DeSantis supports lifting travel restrictions so U.K., Brazilian tourists can return to Central Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis supports lifting federal COVID-19 restrictions on travelers from the United Kingdom and Brazil to help Florida’s struggling tourism industry. With advances in rapid testing and airline cleaning protocols, DeSantis said relaxing rules about travelers would help Central Florida, particularly entertainment venues that have also stepped up efforts to fight the spread of…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Wednesday, Oct. 28, 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. Isn’t it so 2020 that we have some of the best weather we’ve ever had on a Halloween yet Covid is keeping many of us at home? Fortunately,…
Winter Park’s New Standard offers free happy hour drink with ‘I Voted’ sticker on Election Day
While Downtown Credo is offering Orlando voters a free coffee on Election Day, on the other side of the beverage spectrum, Winter Park’s New Standard is offering something that may very well be even more useful on Nov. 3: a free drink. The New Standard is offering a free beverage during happy hour on Election…
Legal Public Notices 10/28 issue
Orlando Legals Legal Public Notices AUCTION Extra Space Storage – Store 8138 1001 Lee Rd. Orlando FL. 32810 Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1001 Lee Rd., Orlando, FL. 32810 (407) 489-3742, November 19th, 2020 @ 4:00…
Celebrate Halloween with a sighting of a rare ‘Blue Moon’ for the first time in almost 80 years
On this fateful Halloween night (Saturday, Oct. 31), the stars will align to present us with a fittingly spooky full moon – and a “blue moon” at that. As of Tuesday, Orlando’s weather should yield clear skies, ideal conditions for admiring (or howling at, dancing beneath, etc.) the unique lunar phase. But don’t expect a blue hue…
Proud Boys sightings are now a regular occurrence at Republican rallies in Florida
During a Friday Trump campaign rally at Florida’s largest retirement community, the Villages, a man wearing a Proud Boys hat was spotted repeatedly flashing the “White Power” hand gesture directly behind the president’s podium. At one point the president said, “We have made America proud again.” The man then responded by throwing up the gesture,…
This Halloween night, open alcohol will be permitted on some downtown Orlando streets
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is justifiably spooked about the large crowds that will flock to downtown Orlando nightspots this Halloween, and the possibility that this will lead to the spread of COVID-19 locally. In an attempt to socially distance the throngs of costume-clad revelers (good luck), open-container restrictions will be allowed on closed streets in…
Get $5 burgers all over Orlando during Burger Week, Nov. 4 through Nov. 18
Orlando Burger Week has been given new life this year by the unprecedented support of generous sponsors. The promotion, which drives traffic and sales into restaurants, was originally scheduled for April of this year, but had been canceled due to the pandemic. It now runs Nov. 4-18, 2020. Similar to Bite30 and Orlando Taco Week,…
Brightline looks to have Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail route complete by 2025
Private higher-speed rail company Brightline recently laid out a new timeline for its route from Tampa to Orlando. Michael Cegelis, Brightline’s executive vice president of rail infrastructure, said in a meeting that the Disney station would be taking priority, meaning work on the route’s construction is now set to begin in 2022, reports Tampa Bay…
Gainesville’s annual punk throwdown Fest goes virtual on Halloween as ‘The Fest That Never Was’
Grab your PBR and your best 2020-model tragically resilient attitude because Fest, Florida’s annual punk pilgrimage, is going virtual. The Fest That Never Was, featuring dozens of bands from across the globe, will be livestreamed on Facebook and Twitch this Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31. And Orlando’s Caffiends, Cool Grandma and Tierney Tough are all set…
Mad Cow Theatre presents spooky virtual show Cow-O-Ween on Friday
Orlando’s Mad Cow Theatre is getting in on the Halloween spirit later this week with Cow-O-Ween, a virtual event with plenty of seasonal surprises for viewers. The free online broadcast on Devil’s Night promises live music from the Glitter Conspiracy, a costume contest, accompanying merch ranging from a “creepy cocktail kit” to a “spooky singing…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Tuesday, Oct. 27, 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. With families scrambling to rewrite holiday traditions in our new Covid world, Gov. DeSantis has relaxed statewide rules regarding nursing homes. – LINK ABC Fine Wine & Spirits…
Florida state Rep. Sabatini misses filing deadline in COVID case challenging Leon County’s mask requirement
An attorney for Leon County Republican Chairman Evan Power faces a new deadline to file a brief in a challenge to a county ordinance requiring people to wear face masks — or the case could be dismissed. The 1st District Court of Appeal on Friday gave Power’s attorney, state Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills, 20 days…
International punk showcase Foreign Dissent unveils first batch of headliners for 2021 in Orlando
It’s bittersweet to note that today would have been the seventh annual Foreign Dissent concert – a showcase of young punks from around the world on their way to play the massive Gainesville event FEST – but for obvious reasons, neither of those shindigs are happening this year. So local promoter Craig Mazer of Punching Babies is making…
Get a free cup of coffee from Downtown Credo after you do your civic duty on Election Day
After you cast your ballot on Election Day (Nov. 3), you can ease that sinking feeling and soothe your jangled nerves – or get even more amped up? – with a free cup of coffee courtesy of Downtown Credo and law firm Farah & Farah. Simply flash your “I Voted” sticker or proof that you voted by mail…
ABC Fine Wine and Spirits now offering same-day delivery in the Orlando area
Just in time for Halloween (and the election), ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and FedEx are teaming up to get Floridians just a little bit more tipsy with a new same-day delivery service. ABC and FedEx launched this new venture on Monday, available now in major Florida markets including Orlando, Daytona, and the Tampa Bay area.…
Central Florida 7-Eleven stores to offer BOoGo pizza pie deals for Halloween
Orlando-area 7-Eleven stores are going in on the “treat” side of the time-honored trick vs. treat equation with BOGO pizza just in time for Halloween. On Oct. 30 and 31, participating 7-Eleven locations will offer up a two-for-one pizza pie deal to both celebrate Halloween – fun fact: one of their busiest pizza-slinging days – and cap off National…
Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts to begin hosting in-person shows in November
Joining venues like Will’s Pub and the Timucua Arts Foundation House in taking tentative steps back toward regular concert programming, the Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts will begin holding in-person events towards the end of November. Kicking off a list of shows going through December will be a Blue Bamboo regular: jazz guitarist – and…
DeSantis expands visitation at nursing homes, assisted living facilities in time for Thanksgiving
Gov. Ron DeSantis, like his political ally Trump, has emphasized a need to reopen the state and return a sense of normalcy during the pandemic. As part of that, DeSantis this week announced plans to expand visitation at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. For example, the state will allow outdoor visitation, regardless of whether…
Ravenous Pig and Bungalower unveil new beer collab at a movie screening this week
Bungalower and Ravenous Pig are teaming up this week for a Star Trek-themed dinner-and-a-movie affair at the Pig’s new beer garden. Be warned for the faint of heart: You’ll most likely be assailed left and right by hammy screams of “Khannnnnnnnn!” in homage to the great thespian Shatner. On Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.,…
Florida court refuses NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer’s ’emotional distress’ lawsuit
A full federal appeals court has rejected a request by prominent National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer to take up a case about graphic emails she received after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Hammer asked last month for the full 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to hear…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Monday, Oct. 26, 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. Late last week, an area high school was forced to quickly shutter after an outbreak of Covid-19. This is why we all still need to be on guard.…
Op-ed: An open letter to Epcot about its outdated vision of the ‘future’
Dear Epcot, My friends and I just spent a pretty penny attending your theme park yesterday and I have to tell you how appalled I was by the fake news you’re spreading about science, “progress” and the future. Indeed, future is your key word: You invoke it at every turn, embellished by superficial invocations of…
Florida appeals court throws out $16 million in punitive damages awarded in smoker’s death
In a case involving a woman who died at age 52 of smoking-caused lung cancer, a state appeals court Friday tossed out a $16 million punitive-damages award against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. An Orange County jury ruled in favor of the estate of Lois Stucky in a wrongful-death lawsuit and awarded $300,000 in compensatory damages…
Amy Coney Barrett and beyond: The green case for Supreme Court reform
The death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and President Trump’s nomination of Amy Coney Barrett as her successor have raised anxieties about a reconfigured court’s impact on our environmental laws. Barrett’s refusal to answer questions on climate change during her confirmation hearings has only increased worries about the future of climate legislation and…
Orlando Weekly Voting Guide 2020: Vote yes on these Orange County Charter Amendments
You can read the full text of the proposed county charter amendments on your sample ballot or at this Orange County link. It turns out all three are worthwhile additions to our county’s local governing charter. Related Proposed County Charter Amendment Question No.1: Prohibiting Pollution of the Wekiva River, Econlockhatchee River and all other waters…
Orlando Weekly Voting Guide 2020: Our yes and no recommendations on the Florida Constitutional Amendment questions
Every year these word salads pop up on the ballot and if you haven’t prepared, it can be near impossible to parse out their actual meaning there in the booth. The titles can seem to be the opposite of the actual effect; not to mention, dueling interests spend millions for ads and mailers during campaign…
Florida Dems hope for a boost from Puerto Rican voters – but they shouldn’t assume all Boricuas will vote blue
As President Donald Trump continues to draw strong support from Hispanics in South Florida, Democrat Joe Biden and his supporters are targeting Puerto Ricans along the Interstate 4 corridor in the effort to flip the state blue. “The Tampa to Orlando corridor, it’s key,” Latino Victory Fund Chairman Luis Miranda Jr. told reporters during a…
Florida’s pandemic response is beginning to unmask the deplorable lack of state health funding
As Florida battles the coronavirus pandemic, the effort has exposed an inconvenient truth that the state’s public health infrastructure has been whittled down by the Republican-led Legislature, especially in the aftermath of the Great Recession. Despite what is expected to be a tough budget year, the Florida Department of Health is asking for money to…
Orlando Weekly Voting Guide 2020: Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor races
There are four “groups” up for election to join these unpaid county Soil and Water Conservation board seats: Groups 1, 2, 3 and 5. Everyone in Orange County can vote in all of the Soil and Water groups. The Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors have some limited abilities to fine polluters, but the seats…
Florida now has the fourth most COVID deaths in the United States
Florida has moved past New Jersey to have the fourth-highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the country, according to totals posted Thursday on a Johns Hopkins University website that tracks national and international data. The website showed Florida with 16,267 COVID-19 deaths, four more than New Jersey. The Florida total does not include 203 non-residents…
Timber Creek High School closes campus after coronavirus spike linked to Sweet 16 party
Timber Creek High School in Avalon Park abruptly ceased in-person instruction on Wednesday afternoon. The school switched over to the virtual learning platform LaunchEd@Home on Thursday, after a coronavirus spike on campus in which there were 14 positive tests for COVID-19. Additionally, the Florida Department of Health is sending out 200-plus quarantine letters to those…
Orlando punks Caffiends premiere music video for hyperspeed anti-Trump anthem ‘Rise of Thrashism’
Exquisitely named Orlando punks Caffiends this week premiered a timely new music video for political anthem “Rise of Thrashism.” And it’s a really satisfying callback to bands like Dead Kennedys and Government Issue, with no punches pulled. “Rise of Thrashism” crams a hell of a lot into its one minute (!) of running time: hyperspeed hardcore…
Is Brit dance DJ Paul Oakenfold really playing a show in Orlando next month? Looks like it
British dance music titan Paul Oakenfold is coming to Orlando to play an outdoor show next month. Not in 2021, but 2020. Yes, in case you’re wondering, it did feel surreal to type that sentence. It’s not some canceled event from pre-COVID times that the promoter forgot to take down. On Saturday, Nov. 14, at…
Orlando Weekly Voting Guide 2020: Meet the incumbent state senators and their challengers in Orange County’s Districts 11, 13 and 15
Orange County has three Florida Senators, representing Districts 11, 13, and 15, all of them Democrats. State senators serve four-year terms, and are term-limited to eight years — the better to ensure lobbyists and political parties can replace them, rather than letting the citizens keep senators they like. Oh, Florida! Related Florida Senate District 11…
Petition circulates online to allow Milk District businesses to use Festival Park’s parking
A Change.org petition started circulating on the various social medias Thursday night, imploring Orlando’s powers-that-be to allow those wanting to take in the sights and sounds of the Milk District the ability to use nearby Festival Park’s parking area, instead of continually clogging the residential roads behind Robinson. As of Friday morning, “Petition to City…
Orlando Weekly Voting Guide 2020: Orange-Osceola State Attorney, 9th Judicial Circuit
This race was essentially decided in the Aug. 18 primary, when Monique Worrell defeated fellow Democrats Deborah Barra, Ryan Williams and Belvin Perry Jr. Worrell (Democrat, Winter Garden) is chief legal officer at Reform Alliance, and former director of the Conviction Integrity Unit at the state attorney’s office. Her campaign promises to end the incarceration of…
Orlando Weekly Voting Guide 2020: Meet the incumbents and challengers in Florida’s U.S. Congressional Districts 7, 8, 9 and 10
It would be very easy for us to simply list endorsements. But instead, we think you can make your own mind up — so we’ve listed a little information about each candidate, along with links to their websites. Happy voting! Related Representative in U.S. Congress Floridians have two U.S. Senators who serve six-year terms, but…
Orlando Weekly Voting Guide 2020: We recommend Biden and Harris for President and Vice-President
This week the Atlantic magazine endorsed a presidential candidate for only the fourth time in its 163 years of publishing, saying, “Two men are running for president. One is a terrible man; the other is a decent man. Vote for the decent man.” We’re going to rephrase that to better fit the truth: “Five men and…
Orlando Weekly Voting Guide 2020: Here are the judges on your Orange County ballot
The one question we are guaranteed to get most around this time of year is: “How should I vote on these judges?” Judge retention seems to be the most mystifying aspect of the ballot, and members of the court are notoriously tight-lipped, so unless a justice breaks very bad – like Kids for Cash-level bad…
Shawty the Comedian headlines in Orlando over Thanksgiving weekend
Stand-up comedy in Orlando rebounded much more quickly than other live entertainment options, with both locals and even out-of-town acts hitting stages in the city over the course of the last few months. And now comes word that during the long Thanksgiving weekend, Wild ‘N Out stalwart Shawty the Comedian will headline a show in the…
As Florida COVID deaths increase, state surgeon general says the state should reduce reporting and re-examine data
With reported COVID-19 deaths of Florida residents topping 16,000 this week, the state Department of Health said Wednesday that information about fatalities needs a “more rigorous review.” Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, who serves as the department’s secretary, said the state took a deeper look at 95 COVID-19 deaths. In 16 cases, it found more than…
‘Live! at the Bandshell’ to bring music and comedy to Daytona’s Oceanfront Park
Daytona Beach is going to see some live, socially distanced comedy and music events kicking off at the end of October, with the ‘Live! at the Bandshell’ series. Starting on Oct. 30 with the Marcus King Trio – as part of mini-tour of socially distanced concerts (no joke) – and carrying on through Dec. 12, the Bandshell at Daytona…
Two armed men claiming to be with Trump campaign show up at St. Pete early voting site
Armed men showed up at a St. Pete early voting site on Wednesday claiming to be with the Trump campaign. Pinellas Supervisor of Elections told WFLA that two men dressed as security guards set up a tent outside the polling location at 501 First Ave. N., and told officers they were with the Trump campaign. However,…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020
Every morning on Magic 107.7 FM, Leslye Gale discusses the most interesting Orlando Weekly stories of the day on “Chad & Leslye.” Check out Leslye’s picks today. Explore The Titanic’s Spooky Side This Halloween If you haven’t checked out the Titanic Exhibit on International Drive in Orlando, you’re really missing out. For Halloween, the Titanic…
Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts dates set for early 2021
The dates for the Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts for 2021 were released via a post on the Disney Parks Blog on Wednesday, and it’s happening bright and early in the new year. The rebranded and revamped festival formerly known as the Epcot International Festival of the Arts will run from Jan. 8-Feb.…
Orlando Weekly’s 2020 Guide to the November Orange County Ballot
Here it is, Orlando Weekly’s race-by-race guide to everything on your Nov. 3, 2020, Orange County general election ballot. Also check out our 2020 General Election Guide for any basic voting questions you may have. You don’t have to vote for everything on your ballot to turn it in, but there are a lot of…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Wednesday, Oct. 21, 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. There’s a great organization in town designed to financially help local performers affected by COVID-19. The Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief, or GOPAR, was established earlier this year…
Shiraz Market moves to larger space, a series of Roman dinner parties, and more
Our weekly Orlando food news roundup
Scary, spooky streaming shows premiering this week like ‘Cadaver,’ ‘The Creepshow Halloween Special,’ ‘The Undoing’ and ‘The Soul of America’
Premieres Wednesday: 537 Votes – Revisit the crazy days of hanging chads in a documentary about the 2000 Florida voting debacle. Then turn it off and wonder what kind of stunt we’re going to pull this time. (HBO Max) My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman – Dave’s guests this season include Dave…
West Colonial Drive’s Tokyo Ramen Fusion Cuisine offers global riffs on the classic slurp
International House of Ramen
‘A republic, not a democracy,’ and other lies that serve the status quo
Tyranny of the minority, Part 2
Gorgeous, timid Teagan is not thriving in the shelter environment; she’s seeking an adopter ASAP
Meet Teagan! Teagan (A454714) has spent 110 days in our care now, making her our longest shelter resident. This gorgeous 7-year-old has remained fearful throughout her stay here; she is just not thriving in the shelter environment. Teagan spends her time circling nervously in her kennel. We’re seeking someone willing to give her a chance,…
Anti-depressants often tank a person’s libido. For most that’s unwelcome, but you may find it a blessing
Borrowing Gen Z’s love for labelling everything, I’m a 46-year-old homoromantic asexual Canadian faggot. For me that means I’d like to love and be loved by another man, but I’d hate having sex with him. To add a vexing complication, I also need some sort of power imbalance. Ideally, I would fall somewhere between being…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Tuesday, Oct. 20, 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. Oh no, I’m not sure we’re prepared for this news. Wolfgang Puck Express at Disney Springs has stopped serving and it appears it may not reopen. – LINK…
Orlando Weekly’s 2020 General Election Guide
Your guide to making a difference in 2020
