Author Archives: joanne.grant

Tien Hung Market named to Culinary Hall of Fame

The Orlando Sentinel Culinary Hall of Fame, now in its fourth year, recognizes those who have made significant contributions to how Central Florida eats, drinks and dines. Tien Hung Market, 1110 E. Colonial, has been named as one of ten honorees.

David Phan’s family has owned and operated the full-service Vietnamese supermarket for almost three decades. Shoppers will find spring rolls, fresh fish, a variety of sauces, bahn mi sandwiches, spices, teas and much more.

David says, “People know so much more about food and culture and are willing to seek out new products. We serve everyone.” Along with his wife, Annmarie, and brother Tri, Phan has seen many changes in the Mills50 district, an eclectic mix of restaurants, stores and ethnic shops. “There has been a lot of growth in the local Asian community and we are proud to be part of it.”


Broadway comes to Bananas!

Tuesday is the traditional “opening night” for Broadway shows and so it is at Bananas a Modern American Diner, 924 N. Mills! Come for dinner and stay for the show! Singalong to your favorite Broadway tunes…from Xanadu…to Wicked! Two shows…7:30pm and 9:00pm every Tuesday!  Don’t miss this fabulous fun-filled evening.  Call 407-480-2200 for reservations!  It’s sure to be a SELL OUT!!!

Bananas is proud to be a member of Mills 50!

Craving thin mints?

If you haven’t purchased your Girl Scout cookies yet, you are in luck! The Girl Scouts will be at Publix at Shine & Colonial this Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20 from 9am until 9pm, selling thin mints, shout-outs, shortbread and all your favorites! Be sure to support the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council, a Mills 50 member!

Pooches on Parade!


It may not have 2500 competitors like the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show but the Colonialtown Neighborhood Association 2nd Annual Dog Walk will feature dozens and dozens of pooches on parade!  Join fellow dog owners on Saturday, February 26 at 8:30 am in Colonialtown Square Park.  Enjoy coffee, camaraderie and canine companionship!  Everyone is invited!

It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time!

If you’ve been craving Thin Mints, you’re in luck!  Girl Scouts will be selling them at Publix at Shine/Colonial from 9am until 9pm on Saturday, February 12, February 19 and February 26 and Sunday, February 13, February 20 and February 27. In addition to Thin Mints, you can purchase Lemonades, Shortbread, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Caramel deLites and Shout Outs, which are new this year!  Stop by and support the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council, a Mills 50 member!

Valentine Specials from Mills 50 Merchants!

Every Valentine LOVES bling!  Get 20% OFF ALL JEWELRY thru February 15th at Ritzy Rags Wigs & More, 926/928 North Mills Avenue.  www.ritzyrags.com

No Valentine this year!  No problem! Stop by Raphsodic Bakery, 710 North Mills Avenue, on Thursday, February 10 between 7pm and 9pm for a very special evening where you can embrace your single lifestyle and learn about solo adventuring.   The decadent desserts will help you enjoy being single!

Delectable, creative desserts for two are sure to ignite the romance this Valentine’s Day evening from 6pm until 8pm at Raphsodic Bakery. Couples can share a memorable evening complete with candlelight, soft music, fun and thought provoking games, along with the bakery’s chocolate-scented air!  www.raphsodic.com




Bananas Modern American Diner wins Foodie Award!

The 13th Annual Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards have been announced and Bananas is the winner in the Late Night category!  Bananas was voted #1 by readers of the Orlando Sentinel AND by Heather McPherson, Food Editor.  McPherson writes “Bananas takes counterculture to a whole new level for Orlando.  With an ambitious menu inspired by a grandmother’s home-style recipe box, Bananas is ground zero for comfort food in the Mills 50 District.”  Bananas is located at 924 N. Mills, between Marks and Weber.  Congratulations to Eddie, Nick and the entire staff of Bananas!

Welcome Eola Eyes!

IT’S OFFICIAL! Eola Eyes, a Mills 50 member, is open in their new location at 519 N. Mills Avenue!   “We are a single-location, locally owned small business and plan to be a part of the Mills 50 District community for many years to come,” says Kerry Giedd, Optometrist and Co-Owner. Check out the new Eola Eyes at www.eolaeyes.com.

New Palm Trees in Mills 50!

Have you noticed the palm trees at Mills & Marks and Mills & Lake Highland Streets?  These eight Chinese Fan palms, purchased and maintained by Mills 50 Main Street, are part of a District beautification project.  Stay tuned for a District GreenUp…coming in March!  Mills 50 is always looking for volunteers….just e-mail:  director@mills50.org!

Lake Highland Prep Traffic Pattern Changes

Dear Neighbors:

Happy Holidays! As we close the Charles Clayton Middle School campus of Lake
Highland for our holiday break, we wanted to let you know ahead of time of some
changes being made in the traffic patterns on campus. We hope that you will find these
changes to be advantageous to your homes and businesses.

We will start the new plan when the students return on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011.

All traffic, morning and afternoon, will now enter through the Shine Avenue gate,
the one that has always served as our exit. The gate at Park Lake Street will only
be used for regular campus traffic, not carpool any longer. At LHPS, student (and
parent) safety is our utmost concern, as well as serving as a good neighbor to area
businesses and residents. With an increasing amount of traffic backing up on bordering
streets, we spent a great deal of time and energy working with both the City of Orlando
and the FDOT to analyze our traffic patterns at critical, heavy use times. The new
“Enter the Exit” solution follows an in-depth, professional traffic study by the City and
recommendations from experts in traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

Additionally, the new carpool pattern will offer the least possible impact on our many
neighbors, both residents and businesses. In fact, the purchase of the old car lot
by Lake Highland allowed FDOT to add parking spaces on Mills Avenue which will
enhance the accessibility to all of our local business neighbors.

Thank you for your patience as we begin to Enter the Exit in January. Please contact
me with any questions or concerns, and Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

David Bernatavitz
Head of the Charles Clayton Campus
Director of Middle School
Lake Highland Preparatory School