🗣 Let's talk Florida's future and its plan for renewable energy
Plus, Bernie and his mittens were all over Orlando yesterday.
By Katie Johnston
It’s Friday.
And we’ve got a whole lot of news for you today, starting with an update from the city of Orlando’s Director of Sustainability, Chris Castro. He announced yesterday that Florida will host its first-ever climate week on April 19-22 following the country’s rejoining of the Paris Climate Agreement.
The upcoming week-long series will include free webinars, panel discussions, and other activities that aim to spring Floridians to action when it comes to addressing climate change.
You can find out more about the week’s activities here and speaking of activities, you know who was really active in Orlando (and all over the country) yesterday? Ol’ Bernie Sanders. Amirite or am I right? 👇
We showed Bernie and #berniesmittens a fun time in Orlando yesterday, including a stop in College Park at this fun mural by Chris Uphues and Jen Koehl, a great work of art made possible by our friends at Naked Bar Soap Co. and Lemonhearted. Did you follow along? There's still time. Head to our IG story to see where all he made an appearance.
What Orlando is talking about
⚡️ Rep. Anna Eskamani introduced the 100% Renewable Energy Goals Bill — otherwise known as House Bill 283 — in the Florida legislature yesterday. She breaks the bill down in her IG post, but to summarize, the legislation’s goal is to transition Florida towards using 100 percent renewable energy by 2040 with the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. It would also ban fracking in the state and establish a workforce board to oversee the creation of new high-paying jobs in the field — something we could use considering the impact of COVID-19 on our state’s unemployment rate. (Anna Eskamani on Instagram)
🍿 Last year we told you about our excitement for the Florida-based film “Some Kind of Heaven” coming to Florida Film Fest. The documentary following four residents of The Villages really piqued our interest and is now playing on Netflix and local theater screens. (I'm watching it over the weekend and will plan to report back next week!) (Orlando Sentinel)
🇯🇵So we know at least one eatery coming to the new Bumby Arcade Food Hall on Church Street later this year. It’s Susuru Yatai, a local hot spot for authentic Japanese street food and retro flair. (Orlando Weekly)
🎶 Norsekorea, arguably Orlando’s most notable concert promoter, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a finale show at Will’s Pub this weekend. Whomp whomp, you read that right. Kyle Raker — the sole founding member who’s still with the clique — is hanging it up for now. You can attend the show either virtually via Facebook Live or in-person, but act fast: Capacity is limited because, y’know, COVID. (Orlando Weekly)
🏨 The proposed Henderson Hotel in Winter Park is just one stop away from becoming a reality. If the plans make it past the city commission on Jan. 27, the controversial luxury hotel can commence development The five-story hotel is planned for the eastern shore of Lake Killarney and was approved by the Winter Park Planning and Zoning Board 4-3 earlier this week. (Bungalower)
🍔 The Orlando Sentinel wants to know what your favorite restaurants are around town. Its annual Foodie Awards is back and you have between now and Feb. 4 to get your nominations in. Here’s where to vote and here are more details 👉 (Orlando Sentinel)
🏥 Calling all health professionals: Orlando Health is looking to hire RNs, GNs, and CNAs and is hosting a hiring event from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m .today. (ClickOrlando)
💨 The Sanford Fire Department said it received a lot of calls yesterday about loud booms and smoke in the area. The good news is that it was apparently nothing to be worried about — the smoke was from a nearby controlled burn and the loud booms were from the Navy dropping bombs during routine training in the Ocala National Forest. Y’know, perfectly normal, cool, fun stuff! (WESH)
🚀 Speaking of loud noises, there may be another SpaceX launch today if the weather permits. The current liftoff window is scheduled for between 9:24 and 10:22 a.m. (ClickOrlando)
💰We're worth it
One poke bowl; two craft beers, some avocado toast; while we love these $8 treats as much as the next Orlandoan, we want to make sure you know eight bucks will also get you a month-long supply of Pulptown deliciousness — err — membership.
Pulptown+ members go the extra dollar to support this local newsletter, and they get sweet benefits in return. This includes Orlando-centric trivia, sneak peeks and exclusive content, plus members-only talks about what we’re listening to, what’s worth watching, and what to do this weekend.
Join our membership program today for just $8/month and help keep Pulptown around forever. 😍
You know you wanna. 😏
Things to do
Submit your events to our calendar.
Today
🍻 Celebrate Motorworks Brewing's birthday with seven new beer releases (Downtown)
⚽️ Cheer on the U.S. Women's National Team to a win over Colombia in this international friendly (Parramore)
🖼 Head to the Mennello Museum for the opening night of its newest exhibit from the Melanson Holt collection (Loch Haven Park)
☮️ Stretch out and enjoy an evening of yoga under the stars at Orlando Brewing (SoDo)
☮️ Keep in mind that laughter is the best medicine during this unique yoga practice (Online)
🚀 Network with and learn from one of Miami's most successful startup founders: Chris Stegner (Online)
Tomorrow
🦞 Want some fresh Maine lobster? The popular Miami-based Cousins Maine Lobster is setting up shop at City Furniture through Sunday (Millenia)
🍿 Make it a night at Nora's Sugar Shack for a night of blankets, booze, and the big screen (Ivanhoe)
🎉 Head to the Bronze Kingdom for a celebration of Afrofuturism put on by the Original Zora Festival (East Colonial)
🌱 Shop for local herbs and plants at Fleet Farming's Greenhouse Plant Sale happening at Kaley Square Community Center (Holden)
📷 Grab your cameras and join other local photographers for a walkabout photo meetup (Downtown)
👻 Go on a virtual ghost tour of some of Orlando's most haunted haunts (Online)
🍷 Take a crash course in wine 101: Kcuvée is a new kind of wine school that will unlock your palate and change the way you experience vino (College Park)
♻️ Do your part and clean up the Loch Haven Chain of Lakes: Lake Rowena, Formosa, and Estelle (Loch Haven)
🍊 Celebrate our county's 176th birthday with a free visit to the history center (Downtown)
Sunday
❓ Test your Robin Williams' movie knowledge with some virtual trivia (Online)
☮️ Settle in to a relaxing warrior one amidst the sculpture garden at Mennello Museum (Loch Haven Park)
🎉 Head to Ivanhoe Park Brewing for a day of outdoor fun for the whole family (Ivanhoe)
Tuesday
☮️ Hear from experts on how to reframe your layoff as a fresh start (Online)
Thursday
🍷 Go on a tour of the best wines in the world via this new tasting course offered by Kcuvée, Orlando's new wine school (College Park)
One more thing
If you’re a regular in Thornton Park, you're likely no stranger to Lulu, the resident mayor of the area. Lulu is a white cat with grey markings and he’s known for dropping everything to get a quick cuddle or a photo. He’s so beloved that the Falcon bar is putting together a 2021 calendar devoted to the “renaissance man” (Lulu’s words, not ours!). Ever snapped a pic of O-Town’s friendliest feline? Head here for more info on submitting an entry to the calendar.
Enjoy your weekend, folks. We’ll see you in your earbuds on Monday and be back in your inbox on Tuesday!
– ✌️ Katie at Pulptown
P.S. Did our Bernie memes make you laugh? Our news roundup inform you? Our calendar entertain you? Wanna share it with a friend? We’d appreciate ya if you forwarded this along and told them to sign up for our newsletter too!
