The Clock Struck Sorekara

March 07, 2024

Good morning, Orlando! Perhaps the readers can help settle a debate I have waging on the home-front. Cookies. Crunchy, or soft? Hit reply and let me know.

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

  • Orlando Hospitals partner with AI

  • The Clock Struck Sorekara

  • Two weeks of tacos

  • + lots of weekend recs

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

On with it!

- Philip

P.S. Happy birthday to Benjamin Crissman 🎉

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Humans + Machines: Orlando Hospitals Strike Balance with A.I.

Artificial intelligence is transforming health care across Central Florida—sounding early alarms for deadly diseases, monitoring patients remotely, and taking over tedious administrative tasks to free up doctors and nurses.

Orlando Health and AdventHealth utilizes A.I. in over 40 applications, from identifying pneumonia on X-rays to transcribing patient appointments. The goal is aiding human workers, not replacing them.

According to Dr. Victor Herrera of AdventHealth, the hospital system absolutely does not intend to replace physician decision making with A.I.

Some envision an even bigger role for A.I. down the road. Dr. Shyam Varadarajulu of Orlando Health is developing technology to analyze ultrasound images and highlight tiny pancreatic cancer tumors invisible to the naked eye, with the aim of pioneering artificial intelligence so doctors anywhere can achieve outcomes comparable to the best experts.

Yet doubts persist. As asserted by Florida Hospital Association CEO May Mayhew, humans still need to remain firmly in control of health care decisions.

For now, hospitals strike a balance - embracing A.I. to solve problems but keeping authority with doctors and nurses at the bedside. People still make the tough calls, but behind the scenes more tasks once done by humans have been entrusted to the computer brain.

How Pickleball Saved a Business (and Its Owner)

When the pandemic forced John Gardner to close Barbarella, the beloved Orlando dance club he had owned for 38 years, he unexpectedly found new purpose on the pickleball courts.

Though Gardner had limited experience with the paddle sport exploding in popularity, he felt immediate kinship when he began playing regularly at ClearOne Sports Centre.

So when Gardner learned the struggling facility was being sold in 2022, he took a chance and bought it himself.

What started as a whim rapidly became a second act for Gardner. In just two years under his leadership, ClearOne’s revenue has spiked 80 percent and daily attendance is up to 200 players.

Gardner has funneled investments into upgrades like new plumbing, air conditioning, and courts. And in a nod to his nightclub days, ClearOne hosts weekly 80’s dance parties.

Gardner adamantly declares this is no retirement hobby - he plans to spend the foreseeable future growing the sport he accidentally fell in love with.

It seems the uncertain future Gardner faced became a serendipitous opportunity to reinvent himself as an unlikely pickleball entrepreneur.

The Clock Struck Sorekara

Chef William Shen's new Baldwin Park restaurant Sorekara, meaning "and then" in Japanese, aims to savor each moment as if it's the last when it opened this week.

His zen philosophy has guided every aspect of Sorekara's three-year creation, from the 20-plus course tasting menu that will change every 5-10 days reflecting Japan's 72 micro-seasons and transition subtly like the seasons, to the multi-room journey that will immerse patrons.

Though little is revealed about the avant-garde Japanese-American cuisine, Shen blends traditional cooking with international influences and Florida ingredients to create a singular vision.

More than exceptional food, Shen and partners Johnny and Jimmy Tung have choreographed Sorekara to resonate long after, appreciating all contributors from Japanese artisans to local craftspeople.

The hours-long dining experience does not come cheap at $275 per person, but Shen knows good things come to those who wait and savor each moment (and course) with patience and intention – for the clock has only just struck "sorekara."

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Explore Impossible Worlds at Verse Orlando - Now Open at Dezerland Park!


📍Dezerland Park. 5250 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, March 2nd at 9am

Escape reality and enter worlds beyond your imagination at Verse Orlando, the newest hyper-immersive attraction at Dezerland Park. With futuristic virtual reality headsets, you'll transport to surreal realms where the normal rules of physics don't apply.

Choose from four mind-bending alternate worlds, each offering thrilling adventures. Star Walk leads you on an intergalactic voyage filled with stunning celestial sights.

The Unreal Garden presents a fantasy realm inhabited by mythical beasts and magical puzzles. Art of the Future is a glimpse into imagined tomorrows, where technology and creativity merge. And for aspiring wizards, Sightcraft invites you to harness mystical powers and master enchantments.

Verse Orlando operates Thursday through Sunday at Dezerland Park on International Drive. Ticket prices vary - purchase online in advance or on-site.

Lose yourself in virtual worlds where your imagination reigns. The future is calling - answer it at Verse Orlando.

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Bursting with Blooms: Leu's Annual Plant Sale

📍Harry P. Leu Gardens. 1920 North Forest Avenue Map to this location.

🕐 March 9th & 10th, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Mark your calendars, garden lovers - Leu Gardens 27th Annual Spring Plant Sale blossoms March 9-10! Over 50 vendors will flood Leu's lush acres with botanical bounty and floral fabulousness for two days only.

Choices abound for green thumbs of every skill level - from rare tropicals to common perennials. Bring an empty cart to haul your haul, as finds will tempt even modest plant collectors. Don't forget cash either, as most vendors are cash only.

Pets stay home, but plants and people are welcomed within!

From vibrant blooms to vines for your arbor, a world of botanical wonders awaits March 9-10. Join the floral frenzy at Leu Gardens and unearth garden greatness!


📍All over Orlando!

🕐 March 6th-20th

A taco tidal wave is about to hit Orlando, offering a cornucopia of creative takes on this iconic street food.

Over 30 restaurants across the city are rolling out $7 taco specials from March 6th-20th for the return of Orlando Taco Weeks—a whole fortnight this time for double the tortilla-wrapped bliss.

From the trendy Mills 50 district to the tourist hotspots near Disney, a taco party is coming to every corner of Orlando.

Whether your go-to is classic al pastor, fried fish, or an innovative fusion filling, there’s sure to be a taco out there calling your name. Area favorites like Gringos Locos, Jimmy Hula's, and Tin Roof will be dishing out craveable new creations alongside neighborhood haunts putting their unique spin on tradition.

This celebration offers the perfect excuse to get out and support local chefs and restaurants as they unwrap their taco obsessions for all to enjoy. It’s time to tac-o-bout amazing!

Conductor of Justice: Batman (1989) Soars with Live Orchestra

📍Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, March 9, 3:30 pm & 7:30 pm

Step into the realm where symphony meets cinema magic as the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra presents a groundbreaking event: "Batman (1989) in Concert."

Under the baton of maestro Mark Watters, embark on an auditory odyssey through Gotham City as the iconic Dark Knight wages his war on crime.

In this timeless classic, witness the genesis of Batman's legendary journey as he confronts his inaugural adversary, Jack Napier, whose transformation into the enigmatic Joker sets the stage for an epic showdown of good versus evil.

With the visionary musical score by the renowned Danny Elfman seamlessly intertwined with the film, prepare to be immersed in the unparalleled atmosphere of suspense, drama, and heroism.

It's an event not to be missed—a symphonic spectacle that promises to captivate both aficionados of cinema and enthusiasts of orchestral mastery alike.

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁 

Friday:

Saturday:

Sunday:

ORLANDO WEATHER 🌤️

Friday

82 🌡️ 67 | 🌤️ | Mostly cloudy

Saturday

86 🌡️ 68 | 🌦️ | Times of clouds and sun; breezy in the afternoon; remember to set clocks ahead at night

Sunday

77 🌡️ 55 | 🌦️ | Cloudy and not as warm with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm, mainly early in the day

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THANKS! 🙏

We’ll see you on Monday!

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal