This is our latest rundown of the top ten things you need to know this week, in Orlando’s downtown “bungalow neighborhoods.” Click HERE to listen to Episode 309 of Bungalower and The Bus on Real Radio 104.1, recorded at Pizza Bruno in College Park.
TOP TEN HEADLINES
- Two Orlando drivers reported spotting a UFO while driving westward on Colonial Drive last December. It was 3 p.m. in the afternoon and the sky was completely cloudless — we’re not sure if there were clouds inside their car though.
- The City Beautiful’s newest sports team, the Orlando Guardians, is scheduled to play their first home game of the XFL’s inaugural season on February 26 at Camping World Stadium.
- Winter Park commissioners have directed city staff to study what it would take to expand city limits westward to Interstate 4 and absorb a neighborhood south of Lake Killarney.
- In other Winter Park news, city staff are urging city commissioners to vote no on the only proposal they received to redevelop the former library property downtown.
- The annual Orlando Beer Week is scheduled to kick off on January 20 at A La Cart and will feature a complete beer tap takeover from local breweries so it’ll be a great spot to familiarize yourself with local brews without having to drive around town.
- An award-winning chef is leaving one of the best restaurants in the area to go run the food program at a Milk District bowling alley.
- The Orange County Library System announced that they will be bringing back their Bookmobile services soon, care of a large donation from their OG investors, the Sorosis Women’s Club.
- Orlando International Airport was just ranked as the worst airport for travel in 2022 by a random family travel website. But 2022 was a dumpster fire for a lot of businesses so don’t hold it against them.
- “Police: Resident beaten by 3 armed, masked men in violent home invasion at downtown Orlando high-rise.” – FOX 35
- “Brightline unveils a glimpse into the future Orlando high-speed rail station.” – Orlando Weekly
ICYMI – (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)
- “BBQ truck parking permanently at Broken Strings Brewery, January 14.” – Bungalower
- “The Monroe opens new Front Porch outdoor bar area.” – Bungalower
- “New coffee shop now open in CityArts gallery downtown.” – Bungalower
- “Orlando Health building new park in SoDo District.” – Bungalower
- “Science Center bringing back hit beer festival.” – Bungalower
- “Shwayze performing at Solar Bears game, January 19.” – Bungalower
- “FL: Want to take a train from New Orleans to Miami? Amtrak has ‘big time’ plans for FL.” – Mass Transit
- “An exciting new era for Orlando Fringe kicks off this week.” – Orlando Weekly
- “Jollibee opens first Orlando location next week — or the drive-through, at least.” – Orlando Weekly
- “Orange County school board member requests reinstatement of anti-trans bathroom policy.” – Watermark
- “Are cities too reliant on Twitter?” – Bloomberg CityLab
- “No-Honking Days and noise barriers aim to quell Mumbai’s cacophony.” – Bloomberg CityLab
- “People and places are key to New York City’s more livable, prosperous future.” – Gotham Gazette
- “Waterfronts are great for cities — when they’re done right.” – Governing
- “The missing 13th floor — How ancient fears influence modern architecture.” – Planetizen
HOT EVENTS THIS WEEK
- Tuesday 1/17: Barry Manilow at Amway Center (Parramore)
- Tuesday 1/17: Bungalower Drag Bingo and Music Video Dance Party (Baldwin Park)
- Tuesday 1/17: Local and Social Foodie Choice Awards (Ivanhoe Village)
- Wednesday 1/18: Styx – 2023 World Tour (Downtown)
- Thursday 1/19: Women Musicians of Orlando Showcase (Mills 50)
- Friday 1/20: Cocoa Beach Kite and Beach Fest (Out of Bounds)
- Friday 1/20: Opening Reception for the 8th Annual Sculpture on the Lawn (Downtown)
- Friday 1/20: Orlando Beer Week Kick-off (Milk District)