Summer Matsuri

Good morning, Orlando! Happy belated birthday to Orlando (July 31st). You’re looking swell for 149!

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

• Crosswalk crackdown

• Sip & Savor weeks

• Summer Matsuri

• + lots of 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. 🐈

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On with it!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Unraveling Winter Park's Parking Paradox

Winter Park's iconic Park Avenue faces a paradox: perceived parking scarcity amid hidden abundance.

A recent study update reveals 600 available spaces on typical days, dwindling to 180 during peak seasons. This contrasts with locals' experiences of circling for spots.

City Manager Randy Knight explored one-way streets with angled parking, but safety concerns for large vehicles nixed the idea. Now, Winter Park pivots to a high-tech solution: a smart parking app using cameras to guide drivers to open spaces in real-time.

As the city evolves with new developments, officials remain vigilant about parking impacts.

For now, visitors like Tanja Hessner adapt, often parking near the train station or on side streets, balancing convenience with the needs of young families in this charming neighborhood.

Lake Nona Grapples with Emergency Response Gap

Lake Nona, a burgeoning Orlando suburb, faces a critical dilemma as its rapid growth outpaces emergency services.

Christopher Hertel, a resident since 2013, became an advocate for improved fire response after a personal injury during Hurricane Ian exposed the area's limitations.

Orlando Fire Chief Charlie Salazar acknowledges the need, revealing plans for a new station in the Poitras area, slated for 2025. However, with costs ranging from $7-12 million, caution prevails since no one predict the economy. The city's proposed budget includes 42 new fire department positions and $1.75 million for a temporary station, signaling awareness of the issue.

As Lake Nona's “skyline” reaches higher, the community grapples with balancing progress, safety, and fiscal responsibility—a challenge echoing across America's fastest-growing regions.

Crosswalk Crackdown: Central Florida's Bold Move to Protect Young Pedestrians

Central Florida's streets are battlegrounds in the fight for pedestrian safety. Best Foot Forward, a program under Bike Walk Central Florida, is spearheading a bold initiative with local law enforcement.

Program Director Vince Dyer oversees undercover officers posing as pedestrians, catching drivers who fail to yield. Offenders face hefty fines and license points. The urgency is palpable, fueled by tragedies like the death of fourth-grader ShaoLan Kamaly.

With only 45% of drivers yielding at crosswalks and rising child pedestrian fatalities, the stakes are high. The operation spans six counties until August 2nd.

Some schools are embracing technology, equipping buses with sensors and installing speed cameras. Yet, the Orlando area remains one of the nation's deadliest for pedestrians.

For Dyer, success means making pedestrian safety second nature.

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Orlando Main Street’s Sip & Savor

📍Main Street Districts.

🕐 Saturday, August 2nd - August 15th

Get ready, Orlando foodies! The "Sip & Savor" extravaganza is set to ignite the city's culinary scene from August 2-15.

Orchestrated by Orlando Main Street, this adventure will showcase the finest flavors across Audubon Park Garden District, Ivanhoe Village, SoDo, The Milk District, and Mills 50.

Prepare your taste buds for a whirlwind tour of local gems like MilkHouse, Bull and Bush Pub, and Santiago's Bodega, and tons more all offering irresistible deals. The full roster of participating venues reads like a who's who of Orlando's food scene, each crafting special menus as diverse as the city itself.

Click below for the full list of participating eateries and their mouthwatering deals.👇

TOP 3 4 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Downtown Winter Garden Summer Sidewalk Sale & LIVE MUSIC

📍Centennial Plaza Gazebo, Historic Downtown Winter Garden. 101 W Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, August 3rd, All day.

Unleash your inner bargain hunter this Saturday, at the Downtown Summer Sidewalk Sale! Winter Garden’s city center transforms into a treasure trove of end-of-season deals, stretching from Woodland Street to Central Avenue.

Peruse outdoor racks bursting with unique finds - from chic apparel to must-have home goods.

Live music at Centennial Plaza sets the perfect mood, while free gelato on Main Street delights the kids. Dive into specialty stores for even more savings, and stack your discounts with the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday. 

Don't miss your chance to snag one-of-a-kind items at prices that'll make your wallet sing!

Summer Matsuri

📍JUJU. 700 Maguire Blvd, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.

🕐 Sunday, August 4th, 4-8 p.m.

Step into a slice of Japan at Juju's 2-year anniversary celebration!

For one enchanted evening, their courtyard transforms into a vibrant matsuri (festival). Taiko drums set the rhythm as you don yukata and explore a wonderland of flavors.

Try your hand at shodo calligraphy, then follow your nose through a maze of stalls offering freshly baked Japanese bread, sando, onigiri, yakisoba, and takoyaki. Don't miss Wafu Taiyaki's sweet treats!

For this night only, Juju's exclusive Kappo Bar becomes a walk-up sushi counter. Your $10 entry ticket doubles as credit, opening the door to a culinary adventure.

From interactive art to mouthwatering delights, immerse yourself in this unforgettable Japanese summer festival experience!

Lindsey Stirling - The Duality Tour

📍Walt Disney Theater. 445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, August 2nd, 7 p.m.

Lindsey Stirling: musical alchemist, violin virtuoso, and electronic dance pioneer.

Since her 2012 debut, she's shattered expectations, topping Billboard charts four times and earning RIAA Gold. With 12.5 million YouTube subscribers and 3 billion views, Forbes ranked her #4 among top-earning YouTube stars in 2015. Beyond music, she dazzled on "Dancing with the Stars" and conquered holiday charts with "Warmer in the Winter."

Her 2019 album "Artemis" hit #1 on the Dance/Electronic Chart, while 2020 saw her innovate with a 100,000-viewer virtual concert.

Now, "The Duality Tour" beckons, promising a mesmerizing fusion of violin, dance, and electronic beats. Stirling continues to redefine artistry, inspiring dreamers worldwide.

Monster Jam

📍Kia Center. 400 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32801. See participating locations.

🕐 Saturday, August 3rd, 1 & 7 p.m.

Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping spectacle as Monster Jam roars into Orlando's Kia Center for two unforgettable nights.

Watch world-class athletes pilot 12,000-pound mechanical beasts in a jaw-dropping display of power and precision. These monster trucks will defy gravity, crushing obstacles and performing mind-bending stunts that'll leave you on the edge of your seat.

It's an earth-shaking experience that'll thrill fans of all ages. Don't miss this ultimate motorsports showdown – tickets start at just $25. Prepare for a night of high-octane excitement!

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Friday:

Lunch & Learn – Gatorland: A Bite-Sized History of an Orlando Icon | 12-1 p.m. | Downtown | $5 (more info)

Liz Longley | 7 & 9 p.m. | Downtown | $20-$30 (more info)

Radiohead Tribute featuring Lavola with Special Guests Olive Green | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | $12-$15 (more info)

Meet the Filmmaker/Freaky Fridays: Video Diary of a Lost Girl | 11:59 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $11 (more info)

FAVO Art Stroll | Fri & Sat 5 p.m. | Central | No cost (more info)

Saturday:

History Alive: Exploring Our Courthouse Home | 11 a.m. | Downtown | No cost (more info)

Historymakers Back 2 School Bash | 10 a.m. | Downtown | No cost (more info)

AdVintage Fair & Flea Market | 8 a.m. | Central | No cost (12 N. Primrose Dr.)

🌻 Free Plant: Plant for Pollinators Native Plant Giveaway | 12 p.m. | Winter Park Area | No cost (more info)

New & Improv'd August Showcase | 7 p.m. | College Park | $15 (more info)

Jerry Garcia Celebration / Days Between | 8 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | No cost (more info)

New Wave Dance Party w/ DJ Craig Boarman | 9 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $10 (more info)

Subculture | 10 p.m. | Downtown | No cost (more info)

Jazz Common Ground | 7 & 9 p.m. | $15-$20 (more info)

Sunday:

R&B Soul Brunch | 11:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. | Downtown | $95 (more info)

Men's Closet 2024 Back 2 School | 11 a.m. | Winter Park Area | No cost (more info)

Orlando Philharmonic Strings Serenade | 6 & 8 p.m. | Downtown | $25-$40 (more info)

Christopher Cross | 8 p.m. | Milk District | $69.50 (more info)

Folk Punk Frolick: Holding On For Dear Life, Chris and the Chemtrails, Oliver Mars Green, Roger's Only Son, Confession | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | $10 (more info)

Dayglo Abortions, The Brothels, Killed by Florida, Deficit of Dreams | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | $20-$25 (more info)

Leagues Cup Group Stage - Orlando City SC v Atlético de San Luis | 8 p.m. | $11-$220 (more info)

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My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal