Watch this video of hundreds of manatees lounging at Three Sisters Springs
Earlier this week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was forced to close Three Sisters Springs because a “high number of manatees” needed room to lay around and rest. As of Tuesday, Feb. 9, the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is closed because nearly 400 manatees decided to show up and bask in the 72 degree…
Despite resident protests, Orlando City Council approves changes for Princeton Oaks project
After a contentious debate with residents, Orlando City Commissioners approved changing zoning and future land-use designations for a 123-acre parcel proposed to have an industrial park called Princeton Oaks. Residents and local environmental groups opposed to the 1.03 million-square-foot project near WD Judge Drive and North John Young Parkway because it contains 36 acres of wetlands…
Morgan & Morgan files lawsuits against Monster Energy after 14-year-old suffers stroke
Orlando-based law firm Morgan and Morgan filed lawsuits Monday in California and Washington against Monster Energy, alleging that the company’s high-caffeine drinks cause serious injuries. According to Morgan & Morgan’s website, attorneys Mike Morgan and Andrew Parker Felix are currently investigating over 100 claims from people alleging they’ve suffered significant injuries, including heart attacks, kidney failure,…
We want your dog to be on the cover of Puppy Love 2016
Our annual Puppy Love issue is right around the corner, and we need a four-legged cover model! If you think your dog should be on the cover of the 2016 Puppy Love issue, here’s how to enter: Follow OrlandoWeekly on Instagram Upload a picture of your dog to Instagram with the hashtag #PuppyLoveSelfie In…
Florida senator calls for investigation of Royal Caribbean after storm incident
Florida Sen. Bill Nelson has called for the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate Royal Caribbean after one of its cruise ships knowingly sailed into a massive storm last weekend. After leaving it’s home port in New Jersey on Saturday, the 168,666-ton ship, Anthem of the Seas, was scheduled to reach Port Canaveral, Florida, on Monday,…
‘Circle of Life’ attraction at Epcot temporarily closed for enhancements
It’s no longer “Hakuna Matata” for fans of Epcot’s The Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable attraction, which has closed its doors to undergo enhancements. A statement on the official Walt Disney World website announced the closure. “As part of our continuing efforts to exceed the expectations of our Guests, The Circle of Life is…
Disney World is about to build the most impressive cheerleading facility ever conceived
Central Florida has long been a mecca for cheerleading (just look at how often the Bring It On series ends up here). While Bring It On seems focused on Daytona Beach and Universal Orlando the majority of local cheerleading happens at Walt Disney World. ESPN Wide World of Sports (WWOS) has been the focus of…
Are you an Applebee’s Republican or a Chipotle Democrat? How to vote with your dinner dollar
Sometimes we may wish it weren’t true, but the personal is political. Every time you order a pizza or scarf down a burrito, you are not only supporting that cheese-stuffed crust or righteous guacamole, you’re also voting with your dollar — that is, your dollars are enriching a corporation and, often, an individual who is…
Florida man arrested for flinging gator into Wendy’s drive-thru
Ever had gator and fries? No, not the kind that’s battered and deep-fried. The kind that’s still alive. WPTV 5 reports that’s what workers at a Wendy’s restaurant east of Loxahatchee experienced when a Jupiter man allegedly flung an alligator through the drive-thru window, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The gator incident…
Bill that would protect LGBT Floridians from discrimination stalls in the Senate
A bill that would bar discrimination in jobs and housing based on sexual orientation and gender identity stalled Monday at its first-ever committee hearing in the Florida Legislature, but it is expected to be reconsidered. The Senate Judiciary Committee deadlocked on what is known as the “Competitive Workforce Act.” A tie vote typically kills a…
SeaWorld may soon open its backstage manatee rehab facility to the public
SeaWorld as a whole has been attempting to bring awareness to their numerous conservation efforts. The entertainment company has been a leader in animal rehab and conservation for decades, but many of those efforts are unknown by the general public. The company has turned to Twitter, used celebrities, and award-winning children’s programming to help highlight…
SeaWorld will no longer keep Commerson’s dolphins in captivity
The most iconic animal of Aquatica may soon be no more. SeaWorld, Aquatica’s parent company, has confirmed that the famous Commerson’s Dolphins, which the Dolphins Plunge slide runs through, will not be replaced when they pass away. The dolphin exhibit is one of the first things guests to the park see when they enter and…
Orlando commissioners pledge $75 million for UCF downtown campus
The Orlando City Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding between the city and the University of Central Florida, promising about $75 million toward the school’s downtown campus plans. That $75 million-pledge includes: – $20 million in land transferred from the city to UCF – $22.5 million-valued building called the Center for Emerging Media transferred…
Casey Anthony plans to open a photography studio in Florida
Casey Anthony, a Florida mom who was once acquitted for murdering her 2 year-old-daughter, has plans to open a photography studio in South Florida. According to Daily Mail, Anthony has recently registered a new business venture, Case Photography, LLC, in West Palm Beach along with the help of her former private investigator Patrick J. McKenna. Anthony…
This week only: 3 limited-edition Starbucks drinks for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks is bae, as we all know when it comes to mainstream specialty coffee drink culture, and you can’t deny the creativity — I mean, how many combinations of espresso and steamed milk are there really? Apparently, three more than you thought. Just this week, you can order these Valentine’s Day drinks from your favorite…
Legendary Shack Shakers return from hiatus and completely destroy (Will’s Pub)
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Monotonix, Lightning Bolt, Bob Log III – these are legends of live experience. And the Legendary Shack Shakers (Feb. 5, Will’s Pub) are in this elite company. With the gift of musical, conceptual and physical genius, it all has to do with bandleader J.D. Wilkes. Between his music, writing, filmmaking and…
Beyoncé kicks off Formation World Tour in Miami, Tampa
After Beyoncé slayed everyone this weekend, not just once with her Formation single but then again at the Super Bowl halftime show, King Bey went for the kill. The singer announced her Formation World Tour, with the first two dates in Miami and Tampa. The tour starts at Marlins Park in Miami on April 27, and…
Orlando nightclub shooting leaves two dead, 10 injured
Orlando Police say two people are dead and 10 injured after a shooting at Glitz Ultra Lounge on Universal Boulevard early Sunday morning. Off-duty OPD officers working at the club radioed in that shots were fired inside the building at 1 a.m., according to Orlando Police spokesperson Michelle Guido. At the time 300 people were…
UCF will present downtown campus plans to the state in March
The University of Central Florida will be presenting its downtown campus plans to the Florida Board of Governors on March 2 in Orlando, says university spokesperson Christine Dellert in a press release. UCF officials have tried to present their plans to the Board of Governors before, but have been set back twice, the first time…
Florida Zika cases increase to 14, including one in Osceola County
The number of travel-related Zika virus cases in Florida increased to 14 on Friday, and one of those cases is in Osceola County, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Health. Starting Monday, state Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong will give daily Zika updates at 2 p.m. Aside from Osceola, there are three cases…
9 killer Super Bowl parties happening in Orlando this Sunday
There’s only one day of the year that all Americans gather round to share a meal and memories: Super Bowl Sunday. The stakes couldn’t be higher with Super Bowl 50 considering this will likely being quarterback Peyton Manning’s final appearance on the gridiron and the Panthers kicking so much ass they have time to take…
Tim Dorsey reads at Orlando Public Library and Writer’s Block Bookstore Sunday, Feb. 7
If you’re a fan of the literary genre known as “Florida noir” — which is, contrary to the usual noir stereotype, chockablock with cartoony villains and tropical color/flavor — you may already know Tim Dorsey’s work. If not, now’s a good time to acquaint yourself with his antihero, Serge Storms, in his latest caper, Coconut…
Black Tusk bill pushes the bounds of heavy music (Will’s Pub)
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND More than just being really good concerts, a couple recent bills – both presented by surging Orlando-based but statewide promoter (and recent Undie award winner for “Best new heavy booking”) Endoxa Booking – underscore how creative and evolutionary of an age it is right now for metal and heavy music. The first…
World-ranked competitive eaters make their way to Saturday’s Orlando Chili Cook-Off
Food is made to be devoured, and never has this has been more true than with the line of competitive eaters set to take World Chili Eating Challenge tomorrow at the 2016 Orlando Chili Cook Off. Joey “Jaws” Chestnut and Miki Sudo are two of the 10 signed up for said event, and their history with…
Central Florida group collecting water, supplies for Flint
Inspired by a Miami charity that delivered bottled water to Flint, the Michigan city where public officials told residents the poisonous water they were drinking since 2014 was safe, a Central Florida group is collecting supplies to aid Flint residents. Community organizers T.J. Legacy-Cole and Stacey Ali created Sunshine 4 Flint, and aside from collecting…
Beat the cold snap by trying 80 kinds of chili at the Orlando Chili Cook-Off on Saturday
What do simmering beef, burning chili peppers and Orlando Weekly all have in common? All three are attending the Seventh Annual Orlando Chili Cook-Off at Orlando Festival Park. As you try chili recipes from over 80 booths, you can enjoy live music, drinks and – if you really don’t care about having a functioning tongue…
Show your Valentine you know how to plan ahead at Audubon Park’s Vintage Valentine sale on Sunday
Let’s face it: Not everyone’s heart melts when receiving the stereotypical Valentine’s Day gifts. If you’re through with buying your significant other stuffed animals or bouquets of roses, head over to Vintage Valentine. Park Ave CDs, Dear Prudence Shop and the Lovely Boutique Market partner up to sell some gifts that will probably end up…
Disney is literally putting the ‘springs’ in Disney Springs with new ‘natural’ water feature
Disney Springs is finally living up to its namesake. The company announced it would be recreating a natural Florida spring for guests to enjoy while meandering around the shopping center. Announced back in January, this new bubbling spring will be located in the Town Center and will come with a new storyline, just in case…
A 9-foot green anaconda was caught in Melbourne this week
A massive anaconda was found in a Melbourne woman’s backyard earlier this week, but it wasn’t buns this snake was after, but two small dogs. Leisa Remsberg let her two dogs, Gizmo and Teddy, outside Monday morning and found an unexpected nine-foot green anaconda, according to Florida Today. After the snake snapped at her pets, Remsberg…
Listen to the world premiere of the new Kanye West album at Pointe Orlando
Praise Yeezus! Thanks to satellite technology and an IMAX theater near you, it’s never been easier for Orlandoans to get swept up in the Yeezy season that’s approachin’. West just announced on Thursday, February 4 that he has once again enlisted the help of artist Vanessa Beecroft to orchestrate a listening party for the new album…
Registration is now open for third Orlando Speaks community-police workshop
On Feb. 16, the city of Orlando and the Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute will hold the third Orlando Speaks workshop. At the first two such events, held in September and October 2015, Orlando Police officers were seated at tables with city residents who were encouraged to tell their stories about their experiences interacting…
Return of Kings mens meet ups cancelled
Rape-scene enthusiast Roosh V. has cancelled the Return of Kings meet ups that were originally scheduled in 165 cities around the world on Feb. 6. See our original blog posting here. (UPDATE: Roosh V. says he doesn’t really think rape should be legal, and he has posted a note to his blog saying that his writeup…
63,000 UCF students and staff had their Social Security numbers stolen in massive data breach
The University of Central Florida revealed Thursday, Feb.4, that 63,000 Social Security numbers of former and current students and university employees were stolen in a computer hack in January. According to a website set up about the incident, there are two main groups affected by the hack: current and former UCF athletes and student managers…
‘Naked Boys Singing’ at the Parliament House delivers on its promise
Oh, behave! Head on over to the Parliament House this Friday night, where boys in birthday suits are waiting to entertain the hell out of you with this raucous revue. And the songs aren’t too bad, either. Eight chiseled men sing their way through 16 original songs, and with titles like “Gratuitous Nudity,” we can…
The Legendary Shack Shakers show why they’re a must-see live act at Will’s Pub Friday night
There are true must-see live acts so powerful and unique that they transcend genre – as in, I don’t care what kind of music you get down to, this will blow you away no matter what – but they are few. With their dead-raising punkabilly sound and a preternatural sense of show in electric frontman…
Paula Deen to promote new cookbook at Barnes and Noble Thursday, Feb. 4
Southern cuisine specialist and reformed butter lover will speak and sign copies of her new book at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at Barnes & Noble (2418 E. Colonial Drive). This appearance will promote Paula Deen Cuts the Fat, a new book of her favorite recipes “all lightened up” (apparently her days of cooking fried butter…
Bill would allow Florida governor to use military force against refugees
The Florida Legislature continues to prove again and again this year why some people want to cut the state off from the rest of America. House Bill 1095, also known as the “Prevention of Acts of War” bill, passed the Florida House Criminal Justice Committee Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. The bill would allow the governor…
City of Orlando launches partnership with hourly car-sharing program
In conjunction with the Florida Department of Transportation’s reThink program, the City of Orlando announced a new partnership with an hourly car-sharing program Wednesday morning, Feb.3. In a no cost contract with the city, Zipcar, who has actually been in metro Orlando fora few years now, will now operate out of 6 designated spaces in…
Swine & Sons introduces online ordering starting this Friday, Feb. 5
Emperor Palpatine’s voice-over: “You want this … don’t you? The [hunger] is swelling in you now…” Now you can have all the fresh-cut charcuterie, the breakfast tacos and Nashville chicken hand pies you want, and you can get them faster than ever starting this Friday, Feb. 5. Swine & Sons has refreshed their website and…
Six new cases of Zika virus confirmed in Florida
The Florida Department of Health is reporting six new travel-related cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus this week, according to a news release. That brings up Florida’s total of travel-related Zika cases it has reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to nine. The Department of Health says travel-related cases are “diseases believed…
Rock legend Graham Nash talks about the possibility of a CSNY reunion ahead of his show at the Plaza tonight
Graham Nash has been a busy guy over the past year. He toured with Crosby, Stills & Nash through May, and rather than taking a breather, he went back out on a solo tour of the states through August. Then he went back to work on This Path Tonight, the solo album he will release…
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Wednesday-Thursday, 3-4 Winter With the Writers: Antonio Skármeta Rollins’ annual literary festival, Winter With the Writers, returns this month with a slate of events with prose and poetry masters from around the world. Opening the festival this year is Chilean novelist, screenwriter and diplomat Antonio Skármeta, a recipient of Chile’s National Literature Prize. Skármeta fled…
Shuffleboard makes a comeback in Orlando
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Our Remixed Adonis is the perfect Super Bowl cocktail
Cocktails and football — they don’t really mix. Particularly the Super Bowl, in which the game is strung out to ridiculous lengths by Doritos and Budweiser commercials (though at least GoDaddy is bowing out this year) and whatever nip-slip/Left Shark-type controversy gets generated by the halftime show. There’s a reason people don’t knock back Manhattans…
Picks This Week: Fleshgod Apocalypse, Black Tusk, Wild Child and more
Black Tusk The Savannah sludge metal band just dropped their new album, Pillars of Ash, last week, full of blistering, swampy scorchers like “God’s on Vacation.” 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, at Will’s Pub, $10-$12 Wild Child This poppy indie rock collective from Texas is anchored by the clear, ringing vocals of Kelsey Wilson –…
Craftsmanship was key last weekend at Lego Movie 4D premiere, the Humor Mill and Celebration of Harry Potter
All too often in the arts we pay homage the “genius” of inborn talent ahead of the time and effort that true craftsmanship requires. Last week, I attended three celebrations of craft that honored those in entertainment who labor year after year, building things brick by brick – whether those bricks be made of cement…
Opening in Orlando: The Choice, Hail, Caesar! and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
The Choice Nicholas Sparks keeps telling us stories about relationships that stand the test of time, in movies that seem to go on even longer. But The Choice has the potential to verge on the truly eternal, since the actors playing its committed lovers were previously front and center in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and…
This Little Underground: Bully, Big Eyes and Palehound in the rising female vanguard
Though the notion that rock & roll is a boy’s club has been challenged for some time now, it still lingers, culturally and structurally. But this week’s parade is why that will change soon and forever. The Beat Bully is a Nashville band centered around powerhouse frontwoman Alicia Bognanno. They made a conspicuous number of…
Savage Love (2/3/16)
A large crowd braved a snowstorm to come out to Savage Love Live at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre last week. Questions were submitted on index cards, which allowed questioners to remain anonymous and forced them to be succinct. I got to as many of them as I could over two long, raucous, boozy hours. Here are…
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