Cat Video Festival + UCF Faculty Union Concerns + Pet Grooming Aid

Happy Monday, Orlando! Let's get you all caught up to start today off on an informed note.

In this issue, you'll learn about a local pet grooming salon owner trying to make a difference, the return of the Cat Video Festival, Florida Highway Patrol members who lost their life to COVID-19, mask mandate discussions in Brevard County, and more. Now, let's get started.

First, today's weather: Humid and mostly cloudy throughout the day. High: 91 Low: 74.

Here are the top stories today in Orlando:

1. The owner of Central Florida's first Black-owned pet grooming salon, Lashonda Geffrard, is offering an assistance fund for low-income pet owners through a nonprofit. The Paw Shop is located in Ocoee and Geffard said she was seeing low-income customers and the elderly turned away as costs have risen which made her want to make a difference. (Click Orlando)

2. Enzian Theater is bringing back its Cat Video Festival event on Sunday, September 12th. It will feature the best internet cat videos of the year, as well as classics and “unique submissions.” A portion of the proceeds will go to Pet Rescue by Judy. (Bungalower)

3. 2 Florida Highway Patrol members have succumbed to COVID-19. Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Sean Hryc and Compliance Investigator Ernest "Ernie" Brown both died from COVID-19 after serving for more than 15 years. (WTSP)

4. The Brevard County School Board will hold an emergency meeting this morning at 9:15 a.m. to discuss its face mask policy, a spokesman announced via email on Saturday. The meeting will be available for broadcast on the BPS cable channel and over YouTube for those who cannot attend. There is currently no face mask policy in place. (Click Orlando)

5. UCF's faculty union is concerned about COVID-19 pandemic safety measures and is hoping to negotiate more protections with the university. The union wants to be able to hold officer hours virtually and wants more specific language on triggers for action against the virus. (Spectrum News 13)

Today in Orlando

• Enchanted Fairy Doors at Leu Gardens. (10:00 AM)
• Boys and Girls Bowling - Colonial High School. (3:00 PM)
• Soccer Game vs. Lockhart @Home - College Park Middle School.(5:00 PM)
• Audubon Park's Community Market. (5:00 PM)
• Soccer vs. MeadowWoods- Home - Lake Nona Middle School. (5:30 PM)

Orlando Patch Notebook

• The mask mandate at Orange County schools is set to begin today. Students in Kindergarten through 12th grade will be required to wear masks for the entire school day.
• Central Florida Zoo: "You might not be able to swim like our North American river otters, but you CAN cool off in our splash pad! It's open every day, weather permitting. Don't forget your bathing suit! : @mrs.katcow . . . #CentralFloridaZoo #Otters #RiverO..." (Instagram)
• Orange County, Florida : "Nelson Cardenas, a prep cook at Orlando Health Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, has a remarkable talent. To honor healthcare workers on the front lines of the pandemic, he created a series of 13 paintings, representing the heroes keeping our co..." (Instagram)
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer: "You don’t have to be a visitor to our region to support the many LGBTQ+ owned businesses in our community. They help make Orlando a more vibrant place and a more inclusive, welcoming city for all." (Facebook)
• Creative City Project: "It’s hard to believe the last IMMERSE was almost two years ago! It’s going to be so nice to kick off 2021’s show after such a long wait! If you don’t have your tickets yet, get them now at www.immersefest.com Presented by Orlando Health ..." (Facebook)

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That's it for today. I'll see you around! If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some more 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.