Phil Robertson - Backyard Beekeeper

Backyard beekeeper, Phil Robertson of Altamonte Springs, gives me the lowdown on the urban beekeeping movement in Central Florida.

Winter Park Hosts 55th Sidewalk Art Festival

The city of Winter Park played host to the 55th Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival this past weekend. Attendance is expected to surpass the 350,00 mark making this the best attended event thus far.

Award winner Edson Campos

Artisan Gabriel Puyana

SunRail took the opportunity to showcase their new rail cars and explain the upcoming launch of new service.

10,000 Villages Host the 2014 Wickets to Fair Trade

Charity croquet for the 10,000 Villages. The funds raised at the 2014 Wickets to Fair Trade event will benefit the Ten Thousand Villages Learning Tours Fund, which allows members of our local community to directly connect with our artisan partners in developing nations and see firsthand how Fair Trade impacts their lives and communities.

Colin Myers instructs participants on rules of play.

The was event held early Saturday morning at the croquet field next to Casa Feliz.

Anne Sondag, Michelle Harkey, Laura Cosgrove and Joan Carroll

Orlando Cityscape from Lake Eola

A short video of the Orlando skyline at twilight and the fountain at Lake Eola.

Twilight Over Downtown Orlando

A patron leaves the Kres Chophouse on Church Street as twilight descends over the city.

Winter Park Sunrail Station Nears Completion

The Winter Park Sunrail station is nearing completion. The tracks have been laid and finishing touches are underway on the station itself.

SunRail is Central Florida's new commuter rail scheduled to begin service in spring 2014. It is being built in two phases. Phase 1 is 32-miles from DeBary in Volusia County to Sand Lake Road in Orange County. Construction on Phase 1 began in January 2012. Phase 2 will be built in two sections: the north section from DeBary to DeLand, and the south section from Sand Lake Road through Kissimmee to Poinciana. Phase 2 construction is expected to begin in 2014.

DeLand Craft Beer Festival

Saturday, February 8th, marked the fifth anniversary of the DeLand Craft Beer Festival. The event was held in Artisan Alley, an art-centric location just off the main street in Deland, Florida.

Created by Vincent Morressy with assistance by Anne Marie Bays, the event attracted over 1,000 participants.

The event attracted over 100 breweries including 25 from Florida. Over 350 beers were represented.

A keg is tapped at DaVinci's.

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Surprise Homecoming Parade for Winter Park Son

Winter Park son, Army Lt. Chuck Nadd comes home to a heroes parade complete with the Budweiser Clydesdales, confetti and a marching band today. Lt. Nadd, an army helicopter pilot is returning from deployment in Afghanistan.

The parade staged by Anheuser Busch, was filmed by a large contingent of video and still photographers. Production assistants combed the streets on bicycles and urged the gathered crowds to cheer as the parade videographers passed by.

Lt. Chuck Nadd and girlfriend Shannon Cantwell.

Ice Skating in Winter Park

Today is the last day to enjoy ice skating at "Winter in the Park", in Central Park. Part of "Magic Ice USA", this is the 5th year for this event hosted in Winter Park.

Manager Danielle Geisler estimates attendance up to 800 daily. The venue is also available for parties and private gatherings.

Orlando Citrus Parade

A rather grey and cool day in Orlando for the Orlando Citrus Parade. The parade got its start in 1980 and attracts as many as 3000 entrants.

The Orlando Citrus Parade is an event which is planned and produced by The Florida Citrus Sports Foundation, as part of the annual Orlando Bowl Week.

Fountain at Lake Eola

A wet and very warm, for December, day in downtown Orlando. An east to west view of Lake Eola and the "Linton W. Allen Memorial Fountain."

Installed in 1912 at a cost of $10,000, it was replaced in 1957 by the "Centennial Fountain" at a cost of $350,000.

Ting Pagoda

The Ting Pagoda on the east side of Lake Eola has been going through some restorations. New paint, lights and some restorative woodwork has done wonders for the landmark.

The gazebo was brought to Lake Eola from Shanghai in 1987 by Mayor Bill Frederick.

"Locally Grown Words" Book Fair

Sunday, December 15, I had a great time photographing an event sponsored by Kim Britt (Bookmark It) and the East End Market.

Locally Grown Words" Book Fair brought local authors together to showcase their work and to cultivate a market for the literature of Central Florida.

Co-sponsor Kim Britt is opening her own bookstore "Bookmark It" in January at the market. Bookmark It will showcase local authors as well as subjects reflecting the interests of the other tenets of the East End Market.

You can visit the East End Market at: 3201 Corrine Dr., Orlando, Florida.

Welcome to Central Florida Seen!

Central Florida Seen is a visual diary of the people, places and events that contribute to the unique culture that is Central Florida.

Based on "Short Attention Span Theater," Central Florida Seen is primarily visual in nature with a minimum of dialog. A place to see what's happening at a glance.

If you know of an event or interesting person or place contact me and I might include them in CFS.

All photos and text are by Barry Kirsch unless otherwise noted.