Terminal D to Air Taxis

Good morning, Orlando! I’m not sure how many of you have tried Smoke & Donuts, but dang. Took the family there recently and inhaled 3 insane donuts along with BBQ.

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

• Terminal D + Air Taxis

• Spring Fiesta in the Park

• A Tasting with Master Sommelier

• + 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 ⏲️
Orlando's Female Brewing Renaissance

In a few Orlando’s breweries, a renaissance unfolds as Heather Opheim and Amanda Smythe revive an ancient tradition - they are modern brewsters carrying on the legacy of women as the original brewers throughout ancient civilizations.

Opheim masterfully oversees all operations at Deviant Wolfe Brewing in Sanford, while Smythe reigns over the taproom and lends her talents to Toll Road's brewing team in Ocoee. Although women's brewing roles ebbed with the rise of industrial male-run breweries, author Tara Nurin credits today's craft beer movement for welcoming back female brewers.

Mentored by seasoned veterans, Opheim and Smythe rose through the ranks by diligently mastering mundane yet vital tasks like keg cleaning. Now fully embraced, their collaborative "Boots on the Beach" beer celebrates International Women's Day.

From ancient Babylon to modern Orlando taprooms, the tradition flowered, faded, but now thrives anew through passionate brewsters rekindling their foremothers' flames.

From Terminal D to Air Taxis: MCO Cements Aviation Dominance

MCO is steering towards a stratospheric future. Through 2024, this aviation juggernaut expects an eye-popping 60 million passengers, a 10% leap from the previous year's record. Kevin Thibault, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, attributes this surge to unprecedented 15% growth between 2022 and 2023 - equivalent to five years' worth in a single year.

Expansion is the watchword, with plans for Terminal D to match Terminal C's 60 million passenger capacity. Seamless integration takes priority too - a new pedestrian bridge will link Brightline to Terminal C, while a consolidated rental facility near the 417 will free up 5,000 parking spots.

Revolutionizing air travel is the crown jewel - a vertiport for electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) near Terminal C. Lilium's Matt Broffman confirms certifying these cutting-edge "air taxis" in 2025, enabling Orlando flights by 2026 at blistering speeds of 175 mph.

Capable of zipping to Tampa in just 30-40 minutes, eVTOLs will whisk passengers the "last mile" from airport to destinations. MCO is leaving no stone unturned in redefining the aviation experience.

The Guiding Light That Sparked a Teaching Legacy

In the hallways of Windermere High School, Erma Brathwaite-LaMotta's unwavering dedication to her students is a beacon of inspiration. This consummate educator's mind is a constant whirlwind, always seeking new ways to enhance learning.

Brathwaite-LaMotta's classroom is a sanctuary where knowledge is nurtured, and dreams take flight as an instructor of learning strategies and transition planning.

Yet her path to teaching was not always clear. It was her mother's wisdom that ignited the spark: her mother gently advised that she loved working with children and her patience was unmatched. Hailing from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, the importance of education was paramount in Brathwaite-LaMotta's British-system upbringing.

After 26 years, her passion remains undimmed. She hopes students remember not only the skills she has imparted but also her unwavering support, her voice brimming with maternal warmth. Witnessing their growth is the greatest reward a teacher could ask for.

In halls where futures are forged, Brathwaite-LaMotta's legacy is woven into countless lives – her mother's guiding light igniting a brilliant flame for generations.

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Spring Fiesta in the Park

📍Lake Eola Park. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday & Sunday April 6th & 7th, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

As winter's chill melts away, the vibrant heart of Orlando awakens with a kaleidoscope of artistry, flavors, and melodies.

The vibrant heart of Orlando awakens with the 35th Annual Spring Fiesta in the Park. On April 6th and 7th, Lake Eola Park transforms into an enchanting wonderland where hundreds of artisans & booths sprawl across the verdant landscape. Meander through this open-air gallery marveling at handcrafted treasures capturing spring's renewal.

Tantalizing aromas waft from a constellation of food vendors offering tempting fusions to delight every palate. Complement your culinary adventures with refreshing brews from the beer garden. The AdventHealth for Children Kid's Zone promises boundless imagination for the young adventurers.

On both days, live music will resonate from the Amphitheater stage. From soulful melodies to harmonious voices, tap your feet to the joyous spirit of the season.

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Tasting with Master Sommelier, George Miliotes at Judson’s Live

📍Judson’s Live. 445 South Magnolia Avenue. Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Sunday, April 7th at 1:30 p.m.

Wine enthusiasts and novice tasters alike are invited to an exceptional tasting experience at Judson's Live, the new venue of the Dr. Phillips Center. The event will be guided by George Miliotes, one of only 273 Master Sommeliers worldwide and owner of the renowned Wine Bar George at Disney Springs.

From 1:30-3:00pm, Miliotes will lead guests through a blind tasting journey, exploring both red and white wines from different regions.

Miliotes promises this will be more than just tasting great wines in a stunning venue. As he states, "You gain a deeper understanding of wine, regions and taste – while having fun!"

To complement the stellar wines, an artfully prepared charcuterie board will accompany the tasting, expertly paired by the chef to elevate the flavors.

Spring Fever in the Garden

📍Plant St. Winter Garden. 300 W Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, April 6th, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, April 7th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Bloom & Grow Garden Society of West Orange County ushers in spring with their 22nd annual Spring Fever in the Garden festival, transforming Downtown Winter Garden's Plant Street into a vibrant floral paradise.

Stroll charming brick lanes lined with shops, eateries, splash pads, the iconic clock tower, and lush hanging baskets. Seek serenity in the vine-covered gazebo's calming fountain and visit Flora, the copper Monarch, in Butterfly Park.

Don't miss the Ask the Expert booth - top horticulturists and nursery pros answering all your gardening queries. New to Florida? Learn the growing seasons. Planning a pollinator garden or seeking indoor plant care? The experts guide you. Check the website for topics and times.

The Kid Zone engages youngsters with nature activities, crafts, face painting and stilt walker balloon animals. Free entertainment features diverse musicians, singers, bands and dance troupes performing near City Hall and Woodland Street.

Immerse yourself in this blooming celebration of spring's beauty and nature's revitalization in Downtown Winter Garden's lovely setting.

Rejuvenation Orchestra - Sam Rivers Legacy

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

🕐 Sunday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Get ready to embark on a rhythmic journey, as the Month of Jazz Festival beckons you to Timucua for an electrifying celebration of Sam Rivers' centennial. Brace yourself for a tribute to this trailblazing jazz legend whose melodies have left an indelible mark.

For 25 years, Doug Mathews was the driving force behind the incomparable Sam Rivers' RivBea Orchestra. Now, he's assembled the Rejuvenation Orchestra, a dynamic ensemble fusing original members and young talents, united in their passion for keeping Sam's legacy alive.

After diligently rehearsing at Timucua, these virtuosos take the stage, poised to weave a tapestry of melodies that will ignite your senses. Imagine the anticipation as they unleash a performance transcending time, transporting you to the heart of Sam Rivers' genius.

Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the magic of Sam's centennial celebration. Embrace the electric energy permeating the air, as the rejuvenating power of timeless jazz washes over you, leaving an indelible imprint.

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁 

Friday:

• First Fridays: Reggae Night | 5:30 p.m. | Baldwin Park | Free (link)

• Bird Call Community Celebration | 5:30 p.m. | Audubon Park | Free (link)

• UCF Celebrates the Arts Alumni Social | 7 p.m. | Downtown | Free (link)

• Bringing Back the Blues With Beautiful Bobby Blackmon | 7 p.m. | Mills 50 | Free (link)

• Trash Panda | 7 p.m. | South Eola | $18 (link)

• CRUX presents: BERO BERO, Offerings, L.U.S.T, terradame @ Stardust Video & Coffee | 7 p.m. | Audubon Park | $12 (link)

• UCF Celebrates the Arts 2024: Feels Like Rain, Flying Horse Big Band | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | $15-$50 (link)

• Mister Rogers: The Musician | 7:30 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $10-$25 (link)

• Oklahoma Stackhouse with Beach Terror and Mandarin Orange | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | $10 (link)

• Kissimmee Valley Farmers Market | 5 p.m. | Kissimmee | Free (link)

Saturday:

• Yo, Ho, Ho, Let's Go! : Theater for the Very Young | 10 a.m. | Downtown | $10 (link)

• Poetry Reading and Book Signing by Ilya Kaminsky | 1 p.m. | Downtown | Free (link)

• Crealdé Open House & Celebration | 1 p.m. | Winter Park Area | Free (link)

• Creative Clash | 5 p.m. | Downtown | Free (link)

• MEXTOUR W: Mexico v Colombia | Downtown | $25-$70 (link)

• A Night of Tributes: In A Nutshell (Alice in Chains), Black Ledbetter (Pearl Jam), and Nothing's Shocking (Jane's Addiction) | 7 p.m. | Winter Park Area | $15 (link)

• Adventures in Parrotdise: A Jimmy Buffet Tribute | 7 p.m. | Central | $36.75-$49.75 (link)

• The Marriage of Figaro | Sat 7 p.m. & Sun 2 p.m. | Downtown | $25 (link)

• Corsets & Cuties All-Star Show! | 8 p.m. | Ivanhoe Village | $15 (link)

Sunday:

• Music at the Casa - Blue Bamboo Presents Chris Cortez | 11 a.m. | Winter Park Area | Free (link)

• Performing Deaf Republic | 1 p.m. | Downtown | Free (link)

• Joe Pera: The PERAs Tour | 4 p.m. | I-Drive/Universal | $42-$72 (link)

• Stephane Wrembel | 5 & 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | $35 (link)

• Live Dead & Brothers: An All-Star Celebration of Grateful Dead & Allman Brothers | 6 p.m. | Downtown | $30 (link)

• UCF Percussion Ensemble Invitational and Concert | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | $15 (link)

• [407 DAY] - KS23, Noctus, and Counting Bodies | 8 p.m. | Mills 50 | $13 (link)

THANKS!

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal