Orlando Solar Bears Coach Drake Berehowsky leaves after one season
We were smitten when we heard that Drake Berehowsky would be leading the new Orlando Solar Bears as head coach for their inaugural 2012-2013 ECHL hockey season. No, not just because we couldn’t help but drool over Berehowsky’s hunky good looks; hockey fans all over Orlando (yes, there are surprisingly a good amount of them) were stoked for the revival of the dormant hockey team. That’s why it came as sad news to hear Berehowsky would be jumping ship after just one season with the Solar Bears. It’s no surprise, though, because the team was pretty terrible in their first year: The Solar Bears finished last in the South division and second-to-last in conference standings. While rumor has it the coach will head to another ECHL team next year, Orlando hockey fans should look forward to the upcoming season with high hopes of a new (and possibly more experienced) coach and a handful of new players.
Best Theme Park
1. Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando Resort, 6000 Universal Blvd., 407-363-8000, universalorlando.com
2. Universal Studios, Universal Orlando Resort, 6000 Universal Blvd., 407-363-8000, universalorlando.com
3. Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-939-6244, disneyworld.disney.go.com
West Orange Trail Bikes &Blades Co.
17914 State Road 438, Winter Garden
407-877-0600
orlandobikerental.com
We’d consider the West Orange Trail one of our top Central Florida cycling destinations for a couple of reasons: The trail has both great distance (22 miles in total) for the hard-core cyclists, and for the cruisers, safe and scenic routes through historic downtown Winter Garden. For those who don’t own their own bicycle, we suggest heading to Mile Zero of the trail and renting one from West Orange Trail Bikes & Blades, a full-service bike shop offering hourly rentals ($6-$10) and daylong rates, some of which include delivery to your hotel and guided rides. Ride for as long as you like, but the further away you travel, keep in mind: 1) The trail sees more hilly terrain toward the Apopka area; and 2) You have to turn around and ride back.
1. Sportstown Billiards, 2414 E. Robinson St., 407-894-6258, sportstownbilliards.com
2. Backstage Billiards, 8516 Palm Parkway, 407-465-0123, backstagebilliardslbv.com
3. Trick Shots Billiards, multiple locations, trickshotsbilliards.com
1. Colonial Lanes, 400 N. Primrose Drive, 407-894-0361, coloniallanes.net
2. Boardwalk Bowl Entertainment Center, 10749 E. Colonial Drive, 407-384-0003, alomabowlingcenters.com
3. Splitsville, Downtown Disney West Side, 1494 E. Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, 407-938-7467, splitsvillelanes.com
1. Lake Eola Park, 195 N. Rosalind Ave., 407-246-4485, cityoforlando.net
2. Central Park, 251 S. Park Ave., Winter Park, 407-599-3334, cityofwinterpark.org
3. Dickson Azalea Park, 100 Rosearden Drive, 407-246-2283, cityoforlando.net
Denning Park Community Playground
255 S. Denning Drive, Winter Park
407-599-3397
Climbing is hard in flat-as-a-pancake Orlando – children resort to bookshelves, countertops, grandparents. Of all the playground equipment around the city, Denning Park’s Community Playground offers a grandly huge, labyrinthine wooden contraption on soft, non-ouchy mulch. It’s custom-designed, rather than a brand-name prefab made of ugly plastic and sizzling-hot steel tubes, and has a shaggy, premodern appearance (though the city of Winter Park has sanded down the splinters and edges). Sheltered by marvelous shady oaks, parents can lounge at picnic tables while the city’s youngest adventurers explore a fascinating, sometimes tunnel-like, three-dimensional space. Best part: It’s free.
1. Fleet Peeples Park, 2000 S. Lakemont Ave., Winter Park, 407-599-3334, cityofwinterpark.org
2. Paw Park, 427 French Ave., Sanford, sanfordfl.gov
3. Dr. P. Phillips Community Park, 8249 Buenavista Woods Blvd., 407-254-9045, drphillips.org
1. YMCA, multiple locations, ymcacentralflorida.com
2. Planet Fitness, multiple locations, planetfitness.com
3. LA Fitness, multiple locations, lafitness.com
1. Lake Conway, two public boat ramps: Fern Creek and Waterwitch Drive; Randolph Street and Hoffner Avenue
2. Lake Butler/Butler Chain of Lakes, public access at R.D. Keene Park and Boat Ramp, 10900 Chase Road, Windermere, 407-836-6200, ocfl.net
3. Lake Ivanhoe Park, 57 S. Ivanhoe Blvd., 407-246-2283, cityoforlando.net
