In Your Neighborhood - 08/16/12

Tom Heany published the book First, Learn to Practice, which helps musicians of all levels learn how to get the most out of practice sessions. The Cypress Isle resident has been involved with music his entire life. He spent 16 years as director of programming for the National Music Foundation and wrote about musical subjects as a contributing editor for the National Guitar Workshop. Tom also performed in the band Real Gone; arranged music for George Gershwin and Duke Ellington for solo acoustic guitar; and created content for online courses in guitar, folk, bluegrass and country music.

The fourth annual Miss Miracle Charity Pageant raised more than $10,000 for Arnold Palmer Medical Center and Shands Hospital for Children at the University of Florida, both Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The pageant was founded by Dr. Phillips resident Elizabeth Tran, who, since 2009, has raised more than $30,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through the pageant and Model4Miracles Fashion Show.

Sunrise Wealth Advisors Inc., founded by David Strunc, received a 2012 Best of Orlando Award in the Financial Planning Consultants division from the U.S. Commerce Association. The Hunter’s Creek resident has been in the financial services industry in Orlando for more than nine years. He received his bachelor’s in economics and finance from Florida State University and holds numerous licenses and certifications, including the chartered retirement planning counselor designation.

MetroWest resident Tamara Allen received membership into the Sigma Alpha Lambda, National Leadership and Honors Organization at Florida International University. Sigma Alpha Lambda is dedicated to promoting and rewarding academic achievement and providing members with opportunities for community service, personal development and lifelong professional fulfillment. Tamara is a graduate of The First Academy, and her proud parents are Dave and Cynthia Collins.

Representatives from the Jewish Pavilion of Central Florida Inc. visited Emeritus at Ocoee, where residents shared shabbat and talked about “the good old days.” One resident spoke about living through the Depression and making a scooter out of old roller skates and orange crates.

Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn delivered a proclamation recognizing the members of the town’s police chief selection committee, who spent hours reviewing résumés, interviewing candidates and more. The town council accepted the recommendation of the committee and moved forward with negotiating a contract with Interim Police Chief Lee Massie.

Rotary Club of Windermere members Brad Busbin and Steve Fasen each received a Paul Harris Fellow award. The award is named after the founder of Rotary International and bestowed upon members who have donated $1,000 or more toward the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus or Humanitarian Grants Program.

West Orange Chamber of Commerce Vice President Krista Carter was inducted as the 2012-13 president of the Rotary Club of Winter Garden. The Southwest resident has been an active Rotarian for more than 10 years.

Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista members attended the group’s annual End of Rotary Year Celebration at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Orlando — Lake Buena Vista. The event included a toy drive for the Treasure Box Program at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, as well as a swearing-in ceremony for the Rotary’s 2012-13 officers. Congratulations to the organization’s new president, Eduardo Fernandez.

Gina Petrakos, a graduate of Olympia High School and the University of Florida, received her medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton. She is currently in the residency program at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach. Her proud parents are Robert and Judy Petrakos of Southwest Orlando.

Philanthropic Advisors Council of Central Florida held its annual meeting at Citrus Club in downtown Orlando. Congratulations to 2012-13 board members Scott Thomas, president; Karen Lee Fatt, president elect; Gary Brewer, vice president; Michelle Wales, secretary; and Candace Marshall, treasurer. PACCF is a professional organization composed of estate planning and development professionals from seven Central Florida counties.