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Privacy is disappearing faster than we realize, and the coronavirus isn’t helping
Sure, you lock your home, and you probably don’t share your deepest secrets with random strangers. And if someone knocked on your door and asked to know when you last got your period, you’d tell them to get lost. Yet, as a smartphone user, you’re likely sharing highly personal information with total strangers every minute…
Can attorney John Morgan really sue the company behind Florida’s unemployment website?
Orlando attorney John Morgan recently offered to file a lawsuit on behalf of the state of Florida, seeking damages to the state and its residents caused by Florida’s notoriously unworkable unemployment website. “Gov. DeSantis, turn me and my team loose, my business trial group loose, and we will recover that money for the state of…
New Orlando metal project Perversion drops unapologetically retro and seamy Bandcamp demo
If you follow have followed the louder end of the Orlando underground for the last few years, you’ve no doubt seen some of combination of Autarx, Manic and the Depressives, or the black metal trio Von Nacht at grittier grittier venues around town. The common denominator in all of these projects is vocalist and guitarist…
Legal Public Notices 5/13 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION IN RE: ESTATE OF: Ida Eleanor McCall, Deceased. File No. 2020CP0005940. NOTICE TO CREDITORS: The administration of the estate of Ida Eleanor McCall, deceased, whose date of death was December 7, 2019, is pending in the Circuit Court for Orange County,…
Florida citrus growers will spend unused travel money on more digital ads for orange juice
Florida Department of Citrus money unused because of the coronavirus pandemic will be directed toward increasing orange-juice sales, as projections of this season’s citrus production have declined. The Florida Citrus Commission agreed Tuesday to add $277,000 to an ongoing digital ad campaign, with most of the money coming from employee travel plans that were halted…
Florida’s greyhound racing ban, set to take effect in 2021, faces another lawsuit
After a federal judge last month rejected a challenge to a 2018 constitutional amendment that is poised to end greyhound racing at Florida tracks, an industry group has filed a revised lawsuit to continue fighting the measure. Support Working Animals, Inc., and individual plaintiffs filed the amended lawsuit Monday in federal court in Tallahassee. They…
Dochi Donuts to give away free doughnuts at East End Market this weekend
Dochi Donuts is giving away free doughnuts this weekend, and all it takes is a tag. The imminently ‘grammable doughnut pop-up shop’s return to the East End Market was already a welcome treat, but they’re celebrating in signature style, but letting their crullers do the talking. All you have to do is tag a friend in the…
Florida university students sue for spring-semester refund
With the coronavirus shutting down state university campuses in March, at least two potential class-action lawsuits have been filed seeking refunds of money that students paid for the spring semester. A federal lawsuit filed Monday against the University of Florida’s Board of Trustees alleges that named plaintiff Dylan Egleston and other spring UF students are…
Universal Orlando announces CityWalk will begin to reopen this week
Following the announcement that Disney Springs will reopen later this month, Universal Orlando now says their entertainment district, CityWalk, will reopen with limited capacity this week. This afternoon, the company announced the area will begin reopening on Thursday, May 14, and guests will have to adhere to new safety measures, including mandatory face coverings, as…
Orlando Mayor Dyer cancels July Fourth fireworks at Lake Eola Park
In a move that’s sure to silently delight Lake Eola’s swans, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced on Tuesday that the city’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks at the Fountain event has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The annual tradition draws thousands of gawkers from all over Central Florida – and drives nearby dogs bonkers…
Florida’s unemployment website will close earlier than usual on Wednesday
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s Connect website has been called the worst unemployment system in the nation, in no small part because of frustrating nightly closures that restrict the hours it can be used. This week, in addition to the “nightly maintenance” which takes the system offline at 8 p.m., DEO will make “system enhancements”…
Free downtown Orlando parking available through Sept. 1
Parking in many downtown Orlando spots is now free through Sept. 1. The Downtown Development Board announced the offer, called the Park DTO Program, on Tuesday. It’s designed to increase visitation and spending in downtown Orlando. The free parking is available at metered street spaces and in three city of Orlando garages downtown, but there…
With 81 percent voting yes, Orlando Sentinel journalists approve union
The Orlando Sentinel journalists’ union, the Sentinel Guild, became official on Tuesday, with 81 percent of eligible employees approving. “The journalists in our newsroom have spoken, deciding overwhelmingly that we deserve a seat at the table to bargain with Tribune and protect the future of local journalism,” the union announced on Tuesday. The group now becomes…
Weather system just east of Florida has 50 percent chance of development, says National Hurricane Center
The 2020 hurricane season doesn’t start until June 1, but officials have already issued their first advisory. This morning, the National Hurricane Center released an advisory stating that conditions are optimal for a subtropical system to develop this weekend. The low pressure system, which has a 50% chance of formation over the next five days,…
Last remaining Gooding’s store closes with other retailers in Crossroads plaza outside Walt Disney World
Even as Florida’s economy slowly begins to reopen, the damning impact of coronavirus shutdowns on local businesses is beginning to show. Few places is this more obvious than in the iconic tourist strip mall Crossroads of Lake Buena Vista. Sitting just off of WDW property, the strip plaza was built in 1988 as part of…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Tuesday, May 12, 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. Disney Is Taking Reservations, What Does That Mean? The magic is slowly making it’s way back to Central Florida. Walt Disney World is now taking reservations. Here are…
Okaloosa County man sues Ag Secretary Fried for suspending online concealed-weapons applications during pandemic
Amid political fighting about the issue, a Northwest Florida resident has filed a lawsuit challenging a decision by state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried to suspend accepting online applications for concealed-weapons licenses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cliff Maloney, an Okaloosa County resident who is president of the group Young Americans for Liberty, filed the lawsuit…
Interstate 4 closing lanes in downtown Orlando for five days, starting Wednesday
Florida’s reduction in car traffic due to coronavirus shutdowns could be gradually winding down, but a stretch of the I-4 Ultimate construction project is speeding up – and closing down a stretch of Interstate 4 through downtown Orlando. The closure will leave only one westbound lane of I-4 open from Princeton Street down to Gore…
Visitors left behind over 13,000 pounds of garbage last weekend at one of Orlando’s closest beaches
Beachgoers left behind more than 13,000 pounds of trash at a Florida beach last weekend. According to Florida Today, crews last Saturday and Sunday picked up over 13,000 pounds of garbage on Cocoa Beach, which is about an hour east of Orlando, as the state continues to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic. The huge increase…
Pro soccer and basketball leagues could be ‘going to Disney World’
The slogan “I’m going to Disney World!” is typically associated with the Super Bowl, but the current pandemic could mean entire sports leagues may soon utter those words. The idea of the NBA finishing out its season at WDW was first floated in April. With nearly 80 percent of the regular season already completed, the…
State of Florida issues testing orders for long-term care facilities
With more than 700 COVID-19 deaths linked to long-term care facilities, the state Agency for Health Care Administration said Sunday it has issued emergency orders to bolster testing of staff members at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. The orders require nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to allow the Florida Department of Health into their buildings…
Walt Disney World now accepting theme park reservations starting in July
Walk Disney World is accepting theme park ticket reservations starting Wednesday, July 1, but you wouldn’t know that right away from their online calendar. Walt Disney World’s website currently shows their theme parks resuming regular hours on Sunday, May 31, with a “Disney Early Morning Magic” ticket event listed at Fantasyland from 7:45 to 9 a.m., and…
Florida making new plans for hurricane season in the age of coronavirus
With another expected active hurricane season starting June 1, Florida emergency management officials are taking into account a big new factor: the coronavirus. Division of Emergency Management Director Jared Moskowitz said last week his agency is redeveloping plans about evacuations and shelters, while also adding face masks to the state’s stockpile of storm supplies. “We’re…
Mall at Millenia reopens Monday with new safety guidelines for stores
The Mall at Millenia will reopen Monday at 11 a.m., with increased safety measures in place and curbside pickup available. The mall has its own set of guidelines in addition to those required by Orange County and the state rules, according to the mall’s website. Orange County ended its curfew Monday morning, but the county…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Monday, May 11, 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. Yes, Sweet Tomatoes Are Closing Their Doors Permanently This is very sad news. Sweet Tomatoes is closing it’s doors forever and yes, that includes their Orlando locations. – LINK…
Rest in peace Little Richard, and please enjoy this video of him holding court and performing at Epcot
Little Richard, the “King and Queen of Rock & Roll” and a true American original in every possible sense, passed away over the weekend. This death was a bit of an extra kick in the stomach, as Little Richard is responsible for most everything we love in popular music. When he declared himself the “architect of…
Ask a scientist: Will this shark suit protect me from COVID-19?
If it’s done nothing else of any use to anyone, at least the coronavirus has caused people to get creative. With a worldwide lack of personal protective equipment leaving even medical professionals — let alone average Joes — vulnerable to catching the virus, people have been coming up with increasingly interesting ways of keeping themselves…
PETA is selling a ‘Joe Exotic’ Halloween costume
Since everyone from Nicolas Cage to Florida porn stars is looking to cash in on the Netflix docuseries Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, it only makes sense that PETA should too. Sure, Halloween may be six months away, but PETA is already hawking a Joe Exotic costume. The animal rights activist group is now taking preorders…
Political week in review: Will Florida reopen slowly enough?
Gov. Ron DeSantis has maintained that Florida is embarking on a slow, step-by-step reopening of the economy. He has cautioned, however, that the next steps will be guided by whether signs continue to point to continued success in battling the coronavirus pandemic. But … what if that effort is complicated by Floridians eager to go…
As state begins to reopen, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis extends state of emergency another 60 days
On the same day Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that it’s safe enough to go get a haircut at a salon, he also extended the state of emergency order. During a Friday press conference, DeSantis announced that he has extended the state of emergency until Tuesday, July 7, a move that helps secure federal funds…
Orange County to lift curfew Monday, offer personal protective equipment to small businesses
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings announced Friday that the county is lifting the nightly curfews that have been in place since March 20, starting Monday at 5:01 a.m. Orange County also finalized their personal protective equipment (PPE) distribution plan for small businesses, making available their 1 million masks and 200,000 bottles of hand sanitizer. These will…
Florida barber shops, hair salons and nail salons to reopen on Monday
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Friday that the ongoing phase one reopening of Florida’s economy will allow barber shops, hair salons and nail salons to reopen on Monday, as well. He made the announcement via a social media video of J Henry, owner of J Henry’s Barber Shop in downtown Orlando, who shared some of the…
Winter Park partially reopens Park Avenue District for Mother’s Day weekend
As Central Florida begins gradually reopening after a six-week shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the city of Winter Park is blocking off portions of Park Avenue, Morse Boulevard and New England Avenue to create a Mother’s Day “weekend opportunity.” Winter Park director of communications Clarissa Howard stressed that this is not an “event,” but…
Yes, Sweet Tomatoes is closing permanently, including all Orlando locations
As restaurants begin to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic, it appears that self-serve eateries and buffets may have a much harder time. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Garden Fresh Restaurants, the parent company of buffet-style chain Sweet Tomatoes and Souplantation, announced Thursday that it would permanently close every single one of its locations. Yesterday’s…
Florida’s state forest campgrounds begin to reopen today
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced that most of Florida’s State Forest campgrounds, primitive campsites and trailheads will reopen Friday with limited capacity. The phased plan, however, keeps some recreation and day-use areas closed, as well as restrooms located outside open campgrounds. “Our Florida State Forest recreation areas are some of Florida’s greatest natural treasures,…
A 90-pound barrel of weed washed ashore in Florida last week
As our state slowly begins to reopen and return to normal, it’s only fitting that a massive container of marijuana beached itself on a Florida beach last week. According to a Facebook post from Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded to a call on April 30, near 109th St. Oceanside, when someone reported a blue…
The Mennello Museum to host virtual studio visit with Lemon Press artists Anna Cruz and Adam Lavigne
Next week, the Mennello Museum of American Art is hosting the latest installment of a series of virtual studio tours with artists involved in their upcoming Construct Our Orlando exhibition, still set for this autumn. The subjects will be the duo behind Lemon Press, Anna Cruz and Adam Lavigne. Lavigne and Cruz run Lemon Press…
The lineup for this year’s international punk fest Foreign Dissent will be unveiled during a watch party on Facebook later today
Punching Babies, the enterprise of local punk lifer Craig Mazer, is hopeful. Hopeful that Gainesville’s massive punk weekender Fest is happening later this year – and indeed they released the line-up for October full-steam ahead – and hopeful that his own annual spin-off Foreign Dissent showcase can happen. Foreign Dissent is a yearly mini-fest of international performers playing…
Florida property owners sue Gov. DeSantis for shutting down vacation rentals
Property owners and a vacation-rental management company have filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis, accusing him of violating their constitutional rights by shutting down vacation rentals during the public health crisis caused by COVID-19. The lawsuit “seeks to protect and vindicate fundamental liberties that citizens of the United States enjoy free from government…
Orlando restaurants offering Mother’s Day specials
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Sette in Ivanhoe Village has been eighty-sixed, but Va and Trina return to Food Network with Guy Fieri this week
The space that’s housed a murder of restaurants in the last five years has claimed another victim. Sette, the rustic Italian concept by Va and Trina Gregory-Propst, won’t reopen in the old Brian’s Restaurant space at 1407 N. Orange Ave. in Ivanhoe Village. Seems the building’s owner, Mark Stillman, put the property up for sale on…
Florida’s tourism ‘rebound’ likely to take quite some time
Getting Florida back to pre-coronavirus tourism numbers could take several years, state tourism-marketing officials acknowledged Thursday as they moved forward with a “rebound effort.” “We know that this rebound is going to take a while, and we have to make sure that Florida continues to be a top travel destination,” Visit Florida Chief Marketing Officer…
Disney Springs to begin phased reopening on May 20
The Disney Parks Blog announced Thursday afternoon that Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort will begin a phased reopening on Wednesday, May 20. Only “a limited number of shopping and dining experiences that are owned by third-party operating participants” will begin to reopen during the initial phase, says the post. The rest of Walt Disney…
Florida-based adult film studio is making a ‘Tiger King’ parody porno
One of the true constants in life is that everything you enjoy will eventually end up as a porno parody in some form or another, and the Netflix docuseries “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” is no exception. Yesterday, Tampa-based Blazed Studios announced that they have begun casting calls for a “Tiger King” porno that…
SeaWorld Orlando announces birth of four spotted eagle rays
Discovery Cove, SeaWorld’s interactive aquatic-animal theme park, announced Thursday the birth of four spotted eagle rays. When they are old enough, the baby rays will be assigned to train their own third-party replacements from Jamaica and Guatemala, before they are laid off. Just kidding! This story isn’t about SeaWorld firing 100 call-center employees last year,…
Independent music venues are asking for your support for federal financial relief amid coronavirus pandemic
Small independent venues are an essential ingredient for a city to have a vibrant music scene, key in giving support and a spotlight to touring bands on the rise and nurturing local performers who need a place to hone their craft. Locally, places like Soundbar, Will’s Pub, Uncle Lou’s and the Haven Lounge (and so…
Judge dismisses lawsuit over Florida’s unemployment system
A Leon County circuit judge Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit seeking to force the state to process and pay unemployment claims that have been delayed amid a crush of people losing jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic. The potential class-action lawsuit was filed last month as the state’s CONNECT unemployment system faced massive problems. But after…
Federal judge signals he will pave the way for felon voting in Florida
A federal judge said Wednesday he intends to lay out a process for the state to allow voting by felons who cannot afford to pay court-ordered “legal financial obligations,” after Florida elections officials failed to develop a procedure. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle’s comments came at the end of an eight-day trial in a voting-rights…
MegaCon Orlando replaces 2020 convention with ‘Limited Edition’ Halloween weekend, will return March 2021
Updated, 11:30 a.m. | MegaCon Orlando has canceled their full-sized 2020 event, and will return on March 18-21, 2021. Organizers posted an update to their website that, “based on the developments globally and in Florida that COVID-19 continues to present,” they will replace this year’s event with a “Limited Edition” Halloween weekend from Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at…
Clermont’s Crown Lounge regrets racist sign
Crown Lounge restaurant and bar, located off of State Road 50 in Clermont, reopened its doors on Monday with a new message on their lighted sign reading, “F..K CHINA WE ARE OPEN! BUY AMERICAN!” A post on Tuesday to the private Facebook group “Orlando Foodie Forum presented by Tasty Chomps” shared two photos of the sign,…
Florida judge faces allegations over TV show filmed in her courtroom
A state investigative panel is accusing a Miami-Dade County judge of impropriety involving a television show called “Protection Court.” According to a notice of charges filed Wednesday, Judge Carroll Kelly participated in the show, which used “actual litigants” appearing before her in domestic violence cases. Kelly, who presides over the circuit’s domestic-violence division, also gave…
Insanely constipated Florida lizard just broke the record for biggest poop
After a steady diet of pizza grease and sand, a lizard in Florida recently broke the record for largest crap relative to a living organism’s body size. As recently published in the Herpetological Review, a team of herpetologists from University of Florida was tracking down reptile samples in Cocoa Beach when they stopped by a…
Shanghai Disneyland plans phased reopening Monday, but what’s in store for Walt Disney World?
Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek announced plans on Wednesday to gradually reopen Shanghai Disneyland starting on Monday. Closed since Jan. 25, the park will be Disney’s first to reopen since pandemic closures began, and will limit capacity while requiring visitors to wear a mask. There were no reopening plans or dates announced for other parks, stores…
Mills 50 bar owner Will Walker supports Orlando Weekly because Orlando Weekly supports local business
On the history of Orlando Weekly and Will’s Pub … Since our beginning, the Weekly has been very supportive of Will’s – the relationship has always been super positive. There have always been great people working there. We’ve always had a really great relationship, and personally and business-wise it’s been a great help to us. We’ve kind…
Postponed Miss Jill Scott show at the Hard Rock Live is now officially canceled
Confirmation comes today that the Miss Jill Scott concert at the Hard Rock Live – initially set for March 18 and then postponed to a later date – has now been officially canceled. The R&B star was set to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her influential debut album Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol.…
This week, make your mind learn its way around your heart
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious,” says businessperson and entrepreneur John Sculley. You Tauruses aren’t renowned for such foresight. It’s more likely to belong to Aries and Sagittarius people. Your tribe is more likely to specialize in doing the good work that turns others’ bright…
Here’s a theoretical post-quarantine vacation to Walt Disney World
Theme parks are going to have a bumpy ride back to reopening
The wine flows and the fare glows at wine-centric Sixty Vines in Winter Park
Timing is an elusive variable that can make or break a business. In the case of Sixty Vines, the wine country-inspired restaurant appeared to have a real feel for the intangible, accomplishing the rare feat (in this town, anyway) of opening when it said it would. Just watching construction crews slap on an enclosed wine…
Here are some simply incredible quesadillas from Hunger Street Tacos in Winter Park
The Dining in Diaries
Savage Love: ‘Sometimes it’s not enough to tell; sometimes you have to yell’
Amazed and confused
Debuting this week on the streams: Kimmy takes on the Reverend in an interactive ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’
Premieres Wednesday: Workin’ Moms: Season 4 Audiences in its native Canada have already seen the latest season of this hit comedy about juggling kids and careers. Meanwhile, Japanese audiences are probably watching a game show about juggling kids and hunting knives. (Netflix) Premieres Friday: Dead to Me: Season 2 Will Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini…
‘How to Build a Girl’ takes on the making of that weird creature, a teenaged girl
The title is illuminating, and ironic: How to Build a Girl. We girls don’t have cultural scripts for building ourselves in the way that boys do, which come at boys from all angles: from pop culture, from sports, from history lessons in school, from everything that they see in the world that tells them they…
Orlando metal stars Trivium release powerful, timely album, ‘What the Dead Men Say’
Grammy-nominated Orlando metallers Trivium had a decision to make. Their new album, What the Dead Men Say – a record with strong ties to their home, recorded at Full Sail with Darren Schneider, with photos from lensman Mike Dunn; “We’ve been showing our Orlando love,” laughs frontman Matt Heafy – was set for a late-April…
