Welcome to Monday Morning in Orlando
Hope everyone had an exceptional Thanksgiving holiday. Based on Thursday’s poll, it appears there was a dead-even split between people hosting and being a guest at someone else’s feast. About 15% of you went to a restaurant, and for about 13% of you, it was just another Thursday. Thanks for sharing your plans!
In today’s issue: 👇
- 600-Pound Star
- Paddle-Powered Icons
- Los Tres Golpes
- ….and much more
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Let’s dive in!
- Philip
P.S. 🍲 Want some hawt community sourced foodie recommendations? Check out the Orlando Signal Restaurant Guide, right here.
Finding a good restaurant in Orlando? Easy.
Finding great people to go with? We're on it!
👉 Orlando Signal Dinner Club
Six strangers. One table. Ivanhoe Village. Wednesday, December 10th at 6:30 PM.
The setup: Take our quiz. We'll match you with five people who either mirror your energy or totally flip your perspective (you pick).
The fun: Your restaurant stays under wraps until that morning. Halfway through dinner, we'll text the whole crew a spot nearby to keep vibes going: drinks, laughs, maybe some friendly competition.
Here's the deal:: Just 16 bucks locks in your seat and supports this newsletter. You handle your own check, while we orchestrate the rest.
Perfect for: Brand-new Orlandoans craving a crew, or long-time locals looking to make new friends.
🛑 Consider this your permission slip to enjoy yourself before holiday chaos hits.
🫵 Take the Quiz & Grab Your Seat →
ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
How a 600-Pound Star Became Orlando's Soul
Image Source: Orlando.Gov
An Orlando holiday tradition continued last week as crews raised the Jack Kazanzas Star 50 feet above Orange Avenue, officially kicking off the festive season.
The 600-pound glowing beauty has quite the backstory. In 1955, bitter rivals Dickson & Ives and Ivey's department stores did the unthinkable, they teamed up to hang a massive star between their buildings. The Orlando Sentinel declared it in 1956, "the most impressive holiday decoration in Central Florida."
When downtown shopping fizzled out in the 1970s, the star vanished, until Jack Kazanzas said "not on my watch." The Orlando local rallied downtown merchants in 1982, scraping together $13,000 to commission an even bigger star from legendary signmaker Bob Galler. It made its grand comeback in 1984.
When city officials tried replacing it with a high-tech wreath in 1998, Kazanzas grabbed some glue and glass cleaner and fixed it himself.
After his death in 2010, the city gave the star his name, honoring the guy who simply refused to let Orlando forget its sparkle.
👉 Here’s a fascinating 2-minute clip about the Kazanzas Star, right here.
THE SQUEEZE 🍊
Orlando's Biggest Free Holiday Party Kicks Off This Wednesday
The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is throwing open its three-acre Frontyard for a free month-long party kicking off this Wednesday, December 4th.
The inaugural Frontyard Holiday Festival runs through January 4th, 2026, with 300,000 guests expected to join the fun.
Over 80 live performances will keep the energy high, showcasing everyone from Opera Orlando to talented local high school musicians.
A spectacular illuminated tree sponsored by The Main Law Firm dazzles during nightly lighting ceremonies, while visitors enjoy classic holiday flicks, actual snow in Florida, toasty fire pits, and visits with Santa.
The festival continues Dr. Phillips Center's tradition of bringing the community together, they've already given away over 63,900 tickets since 2014.
🔥 Check out the boatload of free shows, right here.
A Century of Swan Boats: Orlando Throws a Party for Its Paddle-Powered Icons
Last week, Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan threw a birthday bash a century in the making: the "Swantennial," celebrating 100 years of Lake Eola's beloved swan boats.
The November 25th festivities featured a dazzling gold-wrapped vessel, courtesy of Wraps For Less, honoring the paddle-powered fleet that's been gliding across downtown waters since 1925.
It all started when Mrs. Bowers of Maitland pitched her idea that December, kids could ride for a dime, adults for fifteen cents.
Through booms, busts, and Orlando's wild ride from sleepy town to major metropolis, these quirky bicycle-boats have kept on pedaling, creating memories for generations of lake-goers.
🦢 Check out the Golden Swan, right here!
Half the Budget, All the Protection: Orange County's Safety Streak
For seven straight years, Orange County has thrown over half its annual budget at public safety, and it shows. Under the Mayors watch, property tax dollars have sparked a makeover: shiny new fire stations, upgraded jails, and cutting-edge tech for law enforcement.
Since 2019, public safety agencies have snagged more than half of all new County jobs. Fire Rescue opened six stations and rolled out a lifesaving Whole Blood Program.
Corrections officers now pocket Central Florida's top entry-level pay, up a hefty 51.9 percent since 2018.
Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Office scored a $149 million budget boost, helping slash crime by 16 percent in 2024.
The results? Faster responses, safer streets, and communities that can actually breathe easy.
Mission Possible as Veterans Master Money in Orlando
The Heart of Florida United Way program is helping veterans master civilian life's trickiest challenge: managing money without military structure.
Mission United recently celebrated its 10th anniversary in Orlando, and things are heating up. Free financial literacy workshops launched this August have already attracted more than 150 veterans eager to level up their money skills.
The sessions cover the essentials: budgeting, financial planning, and cracking the code on homeownership. For veterans jumping into civilian careers, this knowledge is pure gold.
But wait, there's more. Mission United isn't just about balancing checkbooks. The program connects veterans with housing assistance, employment opportunities, and education resources throughout Central Florida.
Getting help is refreshingly simple: just call or text 2-1-1 to connect with veteran case managers who actually get it.
🫡 Check out the good work at the Heart of Florida United Way, right here.
(Learn a lot more about the Heart of Florida United Way's veteran program with Massiel Leyva, right here)
✈️ Orlando’s best flight deal - Live music and breakfast tacos edition
Mid-January in Austin hits differently than anywhere else in Texas. The food trucks are firing on all cylinders without the summer heat, live music venues are packed with locals who actually have room to breathe, and there's something about wandering South Congress or catching a sunset over Lady Bird Lake when the weather's perfect and the city's weird energy is all yours for the taking.
Orlando (MCO) → Austin, TX (AUS) for 64 bucks*, round-trip Friday through Monday in mid-January. See the deal.
*Price shown above is accurate as of the time this newsletter was sent.
TASTY NEWS 🧑🍳
Orlando Area Eateries Coming & Going
1️⃣ OPENING EARLY 26: Sama Restaurant - Double the Flavor, Double the Fun
Winter Park's getting Sama Restaurant, a two-story dining adventure where the ground floor dives deep into India's wildly diverse regional cuisine, while upstairs at Sama Terrace, globetrotting tapas (think Mediterranean meets Japanese meets Mexican) and killer cocktails keep the party going.
2️⃣ OPENING SPRING 26: Terra Modern - New All-Day Spot Coming
Downtown Orlando gets a fresh dining destination Spring 2026 with Terra (Insta), a New American spot landing at Society Orlando. This 8,000-square-foot space will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily with a 50-seat central bar and over 70 dining seats. A lounge vibe meets neighborhood hangout, open to everyone.
😢 Dearly departed/departing: Two longtime institutions are closing this month. After 28 years, Chez Vincent and Hannibal's Lounge in Winter Park close December 21st, sold to a local chef. Over in Mills 50, Little Saigon Vietnamese Restaurant serves its final bowl of pho December 28th after nearly 40 years, as siblings Vu Nguyen and Mai Huynh retire.
#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸
Jingle Eve Bubble Truck
📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Gaston Edwards Park
Tag @orlandosignal to get your photo featured in the newsletter!
FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
Los Tres Golpes
📍745 N Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32803. Map to this location.
When evening rolls around in Orlando, Los Tres Golpes (Insta) fires up the kitchen and doesn't stop until 4 AM.
This Dominican hotspot slings authentic eats for early diners and night owls alike, where hands-on owners and bachata beats create an electric vibe.
The namesake tres golpes, mangu piled with fried salami, cheese, and egg, shares the spotlight with wild creations like plantain-crust pizza.
Generous portions, killer sauces, and that irresistible energy make this the place locals can't stop talking about. Prepare for loud music and even louder flavors.
👉 Check out the menu right here 👈
Source: Los Tres Golpes
MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out
🌊 Our Water, Our Future: A Vision for a Plastic-Free Orlando
📅 Tuesday, December 2nd | 5:30-8pm
📍 Orlando Science Center
Celebration of Plastic Free Cities program featuring student projects, panel discussion, appetizers, and raffle prizes.
👉 Make an Impact
🎵 Winter Park Village Holiday Concert Series
📅 Tuesday, December 2nd | 6-8pm
📍 Winter Park Village
Weekly live music by the fountain featuring Erik Winger in a family-friendly outdoor setting with dining options available.
👉 Music Under Stars
🎮 Game & Hobby Night at The Burrow
📅 Tuesdays | 5-8pm
📍 The Burrow Cafe & Play, Mills area
Weekly gathering for games, crafts, reading, and relaxation with drink specials available.
👉 Play Together
🍔 Tasty Takeover in The Milk District
📅 Tuesdays | 6:30-10pm
📍 The Milk District – 2424 E Robinson St
Orlando's premier weekly food truck block party featuring diverse culinary offerings behind the shops and bars.
👉 Dine Alfresco
🍽️ Food as Medicine Cooking Demo
📅 Tuesday, December 2nd | 6-8pm
📍 Center for Health & Wellbeing – Nutrition Theatre, Winter Park
Chef and physician-led experience featuring lifestyle recommendations, culinary tips, healthy cooking demonstration, and plant-based menu sampling.
👉 Healthy Living
📖 Orlando Story Club: Empowered
📅 Wednesday, December 3rd | 7pm (doors 6:30pm)
📍 CityArts Orlando, 39 S Magnolia Ave
Live storytelling competition on the theme "Empowered" where 10 random storytellers share 5-minute tales, with top 3 winning prizes.
👉 Tell Your Story
🛍️ Luminary Market
📅 Wednesday, December 3rd | 5:30-9pm
📍 Luminary Green Park in Creative Village
Monthly market with 20-25 local vendors followed by KaleidoScope 360° outdoor movie at 7pm under the stars.
👉 Shop & Watch
🎄 Christmas In The Park
📅 Thursday, December 4th | 6:15-8:30pm
📍 Central Park, Winter Park
47th annual celebration featuring illuminated Tiffany windows and Bach Festival Choir and Brass Ensemble concert.
👉 Holiday Tradition
🧘 Yoga Flow with Alex Cuellar & Artist Laura Buitrago
📅 Thursday, December 4th | 6:30-8pm
📍 Venture X & CityArts
Rejuvenating yoga flow followed by immersive exhibition exploring confronting shadows and finding freedom through art.
👉 Flow & Reflect
🎨 OCLS Geeky Crafts
📅 Thursday, December 4th | 4:30-5:30pm
📍 Orange County Library System, Southwest Branch
Fandom-inspired craft hour for ages 13-18 creating fun, geeky projects to keep.
👉 Get Crafty
🎤 Mark Tremonti Sings Frank Sinatra: A Christmas Special
📅 Thursday, December 4th | 8pm
📍 Walt Disney Theater @ Phillips
Grammy-winning artist backed by Sinatra's original orchestra members performs classic jazz and seasonal favorites.
👉 Swing into Holidays
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THANKS!
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Thanks for reading! I’ll see you again on Thursday’s weekend fun issue.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
