🌱 Orlando Taco Festival This Weekend + Brevard Launching BusPatrol Program

Happy Thursday, Orlando! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in Orlando today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and humid. High: 86 Low: 65.

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Here are the top five stories today in Orlando:

1. Jim Morrison's boyhood home in Melbourne has been listed for sale at $2.5 million. Morrison served as the lead vocalist of the Doors and is best remembered for hit songs like "Light My Fire," "Hello, I Love You," "Touch Me" and "Riders on the Storm." He was also known for his drinking, drug use, and wild stage behavior. (Orlando Patch)

2. Live entertainment and over 25 restaurants will take over Drive Shack Orlando this weekend for the Orlando Taco Festival. The food festival will run Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day and feature $3 tacos, a margarita bar, eating contests, and more. Visitors can enjoy over 75 kinds of tacos offered on a voucher system throughout the area. (Click Orlando)

3. The family of a Lakeland man shot and killed by a Winter Park police officer Saturday night held a news conference on Tuesday afternoon. The family disputes the police report that says the man killed was out of control and added that they believe the police should have never been called. Although the officers were wearing body cameras, the police chief said the cameras were not working that night. A representative with the family is demanding criminal charges against the police. (ABC Action News)

4. Brevard Public Schools is participating in a pilot program alongside safety technology company BusPatrol to curb the illegal passing of stopped school buses. The district equipped 10 buses with stop-arm cameras to deter drivers from passing the stopped buses. The results will be used to campaign for legislation to authorize the use of automated stop-arm cameras throughout Florida. (WFTV)

5. Four Orlando chefs have been nominated for a James Beard award. Henry Moso of Kabooki Sushi for Best Chef: South, Rabii Saber of the Four Seasons Resort Orlando for Outstanding Pastry Chef, Evette Rahman of Sister Honey's for Outstanding Baker and Jason and Sue Chin of the Good Salt Restaurant Group for Outstanding Restaurateur. (Orlando Weekly)

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Today in Orlando:

• Peppa Pig Theme Park Opens at LEGOLAND. (9:00 AM)
• SeaWorld Seven Seas Food Festival. (9:00 AM)
• Food Truck Thursday at Center Lake Park. (5:00 PM)
• The Orlando Economic Partnership’s BBQ On The Boulevard at Central Boulevard. (5:00 PM)
• Disney's Frozen at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Make a big impact on shelter pets a little at a time by becoming a Shelter Star at Pet Alliance Greater Orlando. This monthly giving program allows you to set the amount of your recurring gift, so you can make a difference for less than the cost of your streami..." (Instagram)
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined District 6 Commissioner Bakari F. Burns on Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the "Quilts, Photography, & Folk Art: Intergenerational Stories" art exhibition with the Downtown Arts District Orlando. The exhibition is part of the Orlando community's Black History Month recognition and is a showcase of local artists and photographers. (Facebook)
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined Commissioner Patty Sheehan on Wednesday to recognize Charlie's Bakery & Creamery's 50th anniversary and cut the ribbon to celebrate its grand re-opening. (Facebook)
• The Lake Eola Park Swan Boats will be closed starting on February 28th for the installation of a new larger dock. The new modern dock will be larger to accommodate more swan boats and is expected to provide a more enjoyable experience for boaters. (Instagram)

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Events:

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• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 11)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 12)
• Alternative Products Expo - Fort Lauderdale (March 13)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow with another update.

— 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.