This is our latest rundown of the top ten things you need to know this week, in Orlando’s Bungalow Neighborhood news, and some bonus headlines you may have missed.
Click HERE to listen to the 254th episode of “Bungalower and The Bus” on Real Radio 104.1, which was recorded at the new Gnarly Barley in Ivanhoe Village with special guest Sam Gardner of Florida Citrus Sports who chats about the upcoming Cheez-It Bowl and the Citrus Bowl.
TOP TEN HEADLINES:
- Orlando’s seeing a wave of temporary restaurant closures due to COVID-19 exposure and the recent Omicron surge.
- A new bar concept is being built out in the former Lamp Shade Fair space in Mills 50 by the folks behind Thrive in downtown Orlando.
- Creative City Project is considering moving its “Immerse” art event out of downtown Orlando.
- We published this last-minute Gift Guide last week before Christmas but you can still use it if you want to buy your loved one something special.
- The Downtown Orlando Partnership is bringing back it’s Connect DTO program if you’re looking to plug into the city or have some new hires at your downtown office.
- Olde Hearth is moving out of East End Market and a donut shop is moving in.
- TikTok is getting into the ghost kitchen game.
- “Downtown Orlando bars sue federal government over SBA grant disbursement.” – Orlando Weekly
- “Orlando airport affected by hundreds of flights canceled worldwide due to staff shortages amid omicron surge.” – Orlando Sentinel
- “Orlando’s old jai alai fronton could become entertainment complex with poker rooms, concert venues, apartments.” – Orlando Weekly
ICYMI – (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT):
- “Deli Desires and Little Giant are having a pop-up baby.” – Bungalower
- “Houston Ballet auditioning in Orlando in January.” – Bungalower
- “Crash closes major Orlando intersection.” – Click Orlando
- “Universal Orlando reinstates mask rule as COVID cases rise.” – FOX 35
- “Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta deal may have ended for good.” – Orlando Sentinel
- “Stephanie Murphy won’t run again for Congress, shaking up key Central Florida race.” – Orlando Sentinel
- “Everything we know about Universal’s upcoming Epic Universe park.” – Orlando Weekly
- “Florida saw second-highest population growth in nation over last year.” – Orlando Weekly
- “Solutions of the Year: Part One.” – Next City
- “Year in Review: Urban Planning in 2021.” – Planetizen
- “Do-It-Yourself Green Infrastructure: New Orleans residents are flood-proofing their own communities.” – Reasons To Be Cheerful
- “An ode to pets in wondows.” – Strong Towns
- “The relationship between urban design and charity.” – Strong Towns
HOT EVENTS THIS WEEK:
- Wednesday 12/29: Holiday Weekday Matinee: Scrooged (Maitland)
- Wednesday 12/29: WJRR’s Mistletoe Jam featuring Sevendust (Out of Bounds)
- Thursday 12/30: Jim Gaffigan – The Fun Tour (Downtown)
- Friday 12/31: NYE Chef’s Tasting at The Osprey (Baldwin Park)
- More NYE event options to come soon!