Club Eaton's Storied Nights

Good morning, Orlando. Thanks to all who participated in last weeks reader survey. I’ll cut right to the chase! The THREE $50 e-gift card winners selected randomly are…..

1. Maeifert 61

2. Orlando Stamps

3. Marna Bye

👉 I’ll contact you directly in the next few minutes and arrange your e-gift card.

I want to say I’m humbled by the volume of responses and feedback so many of you gave me. Tons of friendly comments, too! ❤️ I’ve read every single submission and I’m already incorporating feedback, beginning with this issue.

 In today’s issue: 👇

• Club Eaton's storied nights

• The 8 cent revolution

• 🔥 Many readers wanted restaurant news, so I’m taking a Tasty News section for a spin. It’s 3 new Orlando restaurants coming soon. Tell me what you think of this new section in the poll at the bottom of the newsletter, please!

• ….and much more

If you enjoy this issue, please forward it to a friend. If you’re that sexy friend, subscribe here.

Let’s dive in!

- Philip

ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
Club Eaton's Storied Nights

Under the Florida sun, the small town of Eatonville first took root in 1887, founded as one of the nation’s first all-Black self-governing towns. Josiah Eaton, the Union officer facilitating its establishment, left his imprint by lending his name to the community that would nurture many icons - from the football greats Deacon Jones and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to celebrated writer Zora Neale Hurston.

Yet in the 1940s, the soul of Eatonville resided in a modest wooden building on Kennedy Boulevard - Club Eaton.

Outside it appeared plain, but inside, during its swinging nights, legendary music spilled onto the street. Stepping through the doors, sharply-dressed patrons came to see Duke Ellington tickling the ivories or Ella Fitzgerald scatting up a storm. For famous performers touring the nation, the Club and its upstairs rooms offered warm refuge from a hard life on the road.

Club Eaton was a beacon, a thriving hub for African American artists to freely perform during dangerous times. Under original owner Billy Bozeman, it retained this role for almost 50 years.

But by the 1980s, an aging Bozeman sold to E.L. Bing, who rechristened it “Mr. B’s Club” and invested in upgrades. However, under frequently-changing ownership in the following decades, Club Eaton drifted from its roots. In 2008, local officials shuttered its doors permanently after one too many violations.

Today, only a historical marker on Kennedy Boulevard offers a window back in time - to the days when Eatonville’s little club was the place to hear the nation’s hottest jazz, soaked in Florida soul.

See an expanded version of this article published by our partner, Winter Park City Lifestyle.

THE SQUEEZE 🍊
When Robots Heal: AI's Surgical Revolution in Orlando

Orlando Health stands at the forefront of healthcare innovation, seamlessly integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI and robotics into patient care.

Last year, Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute became one of the first in the U.S. to use AI assistance for hip replacements, enabling surgeons to plan and execute procedures with unparalleled precision tailored to each patient's anatomy.

At the Orlando Health Cancer Institute, robotic biopsy systems empower physicians to navigate the lungs with an ultra-thin catheter, detecting lesions and obtaining tissue samples in hard-to-reach areas. Early screenings are critical for survival according to Dr. Ali Jiwani, interventional pulmonologist.

Orlando Health has also pioneered Hospital Care at Home, a program delivering comprehensive hospital-level care virtually to patients' residences. Portable tech connects them to 24/7 monitoring by nurses and providers. In-person visits, mobile services like imaging and therapy, plus virtual consultations ensure seamless care for conditions like heart failure and COVID-19.

Patients get the same excellent standard of care, but in the comfort of home which aids recovery, notes Dr. Siddharaj G. Shah, the medical and quality director for the program.

Orlando Health's embrace of transformative technologies redefines modern healthcare delivery.

From Rock Bottom to Aspiration: The Eight Cent Revolution

From the ashes of personal crisis, Lashea Reaves sparked a movement. Staring at eight cents - her life savings after adopting her sister and uncovering her father's deceit - she vowed, "Never again." Thus was born Eight Cents in a Jar, Reaves' nonprofit spreading financial literacy.

Her crusade recently culminated in "Invest in Girls," an immersive event where Orange County teens faced real-world budgeting scenarios. High schooler Narcell Andrezil Evans strategized wants versus needs for her fictional family. Guest expert Nekia Foxx, an 18-year veteran entrepreneur, preached money management's path to independence.

Evans admired the exercise's deeper lessons on goal-setting and self-belief. Reaves hopes to impart generational change - financially literate youth uplifting entire communities. Her rallying cry: instill smart money habits early to create financially stable neighborhoods and societies.

The eight cents that marked rock bottom have multiplied into an extraordinary movement. As Reaves prepares for April's Teach Students Money Expo, she inches closer to a legacy of resilience and ambition, defying all circumstances.

VA Accelerates PACT Act for Toxin-Exposed Heroes in Orlando

In a groundbreaking move, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs expedited the PACT Act's rollout, expanding healthcare access for veterans exposed to toxins during service. Now, all who served in combat zones like Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan are eligible for direct VA healthcare enrollment without first applying for benefits.

The Orlando VA Healthcare System swiftly responded, hosting events to screen veterans and provide assistance.

CEO Timothy Cooke underscored the urgency, stating over 100,000 local veterans have been screened, with 46% found eligible under the PACT Act. He urged enrolling all capable veterans to identify potential long-term health impacts promptly.

Vietnam veteran Dennis LaCour, 76, vividly recalled being doused with Agent Orange and now potentially has Parkinson's disease. Though receiving VA benefits, his toxic exposure went unaddressed until the PACT Act's expansion.

The initiative promises relief for veterans like LaCour, whose sacrifices have taken a significant toll.

This represents a stride towards honoring the nation's commitment to quality healthcare for those who served.

The Paella Poet's Manifesto

In Winter Garden, Elias Herruzo Puerto has embarked on a flavorful quest - to introduce authentic Spanish paella to American diners.

After relocating from Madrid, he was dismayed by the inauthentic versions gracing local tables, adulterated with misguided additions like cilantro and lobster.

Puerto's catering business, Paellita Buena, is his remedy, a celebration of paella's true essence. He believes paella should stimulate the eyes and palate without diluting its flavors.

Puerto's culinary roots were nourished by his father and grandmother, instilling the wisdom that simplicity reigns supreme. His paella artistry shines through precise preparation, from the aromatic trio of onion, garlic, and pepper, to the imported bomba rice chosen for its unmatched absorption.

With an intuitive sixth sense, Puerto crafts an experience that transports guests to Spain through sight, sound, and taste, partnering with a Flamenco guitarist.

In a world of culinary homogenization, Puerto stands defiant, authoring a new chapter of Spanish gastronomy with every saffron-infused bite.

TASTY NEWS 🧑‍🍳
Orlando Eateries Opening Soon

1️⃣ Smokemade Meat + Eats: From Pop-Up to Permanent Pitmaster's Paradise

For three years, Tyler Brunache's award-winning Central Texas-style barbecue pop-up Smokemade Meats + Eats has been selling out in Orlando. On March 22nd, he'll open a permanent brick-and-mortar location at 1400 S. Crystal Lake Drive in Curry Ford West, featuring an expanded menu thanks to a new 1,000-gallon smoker. After learning from legends like Goldee's BBQ in Texas, Brunache aims to bring authentic Central Texas barbecue to Orlando permanently.

2️⃣ Qreate Coffee + Studio: A New Brew Awakens in Orlando's Creative Village

Qreate Coffee + Studio, helmed by Quay Hu, is opening a second location in Orlando's Creative Village in late April, offering coffee mocktails, Asian-inspired food, and signature crafted coffee drinks. This higher-end space within Modera Creative Village apartments aims to provide "a new experience" by fusing artisanal coffee with daring Eastern-inspired flavors. As the first of several local tenants at Modera, Qreate's expansion heralds a culinary renaissance in Downtown Orlando's burgeoning Creative Village district.

3️⃣ Bricks & Bowls: The Focaccia Fantasia

A culinary renaissance is coming to Winter Park's Park Avenue with the opening of Bricks & Bowls by Ghost Kitchen Orlando in April. This epicurean gem will offer handcrafted brick-sized focaccia sandwiches, chef-crafted superfood-centric bowls, soups, and cookies, served in an inviting space with a delightful back courtyard. With tantalizing fare and a commitment to excellence, Bricks & Bowls promises to redefine the dining experience on the prestigious Park Avenue.

#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸

Dr. Phillips Farmers’ Market Goodies

📷 via @drphillipsmarket |📍Dr. Phillips

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FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
Summer House on the Lake

📍1498 E. Buena Vista Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, or map to this location, right here.

At Disney Springs, Summer House captures the essence of endless summer with its California-inspired cuisine and lakefront locale.

This Lettuce Entertain You gem transports guests to sun-kissed shores, embracing Florida's year-round bounty of fresh produce, according to general manager Rich Kaufman.

The menu offers healthy options like vibrant salads and tuna tostadas one day, and indulgent fare like decadent pizzas and pastas the next. The Ahi Tuna & Watermelon Tostadas burst with flavor, while the Potato Salad Deviled Eggs showcase delightful seasoning.

🔥 Save room for the new Cookie Bar, offering large, decadent cookies like the tangy Lemon and sweet-salty Oatmeal Scotchie. Designed by Rockwell Group, the airy interior exudes relaxing coastal elegance with white and seafoam green hues.

Sip a frosé from the rosé cart on the breezy lakefront patio and embrace Summer House's endless summer vibe.

summerhouseonthelake

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MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out

> On Tuesday, see the Alanis Morissette inspired musical, “Jagged Little Pill” at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

> Don't miss Jim Carr’s “Jimmy’s Terribly Funny Tour” at The Plaza Live this Thursday.

> I love these. On Thursday, catch a special Candlelight: A Tribute to Coldplay at The Abbey.

> Design and make beautiful jewelry with resin and pressed flowers at the Pressed Flowers Workshop at Autumn and Ro, 807 Virginia Drive this Thursday.

> On Wednesday in Winter Park, catch Music at the Casa - Blue Bamboo presents The Hang featuring Cortez & Friends.

> The Orlando Ballet is seeking a Marketing Manager to oversee all areas of marketing operations.

> DosBros Fresh Mexican Grill, a Chipotle-like spot from Tennessee, has opened its first location in Florida at 11871 University Blvd. in the University Pointe East plaza.

THANKS!

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Thanks for reading! I’ll see you again on Thursday’s weekend fun issue.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal