Welcome to Thursday Morning (Happy New Year), Orlando!

What’s good, fine Orlando Signal readers?

As I mentioned last Thursday, I took some time off. The fam and I headed up to Savannah, roamed the historic district, and ate/drank our faces off.

We had breakfast at a killer place in the historic district called The Collins Quarter. I tried grits Shakshuka for the very first time, had bananas foster French toast, and washed it down with a Spiced Lavender Mocha. Oh lordy! This historic district is a highly recommended weekend trip if you’ve never been.

The weekend events are a little anemic this week, given the holidays, but I’m sure event organizers all over Orlando are working overtime to restore fun as the new year revs up.

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

• A Father's Tech Vision Opens Doors

• The Wild Robot

• Rejuvenation Orchestra

• + weekend recs

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Let’s roll!

- Philip

3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
A Father's Tech Vision Opens Doors for Adults with Autism

In an uplifting step forward, a Central Florida father is transforming opportunities for adults with autism.

Tech entrepreneur Jason Eichenholz, whose heart and vision were sparked by his 19-year-old son Jonathan, has created the Techtonic Workforce Academy to teach valuable electronics repair skills.

Armed with a $1 million state grant, this innovative project tackles the daunting 85% unemployment rate among adults with autism while helping fill a 20,000-technician gap in the booming cell phone repair industry.

The academy and repair factory, opening spring 2025, are just the beginning - Eichenholz dreams of building supportive living communities and bringing hands-on training to local schools, paving the way to independence.

(Learn more about Jason Eichenholz mission with Michael Cuglietta, right here)

From Mosquitoes to Magic: Orange County at 200

Two centuries ago, Orange County began life as humble Mosquito County - today it's a dazzling tourism powerhouse celebrating its 200th birthday.

This slice of Florida paradise welcomes an astounding 401,000 new neighbors every week. To keep the dream alive for everyone, the county has poured $160 million into housing initiatives, teaming up with Universal Resorts and Disney World to create affordable homes.

A whopping 74 million visitors brought $87.6 billion in tourism joy last year. As Orange County steps into its third century with a $7.2 billion budget, its future sparkles with pure Florida sunshine.

(Learn more about Orange County’s 200th birthday with Destiny Wiggins, right here)

Home Sweet Home: Orlando's Real Estate Takes a Welcome Breather

Orlando's real estate story took an encouraging turn in 2024, bringing a breath of fresh air to home seekers.

For the first time in 14 years, the metro area saw its housing supply bloom to a healthy six-month inventory - music to buyers' ears.

While median home prices danced up to $380,000 through November, a 4% yearly waltz, the market finally showed signs of catching its breath. ORRA President Rose Kemp highlights Orlando's sparkling appeal as an investment hotspot.

Peeking into 2025, experts see sunnier days ahead with gentler mortgage rates, though affordability remains tricky.

Meanwhile, the rental scene keeps hopping, with ten hopefuls typically pursuing each available unit.

(Learn more about this 2024 housing recap with Lillian Hernández Caraballo, right here)

WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
Pop-up Market at The Food Factory

📍The Food Factory. 888 City Walk Ln, Oviedo, FL 32765. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, January 4th, 12 p.m.

Kick off 2025 with a bang!

Browse unique treasures from 15+ local artisans while treating yourself to Oviedo's finest flavors.

From Buttercrust's authentic pizza to Kai Street Fare's Asian delights, and craft brews at Oviedo Park Pub – there's something for every palate.

Bring the whole family – pets included! – for a fun day of shopping and dining.

Presented by Tru Nature's Bazaar and Orlando Local Makers, this market is your perfect fresh start to the year.

[Get more info, right here]

TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
Movie in the Park: The Wild Robot

📍Kissimmee Lakefront Park. 201 Lakeview Dr, Kissimmee, FL 34741. Map to this location.

🕐 Friday, January 10th, 5:30 p.m.

Calling all movie lovers!

Kissimmee Lakefront Park is transforming into an open-air cinema for a magical screening of "The Wild Robot" on their massive 50-foot screen. Come early to snag the perfect spot before sunset showtime.

The best part? Everything's free – from buttery popcorn to bouncy inflatables, craft stations to photo booths, plus exciting prize giveaways!

Just bring your lawn chairs or blankets for the coziest movie night under the stars.

[Get more info, right here]

Rejuvenation Orchestra – Sam Rivers Legacy: Public Rehearsal

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

🕐 Sunday, January 5th, 12 p.m.

🎷 Step into the Jazz Time Machine: The Sam Rivers Legacy Lives On for an electrifying evening with the Rejuvenation Orchestra.

Doug Mathews, who laid down bass lines with Sam Rivers for 25 years, leads this dynamic ensemble mixing RivBea Orchestra veterans with fresh talent.

Celebrating what would be Sam's 100th birthday, this monthly rehearsal is pure musical alchemy.

Come early for conversation at their open house. Name your ticket price and bring a bottle of wine or non-alcoholic drink to share! 🎺

[Get more info, right here]

Swan Lake: State Ballet of Ukraine & Live Orchestra

📍Steinmetz Hall. 445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801. Map to this location.

🕐 Saturday, January 4th, 7 p.m.

Magic unfolds onstage as the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents "Swan Lake," featuring 55 elite dancers under Andrei Litvinov's artistic direction.

Celebrating their 10th Anniversary, Classical Arts Entertainment delivers Tchaikovsky's masterpiece performed live by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, led by Aaron Collins.

Watch in awe as timeless choreography by Lev Ivanov after Marius Petipa unfolds against 200 stunning scenic pieces, from the iconic Dance of the Little Swans to Odile's dazzling 32 fouettés.

[Get more info, right here]

MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁

Multi-day:

Billy Gilman | Fri & Sat 7 & 9 p.m. | Downtown | More

FYA 11 | Sat 12 p.m. & Sun 10 p.m. | Orlando Amphitheater | More

UCF Knights Women's Basketball vs. Arizona Wildcats Women's Basketball | UCF | More

Friday:

Getdown Downtown Street Party | 6 p.m. | Maitland | More

Departure - Tribute To Journey | 7:30 p.m. | Buena Vista | More

Saturday:

Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties | 6:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Orlando Solar Bears vs. Florida Everblades | 7 p.m. | Downtown | More

Sunday:

UCF Knights Mens Basketball vs. University of Kansas Jayhawks Men's Basketball | 4 p.m. | UCF | More

El Boricua está de Fiesta | 5 p.m. | Downtown | More

Red Mint | 5 & 7:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

Orlando Magic v Utah Jazz | 6:30 p.m. | Downtown | More

THANKS!

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We’ll see you on Monday.

My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal