๐Halloween 2022: Adult-only events that you cannot miss
Spooky time is here, which means itโs time to dress up and enjoy the Halloween fun that Orlando has to offer for those 21+ trick-or-treaters! Here we have a selection of events in the City Beautiful that even the ghosts will not want to miss:
Orlando is most dangerous city in US for pedestrians. These other 5 Fla. cities rank in top 10
ORLANDO, Fla. โ The City Beautiful is also the most dangerous place in the United States for pedestrians. Six Florida cities, with Orlando topping the list, are among the 10 most dangerous for pedestrians in America, according to the latest โDangerous by Designโ study released Wednesday. [TRENDING: โManatee graveyard in Fla. | 6 major announcements from Disney | Fla. woman charged in US Capitol attack]AdThe Orlando metropolitan area is the most dangerous in the United States. According to the Insurance Insurance for Highway Safety, 713 pedestrians died on Floridaโs roads in 2019 -- its most recent data. โDespite what they claim about safety, they continue to prioritize moving cars at high speeds.
Forecasting Change: Winters are warming
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Last week Forecasting Change focused on warming seasons. Remember, that it is the trend that most of the warming we have going on is being experienced in the winter season. Look at this graph below that shows that the average temperature for the winter season has increased by almost three degrees in the past 50 years. Warming winter daysAnd, as I have said before, itโs not just Orlando that is feeling the heat. Look at this winter warming graphic.
Is your name Orlando? Hereโs how you can fly to the City Beautiful for free
ORLANDO, Fla. โ If your name has Orlando in it, you can visit the City Beautiful for free. Frontier Airlines and Visit Orlando have teamed up to make it easier than ever for people who #LoveOrlando to visit one of the countryโs favorite vacation destinations. The collaborated promotion offers individuals with Orlando as their first or last name to fly for free to the city in October, including sale fares for everyone else to visit the Central Florida destination for as low as $39. People with the name Orlando will get a $250 travel voucher. All flights will be to Orlando International Airport and must be between Oct. 13 through Oct. 20, according to Frontierโs promotion guidelines.
ELEVATE Orlando hosts virtual scholarship forum for students, parents
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Itโs never too early to prepare for college, and ELEVATE Orlando is partnering with local organizations to host a virtual scholarship forum for parents and students to help foot the bill. The free event will take place via Zoom on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.ELEVATE Orlando focuses on mentoring and guiding the City Beautifulโs urban youth with the goal of preparing students for the future. Theyโre partnering with the United Negro College Fund to fulfill its mission. The event will feature presentations on financial literacy, applying for FAFSA and scholarships and give students the opportunity to meet representatives from colleges and universities across the country. Event attendees will only be visible on camera when meeting with campus representatives.
Friends, local church team up to help struggling performers
Its been now five months since the performing arts and live entertainment industry halted productions across Orlando, the City Beautiful. A group of friends involved in the theater industry and St. Lukes United Methodist Church are launching the Greater Orlando Performing Arts Relief initiative, or GOPAR. So, they partnered with St. Lukes United Methodist church. "A lot of people who work in the performing arts work in a gig related industry, so they work for several different companies none of which give them benefits," Wanzie said. Wanzie said GOPAR's mission is to provide financial assistance and resources to help with rent and utility payments--even with healthcare.
Ever wonder who keeps the City Beautiful sparkling? Meet the Clean Team
ORLANDO, Fla. Ever walked around the City Beautiful and wondered how it stays so sparkling clean? Rondale Silcott said the answer is with the Clean Team. During the heat of a steamy June afternoon, members of the Clean Team suited up with backpacks full of disinfectant spray spread out along Orange Avenue. From parking meters to trash cans, sidewalks, and downtown businesses - the Clean Team doesn't miss an inch. He said his team has always worked hard to keep the city looking beautiful, but now with the coronavirus pandemic, the focus in on safety.
Friday marks 4 years since the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Four years ago Friday, a gunman opened fire at Pulse nightclub in Orlandoโs SoDo neighborhood, killing 49 people and injuring dozens of others. [READ: 49 bell tolls ring throughout Orlando, 4 years after Pulse nightclub attack | Rainbow emerges during Pulse remembrance ceremony]In 2018, the wounds were reopened when the gunmanโs widow stood trial for her alleged role in the terror attack. While June 12, known as Orlando United Day, is usually marked somber gatherings with candles and moments of silence, this year will be different. Poma said even though the community can't gather for the remembrance ceremony, we still need to remember and honor our angels. Regardless of how it is honored, June 12 will be a day Orlandoans will never forget.
Portilloโs food truck coming to Orlando
Chicagoโs very own Portilloโs is hitting the road to bring its famous hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches and cheese fries to the City Beautiful. During select dates, the Beef Bus will be around town offering up a taste of whatโs to coming later this year. [Fans can โcake shakeโ down to Lake Buena Vista for new Portilloโs location]Locals should keep an eye out for the Beef Bus around downtown Orlando this Friday and Saturday, but fans will need to check the brandโs Instagram and Twitter to find the exact stops. Look for the food truck behind the Icon Park Ferris wheel during the following dates. March 5 to 9 from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.Portilloโs is opening a new location at Lake Buena Vista as part of The Village at O-Town West development in late 2020.
Orlando named most wallet friendly destination by Kayak
According to Kayakโs 2020 Travel Hacker Guide, Orlando was ranked No. 1 for affordable trip destinations, averaging 47% less than the average North American trip cost. Wekiwa Springs and the Orlando Science Center were mentioned as fun, affordable alternatives to the various theme parks tourists usually visit. If you want to plan ahead, the guide listed January as the cheapest month for flight travel with prices averaging $149 and hotel prices averaging $166. Kayak "defined a โtripโ as โa round-trip flight + 3-night hotel stay,โ the travel guide methodology section said.