PRESENTED BY

Welcome back to Monday Morning, Orlando!

Several of you wrote on Thursday after the newsletter landed in inboxes about how the Taco Festival showed up canceled. Sorry about that! The night before, I check all events to make sure they are still live. Sometimes, after the newsletter is already in-flight, an event might get canceled. Despite best efforts, this will happen from time to time. Just keep letting me know if you spot one and I can at least fix it in the web version of the newsletter.

 In today’s issue: 👇

• Pinkey danced

• Hospital haute cuisine

• Corazón by Baires

• ….and much more

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🛑 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. 🐈

Let’s dive in!

- Philip

ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
The Dancing Dog Who Brought Joy to Wartime Orlando

In the challenging days of World War II, while Orlando families worried about loved ones overseas and managed wartime rationing, a charming little fox terrier named Pinkey became the city's favorite source of smiles.

Living with her devoted owner Daisy "Day" Murr at 57 W. Pine Street, this four-legged fashionista captured hearts with her impressive wardrobe – featuring 40 dresses, 15 ballet costumes, and 30 adorable hats by 1943.

But Pinkey was much more than her fabulous outfits. This clever pup could jump rope, leap through hoops, and twirl "like a dervish." She'd even trot to nearby stores with a little basket, running errands for Murr.

As the war effort ramped up, Pinkey donned her Uncle Sam costume to help sell war bonds, bringing both purpose and joy to her performances.

When she passed away in 1944, the Sentinel remembered her fondly as the dog who was "just about human" – and many claimed, even wiser than most folks!

Through their delightful partnership, Murr and Pinkey gave Orlando exactly what it needed during those trying times: a reason to believe in simple joys.

(Learn more about Pinkey and her fascinating owner with Joy Wallace Dickinson, right here.)

PRESENTED BY COVERING CENTRAL FLORIDA
Unlock Affordable Healthcare with Central Florida's Trusted Navigators

📅 Open Enrollment for the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace is here! Need to update and renew your health plan? Switch plans or add dental insurance? Need to get new coverage due to a recent move?

Our team of certified Healthcare Marketplace Navigators is here to make sure you and your family stay covered and healthy in 2025.

Call 877-564-5031 or visit www.coveringcfl.net today to schedule a free in-person or virtual appointment. 📞 #CoveringFlorida #CFNP

THE SQUEEZE 🍊
Small College Gains, Big Economic Returns: Central Florida's Education Future

Here's an eye-opening discovery for Central Florida: a small bump in college attendance could bring big changes to Orange and Osceola counties.

Recent research from the Helios Education Foundation shows that increasing college enrollment by just 10% would pump $809 million in yearly social gains into the local economy.

Each student who graduates ready for college adds about $35,950 to the region's economic health every year. Lead researcher Paul Perrault shares that as robots and automation transform jobs, college prep is becoming essential.

The solution? More AP classes, dual enrollment options, and stronger connections between Florida colleges and local businesses.

(Learn more about the effects of increased college enrollment with Danielle Prieur, right here.)

Local Arts Hub Fringe ArtSpace Sets 2025 Farewell

In a heartfelt announcement, Orlando Fringe shared plans to close its beloved downtown venue, Fringe ArtSpace, by February 2025.

Despite generous support from the city's Downtown Development Board, the venue faces challenges with facility upkeep, including HVAC issues, flooding concerns, and parking limitations, all while navigating slower-than-hoped ticket sales.

The silver lining? Orlando Fringe will channel its creative energy into its signature event, the annual Orlando Fringe Festival, ensuring the city's vibrant arts scene continues to flourish.

Healing Meets Haute Cuisine at Orlando Health

Imagine checking into a hospital and being greeted with delectable dining!

That's exactly what Orlando Health’s Jewett Orthopedic Institute has created since opening last year. Under executive chef Kurtis Dunston, formerly of luxury hotels like The Breakers and JW Marriott, patients enjoy room service-style dining with delights like 12-hour braised short rib and pan-seared mahi mahi.

The made-to-order approach not only delights patients but reduces waste while delivering restaurant-quality meals.

With fresh ingredients from local partners like Black Sheep Farms and Douce France Bakery, the program's success is inspiring changes across other Orlando Health facilities.

(Learn more about Jewett Orthopedic Institute’s delectable dining with Amy Drew thompson, right here.)

Swan Squad: Lake Eola's Annual Wellness Round-Up

In a scene worthy of a wildlife documentary, volunteers converged on Lake Eola Park last Saturday, navigating kayaks and canoes to conduct annual health examinations of Orlando's celebrated swan population.

Under District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan's supervision, the team orchestrated a careful roundup of more than 50 birds, including trumpeter, black neck, whooper, royal mute, and Australian black swans.

At a temporary clinic on the park's west end, veterinarians performed vaccinations, wing maintenance, and health assessments.

The event, dubbed the “swan-a-thon,” raises funds for the birds' care and acquisition. Sheehan emphasized that visitors should feed the swans leafy greens rather than bread.

(Learn more about this swan round-up with Brandon Hogan, right here)

TASTY NEWS 🧑‍🍳
Orlando Eateries On Their Way

1️⃣ Spoleto Italian Kitchen - Build-Your-Own Italian Paradise

Winter Garden's historic downtown welcomes Spoleto Italian Kitchen (Insta) to 21 S. Main Street this December. The Brazilian-born chain, founded in 1999 by Eduardo Ourivio and Mario Chady, brings its innovative build-your-own pasta, pizza, and salad concept, featuring locally sourced, non-GMO ingredients with gluten-free and vegan options.

2️⃣ Arden + Red Panda Noodle - Global Sips Meet Local

Opening early 2025 at The Yard on Ivanhoe, Arden (Insta) wine bar promises globally-sourced wines from sustainable producers and underrepresented winemakers. Red Panda Noodle's Eliot Hillis crafts playful dishes like shrimp salumi and mushroom "noodles" for this casual 75-seat venue, where owner Brandon Chandler keeps most offerings under $15.

3️⃣ Saigon Snow - Top Chef Meets Street Sweets

Top Chef Season 3 winner Hung Huynh brings Saigon's dessert culture to Mills Market with Saigon Snow (Insta). The concept features cloud-like Taiwanese shaved ice (tsua bing) dressed in Vietnamese flavors like mango colada and ube, topped with sticky rice, jellies, and fresh fruits—a sweet collaboration with restaurateurs Johnny and Jimmy Tung.

#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸

Don’t Be Laté, a Blueberry Lavender Latte

📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Audubon Park

Tag @orlandosignal to get your photo featured in the newsletter!

FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
Corazón by Baires

📍8126 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819. Map to this location.

Prepare to be amazed by Corazón by Baires (Insta), a delightful surprise tucked away on Orlando's International Drive.

Don't let its tourist-strip location fool you – step through the charming heart-adorned Biblioteca and into a magical dining room where palm trees and chandeliers create pure enchantment.

The flambéed cheese wheel pasta is a must-try showstopper, and the short ribs are divine. The table-side theatrics and stellar Latin American cuisine make this hidden gem absolutely unforgettable.

[Check out Corazón by Baires, right here]

MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out

🎻 Great Orchestra Series Debuts 
📅 November 18, 2024 
📍 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Experience incredible performances by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and London Symphony Orchestra.

🎨 Holiday Ornament Painting 
📅 November 18, 2024 | 1-3pm 
📍 Center for Health & Wellbeing, 2005 Mizell Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792

Create handmade holiday gifts by painting your own festive ornaments.

🏪 Food for Thought Tour 
📅 November 20, 2024 | 6pm 
📍 Second Harvest Food Bank, 411 Mercy Dr, Orlando, FL

Take a behind-the-scenes warehouse tour to learn about hunger relief efforts in Central Florida.

🍽️ Friends Giving Celebration 
📅 November 20, 2024 | 6-10:30pm 
📍 EOLA View, 150 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL

Enjoy a 4-course dinner, drinks, and live music with dancing in a festive atmosphere.

🏛️ History After Dark 
📅 November 21, 2024 | 5-9pm 
📍 Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E. Central Blvd., Orlando, Florida 32801

An immersive after-hours experience featuring historical figures, interactive activities, and unique encounters.

🍷 Take Flight Thursday: Beaujolais Nights 
📅 November 21, 2024 | 6:30pm 
📍 Formaggio & Friends, 4745 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32806

Sample six distinctive Beaujolais wines paired with personal cheese boards in an evening of French flair.

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

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal