Cover Story
The new Orlando restaurants you need to try in 2018
Judging from the spate of new restaurants that have opened, or are set to open, in 2018, we’re about to be fed a healthy dose of tacos, coffee, doughnuts and vegan fare. Unlike 2017, we’ll also see the return of the celebrity chef, with culinary A-listers including Jose Andres, Wolfgang Puck and Tony Mantuano poised…
Senators want to remove Confederate Memorial Day from Florida’s legal holidays
After more than a century, birthdays of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and Confederate President Jefferson Davis, along with a Confederate Memorial Day, would no longer be legal holidays in Florida under a bill approved by a Senate committee Tuesday. Over the objections of people who argued the proposal (SB 224) would erase Southern history,…
Volusia County had more shark bites in 2017 than anywhere in the world, as usual
Congratulations to Volusia County for holding their title a second year in a row as the shark bite capital of the world. According to a report from the University of Florida International Shark Attack File, of the 88 unprovoked shark attacks in the world this year, 53 were in the United States, 31 in Florida and…
Publix reverses decision to deny coverage of HIV-prevention drug for workers
Florida’s multi-billion-dollar grocery chain Publix is reversing its decision to deny its employees medical coverage for a pill that helps prevent HIV infections. “We are working with our pharmacy benefits manager to implement this change as quickly as possible,” Publix said in a statement. The Lakeland company came under scrutiny last week after a report…
CRC panel to take issues across Florida, but will skip most major metros
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission moves on to the next, (arguably) less complicated phase of the process today, starting with a public hearing in Fort Lauderdale. The six-hour hearing, which began at 1 p.m. at Nova Southeastern University, was the first of five public hearings scheduled across Florida by the 37-member commission — an appointed…
Watch SpaceX launch its Falcon Heavy rocket live right here
After 7 years in development, SpaceX is about to launch its Falcon Heavy rocket, a ship that could someday carry missions to Jupiter or Saturn. If successful, the rocket would be the most powerful in operation in the world. Also, riding along for today’s test flight is SpaceX founder Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster to prove that…
Longwood’s Enzo’s On The Lake ranked among Open Table’s 100 most romantic restaurants in America
If you’re still looking for a Valentine’s Day dinner reservation, take note. Open Table, a popular online restaurant reservation service, recently released their list of “100 most romantic in restaurants in America for 2018,” and a few Central Florida spots made the cut. Longwood was well represented, with both Italian eatery Enzo’s on the Lake…
New poll suggests Florida governor’s race will be close leading up to primaries
Whether Democrat or Republican, the 2018 race for the Florida governor’s mansion has the potential to be a tight one, a new Mason-Dixon poll finds. Released Tuesday, the poll shows establishment candidates from each respective party as the early favorites leading up to the primaries, but not by a large margin as insurgent contenders continue…
Florida senators will try to ban fracking, again
A measure that would ban the controversial oil- and natural-gas drilling process known as “fracking” is again on the move in the Senate. However, the proposal remains sidelined in the House as the 60-day legislative session nears its midpoint. The Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee voted unanimously Monday to approve the measure (SB 462).…
Drake filmed his music video for ‘God’s Plan’ at a Florida high school yesterday
Rapper and former Degrassi alum Drake popped into a Florida high school yesterday to film the official music video for his latest single, “God’s Plan.” Much to the surprise of the students at Miami Senior High School, the “Champagne Papi” rapped in various spots around the school, and even presented “The High” with a $25,000 check.…
Florida lawmakers shame state agency over medical marijuana rules
A joint legislative oversight committee delivered a public shaming to Florida pot czar Christian Bax on Monday, repeatedly chiding the state health official and others as they sat silently while the panel shredded regulations intended to carry out a constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana. In four separate unanimous votes, the Joint Administrative Procedures…
Here in Florida, you can pretty much always assume a gator is in your pool
It’s no secret that Florida is full of alligators. Yet it’s alway unsettling when you discover an 8-foot maneater in your family pool. This was the case for one Boca Raton resident who woke up Monday morning to find an 8-foot-long gator taking a dip in the backyard pool. Boca Raton Police arrived on the…
Get a free slice on Friday for National Pizza Day at Pizza Ponte
Let’s be honest: Whether it’s great pizza or not-so-great pizza, free pizza is always a winning proposition. Luckily, the slices at newly opened Pizza Ponte at Disney Springs are very, very good. On Friday, Feb. 9, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Pizza Ponte is celebrating National Pizza Day with free slices of either their piled-high…
Charlie Kirk, who ‘owns the libs’ with diaper protests, will speak at University of Central Florida
Charlie Kirk, a millennial conservative who once created a database of liberal college professors he didn’t like, will be a guest speaker at the University of Central Florida this spring. Kirk will bring his “Hard Truths” speaking tour to UCF’s Psychology Building on April 10 at 6:30 p.m. The 24-year-old is the founder of Turning Point…
Larry the Cable Guy, Huey Lewis, and more performing at SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival
SeaWorld’s Seven Seas Food Festival returns every Saturday and Sunday, starting Feb. 17 and running through April 15, offering a variety of live entertainment from stand-up comedy to rock music. The event boasts a culinary experience with menus from around the world, such as the Mediterranean, Germany and the Pacific Coast. Each night also offers…
Traveling One Show returns to Orlando tonight showcasing award-winning ads
If you’re one of those people who only watched the Super Bowl for the commercials, the Traveling One Show Orlando is for you. The One Show displays awards given by the One Club for Creativity, an organization that encourages and recognizes outstanding advertising work, and the Traveling One Show is a chance for designers around…
Unicorp will build a new billion-dollar, Bellagio-style development near Disney World
Coming off their success of I-Drive 360, Unicorp just unveiled details of their latest project, O-Town West. The new $1 billion, 82-acre development will be one of the largest in the tourist district in decades. Located at the corner of Palm Parkway (which turns into Turkey Lake Road just north at the next major intersection) and…
Disney’s Polynesian Resort is now offering a boozy morning drink menu
Mornings can be brutal when you’re surrounded by tour groups and screaming kids as you wait to get into a Disney theme park, but Disney has you covered with a brand-new morning drinking spot. The Tambu Lounge on the second floor of the Polynesian Resort’s Ceremonial House recently unveiled a new morning drink menu. The…
Jeff Sessions will discuss opioid epidemic in Tampa this Wednesday
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will deliver remarks Wednesday afternoon in Tampa on drug trafficking and the nation’s opioid epidemic, according to the Justice Department. The news conference is scheduled to take place at the U.S. attorney’s office in downtown Tampa. Sessions’ trip comes in stride with attempts by Florida lawmakers to combat the rising…
Lyft is offering half-priced rides from Orlando to watch the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch
Lyft is offering half-off rides to see Elon Musk’s sports car travel to space. Tomorrow, Feb. 6, riders can receive 50 percent off their fare to or from Orlando to Cape Canaveral to view the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch. Just use the discount code “LYFTOFFX.” As of now the launch is scheduled to occur on Tuesday,…
Forbes names Orlando as one of the best cities to buy a home
If you plan on buying a home in Orlando, now is apparently the time. Forbes recently announced that Orlando is currently the best city in the nation to buy a home, due to prices increasing by 9 percent in 2017. Citing Local Market Monitor, a website that tracks housing markets, Forbes says home prices in Orlando…
35 Florida manatees died due to cold weather last month
It has been a rough winter for manatees in Florida. Last January, 35 manatees died due to the cold snap. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the deaths occurred between Jan. 1 and Jan. 26. For some perspective, last year there were only seven manatee deaths related to cold weather. When manatees are…
Backbooth in downtown Orlando is now known as Soundbar
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND New venue peek: Soundbar, Feb. 3 The latest entrant into the hot music venue derby that is dominating the scene conversation this year is Soundbar, which had its official public opening this past weekend. The new downtown music spot is the phoenix that’s risen from the ashes of longtime fixture Backbooth. Although…
Watch Nick Foles’ Super Bowl parade happening today at Disney World
While the party rages on in Philadelphia, Nick Foles will be bringing some of his magic to the Magic Kingdom. The Eagles’ quarterback is set to be the star of a Super Bowl Celebration parade down Main Street, U.S.A. today, at about 2:40 p.m. YOU CAN WATCH THE PARADE HERE: Foles wasted no time letting…
Chicago and REO Speedwagon to play Florida this summer
Classic rockers Chicago and REO Speedwagon have announced a mammoth co-headlining 30-date North American tour this summer and though Orlandoans won’t get to fight this feeling, a short drive to Tampa will put you face to face with these two bands. Chicago and REO Speedwagon play the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 21,…
Orlando Police Department reminds the public not to share child porn on Facebook
Orlando Police Department is reminding the public not to share child porn. Posting to the department’s Facebook page on Sunday morning, OPD reminded the public they shouldn’t be sharing a video that has recently gone viral showing a small child being sexually exploited. “We understand that people are sharing this because they mean well and…
Florida man arrested after threatening to kidnap Lana Del Rey at Orlando concert
Orlando Police arrested a Riverview man who allegedly threatened to kidnap pop singer Lana Del Rey during her Friday concert at the Amway Center. Michael Shawn Hunt, 43, was charged with aggravated stalking with a credible threat and attempted kidnapping with a weapon, according to a police report. Detectives say they received a tip from…
That giant theater coming to Magic Kingdom might not be happening after all
With the TRON coaster quickly moving forward at the Magic Kingdom, the other big project in the park, Main Street Theater, has remained silent. The permits for the TRON attraction also included the nearby theater, however there has been no indication that the project is also moving forward. Then late last week, WDWMagic.com reported that the project…
It looks like Disney’s new Star Wars land might sell Furby-like porg dolls
As we quickly move toward next year’s opening of the new Star Wars lands – known as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, at Disneyland and Hollywood Studios – details on what we can expect to find in the ambitious new land has slowly been trickling out. Much of the focus has been on the two large…
CRC panel rejects plan to narrow privacy rights in Florida constitution
A state panel Thursday defeated a proposal that sought to narrow the right to privacy in the state Constitution and allow increased regulation of abortions. In a 4-2 vote, the Judicial Committee of the state Constitution Revision Commission rejected a measure (Proposal 22) from Commissioner John Stemberger of Orlando that would have changed the Constitution…
Band of the Week: Witchbender
Welcome to Orlando Weekly’s “Band of the Week.” Every week, we highlight one of our favorite local bands. This week, we’re pleased to bring you Witchbender. Witchbender is playing Punk on the Patio at 64 North with Arms and Engraved on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Just the facts: When did the band form?Witchbender’s first show was…
Rick Scott directs efforts to ease disaster evacuations in Florida
From “dynamic” message signs along Interstate 75 to completing certain turnpike projects on time, Gov. Rick Scott called Friday for a series of improvements to help with disaster evacuations. The directives, based in part on suggestions from the state Department of Transportation, came as lawmakers continue to review proposals aimed at addressing fallout from the…
Darsombra return to melt faces and expand minds at Stardust Video & Coffee
For underground and weirdo music enthusiasts, early February in Florida is the mooooost wonderful time of the yeaaaaar, as practitioners par excellence of said sonic weirdness migrate south for the annual and epochal International Noise Conference in Miami. And few are as weird (and epochal) as Baltimorean psych-freak ensemble Darsombra. Brian Daniloski and Ann Everton…
Olive Garden is based in Orlando so I guess this ‘Italian nacho’ atrocity is our fault
Olive Garden has begun serving something called Loaded Pasta Chips and just, nope. It’s your basic war crime: fried ravioli-pasta “chips” topped with a chicken-meatball-and-sausage ragú, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, cherry peppers and an Alfredo sauce drizzle. Them new nachos from Olive Garden pic.twitter.com/SrbjD9rElF — Elie Ayrouth (@bookofelie) January 30, 2018 As mentioned, Darden Restaurants, parent company…
Orlando’s MegaCon, uh, finds a way – to book Jeff Goldblum
MegaCon, Orlando’s biggest annual pop-culture convention, announced yesterday that they’ve managed something of a coup in booking Hollywood heartthrob Jeff Goldblum to appear at this year’s convention. Goldblum, known for his work in science fiction classics like The Fly, Independence Day and Earth Girls Are Easy – along with his legendary performance as Dr. Ian…
The growing command of Boytoy, the good returns of Timothy Eerie and Yogurt Smoothness, and the new looks of Will’s Pub
THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Boytoy, Timothy Eerie and Yogurt Smoothness, Will’s Pub, Jan. 31 On their latest Orlando stop, Boytoy – the Brooklyn band that’s now multi-state like many bands are becoming in this modern era – showed that they’re sharpening their aesthetic like a knife. Their sound has always been a distilled thing. A little…
Gay-rights group says Amazon’s HQ2 should avoid Florida because of lack of LGBTQ protections
Citing Florida’s complete lack of statewide laws protecting a person from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, an advocate group is releasing a series of ads suggesting Amazon’s HQ2 should locate in a more gay-friendly state. A digital ad campaign from a gay-rights group called No Gay? No Way! launched Thursday, highlighting…
Former UCF kicker, YouTube star is suing school over 2017 ineligibility
It really is this simple, but then again it’s not: Donald De La Haye, a former kicker with UCF’s football team, says he lost his scholarship because he’s a popular YouTube personality. That’s why the former student-athlete — a backup kicker during the 2016 season — has decided to press charges against University of Central…
Lisa Lampanelli launches verbal grenades Saturday at Hard Rock Orlando
Lisa Lampanelli, self-proclaimed Queen of Mean, marches onto the Hard Rock Live stage Saturday night and will no doubt own the crap out of it. Don’t sit in front if you’re sensitive. Lampanelli is a classic insult comic with the added difficulty of also being female (shades of Ginger Rogers doing everything Astaire did but…
A Lucky’s Market will open near Fashion Square Mall this fall
Lucky’s Market, the Colorado-based grocer where customers can sip on a “walk-around beer,” will open a new location near the Fashion Square Mall. As first reported by Kyle Arnold of the Orlando Sentinel, the new location will move into the former Sports Authority building at 3230 E. Colonial Drive, across from Orlando Fashion Square. No…
This Florida nurse really wants you to wash your ‘stinking hands’
A Florida nurse went on a blistering post-shift rant about this year’s devastating flu season, and she really wants you to wash your “stinking hands.” In a video posted to her Facebook account after a 12-hour shift, Katherine Lockler of Milton, Florida, vented about how people have virtually no clue on how to prevent the…
‘The Florida Project’ is donating proceeds from digital sales to a local charity helping homeless families
Distributors of The Florida Project will donate 5 percent of their digital sales this week to a Kissimmee charity helping homeless families like the one portrayed in the film. From Jan. 30 until Feb. 5, viewers who buy The Florida Project on iTunes, Amazon and Google will help distributor A24 send proceeds to Community Hope Center, an…
Adam Putnam is apparently fine with people buying guns in Florida without passing a background check
Adam Putnam, a “proud NRA sellout” and a Republican candidate for governor, is attempting to drum up votes for the upcoming election by rewriting Florida’s concealed weapons law, a move that would allow literally anyone to get a permit without a complete background check. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the bill’s sponsor, Republican Senator Kelli Stargel…
Bill to allow guns in churches teed up in Florida House, Senate
Measures that would help clear the way for people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns at churches and other religious institutions are ready to go to the House and Senate floors. The Republican-controlled Senate Rules Committee voted 7-5 on Thursday for the Senate version of the measure (SB 1048). Earlier in the day, the House…
Florida’s process for restoring felons’ voting rights is unconstitutional, judge rules
Describing an arbitrary system that gives “unfettered discretion” to the governor and state Cabinet members, a federal judge Thursday ruled that Florida’s process for restoring the voting rights of ex-felons is unconstitutional. “Florida strips the right to vote from every man and woman who commits a felony,” U.S. District Judge Mark Walker wrote in a…
Central Florida Ale Trail brewers get together for a beer festival in Sanford this weekend
The breweries who banded together to make the Central Florida Ale Trail (we’ll finish one day, we promise) band together for a beer festival in the parking lot of the Sanford Harley dealership. Enjoy brews from local beermasters like Ocean Sun, Deadly Sins, Crooked Can, Cask & Larder and more. Remember that designated driver tickets…
Uncomfortable Brunch screens John Waters’ standout trash feature ‘Female Trouble’
Though Pink Flamingos gets the lion’s share of notoriety and shock-valuin’ love, Female Trouble (1974) is the most fiercely glittering jewel in the early John Waters canon. This is the film that is the apex of early Waters obsessions and themes and techniques. How do I love thee, Female Trouble? Let me count the ways.…
AIDS Walk Orlando encourages you to dress like a celebrity for a good cause
Help be the change you want to see while burning a few calories in the process. The only thing necessary for this event is comfortable shoes and a smile. The AIDS Walk Orlando is an annual event that helps to promote HIV education and free testing opportunities in an engaging atmosphere. This year’s theme is…
Almost no one likes Florida Rep. Scott Plakon’s bill proposing union restrictions, including some Repubs
The Florida House is expected to vote Thursday on a proposal that would decertify a public union if its voluntary dues-paying membership falls below 50 percent. Republican Rep. Scott Plakon of Longwood has been trying for several years to pass a measure similar to House Bill 25 that opponents say would only lead to the…
Fleet Foxes are coming to Orlando this spring
Indie-folk darlings Fleet Foxes have announced a North American tour this Spring, dotted with some high profile festival gigs like Coachella, and Orlando will be hosting one of their headlining shows. The Tampa show on this tour is already sold out, so act now. The band just premiered a new video on the Consequence of…
Politifact fires former Florida congressman Alan Grayson hours after hiring him
Early today, fact-checking site Politifact announced that it had hired former Florida Reps. David Jolly (a Republican) and Alan Grayson (a Democrat) as “reader advocates,” ostensibly to fight accusations of liberal bias. (Turns out liars don’t like it when you point out they’re lying.) Politifact’s Aaron Sharockman said both men would be “free to critique…
Trash 2 Trends turns one person’s garbage into another’s high fashion
No, it’s not the Derelicte collection brought to you by Mugatu from Zoolander. Trash 2 Trends may have models wearing literal garbage down the runway, but it isn’t what you think. The annual fundraiser brings the art and sustainability worlds together by inviting artists to create fashion pieces to be worn down the runway, made…
Sticky Rice invites us all to eat with our hands at their grand opening Feb. 5-6
Sticky Rice Lao Street Food has been getting rave reviews in the weeks since its doors first opened (including in our cover story this week), but they’re making it official next week. Related Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 5-6, “be ready to be transported to the streets of Laos” as they celebrate their official grand opening.…
Lynx is now offering free bus rides for Seminole State students and employees
As of today, Feb. 1, students and employees at Seminole State College will be able to ride any Lynx bus free of charge. The announcement went out earlier today via a press release, that enrolled students and employees would have access to unlimited free rides. The service is available by downloading the LYNX PawPass, downloading…
New York Times says tacos have ‘hijacked’ Orlando’s culinary scene
Within 10 days, three taco restaurants announced openings in and around downtown Orlando. These included expansions of Tin & Taco and Gringos Locos (literally 500 meters from each other, no less), plus a new Bento Group concept called Chela Tequila & Tacos. Ten days. If that’s not #peaktaco, I don’t know what is. In our…
A Seminole County group is petitioning to return prayer to Longwood city meetings
Following a vote that cut the opening prayer at Longwood city commission meetings earlier this month, a grassroots group in Seminole County has begun to gather petitions requesting that the decision be reversed. Seminole First, a political committee formed by GOP State Committeeman Jesse Phillips, is behind the push to reinstate prayer in the meetings.…
Florida House lawmakers want to allow some child marriages for pregnant teens
After the Senate unanimously approved a ban on issuing marriage licenses to minors, a House committee Thursday backed a change that would allow some teens to marry in cases of pregnancies. The move by the House Judiciary Committee came a day after the Senate —- pointing to a woman who says she was forced to…
Sea Dog Brewing celebrates the big pigskin game with an actual roast pig
Skip making a ton of food for your Super Bowl party and just have a pro do it. Sea Dog Brewing is offering an all-you-can-eat pig roast to go along with the big pigskin toss. And if that’s not enough, all of your beers, wine and wells are included also. Go whoever’s not the Patriots!…
Newest incarnation of the Copper Rocket launches this weekend
Well, that didn’t take long. The Copper Rocket, Maitland’s unkillable bar, rises from the dead yet again this week. But while the bar has gone through owners of varying levels of competence over the past several years, this current remodel actually looks inviting. The redesign includes more taps, an upgraded kitchen and more than 30…
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz says he didn’t know his State of the Union guest was an accused white nationalist
Florida congressman Matt Gaetz’s special guest for President Trump’s State of the Union address was Chuck Johnson, a banned Twitter troll, accused Holocaust denier and vocal affiliate of the “alt-right” white nationalist movement. According to Politico, Gaetz was unaware of Johnson’s background when he extended the invitation. “I had no idea who he was,” said…
Lana Del Rey sways onto the stage at Amway Center this week
Forlorn pop goddess Lana Del Rey has descended from her throne atop the “H” of the Hollywood sign to embark on a nationwide showcase of her latest album, Lust for Life. The “L.A. to the Moon” tour celebrates her fifth and most ambitious record to date, and it marks her first return to Orlando since…
House lawmakers target Florida’s medical marijuana office
The House on Wednesday froze $2.1 million in salary and expenses at the Department of Health for failing to respond to concerns raised by a joint legislative committee over a trio of emergency rules relating to medical marijuana. There was no debate when Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, tagged the amendment onto the House’s proposed health…
Andrew W.K. will bring the party to Florida this spring
Get ready to party till you puke. The artist known for his never-ending nose bleeds and songs involving the word “party” will be performing at the Welcome To Rockville festival in Jacksonville on April 28, at The Orpheum in Tampa on April 29, and the Vinyl Music Hall in Pensacola on May 1. Sorry, Orlando.…
Selena is finally getting her own wax figurine at Madame Tussauds Orlando
Madame Tussauds Orlando has finally come to their senses and blessed us with a wax figure of the late Tejano superstar Selena Quintanilla. However, there is a catch. The Selena figurine, which is modeled after her 1993 concert performance in Corpus Christi, Texas, will only be in Orlando from Feb. 13 to April 8. The company…
Florida Senate backs effort to replace Confederate statue with Mary McLeod Bethune
A statue of civil-rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune is halfway to its supporters’ goal of replacing the likeness of a Confederate general as a representative of Florida in the U.S. Capitol. The Florida Senate voted 37-0 on Wednesday to pass a measure (SB 472) to have Bethune’s statue replace Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith at…
Gasparilla Music Festival just announced Father John Misty, the Roots, Spoon and more for 2018
The lineup for the 2018 Gasparilla Music Festival in nearby Tampa has just been released. And the March fest looks to be a must-see for music fans. This year’s headliners are the Roots and Father John Misty, and they will be joined by an eclectic crew including: Spoon, Warpaint, Hard Working Americans, Break Science Live…
25 free concerts happening in Orlando this week
Wednesday, Jan. 31 Eugene Snowden’s Ten Pints of Truth 10 pm at Lil Indies, 1036 N. Mills Ave. Central Florida Folk Music Song Circle 6:30 pm at Bikes Beans & Bordeaux, 3022 Corrine Drive. Thursday, Feb. 1 Leisure Chief 10:30 pm at Tanqueray’s, 100 S. Orange Ave. Raleigh Estes and Friends 8 pm at Muldoon’s…
Where to take bae for dinner in Orlando this Valentine’s Day
If you haven’t yet thought about where you’ll be eating on February 14, it’s probably a good time to start. Restaurant reservations are going to fill up fast, and we’re betting some of the more buzzy spots already have full rosters for the evening. Most restaurants come up with a special menu for the evening…
Florida lawmakers are tired of fake interpreters showing up to hurricane briefings
A House panel approved a bill today that would require state officials to hire a qualified sign language interpreter at televised hurricane briefings, the Associated Press reports. The move for more adequate candidates comes after a sign language interpreter signed a big mess of drivel during a televised briefing in Manatee County leading up to…
UCF’s Shaquem Griffin invited to NFL Scouting Combine
Orlando’s favorite son is getting an invitation to the NFL combine after all. University of Central Florida’s star linebacker Shaquem Griffin was able to impress NFL scouts at the Reese’s Senior Bowl last weekend and has now parlayed that showing into a invitation to the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine. Griffin, who only has one hand, broke…
City officials investigating complaint against Orlando fire chief
City of Orlando officials are investigating a complaint filed against Orlando Fire Chief Roderick Williams. The confirmation from city officials about the complaint comes after WFTV 9 reported an assistant fire chief had filed a sexual harassment claim against Williams in December. The same woman also filed a complaint in May alleging she was “discriminated…
A bill banning orca breeding and shows in Florida was just killed with the help of SeaWorld lobbyists
After heavy lobbying from SeaWorld, a bill that would’ve outright banned orca breeding and using the animals for entertainment purposes has officially died in the Florida legislature. The Florida Orca Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Coral Springs, was pending in the House of Representative’s Natural Resources & Public Lands Subcommittee but was not…
Florida lawmakers want to ban university ‘free speech’ zones
Free-speech zones would be banned, and state universities and colleges could be sued for disrupting campus speakers or peaceful protesters under a bill approved Tuesday by a House committee. In an 11-4 vote, the House Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee approved a measure (HB 909) that prohibits faculty, students and staff from “materially” disrupting campus…
Bill targeting ‘sanctuary cities’ stalls in Florida Senate
A controversial measure that would ban “sanctuary cities” in Florida stalled Tuesday in the Senate but is already playing a role in the 2018 gubernatorial campaign. Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, tabled his proposed sanctuary-city ban (SB 308) as it was scheduled to be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee. He faced bipartisan opposition to…
Gimme Shelter: Meet Midnight!
Are you looking for a new furry friend? Meet Midnight! Midnight (A393137) is about 3 years old and is looking for her forever home. She has spent the past month in foster care growing strong for adoption. When Midnight first arrived at the shelter she was very thin and had a skin condition. She also…
Daytona’s FannyPack emerge bright in Orlando debut; Chicago’s Zigtebra throw sparkle in the Milk District
FANNYPACK, SPORTS REFERENCE AND TOURIST SEASON, THE FALCON, JAN. 27 It was a night of decent but literal acts. Although occasionally brawnier with the rock, Gainesville’s Sports Reference were by-the-numbers classic emo. And solo local act Tourist Season – perhaps the most apropos name for an Orlando act ever – was straightforward folk-punk. But the…
Opening this week: ‘Winchester’ and more
THIS WEEK: This week’s column is the first one I’ve submitted since the 2018 Academy Award nominations were announced. So now we all get to enjoy together the resolution of one of the thorniest controversies of the past year. GOLDEN GLOBES: Get Out is a comedy. JORDAN PEELE: Get Out is a documentary. OSCARS: Get Out…
The Garden Theatre production of ‘The Lieutenant of Inishmore’ combines carnage and kitties
On Jan. 31, 2008, Orlando Weekly published the very first edition of Live Active Cultures, and no one is more surprised than I that you’re still reading 10 years later. To celebrate the start of my second decade, I’m finally combining two of my all-time favorite topics into a single column: cats and carnage. The…
Savage Love: ‘Lesborama’
I am a 38-year-old lesbian, very femme, very out. I have a co-worker I can’t figure out. We’ve worked together for a year and gotten very close. I never want to put out the wrong signals to co-workers, and I err on the side of keeping a safe but friendly distance. This is different. We…
Legal Public Notices 1/31/18 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION EXTRASPACE STORAGE – STORE 1335 1101 MARSHALL FARMS RD, OCOEE FL 34761 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1101 Marshall Farms Rd, Ocoee FL 34761, 02/16/2018 @ 9:30am Nick Baussan, Unit G433…
ICYMI: A $13 million grant to help displaced Puerto Ricans in Florida find jobs, and other news you may have missed
A $13 million grant to help displaced Puerto Ricans in Florida find jobs, highlights from Orlando’s failed bid for Amazon’s HQ2 and other news you may have missed A $13 million grant to help displaced Puerto Ricans in Florida find jobs: Announced Thursday by Rep. Val Demings, D-Orlando, the U.S. Secretary of Labor has awarded…
Nomadic garage rockers Boytoy have a new Florida outpost
The grrl(s) can’t help it
The best concerts coming to Orlando this week
Joy Lane We saw Joy Lane last week at Lou’s and it was an uneasy mélange of Suicide, the Wu-Tang Clan and a total drunk mess. Back for more. 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, at Uncle Lou’s, $5 Tiger Fawn <Dani Lacerda's first Central Florida show this year as Tiger Fawn sees her traveling to…
Legal Public Notices 1/24/18 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION EXTRASPACE STORAGE – STORE 1335 1101 MARSHALL FARMS RD, OCOEE FL 34761 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1101 Marshall Farms Rd, Ocoee FL 34761, 02/16/2018 @ 9:30am Nick Baussan, Unit G433…
Legal Public Notices 1/17 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION EXTRASPACE STORAGE – STORE 1335 1101 MARSHALL FARMS RD, OCOEE FL 34761 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1101 Marshall Farms Rd, Ocoee FL 34761, 02/16/2018 @ 9:30am Nick Baussan, Unit G433…
