May 16-20 is National Small Business Week.  This is an opportunity to recognize Orlando’s small business owners for the tremendous contribution they make to our local economy and our community.

Ninety-three percent of the businesses in Orlando have less than 50 employees.  These entrepreneurs drive our local economy by creating new jobs and opportunities for residents, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for everyone in Orlando.

Please celebrate National Small Business Week by making a conscious decision to support the small businesses in Mills 50!

CELEBRATE the official GRAND OPENING of The Funky Monkey Vault, 942 N. Mills, on Friday, May 6.  The Funky Monkey Vault, a fabulous wine & retail store, will be featuring wine specials ALL DAY LONG; wine tastings and hors d’oeuvres from 5pm -7pm; live music; giveaways and more!  Don’t miss it! The Funky Monkey Vault – a proud member of Mills 50!

Your mom will know just how much you appreciate her when you shop Mills 50 for Mother’s Day!  Create a gift package from The British Shoppe, 809 N. Mills (www.thebritishshoppe.com) with a china tea pot ($39.99), Mother’s Day teas (1 ounce – $2.99; 4 ounce – $12.99) and Roses chocolates ($12.99)!  Add an orchid, bonsai or exotic plant from City Oasis, 1214 N. Mills.  Mention Mills 50 and get 15% off!  City Oasis will be open Mother’s Day from 10 am until 4pm.

Wouldn’t Mom love a candle or fabulous purse from Ritzy Rags, 926 N. Mills (www.ritzyrags.com)?  All soy candles and purses are 25% off through Mother’s Day.  Or how about giving her a brighter smile?  Now through the end of May, Oasis Dental, 610 N. Mills (www.oasisdentalfl.com) is offering a complimentary consult, x-rays and teeth whitening for just $99!

Shop the District to find the the perfect gifts for the perfect Mom!

Mills 50 is undertaking a Public Art Project that will depict the community’s diversity, creativity, commerce and neighborhoods.

Ten (10) City of Orlando transportation engineering metal utility boxes will be transformed into “Art Boxes”. Dimensions of the larger boxes: 56″ high x 28.125″ deep x 40.25″ wide; smaller boxes: 49” high x 17” deep x 30” wide. Artwork must include all five (5) surfaces (four sides & top) of the utility box. All artwork must be oil based paint to protect from the sun and heat exposure as a result of the Central FL environment.

Entries are open to all two dimensional artists living in Orange and Seminole Counties. Sketches and/or slides must be mailed to Mills 50, 1200 Weber Street, Orlando, FL 32803 or e-mailed to: director@mills50.org, no later than Friday, April 29. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if sketches and/or slides are to be returned.

Mills 50 will provide paint & materials, up to $100, plus a $100 gift certificate for each of the selected artists. Artist may exceed the paint & materials cost, but will not be reimbursed by Mills 50 for any costs exceeding $100.00.

Judging will occur the week of May 1; selected artists will be contacted by Wednesday, May 11.  Boxes will be painted May 20 & May 21.  All must be completed by Sunday, May 22.

For details, schematics of the utility boxes and their locations, please e-mail: director@mills50.org.

This Saturday, an Earth Day celebration will be held at Lake Eola Park from 10 am  until 6pm.  Come out and see numerous booths focused on environmental and sustainable topics and enjoy a day in the park!

Mills 50, in conjunction with the City of Orlando, desires to create a Public Art Project that is all encompassing and seeks entries for a public exhibition in Orlando with a juried selection process to choose the artists. The purpose of the project is to create an environment which depicts the community’s diversity, creativity, commerce and neighborhoods. This project will enhance the aesthetic of our community for all to enjoy.

Ten (10) City of Orlando transportation engineering metal utility boxes, located in Mills 50, will be transformed into “Art Boxes”. Dimensions of the larger boxes: 56″ high x 28.125″ deep x 40.25″ wide; smaller boxes: 49” high x 17” deep x 30” wide. Artwork must include all five (5) surfaces (four sides & top) of the utility box. All artwork must be oil based paint to protect from the sun and heat exposure as a result of the Central FL environment.

Entries are open to all two dimensional artists living in Orange and Seminole Counties. The characters “Mills 50” shall appear within all submittals. A five (5) point system based on overall aesthetics and design will be employed. One (1) point will be deducted if “Mills 50” is omitted from the submission. One (1) bonus point will be awarded for local artists, i.e, a business within the District boundaries or a resident living within three (3) miles of the intersection of Mills and 50. The judging panel will determine which selected artist paints which cabinet. Each artist may paint only a single box but may make more than one submission.

Sketches and/or slides must be mailed to Mills 50, 1200 Weber Street, Orlando, FL 32803 or e-mailed to: director@mills50.org, no later than Friday, April 29. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if sketches and/or slides are to be returned.

Mills 50 will provide paint & materials, up to $100, plus a $100 gift certificate for each of the selected artists. Artist may exceed the paint & materials cost, but will not be reimbursed by Mills 50 for any costs exceeding $100.00.

Judging will occur the week of May 1; selected artists will be contacted by Wednesday, May 11.  Boxes will be painted May 20 & May 21.  All must be completed by Sunday, May 22.

Following are links to other Art Districts and their projects:

http://theboulevard.org/ArtDistrict/boulevardartdistrict_home.htm http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/programs/switchbox/index.html http://www.downtownelcajon.com/arts_culture.shtml

Every year, Orlando Sentinel publishes Central Florida’s favorite picks of local dining, shopping, entertainment and attractions – chosen by the readers!  Be sure to check out the Mills 50 businesses  that were selected as a BEST BET!

Winner – Best Hole in the Wall – Will’s Pub

Winner – Best Tattoo Parlor – Ascension

Finalist – Best Bar – Will’s Pub

Finalist – Best Martini Bar – The Peacock Room

Finalist – Best Wine Bar – Funky Monkey Wine Company

Finalist – Best Vegetarian – Dandelion Communitea Cafe

Congratulations to all!

Three restaurants in the Mills 50 District took honors Sunday at COOK 2011, a food festival sponsored by the Human Rights Commission.  Congratulations to Funky Monkey and Executive Chef Matthew Slattery, winner of the Quick Fire Challenge!

(Pictured:  The Funky Monkey Wine Company crew)

Kudos also go to Shine Neighborhood Kitchen, second place winner and Tako Cheena, winner of the Customer Choice award!

On Saturday, March 26 from 8:30pm until 9:30pm, the City of Orlando will be turning off all non-essential lights in City Hall in support of the Earth Hour 2011 campaign.  Earth Hour is an event in which millions of Americans and billions of  people all over the world will turn out their lights for one hour in support of action on climate change and toward creating a cleaner, safer and more secure future.

In 2010, a record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action.  Iconic landmarks, such as Mount Rushmore, the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, Santa Monica Pier and Orlando’s own Sea World, turned off non-essential lighting for the hour.

Businesses and citizens alike…please join the City and pledge your support by visiting: http://cityoforlando.net/elected/greenworks/earthhour.htm.

Together, we can become a part of the solution!