Starry, Starry Night

Unlock the mysteries of space through powerful telescopes guided by expert astronomers.

Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!

I love programs like this helping out the community. Did you know Valencia College is offering a Dental Sealant Clinic to kids aged 3-18 this Saturday performed by dental hygienist students? Have a child (or grand-child) who could benefit?

🥳 Happy birthday to Carmen Garcia!

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

  • Starry, Starry night

  • Million-Dollar Polish

  • Faded Kingdom

  • + a boat load of weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

🔥 Taste + Local History

Explore the charm of Ivanhoe Village
on the Orlando Signal Foodie Tour

Returning Sunday, February 16th. For three magical hours (3-6 p.m.), discover six distinctive eateries (and EAT) while your guide weaves tales of this historic neighborhood's fascinating evolution. You will walk away full!

This Valentine's weekend, treat yourself to an intimate journey through one of Orlando's most enchanting districts. Only 5 out of 12 spots remain!

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Help on Wheels as Orlando Launches Innovative Crisis Response Unit

Last Tuesday, Orlando's Mayor beamed with pride as he introduced the city's newest hero: the Mobile REACH Hub.

Alongside Commissioner Robert F. Stuart and UCF's Dr. Kelly Stevens, he unveiled this amazing portable emergency station at the city's Operations Center.

Think of it as a friendly neighborhood helper on wheels – when trouble hits, it rolls right to where people need it most! Packed with everything from phone charging spots to internet connections and food supplies, this clever hub brings comfort to communities in crisis.

Thanks to teamwork between the city and UCF, this adaptable lifeline stands ready to lend a helping hand whenever disaster strikes.

Million-Dollar Polish Coming to Park Avenue

A beloved centerpiece of Winter Park is about to sparkle even brighter, as the charming Park Avenue prepares for its first refresh since 1996.

The city is lovingly investing $1 million to enhance the magic of this eleven-block stretch from Fairbanks to Whipple Avenues. Visitors will soon be greeted by an inviting new gateway sign, while the streetscape will bloom with elegant lighting, artful pottery, and smoother sidewalks.

The exciting transformation kicks off this spring between Fairbanks and Lyman Avenue, bringing cooling misters for those warm Florida days while carefully preserving the avenue's enchanting character. Final plans arrive in February.

(Learn more about this Park Ave. refresh and see renderings with Tyler Williams, right here)

From Crisis to Care: Expanding A Path Forward for Overdose Patients

In a compassionate new approach to addiction care, Orlando Health is growing its life-changing "opioid navigator" program throughout Central Florida's emergency rooms.

The initiative, supported by Orange County's opioid settlement funds, creates a warm, judgment-free space where overdose patients can find both immediate help and paths to recovery.

At its heart is Jaime Bridges, a former police officer who brings her own recovery story to her role as a social worker. Having already helped 600 people find community resources, the program is spreading its wings to hospitals in Dr. Phillips and Ocoee with $365,800 in funding.

The team welcomes each person's unique journey, offering everything from medication-assisted treatment to gentle harm reduction strategies.

(Learn all about this Opioid Navigator Program with McKenna Schueler, right here)

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Starry, Starry Night: An Evening of Stargazing, Art & Science

📍Bok Tower Gardens. 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, February 1st, 5:00 p.m.

Unlock the mysteries of space through powerful telescopes guided by expert astronomers.

Starting at noon in the Rondel, witness the Sun's dramatic display through specialized solar scopes. As night falls, connect with NASA ambassadors, encounter fascinating nocturnal creatures, and let leading speakers transport you to distant galaxies.

This magical fusion of art and science awaits members (free) and non-members (regular admission).

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Solar Bears Food Fest

📍Kia Center. 400 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, February 1st, 4:00 p.m.

Gear up for a culinary adventure as the Orlando Solar Bears transform Church Street into a food lover's paradise! This Saturday, fourteen of Central Florida's finest eateries will serve up their specialties outside the Kia Center.

From Sonny's BBQ to Double O's Coffee, from Skyline Chili to Planet Smoothie, treat your taste buds before catching the Solar Bears battle the Florida Everblades at 7:00 PM.

Season ticket holders get free festival admission; others need to purchase separately. Game ticket required.

Mudita and Song Stringer: Songwriters with Orchestra

📍Timucua Arts Foundation. 2000 S Summerlin Ave, Orlando, FL 32806. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, February 1st, 7:30 p.m.

Experience a fusion at Timucua where folk meets orchestral grandeur in the third installment of Song Stringer x Mudita America's series.

Central Florida's finest songwriters - Hannah Stokes, Jordan Foley, and Kaleigh Baker - share their original works in an intimate round setting, backed by the full Mudita Orchestra performing custom local arrangements.

The evening blends coffeehouse intimacy with concert hall magnificence, featuring both original compositions and orchestral standards for an unforgettable musical journey.

Faded Kingdom Beer Festival

📍Tactical Brewing. 4882 New Broad St Orlando, FL 32814. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, February 1st, 1:00 p.m.

Prepare to enter the Faded Kingdom Beer Festival 2025, where Baldwin Park's New Broad Street transforms into a medieval celebration of craft excellence.

On February 1st, from noon to 4 PM, seventy master brewers – fifty traveling from across America to join twenty local artisans – will showcase their finest creations.

Watch armored warriors of the Florida Rogue Knights clash in MMA combat while exploring a marketplace of food pop-ups and vendors.

Come join this pilgrimage to Orlando's craft beer royalty.

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-day:

🔥 The Pitchforks | Fri & Sat 8 p.m. | College Park | More

ZORA! Festival of the Arts | Fri-Sun 9:00 a.m. | Eatonville | More

50th Annual Mount Dora Arts Festival | Sat. & Sun 9 a.m. | Mount Dora | More

Florida Dungeon Fest | Fri & Sat 5 & 4 p.m. | Winter Park & Audubon Park | More

Friday:

HAPCO Jazz Fest Ocoee 2025 | 6 p.m. | Ocoee | More

Gimme Gimme Disco | 9 p.m. | Downtown | More

Boxi Park Unplugged | 5 p.m. | Lake Nona | More

Scenior Citizen 2nd Bday Bash | 7 p.m. | Audubon Park | More

Pilobolus @ Play: Residency Showcase | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Dana Cooper | 7:30 p.m. | Wadeview Park | More

Boston Richey | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

The Legendary JC’s and Rod Hamdallah | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | More

Saturday:

25th Annual Groundhog Gala | 10 a.m. | Sanford | More

History Alive: Communities Around Orlando | 10 a.m. | Downtown | More

Historic Architecture Tour | 10 a.m. | Maitland | More

Learning Illustration Techniques | 10 a.m. | Maitland | More

UCF Knights Womens Basketball vs. University of Houston Cougars Women's Basketball | 12 p.m. | UCF | More

3rd Annual Orlando FamilyFest | 12 p.m. | I-Drive | More

Faded Kingdom Beer Fest | 12 p.m. | Baldwin Park | More

Out Of The Darkness Walk Orlando | 1 p.m. | Baldwin Park | More

Orlando Bike Coalition 10th Anniversary Celebration | 3 p.m. | Audubon Park | More

Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Convictions, Fluxe, Disorient | 7 p.m. | Winter Park | More

Sunday:

2025 Pro Bowl Games | 3 p.m. | Downtown | More

Mayhem on Mills | 4 p.m. | Thornton Park | More

Dude Dad | 8 p.m. | Milk District | More

First Responder's 5K Family Fun Run at ICON Park | 7:30 a.m. | I-Drive | More

Upcycled Collage | 10:30 a.m. | Maitland | More

Yacht Rock Hangover Brunch | 11 a.m. | Downtown | More

Uncomfortable Brunch: Crimes of Passion | 11 a.m. | Maitland | More

Orlando Valkyries vs. Omaha Supernovas | 3 p.m. | UCF | More

Michael Feinstein in Because of You | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Ax and the Hatchetmen | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

🎭 Put on events? Submit your event here.

THANKS!

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal