Cover Story
Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando to host annual Thanksgiving Day buffet, because everything is fine and normal
Pass the silverware! Mind the sneeze guard! … Buffets are back! Why would you mess around with Golden Corral at a time like this, when you could be grabbing utensils alongside a cornucopia of hands at Orlando’s Rosen Plaza? That’s the promise of their culinary team, which has delighted guests with their extravagant Thanksgiving Day event for…
Renowned Central Florida chef Josh Oakley leaving 1921 Mount Dora for the Monroe
The Monroe, Jason and Sue Chin’s restaurant concept slated to open on the ground floor of the Julian Apartments in Creative Village, will have one of Central Florida’s best-known culinarians manning the kitchen. Josh Oakley, the talented chef who wowed at the Smiling Bison in Orlando and Sanford before doing the same at 1921 Mount…
Legal Public Notices 9/30 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, October 15, 2020 @ 4:00…
Black and Hispanic children may face greater COVID-19 risks
A federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention review of more than 277,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in school-age children shows adolescents had higher positivity rates than younger children and that race and underlying medical conditions may lead to increased risks of severe illness. The CDC report shows that between May and September, the average…
Fight over automatic tipping at Florida restaurants moves ahead
A federal appeals court Tuesday cleared the way for a class-action lawsuit alleging that restaurants at Ritz-Carlton hotels in Florida did not give proper notice before tacking on automatic tips to diners’ bills. The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned major parts of a district judge’s decision…
Biden’s Florida backers say health care is ‘on the ballot’ on Nov. 3
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s Florida campaign argued Monday that the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court poses a threat to the Affordable Care Act. Republicans have quickly rallied behind the federal appeals-court judge after President Donald Trump nominated her Saturday to the Supreme Court. Christian Ulvert, a Miami-based strategic adviser…
Disney’s Orlando parks update decades-old foundational training, in response to Black Lives Matter
As the summer turns to fall, the lasting impacts of this summer’s racial unrest is being realized. From Hollywood to New York’s financial institutions, new commitments and better-informed attempts at actively undoing the racism ingrained in much of society are being rolled out. In late May, Disney leadership committed to strengthening its “commitment to diversity…
Behind the fight against raising Florida’s minimum wage
Two state Republican leaders added their voices Monday in opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment that would gradually boost the minimum wage to $15 an hour in Florida. Republican Party of Florida Chairman Joe Gruters, a state senator from Sarasota, and incoming House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, described the ballot initiative as “a Trojan…
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expects ‘full Super Bowl’ in Florida next year
While announcing Phase 3 of Florida’s COVID-19 economic reopening on Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he expects Tampa to host the Super Bowl next year, as planned. “We’re going to be able to host the Super Bowl in February. We expect to do a full Super Bowl,” DeSantis insisted. “We’re going to show that…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Monday, Sept. 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. Some Thoughts If You’re Flying This Holiday Season If you just can’t being away from your loved ones any longer and are planning on heading home this holiday…
Studies show COVID-19 was spread via air travel, just as Florida reopens for business
Just as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis forcibly ignores the pandemic that has crippled the state’s tourism industry, multiple new studies highlight the dangers of traveling during this period. For the state’s hospitality industry, the current pandemic induced recession is the biggest hurdle it has faced since Sept. 11, 2001. With nearly 100 times more Americans…
Creative behind ‘Daria,’ ‘Afro Samurai’ to work with Orlando company building new family resort
During the 2019 IAAPA Expo, Orlando-based entertainment design company Falcon’s Creative Group held a press conference to announce yet another new partnership. Falcon’s was coming off a year of other impressive collaborations, including ones with with PBS and one of China’s largest developers. So when Falcon’s revealed the new deal was with little-known Spanish resort…
Incoming Florida House speaker and Republican state senator to oppose $15 minimum wage at Monday press conference
Incoming House Speaker Chris Sprowls, a Republican from Palm Harbor, and state Republican Chairman Joe Gruters, a senator from Sarasota, are set to host an online news conference opposing Amendment 2, which voters will begin seeing on their ballots this week. The proposed amendment would gradually raise Florida’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. To…
Florida surpasses 700,000 COVID-19 cases, including 3,100 state corrections workers
The number of Florida corrections workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 has topped 3,100, according to numbers released Friday by the state Department of Corrections. Another 16 worker cases were added Friday, bringing the overall total to 3,106. The number of reported worker cases increased by 133 during the past week. Seven prisons –…
Florida Gov. DeSantis plays to his base again
As Floridians start to receive ballots in the mail for the Nov. 3 election, Gov. Ron DeSantis spent the week unleashing a string of policies that could bolster the campaign of his close ally, President Donald Trump. The Republican governor kicked off the week with an appeal to law-and-order voters by releasing a legislative plan…
Percussionist and Atlantic Center Master Artist Billy Martin announces virtual Community Outreach event in October
Famed percussionist Billy Martin – known for stints with Medeski, Martin & Wood and more experimental solo adventures – is returning to Central Florida’s Atlantic Center for the Arts in October to be a Master Artist-in-Residence. Martin will be joining artist Dora Garcia and playwright/actor Ain Gordon on Oct.11-31 for the 179th iteration of the ACA’s…
Swedish metallers Dark Tranquility announce Orlando date in October 2021
Who knew that death metal bands would be optimists? Swedish melodic death metal legends Dark Tranquility have bravely penciled in a full round of North American touring set for autumn 2021. The band will be promoting new album Moment, out in November on Century Media. The tour kicks off in September of next year and…
Despite Amendment 4 passage, only a small fraction of Florida felons will be able to vote in November
With Florida’s Oct. 5 voter-registration deadline looming, convicted felons and their advocates are scrambling to clear up outstanding court-related debts or take advantage of special programs so that people who have served their time behind bars can cast ballots in this year’s presidential election. The race against the clock intensified after an Atlanta-based appeals court…
Florida Gov. DeSantis removes COVID-19 restaurants rules and masks penalties
Despite Florida logging nearly 2,500 new COVID-19 cases and almost 200 new deaths yesterday, Governor Ron DeSantis now says he will allow restaurants and other businesses to operate without restrictions. While speaking to reporters in St. Petersburg, DeSantis said he will sign an order today moving the state into a phase 3 reopening, which would…
Florida’s school voucher program reaches 34,000 students
After a change made during this year’s legislative session, a Florida school-voucher program has expanded to nearly 34,000 students, a state official said this week. The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program was created in 2019, with a cap of about 18,000 students for the 2019-2020 school year. After almost all of those slots were filled, lawmakers…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Friday, Sept. 25, 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. 7-11 Is Giving Away Free Whole Pizzas A week from Sunday, on Oct. 4th, 7-11 will be giving away free made to order pizzas! Here’s how to get…
Florida Gov. DeSantis plans to roll back COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants statewide, regardless of local rules
Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to prohibit local governments from being able to close restaurants and bars, as some locals did to slow the spread of COVID-19 earlier this year. DeSantis, appearing ready to ease state restrictions that place a 50 percent indoor occupancy limit on restaurants and bars, believes a “preemption” of local government authority…
Full appeals court to take up case of Central Florida ex-congresswoman Corrine Brown
In a partial victory for former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, a full federal appeals court agreed Thursday to take up her challenge to a conviction on fraud and tax charges in a charity scam. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a January decision by a three-judge panel that upheld the Jacksonville Democrat’s conviction…
Swamp Sistas to go ‘Inside the Creative Mind’ of Orlando musicians in October
Local femme musical collective Swamp Sistas will be spending Sundays in October picking the brains of some of Orlando best musicians with their new, virtual “Month of Sundays: Inside the Creative Mind” series. Head Sista Beth McKee will interview one of a fearsome quartet of performers across genre each Sunday: folk luminary Terri Binion, hip-hop…
Central Florida 7-Eleven stores will give away free whole pizzas on first Sunday of October
On Sunday, Oct. 4, Orlando-area 7-Elevens will give away a free whole pizza to anyone who wants one. In order to take advantage of the deal, you must eat the entire pizza while standing in front of the cashier, never breaking eye contact. Because shame on you! You know exactly what those places will be…
WUCF to pay tribute to legendary ‘Jazz on the Beach’ DJ Jack Simpson on Saturday
The FM airwaves will have a little less swing after the passing of WUCF 89.9-FM mainstay and “Jazz on the Beach” host Jack Simpson at 96 last weekend. But this Saturday, WUCF will be airing a special tribute to the DJ. The tribute show will air on Saturday, Sept. 26, at noon – you can listen in…
The Original Anthony’s Pizzeria is coming to College Park, replacing Due Amici
Guess what, College Park? Due Amici, the Italian joint that aroused mixed feelings in me, has closed and is about to get replaced by … … another Italian joint. Yes, the Original Anthony’s Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant has moved into the space that was long occupied by Kingfish Grill on Edgewater Drive and will serve…
Florida vote-by-mail ballots go out Thursday
Potentially millions of ballots could hit the mail starting Thursday for the Nov. 3 general election in Florida. County supervisors of elections are required to send out their first big batches of vote-by-mail ballots between Thursday and Oct. 1. Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer said in a news release that his office will…
Orlando’s Desmond Meade says his ‘resolve’ is strengthened after Gov. DeSantis’ pardon decision
After his bid for a pardon was blocked Wednesday, Florida felons’ voting-rights leader Desmond Meade said the decision made him even more committed to continuing his work. Meade, a former drug dealer who has garnered international accolades after leading the drive to pass a 2018 constitutional amendment to restore voting rights for felons, said he’s…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Thursday, Sept. 24, 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. Welcome A New Easy Way To Shop At Winn Dixie You may already be a fan of Publix and Instacart, the shopping service that allows you to do…
Elton John announces rescheduled Amway Center show in 2022
Although currently serving as the WWE’s ThunderDome, the Amway Center will eventually get back to the usual slate of concerts, games and other special events. And Wednesday’s announcement of Elton John’s rescheduled Orlando date is a tantalizing glimpse of concert normalcy … in 2022. Originally set for late May of this year, the Florida dates of…
Uber Eats will now pick up your groceries from Orlando Winn-Dixie stores
Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers, which owns Winn-Dixie and Fresco y Más, has partnered with the restaurant delivery app Uber Eats to deliver groceries in the Orlando area, as well as Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville. While it is certainly a convenient option, especially for those of you who are avoiding grocery stores, know that purchases come with…
Gov. Ron DeSantis blocks pardon request for felons’ rights leader Desmond Meade
Desmond Meade graduated from law school, made it onto Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people and was at the forefront of a successful crusade to restore voting rights to convicted felons in Florida. But the former drug dealer who was tossed out of the Army three decades ago hasn’t redeemed himself enough…
Anniversary virtual performance of ‘Jesus Hopped the A Train’ set for this weekend
Central Florida theater luminaries will be marking the 12th anniversary of their performance of the play Jesus Hopped the A Train with an exclusive weekend Zoom reprise. The cast and crew of this performance will feature returns from Lawrence Benjamin, Alexis Jackson, Dennis Neal, Jeremy Wood, new actor Hector Sanchez Jr, as well as John DiDonna…
Gatorland brings back ‘Gators, Ghosts and Goblins’ all-ages Halloween event in October
Gatorland has announced the return of its all-ages Halloween event ‘Gators, Ghosts and Goblins’ in October. The (kinda) scary daytime shindig – included with regular park admission – encourages park visitors to come in costume (“nothing scary or gory, please”) and promises costumed character meet and greets, a trick or treat trail, a spooky train ride, and Frank and Stein’s…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Wednesday, Sept. 23, 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. It’s Taco Week Ya’ll! Orlando Weekly I’m pretty sure Taco Week should last a month, but since it doesn’t, let’s get to it. – LINK While many holiday…
Michael Bloomberg to back returning felon voter effort in Florida
Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, a former New York mayor and onetime Democratic presidential candidate, is the latest celebrity to join in the effort to help Florida felons pay outstanding legal financial obligations so they can register to vote in November. The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition has collected more than $20 million for a “Fines and Fees”…
Gov. DeSantis defends Florida agencies’ response to coronavirus
With Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried calling for a coordinated response by statewide elected officials to the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday defended the actions of agencies under his control. DeSantis added that Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Attorney General Ashley Moody, who along with Fried make up the state Cabinet, have…
The Aardvark isn’t just a bottle shop – it might be the best and truest gastropub in Orlando
Any bottle shop cranking Run-DMC’s “Sucka MC’s” is my kinda bottle shop, and the Aardvark is just that. Only it isn’t just a bottle shop, it’s a full-service restaurant dishing out def eats with those def jamz. That it’s nestled – hidden really – deep within the Crystal Lake ‘hood only lends it additional cred.…
Orlando restaurant openings: What the Chuck, Russell’s on Lake Ivanhoe, Da Sun Ramen and 14 more
Our weekly food news roundup
Readers sound off on Russian malware, Millennial voters, and support for developing nations against COVID
¶ Russian malware in Florida’s voting systems? In Bob Woodward’s latest book, Rage, we learn that “in late July 2018, just weeks after the Trump-Putin meeting [in Helsinki],” Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats convened a classified briefing to President Trump by the directors of the FBI, NSA and CIA, in which the NSA and…
‘My wife and I were disappointed by our first time hiring a sex worker’
Missed connections
Millie Bobby Brown plays Sherlock Holmes’ teenage sister in new Netflix series ‘Enola Holmes’
Plus ‘Sneakerheads,’ ‘Utopia’ and more streaming premieres this week
Look at the big smile on Tina, an adoptable dog you can meet today!
Meet Tina! Tina (A445374) was surrendered because her previous owner was not able to care for her any longer! Tina is 11 years old, a spayed female, and according to her previous owner she is housebroken, leash-trained, and friendly with men, women and children. She would do best as the only dog in the home.…
After closing down the Venue, Blue Star is now playing HAÖS on Church Street
Among the simple pleasures 2020 robbed us of is the freedom to casually drop by a friend’s house, grab a drink or a snack, and simply hang out. In this era of COVID, opportunities for such carefree socializing in private, much less in public, have been rarer than a blue moon, but one of Orlando’s…
Leslye Gale’s O-Town Lowdown on Magic 107.7 for Tuesday, Sept. 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. Gov DeSantis Proposes Bill Cracking Down On Protestors Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed legislation that would seriously crack down on protestors, especially those who strike out at…
It’s time to recognize McConnell’s thirst for power is a war against America – and fight accordingly
Pack the courts. End the filibuster. Give D.C. statehood. Shut down the Senate. But don’t think you can shame Mitch McConnell into doing the right thing.
