Monster Marks

Good morning, Orlando! I hope you all are well.

👉 I’m sending a condensed version of the Signal this morning to account for the unknown over the coming days. I’m preparing this Wednesday afternoon, and scheduling it to go out Thursday (now), while I still have power.

🎭 As for “More Weekend Happenings” below. Some events below may end up cancelled. All may end up canceled. Or none may end up canceled as of Wednesday afternoon. You may be busy recovering from storm damage, or have no storm damage and looking for something to do this weekend.

🧐 I figure I’ll give ya’ll some listings, and as a community, we’ll see what happens.

Stay safe, everyone!

Now onto today’s Orlando Signal, Thursday (weekend maybe not-so-fun) issue:

• Mouse Ears to Monster Masks

• Ink and Mortar

• Pocket Park Premiere

• + lots of (maybe) weekend recs

🛑 Don’t forget to click (or tap) the poll at the bottom of this issue so we know if we’re on the right track. Every time you vote in a poll, our cat Luna gets a little treat. 🐈

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

On with it!

- Philip

🌀 Hurricane Rundown as of Wednesday Evening:

• Orange County braces for Hurricane Milton's impending assault, with Mayor Jerry Demings rallying residents to prepare for battle.

• The county grinds to a halt as schools and government buildings shutter.

• Over 100,000 sandbags distributed showcase community resilience.

• Eleven emergency shelters stand ready, while LYNX waives fares to ensure no one is stranded. Here’s a complete list of shelters, including Special Needs shelters.

• Duke Energy mobilizes 10,000 responders, anticipating widespread blackouts affecting nearly half a million Orange County customers.

• Central Florida highway tolls are suspended through noon on Oct. 14

• SunRail suspended services starting Tuesday.

• Check out the OUC Storm Center for the latest important information

• OUC quintuples restoration efforts, calling in distant reinforcements.

• Free storm parking available Wednesday from 6 a.m. at four Orlando garages so you can protect your vehicle from Milton at these safe locations.:

  • Orange County Administration (300 Liberty Ave.)

  • Central Boulevard (53 W. Central Blvd.)

  • Library (112 E. Central Blvd.)

  • Jefferson Street (62 W. Jefferson St.)

• Mayor Demings assures vulnerable regions like Orlo Vista are protected, but Milton's true impact remains uncertain.

5 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Lakes & Drains: Central Florida's Race Against Milton

As Hurricane Milton looms over Central Florida, a silent army mobilizes against potential devastation.

Orlando's lakes have been pushed to their lowest possible levels, creating a crucial buffer against the predicted 6-8 inches of rainfall. The region, still nursing wounds from Hurricane Helene's recent assault, races against time to clear lingering debris that threatens to choke storm drains and exacerbate flooding.

Mayor Buddy Dyer underscores the critical nature of this cleanup, his words echoing the urgency felt across the city.

In Orange County, a coordinated symphony of preparation unfolds: pump stations hum tirelessly, ponds are closely monitored, and canals are meticulously cleared. The working-class neighborhood of Orlo Vista, twice submerged by recent hurricanes, stands as a poignant reminder of nature's fury.

As Milton's first raindrops begin to fall, Central Florida stands united – a community forged by past trials and ready for the challenge ahead. From Kissimmee to St. Cloud, where lake levels offer a glimmer of hope, the region's resilience shines through.

From Mouse Ears to Monster Masks: The Evolution of Central Florida's Halloween

Last Friday, I attended the History Center's Lunch & Learn: The History Behind Central Florida’s Spooky-Themed Attractions, where historian Rachel Williams delivered a well-researched and engaging presentation on Central Florida's Halloween attractions.

She traced the eerie evolution from Disney's first "Halloween Weekend" in 1972 to Universal's game-changing "Halloween Horror Nights" in 1991. Williams highlighted iconic attractions like Terror on Church Street, a year-round haunt that thrilled visitors in downtown Orlando throughout the '90s.

Williams' captivating narrative brought to life the contributions of haunted attraction virtuoso Dan Carro and illuminated Orlando's transformation for thrill-seekers, where spooky experiences now begin as early as August.

These Lunch & Learn sessions are truly worth your time. They offer a unique blend of local history, expert insights, and engaging storytelling, all packed into a convenient midday format.

Ink and Mortar: Lake Nona's Literary Leap

Lake Nona embarked on a new chapter last Tuesday with the groundbreaking of its community library at McCoy Community Park, 7945 Dowden Road, Orlando.

This 20,000-square-foot beacon of knowledge, alongside a $10 million Southeast Government Center, marks a pivotal moment in the area's rapid growth. OCLS Director Steven Powell sees this as forging community foundations through literacy and learning.

Since 2005, Lake Nona has flourished with over 5,000 new homes, and this civic hub anticipates serving 80,000 future residents by 2050.

As construction commences in October, each phase of development writes a sentence in Lake Nona's unfolding story—a community authoring its own future, one page at a time.

The “Buck” Stops Here as Orlando's Ride DTO Reimagines Urban Mobility

Orlando is boosting urban mobility with Ride DTO, launched October 7th. This innovative last-mile service, powered by Circuit Transit's all-electric vehicles, aims to solve downtown's transportation woes.

For just $1 per ride, Orlandoans can summon eco-friendly carts via the Ride Circuit app, operating daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Whether you're heading to Inter&Co Stadium, Lake Eola Park, or exploring local shops, Ride DTO has you covered.

It's not just about convenience; it's a green initiative reducing emissions and traffic while boosting the local economy. New users get three free rides with code "RIDEDTO". Orlando's future is here – sustainable, accessible, and deeply connected.

👉 Check out the service map and top attractions they service, right here.

Orlando's Pocket Park Premiere

In Ivanhoe Village, a neglected plot on Virginia Drive is poised to become a pocket-sized paradise.

This "pocket park," a concept flourishing in urban centers nationwide, will transform a forgotten space into a community gem. Sparked by the Ivanhoe Village Design Committee in 2021 and backed by enthusiastic resident support, the project partners with Orlando Utilities Commission and the City.

The park will showcase sculptural seating, local art, and native plants under a leafy canopy, with mood lighting for evening charm. Phase one reclaims the front area, while phase two, years later, will add permanent surfacing.

A "Name Our Park" contest is imminent, inviting residents to christen their new green space.

(MAYBE) MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Friday:

Jim Leatherman Photography Show Closing Party | 6 p.m. | Mills 50 | Info

Mixtape: Studio 15 | 6 p.m. | Downtown | Info

Kirk Franklin: The Reunion Tour 2024 | 7 p.m. | UCF | Info

Monster Bikes, Bars, and Bites Crawl | 6 p.m. | Milk District | Info

Sweet Spine and More in Orlando | 7 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

Orlando Magic vs New Orleans Pelicans - Exhibition Game | 7 p.m. | Downtown | Info

UCF Knights Volleyball vs. Iowa State Cyclones Volleyball | 7 p.m. | UCF | Info

Eptic presents: Hell on Earth | 10 p.m. | Downtown | Info

Ship Wrek at Celine Orlando | 10 p.m. | Downtown | Info

Saturday:

Ben Rector | 8 p.m. | Downtown | Info

Star 94.5 Heart & Soul Music Festival | 4 p.m. | Apopka | Info

Dog Day | 9:00 a.m. | Audubon Park | Info

Orlando International Dragon Boat Festival and Asian Cultural Expo | 10 a.m. | Turkey Lake | Info

Kissimmee Barktoberfest | 1 p.m. | Kissimmee | Info

Mash of the Titans Beer Festival Presented by Park Brewing | 2 p.m. | Lake Nona | Info

Artful Painting Socials | 5:30 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

Game Day Pub Crawl | 6 p.m. | Conway/Curry Ford | Info

Gold Over America Tour with Simone Biles | 7 p.m. | Downtown | Info

A Ghostly Collective : Collective Corner Local Pop-up Market | 12 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | Info

Saturday Matinee Classics: Suspiria | Winter Park Area | 11 a.m. | Info

International Vegan Food Festival | 2:30 p.m. | Downtown | Info

68th Season Jazz Opener | 2 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

UCF Knights Football vs Cincinnati | 3:30 p.m. | UCF | Info

Sunday:

New Orleans Brunch: Featuring Blackcat Zydeco | 11:30 a.m. | Downtown | Info

UCF Flying Horse Big Band Concert | 3 p.m. | UCF | Info

2nd Annual Orlando Latino Fest | 1 p.m. | Downtown | Info

Annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival | 9:00 a.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

Central Florida Film Slam | 12 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Info

Yandel | 7 p.m. | Downtown | Info

👋 Help Me Improve The Orlando Signal

THANKS!

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

🆕 Do you put on events? Submit your event.

We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal