SPRING FIESTA IN THE PARK April 6 & 7, 10 am – 5 pm at Lake Eola Park. Celebrate the beauty of the season as hundreds of amazing artists and crafters take over Lake Eola Park. Savor the flavors from a variety of food vendors, a beer garden, and a Kid’s Zone. fiestainthepark.com MRS. DOUBTFIRE April 23 – 28 at the Dr. Phillips Center. This new musical comedy brings everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny and tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. drphillipscenter.org BUSTA RHYMES April 1, 8 pm at House of Blues. The 12-time Grammy nominee will be in Orlando with his BLOCKBUSTA Tour in support of his latest album of the same name. VIP experience available for additional charge. houseofblues.com AMY SEDARIS April 19, 8 pm at The Plaza Live in Orlando. Spend the evening with comedian, actress, and author, Amy Sedaris. This hilarious evening of comedy and moderated conversation will end with an audience Q&A. plazaliveorlando.org SEVEN SEAS FOOD FESTIVAL Throughout April at Sea World Orlando. Explore more than 50 fresh global cuisine choices to pair with over 75 refreshing wines, cocktails, and craft brews. Don’t forget the rides and animal encounters to add to the fun. seaworld.com BRUNCH IN THE PARK April 13, noon – 3 pm at Lake Eola Park. Graze for hours on delicious brunch bites, bloody Marys, mimosas and cocktails with live entertainment for one all-inclusive price. VIP experience available for additional purhase. orlandoweeklytickets.com CREATIVE CLASH April 6, 5 pm on the lawn of the Dr. Phillips Center. Armed with markers, students and alumni from the UCF School of Visual Arts and Design race against the clock to create artwork in front of a crowd. The theme will be announced seconds before they begin. Free. arts.cah.ucf.edu/celebrates RUN FOR THE TREES April 27, 7:30 am at Ward Park in Winter Park. The last mile is on the tree-canopied, dirt road of Genius Drive. This privately-owned glimpse of old Florida is opened to the public only for this event. All in person finishers receive a young tree. Kids Fun Run available. trackshack.com/event/108 FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL April 12 – 21 at the Enzian Theater. Now in its 32nd year, this Oscar®- qualifying festival, premiers the best in current, independent, and international cinema. Through 10 days of 160+ films and firstclass events, film lovers mingle with filmmakers and celebrities. floridafilmfestival.com SCIENCE OF WINE April 27, 7 – 10 pm at the Orlando Science Center. Enjoy an adults-only night out exploring OSC’s four floors of interactive exhibit halls. From activities in The Hive: A Makerspace, special seminars, and interactions with professional sommeliers and chefs. osc.org

SUNSET PADDLE HAPPY HOUR April 5, 12, 19, & 26 at 7 pm at Armature Works. Paddle during “golden hour” for beautiful views of downtown. Register with Urban Kai online. SUP, single kayaks, and double kayaks available to rent. urbankai.com BOOK OF MORMON April 16 – 21 at the Straz Center. This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Contains explicit language. strazcenter.org FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL Throughout April at Busch Gardens. Guests can sip & savor their way through eats and treats before finding their new favorite brew or cocktail. Park guests can also enjoy a diverse concert lineup. buschgardens.com SPRING PLANT FESTIVAL April 13 & 14, 9 am – 3 pm at the USF Botanical Gardens. Featuring plant vendors as well as food trucks. Vendors at this event are commercial growers and local clubs from throughout the state are expert growers, and available to field your questions. Small admission fee. usf.edu TAMPA BAY RAYS The Rays are back! They play 13 times at home in April. They will go up against the Rangers, Giants, Angels, and Tigers. Check the website for days, times, and special promotions. Bring your dog on April 14 for Dog Days at the Rays. mlb.com/rays TAMPA BAY BLUES FESTIVAL April 12 – 14 at Vinoy Waterfront Park in St. Pete. Artists include Grace Potter, Beth Hart, Tab Benoit, and the Blood Brothers, full lineup online. One of America’s finest waterfront blues festivals, with food vendors, drinks, and VIP experience for additional charge. tampabaybluesfest.com SPCA ANNUAL PET WALK April 6, 8:30 am at Largo Central Park in Largo OR at North Straub Park in St. Pete. SPCA Tampa Bay is a For-All shelter and veterinary center. Being “For-All” means that SPCA Tampa Bay will not limit admission or refuse to take in a pet of any type or situation. Register online. spcatampabay.org MOVING DAY April 27, 9 am at Al Lopez Park. Moving Day is an annual fundraising walk event that unites people around the country living with Parkinson’s disease. This event serves to raise funds, increase awareness, and celebrate the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease. movingdaytampabay.org ST. PETE INDIE FLEA April 7, noon – 4 pm at The Factory. Locally made and curated handcrafted goods, vintage housewares, decor, Mid-century furniture, vintage clothing, antiques, plants, collectables, food, music, art and so much more. TASTE AT THE STRAZ April 27, 7 pm. The Straz Center’s annual eat-and-drink extravaganza on the beautiful Riverwalk gives you access to the Bay area’s best food, craft brews, cocktails, and more for one price. This is their signature fundraising event. VIP available. strazcenter.org

DID YOU KNOW The first-ever pizzeria in the world is the Port’Alba in Italy. Established in 1830, the store cooked their pies in an oven featuring Mount Vesuvius lava. The active volcano lies on the Bay of Naples. Pizza only came to America in the late 1800s. The food had been a staple in Naples for years. Italians started migrating to the United States bringing their flavor preferences along. Pizza in America started on the East Coast. The first areas to start commercializing pizza were Boston, Connecticut, New Haven, New Jersey, New York, and Trenton. Also, these places received the highest influx of immigrants from South Italy by the shift of the century. The first pizzeria in the United States opened in 1905. Italian-American Gennaro Lombardi started a mini-pizza business at his street-front shop in Manhattan. While the shop no longer stands in its original location, Lombardi’s is still operating. A returning GI invented the gas-fired pizza oven in 1945. World War II got American soldiers craving pizza from their service in Europe. It inspired GI Ira Nevin for his Baker’s Pride invention, allowing an easier and less-expensive way to bake and retail pizza. Pizzas would only sell by the pie, exclusively. It lasted until 1933 when Patsy Lancieri of Patsy’s Pizzeria, New York initiated the selling-by-slice trend. Pizza ATMs debuted in the United States in 2016. The first machine stands at Xavier University, Ohio, where it holds 70 pizzas. Customers can place orders on the touchscreen, which will then command the machine to heat then serve the pizza. Pizza Hut made history as the first pizza chain to send a pizza delivery to space. The pizza chain sent a 6-inch salami pizza via a Russian rocket to the International Space Station. Russian cosmonaut Yuri Usachov ate the pizza and took a photo. The record for the biggest pizza in the world has a diameter of 131 feet. Made in 2012, the colossal pizza tipped the scale at 51,257 pounds. The ingredients included 19,800 lbs gluten-free flour, 8,800 lbs mozzarella cheese, and 10,000 lbs tomato sauce. PIZZA TRIVIA What is the most popular pizza topping in the US? What is the second most popular pizza topping in the US? What is America’s least favorite topping? What day of the year are the most pizzas ordered? What percentage of Americans eat pizza at least once a month? Where was the classic Hawaiian pizza with pineapple, cheese, ham & tomato sauce created? What year did Bagel Bites make their debut? On average, how many slices of pizza does an American eat in one year? What is the largest pizza chain in the world? How many billion pizzas are sold in the US in one year? What day of the week is the most popular day to order a pizza? In the movie “Toy Story,” the main characters Buzz and Woody find themselves at a themed pizza restaurant. What was the name of the restaurant? What type of pizza did surfer Jeff Spicoli order in the movie “Fast Times at Ridgemont High?” How long does it take Domino’s “World’s Fastest Pizza Maker” to make a single large pizza (to the nearest second)? What percentage of Americans prefer thin crust? Answers Pepperoni Sausage Anchovy Super Bowl Sunday 93% Canada 1985 46 Pizza Hut 3 billion Saturday Pizza Planet Double cheese & sausage 11 seconds 61% Information gathered from dogtownpizza.com

WELCOME TO THE HYUNAM-DONG BOOKSHOP By Hwang Bo-reum Quitting her job and divorcing her husband, Yeong-Ju, in a leap of faith, opens the Hyunam-dong Bookshop and welcomes new friends and visitors to her circle, builds an inviting space for hurt and lost souls to rest, heal, and learn how to write their own stories. THE LITTLE WARTIME LIBRARY By Kate Thompson In 1944 London, librarian Clara Button creates an underground library and shelter, but, as the war drags on, finds her determination to remain strong in the face of adversity tested to the limit when it may come at the price of keeping those closest to her alive. THE WISHING GAME By Meg Shaffer Years ago, a reclusive megabestselling children’s author quit writing under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life in this absorbing and whimsical novel. THE NEIGHBOR FAVOR By Kristina Forest Enlisting the help of her new neighbor to find a date for her sister’s wedding, not realizing he is her favorite fantasy author—the very same one who ghosted her months ago—aspiring children’s book author Lily Greene finds this simple favor between them becoming anything but. WHY WE READ By Shannon Reed In this uproarious exploration of the joys of reading, a long-time teacher, lifelong reader and The New Yorker contributor shares surprising stories from her life and the poignant ways in which books have impacted her students and shows us how literature can transform us for the better. THE BOOKSHOP MICE By Robert Starling Astrid is a bookshop mouse, but when she tells her new classmates about her astromouse mom and the incredible adventures she has with her dad, they don’t believe her. Only a visit to The Book Nook will show them what they’re missing. WHERE IS OUR LIBRARY? By Josh Funk Patience and Fortitude, the illustrious lion statues that guard the New York Public Library’s Schwarzman Building, venture into the children’s room one night only to find that all the books are gone, and they proceed to search all over the city before finding their favorite books in a surprising new home. NO BUDDY LIKE A BOOK By Allan Wolf There are a billion ways a book can make a great buddy. No matter how they may be consumed, they give readers of every background an opportunity to expand their world and spark their imagination. HELP WANTED, MUST LOVE BOOKS By Janet Summer Johnson Shailey loves bedtime, especially reading with her dad. But her dad starts a new job, and it gets in the way of their bedtime routine. So Shailey takes action! She fires her dad, posts a Help Wanted sign, and starts interviews immediately. She is thrilled when her favorite characters from fairytales line up to apply, but it’s not the same. Is bedtime ruined forever? HOW THIS BOOK WAS MADE By Mac Barnett You may think you know how this book was made, but you don’t. Sure, the author wrote many drafts, and the illustrator took a long time creating the art, but then what? How’d it get into your hands? Well, open the cover and read through these pages to find out. Just beware of the pirates and angry tiger.

Fourteen-year-old Harlow Manning is a freshman at Harrison School for the Arts. The young Winter Haven native was bound to be creative, surrounded by art since birth. Her father, Trent Manning, is an internationally renowned mixed media artist who describes his work as a reflection of his personality, “a somewhat disillusioned cynic, with an odd sense of humor who still clings tightly to his inner child.” Mother Daphne Manning is a painter and the executive director of the Ridge Art Association. “I’ve always been around art from an early age because my dad is an artist. He really inspired me. Growing up around creative people and art inspired me a lot,” said Harlow Manning. “I’ve been drawing since I can remember.” In a 2019 Haven Magazine interview with Harlow and Trent, she noted that she’d been sketching since age three. Her dad remembered being called into her class by her teacher when he picked her up one day. The teacher asked if he could pick out Harlow’s self-portrait from the collection on the wall. He said, “Yes, that one’s Harlow’s.” Her teacher explained that the project was to do a self-portrait. Harlow’s self-portrait stood out because of the big rainbow. When the teacher told her that wasn’t part of the project, Harlow retorted, “But that’s my rainbow.” When her teacher told her she didn’t have a rainbow, Harlow said, “Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there.” At age seven, Manning first displayed her work in a joint show with her dad at Outer Space Art Gallery called “Inspired.” When she was ten, she collaborated with Trent again for a show at the Punk Rock Flea Market, where they debuted their business, Cerk Fillet. “All of the sculptures I did were based on her sketches for our first show. All the paintings originated from her sketchbook,” Trent said in the 2019 interview. “This time, it’s going to be a little bit more me and a little bit more her, and then we’re also going to collaborate.” “I think that’s what was fun about when we first collaborated,” Harlow said. “Our styles are so different, but we made them work together.” Since then, Manning has shown and sold her art at Art Crawl, the Punk Rock Flea, Mayfaire by-the-Lake, and the Central Park Art Festival, where she’ll return this month. “My style is very bubbly and happy and very colorful,” Manning said. She’s currently inspired by the many colors in nature. Her medium is acrylic paint and Posca paint markers. A mural featuring a series of cute, colorful creatures graces the wall behind The Lodge in downtown Winter Haven. These “blob animals” blossomed directly from Manning’s imagination. She described her process: “I start with random shapes and layer it with a Gelli plate. I layer the acrylic which I like because it makes a nice texture. Once I have my base of layered colors, I go in with the Posca markers and make the details of the creatures themselves.” After sketching the animals with chalk, the mural took only four days to complete. She also did a live mural at Swan Brewing for the Punk Rock Flea in 2023. Manning has plans for more mini murals throughout downtown Winter Haven that are hidden, making for a happy surprise when you come across one. “I’ve loved art for so long that it’s a big part of my life now,” Manning noted. “I do it for fun.” Her friends think it’s cool that she’s an artist and support her endeavors. “Since I go to an arts high school, there’s a lot of creative people there. It’s nice to have so many other creative people who go to school with me to encourage me.” Aside from her colorful paintings and murals, Manning enjoys theatre. She volunteers at Theatre Winter Haven and focuses on technical theatre in high school. “I like setwork, design, and lighting,” she said. Manning has worked on the set for “Moana Jr.” and has worked on lighting for five other shows at the community theatre. “I think it would be really cool to do some setwork for Broadway. It’s a good mix of theatre, which I love, and the painting aspect and working on building sets.” To see Harlow’s work and what shows she plans to attend, follow her Instagram @harlowmanningstudio. Manning will sell pieces at the 46th Annual Victor Smith Law Group Central Park Art Festival in downtown Winter Haven. The festival, presented by Ridge Art Association, is a premier fine arts festival with established artists and rising stars alike. The festival will be held in Central Park on March 9 and 10, 2024. Manning will have large-scale versions of her canvas pieces and smaller framed works.

Amadeo Fiore may be credited with bringing pizza to St. Louis, but Jerry Burns and Bernie Jackson brought the thin, crispy, cut-intosquares pie to Polk County. But first, a slice of history on St. Louis-style pizza. Fiore opened Melrose Pizzeria in the basement of the apartments by the same name at 204 North Sarah near the end of World War II. His pizza created such fanfare that the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote about it. A caption from the article reads, “With scissors Amadeo [sic] Fiore, proprietor-chef of the Melrose Pizzeria, cuts pizza into squares for serving. The squares, held with a paper napkin, are eaten from the hand.” Decades later, in 1964, Ed and Margie Imo opened their namesake pizzeria on Thurman Avenue in St. Louis. With $75, Ed purchased a used oven, two refrigerators, and a stove. He continued working as a tile setter, “slicing squares of linoleum by day and pizza by night.” Imo’s is credited as the creator of the “original St. Louis style pizza” and was the first to popularize Provel cheese in place of mozzarella. The modest shop grew, popularizing delivery, and by 1985 had 30 locations across the city. Today, there are nearly 100 Imo’s franchise locations across Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois. In the 1950s, over 300 miles away in Dayton, Ohio, a young Jerry Burns was making the same kind of pizza at his job at Cassano’s. In 1965, Burns and buddy Bernie Jackson opened the first J. Burns’ Pizza Shop location in Winter Haven. By the mid-80s, they grew to 11 locations. The pizzeria had a cult-like following, and many folks today could tell you a memory they have around the thin, crispy pizza. From birthday parties to Little League game celebrations, everybody loved J. Burns’. By 1993, the last J. Burns’ location closed, and in 2008, Matt Wade and his son, Hunter Wade, bought the rights to the name. J. Burns’ and the company was officially revived in 2011. “He grew up next door neighbors next to Bernie Jackson. My father’s first job at 14 was with J. Burns’,” said Hunter Wade. Wade says he and his father were lucky to have connections to the founding families to recreate the original magic. “The dough is the exact recipe that Jerry started with back in the ‘60s,” he said. Describing Dayton’s Cassano’s as their ‘north star’ to St. Louis-style pizza, Wade said of J. Burns’ pie, “It’s thin, crispy, cut into squares all the way to the edges, so there’s no crust. The dough doesn’t rise, so it’s really thin.” A trade secret… Instead of coating the bottom of the dough with flour before it goes into the oven like a traditional New York style, they coat it with cornmeal. Another difference? J. Burns’ uses provolone cheese to top their pizza to make it Ohio-style, rather than the Provel used in the St. Louis-style. They don’t slack when it comes to quality, either. The pizza shop only uses fresh produce and dough (including a gluten-free option). Today, J. Burns’ has three locations across Lakeland and Winter Haven. Wade credits that success to what Jerry Burns did back in the day. “We’re just doing something that someone else had already done well and trying to capture that essence of what J. Burns’ was – a staple in the community.” Wade says they hope to “tug on [people’s] heartstrings through pizza.” Hunter bought out his father for a majority stake six years ago. The pair still work together along with Hunter’s wife, Cali, and their six-year-old daughter, Payton, who has her own little J. Burns’ uniform. Wade notes that they hope to open more locations soon. PIZZA PRO TIP: The best way to reheat a J. Burns’ pizza? Turn the oven up as high as it will go – I’m talkin’ 475-500 degrees. Preheat your pan and bake your pie for two to three minutes. According to Wade, that will get it close to that cracker crispy crust without getting rubbery.

Arabellas has been a Winter Haven fine dining fixture for a decade, and Ave Bar is the perfect place for a craft cocktail downtown. But where do passionate pizza fans get their pie? Bistro, of course. Bistro Pizza, the sister restaurant to Arabellas and Ave Bar, is a repeat Best of Haven winner in the pizza category. The Neapolitan-style pizza makes for the perfect slice. “I love making pizza. It was my first job out of high school,” said Bistro co-owner Nikolas Chan. He started at a little pizza shop in Texas. Ray Sykes, a fellow owner, partnered initially with Chan’s father, Yan. Sykes doesn’t hail from a restaurateur background but started bartending at an early age. He moved to Orlando for college and started working at Landry’s Seafood House, where he met the General Manager, Yan Chan. Nikolas Chan got into the business after seeing his father’s success. “Growing up, I used to go see him at the restaurant at Landry’s, and seeing the way he interacted with people and seeing the lifestyle he was able to accomplish because of the hard work he put in really attracted me to the industry,” Chan said. Bistro’s gas brick oven pizzas are hand-tossed and made with only the freshest ingredients. What makes a good pie? The cheese and the sauce, according to Chan. Bistro uses a simple homemade tomato sauce and tops their pizza with Bacio cheese – a combination of mozzarella trademarked as having a “Kiss of Buffalo Milk.” In addition to best sellers like the cheese and supreme pizzas, this Central Avenue pizzeria offers unique varieties like the Pizza Rustica with mozzarella and ricotta cheese, ham, bacon, garlic, and olive oil, and classics like the Pizza Italia with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, fresh tomatoes, basil, and garlic. Or, you can create your own – and they mean it. One gentleman even ordered a shrimp alfredo pizza. Bistro also features a full menu of calzones, strombolis, antipasti, baked pasta, oven-baked subs, and salads. (Pro tip: Chan says not to sleep on the salads. They are generously portioned and made with the freshest produce.) The creative pizza connoisseurs also do a ‘Pizza of the Day’ with out-of-the-box flavors like Philly Cheesesteak and Cuban. If you’re gluten-free, don’t worry; they have a cauliflower crust to die for. Everything at Bistro is made from scratch (including the ranch dressing – if you’re a pizza dipper), and you can taste the difference. First-timers are encouraged to try the garlic knots with house-made marinara. As for the pizza? Opt for a rustica or supreme. “Another allure that we have that other pizza places don’t, is we offer a white pizza,” said Arabella’s General Manager, Jeffrey Tuttle. Guests can pair their pizza with a cocktail from Ave Bar, a local craft brew, or wine from their extensive wine list. Tuttle worked with the original owners of Arabellas when they had Antonio’s. After leaving for a while, he returned and worked his way up from server to GM. “I love this industry. I’ve always enjoyed the culinary side of it and being able to provide people with memories and experiences,” Tuttle said. He enjoys making birthdays and anniversaries extra special. “It feels like you’re giving something to somebody.” “We enjoy all of our customers,” said Sykes. “The locals are what built this business. That’s my favorite part of the business is meeting the locals. Sometimes, you’ll see people here four to five times a week.” PIZZA PRO TIP: The best way to reheat a Bistro Pizza is to add it to a pan with a bit of water on the stovetop and place a lid over it. The steam will bring it back to life! Don’t use too much water, though. No one likes a soggy bottom.

Fire, often perceived with apprehension, plays a pivotal role in maintaining Florida’s diverse ecosystems. Today, I’ll be chatting about the interplay between fire and nature, particularly highlighting the winter/spring fire season in Florida, and underscoring the significance of adopting firewise behaviors in neighborhoods inside or adjacent to the wildland urban interface (often abbreviated to WUI, and sometimes pronounced ‘Woo-EE’). THE DUAL NATURE OF FIRE IN FLORIDA In Florida, fire acts as a double-edged sword—its absence as detrimental as its uncontrolled presence. Fire has historically been a threat, something to prevent at all costs. This attitude became mainstream in the 1940’s with films like Bambi emphasizing the danger and destruction wildfire could bring to an area. In 1944, the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign began and it has since become one of our nation’s longest running public service advertising campaigns. As Smokey famously said, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires!” But, you may not have noticed that sometime in the 2000s and 2010s Smokey’s message changed to, “Only YOU can prevent wildfires!” This subtle change means a world of difference across the USA and particularly, here in the SE USA. Unfortunately, this resulted in decades of fire suppression in the US. When fire is excluded from ecosystems in which it was a normal disturbance, it can disrupt the habitat available to wildlife, change the dominant plant and tree species in an area, and even affect the way water moves through a system. And, in extreme cases, it can make the next fire that comes through even more dangerous due to an unnatural buildup of fuels (dead wood, overgrowth, vines, etc.). PRESCRIBED FIRE Prescribed burns, carefully managed by trained land managers, are instrumental in maintaining ecological balance, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. These planned fires mimic natural fire cycles, essential for the rejuvenation of fire-adapted ecosystems like pine flatwoods, which historically experienced fires ignited by lightning. It’s important to note that many of our American Indian cultures also used prescribed fire to help renew the forests throughout North America. We know through dendrochronological research (the study of tree rings) that specific ecosystems and species living within them are dependent on regular fire rotations (in other words, the average number of years between burns) to enhance their reproduction and suppress overgrowth of the ecosystem. For instance, many longleaf pine ecosystems have a natural fire rotation of 2-4 years but sand pine-scrub systems may have a much longer fire rotation, 10-60 years. The types of fire associated with these different cycles vary in intensity, season, and how species have adapted to survive and thrive in them. FIRE DEPENDENT SPECIES IN FLORIDA The dance between fire and nature paints a complex picture, where fire-dependent species like the Florida scrub-jay and the longleaf pine play pivotal roles. The Florida scrub-jay, exclusive to just a few of Florida’s unique scrub habitats, thrives in the open environments maintained by periodic fires. These necessary flames clear away dense vegetation, ensuring the scrub-jay has access to ample foraging grounds and nesting sites. Similarly, the longleaf pine, a symbol of Florida’s fire-prone ecosystems, relies on fire to clear the ground for its seeds to take root and grow, maintaining its dominance in the landscape. These examples highlight the nuanced role of fire as both a guardian and a renewer of Florida’s natural heritage, promoting a landscape where both plant and animal life are intertwined with the cycle of fire. Recognizing and implementing controlled burns not only protects these fire-adapted communities but also embraces a broader understanding of fire’s integral role in sustaining the ecological diversity and health of Central Florida. FLORIDA’S FIRE SEASON Florida’s fire season is usually from mid-April through July and is marked by naturally ignited lightning fires across the state. Fire season, preceding the wetter months, often includes lower humidity and drier vegetation, conditions ripe for both natural and prescribed fires. And as you can imagine, fire season may start early or run late if drought conditions are also going on! It all depends on how much rain we’ve received that year. You may see announcements from local land managers that there are prescribed fires going on. If so, you might like to know that prescribed fires are planned extensively and permitted through the Florida Forest Service. In their plans, they must make contingency plans in case the fire was to escape due to a change in conditions. Escaped prescribed fires are rare, but it is possible. If you notice a “red flag warning” on your local weather app, this is an indication that conditions are ripe for a fire. Be extra careful with barbecues, fire-pits, pile burning, and avoid parking on tall dry grass if your car’s engine is hot from driving. FIREWISE BEHAVIORS FOR RESIDENTS Amid the natural occurrence of fires and the implementation of prescribed burns, residents play a crucial role in fire prevention and safety. The goal of defensible space is to create and maintain a safety zone around the home, which increases the likelihood that a home will survive a wildfire even in the absence of firefighters. Adopting firewise landscaping, creating defensible spaces around properties, and understanding the ecological benefits of fire can significantly mitigate risks. These practices, inspired by nature’s own mechanisms like the gopher tortoise’s burrow serving as a natural firebreak, not only protect homes but also aid firefighting efforts. Some tips you can adopt if you live in a rural wooded area: • Clean your roof and gutter system of dead leaves, debris, pine needles and cones • Remove or trim back all flammable materials such as mulch, flammable plants, wood piles, or other vegetation making a 5-foot wide buffer around your home • Trim back any trees leaning over your roof • Prune all trees within 30 feet of the home up to 6-10 feet above the ground As stewards of our environment, it is important to support and understand the role of fire in maintaining the health of Florida’s ecosystems. Encouraging the use of prescribed burns and adopting firewise practices at the community level can foster a harmonious coexistence with this natural process. For further information and resources on fire management and safety, residents can contact me at scarnevale@ufl.edu OR 863-519-1041. You can learn more about firewise landscaping from UF/IFAS Extension at: edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/fr076. Or, from Florida Forest Service at: fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/ForCommunities/Firewise-USA.

RENT A SWAN BOAT The City of Orlando rents pedalpowered swan boats on Lake Eola so guests can enjoy the fountain up close. Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 7pm, closed on Mondays. They don’t take reservations. Swan boats are available first-come, first-served, weather permitting. orlando.gov FLEET FARMING SWARM RIDE March 2 & 16 from 9am – noon. Meet at Audubon Park Covenant Church’s backyard farm and work on the neighboring farms together, traveling via bicycle. All farming tools will be provided. Please bring water, closed-toed shoes, and a hat. More info on FB @fleetfarming. VANYA March 2, 11am at Enzian Theater. Andrew Scott brings multiple characters to life in Simon Stephens’ radical new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya. Filmed live during its sold-out run in London’s West End, Vanya will be playing exclusively in cinemas in 2024. enzian.org THE COLOR PURPLE March 8 – 10 at the Dr. Phillips Center. This musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s widely celebrated novel (and the popular 1985 Steven Spielberg film) spotlights Celie, a downtrodden young woman whose personal awakening over the course of 40 years forms the arc of this epic story. drphillipscenter.org PLANT SALE March 9 – 10, 9am – 5pm at Leu Gardens. Free admission all weekend. Growers will be selling a variety of plants, and outdoor garden accessories. There will be food and treats to purchase so you can shop all day. Bring a wagon to carry your new plants. leugardens.org ST. PADDLE’S DAY PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT March 14 – 16 at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Winter Garden. A recreational pickleball tournament & event. Test your skills in a round-robin tournament open to all beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. Register online. cwgdn.com WINTER PARK SIDEWALK ART FESTIVAL March 15 – 17 along Park Ave. in Winter Park. One of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most prestigious outdoor art festivals that consistently ranks among the top juried fine art festivals in the country. It features a wide variety of fine arts and crafts in several categories. wpsaf.org JAGGED LITTLE PILL March 19 – 24 at the Dr. Phillips Center. This new musical based on Alanis Morissette’s world-changing music is about a perfectly imperfect American family full of joy, love, heartache, strength, and wisdom. drphillipscenter.org ORLANDO CRITICAL MASS March 29, 777 E Princeton St, Orlando. Meet at 6:30pm, and ride at 7pm. You will ride for roughly an hour and a half and go about ten miles. All skill levels are welcome. No gasoline or four-wheeled transportation allowed. Takes place on the last Friday of the month. More info on FB @OrlandoCriticalMass. RUN FOR THE ANGELS 5K March 30, 7:30am at the Orlando Executive Airport. Supports Angel Flight Southeast, a non-profit volunteer pilot organization that provides free air transportation by private aircraft to medical facilities when commercial services are not available, or simply not affordable. Visit runsignup.com and search Run for the Angels5k Orlando.

COMMUNITYFEST Join the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce for a FREE family festival in downtown Winter Haven on March 2 from 11am – 4pm in Central Park. They will have live entertainment, food, games, activities, local businesses, character meet & greets, and more. winterhavenchamber.com LUAU PARTY March 2, 5 – 11pm at Grove Roots Brewery. Celebrate Hawaiian style! The Luau will have Hula dancing, fire dancers, Tikis, Hawaiian food, ukulele, music, and even Moana! Family-friendly. More info on FB @groverootsbrewing. MUSIC IN THE MOVIES March 7, 7pm watch “Amadeus” featuring classical music. March 14, 7pm watch “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” with folk, bluegrass, and gospel music. March 28, 7pm watch “Phantom of the Paradise” with rock, pop, and glam rock music. Admission $5 at the Ritz Theatre. ritzwinterhaven.com SPRING BLOOM WINE WALK March 9, 2 – 5pm at Bok Tower Gardens. Sip, sample, and stroll through the Gardens while sampling 12 wines from the best wine regions in the world. Your ticket includes wine samples, nibbles at each stop, and a souvenir-tasting cup. Register online at boktowergardens.org. CENTRAL PARK ART FESTIVAL March 9 from 9am – 4pm & March 10 from 10am – 4pm in Central Park in downtown Winter Haven. Explore fine art from talented artists across the country. Enjoy live music and entertainment. Engage in hands-on activities for kids. More info on FB @CentralParkArtFestival. ITALIAN WINE DINNER March 13, 6pm at the beautiful Adam’s Estate in Lake Alfred. Mangia bene, vivi felice! Experience Italian wines with skilled sommeliers, expertly paired with a curated Italian dinner for a night of Roman charm. centralfloridatix.com THE BODYGUARD March 14 – April 7 at Theatre Winter Haven. A former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. theatrewinterhaven.com BARK IN THE PARK March 22, 5:30 – 8:30pm at Central Park. Explore a variety of dog vendors offering everything from tasty treats to stylish accessories. The annual wiener dog race, where these pintsized pups race for the title of fastest wiener in town. Hosted by Main Street Winter Haven. More info on FB @MainStreetWinterHaven. PUNK ROCK FLEA March 24, noon – 6pm at Swan Brewing in Lakeland. 70+ eclectic vendors and artists with nostalgic toys, upcycled clothing, rare vinyl, handmade jewelry, original artwork, and more. Family-friendly. More info on FB @lakelandpunkflea. WINTER HAVEN FARMERS MKT & SPRING FLING March 30, 9am – 1pm at 250 Magnolia Ave, in the parking lot across from Grove Roots. Along with the usual market vendors, they will have face painting, kid’s activities, and more. Shop for produce, plants, meat, seafood, flowers, pasta, bread, baked goods, and more every Saturday. winterhavenfarmersmarket.com

PREHISTORIC PREDATORS Throughout March at Zoo Tampa. Take a step back in time and encounter awe-inspiring creatures during this limited-time event. Running until April 28, you can get up close to 15 colossal animatronic predators of the past. zootampa.org PREHISTORIC PREDATORS Throughout March at Zoo Tampa. Take a step back in time and encounter awe-inspiring creatures during this limited-time event. Running until April 28, you can get up close to 15 colossal animatronic predators of the past. zootampa.org GASPARILLA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS March 2 – 3 at the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. One of the top outdoor, juried fine arts shows in the US, showcasing a wide variety of art mediums and price points. Includes live music, food, and areas designed for children and families. gasparillaarts.com THE TEMPTATIONS & THE FOUR TOPS March 11, 7:30pm at Ruth Eckard Hall. This will be a night of classic Motown hits, harmonies, flashy wardrobes, and original choreography. Both bands have propelled popular music with a multitude of award-winning and chart-topping songs and albums. rutheckerdhall.com PADDY FEST ST. PETE March 16 & 17 at Willliams Park in Downtown St. Pete. The 2-day Festival is for all ages with tons of Irish food & drink, live Irish music performances, vendors, Celtic games, a kid’s zone, and more! paddyfeststpete.com GASPARILLA INT’L FILM FEST March 21 – 24. The largest celebration of independent film held annually. The festival showcases films of all types/genres, including features, documentaries, shorts, music videos, international films, and more. gasparillafilmfestival.com GOLDEN GIRLS THE LAUGHS CONTINUE March 22 – 24 at the Straz Center. Miami’s sassiest seniors return for one more hurrah in an all-new show written by Robert Leleux and directed by Eric Swanson. Imagine what the gals would be doing today if they were still alive. strazcenter.org SOUTHEASTERN GUIDE DOGS WALKATHON March 23, 9am – noon at Gadsden Park. Featuring a 5K, a 3K walk and a doggone great party with music, food, vendor and sponsor booths, and an exciting raffle drawing. To learn more, register for the 5K run, or sign up as a fundraiser, visit guidedogswalkathon.org. BE MY NEIGHBOR DAY March 23, 10am – 2pm at the WEDU PBS Berkman Family Broadcast Center. Families can meet Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat, play with inflatables and games, meet firefighters, paramedics, and police officers, take trolley rides & more. More info on eventbrite at WEDU PBS. Free. STRANGER SINGS! March 26 – April 21 at the Straz Center. The musical parody is a hilarious “upside down” take on the hit Netflix series - and all its campy 1980s glory. Take a trip back to Hawkins, Indiana in 1983 with Mike, Eleven, Lucas, Dustin, and the whole Hawkins gang. strazcenter.org

We're All Stardust ARIES March 21 - April 19 March brings opportunities for personal growth. Focus on your goals and be ready to take charge. Watch out for impulsive decisions; instead, channel your energy into constructive actions. TAURUS April 20 - May 20 This month emphasizes your relationships. Strengthen existing bonds and be open to new connections. Pay attention to your emotional well-being and find balance between work and personal life. GEMINI May 21 - June 20 Communication is key in March. Express your thoughts clearly and listen to others. Be open to learning and expanding your knowledge. Stay adaptable to changes in your routine. CANCER June 21 - July 22 Your focus shifts to home and family matters. Nurture your close relationships and create a harmonious domestic environment. Trust your intuition when making decisions. LEO July 23 - August 22 March encourages self-expression and creativity. Embrace your passions, and don’t be afraid to showcase your talents. Connect with like-minded individuals who share your interests. VIRGO August 23 - September 22 Prioritize your well-being in March. Pay attention to your physical and mental health. Organize your daily routines for efficiency. Take time for self-reflection and relaxation LIBRA September 23 - October 22 March emphasizes relationships and partnerships. Strive for balance and harmony in your interactions. Communicate openly and address any issues diplomatically. Collaborate for mutual success. SCORPIO October 23 - November 21 This month encourages self-discovery and transformation. Face any internal challenges with courage. Focus on personal growth and explore new perspectives. SAGITTARIUS November 22 - December 21 March emphasizes your social life. Connect with friends, join group activities, and expand your network. Pursue your goals with enthusiasm, and don’t shy away from new opportunities. CAPRICORN December 22 - January 19 Career matters take the forefront in March. Stay disciplined and focused on your professional goals. Strive for recognition but be mindful of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. AQUARIUS January 20 - February 18 March encourages exploration and learning. Broaden your horizons through travel, education, or exposure to different cultures. Embrace diversity and open your mind to new ideas. PISCES February 19 - March 20 This month is about self-care and reflection. Listen to your inner needs and take time for spiritual pursuits. Trust your instincts and make decisions that align with your true self.