The Secret Tunnel Under Orange Ave

Reading time: 4 minutes

Good morning, Orlando! So, did you do anything fun over the weekend?

You share, we listen. Click 👆 the poll at the bottom of this issue and tell us how we did today!

🌟 In today’s issue: 🌟

• A secret tunnel under Orange Ave.

• Orlando placed 2nd in the country for…

• Have a spare $30 Million laying around?

• ….and much more

Let’s sip our coffee (or tea), and start our Monday!

- Philip

ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
The Secret Tunnel Under Orange Ave.: A Passageway Lost in Time

In downtown Orlando, beneath the pulsing lights and vibrant nightlife of Orange Avenue, lies a hidden passage shrouded in mystery. A local journalist, Jacob Langston, is following a dusty maintenance corridor behind the historic Beacham Theater, flashlights in hand, searching for this fabled tunnel supposedly connecting the Beacham to the storied Angebilt Hotel across the street.

His guide unlocks a small door he hadn't noticed before, barely big enough to crawl through. Cool, damp air envelops him as he shines his light down the cramped space within. The tunnel stretches only about thirty feet before being blocked off, but the alluring darkness hints at its untold secrets.

This clandestine corridor has its roots in the golden days of vaudeville during the 1920s when the Beacham hosted glamorous variety shows. Performers needed an escape route from adoring fans, and this tunnel afforded hidden passage to their luxury lodgings at the Angebilt.

Over the decades, as vaudeville faded into memory, the tunnel sat forgotten. The Beacham lived many lives - a movie theater, then a trippy laser show venue in the psychedelic 70s - but the tunnel remained, now the stuff of local lore and rumor.

He crouches down, his knees protesting the cold concrete. It's hard to picture elegant dancers and comedians once absconding through here in their glittering costumes. But running his hand along the curved walls, he feels the legacy of a bygone era still imprinted like a whisper in the darkness.

Where the tunnel leads now, no one knows for sure. Attempts to locate the entrance in the Angebilt have yielded naught. But he'll content himself that some secrets are better left unfound, their mystery living on through imagination and myth.

This hidden passageway stands as a monument to Orlando icons past, a conduit between nostalgia and progress. For now it remains sealed, perhaps waiting to reveal its secrets to a future generation and transport them, like time travelers through a void, back to the dazzling world of old-time vaudeville along Orange Avenue.

Click 👇 to see the tunnel for yourself.

THE SQUEEZE 🍊
A Father's Vision for a One-of-a-Kind Community

When Jason Eichenholz’s autistic son Jonathan was 2, Eichenholz began envisioning a tailored community for adults like him. Now 18, Jonathan inspires “Jonathan’s Landing” - proposed housing enabling independent living for the autistic.

The need is evident in Central Florida, home to 21,000+ diagnosed. In Orange County alone, nearly 9,000 residents are on the spectrum, 5,100 of whom are teens/young adults facing limited housing and life skills options after 21.

Jonathan’s Landing seeks to fill this gap with apartment-style homes and communal spaces catered to varying needs. Phase 1 involves 75-150 residents on 25 acres plus organizational headquarters; future phases will expand based on lessons learned.

Eichenholz has assembled an impressive team, including architect Tim Baker, who donated thousands in pro bono design work. As Luminar’s co-founder, Eichenholz pioneered autonomous vehicle innovations.

Now he aims to disrupt institutional autism/caregiving approaches. With a 3-year construction timeline, Jonathan’s Landing has momentum. If actualized as envisioned, it could greatly improve life for Central Florida’s autistic community and beyond.

Theme Parks and Nightlife Crown Orlando America’s Silver Medalist in Enjoyment

Rollercoasters and revelry light up the night in America’s second “funnest” city. Last week, personal finance website WalletHub placed the world-famous Orlando, Florida just behind that Nevada neon paradise, Las Vegas, in amusement and enjoyment.

Thanks to bombastic theme parks and vibrant nightlife, Orlando edged into the number two national spot for recreation and after-dark activities. Whether you’re plummeting down Splash Mountain or dancing til dawn at Universal CityWalk, there’s no shortage of pleasure to soak up in the City Beautiful under the warm Florida sun.

Of course, Orlando has serious in-state competition when it comes to having a good time. Fellow Floridian hot spots Miami, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Jacksonville all made the top 50 in WalletHub’s rankings. Miami even snagged the bronze medal at number three, with late-night fun narrowly topping Orlando’s score.

Up Close & Musical: Judson's Live Brings Cabaret Charm to Orlando

Tucked away in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts lies a new intimate musical sanctuary—Judson's Live. Set to open this February, this sleek 150-seat venue aspires to emulate the atmosphere of iconic jazz clubs while offering guests a modern fine dining experience.

President and CEO Kathy Ramsberger says they wanted to create an elegant secret only the locals know about, drawing inspiration from storied music rooms like Dizzy's Club and envisioning a place where acclaimed artists and audiences could share an intimate musical connection.

The talent booked for Judson's opening months already speaks to its ambitious vision. Patrons can expect to hear two sets per evening from diverse, multi-genre lineups as they settle into the candlelit, lounge-like space.

Between sets, guests can nibble on seasonal sharable plates crafted by executive chef Jason Klingensmith while perusing a wine list curated in-house. Classic craft cocktails and reserved tables also hint at the upscale, VIP ambiance Judson's hopes to achieve.

Ramsberger states that they see Judson's becoming Orlando's next beloved cultural hub for live music. Though the venue may fly under the radar to some, its limited capacity ensures any performance here will feel like a private serenade from hot up-and-coming talent.

Click HERE to check the first round of performances and book advance tickets.

Serving Up Second Chances

When Julien Key was released from a 10-year robbery sentence, freedom felt unfamiliar. Key found hope in Operation New Hope - an Orlando nonprofit helping former inmates return to work. He enrolled in their intensive 3-week job training program, Ready4Work, learning skills like resume writing and financial literacy.

Key credits the program with empowering his new stability. He now works as a chef at AdventHealth Hospital, gaining purpose in serving patients. According to Key, his renewed faith carried him through troubled times and continues lighting the way.

Operation New Hope is central to State Attorney Andrew Bain’s innovative pre-trial diversion initiative for nonviolent offenders. The goal: provide career training rather than jail.

The nonprofits wraparound services have already assisted over 250 returning citizens since opening Orlando offices last year. Keys journey inspires, proving that second chances can provide much-needed fresh starts.

County Betting Big Bucks To Boost High-Tech Paydays

Seminole County is putting big money on the table to lure high-powered jobs. County officials will vote Tuesday on nearly half-a-million taxpayer dollars to renew a contract with the Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP). The goal? Having OEP play matchmaker with global companies that can bring high wages to town.

Seminole isn't interested in any old jobs though. It wants salaries way above the county's $57,624 average. So county leaders are getting "aggressive," notes Chief Strategy Officer Andrea Wesser-Brawner. For example, Seminole shelled out almost $2.5 million over 20 years to attract the likes of Deloitte under its Jobs Growth Incentive Program.

The new OEP deal takes a similar approach - touting Seminole's benefits to potential technology partners. But it also calls for OEP to court television and film projects by fast-tracking permits. While not the priority, Seminole believes OEP's connections can help it become the high-wage hub of Central Florida.

ORLANDO DIGS: DISCOVERING THE AREAS TOP PROPERTIES 🏠

Tucked behind the gates of Windermere's Reserve at Lake Butler Sound community sits Johnny Damon’s sprawling 20,240-square-foot lakefront estate, now listed for $30 million.

For nearly two decades, the former MLB All-Star, his wife Michelle and their six kids have enjoyed an idyllic tropical lifestyle on the 4.78-acre property, complete with a resort-style pool, private tennis court, outdoor kitchen and over 500 feet of prime Lake Butler frontage.

Inside, amenities abound across nine bedrooms and fifteen bathrooms, including a two-lane bowling alley, home theater, wine cellar and cigar lounge. As Damon’s home run trophies and jerseys can attest, the estate also serves as a personal Hall of Fame museum honoring his high-flying 16-year career.

Though few can afford the lavish $30 million price tag, the home promises its next owner countless opportunities to create new memories while paying homage to the baseball royalty who once lived within its storied gates. For a lucky buyer, stepping inside is like walking through the pages of a real estate fairy tale brought to life.

Curious? See more awesome photos, here.

#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸

Space Coast rocket launch seen from Orlando’s City Hall. 💕

📷 via @stevenmadow |📍Orlando’s City Hall

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FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
But First Coffee Shop

📍7726 Wine Rd Suite 101 Orlando, or map to this location, right here.

⏱️ Mon-Friday 8am-4pm, Saturday 9am-2pm

Indulge in Parisian Decadence. For chocolate connoisseurs who dream of savoring rich hot chocolate in a Parisian café but can't presently jet off to France, an exquisite taste of Europe awaits at But First Coffee Shop.

Far transcending any powdered mix, their thick, velvety hot chocolate transports you straight to the City of Light with its smooth, melted chocolate bar texture.

Complement your chocolate reverie with their scrumptious freshly baked cookies for a sweet Parisian tea time. Seasonal coffee offerings provide further temptation for your palate.

From the elegant mug to the final spoonful, But First Coffee Shop offers an escape to Europe without the lengthy flight. Treat yourself to a little French indulgence in Orlando and discover their talent for making dreams come true with chocolate. One sip and you too will be saying “but first, more of this hot chocolate!”

ORLANDO WEATHER 🌤️

Monday

63🌡️ 49 | 🌤️ | Cooler and less humid with increasing amounts of sun; the start of an extended stretch of dry weather

Tuesday

74🌡️ 61 | ⛅️ | Partly sunny, pleasant and warmer

Wednesday

75 🌡️ 63 | ☁️ | Cloudy

THANKS! 🙏

If you found something useful or interesting, please share this issue with someone you know! We’ll see you on Thursday with some fun weekend recs.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal