Sugar Factory Express, a fast-casual extension of the American Brasserie, will launch in Orlando this fall
Sugar Factory Express, a new fast casual concept from Sugar Factory American Brasserie, is set to launch in Orlando this fall. “Sugar Factory Express will focus on restaurant-quality food with fun packaging, incredible service, and unbelievable Instagrammable items in a fast-food setting with approachable pricing,” said Charissa Davidovici in a press statement. The Express restaurant will…
Orlando Cattle Baron’s Ball fundraiser going virtual in September
A high society gala for a very good cause, the Orlando Cattle Baron’s Ball has for years now been rustling up funds for the American Cancer Society. Usually a classy, well-attended affair with all-star chefs, entertainment, a live auction and cowboy hats as far as the eye can see, this year’s Cattle Baron’s Ball is…
Avant-garde legend Terry Riley reschedules postponed Orlando show to spring 2021
A one-off Orlando appearance by legendary avant-garde composer Terry Riley in October should have been one of the live music crown jewels of 2020 for co-promoters the Civic Minded Five and Timucua Arts Foundation. Add in the fact that the gig would have been held in the intimate Timucua Arts Foundation House and you had…
Tropical Storm Isaias expected to form today as it heads toward Florida, say forecasters
A weather system forecasted to enter the Gulf of Mexico is likely to become the ninth named tropical storm, Isaias, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is forecasted to bring rain and wind impacts to Florida later in the week and the weekend. Forecasters stress the uncertainty of the current long-range forecast as…
Tune in to an archival 1994 broadcast of jazz icon Sam Rivers playing live on WPRK this weekend
It still seems somewhat like a dream that free-jazz deity Sam Rivers spent the last two decades (1991-2011) of his life here in Orlando, musical powers and performance chops intact, a regular presence on local stages with a variety of ensembles including his Rivbea Orchestra. If you need some concrete proof, or just want to…
Local psych-folk band Someday River return to live action with a dinner show at the New Standard this week
Local psych-folk trio Someday River have kept busy on virtual supershows like Orlando Music Cares and Big Pause Fest over the last few months, but on Thursday night the band will be returning to an actual stage as part of a socially distanced dinner show courtesy of the New Standard and Orlando music website Shows…
Legal Public Notices 7/29 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION Extra Space Storage – Store 8138, 1001 Lee Rd. Orlando FL. 32810 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1001 Lee Rd. Orlando, FL. 32810 (407) 489-3742, August 20, 2020 @ 4:00…
COVID-19 cases increasing inside Florida’s juvenile justice system
The number of youths in Florida’ s juvenile-justice system who have tested positive for COVID-19 has increased by more than 100 during the past week — and is up about 90 percent over the past two weeks, new state numbers show. As of a Tuesday count, 290 youths in the system had been infected with…
Florida warns U.S. Supreme court of ‘doom’ in water battle against Georgia
Arguing that a ruling for Georgia would “spell doom,” Florida lawyers are trying again to sway the U.S. Supreme Court in a long-running water battle between the two states. Florida filed a 30-page brief Monday as it asks the Supreme Court for an order requiring more water to flow into the Apalachicola River and Apalachicola…
Florida Gov. DeSantis says ‘we might’ extend eviction protection
Gov. Ron DeSantis appears to again be waiting until the deadline to announce if he will extend an executive order to help prevent foreclosures and evictions amid job losses and financial problems caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. With the current order set to expire on Saturday, DeSantis was asked if he would approve another…
Florida wildlife officials say a ‘milestone’ 5,000 Burmese pythons have now been removed
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Tuesday a “milestone” in its effort to restore the Florida Everglades ecosystem: the removal of 5,000 invasive Burmese pythons. The FWC and the South Florida Water Management District were able to remove the longtime invaders of Florida ecosystems through the organizations’ Python Action Team and Python Elimination…
Toho Water Authority to resume disconnections for late-paying Osceola County customers on Monday
Now that the coronavirus pandemic is completely over and Floridians of all ages and occupations have returned safely to work, Toho Water Authority will be resuming disconnections and reinstating late fees for Kissimmee water customers, beginning on Monday. Just kidding, of course. Today, Florida announced its highest same-day reported death increase yet, with the state’s death…
Orlando clinic beginning local enrollment for COVID-19 vaccine study
CNS Healthcare announced Tuesday they are seeking clinical trial volunteers for enrollment in a global study of a possible mRNA vaccine against COVID-19. The research is being led from CNS Healthcare’s location in the GAI building downtown, on E. South Street (updated to reflect correct location), and its main goal is the prevention of COVID-19 in those…
St. Pete Police actually had to remind the public that it’s illegal to run over protesters with a car
While the Tampa Police Department has yet to charge two drivers who plowed through a June protest (that resulted in the arrest of the injured demonstrators), the St. Petersburg Police Department is reminding everyone that intentionally running over people with an automobile is, in fact, insanely illegal. In a tweet sent Monday morning, the department…
Florida lawyer fundraising to put a Ron ‘DeathSantis’ billboard outside of the governor’s mansion
As the state’s COVID-19 cases skyrocket, Santa Rosa Beach attorney Daniel Uhlfelder is raising funds for a new “DeathSantis” billboard placed outside of the governor’s mansion. The new billboard will show a picture of the governor, along with the words: Ron DeathSantis: “Killing Florida with his stupidity.” Uhlfelder, who previously donned a grim reaper costume…
Florida just set another new record for same-day reported COVID-19 deaths
The previous largest daily death increase was 173 deaths on July 23. Florida recorded 186 new coronavirus deaths today, the state’s largest daily increase since the beginning of the pandemic. According to the Florida Department of Health, Florida coronavirus deaths now totals 6,240, with 6,117 of which being Florida residents and the other 123 coming…
New drive-thru Halloween experience coming to Orlando this fall
At a time when most Halloween events are canceling on 2020 completely, a group of Central Florida creatives is hosting a drive-thru experience to scare the crap out of you — in the safety of your own car. The “Haunted Road” bills itself as Orlando’s first immersive, completely contactless drive-thru Halloween experience. They plan to…
United Airlines to lay off hundreds of workers at Orlando International Airport
Due to drastic reductions in air travel, United Airlines announced it is laying off hundreds of workers at Orlando International Airport, beginning in October. United said 447 MCO technicians, flight attendants and other employees would lose their jobs. The company will let go another 109 Tampa International Airport workers, an eighth of its workforce there.…
Floridians advised not to plant ‘suspicious’ seed packages from China
Florida’s agriculture secretary is raising concerns about packages of seeds bearing Chinese characters and the name China Post that people are receiving unsolicited in the mail. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is asking Floridians to report the “suspicious seed packages,” which might also be labeled as jewelry. “Plant seeds from unknown sources may…
VP Pence joins Gov. DeSantis in announcing Florida COVID-19 clinical trial
Underscoring the importance of Florida in the upcoming election, Vice President Mike Pence visited the University of Miami on Monday to announce the school is participating in a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of a coronavirus vaccine. University of Miami researchers are enrolling 1,000 people in the next round of clinical trials that are…
Tampa protesters planning a ‘Wall of Moms’ for Trump’s upcoming visit on Friday
Over the past week, a group of Portland mothers banded together to form a line of protection for peaceful protesters, and now a similar “Wall of Moms” is coming to Tampa for an upcoming visit by President Donald Trump. The group Wall of Moms Tampa plans to join a protest planned for July 31, when…
Jacksonville locals praise Trump’s convention cancellation
Some say President Donald Trump’s decision to cancel the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville is a sign he’s starting to come to terms withb the seriousness of the pandemic. Holding the convention in Jacksonville would require Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to lift his executive order requiring big sports venues to operate at no more than…
Florida’s top regulator to speak to bars and breweries Friday about ‘ideas on how to reopen’
Florida’s top business regulator plans to start meeting with bar operators and craft brewers, amid concerns about establishments closing permanently if a state ban on serving drinks for on-site consumption remains in place. In a tweet Saturday, Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Halsey Beshears said he will begin setting aside time Friday to…
Orlando horror convention Fantasm postponed until 2021
The hits just keep on coming as far as Halloween celebrations in Orlando. On the heels of Friday’s announcement from Universal Orlando that Halloween Horror Nights is cancelled this year, now local horror convention Fantasm Orlando announced that this year’s event will be cancelled until next year. The late Friday afternoon Facebook announcement read in…
Tampa boat club will rename vessel after local child born onboard during 4th of July weekend
In the Shit Happened section of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s July 9 print issue, we reported on a Clearwater woman who gave birth three weeks early while her family was out on a boat rented from Freedom Boat Club during the Fourth of July weekend. CL’s big question was: What the hell is the cleaning…
Coping Lab grand opening in Winter Park on Saturday offers a space to rage or meditate
There’s a lot to be frustrated about these days, from deeply ingrained societal injustices to a deadly pandemic that surges ever larger daily from within a void of political leadership. That’s why it’s good to meditate. Or smash a car into bits. Or you can do both in east Winter Park, starting this Saturday. “COPING…
Judge says Florida police are not shielded by victims’ rights law
Weighing issues of open government and victims’ rights, a Leon County circuit judge Friday rejected an attempt to shield the identities of police officers who were involved in use-of-force incidents. The ruling by Judge Charles Dodson came in a closely watched case about how to apply “Marsy’s Law,” a 2018 state constitutional amendment that expanded…
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, Gov. Ron DeSantis join Trump for signing of drug-import order
President Donald Trump on Friday signed four executive orders designed to reduce prescription-drug prices, including one aimed at allowing drug importation from Canada and other countries. Gov. Ron DeSantis, Florida House Speaker Jose Oliva and U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., were on hand for the signing event at the White House. The Florida Legislature in…
Central Florida PDQ locations to offer milkshake on Monday with blended chicken tenders
Chicken chain PDQ is celebrating National Chicken Tender Day with a special shake that’s straight out of an elementary-school dare. On Monday only, guests can order their “chicken tender hand-spun shake,” which contains vanilla ice cream and a whole chicken tender blended up inside of it. It will be available at all PDQ locations, including Orlando, Winter Park, Lake…
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra announces ‘Summer Serenades’ virtual performance series in August
Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra has announced a “Summer Serenades” series of virtual performances set for the first four Saturday evenings in August. The programs will be free to watch online. This month’s worth of concerts will be a comeback for the Orlando Phil and a celebration of Concertmaster Rimma Bergeron-Langlois’ 10-year anniversary with the orchestra. She has…
Tampa Bay Rays celebrated opening day by reminding everyone the cops who shot Breonna Taylor still haven’t been arrested
The Tampa Bay Rays are celebrating today’s home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays by reminding everyone that Breonna Taylor’s murderers have still not been arrested, and that the organization is donating $100,000 to local groups fighting systemic racism. “Today is Opening Day, which means it’s a great day to arrest the killers of Breonna…
Orange County strip club discrimination lawsuit revived
A state appeals court Friday revived a lawsuit that alleges an Orange County strip club improperly discriminated against two women who were barred from entering the establishment because they were not with a man. Anita Yanes and Brittney Smith filed the lawsuit accusing Rachel’s Adult Entertainment and Steakhouse of violating Orange County ordinances because it…
Wildlife authorities are now offering a $5,000 reward for info on whoever killed a Florida panther
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has opened an investigation into the death of a Florida panther it said was intentionally killed and mutilated. According to the FWC, the 1-year-old female panther was found on March 7 in Collier County along County Road 846. Florida panthers are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and…
Coalition urges Mayor Demings to reject $15 million increase for Orange County Sheriff’s Office
Community coalition #OurBudgetOurBlock on Thursday called on Orange County government to rescind a proposed $15 million increase for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in next year’s budget. This grass-roots organizers sent a letter to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings asking him to reject the $15 million in additional funding to OSCO and instead redirect these…
Universal Orlando just canceled Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Orlando posted to their website and social media channels on Friday that Halloween Horror Nights 2020 has been canceled: “Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood have made the difficult decision to not hold Halloween Horror Nights events this year,” the post reads. “Universal Orlando Resort will be focusing exclusively on operating its theme…
Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando to give away free dog and cat food this weekend
Times are tough right now, and if you’re having trouble making ends meet, you’re probably having trouble affording food for your loyal household pets. Well, in an actual bit of good news, the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando will be offering up free pet food – cats and dogs only, apologies to bird and snake owners…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Friday, July 24, 2020
Every morning on Magic 107.7 FM, Leslye Gale discusses the most interesting Orlando Weekly stories of the day on “Chad & Leslye.” Check out Leslye’s picks today. Orlando Music Venues May Finally Be Getting Some Help Before congress recesses for the summer, folks in the music industry are hoping legislators pass the, “Save Our Stages…
Trump sides with DeSantis on reopening Florida schools
President Donald Trump on Thursday said school districts in states and cities that are considered COVID-19 hotspots should delay reopening schools “for a few weeks” but emphasized that campuses should reopen for the fall term. Trump added that he is asking Congress to provide $105 billion to schools as part of the next coronavirus-relief bill…
Trump pulls Florida events from Republican National Convention
President Donald Trump announced Thursday the Republican National Convention won’t be held next month in Jacksonville, citing the “flare up” of COVID-19 cases in Florida. “To have a big convention, it’s not the right time,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “It’s really something that, for me, I have to protect the American people.…
Tropical Storm Gonzalo likely to become 2020’s first hurricane
The National Hurricane Center expects Tropical Storm Gonzalo to develop into 2020’s first hurricane before it dissipates in the central Caribbean. The storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and is moving at 14 mph. It’s also about 885 miles east of the southern Windward Islands, and could bring hurricane and/or tropical storm…
Come Out With Pride organizers give early reveals of what this October’s event will look like
During Come Out With Pride’s “A Seat at the Table: A Prideful Perspective” Facebook Live event on Wednesday, organizers confirmed that their Pride celebrations are still on for later this year. And they gave some hints as to what these celebrations will look like in October. This particular edition of the monthly “A Seat at…
Over 1,300 Orlando businesses have closed since the beginning of the pandemic, says report
Orlando area businesses have taken a beating since the beginning of March, according to a new report. The Orlando-Sanford-Kissimmee metro area endured 1,325 total business closures both temporary and permanent between March 1 and July 10, according to Yelp’s Economic Average Q2 2020 report. Of the total number of closed businesses, 129 are permanently closed…
The anti-Trump Lincoln Project is now targeting Florida Republicans Rick Scott and Marco Rubio
Big-name Florida Republicans are starting to find themselves targets of Tallahassee-based “Never Trumper” Rick Wilson and his colleagues at the Lincoln Project. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott have been given prominent spots in provocative, quick-hit videos put out by the project, which was founded by Wilson, George Conway, Steve Schmidt and…
Florida recorded 173 new COVID-19 deaths, another new record
Florida added 173 deaths on Thursday, shattering the previous record of 120 and bringing the state’s new total death toll to 5,632 According to the Department of Health, the state added 10,249 cases, which brings Florida’s statewide total to 389,868 infections since the beginning of the pandemic. Additionally, the current positive test rate is about…
Bipartisan ‘Save Our Stages’ Senate bill up for vote could provide relief to music venues in Orlando and all over the country
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, on Wednesday introduced their co-sponsored “Save Our Stages Act” in the U.S. Senate for voting consideration before the legislative body’s upcoming August recess. The bipartisan bill by this surprising pairing would provide $10 million in funding for six months of short-term economic relief to independent music…
Reopening of Central Florida AMC Theatres locations moved back again
AMC Theatres, with three Orlando-area locations, are postponing their anticipated reopening yet again, the company announced on Thursday. The opening was originally pushed back to July 30, but is now tentatively set for “mid-to-late August.” The theater chain operates three cinemas near Orlando, with locations at Disney Springs, at the West Oaks Mall in Ocoee,…
Orange County Clerk of Courts forced to furlough workers, close offices on Fridays
In a Thursday morning press release, the Orange County Clerk of Courts office announced it is forced to begin furloughing workers, due to COVID-19 budget cuts. Starting on the week of Aug. 10, all clerk office employees will be furloughed one day per week, without pay, until Oct. 2, “or until relief funding is obtained,” read…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Thursday, July 23, 2020
Every morning on Magic 107.7 FM, Leslye Gale discusses the most interesting Orlando Weekly stories of the day on “Chad & Leslye.” Check out Leslye’s picks today. NOOO!!!! The Floating Cinema Isn’t Coming? Just one day after we tried booking tickets for the promised floating cinema, we’re hearing it’s all a big hoax! – LINK…
Trump-appointed federal judges under pressure to exit Florida felon voting case
Two former Florida Supreme Court justices appointed to a federal appeals court by President Donald Trump are facing increased pressure to step aside from a voting-rights case that could decide whether hundreds of thousands of convicted felons can cast ballots in Florida this fall. Democratic members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee this week accused…
Florida Gov. DeSantis explains why schools should reopen for the fall term
In an address to the state amid widespread controversy about reopening schools, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday offered a softer message focused on giving families and teachers the choice to return to classrooms in August as COVID-19 cases continue to surge. DeSantis said Florida’s 67 school districts should have the option to delay the start…
Surge in Florida inmates with COVID-19 spurs calls for help
Inside a sweltering prison in rural North Florida, the mass testing of hundreds of inmates began nearly two weeks ago on a Saturday, as corrections workers tried to sort and quarantine prisoners with symptoms of COVID-19. At the time, many inmates came into close contact with each other at Columbia Correctional Institution. A few days…
NBA basketball court in Orlando now includes ‘Black Lives Matter’ decals
When the NBA starts up its new, abbreviated season from inside “the bubble” at Orlando’s ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, the league will signal it values the lives of Black players and fans with large decals reading “Black Lives Matter” on the courts. ESPN NBA reporter Malika Andrews broke the news on Twitter on…
More than 100 Florida breweries are in danger of closing in the next two weeks
In a recent letter, the Florida Brewers Guild asked Gov. Ron DeSantis to decrease restrictions on breweries, which are currently operating with to-go service only. The letter stated that an internal poll found 100 of the over-300 breweries in the guild are likely to close if all current restrictions remain for the next two weeks.…
Fred Piccolo takes on world’s worst job, communications director for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
Gov. Ron DeSantis has tapped Fred Piccolo, who serves as spokesman for the Florida House speaker, as his new communications director. Piccolo, 42, is replacing Helen Aguirre Ferre, who was named Thursday as executive director of the Republican Party of Florida. Ferre served as communications director for DeSantis since he took office in January 2019.…
Orlando’s Teak Neighborhood Grill to feature on an episode of Cooking Channel’s ‘Food Paradise’
Local restaurant Teak Neighborhood Grill will be featured on an episode of the Cooking Channel’s Food Paradise show, set to air next Wednesday, July 29. The episode will be a “Secret Menus”-themed offering and Teak’s segment will dive deep into their “underground menu,” a clandestine selection of burgers that can only be perused and acquired…
Tropical Storm Gonzalo expected to become an Atlantic hurricane by Thursday
Tropical Storm Gonzalo formed in the Atlantic Ocean Wednesday, setting the record for the earliest seventh named tropical storm of any Atlantic hurricane season (the next earliest seventh named tropical storm was 2005’s Tropical Storm Gert, which developed on July 24 of that year). Quickly developing, Gonzalo is expected to develop into a hurricane by…
No, a ‘floating cinema’ with ‘socially distanced boats’ is probably not coming to Orlando
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, and also likely because of it, Central Floridians are pretty desperate for some relatively safe entertainment outside our homes. That’s probably why organized scammers keep trying to convince Orlando media that exciting, socially distanced events are coming to town. Yesterday, members of Orlando Weekly’s editorial team received pitch emails promising “A…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Every morning on Magic 107.7 FM, Leslye Gale discusses the most interesting Orlando Weekly stories of the day on “Chad & Leslye.” Check out Leslye’s picks today. Covid Forcing Permanent Changes At The Mouse House No one can escape the devastating affects of this crazy pandemic, including Disney. Changes are coming to the mouse’s house…
DeSantis stays quiet on COVID-19 lawsuit protections for Florida businesses
Twenty-one Republican governors sent a letter this week to congressional leaders arguing that businesses, health care workers and schools need lawsuit protections because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis did not sign on. Congress is considering another COVID-19 relief package, and many Republicans contend that liability protections need to be part of…
If you think what’s happening in Portland is OK, spare us your John Lewis tributes
Trump’s little green men
Orlando singer Meka King discusses the Broadway Advocacy Coalition’s #BwayForBLM initiative
Two weeks ago, I turned this column over to Orlando artist-activist Stelson Telfort to talk about the Black Lives Matter movement and our local theater community. Today, we continue that ongoing conversation with performing artist Meka King, who has teamed up with local author Felichia Chivaughn to host this week’s Central Florida Entertainment Advocacy Forum,…
Streaming premieres this week: Love on the Spectrum, Radioactive, Stockton on My Mind and more
Premieres Wednesday: Love on the Spectrum – The latest entry in the specialty dating genre ponders if the autistic can find love too. As if there hadn’t already been two series about Sheldon Cooper. (Netflix) Street Food: Latin America – Of all the things you can pick up on the streets of Brazil, Colombia or Peru,…
Kelly Reichardt’s First Cow masterfully turns the Western genre on its head
A five-star review
Adoptable dog Burke loves belly rubs and he’s waiting to meet you at Orange County Animal Services
Meet Burke! Burke (A442849) is a 3-year-old neutered male and he has been patiently waiting for his forever family to come into our shelter and adopt him. He is easily leashed, energetic and playful when he goes outside, and seeks out belly rubs or pats on the head often. Burke has not had any issues…
African queen Ola Bello offers a royal feast at Flavors Nigerian, south of downtown Orlando
There’s a scene in No Passport Required where chef Marcus Samuelsson and Patricia Nyan, chef-owner of Suya Hut in Houston, talk about the importance of suya. The spice rub, originating from predominantly Muslim northern Nigeria, is made from peanuts and chili peppers and used to marinate grilled beef and chicken in Nigerian cookery. “Like all…
Pizza Bruno sweetens their $8 Monday margherita deal with new dessert lineup
The Dining-In Diaries
Can you have a truly monogamous relationship with one partner or is infidelity unavoidable?
Is it terrible to believe you can still have a truly monogamous and loving relationship with one partner after 20 years? Or can we walk into a relationship knowing that within those decades of being together that situations like infidelity or being attracted to another is completely unavoidable? And if we acknowledge that in some…
