Welcome to Thursday Morning, Orlando!
We’re several days in, and switching between Daylight Savings Time and Standard Time messes me up! My unofficial polling (friends and family) shows DST is superior, but personally, I prefer staying on Standard Time so it’s light in the morning and dark in the evening. Or at a minimum, just lock onto one time all year.
Do you think it's a good idea to change clocks, or should we just stick to one time year-round? Let me know in today’s question of the day further down!
Now, in today’s issue:
- Local Musicians Feed Orlando
- 13th Annual Maker Faire Orlando
- GROWvember
- + lots of weekend recs
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe here.
Let’s roll!
- Philip
P.S. Want some hawt community sourced foodie recommendations? Check out the Orlando Signal Restaurant Guide, right here.
3 QUICK NEWS BITS ⏲️
Hungry for Change as Local Musicians Feed Orlando Through Song
Beth McKee & Her Funky Time Band take the stage at Timucua Arts Foundation this Friday, but this isn't your typical show.
Joined by members of the Swamp Sistas, McKee is launching "Power Lines: Songs for the People," an initiative where art becomes action for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
The concept: release new music every six weeks, with all digital sales and royalties flowing directly to fight hunger. Bill Collins and Greg Higgerson from Second Harvest will join the female-led ensemble for an evening blending retro soul with Southern grooves.
It's music designed to feel communal, where strangers become fellow travelers through song.
🎤 Want to help by seeing a show? Then click right here.
From Jazz to Marches: Five Concerts Honoring Those Who Served
Central Florida musicians are rolling out five concerts to celebrate veterans around Veterans Day on November 11th, the date marking the 1918 armistice that ended World War I.
Three shows kick off simultaneously at 3 p.m. this Sunday, (November 9th,) spreading across Sanford, Clermont, and Winter Park as two evening performances light up downtown Orlando.
Catch the U.S. Air Force Band of the West's free show at Sanford's Ritz Theater (I just did an Orlando Rewind on this venue, right here), the Orlando Concert Band's patriotic favorites in Clermont, or an all-veteran jazz ensemble at Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts.
Evening picks include Vivacity's nostalgic Golden Age Radio tribute and the U.S. Army Field Band at Dr. Phillips Center.
(Learn lots more about these shows with Matthew J. Palm, right here)
How Orange County Turned $4.5M Into $515M in Medical Debt Relief
Good news is hard to come by these days. Trust me, I know, but over 302,000 Orange County residents just had their medical debt disappear, thanks to a $4.5 million investment from the American Rescue Plan.
Officials announced Tuesday of last week they've completed another relief round with nonprofit partner Undue Medical Debt, erasing $49.2 million for more than 49,000 people.
The secret? Buying debt from hospitals and collectors at massive discounts, a single dollar spent wipes out about $100 in bills.
Residents qualify if household income sits at or below 400% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if medical debt hits at least 5% of household income. No hoops to jump through. Eligible folks simply get a letter confirming their debt is gone.
The county's spent $3.94 million so far, with more relief on the way.
🩻 Check out Orange County’s Medical Debt Relief Program, right here?
(Learn lots more about this debt elimination effort with Christie Zizo, right here)
WEEKEND SPOT HIGHLIGHT 🔦
13th Annual Maker Faire Orlando
Source: Maker Faire
📍Central Florida Fairgrounds & Expo Halls. 4603 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32808. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday-Sunday, November 8th & 9th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Maker Faire returns, bringing "the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth" back to life.
This family-friendly celebration features over 200 exhibits where engineers, artists, scientists, and crafters share their passions. Experience the Power Racing Series, combat robots, Nerdy Derby, cosplay makers, plus hands-on activities, workshops, and competitions.
It's a gathering of curious minds who love learning and teaching others, a living showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness. Step inside and glimpse what's possible.
👉 Check It Out
TOP 3 FUN RECS FOR THE WEEKEND 🍊
GROWvember Fall Festival & Plant Sale
Source: Mead Botanical Garden
📍Mead Botanical Garden. 1300 S Denning Dr, Winter Park, FL 32789. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, November 7th, 2 p.m. & Saturday, November 8th, 8 a.m.
Winter Park's beloved autumn plant sale is back at Mead Botanical Garden with free admission and parking.
Browse curated collections from experienced vendors offering annuals, perennials, houseplants, native species, orchids, succulents, herbs, and more.
Winter Park's Urban Forestry department hosts a tree giveaway while live music fills the air as food trucks, a beer garden, and kids' activities round out the festivities.
Rain or shine, it's where shopping meets celebration in a garden setting.
👉 Get more info, right here
Water Lantern Festival
Source: Water Lantern Festival
📍Lakefront Park. 1104 Lakeshore Blvd, St Cloud, FL 34769. Map to this location.
🕐 Saturday, November 8th, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
The Water Lantern Festival creates stories you'll tell for years. Families, friends, and strangers gather as darkness falls and the water begins to glow.
Enjoy food trucks, live music, vendors, and a scavenger hunt before the main event. Personalize your lantern, then release it onto the water as the sky deepens.
Watch hundreds of lights float together like a constellation brought down to earth.
It's a moment for reflection, connection, and memories worth cherishing for a lifetime.
👉 Get the full details
Orlando Greek Fest 2025
Source: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
📍Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. 1217 Trinity Woods Ln, Maitland, FL 32751. Map to this location.
🕐 Friday, November 7th 4 p.m., Saturday, November 8th 11 a.m., Sunday, November 9th 11 a.m.
Spend three days immersed in authentic Hellenic culture without leaving Orlando.
Savor traditional Greek cuisine and pastries while live music fills the air. Watch The Hellenic Dancers perform intricate steps passed down through generations.
Browse diverse vendors under a spacious pavilion, and take guided tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity church.
Best of all? Admission is free. Gather your friends and family for a weekend discovering why Greek culture captivates people worldwide. OPA!
👉 Check it out, right here
MORE WEEKEND HAPPENINGS 🎭 🥁
Multi-Day
EDC Orlando | Fri, Sat, Sun | Downtown | More
Saigon Night Market: K-Pop × EDM Night | Fri & Sat | Downtown | More
Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics | Fri & Sun | Downtown | More
Friday - 7th
🔥Sanctus Real The Difference Tour Concert | 7 p.m. | Kissimmee | More
Lunch & Learn: Central Florida World War II Heroes | 12 p.m. | Downtown | More
Tori Tori 6th Anniversary Party | 5 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
Freaky Fridays: Plan 9 from Outer Space | 12 a.m. | Maitland | More
Welcome to Mockville Tribute Fest | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
Helpful Hands: Evening Under the Big Top Charity Gala | 6 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Corbin – Clown on Stage Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
FREE Fall Drawing Club: Gratitude Edition w/Draw Lab Orlando | 7 p.m. | College Park | More
Balu Brigada | 7 p.m. | Milk District | More
Saturday - 8th
🔥 WholeLife Church Barn Party at Health Village - A Fall Festival | 4 p.m. | Downtown | More
🔥 Great Day in the Country | 9 a.m. | Oviedo | More
33rd Pioneer Day | 10 a.m. | Kissimmee | More
Celtic Fest & Highland Games | 10 a.m. | Deltona | More
Yoga Fest | 9 a.m. | Downtown | More
Pet Alliance's 33rd Annual Furball Gala | 5:30 p.m. | Lake Buena Vista | More
UCF Knights Volleyball vs. Iowa State Cyclones Volleyball | 1 p.m. | UCF | More
Puerto Rican Organization for the Performing Arts | 2 p.m. | Mills 50 | More
History Takes Flight | 2 p.m. | Downtown | More
Sunday - 9th
🔥2nd Annual Winter Youth Music Festival | 12 p.m. | Maitland | More
Lakeside Pilates | 10 a.m. | Leu Gardens | More
Orlando Japan Festival | 11 a.m. | Kissimmee | More
Orlando Yoga Festival | 9 a.m. | Downtown | More
A Salute in Swing: Jazz From Those Who Served | 3 p.m. | Winter Park | More
Orlando Concert Band’s A Salute to America’s Veterans | 3 p.m. | Clermont | More
Poly Diaz (En Español) | 5 p.m. | I-Drive | More
Saturdays At Your Place - These Things Happen Tour | 6 p.m. | Downtown | More
Strawberry Girls, Moondough, Post NC | 6 p.m. | Winter Park | More
George Harris: El Pueblo de Uno | 7 p.m. | Kissimmee | More
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THANKS!
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We’ll see you on Monday.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
