Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Will east Orange finally get a homeless shelter outside downtown Orlando?

Coming up on the Orlando Patch calendar: New Year's Eve at Dave & Buster's: Family Friendly NYE

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Hey there, Orlando! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will east Orange finally get a homeless shelter outside downtown Orlando?
  • What’s really happening with the sick swans at Orlando’s Lake Eola?
  • Headed to Thornton Park? What to know before tonight’s Orange Ball Drop

Also on today's calendar: New Year's Eve at Dave & Buster's: Family Friendly NYE and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Orlandofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Orlandofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, but cool, with a high of 57 and low of 42 degrees.
  • Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 65, low: 47.
  • Friday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 69 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Nonprofit opens warming center in east Orange, but eyes permanent shelter (orlandosentinel.com) — A nonprofit is opening a temporary warming center near Bithlo while pushing to turn its East Colonial Drive property into Orange County’s only general homeless shelter outside downtown Orlando. Leaders say many unsheltered residents in east Orange won’t travel to Orlando shelters, and this site could offer closer, year-round transitional support if zoning and legal hurdles are resolved.
   

2. Orlando swan volunteers clash with city officials over bird flu outbreak at Lake Eola. (wftv.com) — Volunteers who care for the iconic swans at Orlando’s Lake Eola are clashing with city officials over how transparently and aggressively the city has handled a suspected bird flu outbreak that killed several birds over Christmas week. City leaders say precautions and testing began December 23, while volunteers argue residents and pet owners should have been warned sooner and want stronger protections and resources for the swans’ care.
   

3. Orange Ball Drop returns to Thornton Park for New Year's Eve in Orlando (wesh.com) — Orlando’s Orange Ball Drop returns to Thornton Park tonight with street closures starting at 3 p.m., a single-entry street party, and heightened security including off-duty officers and metal detectors. Bars and restaurants are teaming up with the city and Florida Citrus Sports to host thousands of revelers, with tickets starting at $35 and rising to $40 at the gate.
   

4. This dog comforted mass shooting victims for a decade. Now he's retiring. (usatoday.com) — An FBI therapy dog named Gio is retiring after a decade of comforting thousands of crime and mass-shooting victims, including those affected by the Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando. His work helped calm survivors so they could share their stories, and he’ll now spend retirement living with his longtime handler.
   

5. A moment like no other (austindailyherald.com) — A local couple’s engagement story has a strong Orlando connection, as bride-to-be Kendall Hull now works at Disney’s Old Key West Resort in Orlando. The proposal itself unfolded back in her home area with family, a quiet setting at the Old Mill, and a photographer on hand to capture the moment she’d been expecting but didn’t know exactly when would come.
   

📸 Around Orlando

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Orlando

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📣 Orlando Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday January 1
  • Breathe with the Trees Relaxation Training
    Mead Botanical Garden , 1300 S. Denning Dr. , Winter Park
    10:00 am
    • Friday January 2
  • Post 316: Steak & Salmon Dinner
    American Legion Post 316 , 1127 Atlantic Blvd , Atlantic Beach
    5:00 pm
    • Saturday January 3
  • Post 252 Polar Plunge for Special Olympics
    Post 252 Cross Bayou , 11433 Park Blvd , Seminole
  • UCF Men's Basketball vs. Kansas
    Addition Financial Arena
    9:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
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    We make Orlando pop with custom balloon setups for events!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Sunrise doing what it does best 🌅
    New day, fresh start, and College Park glowing early. (Nextdoor College Park)
  • UPDATE: “ZIGGY” A/K/A “MR.
    ROGERS” HAS BEEN REUNITED WITH HIS FAMILY!! This little fella wandered up to my house. He has on a flea collar and a tartan bow tie. He’s inside… (Nextdoor College Park)
  • Chicago, we’re on our way! The Orlando Police Department’s Recruiting Team is heading to the Windy City and wants to meet you. Trade the cold for... (X: OrlandoPolice)
  • TRAFFIC INBOX: John Scorsese says it’s difficult to make a left turn from County Road 19A to County Road 44 in the Eustis area. He said something... (X: MyNews13)
  • Amazon.com, Inc. posted a job opening for Area Manager, Grocery Fulfillment Center in Orlando. Apply here.
  • Target Corporation posted a job opening for Overnight Inbound (Stocking) (T1518) in Orlando. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Orlando here.

Ok Orlando! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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