TRENDING

Spotlighting the best of local people, places, and events

A Picture of Housing Health

Lake County’s housing market is going strong, according to New York fi nancial technology company SmartAsset. It recently released rankings from its second annual Healthiest Housing Markets Study and both Lady Lake and Leesburg made the top 10 list for Florida.

Lady Lake came in at No. 2 again, while Leesburg moved up from No. 16 in 2015 to No. 9. The study measures market health by the average number of years residents remain in their homes, the percentage of homes with negative equity, home values, ease of sale, and the costs associated with home ownership as it relates to household income.

Normally you order a biscotti or a cinnamon roll to accompany your coffee. At the new

Orlando Cat Café in Clermont, you can watch the kitties play and even take one home with you, though probably not in a to-go bag.

Axum Coffee of Winter Garden has agreed to run the coffee shop for The Animal

League (formerly know as South Lake Animal League), who will furnish adoptable cats and kittens for this new venture. “Axum Coffee is the purr-fect partner for us,” quipped

Sandra Cagan, founder of Orlando Cat Café. “Their vision statement really says it all,

‘Inspire people and generate resources to restore hope in hard places. We’re passionate about excellence in every cup and every opportunity to serve.’”

Scheduled to open this spring, the Orlando Cat Café will have a cozy atmosphere including comfortable furniture, premium coffee, and the company of 12-15 cats roaming freely. For those who just want to grab their coffee and go—no problem. The cat café will have its own entrance to comply with health and food safety guidelines. Future plans include offering beer and wine along with a furry cuddle.

Check out facebook.com/OrlandoCatCafe to monitor progress on the new coffee shop.

What’s the word on Webster?

In February 2015, the Sumter County town of Webster was selected by the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity as a participant in the Competitive Florida Partnership. The aim here is to help communities create economic development plans that harness their individual spirit, history, and resources. An exciting development, but where are they in the process? The word is Webster has a loaner community planner of sorts for the next several months, and talks about improvements such as an equestrian park are underway. Curious about what may be coming to Webster? Stay tuned to Style for the latest.

BRET MICHAELS

EVERCLEAR MOLLY HATCHET

GET READY TO ROCK

The lineup for Leesburg’s Bikefest has been serving up surprises the last couple years, making the 2016 announcement something locals awaited with bated breath. I mean, how could you get better than Vanilla Ice? Leesburg is still a small town after all and how do we top that? Bret Michaels, that’s how. Leesburg may be working a theme—rockers with reality TV careers— but no one seems to be complaining. The handsomely bandana-ed idol will be rocking the Leesburg Bikefest stage Saturday, April 23. Leesburg is bringing its “A” game with Everclear Friday night, and Molly Hatchet on Saturday afternoon. For a full list of bands and times, visit www.leesburgbikefest.com

We did it!

In just four months, the Lake-Sumter State College Foundation exceeded its annual campaign goal of $285,000 by raising $293,372. These funds go directly to support student initiatives, including scholarships, programs, funding for books, technology, and other essential student needs.

“Our alumni and friends have, once again, shown remarkable support for the college. Thanks to their generosity, our faculty and staff can continue to provide the exceptional quality of education that is provided to the students of Lake-Sumter State College,” said Lindsay Holt, vice president of the LSSC Foundation Board of Directors.

The record profi ts were due in part to board members who worked hard to surpass this year’s campaign objective, including team chairs

Gary Brannen, Josh Gonzales, Lindsay Holt, and Kim Varnadore.

“We can all be proud of the positive precedent and ongoing impact this accomplishment provides for Lake-Sumter and our community,” said Executive Director Rosanne Brandeburg. “Proceeds from this campaign have boosted the total assets of the foundation to more than $16 million, which is used, not only to generate scholarship awards, but to also help fund college programs and initiatives and support mini grants for college faculty and staff members.”

JOSH TAKES ON:

AN ADMITTEDLY ASKEW POINT OF VIEW FROM THE MIND OF ILLUSTRATOR JOSH CLARK

Spotlighting the best of local people, places, and events

It’s a bird…it’s a plane...it’s my new pair of shoes!

Amazon’s online marketplace has been dominating arenas such as book publishing and selling for years, and it is also a go-to for online shopping.

Amazon Prime members have the benefi t of online shopping without the long wait. With a yearly fee, they have the advantage of free two-day shipping, as well as many other deals. But what if two days is too long to wait? No need to go to the store because Amazon has presented a revolutionary idea that caters to the desire for instant gratifi cation. Amazon Prime Air will be a delivery option to put your purchase at your door in under an hour via drone. That’s right! An unmanned, self-fl ying aircraft will bring you that last-minute anniversary gift or that pick-me-up purchase of chocolate. Anything up to fi ve pounds will fl y.

Amazon is serious about this new delivery option. It is not available yet, but as soon as they gain enough support by easing people’s anxieties and demonstrating its safety, we can start shopping a completely new way. All you need is a safe space for the “a” marked landing pad and you’re in business. Look out; the future is on its way!

JAMES COMBS’ A CO MES CO

1 // METEOROLOGISTS ARE

PREDICTING a strong El Nino pattern in 2016. That’s why agencies throughout Central Florida—including Lake County— recently participated in a tornado drill. Personally, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my Ford Mustang from a tornado. That’s the one time I don’t want it going for a spin.

2 // THE CLERMONT POLICE

DEPARTMENT is seeking two men who robbed a Circle K convenience store. Here’s the kicker: One was wearing a red devil mask. After being pistol-whipped by the Satanic wannabe, the store clerk told him there’s “going to be hell to pay.”

3 // THE CLERMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO

investigating several cases of inappropriate and unwanted touching by a male employee at a massage business. Considering that numerous complaints have been fi led, it’s safe to say he rubbed clients the wrong way.

4 // THE NORTH LAKE TEA PARTY

ENDORSED Texas Sen. Ted Cruz as the preferred Republican nominee. Apparently, the group wasn’t too keen on Trump’s idea of shutting down Planned Parenthood and turning it into a casino.

5 // ACCORDING TO THE LAKE

COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, a

person was shot in the parking lot of McDonald’s near Four Corners. The best way to combat anger management issues when you’re at McDonald’s is to order a Happy Meal.

6 // A 75-YEAR-OLD CLERMONT

WOMAN used a handgun to threaten neighbors who were shooting off fi reworks on New Year’s Eve. Ironically, she was arrested for aggravated assault after fi ring her gun into the air. Moral of the story: When you set off fi reworks, you might set off crazy people, as well.

NEW KID IN TOWN

The new public resources director for Lake County is Jeff Cole, former chief of staff with the St. Johns River Water Management District. Cole will be overseeing media and information for the Parks & Trails Division, the Lake County Library System, The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences Extension Services, and the Lake County Fairgrounds and Expo Center.

“With Jeff’s breadth of knowledge and experience in working with the public sector on quality of life issues, we are confi dent he is the perfect fi t for the position of public resources director,” said David Heath, county manager.

Cole has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Michigan State University and a master’s in communication from the University of Central Florida.

Reaching new heights

Clermont is the “Choice of Champions” for many reasons, and the list of reasons keeps growing in 2016 as the city starts a few exciting projects.

In January, City Manager Darren Gray gave a State of the City address that included going over master plan projects slated for 2016. One of the biggest will be The Promenade. One of the chief complaints heard during the city’s visioning sessions was when people attend an event at Waterfront Park, they don’t visit the downtown area. The Promenade will serve as an entertainment venue and shift activities from Waterfront Park to the bottom of Eighth Street, giving visitors valuable access to downtown Clermont. There are also plans to add a dock to the pier at the end of Eighth Street so people can access the downtown area by water.

Also scheduled for 2016 is the West Lake Wetlands Park. According to Gray, storm water treatment is needed on the west side of downtown Clermont to make the surrounding property more viable for development; therefore, the city wants to build a retention pond and a passive park that will include an observation deck and walking area. The city has already started the process of fi nding grant funding and the design phase could start in early spring with construction beginning in late summer.

And last but not least, increased signage will be an ongoing project this year. Within the next few months, gateway signage to downtown Clermont in the area of Eighth Street and State Road 50 will be installed.

OTHER CLERMONT PROJECTS & PROGRAMS FOR 2016:

• This month, the city rolls out a new Citizens

Academy to give residents a behind-the-scenes look at how city government works. • The new police station under construction at the

Clermont Arts and Recreation Center should open by the end of the year. • Fire Station No. 4 opens in May and is the fi rst joint station in the county, meaning both county and city fi re personnel will share the station. • A major initiative will be launched to promote

Clermont’s central location on the Coast-to-Coast

Connector trail. The city is in the process of trademarking the phrase “Meet Us in the Middle.”