash who were both selected to the 2010 Orlando Sentinel All-Central Florida Golf teams. Ashley was selected to the first-team and Ryan was selected to the second-team respectively.

This is the last full week before the Thanksgiving Holiday so make sure to get out there and connect.

Once again let me point out that some of the events listed are still looking for vendor & sponsor particiation. I wanted to highlight two events in particular. One event is on December 11th called International Holiday Treasures. This is a family event. They are also looking to add an opportunity for parents to get FREE ID cards made for their kids if we can get a sponsor. Please ask me how you can help. The second event is on January 29th and its the 2nd Annual Community Kick Ball Tournament to Benefit Sanford-Burnham Institute for Medical Research. This event was AWESOME last year. Please check out both of these events and consider getting involved.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES

When:Monday, November 15th 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
What: Taste of Maitland
Where: Lake Lilly Dr, Maitland, FL 32751 (Corner of 17/92 and Maitland Avenue)
Why:Advance tickets $15.00; at the door if available $20.00. You can place your order online at www.tasteofmaitland.com. Come spend the entire evening in the beautiful setting of Lake Lily Park under the stars and enjoy the cuisine of some of the area’s best restaurants, beverages of your choice and an evening of music by Performing of Arts of Maitland’s Stage Band. To buy tickets over the phone and if you have any questions, please call the Maitland Area Chamber of Commerce at (407) 644-0741.

When: Tuesday, November 16th 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM (Weekly)
What: Nona Business Referral Group (Exclusive)
Where: Sweet Mama’s, 12205 Narcoossee Rd, Orlando
Why: Networking group that provides a weekly forum for members and guests where they can grow their business. They have an exclusive membership policy and each member is the only representative of their profession. This group is lead by David Mullins at Insight Marketing Group. For questions, you can email him at david@insightmg.com

When: Tuesday, November 16, 2010, 11:30 AM
What: ABWA – American Business Women’s Association – Futura Chapter November Luncheon
Where: Flemings Steakhouse, 933 North Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789
Why: PLEASE RSVP BY 11/15/10 – Please reserve your seat and that of any guest by emailing Jennifer Seely at seelyjennifer@ymail.com. Cost is $22.00 per person. Guest Speaker – Mindy Black, Clinical Esthetician

When: Tuesday, November 16th 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (Weekly)
What: BizBuilders Team(Exclusive)
Where:Smokey Bones Grill at 1436 State Road 436 # 1024, Casselberry – (407) 673-7490
Why: A diversified group of business people who meet in the Orlando, Florida area on a weekly basis to support one another’s efforts in the world of commerce. For more information, www.BizBuildersTeam.com

When: Tuesday, November 16th 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (Every 3rd Tuesday)
What: Navigator Night
Where: Cariera’s Italian Restaurant, Cornerstone At Lake Hart, 10663 Narcoossee Road, FL
Why: Come join a wonderful networking group of professional and talented individuals! Businesses are able to showcase their product and services. FREE and Open to all. Win a chance at a FREE ad with the Navigator. For more information contact Lynn Abney at lynn@navigatorfl.com or 321-228-5298.

When: Wednesday, November 17th 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM (Weekly)
What: Executive Referral Group (Exclusive)
Where: Boston Coffee, 12789 Waterford Lakes Parkway, Orlando
Why: ERG is an independent referral based networking group that provides a weekly forum for members and guests where they can grow their business. They have an exclusive membership policy and each member is the only representative of their profession. For more information, visit http://orlandoreferralgroup.com

When: Wednesday, November 17th 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
What: Coffee Connection (Non-Exclusive)
Where: IHOP, 17 Alafaya Woods Blvd, Oviedo, FL
Why: Coffee Connection is a networking group that meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. For more information, contact Sabrina Persaud at Sabrina@nadiniprinting.com

When: Wednesday, November 17th 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (NEW CHAPTER)
What: New Beginnings Network Group (Chapter #3) (Non-Exclusive)
Where: UCF Incubator – Sanford, 110 W. 1st Street, Sanford, FL 32771
Why: Our non-exclusive Network Group is open to all! We meet the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month. Doors open at 10:30, the lunch buffet is available at 11:00 and the “meeting” portion begins PROMPTLY at 11:45! Please plan to arrive by 11:30 AM!!! For more information, www.newbeginningsnetworkgroup.com

When: Wednesday, November 17th 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
What: WOAMTEC – Avalon (Exclusive)
Where: Wine House, 9658 Lake Nona Village Place, Suite 105, Orlando, FL 32827
Why: To build your business and relationships with other super successful and inspiring women! Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Lunch is $15.00 per person, all inclusive. You can pay at the door. RSVP to Carmen Sierra-Sierra Gonzalez at Carmen@nonahomedeals.com

When: Thursday, November 18th 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM (Weekly)
What: Coffee Club (Non-Exclusive)
Where: Orlando Airport Sheraton Suites, 7550 Augusta National Drive, Orlando FL 32822
Why: Coffee Club is a completely free, informal networking group designed to help grow you and your business. Hosted by Jennifer Thompson of Insight Marketing Group, each week provides networking opportunities with about 100 Central Florida business professionals, an expert guest speaker and great giveaways. Join the club and come out every week to: build your personal and professional network, generate sales leads and increase your business knowledge. For questions, please email Jennifer at jennifer@insightmg.com

When: Thursday November 18th 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM
What: TERM Networking Group- Winter Park based (Exclusive)
Where: Winter Park Chamber Building, 151 West Lyman Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789
Why: TERM is a Winter Park based group to help grow business in the Winter Park market through quality referrals or professional introductions. 7:00am-7:30 open networking 7:30am to 8:30am Meeting. This group meets the 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month. For more information contact Tobi Meyer at Tobi.Meyer@citynational.com.

When: Thursday, November 18th Registration 5:30 PM, Presentation 6:00 PM
What: Color Trends and Tips Presentation by Porter Paints
Where: Altamonte Springs Robb & Stucky 351 S SR 434
Why: FREE – View the latest in paint color trends and learn tricks and tips to using color! Food and drink provided. Please RSVP to (407) 682-3700. Free gallon of paint to all who attend

When: Thursday, November 18th 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM (Weekly)
What: Lake Nona Business Partners Networking Group (Exclusive)
Where: Cariera’s Cucina Italian Restaurant, 10663 Narcoossee Road, Cornerstone at Lake Hart Shopping Center
Why: We are a weekly networking group dedicated to the ideal of enhancing our member’s businesses through the development and exchange of referrals. (Dinner is not required but can be purchased as desired) Please RSVP to Naomi Norris 407-552-9815 or nnorris@wradvisors.com.

When: Friday, November 19th 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM (Weekly)
What: Freeway Networking Club (Non-Exclusive)
Where: IHOP, 17 Alafaya Woods Blvd, Oviedo, FL
Why:This group is facilitated by Jaye Majors and Lisa Mallardi. This networking event is open to all with perks for Club members. It’s a “One of a Kind” networking event you have to see to appreciate. Membership in the Club is $5/month and there are a number of perks that members receive to help them promote their business. There is no charge or requirement to attend the meetings. Come check us out. We are “Something New and Something Different”. Questions call Lisa Mallardi at 407-221-8748.

When: Friday, November 19th 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Weekly)
What: Career Management Network
Where: Robb & Stuckey, 351 S State Road 434, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
Why: For more information go to: www.mycmn.com

When: Friday, November 19th 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (Weekly)
What: Network for Ladies (NFL) (Exclusive)
Where: Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, 11662 University Blvd, Orlando
Why: Since this is a category exclusive group, please email Fran Boggs at fboggs@cruiseplanners.com to see if there is an opening in your field. There is no fee to join or attend, however, if you do not eat, you are asked to leave the waitress at least a $1 tip.

When: Friday, November 19th 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
What: Florida Classic Career Expo and Diversity Job Fair
Where: Amway Center, 400 W Church St, Orlando, FL
Why: The inaugural Florida Classic Career Expo and Diversity Job Fair will take place on Friday November 19th 2010 on the concourse of the new Amway Center in Orlando, FL. The event is being co-organized by JobsDirectUSA in partnership with The Florida Classic. Both organizations are committed to helping Floridians find employment opportunities.

The Career Expo and Diversity Job Fair is geared to provide college students and working professionals of all ages with both education and opportunity. The event itself aims to stimulate hiring across Florida by offering attendees with an opportunity to meet and greet with top businesses and hiring companies throughout the state. Free professional development and employment search seminars will be offered as well featuring Recruiters and local career experts.

Vendor booth space and Corporate Sponsorship opportunities are now available through to companies looking to have a presence and major impact at the Florida Classic Career Expo and Diversity Job Fair. Please contact events@jobsdirectusa.com for more information.

When: Saturday, November 20th 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
What: 11th Annual Taste of Orlando
Where: Waterford Lakes Town Center is at 413 North Alafaya Trail Orlando, FL 32828
Why: Attendees will enjoy unlimited food sampling from more than 50 restaurants, live music, a kid’s play area and a local business expo. Proceeds benefiting Simon Youth Foundation. Simon Youth Foundation helps at-risk kids in Simon mall communities nationwide earn high school diplomas and scholarships to realize hopes of going to colleges. Tickets go on sale on Nov. 1 in the Waterford Lakes Management office (next to Old Navy). Advance tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 4-10. (Kids under 3 are FREE). Day of event tickets are $12 for Adults/ $5 Kids. For booth information, contact David Mullins at david@insightmg.com or (321) 302-6553

When: Saturday, November 20th 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
What: 7th Annual Trunk Show
Where: Sullivan Ranch Clubhouse, 21935 Sullivan Ranch Blvd, Mount Dora, 32757
Why: It’s called a “trunk show” because small businesses have the opportunity to showcase their goods, out of their “trunk”. Over 150 people attended last year. If you have any questions/concerns, please Contact Jennifer Felix at Jennifer@4seonline.com or 321-206-1164. www.4seonline.com. She still might have some vendor booth space available.

SAVE THE DATES

When: Tuesday, November 23rd 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
What: ABC Orlando Business Connectors Network Group
Where: Seasons 52 Altamonte Springs, FL
Why: You will need to fill out a profile on http://www.meetup.com/ABCNetworkingGroup and RSVP for the ABC Business Connectors Network Group. This networking event is free, but is suggested that you buy a soda at Season’s 52. The organizer of this group is Shelley A. Costello.

When: Wednesday, November 24th 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
What: Seminole Health & Human Services (SHHSN)
Where: Orlando Marriott Lake Mary, 1501 International Parkway, Lake Mary, FL 32746
Why: The Seminole Health and Human Services Network (SHHSN) is a professional health service networking group focused on education and networking to keep the membership informed regarding the many services and changes in the health care industry, in order to better serve our clients and our community. The monthly meeting is held on the LAST Wednesday of the month. RSVP’s required no later than Friday before the meeting at www.bahsbuzz.org or call (407) 999-5602. $15 per person with reservation by Friday prior to the meeting. $18 per person without reservation. Entrance fee is required even if you choose not to eat.

When: Wednesday, December 1st6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
What: Charity Fundraiser for The Mustard Seed
Where: The Mustard Seed Office, 12 Mustard Seed Lane, Orlando, FL
Why: The Mustard Seed is an agency that helps families and individuals who have suffered disaster or personal tragedy by providing household furnishings and clothing while being environmentally responsible to our community. This event is being held to help raise money for this organization. Purchase Lia Sophia jewelry, either in person at this event or through my web site: www.liasophia.com/beverlytredray, and I will personally donate 10% of my proceeds to The Mustard Seed. Avoid the malls and do your holiday shopping while enjoying wine and cheese with your friends, and help support this wonderful organization at the same time!! This event will be open for on line sales through my web site until noon on Dec. 8. Please call Beverly Tredray 407-925-8051 for more information

When: Saturday, December 11th 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
What: International Holiday Treasures
Where: Asociación Borinqueña 1865 North Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, FL
Why: The mission of this gift expo is to bring various cultures and holidays together in their common ground and similar needs while helping the economy through the various vendors of specialty items and information. As this is our second year we are looking to expand Treasures and make it even bigger and better than last year. If you or someone you know want to participate in any way please contact Diana Font at DM Font Events at (407) 758-8283.

When: Saturday, January 29th 8:00 AM. Registration begins!
What: 2nd Annual Community Kick Ball Tournament to Benefit Sanford-Burnham Institute for Medical Research
Where: Downtown Avalon Park
Why: The Second Annual Community Kick Ball Challenge will again turn Avalon Park into the kickball capital of Central Florida this December 11. Proceeds from the day will be donated locally to the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute in Lake Nona. Sign up your team by filling out the registration form at http://communitykickball.com . Cost: $400 per team. Donation (includes registration and up to 10 T-shirts). There is a maximum of 10 members per team. For complete donations details, go tohttp://communitykickball.com/about-the-event/donation-details

According to a recent article in the Orlando Business Journal, Firehouse subs is growing rapidly, and is “working on a location in the Lake Nona area that will likely open in 2012.”

With the recently opened WineHouse at Lake Nona, we’re seeing more and more establishments coming to the area to suport the growth from Medical City.

Read the entire article here: Firehouse Subs moves into bigger digs