News & Bizness Briefs - 04/19/12

While visiting the Daytona International Speedway, racecar drivers Richard Petty and Aric Almirola helped representatives from Smithfield Foods with their donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. The company donated 120,000 servings of protein to Second Harvest.

For more information, call 407-295-1066 or visit www.foodbankcentralflorida.org on the Web.

CVS Caremark All Kids Can donated $10,000 to The Wheelchair Foundation, a nonprofit that provides free wheelchairs to children and adults. The donation will enable TWF to distribute more than 100 wheelchairs to children with disabilities throughout Central Florida, including patients at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Ronald McDonald Houses in Orlando. To date, CVS Caremark All Kids Can has awarded $35,200 to Arnold Palmer Hospital and $17,500 to TWF.

For more information, call 877-378-3839 or visit www.wheelchairfoundation.org on the Web.

McDonald’s on Hiawassee Road in MetroWest was honored by the West Orange Chamber of Commerce with a We Noticed award. The location was recognized for its recent indoor and landscaping renovations, as well as the addition of a second drive-thru lane. For more information, call 407-656-1304 or visit www.wochamber.com
on the Web.

Big Fish Swim School officials welcomed new instructors Adrian, Aubrey, Corinne, Danielle, Kirk and Meredith. In addition, Wendy joined the office staff. For more information, call 407-251-9869 or visit www.bigfishswimschool.com on the Web.

Universal Orlando Resort will host Rock the Universe at Universal Studios on Sept. 7 and Sept. 8. This year’s musical headliners are Newsboys, Jeremy Camp, tobyMac, Switchfoot, Relient K and Skillet. Additional performers include Group 1 Crew, We As Human, Everfound and more. The event also includes autograph sessions, karaoke, a Saturday night candle-lighting service, and more. For more information, call 866-788-4636 or visit www.rocktheuniverse.com on the Web.

During spring break, students at Cranium Clubhouse, located at 4068 Winter Garden-Vineland Road in Winter Garden, learned about Earth. The children also discussed the importance of the three R’s — reduce, reuse and recycle. For more information, call 407-294-6950 or visit www.craniumclubhouse.com on the Web.

On May 8, Huntington Learning Centers in the Orlando area will join thousands of schools, students and communities to celebrate National Teacher Day. Locations throughout Central Florida will take part in various activities to show their appreciation for local teachers. The annual celebration is sponsored by the National Education Association. For more information, call 407-620-4121 or visit www.huntingtonlearning.com
on the Web.

Kristin Jackson, M.D., and Christopher Walker, M.D., have moved from Loch Haven OB/GYN and opened Advanced Urogynecology, Orlando’s first gynecology/urogynecology and wellness center that provides medical care for the whole woman. Located in Suite 210 at 2501 N. Orange Ave. in Orlando, AU provides the highest quality of care, as well as an individualized approach to medical needs. Drs. Jackson and Walker are dedicated and committed to patients’ health care needs. They offer annual exams, and gynecology and urogynecology services in a spalike office environment. For more information, call 407-898-9804 or visit
www.advancedurogynecology.com on the Web.

Orlando Health’s acquisition of Health Central is complete, creating a new subsidiary named Orlando Health Central Inc. The $181.3 million sale was effective April 1. Shannon Elswick, president of Orlando Health’s Adult Hospital Group, will serve as Health Central’s interim president until a new president is selected. In addition, a 13-member board, consisting of representatives from Orlando Health and west Orange County, was formed to govern the new entity. For more information, call 321-843-7000 or visit www.orlandohealth.com on the Web.

Kim Dannenberg, owner of Gracie’s of Winter Garden, announced the store now offers a frequent-buyer card. Customers who visit the natural and holistic pet food store will receive one punch for every $20 that is spent. After 13 punches, guests receive $10 off their next purchase. The card is not valid with other coupons or specials. For more information, call 407-654-6169 or visit www.graciesofwintergarden.com on the Web.

Charles Freeman, executive vice president of business development for the Orlando Magic, was named to Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40, which spotlights top sports executives younger than age 40. Freeman helped oversee the Magic’s efforts to obtain the necessary approval for the Amway Center and, subsequently, was responsible for the design, construction and development of the state-of-the-art building. This is Freeman’s 16th season with the Magic. For more information, call 407-896-2442 or visit
www.orlandomagic.com on the Web.

SeaWorld Orlando animal rescue team members are caring for two hawksbill turtle hatchlings that were found at Melbourne and Cocoa beaches. Because of their ages and sizes, they are living in a small brooder, which is kept at a constant 84 degrees. They are in water throughout the day, but also spend time dry to conserve their energy. Both turtles are improving and showing positive signs. SeaWorld’s animal rescue team, which is on call 24/7, has rescued more than 20,000 animals. For more information, call 888-800-5447 or visit www.seaworld.com on the Web.

Providing premier dance instruction
The Sovereign Dance Academy in Dr. Phillips is one of Orlando’s premier dance facilities. Located in suites 210-214 at 8060 Via Dellagio Way in Orlando, the academy specializes in ballroom and Latin American dancing. The new studio is owned and operated by top-qualified professional dance instructors from the U.K., who have more than 30 years of combined experience in dance competitions, wedding choreography, social enjoyment, medal exams and the performing arts. The independent school has no ties to a larger franchise. All classes are taught via the Dance Vision International Dance Association and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing syllabi, mixed with the latest party and line dances. The studio offers private lessons, group workshops, social parties, children’s classes, studio rentals, wedding choreography, black-tie events and more. It also provides free 30-minute private dance lessons. For more information, call 407-730-5343 or visit
www.thesovereigndanceacademy.com on the Web.