La Cantina

January 25, 2024

Good afternoon, Orlando! Yesterday I spent a few hours shoveling snow. Then I woke up and realized I live in Orlando, not New Jersey anymore.

In today’s Orlando Signal, Thursday (weekend fun) issue:

  • 1200 open Orange County positions

  • Resilience hubs

  • Rudy & Edie’s La Cantina

  • + many weekend recs

Let’s roll!

- Philip

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

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Job Spotlight Shines on 1200 Open Orange County Positions

A sea of eager job seekers flooded Orange County's third annual Mayor's open house and job fair last Saturday, hoping to land one of the 1,200 full and part-time county government positions up for grabs. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings played host, providing insights into careers within the county. Demings aims to fill vacancies across departments, from utilities and public works to the convention center.

According to Dr. Yvette Best, a human resources official, the county has openings to suit job hunters across fields and interests.

Job seeker Michael Saylor showed up believing it’s always good to benchmark your skills and value against the competition. Recent college graduate Rolando Gonzales also attended the fair, said he thinks there are many chances for people from different counties.

Several positions remain unfilled because of retirements and relocations. Mayor Demings even offered select attendees tours of his office to shine a spotlight on county jobs, with the goal that talented people will apply and gain employment with Orange County.

Orlando Charges Up For Disasters

The University of Central Florida has partnered with the City of Orlando to create innovative “resilience hubs” that will provide connectivity and resources when disasters strike.

Led by principal investigator Dr. Kelly Stevens, the ambitious Resilience, Education, and Advocacy Center for Hazard Preparedness (REACH) brings the vision of resilience hubs to life through a network of solar-powered mobile units inspired by the popular Tiny Green House at the Orlando Science Center.

By offering air conditioning, battery power, internet access, and device charging, the easily accessible hubs will create lifelines for residents when storms or outages disrupt normal access. Prototypes and cutting-edge designs are now being finalized before testing begins this fall with two key community partners.

REACH project leader Dr. Stevens explained the goal is reliable disaster support that neighborhoods can easily utilize at the local level whenever the next crisis comes.

Orlando Gateway To The Galaxies: Private Tours That Bring Space Down To Earth

Have you ever gazed skyward on a clear, moonless night, marveling at the stars and yearning to unlock their mysteries? At Orlando Science Center, your cosmic curiosity can finally be satisfied through exclusive personal encounters with the galaxy themselves.

1️⃣ The private Observatory Tour focuses on understanding telescope technology. With one-on-one guidance from knowledgeable astronomy interpreters, guests have ample exclusive time to peer through different instruments at whatever celestial wonders the night sky presents.

The sights depend on the time and season, but winter brings phenomenal viewing—VIP guests can see favorites like Saturn and Jupiter plus seasonal spectacles like the Orion Nebula. With smartphones, people can privately capture images to rival those from professional observatories.

2️⃣ The immersive, intimate Planetarium Tour transports a limited number of people inside an exclusive 15-foot inflatable dome. Laser-sharp 4K projections and spatial sound fully immerse guests in the glories of the universe for a completely customized experience not limited by actual sky conditions—they privately choose what to see and can even make requests.

Both exclusive tours culminate in profound wonder, whether from privately seeing Saturn’s rings through a telescope or feeling insignificantly small amidst a hyper-realistic flight through the Milky Way’s star-clouds. The goal is for VIP guests to leave with a deeper connection to space.

HISTORY + FOOD 🍲
Linda’s La Cantina Steakhouse - Longest running “family owned” restaurant in Orlando

📍4721 E. Colonial Dr. Orlando, Fl 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Tuesday - Saturday, 4:00 pm til close

The unassuming building of Linda's La Cantina Steak House belies its status as Orlando's longest-running family owned restaurant in Orlando.

In 1947, German immigrant Rudolph Seng planted the first seeds of an Orlando culinary legacy. Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day that March, the passionate chef purchased a tiny eatery on sleepy East Colonial Drive, his cooking quickly attracting crowds.

Back then, founder Rudolph Seng dubbed it "Rudy and Edie's La Cantina." The name evolved over decades of family bonds, rifts, and devoted patrons.

In 1949, Rudolph's son Al moved to Orlando to work alongside his father. An ambitious young man, Al expanded the restaurant with the addition of a meat locker, bringing in fresh beef "on the hook" to establish the from-scratch ethos that remains today.

The 1960s brought success, but the 80s tested resolve. Despite marital troubles, Al insisted wife Linda persevere as owner after their separation. Over the years, La Cantina weathered both family departures and returns, resolute traditions protected by those dedicated to the legacy Rudolph and Al built.

In December ‘94, fire exploded through the building, immediately destroying 47 years of memories. But the Seng family swiftly rebuilt over 6 months. The grand reopening saw cheering crowds flooding back, even as they mourned Al’s sudden death months earlier.

In 2001, beloved matriarch Linda retired after decades of holding court. Though missed, a new generation now leads La Cantina into the future while honoring its hard-won past.

March 2022 marked 75 proud years - generations celebrating those who built and safeguarded this Orlando tradition against all odds, their faith in La Cantina lighting the way forward.

TOP 3 4 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Otter Fest: Sudsy Riverside Celebration on Wekiva Island Returns

📍Wekiva Island. 1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood, FL 32779. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, January 27th. 1 pm- 7 pm

Beer enthusiasts ready your paddle-boards and taste buds—the 6th annual Otter Fest returns January 27th, promising to transform Wekiva Island's riverside oasis into a sudsy craft beer paradise from 2-5 pm.

This adults-only festival, playfully named after Wekiva’s popular Tooting Otter bar, brings imbibers face-to-face with over a dozen of Florida’s top brew masters and over 50 of their latest libations. With live music setting a lively atmosphere, the intimate event lets guests personally engage with brewers about their creative concoctions.

According to Kathy DeBishop, co-founder of Central 28 Beer Company and veteran festival participant, Otter Fest gives people the opportunity to try many great beers in one place. Her company plans to unveil a special small batch brew along with some of their popular mainstays.

A frothy list of other breweries will line up behind the taps, while Without a Paddle Café serves specialized food pairings. But the tropical island atmosphere with riverside chats with brewers and live music filling the air makes Otter Fest a one-of-a-kind beer bash not to be missed.


📍STEINMETZ HALL. 445 S Magnolia Ave. Orlando, FL 32801 Map to this location.

🕐 Friday January 26 at 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, January 28 at 2 p.m.

Iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo springs to life in Opera Orlando’s new production, “FRIDA.” Soprano Cecilia Violetta Lopez plays the surrealist artist in a moving opera chronicling her storied life from childhood through her tumultuous marriage to Diego Rivera.

Cecilia says the opera essentially tells Frida’s autobiographical story through music. She discovered nuances about Frida she didn't expect, like her studying medicine before the accident that sparked her painting career.

Stepping into this revered role holds deep meaning for Mexican-American Cecilia, bringing her own life full circle. Though FRIDA’s avant-garde melodies challenged her in new ways compared to traditional opera. As the show crescendos emotionally, Cecilia’s soaring voice captures the spirit of Mexico’s troubled icon.

Through song, audiences will gain an inside look at the influences and demons behind one of Mexico’s most iconic artists.


📍DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Universal Orlando. 5780 Major Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819. Map to this location.

🕐 Fri., Jan. 26, 6 p.m. | Sat., Jan. 27, 10 a.m. | Sun., Jan. 28, 10 a.m.

For comic enthusiasts searching for something extraordinary, look no further than the Orlando Art Expo this weekend.

With nearly 100 elite art dealers and vendors from across the country are converging to showcase exclusive original artwork and never-before-seen rarities. This ain't your dad's comic book convention.

In addition to perusing pieces straight from the drawing boards of legendary artists, you also have the superpower to meet these creative titans in person. Mike Allred, David Finch, Bob Layton and other comic luminaries will be on site offering insights into their craft and bringing your favorite covers and pages to life right before your eyes.

Get an inside look at the visual masterpieces that make the comicverse so thrilling. With this much star power assembled, heroes and villains alike wouldn’t dare miss it.


📍Orlando Family Stage. 1001 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 January 24th - January 28th, 2024

Under the Big Top, a purrfect performance awaits. Gather round as Samantha Martin, animal trainer extraordinaire, leads her amazing Acro-Cats troupe in a showstopper spectacle. These fab felines take to the stage in Loch Haven Park, Orlando, ready to prove cats have talent.

Watch in wonder as they ride skateboards, leap through hoops, and display death-defying feats of agility. The grand finale features the musical stylings of Tuna and the Rock Cats, the world’s only all-feline band.

With a cacophony of caterwauls and fur-raising tricks, the Amazing Acro-Cats are sure to have you feline fine! Don't miss these marvelous cats who are putting on the cat's meow of shows.

Courtesy of Amazing Acro-cats

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁 

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday:

ORLANDO WEATHER 🌤️

Friday

83🌡️ 65 | 🌤️ | Very warm with intervals of clouds and sunshine; a passing afternoon shower

Saturday

84🌡️ 66 | 🌤️ | Partly sunny and warm

Sunday

75 🌡️ 50 | ⛈️ | Some sun, then clouds with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm

How did you like today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

🛑 Did you miss last Monday’s issue? It was the “cat’s meow.”
Read it HERE

THANKS! 🙏

We’ll see you on Monday!

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal