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 312 of Bungalower and The Bus on Real Radio 104.1, which was recorded at Milkhouse Social in the Milk District to try some of their new menu items and cocktails.
TOP TEN HEADLINES
- 2023 is a local election year; three commissioners and the mayor are up for reelection.
- The City of Orlando has just released a roundup of Black History Month activities that will run through the month of February.
- An alliance of downtown bar and nightclub owners are petitioning the City to let them levy a new surcharge to help pay for added police patrols in the Downtown Entertainment Area.
- Yelp has just released its latest list of Top 100 US Restaurants and three Orlando area restaurants have made the cut. We’ll likely be sharing the Florida list sometime this week.
- Mayor Demings says his office’s Homeless Housing goals have been exceeded.
- The City of Winter Park is seeking funding to finally fix the boardwalks at Mead Gardens, which were damaged by hurricanes in 2004. Share your feelings on the redesign at an upcoming public meeting on February 7.
- A Go Fund Me has been launched for a local chef who was forced to undergo emergency surgery last week. He makes some great fried chicken so consider a donation.
- “Winter Park Vice Mayor Todd Weaver to resign from City Commission.” – The 32789
- “Five players ejected in a mass brawl marring the Orlando Magic’s victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.” – CNN
- “Ivanhoe Village food hall plans to stay open amid bankruptcy.” – Orlando Sentinel
ICYMI – (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)
- “City approves amendments to Backyard Chickens Program.” – The 32789
- “New Japanese restaurant opening by Lake Baldwin.” – Bungalower
- “PHOTOS: Faded Kingdom beer festival.” – Bungalower
- “The Pop Parlour has closed its downtown location.” – Bungalower
- “Puerto Rico has a National Ice Hockey Team and they’re coming to Orlando.” – Bungalower
- “Virginia Drive Live returns on February 11.” – Bungalower
- “S.A.F.E. Program amended with additional funding.” – The Community Paper
- “Janitor cleaning inmate holding cell gets stuck for 3 days in Florida courthouse.” – FOX 35
- “How Orlando school districts grapple with teacher vacancies.” – Orlando Business Journal
- “Food & Drink: Orlando according to Brendan O’Connor.” – Orlando Magazine
- “Orlando nightlife industry pitches surcharge to fund downtown public safety costs.” – Orlando Sentinel
- “Disney World workers overwhelmingly ‘stand together, vote no’ on company’s offer, planning to fight for better pay.” – Orlando Weekly
- “Black History Month in Orlando: Events, activities and more happening this month.” – Orlando Weekly
- “Meet the Florida Fire Drakes, a team of Orlando athletes putting the ‘hurt’ in the medieval combat sport of buhurt.” – Orlando Weekly
- “Simmering resentments at Winter Garden’s Garden Theatre have caught fire.” – Orlando Weekly
- “Mills 50 retail property eyed for redevelopment.” – WFTV 9
- “Orlando firefighter considers lawsuit following denial of cancer benefits claim.” – WFTV 9
- “China’s COVID testing booths get second life as libraries and food stalls.” – Bloomberg CityLab
- “This risky playground is deceptively terrifying.” – Bloomberg CityLab
- “Where people are happiest and saddest in big cities.” – Bloomberg CityLab
- “America’s best new bike lanes.” – Planetizen
- “Green Alleys: A new paradigm for stormwater management.” – Planetizen
HOT EVENTS THIS WEEK
- Tuesday 2/7: Bungalower Drag Bingo and Music Video Dance Party (Baldwin Park)
- Tuesday 2/7: Loose Lips – The February Edition (Mills 50)
- Thursday 2/9: 10th Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes (Downtown)
- Thursday 2/9: Popcorn Flicks in the Park: One Hundred and One Dalmatians (Winter Park)
- Thursday 2/9: Unusual Frida Juried Art Show (Audubon Park)
- Friday 2/10: RockPit Brewing Four-Year Anniversary (SoDo)
- Friday 2/10: Voices of Freedom – An Evening of Spoken Word (Downtown)