Cover Story
Meet our cover model, Micky
Last month, we asked readers to send us photos of their dogs for a chance to be the cover model for the Puppy Love issue. We received more than 100 entries, and after much deliberation by our judges – and even a sudden death round when things were almost too close to call – we selected…
Everything Is Awesome when you’re part of a Lego Printmaking Workshop team
If you’ve never witnessed the printing process, it can seem like a magic trick: Layer after layer of color is laid down, one shape atop the next, until a comprehensible image emerges from the chaos. With an experienced guide, however, anyone can build a beautiful picture, and graphic designer Chris Ware will lead you through…
Here Come the Mummies get even the dustiest of asses up and moving
Here Come the Mummies (not to be confused with Californian garage rock band the Mummies) keep their real identities under wraps (get it?), supposedly to protect the contractual obligations of a Grammy-winner or two in their roster. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, this 13-piece band of undead Egyptians brings the funk of 5,000 years to the…
Demetri Martin sketches out some comedy at Hard Rock
Who doesn’t love a good dose of sarcasm? You may remember Demetri Martin’s cherubic looks from past appearances on The Daily Show and his own show, Important Things With Demetri Martin, on Comedy Central, but now he’s back with his newest standup tour. Any literary aficionado can get off on Martin’s famous 224-word palindrome poem,…
Mad Cow’s second annual Science Play Festival illuminates the stage
Amid all his other findings, Stephen Hawking followed his unique genius to discover popular fame in a way that few scientists ever achieve in their lifetimes (obviously not looking at you, Neil deGrasse Tyson), and with the Hawking biopic The Theory of Everything garnering five Oscar nominations this year, his acclaim only compounds. It’s a…
Phat-N-Jazzy brings Dam-Funk in for its 21st birthday
Since 1994, Phat-N-Jazzy has provided the city with hip-hop and jazz fusion nights, and the funk doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Join resident Phat-N-Jazzy DJ BMF as he spins alongside DJ Slack and special guest Dam-Funk. Dam-Funk, LA’s ambassador of boogie funk, brings the funkmosphere right here to Orlando as he plays…
VIDEO: Orlando punks Wet Nurse on Off the Avenue
Wet Nurse is one of those bands that isn’t just fun to watch every time they play a show, but they also reliably bring rad bands to town to play those shows with them, further enriching Orlando’s music scene in true punk tradition by making sure we know they’re not just cool but their friends’…
Breaking: The Parliament House emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, promises big changes
image via newnownext.com As gadflies do, we’ve been hearing rumblings of a change in the Parliament House – you know the one; Dr. Everything Will Be All Right – for a long time, and, basically the biggest gay bar in town has been in a quagmire for eight years financially. There was a timeshare, there…
U.S. DOJ closes investigation into death of Trayvon Martin
Today the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it has closed the investigation into the death of Trayvon Martin, a teen who was shot in Sanford on Feb. 26, 2012. No charges will be filed against the shooter, George Zimmerman, who called police when he witnessed Martin walking home from a convenience store. He got…
19 manatees rescued after wedging themselves into drainpipe
Oh, manatees – they may be cute but they are definitely not the brightest. Last night, 19 of them were discovered jammed into a drainage pipe near Satellite Beach. Apparently, one manatee entered the drainpipe in search of warmer water. Then another followed. And another. And another. And then they couldn’t get themselves back out. …
#BlackLivesMatter art show is tonight
image via eagnews.com Just because it feels like these groundswells of compassion come and go with the passing of the time, that doesn’t mean that problems are solved by just sitting and watching them roll through the media chyrons. Tonight, at the Wells’ Built Museum in Parramore, social activism will brush together with artistry for…
Disney Cruise Lines to offer Star Wars Day at Sea in 2016
For years it’s seemed like Disney’s Hollywood Studios exists only to give Disney a proper venue to hold its beloved Star Wars Weekends. But now Disney has finally found another way to cash in on the iconic franchise that’ll have fans shelling out tons of cash to experience it. Starting in 2016, Disney Cruise Lines…
Looking for a career change? America’s Escape Game is hiring
There’s yet another escape-room attraction getting ready to open in Orlando, and this one is putting the word out that it’s looking for a few good escape artists (aka tour guides) to help people locked in a room find their way out. America’s Escape Game, which is working out the details on its first three…
10 more spots to grab lunch for under $10 in Orlando
Once again, welcome to our monthly cheap-lunch roundup. Thanks for all the tips from readers, and keep ’em coming! Send to dining@orlandoweekly.com … but no fast-food chains, please. (I don’t need to explain to anyone how to order off a value menu, do I?) Bikkuri Sushi 1915 E. Colonial Drive, 407-894-4494 Known for some of…
First Amendment Foundation attempts to stop state obfuscation of public records. LIES!
For the moment, we’re just going to put this out there. Today, the First Amendment Foundation filed an emergency motion to stop the Gov. Rick Scott cadre from deleting or hiding public records. Frankly, we shouldn’t even have to be having this conversation anymore, but the availability of mobile devices for crack politicians apparently warrants…
COUNCIL WATCH!: Watching your city love itself so you don’t have to
Good day, dear political boredom seekers!!!!! We’re about to embark on this (bi-)weekly foray into the red-hot sexiness of civic improvement. In what appears to be a particularly slow news week – EXCEPT FOR WHAT WILL BE AN ETERNAL CIRCLE JERK ABOUT WORKPLACE GIVING AT THE TOP (also, weight issues and “ORLANDO: YOU DON’T KNOW…
Dope Entertainment discusses the first-ever Rolling Loud festival this weekend in Miami
Miami’s upcoming Rolling Loud festival is an event worth taking the drive for, with huge names in hip-hop bypassing Orlando for the all-day event on Saturday, Feb. 28. The anticipation among hip-hop fans for what could easily become one of Florida’s paramount hip-hop events is the equivalent to children on Christmas morning. In a recent…
Top 6 Disney resort hotels for a one-night getaway (plus two to avoid)
Walt Disney World Resort. (You may have heard of it; it’s just south of here.) These 43 square miles of property are not just a place of American idolatry, a memory-capturing vortex, or possibly the only reason some of us ever moved here – no, those 30,000-plus acres should exert a call to Orlandoans to…
Sharknado filming at Universal Orlando theme parks
Sharknado fever has gripped Orlando! Asylum Pictures has taken over parts of Universal Orlando’s theme parks and production facilities this week to film the third installment in the campy comedy-thriller series. In Sharknado 3, the rebellious fishies will again threaten humanity, but this time they have Washington, D.C., and Orlando in their sights. And once…
This Little Underground: Justin Townes Earle, Gill Landry and how the Dr. Phillips Center is a sudden rock venue contender
I wasn’t always sold on Americana prince Justin Townes Earle. But over the years, his signature blend of folk, country, blues and daddy issues has proven to be a deepening well. Recently, he’s been showing some real comfort, craft and depth in his expression, evidenced in how completely he carried the stage at his latest…
If you’re planning to visit Walt Disney World this weekend, go tomorrow before prices increase
We told you in January that tickets for Walt Disney World parks were expected to increase sometime in February – according to multiple outlets, the new prices go into effect on Sunday, Feb. 22. Tickets for the Magic Kingdom will rise from $99 to $105, and tickets to Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will…
This year’s UCF English Symposium, “Becoming (De)Familiarized,” is open to the public
Tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 20) marks the fourth annual English Symposium held at University of Central Florida. Though this event is mainly focused on the contribution of current students, alumni and faculty of the school, it is completely free and open to the public. Each year’s symposium offers a different theme, and this year the theme is…
The blame game: How allowing guns on college campuses is ignoring the problem of sexual assault
image via Huffington Post So, we’ve already had enough of this whole MOAR GUNZ EQUALZ MORE PROTEKTED CITIZZZENS crap we’ve been hearing from the gun nuts at the NRA in the past few years, especially when you consider that said guns are resulting in, oh, we don’t know, violent attacks on students at said campuses.…
Starbucks to open in Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom later this year
Starbucks’ march into (Disney) world domination looks to be continuing, with Disney now confirming that its final Orlando park without a Starbucks, Animal Kingdom, will get one later this year. The Creature Comforts store on Discovery Island closed late last year to make way for the new Starbucks. The retail footage lost will be replaced…
FDLE Bailey-gate gets new shot from petition drive
In the odd case that you’ve allowed Gov. Rick Scott’s latest scandal sink into the pablum of the rest of his scandals, let it be noted that, just yesterday, more than 10,000 signature were delivered to State Attorney Willie Meggs – he of the “I didn’t see anything wrong with backroom dealings, because, uh, my…
Rover.com: An AirBnB for dogs
Oh, the sharing economy. Because we shouldn’t let humans have all the fun, sleeping in magically affordable rooms in high-demand locales via AirBnB or getting (hopefully) inexpensive rides from strangers via Uber and Lyft, now there’s a company that’s appealing to the canine consumer as well. Rover.com is a service that lets pet owners search for other…
Former local Christopher Paul Stelling signs with ANTI-
Maybe now everyone will see why I’ve been writing about this Florida cat for years. Progressive folk artist Christopher Paul Stelling grew up in Daytona Beach but cut his first teeth in Orlando. He first perked my radar around 2009 as a bright unknown on defunct Orlando boutique label Sleepy Bird Orphanage. Now, as officially announced…
Court upholds ban on openly carrying firearms in Florida
In what judges described as a first-of-its-kind case, an appeals court Wednesday upheld a Florida law that prevents people from openly carrying firearms, finding that the restriction does not violate constitutional rights to bear arms. The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal stemmed from the 2012 arrest in Fort…
Laura Jane Grace discusses her monumental 2014, her fight for transgender awareness and the band’s ‘fun, upbeat’ new music
It’s a shame that 2014 had to end, because Against Me! so completely owned the year, it made other bands and other pivotal moments in musical history look foolish in comparison. Transgender Dysphoria Blues, a taut, 28-minute mix of brash sociopolitical commentary and scathing self-examination, ended up near the top of every year-end best-of list…
Local spots to get your dog’s hair did
Allyson’s Pet Grooming 33 N. Primrose Drive; 407-894-9862 All Creatures Pet Grooming 2411 E. South St.; 407-228-2855 allcreaturespetgrooming.com Aussie Pet Mobile of Southeast Orlando Mobile pet grooming; 407-279-3773 petgroomingorlando.com Big Paws Grooming Salon 3020 Lamberton Blvd.; 407-810-6269 bigpawsgrooming.com D’Tails Pet Boutique and Spa 5904 Red Bug Lake Road, Winter Springs; 407-332-4400 dtails.net Four Corners Pet…
K9s for Warriors uses dogs to reintroduce soldiers to society
“I went to grab my pistol and before my hand even touched it, my service dog started barking non-stop, which is not like him,” recounts an unnamed graduate of Nocatee, Florida-based nonprofit K9s for Warriors, according to a January press release. “He was jumping in my face and wrapping his head around the arm I was…
Boarding, daycare and dog walkers for when you need a little help caring for your furry friends
Animal Companion Pet Sitting Service 321-396-7900 animalcompanionpetsitting.com Bark Ave Resort 4101 Park Lake St.; 407-802-2275 barkaveresort.com Big Paw Pet Care 13506 Summer Port Village Parkway #759, Windermere; 321-345-7387 bigpawpets.com Day Paws Dog Daycare and More 2438 E. Robinson St.; 407-896-4866 daypaws.com Dog Day Afternoon 1015 Sligh Blvd.; 407-835-9200 dogdayafternoon.net The Dog Mahall 2635 Curry Ford…
How one little dog’s ordeal has inspired a local dog rescue to challenge the community to do more for dogs in need
On Dec. 31, Julie Galante and the volunteers at Me and My Shadow dog rescue agreed to take on a horrific cruelty case: A young dog on the verge of death had been picked up in the field by an Orange County animal control officer. “He was mauled,” Galante says. “Absolutely mauled. [Me and My…
Force-free canine training professionals who can help you set your dog up for success
All Terrain Canine 407-687-5383 allterraincanine.com Bowser College 321-689-2239 bowsercollege.com Dog Willing Positive Training Solutions/The DogSmith of North East Orlando GoDogs, 1470 Swanson Drive, Oviedo; 888-364-7648 dogsmith.com/north-east-orlando-facility Every Dog Has Its Day 407-844-9336 orlandodogtraining.org Orlando Dog Whisperer 321-946-1035 orlandodogwhisperer.com Pawsitive Canine 407-399-2812 pawcanine.com Pawsitive Pals 407-432-3762 pawsitivepalstraining.com Positive Dog Training Solutions 321-276-2639 positivedogtrainingsolutions.com Veterinary Behavior Solutions,…
Seven Orlando bands you don’t want to miss at Ralphfest 4
Teazer With a This Is Spinal Tap-like web presence, this mock metal band, purportedly from Norway, features serious musicians getting their comedic rocks off. 8:20 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Will’s Pub outdoor stage Lorna Lambey She dominated Ralphfest last year, and we expect the beloved lounge singer to pack just as much heat this…
Canine gyms, veterinarians, holistic services and more
Affiliated Veterinary Specialists 9905 S. US Hwy 17-92, Maitland; 407-644-1287 avsspecialists.com Alafaya Trail Animal Hospital 2985 Alafaya Trail, Oviedo; 407-365-2222 orlandovets.com Animal Cancer Care Clinic 7313 Lake Underhill Road; 407-930-6679 animalcancercareclinic.com Animal Healing Solutions 1109 E Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs; 407-924-4240 animalhealingsolutions.com Animal Medical Clinic of Orlando 1404 S. Bumby Ave.; 407-898-6261 amcoforlando.com Animal Veterinary…
Picks This Week: The Returners, Jackson Browne, Darsombra and more
Adam Goodrich This week’s Acoustic Soundcheck features Goodrich & the Die Tryin’s Adam Goodrich, whose rousing, wavering indie folk charms with slightly tweaked roots traditions. 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Imperial at Washburn Imports, free Against Me! Anyone who’s seen us live lately can attest to the fact that everyone brings it,” Grace…
‘Agencies’ collects individual stories of abuse to empower Orlando women
Nag. Shrew. Hag. Witch. Cunt. Bitch. Language gets succinct when a woman puts her foot down. It’s tempting then for women to embrace the insult to destroy its power, and many do, self-identifying in such terms to declare, “There is nothing wrong with me.” And next comes the inevitable epiphany: The only way to get…
Meet Roo, a high-energy Aussie who’s training to help kids develop their reading skills
When Jamie Popper throws the Frisbee for her dog, Roo, he explodes in a flurry of fur and canine enthusiasm. He leaps into the air and does a backflip to nab the disc midair, then comes flying back to her to triumphantly show off his prize. When it’s time to play, Roo is a whirlwind…
A directory of rescue groups and animal shelters
If you’re thinking of adding a pet to your family, there are tons of rescue groups and shelters in Orlando overflowing with dogs and cats in need of new homes. Many of these organizations are also in need of foster homes and volunteers to help them continue the work they do. This is just a…
Testing, testing: Jeb Bush’s education legacy
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This pretty little kitty is Country (A308894). She’s a friendly 3-year-old cat who has been looking for a home for more than a month. Country’s adoption fee has been waived because she has been looking for a new home for so long. She’s a unique kitty because if you pet her correctly her fur is…
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My father is 65 years old and has been a devoted husband to my mother who has been battling a medical condition for the past 30 years – a condition that prevents her from engaging in sexual activity of any kind. He has not had sex in all this time and is desperately frustrated. He’s not…
Check out these local organizations offering lower-cost services to pet owners in need
Affordable Vet Care 10892 W. Colonial Drive, Ocoee; 407-614-8975 Dolly’s Foundation Spay and neuter assistance and more dollysfoundation.org Doglando Foundation Full Tummy Project Free pet food distribution in East Orlando area; 321-299-8270 doglandofoundation.org Orange County Animal Services Pet Pantry Free pet food distribution to pet owners in need; 407-254-9150 ocnetpets.com Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando…
A single guy’s guide to dog ownership
For as long as I’ve had the ability to clean up feces, I’ve been a proud cat owner. Most of my adult life outside of college has been spent cleaning litter boxes like a boss, being woken up by a big furry ass in my face and earning multiple cat-scratch battle scars like a seasoned…
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This Little Underground: Boyfrndz and JMSN on the rise
Everybody set for Ralphfest 4 (Feb. 20-22, see page 46)? Well, suit up, because the city’s biggest local memorial music festival is about to pop. The Beat In case you hadn’t noticed, one of the core subtexts of this column is that small shows are the frontier. It’s a point I keep hammering because the…
Opening in Orlando: ‘The DUFF,’ ‘Hot Tub Time Machine 2’ and more
The DUFF: This teen melodrama isn’t a paean to Springfield’s favorite beer, but rather the story of a girl who learns she’s considered a DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) within her social circle. The ensuing narrative of identities remade and bitch-queens dethroned is bound to captivate, especially if you’re too young to have seen Mean…
Inexperienced dog owners troubleshoot their weirdest pet issues online
I’m not a dog trainer. I did not take my dog to obedience school. I barely touched even the lightest reading among the dog-training books friends strongly recommended, and even gifted to me, when I got my then eight-week-old mixed breed about 10 years ago. I, like most simple folks, just winged it. That dog,…
Tip Jar: Pho 88 opening new location, TV cocktails in St. Augustine, and Pulapaka and Sampath team up for a night
Oshio, a “Korean-Japanese sushi restaurant,” has opened in the former Trey Yuen space on I-Drive, which closed in early 2013. Oshio will serve Korean cuisine, Korean barbecue (“yakiniku”) and a variety of sushi rolls. The similarly named Oyishi, a slick Japanese steakhouse, has opened at the Oviedo Mall. Pho 88, the popular Mills 50 diner,…
Reader’s Choice: The top dog in our online poll, Hamilton
We asked readers to comment online and tell us which dogs they thought should win our cover model contest. Here’s the top vote getter. First place Hamilton, owned and loved by Chris Kuhl This is Hamilton, aka Ham aka the Great Hambino aka Hammy Sosa aka Hamuel L. Jackson aka Jean Claude Van Ham. He’s…
Jeb Bush’s not-quite-official presidential campaign already running into start-up problems
Quote of the Week: “Jeb may think that sending emails with smiley faces is cutting-edge and charming by 1990s standards, but his ‘launch’ has shown just how unprepared he is in 2015. Sure, he’s ignored critical modern campaign practices like capturing emails and data during a major announcement, but the reality is Jeb’s retro tech…
Readers Choice: The runner-up in our online contest, Oscar Meyers
We asked readers to comment online and tell us which dogs they thought should win our cover model contest. Here’s the runner-up. Second place Oscar Meyers, owned and loved by Taylor Meyers This is Oscar Meyers. He is a 2-year-old mini bulldog. I think Oscar should be on the cover of Orlando Weekly because he…
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Readers Choice: Sadie steals enough hearts to land in third
We asked readers to comment online and tell us which dogs they thought should win our cover model contest. Here’s our third-place winner. Third place Sadie, owned and loved by Amelia Crepaz Sadie would be a great cover model because when you look at her, you can’t help but smile. Sadie’s best trick is spin. …
Stepping through the mirror: Comparing California’s Disney and Universal attractions to their Orlando versions
Greetings from the Golden State to the Sunshine State: The weather is here, wish you were fine! While Orlando has been “enjoying” temperatures in the 50s, I’ve been spending the past week basking in summer-like Southern California, exploring our theme parks’ West Coast siblings. Visiting Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood is a bit like stepping…
Grifters unravel the origins of their experimental but timeless sound
In the early to mid-’90s, bluesy art rock band Grifters rolled around the country in a tour van they borrowed from the flower shop where guitarist-drummer David Shouse and bassist Tripp Lamkins worked. You’d know they were in town when that van rolled through with the florist’s name “Anything Grows” painted across the side. Vocalist-guitarist…
Locally owned stores where you can shop for your dogs, cats and other furry friends
All 4 Pets 425 Avalon Park Blvd.; 407-282-4406 all4petsorlando.com Bark Avenue Bakery 7728 W. Sand Lake Road; 407-345-9999 barkavenuebakery.com Barking Mad Dogwear Available online and at some local retail pet stores; 321-252-2275 barkingmaddogwear.com The Doggie Door 329 N. Park Ave., Winter Park; 407-644-2969 thedoggiedoor.com Farm and Pet Outlet 19004 E. Colonial Drive; 407-368-8485 Gracie’s of Winter Garden…
Southern barbecue meets South America at American Q
A cherry-red 1951 Ford F1 flatbed makes quite the impression as you walk into American Q, a rodizio-style barbecue joint inside the B Hotel, but even more noteworthy is the fact that decent barbecue can be had on Hotel Plaza Boulevard at all. This farmhouse-chic restaurant is a collaborative effort between the “lifestyle” hotel and…
12 movies every dog lover needs to watch
In keeping with the theme of this week’s issue, Puppy Love, we’ve gathered some of our favorite dog movies into one big weepy list – because everybody knows it’s not a really good dog movie unless you’re brought to tears at least once. 1. A Dog’s Life: Charlie Chaplin and his little dog companion look…
