Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

PSA: I know this is short notice, but if you’re looking for something cool to do TODAY, the Orlando Museum of Art is offering gratis admission today from 10am-8pm!

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

• Kaya scores 10th

• IMMERSE

• PlantCon

• + a lots of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Orlando Filipino Gem Lands on Yelp's Top 100 Restaurants

Food lovers, take note: a Mills 50 District treasure has just put Orlando on the national culinary map! Kaya, a delightful Filipino eatery, scored tenth place on Yelp's prestigious 2025 list of America's top 100 restaurants. Only four Florida spots made this carefully curated selection!

Co-owners Chef Lordfer Lalicon (James Beard-recognized) and Jamilyn Salonga Bailey have created a perfect balance of upscale dining and neighborhood charm. Regulars can't stop talking about the mouthwatering Oxtail Kare Kare and Sinigang Na Isda. Plus, they're big on sustainability—sourcing from local farms and their own garden!

Visitors consistently rank Kaya among their favorite dining experiences in the country, falling in love with its elegant Filipino cuisine.

Mobile Market Gets Major Makeover: Hebni's Mission Expands with $750K Grant

In exciting news for Central Florida neighborhoods, Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation is bringing fresh food closer to Central Florida neighborhoods with a wonderful $750,000 gift to Hebni Nutrition Consultants. HNC’s a dynamic nonprofit empowering diverse communities to transform their health through science-backed nutrition programs and culturally relevant education.

The first $250,000 is already helping expand their beloved Fresh Stop Mobile Market, a lifeline for 90,000 residents in areas with limited food access.

A shiny new truck will replace their trusty old vehicle, making its debut March 17, 2025, at the Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center. The heartwarming upgrade means Hebni can serve 750 neighbors monthly across three counties, up from 600.

"We're bringing healthy food and hope right to people's doorsteps," beams Glen R. Providence, Hebni's executive director.

Young Innovator's Dream Helps Classmates Hear Better

Twelve-year-old Arabella Romsa from Winter Park has won the prestigious MED-EL IDEASforEARS competition with her awesome invention - a USB device connecting to cochlear implants that records lessons for later transcription.

Born from her own classroom struggles, Arabella's innovation addresses daily challenges faced by hearing-impaired students worldwide.

Her prize includes a trip to MED-EL headquarters in Innsbruck, Austria, where she'll meet fellow young inventors passionate about hearing-assistive technology.

After months of nervous anticipation, Arabella is thrilled about her win and the opportunity to help others facing similar difficulties, fulfilling her desire to make the world a little better.

(Learn more about Arabella’s triumph with Alex Cook, right here)

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
IMMERSE 2025

📍All over Downtown.

🕐 Friday- Sunday, February 21st – 23rd

After years away, IMMERSE 2025 electrifies Downtown Orlando this Friday through Sunday with 1,000+ artists transforming city streets into creative wonderlands. Get the full map, right here.

Headliners Cirque du Soleil, Blue Man Group, and Michael James Scott lead an extraordinary lineup spanning dance, music, and theater.

Beyond the three-day spectacle, Creative City Project's founder Cole NeSmith promises art installations throughout downtown all February.

Don't miss your chance to swing through illuminated clouds, slide through unicorn hearts, and experience the unexplainable this weekend.

[Check It Out]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
PlantCon ORLANDO 2025

📍DoubleTree Hilton Orlando. 10100 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32821. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, February 22nd and 23rd, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Orlando's first-ever PlantCon unfolds with 80+ exhibitors showcasing everything from bonsai to aquatics.

Learn secrets from global experts, experience the new outdoor exhibition under Florida's sunshine, and meet PlantTok stars @Botanicallybe, @adamsforrest, and @plantaddicted_cass.

Physician-botanist Jeff Block delivers the keynote, while hands-on workshops cover propagation, native plants, and more.

Whether you're a curious beginner or rare plant collector, this botanical paradise promises something magical for every green thumb.

[Get more info, right here]

Lake Nona Art Festival

📍Lake Nona Town Center. 6967 Lake Nona Blvd, Orlando, FL 32827. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, February 22nd, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday February 23rd, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Experience a dazzling showcase as Lake Nona Town Center transforms into an artistic paradise.

For two captivating days, acclaimed local and national creators display masterworks across diverse mediums—from breathtaking paintings and gravity-defying sculptures to evocative photography and heirloom-quality jewelry.

Each purchasable piece tells a unique story, connecting you directly to the artist's vision and craftsmanship.

[Check it Out, right here]

Winter Garden Music Festival 2025

📍Historic Downtown Winter Garden. 320 Windford Ct, Winter Garden, FL 34787. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, February 22nd, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm

Experience musical magic as 30+ acts ignite six stages throughout Winter Garden's charming historic district.

For 11 spellbinding hours, pedestrian-only streets will pulse with diverse genres while you enjoy craft beverages, outdoor dining, and boutique shopping. Kids' Zone open 11AM-4PM.

Don't forget your chair as you wander between performances in this City of Winter Garden celebration where history and melody perfectly harmonize.

[Get the Full Details]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-day:

Winter Park Arts Weekend | Fri, Sat, Sun | Winter Park | More

UCF Knights Baseball vs. Bryant University Bulldogs Baseball | Fri & Sat 6 p.m and Sun 1 p.m. | Downtown | More

Friday:

BLK JOY Art Exhibit: Anatomy of an Artist | 6:30 p.m. | Lake Fairview | More

Matt Nathanson - King of (un)simple Tour | 8 p.m. | Lake Buena Vista | More

mxmtoon | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Comedy and Wine: Perfectly Paired at Quantum Leap | 7 p.m. | College Park | More

Orlando Magic v Memphis Grizzlies | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Tim Barry | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Traverser's 20 Year Anniversary Show w/ Steps of Odessa and Spirit Leaves | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Aida Rodriguez | 6 p.m | I-Drive | More

Diamond in the Rough! Comedy Show | 7:30 p.m. | Casselberry | More

UCF-Orlando Jazz Festival | 8 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Distant Stations, Saucers Over Washington, Focal Points at Barle and Vine! | 8 p.m. | Milk District | More

Saturday:

Goblin Market | 1 p.m. | Oviedo | More

The Harlem Renaissance Experience: A Celebration of Black Culture | 2 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Wine Wars Orlando | 4 p.m. | Downtown | More

Celebrate National Margarita Day at Margaritaville Resort | 5 p.m. | Kissimmee | More

The Sam Flax Wall Project | 10 a.m. | Hampton Park | More

8th Annual Sanford Porchfest Music Festival | 11 a.m. | Sanford | More

Collective Corner @ Gaston Edwards Park | 11 a.m. | Lake Ivanhoe | More

Cupid's Undie Run | 12 p.m. | Downtown | More

Intro to Life Casting | 1 p.m. | Maitland | Moree

UCF Knights Womens Basketball vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders Womens Basketball | Winter Park | 2 p.m. | More

Sunday:

Collective Corner @ The Great Southern Box Co. | 12 p.m. | College Park | More

Faire of The Dog Lovers Market | 12 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Peanut Butter Matinees: The Princess and the Frog | 12 p.m. | Maitland | More

Orlando Local Makers Market Pop-up | 1 p.m. | Winter Park | More

UCF Knights Mens Basketball vs. University of Utah Utes Mens Basketball | 4 p.m. | UCF | More

Orlando Magic v Washington Wizards | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More

Pariah, Claux, Pontifex, and Gnarcossee | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | 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