TOP TEN THINGS TO KNOW THIS WEEK

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 429 of “Bungalower and The Bus” on Real Radio 104.1 FM, which was recorded at the newly opened Sparrow (Instagram) in the North Quarter.

TOP TEN HEADLINES

1. Winter Park gave Historic Preservation Board some teeth with a new ordinance requiring anyone who demolishes a historic structure without approval to rebuild it on their own dime.
2. City Hall is making progress on two big projects with a call for qualifications from firms who think they should be the ones to build a pop-up park on Orange Avenue or demo the City Centre building to expand Lake Eola.
3. Orlando Fringe Festival is in full swing, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 13. You’ve only got a week left to enjoy the pop-up food truck/beer garden in Loch Haven Park and over 180 different theatrical shows from around the world.
4. The Westcourt development in downtown Orlando is advancing with a pitch for a new parking garage advancing through the permitting process.
5. Orlando Museum of Art is launching a scavenger hunt promo ahead of “Florida Prize” opening. Find a flamingo and get a prize, y’all.
6. Smelly fish stinking up homes near Lake Beauty and Orlando Health say they’re on the case and not to worry.
7. Aloma Bowling is offering free bowling for kids all summer long. You need to register, though, you can’t just dump your kids and go to The Hideaway.
8. “Orange County eliminates more than $472.5 million in medical debt for residents.” –Orlando Weekly
9. “Court backs Hamburger Mary’s in drag show fight, says ban is likely unconstitutional.” – Orlando Weekly
10. “Prime downtown Orlando restaurant space returns to market with buildout nearly complete.” – WFTV 9

ICYMI – (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)

• “Jaguars’ 2027 temporary home location decision pushed to October.” – Big Cat Country
• “Ask Bungalower: Did you see that big nest on AdventHealth?” – Bungalower
• “Attorney Moe DeWitt and Tom and Dan hosting family skate-a-thon, July 12.” – Bungalower
• “Bonus Episode: Adam Francis Proulx, Fringe Artist and Hometown Hero.” – Bungalower
• “Call to Artists: Sculpture on the Lawn 2026.” – Bungalower
• “Lobos Coffee opening location at A La Cart SoDo.” – Bungalower
• “Milk Mart hosting Birthday Bash market event, May 25.” – Bungalower
• “Mills Market hosting new night market with VIP early bird access.” – Bungalower
• “New chocolate vendor now open in East End Market.” – Bungalower
• “Orwin Manor residents want Winter Park to pony up for some new/old arches.” – Bungalower
• “Pat Greene thinks you should visit the Maitland Art Center.” – Bungalower
• “Spiral Circle Bookstore celebrating 50th anniversary.” – Bungalower
• “2 Orange County deadly LYNX bus crashes in less than 24 hours.” – FOX 35
• “Fugitive in 1998 Christmas Day DUI crash that killed teens in Orlando captured in Canada.” – FOX 35
• “More than 200 kittens need homes in Orange County.” – FOX 35
• “Orlando Book Festival brings NYT bestseller Brad Meltzer.” – Orlando Weekly
• “Federal Appeals Court says that Florida’s Drag Ban is likely unconstitutional.” – Them
• “Orlando Gay Chorus members reflect on their time in the community as the group celebrates 35 years.” – Watermark
• “Lake Nona High student dies while hanging out with group on Orlando lake.” – WESH 2
• “Panera Bread to cut jobs in Orlando, close facility.” – WFTV

• “As coastline erodes, one California city considers ‘Retreat Now.’” – Bloomberg CityLab
• “How a highway became San Francisco’s newest park.” – Bloomberg City:ab
• “Cocoa Beach looks into e-bike safety regulations as popularity grows.” – Central Florida Public Media
• “Orange County’s new growth plans still need work, climate advocates say.” – Central Florida Public Media
• “Video: Andor’s architecture tells a story: An architect reviews.” – Morphologis
• “Shootings prompt Kissimmee, Orlando to look at booze sales, downtown safety.” – Orlando Sentinel
• “In the Netherlands, anyone can turn a slice of sidewalk into a garden.” – Reasons To Be Cheerful
• “What We’re Reading: Oaxaca’s clever, low-tech drought fixes.” – Reasons To Be Cheerful

HOT EVENTS THIS WEEK

• Monday 5/19: “A Canadian Explains Eurovision To Americans” (Fringe Festival)
• Monday 5/19: Brenda’s Pop-up Drag Bingo (Baldwin Park)
• Monday 5/19: Chef Night: Hawkers Asian Street Food (College Park)
• Monday 5/19: Corsets & Cuties: Fin (Fringe Festival)
• Tuesday 5/20: 2025 State of the Village (Ivanhoe Village)
• Tuesday 5/20: Duane Betts & Palmetto Motel (Downtown)
• Tuesday 5/20: “Forest Of Truth” (Fringe Festival)
• Wednesday 5/21: Meet the Filmmaker: Dazed and Confused (Maitland)
• Wednesday 5/21: US Open Cup: Orlando City SC v Nashville SC (Parramore)
• Thursday 5/22: Mystery Sketch Theater presents Ivy Cosplay (Thornton Park)
• Thursday 5/22: Technoself with Special Guest DJ Kurt Rambus (Downtown)
• Thursday 5/22: Taste of Baldwin Park Wine and Dine (Baldwin Park)