Interesting news and info from around Greater Orlando

Go Figure

No. 1
Orlando’s ranking among foodie cities nationwide, according to WalletHub.com. To determine their rankings, the financial-data website compared America’s 150 most populated cities across 21 different food-related categories.

No. 8
Orange County’s rank among all U.S. public-school systems when it comes to students taking and passing Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Orange was also Florida’s leader, with the number of students taking and passing AP exams climbing by 16 and 11 percent, respectively.

$50,000
The monies awarded to Wekiva High School by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Wells Fargo in November. The grant will be used to expand the school’s Aquaponics STEM Learning Project.

$45 Million
The amount of Tourist Development Tax dollars approved by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners in November to fund phase II of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. An additional $5 million was allocated for a sports-bid fund.

$170 Million
The potential financial boost Greater Orlando could realize when the WWE’s WrestleMania comes to Camping World Stadium in April. The number is based on the economic impact enjoyed by Dallas during last year’s event.

Hit or Miss

The City of Orlando has revealed plans for the former location of Tinker Field, which once hosted Martin Luther King Jr. on top of countless baseball legends. Currently designated as the Tinker Field History Plaza at Camping World Stadium, the site will incorporate several historical elements.

In October, the final steel beam was placed in Orlando City Soccer Club’s new stadium, which will also host the Orlando City Pride. The facility, which will cost an estimated $155 million, is being privately funded by the team itself and will seat up to 25,500 fans. It’s on track to open ahead of Orlando City’s 2017 season.

Downtown Orlando got its first-ever off-leash dog park in October. The dog run was added to Constitution Green Park at Summerlin and Jackson avenues, and the opening was attended by Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan. Constitution Green is also known for a massive live-oak tree estimated to be 125-175 years old.

The new video from musician John Legend for his song, “Love Me Now,” prominently showcases Orlando—albeit for bittersweet reasons. Scenes for the video were filmed outside the Pulse nightclub, which was the site of the worst mass-shooting in Orlando’s history, and at Lake Eola Park. The video also features at least one survivor of the attack.

University of Florida (UF) has announced that it is no longer seeking to assume operations of Sanford Burnham’s facility in Orlando’s Medical City. UF and Sanford Burnham originally revealed the plan in May, but the agreement received scant support from local and state officials. Sanford Burnham received more than $360 million in incentives to open the center in 2006.

If you feel like you’re taking your life into your hands every time you get on I-4, you’re not imagining things: According to auto-insurer EverQuote, it’s the most dangerous interstate in the U.S. In addition to recording 1.41 fatalities per mile from 2010 to 2015, the 132-mile highway has been in EverQuote’s top 10 for the past six years.

Datebook

LEU HOUSE HOLIDAY LECTURE & NIGHT TOUR
12/1

Join former curator Albert Pfeiffer for the Leu House Holiday Lecture & Night Tour. Starting with a discussion of the people who occupied the house and their mark on Orlando’s history, the class will then tour the historic home in all its holiday splendor. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Leu Gardens, $10 (members) – $16 (non-members)

DOWNTOWN FOR THE HOLIDAYS TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATION
12/2

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will help light the city’s 72-foot Christmas tree for the Downtown for the Holidays Tree Lighting Celebration. The event will also include live performances, and holiday gifts and food & beverages will be available for purchase. 5 p.m. (live performances), 7 p.m. (tree lighting), Lake Eola Park, free

WINTER SPARK
12/10

Winter Spark is an annual festival that takes place on the second Saturday in December, and it has previously seen upwards of 10,000 attendees. In addition to a parade, the event will include holiday vendors, live performances, and food & beverage purchases. 4-9 p.m., Baldwin Park, free

Did You Hear?

“The Pulse nightclub is the site of the most tragic event that has ever occurred in the history of the city of Orlando. It has great significance, not just for the LGBTQ community and the Hispanic community, but for all of us who live in and love Orlando. I believe that it is important that our community is a part of determining the future of the Pulse site.”

—ORLANDO MAYOR BUDDY DYER, explaining Orlando’s desire to purchase the Pulse nightclub and convert it into a lasting memorial

Voice & Vent

THIS MONTH, on page 18, we spotlight 30 of our favorite sandwiches from around Greater Orlando. When it’s time for a handheld meal, what do you prefer? Share your opinion by visiting OrlandoFamilyMagazine’s Polls section and answering:

“When you’re in the mood for a sandwich, do you prefer something hot, or is a cold one more your thing?”

Click on“Vote” to make your choice count. Next month, we’ll report back on what our readers are thinking.

In November, we asked: “When you can’t take your pet on an out-of-town trip, do you prefer to board them, or do you prefer to arrange for a pet-sitter?”

67%of you said BOARDING
33%of you said PET-SITTER