Welcome to Monday Morning in Orlando
Another weekend stuffing my face around Orlando. Ended up at The Monroe and Domu for Orlando Signal Jr’s birthday festivities. I’m exhausted!
In today’s issue: 👇
- Loch Haven Company
- Lift Orlando
- June
- ….and much more
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🛑 Don’t forget to click (or tap) the poll at the bottom of this issue so we know if we’re on the right track. Every time you vote in a poll, our cat Luna gets a little treat. 🐈
Let’s dive in!
- Philip
ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
From Citrus Grove Flop to Orlando's Coolest Cultural Playground
Back in 1926, the Loch Haven Company thought they'd struck gold, dropping $50,000 to turn Charles Jacocks' orange grove into Florida's next hot subdivision. Then the Great Depression came knocking, leaving 45 acres of prime lakeside real estate sitting empty like the world's most expensive lawn ornament.
Fast-forward to 1953, when some brilliant Orlando visionary civic leaders approached the Orlando City Council with a radical proposition: Why not transform this forgotten property into something that could nurture the community's soul rather than just house its bodies? Best. Decision. Ever.
Landscape architect Lloyd Hoover Galiher crafted a master plan so ambitious it seemed almost ridiculous, museums, theaters, art galleries, and planetariums all packed into one incredible cultural wonderland.
Starting with the Orlando Garden Club's arrival in 1955, this former real estate failure became home to the Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Science Center, multiple theaters, and even a fire museum with a vintage truck named "Old Number Six."
Today, over 800,000 visitors annually (between Orlando Museum of Art and Orlando Science Center) flock to the area nestled between three gorgeous lakes. Watched over by "The Mayor," a 350-year-old oak tree that's basically Orlando's coolest senior citizen, Loch Haven Park proves that sometimes the best things rise from spectacular failures.
🔥 Check out the full plan for Loch Haven Park, right here.
THE SQUEEZE 🍊
Rolling Out Hope: Orlando's Mobile Shelter Buses Put Homelessness Solutions on Wheels
Orlando just rolled out one of the coolest civic innovations ever last Thursday. 407 Connect transforms ordinary Greyhound buses into mobile motels for people experiencing homelessness.
Mayor Buddy Dyer's $350,000 bus makeover created 42 cozy sleeping pods complete with personal lighting, phone charging stations, and privacy curtains that would make any hostel jealous.
These genius mobile shelters feature onboard security personnel and target folks seriously committed to getting back on their feet. This means no substance abuse or disruptive behavior allowed. They also dodge the dreaded "not in my backyard" challenge by literally driving wherever needed, temporarily.
With hot breakfasts, showers, and comprehensive support services, this isn't just shelter, it's a secure launchpad to permanent housing, aiming to help 407 people in three years!
🚍 Check out the full 407 Connect program, right here.
The Developer That Got Away Might Save the Day
Lift Orlando lost out on a juicy development deal six years ago, but now they're swooping in like housing superheroes to rescue a spectacularly stalled project in West Lakes.
While their former competitor, Hannibal Square Community Land Trust, watched $5.83 million in dreams crumble into rotting wood and hurricane damage, Lift Orlando was busy crushing it nearby, building senior housing, a shiny Boys & Girls Club, and a wellness center.
Now they're eyeing those sad, skeletal townhomes with dollar signs and determination. An August 20th community meeting spilled the beans on their rescue mission.
Like they say, sometimes the best revenge is living well, then buying your rival's mess.
👉 Check out how Lift Orlando rolls, right here.
(Learn a lot more about Lift Orlando’s renewed approach with Laura Kinsler, right here)
This Orlando Lake Has a Secret Weapon Against Slime
Just a hop from Universal Studios, Lake Cane looks picture-perfect, but there's trouble brewing 33 feet down.
Ancient muck is piling up like underwater quicksand, stealing oxygen from fish and turning this 1849-era gem into a potential green slime factory.
The cavalry has arrived in the form of CCIWADR's new sensor system: sonar-powered underwater drones that create digital twins of entire lakes. Instead of boring old spot-checks, this Ohio-based tech maps every nook and cranny, tracking everything from bacteria to nutrients across 80 acres of water.
Florida's booming population desperately needs clean surface water for drinking. This high-tech lake detective work could save both morning swim traditions and future water bills, proving that sometimes the coolest gadgets solve the messiest problems.
(Learn tons more about what’s happening at Lake Cane with Molly Duerig, right here)
A Million Meals, One Epic Saturday: Orlando's Feel-Good Food Frenzy
The Central Florida Fairgrounds buzzed with the energy of a festival as nearly 2,500 volunteers descended for Light Orlando's third annual "1 Million Meals" extravaganza last Saturday.
What looked like the world's most purposeful assembly line stretched across the venue, rows of tables loaded with supplies, ready to tackle hunger one package at a time.
Strangers became instant teammates, chatting and laughing while their hands flew through the packing process. This wasn't your typical Saturday activity, but nobody seemed to mind trading sleep-ins for something spectacular.
The magic wasn't just in hitting that jaw-dropping one-million-meal milestone, it was watching ordinary folks create extraordinary impact together, sparking connections that'll ripple through over 65 local charities long after the last meal was packed.
💪 Peep all the goodness Light Orlando does, right here.
(Learn more about this large Million Meal effort with Emily McLeod, right here)
TASTY NEWS 🧑🍳
Orlando Area Eateries Coming & Going
1️⃣ NOW OPEN: Moa Kai Hawaiian Diner - Island Comfort Hits Mills 50
A taste of the islands has quietly landed in Mills 50. Moa Kai Hawaiian Diner's (Insta) soft opening transforms an ordinary Orlando corner into authentic Hawaiian comfort. From steaming saimin noodle soup to perfect Spam musubi and hearty loco moco, plus tropical cocktails, it's where mainland comfort meets island soul in classic diner style.
2️⃣ OPENING SOON: Pita Mediterranean Street Food - Ocoee Welcomes Mediterranean Magic
Pita Mediterranean Street Food (Insta) celebrated its grand opening last Friday, becoming the brand's 51st location. This family-owned venture, serving communities since 2011, brings authentic gyros, falafel, kabobs, and hummus to Greater Orlando. Using premium Lebanese olive oil, certified Halal meats, and fresh local ingredients, they welcome everyone with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
3️⃣ JUST OPENED: Desi Bistro - Build-Your-Own Indian Experience
Desi Bistro boosts fast-casual dining by combining a build-your-own concept with authentic Indian flavors at 12058 Collegiate Way (same shopping plaza as The Dough Show). Diners customize meals with basmati rice or naan, spiced proteins, house-made sauces, and fresh salads, plus handcrafted beverages like mango lassi.
😢 Dearly departed/departing: Vegan spots are thinning out as Leguminati Vegan Eatery announced its closure last week on Facebook.
#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸
Just Moo’ing Around
📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Lake Nona
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FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
June - Wood-Fired Contemporary Mexican
📍700 E Washington St, Orlando, Florida 32801. Map to this location.
Get ready to have your taste buds teleported! June (Insta) in Thornton Park is serving up some Mexican-Asian fusion that'll make you do a happy dance.
They're totally committed to clean eating, seed oil free, minimal refined sugars, and gluten-free focused with only traditional, unrefined ingredients.
The vibes are immaculate and the staff treats you like royalty. Their Tempura fish taco features gloriously crispy fish wrapped in corn tortilla heaven with addictive tamarind sauce. The Watermelon margarita brings the perfect jalapeño kick!
👉 Check out June, right here 👈
Source: June. Hiramasa fish collars 👆
MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out
🐕 Pups on the Patio @ Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream
📅 Tuesday, August 26th | 7-9pm
📍 Kelly's Homemade Ice Cream, Audubon Park
National Dog Day celebration with dog-friendly patio, complimentary frisbee with Dog Pop purchase, and photo contest.
👉 Paws & Treats
🎮 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
🎭 Last Wednesday Laughs
📅 Wednesday, August 27th | 8-10pm
📍 Gravity Taproom, North Downtown Orlando
Monthly stand-up comedy showcase for the perfect midweek pick-me-up with hilarious comedians and great drinks.
👉 Midweek Laughs
🎲 Boards & Books: A '90s Game Night
📅 Wednesday, August 27th | 7-9pm
📍 Azalea Lodge at Mead Botanical Garden
Board game night with bookish vibes and '90s nostalgia hosted by The New Romantics and The Haven Games.
👉 Game On
📦 Preserving Your History Series: Making a Time Capsule
📅 Wednesday, August 27th | 1-4pm
📍 Orange County Regional History Center
Workshop teaching attendees to create time capsules for preserving heirlooms in a 12"x10"x5" box for $20.
👉 Preserve Memories
🌺 WaWa Summer Fun Days at Bok Tower Gardens
📅 Thursday & Friday, August 28-29th
📍 Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
Final summer days with complimentary admission limited to four visitors per registration.
👉 Last Chance
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THANKS!
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🌟 Know a community superstar? Tell me about them, right here.
🍲 Want some hawt community sourced foodie recommendations? Check out the Orlando Signal Restaurant Guide, right here.
Thanks for reading! I’ll see you again on Thursday’s weekend fun issue.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
