Asian Lantern Festival Returns + Gatlin Hall Brewing Opening + Blue-Green Algae

Hello, people of Orlando! It's me again, Carlos Hernandez, your host of the Orlando Daily.

In this issue, you'll learn about a new brewery opening this weekend, the return of a lantern festival, a look at a vaccine mandate enacted this summer, and more. Now, let's get started.

First, today's weather: Humid and overcast throughout the day. High: 88 Low: 78.

Here are the top stories in Orlando today:

1. Asian Lantern Festival: Into The Wild will return to Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford starting November 16th. It will take place outdoors, on a 3/4-mile lantern-lit path through the zoo. The event requires a separate ticket from regular zoo admission. (Orlando Weekly)

2. Over 90% of workers are now vaccinated in the Orange County Tax Collector Office after a vaccine mandate was enacted this past summer. 12 employees quit in protest, but Tax Collector Scott Randolph says it was worth it. Anti-vaccine and anti-government sentiment was common among the employees who gave reasons. (WFTV)

3. Gatlin Hall Brewing is set to open this weekend at Fort Gatlin Shopping Center. Gatlin Hall Brewing will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The brewery will offer a limited number of memberships that will give perks including deals and special offers. (Bungalower)

4. Officials have issued health warnings for three Central Florida lakes and the Kissimmee River because of blue-green algae. The warnings are in effect for Lake Willisara, Eustis, and Lorraine as well as Lake Anderson in Orlando. Officials are urging people and animals to avoid the lakes. (Spectrum News 13)

5. The Florida Hospital Association is raising concerns about oxygen levels in the state. A survey shows 68 hospitals have less than a 48-hour supply of oxygen. Hospitals are using nearly 3 to 4 times as before the pandemic because more than 17,000 patients are hospitalized in Florida with COVID-19. (WMFE)

5G is going to change the way we live, and Verizon is building the fastest 5G network in the country. To learn how 5G will make life better for you and your community — and to get access to this amazing technology — click here. Thank you Verizon for sponsoring this community resource in Orlando!

Today in Orlando

• Experience the Magic, August 27th – October 3rd at Bulla Gastrobar! (9:00 AM)
• TITANIC First Class Dinner Gala - Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Orlando. (5:30 PM)
• Football Game v Apopka High - Colonial High School. (7:00 PM)
• Varsity Football vs. Timber Creek @ Timber Creek. (7:00 PM)
• Home Football Game vs. Bishop Moore. (7:30 PM)
• Orlando City Soccer Club vs. Inter Miami CF. (8:30 PM)

Orlando Patch Notebook

• Visit Orlando's Magical Dining Month starts today and runs through October 3rd. Guests can enjoy three-course, prix-fixe dinners at over 80 Orlando restaurants for $37 per person. Proceeds benefit Pathlight HOME and IDignity to help fight homelessness in Central Florida.
• Visit Orlando : "Happy #NationalDogDay! Mochi & Rachael here from @earth.to.mochi and we're here to show you some of our favorite dog-friendly events and activities. Follow along in the stories to see why Orlando is the pawfect dog friendly destination!" (Instagram)
• Pet Alliance Greater Orlando: " It’s almost that time of year! Paws in the Park is coming up but first we need your help. We are looking for goal-oriented, outgoing, and passionate people to join the Paws in the Park Committee. Committee members dedicate their t..." (Instagram)
• Orlando Police Department: "ALWAYS TRAINING: August is #NationalDogMonth, so we're checking in on all of our pawsome #k9dogs and handlers. We caught up with K9 Ace practicing his sits and other skills with Officer Nicole Morgan at Children's Safety Village of Centr..." (Facebook)
• Downtown Orlando: "Love is a four-legged word! Celebrate National Dog Day at Discover Downtown from now until August 27. Receive a free 407 shirt (long or short sleeve) with purchase of collar and leash, in-store or online. ⁠ ⁠ Promo code: PuppyLove ⁠ ..." (Instagram)

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You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another update! If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Carlos Hernandez

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a food writer with over 10 years of experience in the industry. I write the food blog Carlos Eats (http://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines with food-related blogs and articles.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orlando Daily? Reach out anytime to carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.