Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

Wishing all the dads out there a very happy early Fathers Day. Hope you have a great weekend!

🔥 Also, thank you for answering my call for Community Superstars on Monday. So many interesting people doing interesting things in Greater Orlando. Their stories are on their way, but keep them coming!

🎂 Happy belated birthday to Christine Gardner

Now onto today’s Orlando Signal (weekend fun) issue:

• More People, Less Money, Smarter Spending

• Helena Modern Riviera

• Return of the King

• + lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️

Summer Reading Gets a Major Upgrade at Orange County Libraries

When school bells fall silent, Orange County's libraries become the neighborhood's ultimate summer destination. The Orange County Library System's "Summer at Your Library" program runs June 1 through July 27 across all 15 OCLS locations, offering adventure for every age group.

Toddlers enjoy movement activities and story times, while elementary kids dive into hands-on creative projects. Teenagers tackle science experiments and eco-friendly activities, and adults connect through in-person and virtual events.

The crown jewel? A summer reading challenge where kids logging 600 minutes via Beanstack app can win prizes. Plus, Orange County Public Schools provides free lunches at six locations for anyone under 18, proving libraries truly serve their communities.

Paws for a Cause: Veterans Score Life-Changing Service Dogs

Four military veterans just won the lottery, the four-legged kind. Last week’s ceremony at the Goodhomes Plaza Firehouse Subs saw Canine Companions for Independence pocket a $25,000 check from the restaurant chain's Public Safety Foundation, earmarked to pair disabled veterans with specially trained service dogs.

The event featured K-9 demonstrations with a retired firefighter-turned-puppy-raiser. Southeast Region director Cathy Rodgers knows these free service dogs transform veterans struggling with civilian life, restoring independence, pride, and hope.

Since 2005, the sandwich chain's foundation has distributed $96 million through 6,841 grants nationwide. This veterans' grant represents one of 87 recent awards totaling $2.1 million.

(Learn more about this awesome donation to vets with Haley Coomes, right here)

Orange County Mayor: More People, Less Money, Smarter Spending

Orange County is booming with 800 new residents arriving weekly, cementing its status as one of America's fastest-growing hotspots. Mayor Jerry L. Demings rolled out his "building better through efficiency" game plan during last Friday's State of the County address, tackling looming federal and state budget cuts by challenging every department to make taxpayer dollars work harder.

The housing crunch took center stage, with Orange County holding the unwelcome second-place spot nationally for cost-burdened low-income renters at 82%. But there's good news: the county pledged $160 million over ten years for affordable housing and homelessness solutions, already delivering over 900 housing units this year.

Tourism continues thriving with 75.3 million visitors pumping $93 billion into the local economy. Demings emphasized that slashing housing costs while boosting workforce skills creates golden pathways to higher wages—exactly what's needed for smart growth through Vision 2050.

🎤 Want to see the full address? Click here.

🙋 Trivia Time

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦

Father’s Day at Helena Modern Riviera!

📍Helena Modern Riviera. 8441 International Dr #260, Orlando, FL 32819. Map to this location.

🕐 Sunday, June 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Every superhero deserves their cape day, and Father's Day is Dad's moment to shine.

Helena Modern Riviera in Orlando flips the script with their Mediterranean oasis celebrating the man of honor.

Their Father's Day brunch (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) features unlimited beer, no counting drinks, just pure enjoyment.

While Dad savors his brews, the family dives into their acclaimed Mediterranean menu, crafting unforgettable moments over incredible cuisine.

[Check It Out]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊

The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Live)

📍Walt Disney Theater. 445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday & Saturday, June 13 & 14, 7 p.m. (Fri & Sat) & 1 p.m. (Sat)

When Middle-earth's Fate Hangs by a Thread, Magic Happens

The house lights dim, and suddenly you're living inside J.R.R. Tolkien's breathtaking finale.

The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King transforms when the Opera Orlando Chorus and Youth Company join the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for an unforgettable cinematic symphony.

Watch Frodo's journey unfold on the big screen while Howard Shore's Academy Award-winning masterpiece swells around you in real time, where every note carries destiny's weight.

[Check it out, right here]

Leanne Morgan: Just Getting Started

📍Addition Financial Arena, 12777 Gemini Blvd N, Orlando, FL 32816. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, June 14th, 7 p.m.

Comedy gold hits Orlando when Southern sensation Leanne Morgan brings her "Just Getting Started" tour to Addition Financial Arena!

This master storyteller transforms everyday chaos - from parenting disasters to marriage mishaps – into pure comedic gold with unmistakable Southern charm.

Following her breakout special "I'm Every Woman," Morgan's authentic humor feels like swapping hilarious stories with your funniest girlfriend.

Don't miss this side-splitting evening of relatable laughs!

[Get more info, right here]

Contemporary Art Music Project & Hub New Music

📍Timucua Arts Foundation. 2000 S Summerlin Ave, Orlando, FL 32806. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday June 13th, 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.

Double Feature in Paradise: One Ticket, Two Musical Adventures!

Contemporary Art Music Project (CAMP) • 12:00 PM

Tampa's musical mad scientists since 2021, brewing up everything from intimate salon gatherings to their show-stopping annual CAMPGround festival. These globe-trotting collaborators team up with everyone from Tempus-Projects to Tampa City Ballet.

Hub New Music • 2:00 PM

Detroit's "contemporary chamber trailblazers" (Boston Globe) serving "piping hot 21st century repertoire" (Washington Post). This magnetic flute-clarinet-violin-cello quartet has been shaking up modern music since 2013.

Snag the noon show, stay for the 2 PM performance – two incredible ensembles, one unforgettable afternoon.

[Get the full details]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-Day

The Journey of Jazz | Fri & Sat | Casselberry | More

Josie & Grace | Sat & Sun | Downtown | More

Father’s Day Weekend Celebration | Sat & Sun | Kissimmee | More

Friday - 13th

Luke Bryan: Country Song Came On Tour | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Casselberry Art House Presents: Looks Good on Paper | 6 p.m. | Casselberry | More

Portraits of the Ordinary Strange by Ashley Cherrelle | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Luisa Sonza: Escandalo Intimo US Tour | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Brew Ha-Ha Semifinals | 7:30 p.m. | Casselberry | More

Admiral Radio: Neo-Vintage Americana Duo | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

Bad Witch Burlesque Presents: "MONSTER MASH" | 8:30 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Peter Hook & The Light | 8 p.m. | Milk District | More

Saturday - 14th

Fairy Festival | 9 a.m. | Lake Wales | More

10th Annual Juneteenth Celebration In Hannibal Square | 10 a.m. | Winter Park | More

Saturday Matinee Classics/Reel Pride: My Beautiful Laundrette | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More

HRC Orlando's 35th Anniversary Pin Trading Meet Up | 12 p.m. | I-Drive | More

The Dancer's Pointe Era's Tour | 4 p.m. | Downtown | More

The Self-Checkout | 5 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Lauren Sanderson – Girl From The Internet Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

IAMASI live at Lil' Indies | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Stray Kids World Tour | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Sunday - 15th

Brechner Speaker Series: Jonestown’s Silent Remembrance | 2 p.m. | Downtown | More

Double the thrill for dad: BOGO admission to Orlando’s ultimate auto experiences | 11 a.m. | I-Drive | More

Florida's Market of the Beast | 11 a.m. | Winter Park | More

Father's Day featuring True Lies | 11:30 a.m. | Maitland | More

The Human Thread: Building Connection and Belonging | 2 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Bear Hands | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

David Bisbal | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Will Wood | 7 p.m. | Milk District | More

THANKS!

🧠 Interested in reaching smart readers like you? Grow with us right here.

We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal