| Promotion from Central Florida Vocal Arts | | 🎼 SUPPORTING US, SUPPORTS THEM.Giving scholarships is a direct result of your donations. Please consider donating to CFVA and OdS to build a better Central FL community. DONATE TODAY! 15% matching for December! | | | | 🏆 Orlando just ranked No. 1 in Florida and No. 4 in the nation for… | Plus, the cutest pet in O-town and arguably the best local holiday market of all time.By Katie Johnston Happy Friday to the best college city in Florida. At least, that’s how Orlando is seen in the eyes of WalletHub. The list-making site considered factors like wallet friendliness and social environment as well as academic and economic opportunities to reach their findings. According to their metrics, the City Beautiful is the No. 1 Best College City in America among midsize cities. As it so happens, we also ranked as the fourth-best college city in the nation! As far as other Florida college towns are concerned, Gainesville came in at No. 6, Tampa No. 12, and Miami No. 27. Don’t forget to fix your crown 👑, the University of Central Florida (and Rollins, Valencia, Full Sail…). 😉 And with that, we'll roll right into the rest of today's mostly feel-good headlines... | | | Speaking of rolling, the wheel and tree at ICON Park are looking mighty pretty all dressed up for the holidays. 📸: @mdcm_photography | Wanna see your photo here? Tag either #pulptown or @pulptown on Instagram to be featured as our IG of the Day! | What Orlando is talking about🗣 Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is giving his 2021 State of Downtown Address on Monday, Dec. 13, and you’re invited to attend. This year’s setup is a little different and will be in a town hall format, meaning it’ll be more interactive and attendees can ask Mayor Dyer questions directly. On the agenda: revitalization and development plans for downtown, economic and small business assistance programs, housing challenges, and expansion of mobility options. Doors open at 2:45 p.m. at Exploria Stadium, and the program starts at 3:30 p.m. (City of Orlando) ⛽️ There could be a little less pain at the pump in the near future: gas prices have been dipping and forecasts expect that trend to continue. The US Energy Information Administration released a report on Tuesday claiming that the national average for regular gasoline is anticipated to drop to $3.01 a gallon in January. Experts say the lowered cost is partially due to declining fuel demand and concerns over the omicron variant of COVID-19. (USA Today / Fox 35) 🙌 The Spot is coming in hot in the Milk District. The district’s incubator space has been featuring local artists, entrepreneurs, and makers on a rotating basis for a few months now. And starting in January, you can shop “The Exchange at The Spot,” a multi-vendor concept team-up from some Orlando superlatives: Kick Bright Vintage & Buttons, Joybird Books, The Vintage Chair, and Framework Craft Coffee Bar. (Bungalower) 🛍 Speaking of shopping — it’s time for my all-time favorite shopping event of the year. The Grandma Party Bazaar is back at Stardust Video this Sunday, and if you’ve never been, you’re missing out. Shop local wares at Orlando’s arguably best craft fair from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Audubon Park. (Then grab a book at the new bookstore across the street after!) (Orlando Weekly) 🌱 It’s officially official — the newest location for Sprouts Farmers Market is open in the Milk District. For anyone on this side of town, it’s conveniently located in the former Stein Mart in the Colonial Plaza shopping center. Or if you’re in Winter Park, Oviedo, or near Turkey Lake Road, you can shop at those locations too. 😜 (WKMG) | | 🏆 Do you have the cutest pet in Orlando? | | | 🐶 If you have some free time this weekend, consider filling it with fur for Pulptown’s Happy Paw-lidays Pet Photo Pageant! Calling Orlando’s most adorable pets! Strut your best friend’s stuff on our digital runway for our Happy Paw-lidays Pet Photo Pageant! Upload your pets’ cutest pic and you’ll have a chance to make all of Orlando aware of your best friend’s best features, although we all know their unconditional love is the best one! All of the details can be found on Pulptown’s Instagram page and you can submit your cuddliest contest entries right here. The winner will receive a $50 gift card and a dozen personalized homemade treats from Eola Pets. Nominations end Wednesday, Dec. 15 at noon and voting starts Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m.! We’ll announce the winner on Tues, Dec. 21. May the cutest pet win! | 📅 We planned your weekend | | | 🎥: @giphy No really, we did this time. It’s a perk usually reserved only for our Pulptown+ members but it’s the giving season, and well, I think you’d really enjoy this lineup of fun activities too. ✨ Holiday it up: If you’re up for a night out, grab drinks at The Courtesy, or as it’s known this time of year — Miracle on Orange. Then make your way over to Mathers to ooh and ahh over their elaborate holiday decor. For fun for the whole family (or just you and a friend or S.O.), grab tickets to see Dazzling Nights at Leu Gardens or make your way to Gaylord Palms for Mission: Save Christmas. 🚙 Go: And speaking of saving Christmas, if you haven’t grabbed a tree yet, you can always take a drive and cut one down in the Ocala forest, or order one to be delivered from Tree Drop App. 🍿 Watch: Pack your blankets, chairs, and snacks for the whole family then head to Lake Eola Park for a free movie in the park. This week’s flick? The Polar Express. Showtime is tonight at 7 p.m. 🛍 Shop: ‘Til you drop. Plan your day around the annual Grandma Party Bazaar happening in the parking lot party of Stardust Video in Audubon Park. While you’re over there, grab sweet treats from The Salty Donut or Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, try all the things at East End Market, have dinner at Sushi Lola’s, record shop at Park Ave. CDs, and so much more. 📣 Cheer: Get excited about wrestling and check out the return of Mayhem on Mills to Mills 50, going down in the parking lot behind Ten 10 Brewing. Spend your Sunday afternoon outdoors cheering on locals to sweet victories in the wrestling ring with a cold local brew in town. 📚 Read: You hate all of my ideas and/or just need a good old-fashioned introverted weekend at home? Totally relatable. Check out this article from Orlando Weekly of the 10 most important stories that got blown off by mass media in 2021 or settle in for a deep dive into this 5-part special series on wildlife preservation by the Orlando Sentinel titled “Last stand for Florida wildlands.” Like these weekend plans? You should check out our weekly chat with Jana Sutter from XL106.7 and Magic107.7 on Instagram every week. Want a curated itinerary every Friday? I’d be happy to make you one. Just head over here to become a Pulptown+ member. You can spend either $8/month or $80 for the year. It’d make for a great Christmas present too, let me tell ya. 😉 | | | Promotion from Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra | | 🎄 Fill your holidays with music!Featuring musicians from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets start at $18. $10 tickets for students, educators, and healthcare. Get tickets now | | | | | | Today🍸 Get your tickets for the annual 12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl to some of your favorite watering holes (Downtown) ✨ Save the date for the holiday tradition of drinking cocoa and listening to Christmas tunes while the lights go live on the Hannibal Square Heritage Center (Winter Park) 🎭 Enjoy a free outdoor community concert by our friends at Opera Orlando of their new production, "The Secret River" (The Milk District) | Tomorrow🖼 Don't miss out on your opportunity to meet the legendary local artists the Florida Highwaymen at this morning meet-and-greet (Downtown) 🍿Treat yourself to an afternoon viewing of the holiday classic "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Enzian (Maitland) 👗 Consider this your invite to the 3rd Annual Ultimate Fashion Show for charity (East Colonial) 🎅 Wake up the fam and head to Wekiva Island for breakfast with Santa (Longwood) 🍸 Celebrate the holidays at the Approximately 12 Pubs of Christmas Pub Crawl (Mills 50) | Sunday🎟 Add a little whimsy to your weekend with Mythical Mornings at the Museum! Take a fun look into Florida fantasy while enjoying light brunch refreshments and drinks (Downtown) 🍿 Watch "The Santa Clause" at this week's outdoor movie night happening at Wekiva Island (Longwood) 🛍 Knock out some holiday shopping at the annual Grandma Party Bazaar (Audubon Park) | Monday🌿 DIY — Learn about local blooms and make a silk scarf and a bud vase arrangement to take home using materials harvested from the culinary garden (College Park) 🎻 Celebrate the holidays with The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra's presentation of "Holiday Baroque with Rimma" at The Plaza Live (The Milk District) 😂 Laugh your socks off for a good cause at this annual comedy night/toy drive event happening at Harry Buffalo (Downtown) | Tuesday🍿Make it a date and watch the holiday classic "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" at the Enzian (Maitland) | One more thing… | | | 🎥: @giphy I know this year has been a whirlwind, but it’s hard to believe it’s already wrapping up. Before it’s all over, I’d love to hear about something that got you through this year. Was it a pandemic puppy? The return of an art show? Comfort food from your favorite local spot? Good friends? We want to hear all about it and share your answers among fellow Pulptown readers. The hope is that we’ll be able to wrap up the year with some good cheer. Oh, and don’t forget to tune in to a new episode of 15 Minutes in Pulptown on Monday. I know at least one of you has missed it these last two weeks (looking at you, Elissa C.). 😉 Have a great weekend! – ✌️ Katie at Pulptown 🎉 Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 🎙Tune in to our podcast. 📩 Tell a friend to subscribe. 📎 Advertise with us. | | |
