Leisure … more than a word, it's a lifestyle

The Festival of Chocolate, the chocolate tasting, shopping, and interactive experience that began last year is back for an encore. This time they’ve partnered with the Orlando Science Center to bring you four floors of creamy, dreamy cocoa-flavored fun. The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this weekend, March 6 and 7, 2010.

Local chocolate and confection companies will be selling tastes of everything chocolate – truffles, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, pastry, ice creams, chocolate drinks and even chocolate body products.

The Science Center comes into play with live experiments and interactive presentations. Pastry chefs and professional chocolatiers will share techniques and host “try-this-at-home” demonstrations and classes. Guests can enjoy a tour through a unique chocolate-themed museum showcasing chocolate in production, health, history and more.

For the littlest chocoholics, there is a Kids-4-Chocolate craft area where they can create their own edible masterpieces and learn about the journey that the cacao bean takes to turn into their favorite chocolate bar.

There will be a live competition of the “Best of” Chocolate Indulgences in Central Florida judged by panels of pastry experts, celebrities and self-named chocoholics.

Also on hand:
• Chocolate cookie stacking contests
• Chocolate cinema
• Historical presentations
• Book signings
• Chocolate percentage tastings
• Complimentary chocolate raffle
• Live music

Entrance into the Festival of Chocolate is included with a ticket to the Orlando Science Center. Each adult advance purchase ticket sold will receive $2 in chocolate coins to spend in the Festival. For tickets and more Information visit FestivalofChocolate.com

Professional soccer is coming to Orlando. Starting in 2011 Orlando will have a professional franchise in what the USL is calling a ‘re-established’ first division USL.

The team will be owned and operated by the Orlando Titans (the indoor lacrosse team in town) and has not had a name or location announced yet. The home stadium is expected to be announced soon as they are still exploring options.

Titans president Steve Donner:

It has been our intention since the beginning for the Titans to operate more than one professional sports franchise in this market and this announcement is the next logical step. We looked at several different options, including indoor soccer and hockey, but in the end, professional outdoor soccer made the most sense in terms of being able to utilize our staff on a year-round basis without a lot of overlap in the seasons. The fact that this franchise will play in USL’s top division means that we will be bringing an incredible level of professional soccer to Central Florida fans.

According to the press release, the club hopes to announce a partnership with a European club in the future and is hoping to bring major international exhibitions to the Central Florida area.

It’s about time this happened IMO… but what do you think about professional soccer coming to Central Florida?