News and information from throughout Greater Orlando

By the Numbers

25 Percent
The spike in new-home construction in the Metro Orlando area compared to the previous year, according to a March report from MetroStudy. The local areas showing the highest rate of growth include The Villages and communities near the theme parks.

$4,900
The amount of money that will be distributed annually to 10 local LGBT students courtesy of The 49 Fund scholarship. Launched by attorney Barry Miller in conjunction with The Center, an LGBT organization, the fund will honor the 49 lives lost in last year’s Pulse shooting.

12,842
The number of passengers reported by SunRail on Saturday, March 18. The stat marked the service’s highest ridership volume since it launched in 2014, and was spurred by the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival as well as basketball and soccer games.

$8.6 Million
How much was saved in 2016 by Orlando shoppers who took advantage of digital coupons, according to a report by Coupons.com. Furthermore, the metro area ranked at No. 2 on the website’s America’s Most Frugal Cities of 2016 list. If reached, the goal would also make the university less reliant on state funds.

Hit or Miss

The Orlando City Soccer Club has announced the signing of a contract that will bring Brazilian soccer superstar Marta to play for the Orlando Pride. A member of her home country’s national soccer team and a five-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year, Marta is expected to have the same sort of positive impact that Kaká has had on the men’s team.

In March, Terry Bollea, aka wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, opened a new Hogan’s Beach Shop location near the corner of International Drive and Sand Lake Road. Like the original in Clearwater Beach, the new venture offers a wide array of authentic Hulk Hogan and WWE merchandise, and Bollea himself signed autographs during the grand opening.

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) announced in April that the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens had been granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission, an honor reserved for zoos and aquariums that meet the highest standards. The zoo was accredited on the strength of its animal care, veterinary programs and other aspects.

The Winter Park City Commission voted against plans to replace the city’s iconic Aloma Bowl with an Orchard Supply Hardware store, with parking and traffic concerns being the main issues pinpointed by city commissioners. The developer, Oppidan Holdings, is building two other Orchard Supply Hardware locations in the metro area.

Osceola County’s new sheriff, Russel Gibson, has announced plans to acquire body cams for all deputies, which was one of his campaign promises. To that end, Gibson has brought in a financial director to secure grants to pay for those devices, as well as a new Sheriff’s Office building and other initiatives.

Richard Anderson, a former official for the city of Apopka, received probation in a case stemming from a hit-and-run crash in which the victim, Michael Falcon, was left seriously injured. Immediately after the crash, Anderson made 10 calls from his cellphone—but none to 911 to report the incident.

Did You Hear?

“The State of Orange County is strong, it is resilient and it is unified. It is proud, compassionate and confident—confident in our ability to overcome challenges and confident that together, we are going to achieve in ways that will continue to change lives and transform Orange County into the best we can be.”
—ORANGE COUNTY MAYOR TERESA JACOBS, while giving her 2017 State of the County address at I-Drive 360 in April

Datebook

BAHIA SHRINE CIRCUS
May 6-7
Benefitting the Bahia Shrine Center’s charitable activities and raising awareness for Tampa’s Shriners Hospital for Children, the 63rd annual Bahia Shrine Circus offers a fun, family-friendly show for all ages. 10 a.m. 2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m., Osceola Heritage Park, $18 (children 12 and under free with paying adult)

ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY
May 13
Learn about endangered species from around the world, including the cheetah, Indian rhino, clouded leopard and more. Guests can also discover ways to help protect endangered animals through fun activities and encounters. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, $13.75- $19.50 (children 2 and under free)

CENTRAL FLORIDA BBQ BLOWOUT
May 27
This year’s edition will feature 10 professional teams offering a variety of barbecue, plus treats like ice cream and Italian ice. Attendance to this pet-friendly event is free, although the food is available for purchase with proceeds benefitting the Helping Hands organization and the Oviedo-Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce. 2 p.m. – 10 p.m., Oviedo Mall, free

Voice & Vent

This month, we look at some of the best golf courses in Greater Orlando. What’s more important to your family when it comes to choosing greens? Share your opinion by visiting OrlandoFamilyMagazine.com’s Polls section and answering:

“When it’s time to tee off, do the golfers in your family favor high-end courses with lots of amenities, or do they prefer no-frills, low-cost options?”

Click on “Vote” to make your choice count.

Next month, we’ll report back on what our readers are thinking.

In April, we asked: “When it comes to pets, are you and your family primarily dog people, or are cats more your thing?”

67% of you said DOGS
33% of you said CATS

This article originally appeared in Orlando Family Magazine’s May 2017 issue.