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Big changes in Orlando’s downtown bar scene; metro Orlando rent remains shockingly high, and other news you may have missed. Plus “This Modern World”
Snip, snip With Florida’s six-week abortion ban likely to stay in place, smart men are thinking about getting vasectomies. Luckily, Planned Parenthood is now offering them
13 Her back pages
Taryn Kody may be leaving Florida, but she’s gifting us her collected words in a new book
Live Active Cultures Longtime U.K.-to-Orlando travel writers Susan
Cover design by David Loyola
Big changes in Orlando’s downtown bar scene; Trump’s cabinet picks cause ripples in the Florida Legislature; metro Orlando rent remains shockingly high, and other news you may have missed.
BY LUCY DILLON, CHLOE GREENBERG, MCKENNA SCHUELER, AND THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
» Orlando police charge dozens in downtown bars for drug sales, permit violations
Orlando police say an undercover drug activity operation dubbed Operation Night Cap has resulted in dozens of charges spanning several downtown businesses. They’ve been working on the sting since July, reportedly to address drug sales in bars and clubs in the area. The operation has resulted in 85 charges against 32 individuals. Altogether, OPD found that ordinances were violated at 33 establishments. The operation was spurred by complaints about illegal activity downtown — not only drug sales, but also alcohol sales after permitted hours, improper or absent ID scans, and improper or absent weapons searches. Twenty-three bars and clubs were found to be violating the terms of the After Midnight Sales Permit passed in March 2023. Undercover officers purchased drugs directly from dealers inside 17 clubs, including Bullitt Bar, Shots, Sly Fox, Casey’s on Central and others. Five of the dealers OPD identified were employees of the businesses, although the Orlando Sentinel reports that Bullitt Bar’s owner says their “employee” who sold drugs — identified by OPD as a “manager/promoter” — was never officially employed by the bar. Arrest reports show that 11 people have been arrested so far. Those 11 individuals have “a combined criminal history of 87 felony convictions and 51 misdemeanor offenses,” according to an OPD release.
» Five downtown Orlando clubs close, including Ember, Chillers and Irish Shannon’s
In grimly related news on downtown’s nightlife scene, five downtown Orlando clubs — Chillers, Irish Shannon’s, Cahoots, High Tide and Ember — have now closed their doors (though none of the closures were a direct result of OPD’s Operation Night Cap). All five were owned by Church Street Entertainment, legally known as Downtown Entertainment LLC. Four of the venues were located in the same multi-floor building on Church Street; Ember was located on Central Boulevard. A source told the Orlando Business Journal that Nov. 25 was Ember’s last day of business. Nightclubs across downtown Orlando have faced new challenges in the last few months, including a permanent limit passed by the city council on the number of nightclubs per block in the downtown entertainment area that took effect in late September. Scott Kotroba, owner of Bullitt Bar on Pine Street, recently told Channel 9 that business at his bar has been down 60 to 70 percent. The bad press from Operation Night Cap is the last thing they needed, Kotroba said.
» Orlando remains one of the most cost-burdened metros in the U.S. While Orlando has in the past been crowned a leading foodie destination and LGBTQ-friendly city, it appears the City Beautiful can also not escape its designation as one of the most cost-burdened metro regions in the United States, where a majority of renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent. According to a recent report from Apartment List analyzing U.S. Census data, the number of cost-burdened renter households is at a record high, with the Orlando metro ranking No. 4 nationwide, closely trailing Tampa, Miami and Cape Coral. Sixty-one percent of Orlando metro renters reported spending more than 30 percent of their monthly income on rent, according to the most recent Census survey, and 28 percent pay more than half. While rent prices have stabilized to some extent compared to the price hikes of 2021 and 2022, many working adults — and adults on fixed incomes — are still playing catch-up from those hikes. Others remain at risk of being priced out. A point-in-time homeless count conducted earlier this year, for instance, revealed an alarming trend in the number of older adults age 65 and older in the region without shelter.
» Florida sees more than 21 percent decline in abortions from this time last year
The number of abortion procedures provided in Florida has dropped more than 21 percent compared to this time last year, according to new data published by the state — a decline likely tied to a law banning most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy that took effect May 1. According to data from the state Agency for Health Care Administration, licensed clinicians reported 56,864 abortions in Florida as of this week, compared to 72,087 abortions reported by the same time last year, when Florida had a 15-week abortion ban in effect. In Orange County, a populous county in Central Florida that’s home to three licensed abortion clinics, the number of abortions performed year-todate among residents dropped nearly 28 percent, from 4,768 reported abortions this time last year
to 3,450. The number of abortions received by pregnant people traveling to Florida from out of state also dropped — by nearly half, from 6,566 reported abortions last year to 3,621 this December. State and county totals do not take into account self-managed abortions or pregnancies that ended without the assistance of a licensed abortion clinic provider.
» President-elect Trump’s cabinet picks cause dozens of changes in Florida Legislature
Florida’s 2025 legislative session will begin with 26 new lawmakers in the 120-member state House and nine new Florida senators out of 40 — but the make-up of the chambers will shift in the coming months, thanks to President-elect Donald Trump. As Trump fills out his administration in advance of his Jan. 20 inauguration, his choices are causing ripples in the state Legislature. Trump tapped former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general; Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration amid increased scrutiny of a House ethics report, but had already resigned his Congress seat. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, after receiving Trump’s endorsement, is stepping down to run for Gaetz’s seat. State Rep. Joel Rudman, a Navarre Republican reelected last month, announced he will resign from the House to also run for the Panhandle congressional seat. Rudman’s exit will create an opening for GOP-leaning House District 3 in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties. And Trump’s selection of U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz (FL-6) to serve as national security advisor has sparked a separate set of musical chairs in the House and Senate. Special elections for the House and Senate races have not been scheduled yet, but the contests aren’t expected to change the partisan ratio in either chamber. The 2025 session begins March 4, 2025.
With Florida’s six-week abortion ban likely to stay in place, smart men are thinking about getting vasectomies. Luckily, Planned Parenthood is now offering them
BY MCKENNA SCHUELER
Less than one month after a ballot measure to overturn Florida’s six-week abortion ban narrowly failed to get the support it needed to pass, Planned Parenthood has decided to relaunch a program at their East Orlando clinic that offers an increasingly in-demand form of permanent birth control: vasectomies.
“With the recent failure of Amendment 4 to pass in Florida despite receiving 57% of the vote and the added uncertainties around abortion and health care access nationwide, it is more important than ever that people have every tool at their disposal to maintain control over their health and medical decisions,” said Barbara Zdravecky, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, in a statement.
“Traditionally, the burden of birth control has fallen on women, but in recent years we have seen a turn toward more equitable accountability in reproductive health care and pregnancy prevention,” she added.
Florida’s Amendment 4 sought to enshrine the right to have an abortion in the state Constitution, where state lawmakers would have had a more difficult time messing with it. Amendment 4
VasWeb charges $690 for the procedure if paying out of pocket, but if you’re insured, the procedure may be at least partially covered through your insurance plan. On their website, VasWeb aptly notes that $690 is “still FAR less than an unintended pregnancy!”
An abortion procedure, for instance, can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,300 through a Planned Parenthood clinic, depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy. And Florida is also one of the costliest states for childbirth, if you do bring a pregnancy to term.
As of Sept. 2023, the median cost of a vaginal birth in Florida was $34,489 for those who are uninsured or receiving out-of-network care. Even for in-network care, the median cost is $14,911, and the cost of a C-section birth is even higher.
A vasectomy may not be for everyone. But if you’re a father who is ready to stop procreating, or a man who simply does not want to get someone pregnant, experts say vasectomies can be one of the most effective ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
“In the 40 years I’ve been providing vasectomies and vasectomy reversals, the biggest jump we’ve seen in interest was immediately following the overturn of Roe v. Wade,” Dr. Douglas Stein, a board-certified urologist and founder of VasWeb, shared in a statement.
Roe v. Wade was the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case establishing the right to abortion. After nearly half a century, it was overturned by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in 2022.
From Stein’s perspective, “It was clear that a lot of men are very concerned about whether they and their partners might no longer have the option to terminate a pregnancy in the event of failure of one of their contraceptive methods.”
the number of patients under 30 who had undergone vasectomies in the first few months after Roe v. Wade was overturned. Compared to states with less restrictive abortion policies, the rate of vasectomies was “consistently higher” both preand post-Dobbs than in states that completely ban or restrict abortion access.
In addition to vasectomies, the review also found that demand among women for tubal ligation — a procedure also colloquially referred to as getting one’s tubes tied — has also increased.“The increased rate of vasectomies post-Dobbs was consistent among states regardless of the legal climate, while the increased rate of tubals postDobbs was significantly increased in states where abortion was illegal,” according to the review.
Planned Parenthood doesn’t offer tubal sterilization, but Schickler said that, compared to vasectomies, sterilization for women can be a more complicated procedure. It takes longer, requires anesthesia, and also requires more recovery time.
“It’s a full-on thing, requires time off of work, some recovery. The vasectomy is like, they walk in, it’s maybe 10 to 15 minutes [with] the no-scalpel technique,” Schickler explained. “It is so quick, especially with [providers] from places like VasWeb that do these all the time.”
Dr. Stein, who trains doctors in both vasectomies and vasectomy reversal, says that people “want to be in control” of their reproductive health. “Restrictions on health care access have really gripped men who want to remain childfree, and even those who have children but don’t want more. I’m excited to be working with Planned Parenthood to help reach even more patients seeking vasectomy care.”
would have legalized abortion up to fetal viability, similar to where abortion access similarly stood in Florida just a couple of years ago, before Florida legislators approved a 15-week abortion ban. Although more than 6 million Florida voters voted in favor of Amendment 4, it did not surpass the 60 percent threshold required for constitutional amendments to pass.
Planned Parenthood, a key partner in the Amendment 4 campaign, is now teaming up with VasWeb, a vasectomy provider based in Tampa, to provide safe no-needle, no-scalpel vasectomy procedures at Planned Parenthood’s East Orlando clinic, located off University Boulevard near the University of Central Florida. The service will only be available on select “vasectomy days,” since the provider isn’t someone they’re staffing in-house.
Dr. Robyn Schickler, chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood in Central Florida, said the procedure itself is “very safe,” can be completed in as little as 15 minutes, and doesn’t require anesthesia — although a local anesthetic like lidocaine may be offered. “Vasectomy is an incredible and very safe method of birth control,” Schickler noted.
Abortion is currently banned in Florida after six weeks of pregnancy, with few and restrictive exceptions. Now, the nearest state to legally terminate a pregnancy after six weeks is hundreds of miles away in North Carolina, where abortion is legal up to 12 weeks, or Virginia, where abortion is legal up to the third trimester.
The Tampa Bay Abortion Fund, a nonprofit that helps remove logistical and financial barriers to abortion care, recently told Orlando Weekly that, if someone who contacts them is beyond six weeks, they generally try to coordinate care with clinics up in Washington, D.C., where lodging and travel costs are more convenient.
“I know a lot of people are trying to go to Virginia, but unless you’re driving, flights and hotels aren’t always the easiest,” explained Bree Wallace, director of case management for TBAF. “They kind of get expensive at times, too.” Illinois, where abortion is legal up to viability, is another option.
A number of studies have indicated vasectomies are having a moment, post-Roe, with a greater interest in the procedure. Increased demand has been particularly notable among younger, single adults.
A national review published in the Journal of Urology in May found a “significant increase” in
Schickler said that people in Florida trust Planned Parenthood as a healthcare provider, and even with Florida’s restrictive six-week abortion ban in effect, “we still plan to be here.”
“Patients are still counting on us. Patients are still coming in for care, so we’ll continue to provide that care,” she said, “in compliance with the law, of course.”
Their clinics also offer birth control, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, emergency contraception, and sex education services. The next day that Planned Parenthood’s East Orlando Health Center is offering vasectomy appointments — Dec. 16 — is already booked up, Schickler confirmed. However, they plan to offer more appointments “regularly,” depending on the provider’s availability.
“The hope is for it to be a very regular thing,” she said. “Possibly having such high demand may prompt more days to open, or for the providers to be more available on those days.” At this time, they’ll only be offering vasectomy services at their Orlando clinic, but they hope to be able to expand to other service areas in the future.
VasWeb’s next scheduled procedure day in Orlando that’s not booked up yet is Jan. 13. People who are interested in getting a vasectomy can schedule appointments with VasWeb by going to vasweb.com or calling 813-536-1430. news@orlandoweekly.com
BABY STEPS
Boynton Beach Democrat Lori Berman wants to codify 12 weeks of paid parental leave for state employees into state law
BY MCKENNA SCHUELER
With abortion less likely to be an option for women with unwanted pregnancies in Florida under the state’s six-week abortion ban, Florida Rep. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, has refiled a proposal for consideration that seeks to enhance paid parental leave for state employees.
The proposal (SB 76), filed for consideration during the 2025 legislative session beginning in March, is identical to a bill she filed last year that was ignored by the state Legislature’s GOP leadership.
Currently, Florida’s state government employees have up to nine weeks of paid maternity leave for new mothers, or two weeks of paid parental leave for new fathers, following the birth or adoption of a child. The paid family leave program, announced by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office last September, requires employees to have worked for the state for at least one year.
Florida workers in the private sector aren’t guaranteed any paid parental leave at all. Berman, who’s also refiled a proposal this year to guarantee universal free breakfast and lunch for public school students (SB 74), said she
believes the paid parental leave permitted for state employees currently is “too short.”
“I’d like to make it easier and promote working mothers here in the state,” Berman told Orlando Weekly. “Often when there’s a short maternity period, people just quit their jobs.” This initiative, she hopes, “will encourage people to continue to work and be economically self-sufficient in our state.”
While an identical bill she filed last year (SB 128) failed to get scheduled for a single committee hearing — a process determined by the Legislature’s Republican leaders — Berman’s hopeful that under new state Senate and House leadership, there might be more of an appetite this year for her proposals.
“The House Speaker said he wants to focus on affordability for families,” Berman noted, referring to recent remarks from newly confirmed House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami. “This is certainly something that will help families here in the state,” she argued.
She also hopes that the state can “set an example” for private businesses in Florida, which aren’t required by any state or federal law to
all workers — just 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. And that’s not even available for the entire U.S. workforce. Because of FMLA eligibility requirements, a majority of low-wage workers — roughly 60 percent — are believed to be ineligible.
Some states, however, have taken action on their own. According to the National Partnership for Women & Families, at least 13 states, plus Washington, D.C., have passed their own paid family leave laws as of July — Florida not included.
So nationwide, access in the private sector in particular remains poor. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, roughly three-quarters of private sector U.S. workers don’t have access to paid parental leave, leaving new parents in a difficult position following birth, fostering or adoption.
The Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, representing teachers and other school staff in local Orange County public schools, fought for paid parental leave during their own contract negotiations this year, but their request was rejected by school district and school board officials, who were concerned about the potential cost.
Even DeSantis, who’s made “empowering parents” a cornerstone of his administration as Governor, has admitted that as a father of three, the first few weeks for new parents and their children are “instrumental.” His office said in their announcement of state workers’ current policy last year that paid leave “improves both parental and infant health, including both physical health and well-being.”
provide a single day of paid parental leave. “I would love to see every business in the state of Florida do it,” she said.
Furthermore, because the current policy was approved by the Governor and Cabinet, but not through any form of legislation, Berman believes it’s important to codify state employees’ access to paid parental leave into state statutes.
“We need to set an example and show businesses that this is the kind of benefit that employees in Florida deserve,” said Berman, who was first elected to the state Senate in 2018 after serving four terms in the Florida House.
Campaign finance records show Berman already has the attention of many businesses in Florida, ranging from the so-called “Voice of Florida Business,” aka Associated Industries of Florida, which gave her political action committee $5,000 in October, to ABC Liquors, Publix and Curaleaf, which also gave her PAC four-figure contributions over the past year.
So maybe she’s onto something.
The United States is the only industrialized, high-income nation in the world that doesn’t guarantee paid parental or maternity leave for
Raising children in Florida is expensive, with childcare for just one child costing up to an estimated $10,000 to $17,500 per year, depending on the child’s age, county of residence, and whether they receive care through a center-based or home-based provider. If you’re a single parent or the only working adult in your household, you may not be able to afford to take unpaid leave.
The cost of giving birth alone can set you back thousands of dollars, and with most abortion care in Florida illegal after the sixth week of pregnancy, pregnant people with few resources — from money to reliable transportation — have even fewer options to avoid carrying to term an unwanted or nonviable pregnancy.
Berman, a mother, lawyer and former member of the Florida House, voted against Florida’s six-week abortion ban in 2023, and the 15-week abortion ban the state’s GOP-controlled state Legislature approved the year before that.
She said fellow Democrat Ashley Gantt plans to file paid leave legislation identical to her own in the Florida House, as she did last year, too. Both could be considered for adoption during the upcoming 2025 state legislative session.
“I think that people, you know, if they’ll have the benefit of having that extra time … then when they’re ready, they’ll be able to come back and be productive members of our workforce,” Berman said, in support of her state employee paid leave proposal.
mschueler@orlandoweekly.com
New mothers and fathers who work in Florida’s private sector are guaranteed zero paid parental leave | Photo via Shutterstock
HER BACK PAGES
Taryn Kody may be leaving Florida, but she’s gifting us her collected words in a new book
BY MATTHEW MOYER
“Ihad several friends and loved ones die this year. Trans people often don’t get any say in what we leave behind and it occurred to me that I’m creeping up to our average life expectancy. This seemed like a way to have at least something out there that is on my terms, come what may.”
Taryn Kody of Orlando agit-folkies X Dirty Fingers is, indeed, a bit on the young side to have a songbook out, but as anyone who has witnessed one of her live shows can attest, she has a lot of things to say - angry words, funny words, sad words, joyous words, utopian words.
Many of these words have just been collected in Kody’s lyric chapbook-as-memoir One Day These Hands Will Tear You Down, out this week.
One Day … compiles years’ worth of Kody’s lyrics with X Dirty Fingers, her duo project with Ali, as well as early (and more recent) poetry. Rather than being a collected works–type “final statement,” we can’t help but interpret it as Kody writing the final chapter on her life in Orlando, before she leaves Florida early next year.
Though she has several recordings out (easily found on Bandcamp) and now a lyric book, X Dirty Fingers’ music is best experienced live.
A joyful hoot and holler of old-time folk — think Harry Smith’s Anthology , not the Avett Brothers — through dual lenses of crust-punk and Marxism, this is not a po-faced lecture, but a cathartic and happy yell that there is a way out of this capitalist trap.
“I like when songwriters release lyrics as poetry, like Bill Callahan’s I Drive a Valence. Ferlinghetti’s Poetry as Insurgent Art and the Barks translations of Rumi were big for finding a tone that floats between poem, song and manifesto,” she says.“And Leslie Feinberg’s Stone Butch Blues doesn’t have much in common with my writing formally, but spiritually, I’m just copying [Feinberg].”
One Day contains a manifesto, lyrics to over 35 songs, and even more poetry — covering a decade of creative work from 2014-2024. The music is all readily available, but this is the first time her poetry has been collected and properly released.
“I knew it was going to be excruciating going through my old poems to see what to save and what to drop into total obscurity. What surprised me was how much of it I ended up keeping. Also how prophetic some of it was ... ‘Dystopia: Dancefloor’ was written after the Pulse shooting but now rereading it, it seems like it’s about the George Floyd summer or the repression of pro-Palestine protests in the past year,” Kody recalls. “I don’t know if this is encouraging or not, but whatever happens in the coming years, people have survived and resisted similar in the past. We’re all stitches in the big pattern, and our elders have a lot of lessons to teach.”
Kody’s wordplay is deft, shifting from dense remembrances full of intensely personal references, memories, and places recognizable to Orlandoans to minimalist polemics on the capitalist disease. Tributes to Daniel Johnston and anti-landlord screeds share space with the impossibly naked love song “Palomita.”
Something worth pointing out is, much like her folk elders’, Kody’s wickedly funny sense of humor. There’s a wink and a bite in there that’s essential in navigating the workaday world. Rousing singalongs of “Steal From Your Boss” — an exhortation on the mandatory nature of some good ol’ workplace pilfering — are a highlight of XDF sets.
“‘Steal From Your Boss’ is probably my most famous song. I have met people in other parts of the country who know the words,” says Kody. “Which is strange because I cut it from our album, so there’s no recordings out. I thought it was bad, but it speaks to people even though it’s more of an Instagram post–level explanation of the Marxist theory of value than lyrics. Maybe that’s why it speaks to people.
‘Terminator 2’ is the best I’ve done in terms of just saying exactly what I mean.”
Kody’s of a lineage of artists going back to the fiery likes of Hazel Dickens, AJJ, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie and Phil Ochs — performers who were unafraid to espouse Marxist, pro-worker, anti-capitalist rhetoric in urgently tuneful terms.
(Sidenote: Too much Boomer rockist rewriting of history casts Pete Seeger as the overly earnest fuddy-duddy trying to stifle the electrified cool of Bob Dylan. Just imagine if Seeger, ax a-swingin’, had cut the power cables during Dylan’s electrified set at Newport. How much of the 1960s industrial-nostalgia complex we would have been spared?)
Kody is conscious of being part of a lineage, covering songs from the likes of Guthrie and early Bruce Springsteen live; even this book is partly an acknowledgment.
As befits Kody’s restless work ethic, there are more than a few chances to see X Dirty Fingers and solo sets before she leaves. “The book is releasing on the 14th at Barley & Vine at Renee Arozqueta’s Folk Night with Jason Earle and the Ladybits, and I’m playing a set too,” she says. “I’m also doing a long set at Audubon Market on the 23rd [from] 6-8 p.m. Those are both free. The band I songwrite in, X Dirty Fingers, is playing two house shows on the 20th and the 23rd, DM @xdirtyfingers on Instagram for locations. The 20th is a food and blanket drive for Food Not Bombs.”
January sees a swing through Florida with June Henry, and then Taryn Kody closes the book on Orlando.
music@orlandoweekly.com
One Day These Hands Will Tear You Down is a collection of lyrics and poems by Taryn Kody | Courtesy photo
In 1993, a sportswriter from Great Britain had an unhappy holiday in Orlando and returned home frustrated by the lack of literature aimed at U.K. travelers.
“I just got a bee in my bonnet one night and sat up late drafting out what I thought would be an idea for a British-based guidebook, because the Brits were at that stage the biggest long-haul market to Orlando,” recalls Simon Veness, whose resulting Brit Guide to Orlando just came out in its 29th and final edition. Recently, he and co-author/spouse Susan Veness spoke with me about their brand-new Orlando guidebook, which is aimed not at visitors from across the pond, but locals on the lookout for 111 Places in Orlando That You Must Not Miss
According to Simon, the same traits that draw many Americans to Central Florida make it immensely popular with Brits like himself.“It’s the weather, it’s the service ethic, it’s the general quality, it’s the variety and it’s the efficiency,” he says.“People know exactly what they’re going to get in advance, and they know that it will deliver as a destination.”
However, inflation after Brexit and COVID19 has hit the U.K. market even harder than the United States. “The Brits have always been very price-conscious, and they’re now very aware of the fact that things aren’t as cheap as they used to be,” says Simon.
“At one point, the exchange rate made it good value, and the theme parks were better priced. They’re now very aware of the fact that the theme parks are a lot more expensive. They don’t spend anywhere near as much time at the shopping malls as they used to do. Certainly there’s not as many now that get rental cars, and they prefer the added value of staying in a villa [a rental house, instead of a hotel].”
Simon says another big difference is that Brits “are also more adventurous in wanting to get out and see what’s beyond the theme parks, and they’ve got the time to do it.” That gave them ideal experience for assembling a list of nearly 222 bucket-list items (counting the sidebars with alternate suggestions for every entry) without entering the big theme parks. “I would say a good 75% of the book were things that we already knew about in one way or another,” Simon estimates, adding that researching the book made them seek out older below-the-radar area attractions like the Florida Citrus Tower, the Presidents Hall of Fame, and the Showcase of Citrus (all in Clermont).“We thought,‘This is a great opportunity to highlight some things that we didn’t know about and find out the back stories.’”
Something that sets the Venesses’ 111 Places apart from other checklists is that “it’s not just the location; there has to be something about the location that’s unusual,” says Susan, explaining their selection process.“For example, everybody knows about the Orlando Science Center, but not everybody knows that it includes the Poozeum.” (Sadly, the fossilized feces collection departed Orlando in May 2023.) Similarly, they managed to squeeze in Maxine’s on Shine despite a limit on how many restaurants they could include by focusing on its alien-inspired restroom. “We just kind of sat and talked about, ‘What do you really love? What do I really love? What’s unusual?’”
The guidebook pays tribute to the best of Central Florida, from the natural beauty of Wekiva Island and the Lake Apopka wildlife drive to volunteer opportunities with sick children at Give Kids the World Village. But I like that it doesn’t overlook its tragic past and current foibles, from the Ocoee Massacre to the eternally under-construction Majesty Building.
Something I also appreciate about 111 Places — aside from the vibrant color photography by Kayla L. Smith — is its attention to the darker,
quirkier side of Orlando, which Susan says is largely attributable to her love of “the weird stuff [and] the creepy stuff”: the Prometheus Esoterica antique shop (“You go in there and it’s almost the stuff of your nightmares”), Vault 5421 cosplay lounge (“You just don’t know what you’re going to see when you go in that bar”) and the Babyland infant cemetery (“When you go there and you stand on that property, you will feel something that is almost life-changing”) all made her list. Susan also claims responsibility for several Disney-adjacent entries, such as the Orlando Public Library’s collection of Walt Disney World blueprints and planning documents that she calls “a real treasure trove [of] getting behind-the-scenes on how it all really came together.”
After completing the book in a four-month sprint during the spring of 2023, Simon and Susan embarked on a yearlong cross-country RV trip, which Susan says unexpectedly increased their appreciation for the City Beautiful. “Part of what we wanted to do on the RV trip was find a place that we would eventually move to, and we haven’t found any place that we love more than Orlando.”
“What we most like about this book is the fact that we do get to tell a comprehensive picture of a city and the way it’s grown up over nearly 200 years,” says Simon. “Although tourists will get a lot out of it, it’s really geared very much toward locals who just want to explore more about the city,” Susan adds. “A lot of these places you know, but there’s this one little side-step that maybe you don’t know.”
Since several businesses highlighted in the book have recently shuttered, Simon and Susan are already seeking candidates for the next edition. You can give them your suggestions in person during their book signing at Lake Eola’s Merry Market on Dec. 20 … and keep an eye out for the ghost dog while you’re there. skubersky@orlandoweekly.com
Longtime U.K.-toOrlando travel writers
Susan and Simon Veness release a new book aimed at locals
These Brits have some hot Orlando tips, even for locals | Courtesy photo
[ food + drink ]
JES MASTER
Redlight Redlight, with the talents of chef
Jes Tantalo, is making gastropubs great again
BY FAIYAZ KARA
Gastropubs hit a wall in this city after the Ravenous Pig and the now-shuttered Smiling Bison and Rusty Spoon set the ceiling where it needed to be — high. Many masqueraded as gastropubs, though their chefs opted to shun effort and creativity in favor of menus laden with burgers to pair with their beers. These “restbarants” and “fooboozeries” felt no different than your average Orlando Ale House, with upgraded ingredients and interior design. So as the gastropub trend slowed and lost favor with food-obsessed restaurant-goers, Redlight Redlight owner Brent Hernandez and former East End Market resident chef Jes Tantalo began quietly plotting the brewpub’s culinary direction. It started with snacks and bar bites post-pandemic, then grew to more ambitious fare prepared out of a makeshift scullery. When talks of a full kitchen buildout came to fruition, a true gastropub was born.
That was more than a year ago.
And, apart from the occasional social media post, there’s been little fanfare about it all — no marketing; no big PR machine inundating inboxes on the daily; no influencer collabs or insufferable Instagram Reels. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked into Redlight Redlight late one Sunday morning for a drink with a friend. They happened to be serving that most detestable of meals, brunch, but thanks to the twat-free environs and Tantalo’s cooking, it was a brunch we’d gladly brave again. It’s not often I eat acorn squash, but when I do, I want it to be like Tantalo’s egg-in-a-hole ($15). Taking the place of toast was a thick slab of the ribbed gourd holed out in its center. A slather of hollandaise, a fleck of pepitas, a garnish of sage and a side of asparagus and, yeah, what’s not to like about an eggy, sweet, bitter, nutty nosh? Crunchy, too, if you count
2810 Corrine Drive
407-893-9832
instagram.com/redlightredlight $$$
the toasted focaccia. Another ’tweener hit: a gorgeous bowl of pink beans cooked in roasted poblano and garlic sofrito ($15). Avocado slices, roasted cabbage, sour cream and cilantro placed around the rim knocked it out of the park. Only thing missing was a bottle of Beano. Maple syrup infused with fermented pepper nearly upstaged the chicken sandwich ($16), with its buns of brioche French toast. We learned that seasoned spuds ($6) served with “smothern” sauce can rival the mighty hash brown on any morning, and even challenge the French fry for lunch and dinner. Said ’taters were popped along with bites of fried smoked mullet ($15), heavy on the smoke. “Mullet is the middle-aged white man of the sea,” said my dining comrade, a middle-aged white man of the land. The smoke was fire, its pungency moderated by creamy grits, a burnt-tomato butter sauce and caraway-pickled red cabbage. Cabbage ($12) in wedge form never looked so alluring, its seductive char-seared edges sparkling with toasted breadcrumbs. Scooping them in a curry emulsion had me thanking our server for suggesting the Orbital Tilt IPA during a dinnertime visit, which is when Tantalo’s talents really shine. More veg-forward bites like bracing Napa salad ($5.50) and puckery fried green olives ($10) deserve a spotlight on the nighttime menu, while bulbs of the allium variety lend Czech garlic soup ($12) — like French onion soup, only with veg broth, less cheese, more garlic and the addition of potatoes — its brilliance.
But with the chicken pot pie ($16), the menu taps into its pub roots. Peas and carrots glisten in a smooth velouté, and beneath the flaky puff-pastry topper lie chunks of Bell & Evans chicken breast. Escargots ($14) in garlic butter and tinned razor clams ($15) gave us the Euro feels, but salt-brined fries served “disco-style” with queso, scallions and “cease and desist chili crisp” brought it back home. (Love the shade thrown at David Chang, too.) Though I have to say, the ice cream sandwich ($10) fashioned from pistachio blondies and honey ice cream was ugly-delicious. Can’t say the banana bread pudding treat ($5) was any more fetching, but after polishing off the maple-buttered, bananachipped, walnut-crumbled capper, it’ll always be the de Milo of desserts to me.
Clearly Tantalo and her team take great care and pride in their cooking. Dishes aren’t just deftly executed or beautifully plated; they’re comforting and restorative to the core, as gastropub fare should be. So the next time you feel like drowning your sorrows, do yourself a favor and get some Redlight Redlight therapy. fkara@orlandoweekly.com
OPENINGS & CLOSINGS:
Look for Lorelei Wine Bar, a venture from Wally’s owner Minesh Patel and Arthur Boothe and Julian Burgos of Death in the Afternoon and Suffering Bastard, to open at 737 N. Thornton Ave. in Mills 50. Lorelei is named after the maiden of German legend, so anticipate some German wines to be poured as well as “fun and delicious” varietals and by the glass options that are “cool and exciting” … Meat N’ Bone, the South Florida-based premium butcher offering high-quality cuts of wagyu, beef and pork “sourced from the finest farms in the world” will open next week in the old P Is for Pie space Audubon Park at 2806 Corrine Drive … Nearby, Phở Bar, the South Florida-based Vietnamese outfit with locations in Davie and Pembroke Pines, will open a kitchen and bar at 1012 E. Colonial Drive on Dec. 15. The restaurant promises “Asian-inspired craft cocktails, authentic Vietnamese dishes and signature homemade phở with daily noodles from scratch” … City Pho & Grill, the Maitland Vietnamese mainstay, has opened a second location in the UCF corridor at 3402 Technological Ave. in the former Pho So 1 space … Also in Maitland, Parea Greek Taverna has opened in the prominent corner space at 111 S. Orlando Ave. at Maitland City Centre. Parea offers everything from lamb shank and lobster tail to flaming saganaki and tiropita. There’s a full bar as well … Another Greek taverna, Acropolis Greek Taverna, has opened in former DoveCote Restaurant space on the ground floor of the City National Bank of Orlando building at 390 N. Orange Ave. … Puerto Rican/Japanese fusion restaurant El Coqui Ninja will open any day now in the space previously occupied by Black Rooster Taqueria at 3097 Curry Ford Road … Zocalo 436 Mexican Grill has opened, appropriately enough, at 505 State Road 436 in Casselberry in the old Four Guys Pho/Never Phoget space … Chicago dog and Italian beef sandwich chain, Portillo’s, has opened their fourth area location, this one a 7,800-square-foot diner at the Waterford Lakes Town Center … Closings to announce: King Bao will close its Winter Park location Dec. 28 nearly three years after opening in the one-time Bad As’s Sandwiches location at 1881 W. Fairbanks Ave. … Schmankerl Stub’n, the modern German restaurant downtown, will serve its last schnitzel there Dec. 31. Chef-owner and CIA grad Daniel Gabor says he’s looking to relocate “anywhere but downtown” given the area’s “current landscape” and “most recent events” … Black Rock Bar & Grill, the Michigan-based chain known for grilling steaks on a 755-degree volcanic sizzling rock, has closed its location in Windermere after more than eight years … Chili Star, the West Colonial Drive restaurant specializing in Sichuan and Hunan fare, has closed … Cupid’s Hot Dogs has closed its location on Lee Road, but the owner plans to relocate the concept to Casselberry … Finally, after 15 years, Tornatore’s Ristorante & Italian Market in College Park will close Dec. 23. That said, owner Denny Tornatore said in a video post that they’re “getting ready to try a new venture,” so stay tuned.
Charred cabbage in curry sauce is a hearty winter dish | Photo by Matt Keller Lehman
MAROUSH SHAWARMA & GRILL
The Syrian and Levantine dishes served at Maroush in Waterford Lakes are well worth indulging in, but their beef and chicken shawarma is where they truly shine. Open daily. (reviewed Dec. 4) 783 N. Alafaya Trail, 407-2707649, maroush-food.com, $$
TURCI PASTA
House-made pasta is the calling card of this neighborhood noodle house in Orlando’s Little Italy, aka College Park. Black truffle ravioli, lamb shank pappardelle and ravioli served with a red wine-poached pear are stellar choices. Tableside cannoli and tiramisu affogato are comfort endings. Wine list veers toward pedestrian. Open daily. (reviewed Nov. 27) 2120 Edgewater Drive, 407-985-2577, turcipasta.com, $$
MILLS MARKET
Tien Hung Market’s transformation into Mills Market brings Kai Kai’s Cantonese barbecue and dim sum, Banh Mi Boy’s sandwiches, pastries and summer rolls, and UniGirl’s onigiri and Japanese small bites to Mills 50’s madding crowds. Open daily. (reviewed Nov. 20) 1110 E. Colonial Drive, instagram.com/millsmarket.orl, $$
KOYLA PAKISTANI BBQ
Koyla’s kebab game is strong, particularly its bihari and gola kebabs. Go on a Sunday when chef-owner Bilaal Dugan grills the meats over open charcoal outside and serves them for a buffet-only experience. Other Pakistani staples, like comforting nihari with beef shank, are offered Monday to Saturday. Open daily. (reviewed Nov. 13) 4990 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee, 407-507-1205, koylabbq.com, $$$
POCHA 93
The Korean pub from the owners of Shin Jung in Mills 50 pays homage to pojangmacha — covered food stalls and food carts specializing in street fare in South Korea. The army stew, a fusion broth of Korean and American ingredients, is an ideal opener to the myriad small plates offered. Hanger steak and LA galbi short ribs make for fine Korean barbecuing. Cocktails, sojubased and otherwise, are also offered. Closed Monday. (reviewed Nov. 6) 7379 W. Colonial Drive, 407-420-0157, pocha93.com, $$
SOREKARA
Chef William Shen’s high-concept tasting menu restaurant may offer the best dining
experience in the city, thanks to a focused stream of dishes fusing Japanese ingredients with French technique, an architecturally stunning venue and a superb level of service. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. (reviewed Oct. 30) 4979 New Broad St., sorekarafl.com, no phone, $$$$
LAMP & SHADE CRAFT KITCHEN AND COCKTAILS
Chef Ryan Stewart’s pan-Asian interpretations are a hit in any language, the charred baby bok choy and squid ink squid in particular. Really, nothing on the menu disappoints — from addicting Caeser salad bites on toasted brioche to shiitake risotto with wild mushrooms, miso and parm to mussels in green coconut curry. Cocktails are studied. Castella cake is the best way to cap your meal. Open daily. (reviewed Oct. 23) 1336 N. Mills Ave., 321-417-3477, throwsomeshadeorl.com, $$$
TOSHKA SYRIAN STREET FOOD
This food truck — permanently parked behind Longwood’s RI Smoke Shop — specializes in toshka, which are grilled pita sandwiches filled with lamb mince and cheese and served with a creamy garlic sauce. Pressed sujuk sandwiches, house-made chicken shawarma and goldenhued, donut-like falafel are also stellar offerings. Open daily. (reviewed Oct. 9) 1520 S. U.S. Highway 17-92, Longwood, 321-850-4044, toshka.menu, $$
CORO
Coro’s ever-evolving, always creative menu of Italian-leaning, globally inflected dishes is full of surprising and spectacular turns courtesy of chef-owner Tim Lovero. Servers are as skilled as they come. And the wine list, while hyperfocused, is far from dull. One of the best restaurants to open in Orlando in 2024. (reviewed Oct. 2) 3022 Corrine Drive, 407-6295005, cororestaurant.com, $$$$
M’AMA NAPOLI
A waist-inflating array of Neapolitan pastries, pizzas, sandwiches and delectables crafted by a dough maestro makes M’ama Napoli a must-stop on any Winter Park food excursion. Focaccia sandwiches star, but pastries, be they bombolone, sfogliatelle or stuffed croissants, hog the spotlight. Neapolitan Kimbo beans are used for all coffee drinks. Closed Mondays. (reviewed Sept. 25) 965 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park, 321-972-6525, instagram.com/ mamanapoliwinterpark, $$
COUCHSURFING
Streaming premieres you won’t want to miss this week.
BY STEVE SCHNEIDER
Premieres Wednesday:
Dream Productions — Transpiring between the events of Inside Out and Inside Out 2, Disney’s latest spinoff series takes us inside the mental production house where Riley’s dreams are generated. Enjoy it while you can, because if real life is any precedent, they’re going to shutter the place within a year and replace it with a churro stand. (Disney+)
The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga — A three-part documentary pits an Elvis impersonator against a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the lives of our elected leaders, all the way up to the White House. Sorry to interrupt your holidays there, King, but you can get this one wrapped up before like, February? (Netflix)
Maria — Angelina Jolie acts out the last days of opera great Maria Callas in a film by Pablo Larraín, who’s previously given us dramatizations of the lives of Jackie Kennedy and Princess Di. This is the end of his “great women” trilogy, Larraín says, so I guess we all know what that means: Jo Anne Worley is getting hosed again. (Netflix)
One Hundred Years of Solitude — Authentic Colombian locations enhance the first half of a 16-episode series based on the Gabriel Garcia Márquez novel about an intended utopia that ends up becoming anything but. Hey, if that’s what they were going for, why didn’t they just shoot in Celebration? (Netflix)
Queer Eye — Clients range from librarians to former showgirls as the series moves to Las Vegas for Season 9. For an extra challenge, the fellas will dig up the corpse of Bugsy Siegel from the desert to see if he could have pulled off teal. (Netflix)
Premieres Thursday:
Bookie — Guest stars in Season 2 include Charlie Sheen, Ray Romano, Zach Braff and Brad Garrett. Or as they’re known at CAA, “Two and a Half Careers.” (Max)
La Palma — An entire miniseries’ worth of suspense and character development are in the offing when a vacationing Norwegian family is forced to contend with an erupting volcano. Not to be confused with
we will find it hard to believe there ever was an animated kids’ show about a male knight in a same-sex marriage who was trying to bring up his adopted daughter according to his own code of morality and honor. That day, of course, will be Jan. 21, 2025. (Hulu)
Carry-On — On Christmas Day, a TSA agent (Taron Egerton) is blackmailed into letting a passenger bring potentially lethal cargo onto a plane. On behalf of everyone who’s stuck working the holiday shift at MCO, I am prepared to argue that this is a Guy Fawkes Day movie. (Netflix)
Disaster Holiday — A South African dad tries to mollify his family by pretending he’s taking them on a fun vacation when they’re really headed to one of his work retreats. Word has it this version relies a bit more heavily on comedy than its American inspiration, The Alex Murdaugh Story. (Netflix)
Joe Bob’s Christmas Carnage — Joe Bob and Darcy present a double feature of schlock horror with a Yuletide slant. (Come to think of it, what a perfect description of Christmas dinner with your family.) (Shudder)
Mismatched — Season 3 follows Rishi (Rohit Saraf) and Dimple (Prajakta Koli) onto their new turf of Hyderabad, where they’re finding it more difficult than ever to juggle their romance with their burgeoning tech careers. Fair warning: If they try to maximize their couples’ time by taking support calls together, I’m puking twice and canceling my Amazon. (Netflix)
Hulu’s upcoming documentary profile of that nation’s greatest WWE export, The Norwegian Volcano. (Netflix)
No Good Deed — Dead to Me creator Liz Feldman brings us a darkly comic series in which married homeowners Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow field offers for their seemingly perfect house that’s actually far less than meets the eye. Listen, in today’s real-estate market, the only dealbreaker would be if they haven’t fished Matthew Perry out of the jacuzzi. (Netflix)
Premieres Friday:
1992 — Boy, those Yellowstone spinoffs sure do keep on coming, don’t they? Actually, this is a Spanish miniseries revolving around a murder spree that appears to have a mysterious connection to the Seville Expo ’92. At least we can console ourselves that it could never happen here, because getting murdered as far south as the Convention Center is now totally passé. (Netflix)
The Bravest Knight Season 2 Part 1 — One day,
Seven Doors — A Nigerian of the 18th century is elected king of his village, but it only amplifies and adds to the complications of his life. Hungry for your kids to learn about the history of other cultures? Tell them you’ve scored a boot of that Lion King prequel and see how long it takes them to catch on. (Netflix)
Premieres Tuesday:
Aaron Rodgers: Enigma — While the gridiron has-been and scumbag disinfo goon ponders whether he’ll deign to disgrace the Jets anew in ’25, here’s an instantly obsolete docuseries chronicling his miraculous “comeback.” But Netflix has to run it, because they’re low on content this month after losing that Fugees holiday revue. (Netflix)
Ronny Chieng: Love to Hate It — In his third stand-up special, the Daily Show correspondent clues us in on the ongoing humiliation that is his life, including how embarrassing it was to participate in the IVF process. If this means we’re going to just up and outlaw everything that makes men look foolish, can we start with podcasts instead? (Netflix)
Angelina Jolie acts out the last days of Maria Callas in Maria | Photo courtesy of Netflix
ROCKIN’ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Trans-Siberian Orchestra spreads winter wonder with The Lost Christmas Eve in Orlando
BY GRAYSON KEGLOVIC
Have you ever longed to recapture moments long gone, like when you gave Grandma the first present you bought with your own money, or senses working overtime from attending your first rock concert? How about both at the same time?
That warmth of Christmas magic — for rock & roll and Christmas carol fans — will pass through the Kia Center on Saturday. Holiday-rock legends Trans-Siberian Orchestra will rock the chimney off while rockin’ around the Christmas tree as they present their latest spectacular TSO lead guitarist and music director Al Pitrelli says there’s a lot to reminisce about for this year’s show. Celebrating the band’s 20th year touring, TSO has ramped up their show to make not just your ears merry, but also your eyes bright. “We try musically and visually to change it up enough that we constantly keep
[the audience] on their heels,” Pitrelli says. “By the second week of January, we’re sitting down scratching our heads saying, ‘How do we make next year’s show different enough and bigger and better?’”
The answer? Pyrotechnics and visuals on a level of spectacle up there with Santa’s sleigh crashing to earth — you just can’t look away. Pitrelli says this year’s show includes “absolutely breathtaking” pyro and laser effects that sync to the rock music being played.
The arrangement of the score is new, too. The band is paying homage to each installment of their Christmas Trilogy. And it’s a momentous occasion; each part of the trilogy has been played in separate instances but “hasn’t been played in its entirety in about a dozen years.”
Written by composer, lyricist and producer Paul O’Neill, The Lost Christmas Eve can stand
up with the live works of famous composers like Danny Elfman and Hans Zimmer.
“We approached it with a very cinematic approach this year, and we wanted to think about how John Williams or Hans Zimmer or Danny Elfman would do it,” Pitrelli says. “So, it’s almost like you’re watching a film while you’re hearing live narration.”
The band, currently comprising O’Neill, Pitrelli, Jon Oliva and Robert Kinkel, met while working with Tampa-based power-metallers Savatage. Whether he was writing lyrics or heavy riffs, Pitrelli says that “Savatage was basically a curriculum getting me ready to work with Paul.”
TSO has been performing in arenas for decades, but Pitrelli says his favorite thing about the shows has never changed. It’s the first moments of the show, when he’s standing behind the curtain with both nervousness anticipation and excitement.
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA
2:30 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 Kia Center
400 W. Church St. kiacenter.com
$59-$119
Before the curtain rises, he has a brief interaction with stage crew and bandmates, exchanging reassuring looks and a thumbs-up or two. The curtain rises and Pitrelli is met with thousands of jolly spirits that showed up for TSO.
“I have this moment where I’m just like ‘Wow, I have a guitar around my neck,’ which I’ve had around my neck my entire life,” Pitrelli says.“And I immediately turn into a 14-year-old all over again. It’s like I’m playing the eighth-grade talent show.”
As TSO’s music fills the arena, the energy could be compared to that of a kid on Christmas morning. Pitrelli posits that the energy between the audience and the band is “exchanged back and forth and the show just starts to come to life.”
To the band, both the Orlando and Tampa shows feel like coming home for the holidays.
“The band based itself out of Tampa and I have so much family and so many friends down in the Orlando area that it literally is like a homecoming for Christmas,” Pitrelli says.
music@orlandoweekly.com
Trans-Siberian Orchestra pulls strings for Santa | Photo by Jason McEachern
LOCAL RELEASES
Enjoying all this nice cool weather? It makes those nights in so much cozier. Ooh, and I bet a lot of you have your holiday decorations up too. Yeah, there’s no place like home. But we’re the lucky ones. For those without a home, the season’s much less welcoming.
The plight of the unhoused is the subject of new single “Get Up and Go” by Orlando twosome Rachel and George. Rachel Decker and George Dimitrov — known from eminent country & western band Oak Hill Drifters as well as their own duo, Decker & Dimitrov — wrote the song to accompany the release of “Breyting X Shelter,” the latest blend by DeLand coffee purveyor Breyting.
Famous for pairing their coffee with social consciousness — as well as their ties to the B-52s’ Fred Schneider — Breyting couples each of their coffee releases to a cause. “Breyting X Shelter” spotlights the problem of homelessness and raises funds to “support small, localized nonprofits that offer direct assistance ... to get people to medical appointments, provide food and clothing, and get people and families out of makeshift camps and into shelters.”
Musically, “Get Up and Go” channels the desperation of the condition, pulling its swamp rock deep into the blues. Lyrically, the song takes direct inspiration from those living through it firsthand.
“The owner of the coffee company, Von Coven, went out and spoke with some folks who were living on the streets and in vans about their situation and the city’s plans (or lack thereof) for them,”says Decker.“A number of the phrases used in the song were right from these people.”
“Get Up and Go” now streams everywhere. Give it a spin and then maybe help out. You
The plight of the unhoused is the subject of “Get Up and Go” by Orlando twosome Rachel and George of eminent country band Oak Hill Drifters, as well as their own duo, Decker & Dimitrov
could, of course, buy some Breyting coffee. Or you could volunteer some of your time at a shelter. Trust me, you’ll walk away from it changed in a meaningful way.
You can catch Rachel and George weekly at their Wednesday night Lil Indie’s residency as Decker & Dimitrov. Additionally, Rachel will be part of an exceptional Americana bill at Modern Music Movement’s Nashville South showcase this weekend alongside Sunday Morning Revival, Roadside Giant, Edan Archer and Kyle Keller (8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, Stardust Video & Coffee, $10).
CONCERT PICKS THIS WEEK
Sumac, Kowloon Walled City, Trigger Object: For smart metalheads, Christmas comes early in the form of one of the best heavy-music lineups all year. Topping the marquee is Sumac, the post-metal supergroup almost unfairly stacked with Aaron Turner (Isis, Old Man Gloom, Mamiffer), Nick Yacyshyn (Baptists) and Brian
Cook (Russian Circles, These Arms Are Snakes). Their expansive sound comes in staggering odysseys that exist beyond metal convention. Further upping the caliber are wildly underrated and relatively reclusive Oakland crushers Kowloon Walled City, who also work outside the boxes with penetrating songs of forlorn noise rock and emotional sludge. Rounding out the thrillingly unorthodox bill is the dark electronic noise of Portland’s Trigger Object, the solo vehicle of Veronica “Vern” Avola. (7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, Conduit, $20)
Green Jellÿ: Stretching the metal umlaut to new heights is the least ridiculous thing that comedy band Green Jellÿ — pronounced “green jello” (wink) — does. With songs like “Misadventures of Shitman” and “I’ve Got Poo Poo on My Shoe,” they’ve made an entire career of keeping it indulgently dumb despite having past members like Tool’s Maynard James Keenan and Danny Carey. On top of that, there are the crazy props and costumes that elevate their shows to all-out stage spectacles à la GWAR and Mac Sabbath. Come see the circus of absurdity that’s made Green Jellÿ one of America’s wildest cult bands. (6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, West End Trading Co., $17-$30)
Sean Nicholas Savage, Lulannie, Nicole Miglis: Fans of left-field pop, this is the one for you. Montreal bard and Solange collaborator Sean Nicholas Savage is a stylish chameleon who bridges pop innocence and R&B slinkiness. Rounding out the bill is the ambient drum & bass of New York’s Lulannie and the otherworldly talent and aura of Nicole Miglis (Hundred Waters). (8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, Will’s Pub, $10-$15) baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com
Decker & Dimitrov | Photo by Jenn Ros
of the
Friday-Saturday:
THURSDAY, DEC. 12
Werk On It
Even though the future of Winter Park bohemian ground zero Austin’s Coffee is currently imperiled by shortsighted city planning (again), it’s still full steam ahead on the spot’s calendar of activities. This week sees the debut of “Werk On It,” a new daytime event “centered on queer art.” The low-key gathering simply promises space and community for queer folks to work on and share what they’re current projects, or start something new. The event hosts — Anesthesia, Alice Dee and Mary — are no strangers to DIY creativity and will be helping attendees with their various projects. All that and a daytime DJ set from Pup Rocky taking in synth-pop, disco and soul make for a rollicking weekday afternoon. 2 p.m., Austin’s Coffee, 929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park, instagram.com/queersdoingthings.orl, free.
— Matthew Moyer
THURSDAY-SUNDAY, DEC. 12-15
BizarroLand Film Festival
Grab some popcorn and take a seat at Epic Theatres for the BizarroLand Film Festival … if you dare. This four-day fest is a feast of sinister cinema across genre with one common thread: their unsettling and unconventional nature. Unnerving storylines will leap off the screens with a vengeance, including The Triptych of the Keeper, Navel Gazer, The Return of the Näcken and The Girls in the Walls. The four-day event spotlights both feature-length and short films that dwell in the “twisted corridors of unconventional cinema.” The top 13 films that embody the spirit of BizarroLand and “cinematic weirdness” receive a coveted Sickie award during a capstone awards show. Stay sick, as a wise man once said. Epic Theatres at Lee Vista, 5901 Hazeltine National Drive, bizarrolandfilm.com, $15-$125.
— Kendal Asbury
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, DEC. 13-14
The Sugarplum Ball
Join the Royal Court of the Faerie Realm and the glam Sugarplum Fairy herself for The Sugarplum Ball, a production full of holiday whirls, twirls and seasonal surprises. This whimsical holiday tale is a new musical from Wayward Queers Productions — the minds behind recent Fringe hit Dungeons and Drag Queens — and Cheesy Pizza Productions. Featuring an all-star lineup of drag queens and performers — featuring guest star Ginger Minj, an Orlando drag legend and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars Season 6 finalist — the musical gives audiences a coveted ticket to the Sugarplum Ball. An unexpected guest turns up: a young man wishing to reverse the curse that turned his lover into a nutcracker (!), who stirs up drama and tension among the queens. Who knows what will happen next? Enjoy this locally grown performance at Fringe ArtSpace while you can; Fringe is moving out of the space in a couple of months. 8 p.m., Fringe ArtSpace, 54 W. Church St., orlandofringe.com, $35-$60. — Lucy Dillon
SATURDAY, DEC. 14
Orlando Zine Fest
Orlando Zine Fest is back for its annual fete of local printed arts, but this time it’s upping sticks to Maitland. The zine fair will be much the same, featuring an armada of area DIY print fiends hawking their inky and creative wares. But it’s happening at Blackbird Comics for the first time. The shop has hosted a number of workshops and gatherings as an incubator for the next generation of funnybook fiends, but this is on a whole other level. Blackbird stays open late Saturday night with a special food and drink menu to fortify attendees and participants, who this year include SR50, 44:16, Illuminated Paths, Psych Cat, Confessed Lover, Fatal Entries, It Is Over Yet?, Richard Reep and Undead Press — along with scores more. This is like Black Friday for small press bibliophiles.
The Sugarplum Ball at Fringe ArtSpace
PHOTO BY LEO LLANOS
8 p.m., Blackbird Comics & Coffeehouse, 500 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland, facebook.com/orlandozinefest, free. — MM
SATURDAY, DEC. 14
Violectric Holiday Show
Violectric’s holiday show returns to Lake Eola this week, stringing together holiday cheer and festive music, much like the intricate Christmas lights festooning the park. The futuristic chamber ensemble rocks around the Christmas tree at Lake Eola Park on Saturday. The 12th annual iteration of the show features holiday tunes like “The First Noel” and “O Christmas Tree,” mixed and matched with snatches of rock and pop hits like Springsteen’s “Born to Run” and Bowie’s “Heroes.” Students from Edgewater High’s music program will even sit in with the band for a carol or two. This band isn’t just a holiday hobby, though. Violectric has been performing for over 16 years, opening for the likes of John Legend and Twenty-One Pilots, and has even performed with Lady Gaga. Something for everyone. 7 p.m., Lake Eola Park, North Rosalind Avenue and East Washington Street, violectric.net, free. — KA
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, DEC. 14-15
Orlando Renaissance Festival
Enjoy the fun parts of medieval times — sans beheadings and the plague — this weekend during the second weekend of the archaic adventure that is Orlando Renaissance Festival. This year’s storyline follows the twists and turns of court intrigue when the Duchess’ birthday festival is thrown into chaos by Lady Morgause asserting her son’s right to rule over the kingdom. In light of this, King Arthur descends upon Orlando searching for answers from the city’s famous dragon. Got it? Verily! For two days, festival-goers can shop from a plethora of vendors, including Dragon Pretzels, Arcanum Emporia and Mother
Bookworm Ceramics. Test your medieval abilities in knife-throwing, a swordmaster’s challenge and a game or two of Peasant’s Revenge. Or just sit back and watch feats from acrobats, performance group LANCE Orlando, cosplayers like The Monsters Guild, and perhaps even the Duke and Duchess. 10 a.m., Southport Community Park, 3437 Barnstable Place, orlandorenaissancefestival.com, $20-$80. — LD
SUNDAY, DEC. 15
Market of the Beast
Winter Park venue Conduit gets in on the holiday market game, but with an appropriately dark twist — witness for yourself at Market of the Beast Sunday. The day market will feature “horror, oddities and underground music” — everything from Halloween masks to hot sauce to Hawt & Popular wares (also jewelry, bags, clothing and art all with a dark twist). There will be food and beverages to fortify your horrifying shopping excursion, and it’s indoors in case of heatwave or, dunno, hurricane. If you haven’t got your holiday card sorted yet, set aside a few dollars for a pro photo opportunity with the grotesquely goofy Art the Clown from Terrifier dressed as Santa — taken on the Conduit stage, which will be set up as a festive tableau for the day. Hails to this new (and slightly blasphemous) holiday tradition. 11 a.m., Conduit, 6700 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, conduitfl.com, free-$15. — MM
SUNDAY, DEC. 15
Orlando Gay Chorus
The Orlando Gay Chorus is bringing a festive celebration of inclusivity to the Plaza Live. The nonprofit vocal arts organization performs a holiday-themed show celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice and even Festivus. OGRC has promised readings of chestnuts like “Carol of the Bells” and “Hallelujah
WEDNESDAY–TUESDAY, DEC. 11-17, 2024
Chorus,” paired with holiday songs from around the world. It’s not called “Merry Everything” for nothing; the Chorus has a tune or two for every background and culture, reflecting the musicians’ commitment to diversity and understanding. So
join these singers in celebrating the true reason for the season — love and community. 4 p.m., The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave., plazaliveorlando. com, $25-30. — KA
Saturday-Sunday: Orlando Renaissance Festival at Southport Park
CONCERTS
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11
Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites, Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, and more 6:30 pm; The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive; $37-$63.50; 407-704-6261.
The Fab Four 6:30 pm; The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave.; $34-$121; 407-228-1220.
Harvey Street, Treis and Friends, Carabelle 8 pm; Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.; $12-$14.
Nesto’s Jazz Trio 10 pm; Lil Indie’s, 1036 N. Mills Ave.; free.
Whiskey Myers
8 pm; Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.; $49.50-$215; 844-513-2014.
New Eagles: Dec. 19, Orlando Museum of Art
Luscious Lisa: Dec. 20, Will’s Pub
Samantha Fish: Dec. 30, Plaza Live
Nile & Six Feet Under: Jan. 10, 2025, The Abbey
Sarah Silverman: Jan. 10, 2025, Hard Rock Live
Judy Collins: Jan. 12, 2025, The Plaza Live
Pink Martini: Jan. 18, 2025, Steinmetz Hall, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Nonpoint, Crobot: Jan. 19, 2025, The Beacham
Dweezil Zappa: Jan. 21, 2025, The Plaza Live
Melissa Etheridge: Jan. 23, 2025, Hard Rock Live
Southern Culture on the Skids: Jan. 23, 2025, Will’s Pub
THURSDAY, DEC. 12
Chayanne 7 pm; Kia Center, 400 W. Church St.; $61-$201; 800-745-3000.
Dreamwell, Lacerated, Second Impact, Concealer
8 pm; Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.; $15-$20.
Jazz Jam
7 pm; Timucua Arts Foundation, 2000 S. Summerlin Ave.; $5-$10; 407-595-2713.
FRIDAY, DEC. 13
Blast From The Past Party 7 pm; Grumpy’s Underground Lounge, 1018 N. Mills Ave.; $10; 407-237-9180.
Blue Bamboo: Chris Cortez 6 pm; Aloft Hotel Orlando Downtown, 500 S. Orange Ave.; free; 407-636-9951.
Holiday Concert With Santa: Groove Slayers 7 pm; Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs; free; 407-571-8863.
Michael Andrew, John DePaola Quintet
7 & 9 pm; Judson’s Live, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.; $30-$45.
Nashville South No.6 Lo-Fi Acoustic Music Showcase 8 pm; Stardust Video and Coffee, 1842 E. Winter Park Road; $10; 407-623-3393.
Open Mic: Singer/Songwriter 7:30 pm; Austin’s Coffee, 929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park;; free; 407-975-3364.
Donzii: March 23, 2025, Will’s Pub
Slothrust: Jan. 25, 2025, The Abbey
Kansas: Feb. 1, 2025, Hard Rock Live
Alice Cooper: Feb. 6, 2025, Hard Rock Live
Nessa Barrett: Feb. 24, 2025, House of Blues
They Might Be Giants: Feb. 27, 2025, The Beacham
Dropkick Murphys: March 6, 2025, House of Blues
Bright Eyes: March 7, 2025, The Beacham
Alan Jackson: March 7, 2025, Kia Center
SATURDAY, DEC. 14
The 12th Annual Violectric Holiday Show Rocks 7 pm; Lake Eola Park, North Rosalind Avenue and East Washington Street; free.
A Classic Christmas 2 & 5 pm; Rollins College, Knowles Memorial Chapel, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park; $30; 407-646-2000.
Edhochuli, The Caution Children, Pavlov’s Bell, Dearest 8 pm; Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.; $15-$20.
Green Jello Christmas Show: Sonic Conversations, Vital Pain, The Rottens, The Degenerates, Collision Riot, Beyond Silence 6:30 pm; West End Trading Co., 202 S. Sanford Ave., Sanford; $15-$50; 407-322-7475.
Mark Tremonti Sings Frank Sinatra 8 pm; Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips
Gary Clark, Jr.: March 14, 2025, Hard Rock Live
Deftones and Mars Volta: March 20, 2025, Kia Center
Riki, Donzii: March 23, 2025, Will’s Pub
Trey Anastasio: March 26, 2025, Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center
Violent Femmes: April 3, 2025, Cocoa Riverfront Park
Rascal Flatts: April 4, 2025, Kia Center
Poppy: April 12, 2025, House of Blues
Kylie Minogue: April 13, 2025, Kia Center
Napalm Death & The Melvins: April 25, 2025, The Beacham
The Damned: May 12, 2025, House of Blues
Shakira: June 4, 2025, Camping World Stadium
Post Malone: June 10, 2025, Camping World Stadium
Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.; $39.75-$149.50; 844-513-2014.
Shine 10 pm; Lil Indie’s, 1036 N. Mills Ave.; free.
Toubab Krewe, JK and the Contraband 9 pm; Tuffy’s Music Box, 200 Myrtle Ave., Sanford; $20.
SUNDAY, DEC. 15
Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings 8:45 pm; The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive; $49-$68.50; 407-704-6261.
A Classic Christmas 2 & 5 pm; Rollins College, Knowles Memorial Chapel, 1000 Holt Ave., Winter Park; $30; 407-646-2000.
Orlando Gay Chorus: Merry Everything, The Gayest Time of Year 3:30 pm; The Plaza Live, 425 N. Bumby Ave.; $25-$30; 407-228-1220.
Sunday Punk Matinee X-Mas Special: Sick Dogs, The Palmettes, The New Lows, The New Aesthetics, $500, Earthgirl, Double Bubble, Mystery Band 12:30 pm; Will’s Pub, 1042 N. Mills Ave.; $12-$20.
The Ukulaliens Holiday Uke Jam 2 pm; BSide at Ten10, 1110 Virginia Drive; free.
MONDAY, DEC. 16
Kaleigh Baker 7 pm; Lil Indie’s, 1036 N. Mills Ave.; free.
Open Mic: Rap and Hip-Hop 9:30 pm; Austin’s Coffee, 929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park; free; 407-975-3364.
Orlando Gay Chorus: Merry Everything, The Gayest Time of Year 7:30 pm; Ritz Theater at the Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Magnolia Ave., Sanford; $30.50$37.50; 407-321-8111.
TUESDAY, DEC. 17
Candlelight: Holiday Special: The Nutcracker and more 6:30 & 8:45 pm; The Abbey, 100 S. Eola Drive; $37$63.50; 407-704-6261.
Open Mic: Singer/Songwriter 7:30 pm; Austin’s Coffee, 929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park; free; 407-975-3364.
Sean Holcomb 7 pm; Judson’s Live, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 445 S. Magnolia Ave.; $30.
FILM
BizarroLand Film Festival Orlando’s brain-smashingest film festival returns for its ninth year of weird, unsettling, utterly uncategorizable independent cinema. This year’s event includes four nights of movies as well as raucous opening- and closing-night parties. Thursday-Sunday; Epic Theatres at Lee Vista, 5901 Hazeltine National Drive; $15-$125; 407-856-0508; bizarrolandfilm.com.
Black Christmas (1974) When sorority sisters find themselves under attack from a foul-mouthed killer, it’s up to the police chief to even the odds. Noon Sunday; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $11; 407-6290054; enzian.org.
Holiday Flix at the Garden: Elf 4 pm Tuesday; Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden; $5; 407-656-4100; cwgdn.com.
Holiday Flix at the Garden: It’s a Wonderful Life 7 pm Wednesday; Garden Theatre, 160 W. Plant St., Winter Garden; $5; 407-656-4100; cwgdn.com.
Holiday Movie Night: A Christmas Story
Based on the humorous writings of author Jean Shepherd. 7 pm Thursday; Cranes Roost Park, 274 Cranes Roost Blvd., Altamonte Springs; free; 407571-8863; altamonte.org.
Holiday Weekday Matinees: Elf Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. 3 pm Wednesday; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $11; 407-6290054; enzian.org.
Midnight Movie: Inside Scarred for life after a harrowing near-death experience, an emotionally fragile motherto-be is on a collision course with sheer terror when a knock at the door on Christmas Eve chills her to the bones. 11:59 pm Friday; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $11; 407-6290054; enzian.org.
Movie Trash: Silent Night, Deadly Night 5 Mickey Rooney plays a toy shop owner with a secret. You don’t really need to know a whole lot more. 7 pm Saturday; The Nook on Robinson, 2432 E. Robinson St.; instagram.com/ orlandopopupmovieservices.
Saturday Matinee Classics: Blade Runner: The Final Cut Fascinating, dark vision of the near future follows a policeman who tracks engineered humans. 11 am Saturday; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; $11; 407-629-0054; enzian.org.
Wednesday Night Pitcher Show: Bad Santa A hard-drinking, chain-smoking, foul-mouthed sexaholic safe-cracker targets a different department store every holiday season, playing Santa while he cases the joint. 7 pm Wednesday; Enzian Theater, 1300 S. Orlando Ave., Maitland; free; 407629-0054; enzian.org.
COMEDY
Austin Nasso Former Microsoft software engineer, recurring guest performer on The Howard Stern Show. 7 pm Wednesday; Funny Bone Comedy Club, 9101 International Drive; $32; 407-480-5233; orlando.funnybone. com.
Steven Ho Former ER technician known for his viral “Tips From the ER” videos. 7 pm Friday-Saturday; Funny Bone Comedy Club, 9101 International Drive; $37; 407-480-5233; orlando. funnybone.com.
EVENTS
5th Annual Light Up Hannibal Square Take a free photo with Santa Claus, enjoy a holiday concert by MariaOlivia Bryant, and support local artists by shopping the mini-market for holiday gifts. 6 pm Thursday; Hannibal Square Heritage Center, 642 W. New England Ave., Winter Park; 407-5392680; cityofwinterpark.org.
68th Season Miracle A day of festive melodies, the warmth of community spirit, and unforgettable moments with the Florida Youth Symphony
Christmas Concert Pack a blanket or a lawn chair and bring your family and friends to enjoy seasonal classics like “The Nutcracker,” “Greensleeves” and “Sleigh Ride” at this free concert in downtown Winter Park. 5 pm Sunday; Central Park Main Stage, 251 S. Park Ave., Winter Park; free; cityofwinterpark.org.
Collage Workshop Vintage Holiday Cards Extravaganza Let’s collage kitschy vintage Christmas/ Hanukkah cards. All materials are provided. 6 pm Thursday; The Center Orlando, 946 N. Mills Avenue; $25; 4072288272; instagram.com/ orlandocollageclub.
CRJ Chanukkah Festival Celebrate with fun Chanukkah games and activities, latkes and sufganiyot, and more. It’s fun for the whole family. 10:30 am Sunday; Congregation of Reform Judaism, 928 Malone Drive; 407-6450444; orlandojewishfed.org.
Family Night: Victorian Holiday In this immersive and fun family cooking experience, you’ll work together to prepare a variety of Victorian holiday recipes — perfect for reimagining a festive, old-fashioned holiday celebration. Each dish tells a story of the season, blending rich history with delicious flavors. 6 pm Monday; Edible Education Experience, 26 E. King St; $55-$65; edibleed.org.
It’s My Birth-TAY: A Taylor Swift
Birthday Bash An unforgettable night filled with music, dancing, and all things Swiftie Energy. This special birthday bash will feature DJ sets spinning Taylor’s deepest cuts, along with fan favorites from her entire discography. 9 pm Wednesday; Celine Orlando, 22 S. Magnolia Ave; free-$15; 407-801-7005; celineorlando.com.
Market of the Beast A market for the macabre, featuring horror, oddities, underground music and more. 11 am Sunday; Conduit, 6700 Aloma Ave., Winter Park; free; 407-673-2712; instagram.com/marketofthebeastfl.
Meditation for Peace: Puja Madan Step into a sanctuary of calm and clarity with sessions that blend ancient wisdom with modern mindfulness practices. Each session begins with an interactive discussion on everyday topics, from managing anger and sleep problems to cultivating compassion and regulating our nervous system.
7:30 pm Wednesday; Timucua Arts Foundation, 2000 S. Summerlin Ave; 407-595-2713; timucua.com.
Merry TUBACHRISTMAS Enjoy the rich sounds of Christmas as tuba, euphonium, sousaphone and baritone players of all ages. 1 pm Saturday; Central Park Main Stage, 251 S. Park Ave., Winter Park; cityofwinterpark. org.
Nerd Nite Next Gen Nerd Nite Next Gen’s purpose is to empower the next generation (pun intended) to come together in a safe space to share their passions in a fun and educational way. While all ages are welcome, speakers must be teenagers/young adults. Come geek out! 3 pm Saturday;
CREDO Conduit, 1001 N. Orange Ave; free; 321-508-0150; credoconduit.com.
Orlando Renaissance Festival Interactive live performances, acrobatics, a game of chess, live music, and much, much more. The vibrant marketplace is full of artisans and craftsmen with their unique wares. Guests can peruse the market stalls for apparel, one-of-a-kind jewelry, leather goods, medieval weapons, and more. Saturday-Sunday; Southport Park, Barnstable Place and Daetwyler Drive; $20-$80; 407-246-2646; orlandorenaissancefestival.com.
Orlando SantaCon 2024 From holiday spirits to festive brews, revel in the merry-making with drink specials designed to warm your heart and ignite holiday cheer. 1 pm Saturday; Elixir, 9 W. Washington St; $11-$20; pubcrawls. com/orlando-santacon-crawl.
Orlando Zine Fest 2024 An annual festival for zinesters, artists, small press publishers, and writers to celebrate independent print, featuring 45 zine makers plus live printing from Space Station Orlando, zine crafting with the Orlando Zine Meetup, and a special food and drink menu from Blackbird Comics and Coffeehouse. 8 pm Saturday; Blackbird Comics and Coffeehouse, 500 E. Horatio Ave., Maitland; free; 4074351021; facebook. com/share/17svDT5xc1.
Werk On It Find community with fellow queer people as you work on your personal art projects. Enjoy food, drinks and a DJ set. 2 pm Thursday; Austin’s Coffee, 929 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park; free; 407-975-3364; instagram.com/queersdoingthings.orl.
DRAWN BY KIERAN CASTAÑO
[ free will astrology ]
BY ROB BREZSNY
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I don’t recommend burning wood to heat your home. Such fires generate noxious emissions harmful to human health. But hypothetically speaking, if you had no other way to get warm, I prefer burning ash and beech wood rather than, say, pine and cedar. The former two trees yield far more heat than the latter two, so you need less of them. Let’s apply this principle as we meditate on your quest for new metaphorical fuel, Sagittarius. In the coming months, you will be wise to search for resources that provide you with the most efficient and potent energy.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The world’s longest tunnel is over 35 miles long. It’s the Gotthard Base Tunnel in the Swiss Alps. I’m guessing the metaphorical tunnel you’ve been crawling your way through lately, Capricorn, may feel that extensive. But it’s really not. And here’s even better news: Your plodding travels will be finished sooner than you imagine. I expect that the light at the end of the tunnel will be visible any day now. Now here’s the best news: Your slow journey through the semi-darkness will ultimately yield rich benefits no later than your birthday.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Would you like to avoid wilting and fading away in January, Aquarius? If so, I recommend that during the coming weeks, you give your best and brightest gifts and express your wildest and most beautiful truths. In the new year, you will need some downtime to recharge and revitalize. But it will be a pleasantly relaxing interlude — not a wan, withered detour — if in the immediate future you unleash your unique genius in its full splendor.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): My treasured Piscean advisor, Letisha, believes it’s a shame so many of us try to motivate ourselves through abusive self-criticism. Are you guilty of that sin? I have done it myself on many occasions. Sadly, it rarely works as a motivational ploy. More often, it demoralizes and deflates. The good news, Pisces, is that you now have extra power and savvy to diminish your reliance on this ineffectual tactic. To launch the transformation, I hope you will engage in a focused campaign of inspiring yourself through selfpraise and self-love.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): If you were walking down the street and spied a coin lying on the sidewalk, would you bend down to pick it up? If you’re like most people, you wouldn’t. It’s too much trouble to exert yourself for an object of such little value. But I advise you to adopt a different attitude during the coming weeks. Just for now, that stray coin might be something like an Umayyad gold dinar minted in the year 723 and worth over
$7 million. Please also apply this counsel metaphorically, Aries. In other words, be alert for things of unexpected worth that would require you to expand your expectations or stretch your capacities.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The Taurus writer Randall Jarrell compared poets to people who regularly stand in a meadow during a thunderstorm. If they are struck by the lightning of inspiration five or six times in the course of their careers, they are good poets. If they are hit a dozen times, they are great poets. A similar principle applies in many fields of endeavor. To be excellent at what you do, you must regularly go to where the energy is most electric. You’ve also got to keep working diligently on your skills so that when inspiration comes calling, you have a highly developed ability to capture it in a useful form. I’m bringing this up now, Taurus, because I suspect the coming weeks will bring you a slew of lightning bolts.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): My upcoming novels epitomize the literary genre known as magical realism. In many ways, the stories exhibit reverence for the details of our gritty destinies in the material world. But they are also replete with wondrous events like talking animals, helpful spirits, and nightly dreams that provide radical healing. The characters are both practical and dreamy, earthy and wildly imaginative, well-grounded and alert for miracles. In accordance with your astrological potentials, I invite you to be like those characters in the coming months. You are primed to be both robustly pragmatic and primed for fairy-tale-style adventures.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): In December 1903, the Wright Brothers flew a motorized vehicle through the sky for the first time in human history. It was a very modest achievement, really. On the first try, Orville Wright was in the air for just 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet. On the fourth attempt that day, Wilbur was aloft for 59 seconds and 852 feet. I believe you’re at a comparable stage in the evolution of your own innovation. Don’t minimize your incipient accomplishment. Keep the faith. It may take a while, but your efforts will ultimately lead to a meaningful advancement. (P.S. Nine months later, the Wrights flew their vehicle for over five minutes and traveled 2.75 miles.)
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): During the rest of 2024, life’s generosity will stream your way more than usual. You will be on the receiving end of extra magnanimity from people, too. Even the spiritual realms might have extra goodies to bestow on you. How should you respond? My suggestion is to share the inflowing
wealth with cheerful creativity. Boost your own generosity and magnanimity. Just assume that the more you give, the more you will get and the more you will have. (P.S. Do you know that Emily Dickinson poem with the line “Why Floods be served to us — in Bowls”? I suggest you obtain some big bowls.)
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The term “cognitive dissonance” refers to the agitation we feel while trying to hold conflicting ideas or values in our minds. For example, let’s say you love the music of a particular singer-songwriter, but they have opinions that offend you or they engage in behavior that repels you. Or maybe you share many positions with a certain political candidate, but they also have a few policies you dislike. Cognitive dissonance doesn’t have to be a bad or debilitating thing. In fact, the ability to harbor conflicting ideas with poise and equanimity is a sign of high intelligence. I suspect this will be one of your superpowers in the coming weeks.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Amazing Grace” is a popular hymn recorded by many pop stars, including Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson. Created in 1773, it tells the story of a person who concludes that he has lived an awful life and now wants to repent for his sins and be a better human. The composer, John Newton, was a slave trader who had a religious epiphany during a storm that threatened to sink his ship in the Atlantic Ocean. God told him to reform his evil ways, and he did. I presume that none of you reading this horoscope has ever been as horrible a person as Newton. And yet you and I, like most people, are in regular need of conversion experiences that awaken us to higher truths and more expansive perspectives. I predict you will have at least three of those transformative illuminations in the coming months. One is available now, if you want it.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Thinking outside the box” is an American idiom. It means escaping habitual parameters and traditional formulas so as to imagine fresh perspectives and novel approaches. While it’s an excellent practice, there is also a good alternative. We can sometimes accomplish marvels by staying inside the box and reshaping it from the inside. Another way to imagine this is to work within the system to transform the system — to accept some of the standard perspectives but play and experiment with others. For example, in my horoscope column, I partially adhere to the customs of the well-established genre, but also take radical liberties with it. I recommend this approach for you in 2025.
Meet Jack Jack!
If there was one word to describe Jack Jack (A557337), according to staff and volunteers, it would be “chill.” Jack Jack was found as a stray by a resident, and nothing is known about his past. He is a big dog at 80 pounds, and our vets estimate his age to be around 6 years old. From the moment he got here, his notes have been, well, very chill. Jack Jack is calm, gentle, sweet, and takes treats from our hands like a sleepy toddler. Other dogs bring out his playful side, and he has been a star in play groups, plodding around, wrestling, slowly chasing and being chased.
Jack Jack does not expend a ton of energy; he prefers to hug and snuggle and nap in the yards. He does like to take long (and slow) walks, but mostly Jack Jack prefers to chill in our arms. Let’s get Jack Jack a home!
Orange County Animal Services is located at 2769 Conroy Road in Orlando, near the Mall at Millenia. The shelter is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. every day except Wednesday, when it’s open 2-6 p.m. For more information, please call 407-8363111 or visit ocnetpets.com.
WHAT MAKES LOCAL CULTURE
We weave your unique local flavor into every social media campaign. We don’t just navigate the social media landscape; we own it! Your success is our success, and we believe in the power of community. Ready to embark on a social media journey that celebrates your local culture and propels your brand to the forefront? Let’s create, connect, and conquer together.
DM us @localculturecreative or visit localculture.org to chat.
RV Sales RV Repairs
WANTED - All motorhomes, fifth wheels and travel trailers. Cars, vans and trucks any condition. Cash paid on the spot. RV transport service available! Call 954-595-0093!
Legal, Public Notices
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: December 27, 2024 at the times and locations listed below. The personal goods stored therein by the following:
12:00 PM Extra Space Storage 831 N. Park Avenue Apopka, FL 32712 (407) 450-0345 Shaye Fernandez - Clothes. Roderick Haynes - Household Items. Audreka Fair - Household items. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to comlete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: December 27, 2024 at the times and locations listed below. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12:00PM Extra Space Storage 1101 Marshall farms rd., Ocoee FL 34761, 407-516-7221 Eric Meeks- Household items. Tatiana Reid- household items. Tarrence Owens- household items. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in orer to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: December 27th, 2024. at the times and locations listed below. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12:00PM Extra Space Storage 11920 W Colonial Dr Ste 10, Ocoee FL 34761, 407794-6970. Emily Britt - Household items, Santiago Aviles - household items. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 2631 E Semoran Blvd. Apopka,
FL 32703 (407) 408-7437 on December 27, 2024 12:00PM Elsy Velaquez-Household items. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Extra Space Storage, on behalf of itself or its affiliates, Life Storage or Storage Express, will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 8235 N Orange Blossom Trl, Orlando FL., 32810, 727.428.6564 on December 27th, 2024 @ 12:00PM Isabel Delapaz-Vacuum, Stroller, Shoes, Couch, Toys Wilfredo Collazo-Dresser, Bed Frame & Mattress, Boxes Justin McLeod-Boxes, Toys, Blanket, Shoes Wedly Joseph-Electronics The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility inorder to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Extra Space Storage, on behalf of itself or its affiliates, Life Storage or Storage Express, will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: January 2, 2025 at the times and locations listed below: The personal goods stored therein by the following: 2:00PM Extra Space Storage, 11971 Lake Underhill Rd Orlando, FL 32825 407.516.7913: ***NONE*** The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12:00PM Extra Space Storage, 11071 University Blvd Orlando, FL 32817, 321.320.4055: Jacques Patrick boxes, house furniture. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 11:00 AM Life Storage 11583 University Blvd Orlando FL 32817 407.777.2278: ** None Scheduled** The personal goods stored therein by the following: 11:00AM Life Storage, 9001 Eastmar Commons Blvd, Orlando, FL 32825, 407.901.6180: Alberto Medero Febres: Furniture, toys, boxes. Gabrielle Small: Furniture, Totes, boxes, bags. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 10:00AM Life Storage, 12280 East Colonial Drive, Orlando FL 32826, 321.286.7324: Rafael Carion Ramos: boxes, clothes, household Goods, bike, electronics; James Joseph: Boxes, Electronics, household goods; Sharmeen Sanchez: tools, doors, seats, totes, generator, Blue Chevy Camaro* Black Chevrolet* (* Cars not included in sale); Ashanti Cleveland: household goods, bikes; Anthony Chambers: luggage, totes, household Goods, bike. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 10:00AM Life Storage, 14916 Old Cheney Hwy, Orlando FL 32826, 407.917.9151: Peter Morgan: surf board, helmet, luggage, boxes; Beverly Rodriguez: dresser, baby rocker, bags, boxes, clothes; Jose Luis Vasquez: paint, construction equipment, floor cleaner, doors, tools, concrete; Tiffanie Olivero: baby bassinet, chairs, stroller, totes, toys, clothing; John Crain: four wheeler, bunk beds, nightstand, ladder, mirror. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 10:00AM Life
Storage, 3364 W State Rd 426 Oviedo, FL 32765, 407.930.4293: Kayla Brooks: Boxes, Sports & Outdoor, Electronics. Ingrid Helga Gillespie: Furniture, Tools and Supply, Boxes, Clothing & Shoes, Wall Art, Household Goods 4115: The personal goods stored therein by the following: 10:00AM Life Storage, 1010 Lockwood Blvd Oviedo, FL 32765, 407.930.4370: Omar Alay: Boxes and Bins, Amy Stevenson: Landscape tools. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 10:00AM Life Storage, 6068 Wooden Pine Drive. Orlando, Florida 32829 407.974.5165: Clark Birkett: Stroller, crib, hoverboard, tools, wine cooler, microwave, washer & dryer, ladder, boxes, totes, wheelchair, beauty supplies, Cricut. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 1:30PM Extra Space Storage, 10959 Lake UnderhillRd Orlando FL 32825, 407.502.0120: Jannell Alston: Furniture, documents, clothing, cabinets. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 11:15AM Extra Space Storage, 1305 Crawford Ave. St. Cloud FL 34769, 407.504.0833: Amanda Allen, Household items The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12:30PM Extra Space Storage, 14800 Narcoossee Rd. Orlando, FL 32832 407.987.4115: Benjamin Nieves; Clothing / furniture The personal goods stored Therein by the following: 2:00PM Extra space storage, 12709 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, Fl 32826, 407.634.3990: Seth Wiesbrook, furniture, electronics, clothing; Yann Brierre, household, furniture; Jessica N Rosa, household goods; Cherie Aucoin, household, furniture, electronics; Rebecca L Bowman, household goods; Reuben Smith, furniture, household; Mohamed Al Shaqsi, camping gear, bedding, tools The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12:00PM Extra Space Storage, 12915 Narcoossee Rd. Orlando, FL 32832 407.501.5799: Tysen Meyer: Household furniture, table & chairs; Maria Sanchez: Golf clubs, mattresses, toys, clothing, furniture, boxes; Valerie Cross: Clothing, boxes, luggage. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 2:30pm Extra Space Storage, 15551 Golden Isle Blvd, Orlando FL 32828 407.710.1020: Ramon Ospina: Furniture, boxes The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12PM Extra Space Storage, 342 Woodland Lake Drive Orlando FL 32828, 321.800.4793: Kyel Francis: furniture, file cabinet, books, lamp, art; Tylus Joseph: household items; Christein Hayles: Furniture, boxes. The personal goods stored therein by the following: 1:15PM Extra Space Storage, 11261 Narcoossee Rd. Orlando FL 32832, 407.280.7355: Kaia Hilson- furniture and totes The personal goods stored therein by the following: 12:45 PM Extra Space Storage, 9847 Curry Ford Rd Orlando, FL 32825, 407.495.9612: Jean Rosambert-household items; Deanna Rogers-boxes, furniture; Frances Rivera- furniture, clothing, shoes. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property
Extra Space Storage, on behalf of itself or its affiliates, Life Storage or Storage Express, will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: Extra Space Storage 6035 Sand Lake Vista Drive,
Orlando, FL 32819 December 27, 2024, 11:00AM Tonniesha Thompson- Clothing & Shoes, T.V.’s and, Boxes Kavita Lutchmedial- Boxes, Totes and, T.V.’s Rahul Patel- Furniture, Boxes and, Electronics Guillermo Maggiolo- Mattress & Bedding, Bike and, BoxesStaci Stander- Furniture, Boxes and, Clothing & Shoes Kamaria Arrington- Bags, Toys, Baby & Games and, Dressers Percy Jackson- Totes, Furniture and, Boxes Candice GausmannLamps, Mattress & Bedding and, Bags Terra Mehaffey- Appliances, Dishes & Kitchenware and, Table Pamela CobbMattress & Bedding, Bins and, Suitcase Nicholas Oliver- Appliances, Lamps and, Dresser Cynthia Cartaxo- Chairs, Carpet and, Furniture Jorgen Twede- Toys, Baby & Games, Clothing & Shoes and, Personal Effects Nicholas Gonzalez- Cabinets & Shelves, Sports & Outdoor and, Electronics Abelardo Perez- Boxes, Basketball and Fishing Poles Paul Contreras- Wall Art, Luggage and, Couch Lashawn Merritt- Boxes, Mattress & Bedding and Furniture. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures. com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Extra Space Storage/ Life Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 4066 Silver Star Rd Orlando, FL 32808 on 12/27/24 at 12:00PM: Antwione Pearson: Household Goods/ Furniture; Carlynn Harris: Dinning room table set Couch Tv stand Four 55 inch tvs; Furniture clothes, boxes; Diana Ross: clothes, tv; Gerson Saint Fleur: Household Goods/Furniture, Vehicle/Boat/Trailer; Jaime Thomas: 3 twin beds with box spring, totes, boxes, clothes, shoes, dishes, bar cart, mirrors; Mecell Robinson: Household Goods/Furniture; Olivia Baker: Furniture, boxes; Tessa King: boxes; Torina Clark: Household Goods/Furniture. The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE EIGHTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA JUVENILE DIVISION CASE NO: P11-DP-0150A IN THE INTEREST OF: A.L.G DOB: 1/8/2010, a minor child. SUMMONS AND NOTICE OF ADVISORY HEARING FOR TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, STATE OF FLORIDA. TO: Latron Thomas,, address unknown. A Petition for Termination of Parental Rights under oath has been filed in this Court regarding the above referenced child. You are to appear before John Galluzzo, on January 7, 2025 at 1:30PM at the Seminole Juvenile Justice Center, 190 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773, in Courtroom 2. You must appear on the date and time specified. YOU ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY PRESENT TO REPRESENT YOU IN THIS HEARING AND AT ALL STAGES OF THIS PROCEEDING. IF YOU WANT AN ATTORNEY BUT ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD ONE YOU MUST
NOTIFY THE COURT AND THE COURT WILL DETERMINE IF YOU ARE ENTITLED TO COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL. FAILURE TO PERSONALLY APPEAR AT THIS ADVISORY HEARING CONSTITUTES CONSENT TO THE TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS TO THIS CHILD. IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR ON THE DATE AND TIME SPECIFIED, YOU MAY LOSE ALL LEGAL RIGHTS AS A PARENT TO THE CHILD NAMED IN THE PETITION. WITNESS my hand and seal of this court at Sanford, Seminole County, Florida this 15th day of November, 2024. GRANT MALOY, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, BY: /s/ Deputy Clerk (Court Seal).
Life Storage/Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below on December 27th, 2024 at the location indicated: Store 8439: 1420 N Orange Blossom Trail Orlando FL, 32804 407.312.8736 @ 12:00PM: Christina Kang: king bed, toys, vanity dining table w/ chairs, tv/stand, playhouses, dryer, boxes; Oelmes Gonzalez: colchon, table, desk, clothing. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Life Storage/ Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Life Storage/Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 7244 Overland Rd Orlando, FL 32810 (407) 794-7457 on December 27, 2024 12:00PM Donna Hodges-household items; Pamela Carr-Household; David Perkins-Clothes,Furniture,Toys; Andrew Ripley-Household Goods/Furniture. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Life Storage/ Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Life Storage/Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 25 E Lester Rd Apopka, FL 32712 (407) 551-5590 on December 27th, 2024 12:00PM Dawn Smith-car jack, patio table, coat rack, ladder. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Life Storage/ Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
Life Storage/Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 2650 N Powers Dr. Orlando, FL 32818 (407) 982-1032 on December 27th, 2024 at 1:00PM William Vermillion-Household Goods, Andre Jackson-Household
Goods, William Vermillion-Household Goods, Diana Cox-Household Goods, Jonathan Simonis-Furniture, Bob Schmidt-Landscaping Equipment, Shannon Bivins-Household Goods, Deronvil Nelson-Household Goods. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Life Storage/ Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION FOR MONIES DUE ON STORAGE LOCKERS LOCATED AT UHAUL COMPANY FACILITIES. STORAGE LOCATIONS AND TIMES ARE LISTED BELOW. ALL GOODS SOLD ARE HOUSEHOLD CONTENTS, MISCELLANEOUS OR RECOVERED GOODS. ALL AUCTIONS ARE HELD TO SATISFY OWNER’S LIEN FOR RENT AND FEES IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLORIDA STATUTES, SELF STORAGE ACT, SECTIONS 83.806 AND 83.807, STARTS AT 8:00am and RUNS CONTINOUSLY. Auction will be held online: www.storagetreasures.com
U-Haul Ctr 14651 Gatorland Dr. Orlando Fl. 32837 12/19/2024: 602 Thalia Gomez, 962 Jessica Santiago, 578 Deivy Mangones, 208 Jamal Jones, 500 Giordano Abreu Nunez, 1136 Olvin Moreno, 784 Mariam Ducheine, 625 Rafael Gomes da Silva Faria, 436 Faheemah Westney, 1085 Daniela Mendez. U-Haul Ctr 13301 S. Orange Blossom Trl. Orlando Fl. 32837 12/19/2024: 3226 Christian Maldonado, 1716 Yolanda Able, 2607 Christopher Rivera, 3608 Anthony Boston, 1306 Santiago Osorio, 3614 Myleisha Torre, 2117 Daniel Angeles. U-Haul Ctr. 2629 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee Fl. 34744 12/19/2024: 1026 Eliel Jimenez, 1265 John Prados, 1149 Franco Torrealba Daboin, 2401 Laura Zimmerman, 2251 Daisy Castro, 2118 Yie Feng Wu, 1093 Jeisson Romero, 3000 Robert Wilson, 1264 Eliseo Guzman, 1070 Omar Jones, 1374 Chantia Mcdonald. U-Haul Ctr 7800 Narcoossee Rd. Orlando Fl. 32822 12/19/2024: 1088 Sammy Romero, 1223 Try Kelly, 2415 Reginal Rhyne, 1055 Carlos Carcamo, 2385 Dawn Bross, 3231 Giovanni Reyes, 1295 Tatyana Mcrae, 1233 Luis Rojas, 1200 Carl Blakes, 2299 Latashia Marshall, 1213 James Antonucci. U-Haul Ctr. 4001 E. Colonial Dr. Orlando Fl. 32803 12/19/2024: A115 Christian Artiles, C112 Re’Anna Carr, D125 Daphne Williams, B146 Shenise Smith, D179 Jennifer McGuire, B183 Christopher Adams. U-Haul Ctr. 3500 S. Orange ave. Orlando Fl. 32806 12/19/2024: 1270 Daniele Andrew, 1828 Tara Dunn, 1015 Akira Crum, 1063 Lora Robinson. U-Haul Ctr. 508 N. Goldenrod Rd. Orlando Fl. 32807 12/19/2024: 343 Joan Figueroa, 640 Federico Martinez, 106 Dayana Brummitt, 509 Timothy Smith, 503 Sergio Reyes Sifontes, 409 Deric Reed, 330 Manuel Cintron Diaz, 104 Gabriell Moore, 530 Marlene Mercado Lopez. U-Haul Ctr. 11815 E. Colonial Dr. Orlando Fl. 32826 12/19/2024: 1603 Angel Alvarado, 1305 Ofelia Suarez, 1112 Shavon Gleason, 1137 Vanessa Baxter, 1279 Carlos Rosa, 1213 Stephanie Daugherty-Lopez, U-Haul Ctr. 3830 S. Goldenrod Rd. Orlando Fl. 32822 12/19/2024: 2067 Peter Mueller.
Legal, Public Notices
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below on December 27, 2024 at the location indicated: Store 1334: 5603 Metrowest Blvd Orlando, FL 32811, 407.516.7751 @ 12:00 PM: Jermain Thompson- Furniture, clothes, toys; Kortni Patterson- household items, furniture; Annette Simmons- Bedroom and kitchen furniture; Keisha Green- household goods; Kelly Stephens- appliances, bags, boxes; Victoria Cruz- Furnitures, TV; Lisa Bryantboxes, furniture, totes; Mark Key- Bed, Boxes, furniture; Raul da Silva- household goods. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Extra Space
Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below on December 27th, 2024 at the location indicated: Store 7590: 7360 Sandlake Rd Orlando, FL 32819, 407.634.4449 @ 11:45 AM: Oneal Avery- furniture, boxes, bags; Michelle Meacham- clothes, luggage, bags; Chance Ramos- office furniture, mini fridge, chairs; Kaelib McNair- Fish tank, dog crate, boxes, mattress; Tori Pugliese- furniture; Gourmet Sausage Shack LLC- kitchen equipment, coolers, papers; Gourmet Sausage Shack LLC- Restaurant equipment; Abdulaziz Abdukhamidov- file cabinets, fridge, monitors, sofa. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Extra Space
Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below on December 27, 2024 at the location indicated: Store 1317: 5592 LB McLeod Rd Orlando, FL 32811, 407.720.2832 @ 2:00 PM: Store 1317: 5592 L B McLeod Rd Orlando, FL 32811, 407.720.2832 @ 2:00 PM: Wendi Perez- Dining room table, clothes, shoes, kitchen supplies, appliances, family collectables, pictures; Raygan Oliver-Caceres- household items; Joseph Williams- Bounce Houses; Shemica Alabre- boxes, clothes. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to
sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below on December 27th, 2024 at 12:00pm at the location indicated: Store 8138: 1001 Lee rd, Orlando, FL 32810 407.489.3742 Joshua Edmundson-boxes, electric mower; Luis Torres Fernandez-bedding, totes; Migel Gonzalez-boxes, motobike; clacema William-tables, bedframe, chairs; Keandra McClain-boxes, bags; Dorothy Parker-bags boxes, furniture. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below on December 27, 2024 at the location indicated: Store 7420: 800 Beard Rd Winter Garden, FL 34787, 407.551.6985 @ 12:00 PM: Magan Levandoski: 3 king size beds, boxes, dresser, bins- Linda Outlaw: Furniture. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures. com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Extra Space Storage, on behalf of itself or its affiliates, Life Storage or Storage Express, will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below on December 27, 2024 at the location indicated: Store 3502: 1236 Vineland Rd, Winter Garden Fl, 34787, 407.794.6460 @10:20 AM: Constance Hawkins-Furniture, Couches, Bed frame, Mattress, Boxes. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures. com Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Extra Space Storage, on behalf of itself or its affiliates, Life Storage or Storage Express, will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below on December 20th, 2024 at the location indicated: Store 8460: 4390 Pleasant Hill Rd Kissimmee FL 34746 407.429.8867 @12:15 PM: SUSAN COSTALES- Household Goods; Nadine Joseph- Housegoods; Leroy BartleySuitcases; VELANDE SEIDE- Boxes Store 8753: 540 Cypress Pky, Poinciana, FL 34759 863.240.0879 @ 12:45 PM: Tammi Audette -household items; Amy Bales -Household items; Theodore sims- Bags, Clothes; Van Maarten- Work supplies; Tania olvarria- Household Goods; Bonnie Mills -Household items; Chisonie BolandFuniture. The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and
may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE Extra Space Storage, on behalf of itself or its affiliates, Life Storage, or Storage Express, will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below on December 27, 2024, at the locations indicated: Store 1333: 13125 S. John Young Pkwy, Orlando FL. 32837, 407.516.7005 @ 10:00 AM: Sandra Gilliotti-home items. Store 1631: 5753 Hoffner Ave, Orlando, FL 32822, (407) 212-5890 @ 10:15 AM: William Joseph Mathews- boxes, luggage, clothes, baker’s rack, chairs, rugs. Israel Rosario- Trimmer, luggage, boxes, bags, totes, cooler. Yanira Justiniano- blankets, pillows, purse, iron board, scooter. Marcline Louis- table, couches, bed, mattress, headboard, suitcases, backpack. Elizabeth Oquendo- headboard, dresser, tables, tires, tools, mirror. Store 7057: 13597 S. Orange Ave Orlando FL 32824, 407.910.2087 @ 10:30 AM: Mike WilliamsHousehold items; Ayanna John- Household items; Brittany Sajovic- Household items Store 7107: 6174 S Goldenrod, Orlando, FL 32822, 407.955.4137 @ 10:45 AM: Shania Harris – clothes; Mark Jackson - Art supplies, Clothes, baggage, boxes; Anthony Shines - Car Store 3024: 11955 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando FL 32837, 407.826.0024 @ 11:00 AM: Paz Carlos- pedicure chair, household goods, baby crib. Sunil Bhavnani- Boxes, bags, luggage, totes. Store 3378: 475 Celebration Pl, Celebration FL 34747, 321.939.3752 @ 11:15 AM: Catherine Thompson- household goods, boxes, electronics Store 8931: 3280 Vineland Rd, Kissimmee FL 34746, 407.720.7424 @ 11:30 AM: Jose Galvan Tool Equipment, Tyson Branz portable mini bar, Luis Eduardo Pacheco Boxes Store 3519: 4020 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando, 32806, 407.480.2931 @11:45 AM: James Younce Household Goods/Furniture, Office Furn/Machines/ Equip, Monique Smith Household Goods/ Furniture, TV/Stereo Equipment, Monique Smith Household Goods/Furniture, Tools/ Appliances, Robert Swain Electronics, stuff animals, Brock Daley boxes mostly and a car seat Store 8136: 3501 S. Orange Blossom Trail Orlando FL 32839, 407.488.9093 @ 12:00pm:Cristobal Marrero-Board Games,babystroller,Household Appliances:Josh Hill-Microwave,Board Games,Appliances,Clothing,Shoes:Tanesha Jackson-Chairs,Leather Couch,Clothing ,Shoes,Household Appliances:Lindsey Shave-Clothes,Shoes,Luggage,Appliances,Clothing ,Shoes,Books Store 7306: 408 N Primrose Dr, Orlando, FL 32803, (321) 285-5021 @ 12:15 PM: Eniola Olusanya; BOXES FOR BUSINESS STARTUP. Stephen Brown; Files. Ariel Rosario; business items, retail product. Store 8612: 1150 Brand Ln Kissimmee FL 34744, 407.414.5303@ 12:30PM:Adriana Prieto; Tools,Furnitures,boxes,tires- Arissa Gibbs; Bedroom,furniture,boxes- Luis Lopez Lara; boxes,sewing machine,bags Store 3526: 4650 S. Semoran Blvd, Orlando Fl 32822, 407.823.7734 @ 12:45 PM: Bennett Doreus-Boxes; Christian Davila-Kitchenware, vehicle parts, furniture, boxes, decoration; Zaeisha Cobb-baby items, clothing, personal effects, electronics, boxes; Miguel Benavides-Clothing, mattress and bedding items, personal effects, household goods, salon chair, bags, appliances. Store 8778: 3820 S Orange Ave Orlando FL 32806, 321.270.3440 @ 1:00 pm Kayla Della household items / Christina Bates household goods/ Ashante Saint Val 5 boxes
of clothes/bags / Erik Beard household stuff washer ,sofa . Store 4107: 9080 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee Fl 34747, 407.238.1799 @ 1:15 PM: Norris Hardy-Boxes, clothing/shoes, electronics; Joe Scanlon-Household goods, furniture; Matthew Wilfries-Boxes, Totes Furniture, Bicycle, misc household; Six Star Cleaning Corp/Higor Jesus-Household items; Keontre Mills-Tools, ladders, lawn mower, Misc equipment Store 4109: 13450 Landstar Blvd Orlando, FL 32824, 407.601.41.69@ 1:30 PM: Matthew S Sigel; Household goods and clothing. Orlando Alvarez; Household goods. Store 4217: 5698 S Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, Fl 32839, 754.551.4774 @ 1:45 PM: Jameelah Young- Chevrolet Malibu Black Vin1G1ZB5STXJF170590 Plate- Y713PQ. Alba Ortiz – Toys, Baby & games, Mattress & Bedding, Furniture, Sports & Outdoors, Suitcases, Bins and Area Rug Household Items. Jonas Destine- Appliances, Sports & Outdoors, Bins & Suitcase. The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above-referenced facility to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE PURSUANT TO THE FLORIDA SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITY ACT, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE FACILITIES LISTED BELOW D/B/A VALUE STORE IT SELF STORAGE WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION (TO SATISFY A LIEN PLACED ON THE CONTENTS PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 83 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES). THE PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE BELOW-LISTED OCCUPANTS’ LEASED SPACES TO SATISFY THE OWNER’S LIEN. THE PROPERTY TO BE SOLD IS DESCRIBED AS PERSONAL & HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND/OR COMMERCIAL GOODS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. THE UNIT(S) WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC AUCTION THROUGH ONLINE AUCTION SERVICES OF WWW.STORAGETREASURES.COM. THE SALE TIME AND DATE IS AT 11AM ON December 26, 2024 VALUE STORE IT CELEBRATION, LLC - 1700 CELEBRATION BLVD CELEBRATION, FL, 34747: 1016- Kenneth Blakely; 1020- Marco Antonio Figeiredo Geraldes; 1042- Terry Washington/ Terry Lamont Washington II; 2044- Jack Monroe III; 2056- Jondra Develma Salary Burton; 2116- Gregory Fournier/Gregory J Fournier; 2121- Emily Poppe/Emily Kae Poppe; 4015- Aaron Walker/Aaron Wayne Walker; 5011- Joseph Comunale; 5038 Charles Lebranch; 5039- Michael Sweeney/Michael Patrick Sweeney VALUE STORE IT OCOEE, LLC - 1251 FOUNTAINS WEST BOULEVARD OCOEE, FL, 34761: B017 Naftali Lemack/Naftali Reuven Lemack;B167 Edward Yaw Barimah Boateng;C154 Steven Abraham Cayo;C207 Shawonda Henderson Freeman VALUE STORE IT - 1480 CELEBRATION LLC - 1480 CELEBRATION BLVD CELEBRATION, FL 34747: 1012 – George Samuel Shuler; 2024 – Edward Madera/Edwards A. Madera; 2186 – Jeremy Ryan Phipps; 3022 – Helen Louis Dale; 3189 – Pedro Antonio Rubilar Diaz; 103879 - David R. Schemel/ David Raymond Schemel
NOTICE OF SALE
ADVERTISEMENT OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property under The Florida Self Storage Facility Act. Bidding takes place on lockerfox.com and concludes Tuesday the 27th day of December, 2024 at 10:00 AM with payment at the facility. Store Space Millenia, 4912 S. John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL, 32839. Ana L Sanchez ; Resheka Grady ; Irish Wimbush ; Cynthia Holmes ; TAWANA KAMEKA LEWIS ; Maribel vasquez Marisol Maldonado ; Taylor Gill ; Travis Davis ; Latresia Brown ; williams Lumaine ; Jasen White ; Tonawanda Williams ; Lisa Lieberman ; Amanda Griffin ; Waylan Peters ; Roberto Baez ; Arria Green ; Nathaniel Moulier ; Clinton Chiress ; sandra anderson ; Richard Stinson ; Leroy Jean Charles ; TreVoun Buffalo Daquan Smith ; Cairra Ulysse ; Store Space Sanford - Storage, 3980 E. Lake Mary Blvd., Sanford, FL, 32773. Travis Brooks ; Wendy Boone ; Verlon Henley ; Maria Negron Marshal L Taylor ; Jaime Diaz ; Shawn Johnson ; Fashana Alexander; Tamiqua Williams ; Shawn Johnson ; edward debose ; Pricila Pacheco ; Nashaly Perdomo ; Shameika Johnson ; Dazja Hankins ; Amber Drake ; Ariel Morales ; Latrice Bilal ; Quinton Young ; Obtavious Lane
Employment
3 POSITIONS AVAILABLE – No Experience; No Selling; $2,125/wk/ptnl; PT/FT; Real Estate; No RE-License Req; Start Immediately; EOE; WFH; Call: 703-776-9929
Market Research Analyst (Kissimmee, FL) Bachelor’s deg in Bus admin reqd. Collect & analyze data on customer demographics, preferences, needs & buying habits to identify potential markets. Resume to Luis Romero, Pro Paint Body Shop, 2756 Michigan Ave., #7, Kissimmee, FL 34744.
PBLIC RLATIONS SPCIALST (Orlando, FL): Build ntwork of mdia contcts. Wrte prss rleases & othr media cmmunctions. Reqs: Assoc in Pblic Reltions, Cmmnction, Hosptlty Mgmt or rel & 2 yrs exp as Pblic Rlations Coordntr, Pblic Rlations Spcialst or rel pstion. Mail resume to: HR, Gokalp LLC d/b/a iCafé de Paris, 8465 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819.
PROJECT PRE-CONSTRUCTION/CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER in Orlando, FL.
Req. Bach.’s in Civil Eng. or Const. Engr. or foreign equiv. Mail resumes to: RDC, Inc. 4301 Vineland Rd. Ste E-12, Orlando, FL. 32811
Entry Level Insurance Sales (1283) - Direct Auto
GreatInsuranceJobs.com 6620846
Operations Director of Early Learning, Licensed Child Care
YMCA of Central Florida 6620842
Senior Accountant The Villages 6620839
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HVAC Duct Mechanic (Orlando, Tampa, Daytona, Deltona, Flagler County) Energy Air Inc. 6620558
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Home Depot 6620615
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Florida Blue Diversity Job Fair & Career Expo OrlandoJobs.com 6618994
Retail Sales Associate (Part-Time)
AutoZone 6615641
Director of Guest Experience
Orlando City Soccer 6615581
Remote Customer Service
Omni Interactions
6615072 Volunteer
Give Kids The World 6597369
Development Director (Presentation)
Electronic Arts (EA) 6618055
SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD
Seminole County Sheriff’s Office 6618046
Director of Signature Events & Initiatives
East Orlando Chamber of Commerce 6617935
Sr Operations Technician (Spec Svs) Orange County Government 6619354
Marketing Proposal Specialist I AVCON, INC. 6616027
Sr. Records Clerk City of Casselberry 6619098
Office Manager
Alcorn McBride Inc. 6615900
Support Staff-Paraprofessional School District Of Osceola County Florida 6620814
Support Staff-General Maintenance Specialist School District Of Osceola County Florida 6620811 Executive Communications Sr. Staff Lockheed Martin 6620800 Senior Manager, iCIMS Charles Schwab & Co, Inc 6620793
