Orlando Zine Fest is at the Nook on Robinson this weekend, perfect for some holiday shopping
Orlando Zine Fest took last year off — understandably — but is back this weekend with a new location and a formidable roster of local and regional DIY publishers peddling their zine-y wares. This Saturday, Dec. 18, from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. over 40 zinesters and artists from all around Florida will be unfolding card tables and filling them with…
Legal Public Notices 12/15 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices ALL ABOARD STORAGE NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Personal property of the following tenants will be sold at public sale to the highest bidder to satisfy a rental lien in accordance with Florida Statutes, Sections: A83.801 – 83.809. All units are assumed to contain general household goods unless otherwise indicated. Viewing of…
As Orlando theme parks engage in coaster wars, other parks turn toward classic dark rides
With documents allegedly regarding SeaWorld’s Project Penguin leaking in recent days, we now have an understanding of the next steps in Orlando’s very own coaster wars. SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Epcot and the Magic Kingdom all have major new coasters under construction, with Universal Studios Florida soon to begin a lengthy rehab of one…
Mango’s Orlando launches new show in the latest sign of I-Drive’s recovery
Despite another new variant threatening to upend the progress the travel industry has seen over the past few months, there’s a new optimism in the air in Orlando’s tourism district. Construction is active on the Epic Universe site, and conventions are slowly beginning to return. The recovery of International Drive can also be seen at…
COVID-19 hospitalizations inch up
The numbers of Florida hospital inpatients and intensive-care unit patients with COVID-19 increased slightly in data released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The data showed that 1,411 inpatients had COVID-19, up from 1,403 on Monday and up from 1,359 on Dec. 7. Meanwhile, the data Tuesday showed that 278 COVID-19…
Walgreens ordered to turn over opioid sales records in lawsuit filed by state of Florida
After more than two years of squabbling over production of records in a lawsuit filed by the state, a judge ordered Walgreens to hand over documentation about the company’s profits on sales of opioid drugs in Florida for the past 25 years. Pasco County Circuit Judge Kimberly Sharpe Byrd on Friday gave Walgreens until Dec.…
Florida’s choice to run vaccine distribution through Publix left behind people of color, the poor
A new study from Florida Atlantic University shows that distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Florida reached the intended senior population, but failed to ensure equal access for people of color and lower-income communities. The study, published in the Health Affairs Journal, explored the vaccine rollout at Publix Super Markets across Florida. During the rollout, state…
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining raised almost $290K for charity
Visit Orlando’s yearly prix fixe culinary celebration Magical Dining went long this year, benefiting both the beat-down restaurant industry and beleaguered residents. That extended season of fine dining for Orlando citizens raised an eye-popping amount for charities benefiting homeless and struggling people in Central Florida. According to a report from Bungalower, the tourism agency shared…
Orange County wastewater tests find Omicron variant
Officials at Orange County Utilities shared that they have found traces of the Omicron variant in the county’s wastewater in preliminary tests. The results have been sent off for verification. Wastewater tests seeking coronavirus RNA have been used as a sort of warning system for are used to detect coming surges in coronavirus. Obvious spikes…
Republican retirees in Florida arrested for allegedly voting multiple times in 2020 election
Three residents of The Villages were arrested for allegedly voting multiple times in the 2020 election. Jay Ketcik, Joan Halstead and John Rider range in age between 61 and 71 years old and are all residents of the 55-and-up city. There is no indication that the three people knew each other or conspired together. All…
University of Florida faculty lawsuit over vote-by-mail testimony sets federal court date
A federal judge will hear arguments next month in a lawsuit filed by University of Florida professors challenging a policy that gives the school discretion in blocking faculty members from testifying against the state in legal cases. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker on Monday scheduled a Jan. 7 hearing in the lawsuit alleging the…
Alex Morgan is the latest star player leaving Orlando Pride
Just a week after the Orlando Pride lost their foundational power couple to New York, soccer star Alex Morgan announced that she’s heading off to California. The striker who starred in the U.S. Women’s National Team’s last two World Cup wins will play for a new Southern California expansion team, the San Diego Wave. Morgan’s…
UF chairman acted as back channel connection to Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of school’s decision to teach in-person during pandemic
The chairman of the University of Florida board of trustees served as a liaison with the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis when administrators were considering temporarily moving some college classes online due to the pandemic, according to text messages. Morteza “Mori” Hosseini, who was elected chairman in 2018, is already under scrutiny over questions about…
Donald Trump pushes stolen election theory, endorses vaccines at Orlando rally
Donald Trump played all the hits during his set at the Amway Center over the weekend. Speaking to a thinner-than-expected crowd along with former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, the ex-president and reality TV show host maintained that the 2020 election was stolen while also pushing against his base’s anti-vax sentiments. On the subject of 2020,…
Winter Garden Christmas Parade canceled after driver crashes into route
A Christmas parade in Winter Garden was canceled following a crash along the route. The Golf Cart Christmas Parade was set to begin on Sunday evening when police say 27-year-old Terryus Baker crashed his car along the route. Authorities in Winter Garden say they were in the process of closing the roads when Baker approached…
Florida’s COVID-19 death toll tops 62,000
More than 62,000 Florida residents have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in early 2020, according to data released Friday by the state Department of Health. The data showed that 62,026 deaths had been reported as of Thursday. That was 325 more deaths than were included in data released last week, though lags in…
Orlando band Body Shop drop live performance for Pulp Studio’s ‘Hissy Hits’ live sessions
Orlando band Body Shop are the latest Florida act to be featured in the Hissy Hits live sessions put on by Gainesville’s Pulp Arts Studio — and the results are noiry goodness, both visually and sonically. Hissy Hits is an ongoing series of professionally filmed live performances by notable Florida bands — past participants include Donzii and Seafoam Walls — hosted…
Orlando’s Kick Bright teams up with other vendors to open The Exchange in the Milk District
Orlando DIY standard-bearers Kick Bright will be returning to the brick-and-mortar realm in January, and we’re happy to see it. Though they’ve been tabling at various events and conventions over the past few months, the last time Kick Bright had a dedicated retail space was back in 2017 at the ill-fated Artegon mall space. That will…
Boy Harsher-helmed film ‘The Runner’ to screen in Orlando for one night only in January
The last time dark-synth duo Boy Harsher came to Orlando in 2019, they played a packed and sweaty room at Stonewall. They have something very different in mind when they (sort of) return next year. Not to pull a bait-and-switch, but Boy Harsher will not be performing in person in January, but there will be…
Embry-Riddle student arrested for plotting shooting, police say
An Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University student was arrested early Thursday for allegedly plotting a shooting on the campus, the Daytona Beach Police Department said. Police arrested 19-year-old John Hagins after receiving “a concerning tip” from other students. Investigators found social media messages written by Hagins in which he “laid out his plans to bring a folding…
Anejo Cocina Mexicana moving into the old Dexter’s New Standard space at Ravaudage
All the drama surrounding Dexter’s New Standard — the walkouts, the chef departures, the eviction notices — has officially (and finally) come to an end. That’s because Anejo Cocina Mexicana, an outfit out of Ponte Vedra Beach with additional locations in Jacksonville, Yulee and Daytona Beach, will move into the space at Winter Park’s Ravaudage…
Savage Love: Don’t let someone else’s past bite you in the ass
Dear Dan: So, my husband (42-year-old straight male) and I (38-year-old bi female) have had a closed relationship so far, but we have an active fantasy life. We’ve been together for about four years, and we both had our fair share of partners (casual and serious) before that. We like to talk about fantasies involving…
Adoptable Orlando dog Kody has a silly side
Meet Kody! Kody (A434158) is 6 years old and has been at the shelter for over 40 days. Kody was surrendered by his family because they were moving to a place that does not allow dogs. According to Kody’s previous family, he is housebroken, leash-trained, knows basic obedience commands, is friendly with men and women,…
Gnarly Barley open in Ivanhoe Village, Deli Desires now open seven days a week, and more Orlando food news
OPENINGS: Gnarly Barley has opened in Ivanhoe Village in the space that’s seen a revolving door of restaurants. (You know where I’m talking about, but in case you don’t, it’s at the corner of North Orange Avenue and Virginia Drive) … Soupa Saiyan 3 will soft open this week in the old Taco Bus space…
Tampa’s Fun-Lan Drive-In & Swap Shop suddenly closes after sale
At what remains of Tampa’s Fun-Lan Drive-In and Swap Shop, seagulls caw as they fight pigeons for scraps of trash. Rotting fruit shines in the bright Florida sun as flies swarm the area where vendors used to sell produce. Pallets, boxes full of canned food and mannequins are scattered across the abandoned parking lot. The…
All Elite Wrestling announces long weekend worth of live events and a fan fest in Orlando next spring
All Elite Wrestling will be returning to Orlando in a big way in 2022 with a massive three-day series of live events, television and pay-per-view tapings and a fan fest all on deck. AEW announced on Thursday that they will be coming back to the City Beautiful on Friday-Sunday, March 4-6 with different events each…
Mayhem on Mills to get Orlando wresting fans ‘Into the Groove’ this weekend
Orlando indie wrestling fed Mayhem on Mills has a big year-ending card coming up this weekend, and it’s getting a makeover from the “Season’s Beatings” of days of yore to the 1980s-themed “Into the Groove.” Mayhem on Mills returns to their new home base of Ten10 Brewing on Virginia — still within striking distance of the titular…
Gov. Ron DeSantis reveals $99 billion budget for Florida in 2022
Saying that Florida is “clicking on all cylinders,” Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday proposed an election-year $99.7 billion budget that would funnel money to education, the environment and law-enforcement officers while giving motorists a temporary gas-tax break. The proposal, which came as DeSantis runs for a second term in November, will be a starting point…
Stardust Video hosts annual mega-craft fair Grandma Party Bazaar this weekend
Looking for a last-minute, one-of-a-kind gift for Christmas? You could do a lot worse than the Grandma Party Bazaar. The annual mega-gathering of Orlando crafters and vendors has just about everything on offer from handmade clothing to decor to jams and shrubs. Orlando is no stranger to craft fairs and even still, this one takes…
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pushing for more cancer funding as wife battles breast cancer
As First Lady Casey DeSantis battles breast cancer, Gov. Ron DeSantis will propose spending $100 million next year on cancer research and care, his office said Wednesday. The proposal, which will be part of DeSantis’ budget recommendations to the Legislature, would be a $37 million increase and would help fund programs at Moffitt Cancer Center,…
Jury recommends death penalty for Markeith Loyd
A jury recommended the death penalty for Markeith Loyd on Wednesday. Loyd was found guilty of murder last month. Loyd shot and killed Orlando Police officer Debra Clayton as she attempted to apprehend him in a Walmart parking lot in 2017. Loyd was being sought by police for the killing of his ex-girlfriend. He was…
Nikki Fried faces ethics inquiry over financial disclosures
As she runs for governor in 2022, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried will have to fend off allegations that she violated state law by not properly disclosing financial information. The state Commission on Ethics on Wednesday issued an order finding “probable cause” that Fried did not properly report income in 2017 and 2018 on financial-disclosure…
Daytona’s Welcome to Rockville unveils 2022 festival headliners including Foo Fighters, Guns N’ Roses, Kiss and more
It feels like we only just published our gallery of this year’s Welcome to Rockville highlights and festival organizers have already unveiled most of 2022’s lineup, with big names like Foo Fighters and Guns N’ Roses anchoring the bill. The festival, set to happen over the weekend of May 19-22 (conveniently right before summer burns…
Florida throws $5 million behind Orlando’s bid to host 2026 World Cup
Florida’s business-recruitment agency Wednesday put $10 million into the pitch to help Orlando and Miami become host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament. The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors agreed to provide $5 million for each of the cities’ efforts, which are being led by the Greater Orlando Sports Commission and the…
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ stars set to werq Orlando next summer
Stars of the glam television juggernaut that is RuPaul’s Drag Race will be sashaying right into Orlando’s Rock Live during July as part of the ‘Werq the World’ U.S. tour. Confirmed for the tour so far are this year’s Come Out With Pride headliner Gottmik, Asia O’Hara, Jaida Essence Hall, Plastique Tiara, Rosé, Vanessa Vanjie,…
Florida’s first confirmed case of Omicron variant reported in Tampa
The first case of the Omicron variant of coronavirus was confirmed in Central Florida. A patient who had traveled internationally came down with the latest mutation of COVID-19 and it was discovered at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa. “The patient is experiencing mild symptoms and had recently returned from international travel,” a spokeswoman…
Wildlife officials share unprecedented plan to feed Florida manatees following massive die-off
The situation with Florida manatees has become so dire that officials are working up a plan to feed them through the winter. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to lift its own restrictions on feeding manatees to help the animals that gather in the Indian River lagoon this winter. Manatees tend to cluster in…
DeSantis vows to fight climate change without doing any ‘left-wing stuff’
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been in a delicate position from his first days as the state’s top executive. As a somewhat environmentally conscious Republican, he’s had to dance around the fact that much of his base thinks the demonstrable rise in global temperatures is a hoax. That was on full display during a recent…
Donald Trump, Bill O’ Reilly’s show in Orlando this weekend still has hundreds of unsold tickets
Donald Trump and Bill O’Reilly might have overestimated how much crowds want to hear them blather. The former Fox News host and former president are going to be looking at quite a sparsely populated room when they play Orlando’s Amway Center this weekend. A quick look at available tickets from the venue on Ticketmaster shows…
Garth Brooks will play Orlando’s Camping World Stadium in spring 2022
Country megastar Garth Brooks will be “(thunder) rollin'” into Orlando next spring for a stadium gig – befitting a musician who puts on a show with a capital “S.” Brooks will be headlining Orlando’s Camping World Stadium on March 26, 2022, as part of his ongoing ‘Stadium Tour.’ This March date will not only be…
Orlando concert picks this week: The Pauses 10th anniversary; Nothing with Bambara and Midwife; Kairos Creature Club
R.I.P., Soundbar. And showgoers, please mask up. Nothing, Bambara, Midwife: For the past decade, the neo-shoegaze excellence of Philadelphia’s Nothing has been a leading sonic force. Brooklyn band Bambara will further rock the night with their noise and noir. And the spectral haze of Denver act Midwife will put you in a spell suspended between…
New local releases: An Orlando mixtape from Moki Tapes and a surprising concept record from the Supervillains
Moki Tapes is a young Orlando-based label forged from the national inferno of the summer of 2020. In response to all the disaffection and discord, Julio Felix and William Powell — both notable locals as members of ferocious noise-punk supergroup Witchbender — formed the label as a means of community involvement. With it, they got…
Heart of Jerusalem Cafe in Winter Springs has plenty of Middle Eastern soul
Eat your heart out
From the FM airwaves to comedy club stages, Orlando stand-up Ryan Holmes is a busy man
Take a page from Ryan Holmes’ book: Embrace your flaws. “I had to become OK with my terrible taste in music very early on and accept that I’m not going to like the cool music. I’m going to like the bad music that I like. And you know what? I’m happier for it,” Holmes explains,…
Orlando Science Center’s small group observatory tours take VIP stargazing to a whole new level
I’m only an arts and culture columnist, but you don’t have to be a Ph.D. to recognize that the past couple of years have been particularly difficult for scientists. Cynical politicians have rallied an already skeptical populace against trusting empirical evidence, just when we most need facts to combat COVID and climate change. So, as…
Your words: Readers get crabby about the Immersive Van Gogh Orlando experience
¶ Baby don’t Gogh: Attendees grumble about ‘Immersive Van Gogh’ experience From the beginning, there’s been a whiff of the scammy about the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Orlando that promised to come to Orlando for months. From the hard-to-parse differences between competing exhibits with similar names to the lack of an announced venue (just vague…
How to decide whether to get a COVID-19 booster shot … and which one, if you do
It’s been a little over six months since I got my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, and a phone call from my state health department over the weekend reminded me that I am eligible for a booster. But do I really need to get a third COVID-19…
‘And Just Like That,’ grab a cosmo and learn what happened to Carrie, Charlotte and Miranda in the last two decades
Premieres Wednesday, Dec. 8: Carolin Kebekus: The Last Christmas Special — You know the holiday season is really underway when a German stand-up comic materializes in your stream, telling you everything that weirds her out about Christmas. Advent calendars and hangovers are two topics she promises to cover, although speaking for the Western Hemisphere, I’d…
Things to do in Orlando, Dec. 8-14: Jimmy Buffett, Ginger Minj’s Winter Wonderland, Grandma Party Bazaar
Our selections for the best stuff to do this week. Thursday, Dec. 9Griswold Family Sip & Shop A night of holiday shopping from local vendors hosted by the Griswolds. Lampoon begins at 7:30 p.m., and free reserved seating is available. 6:30 p.m., Grape & the Grain, 1110 Virginia Drive, free. A Holiday Homecoming The Central…
