🌱 Walt Disney World Day Proclamation + Justin Eason Hired + Seminole Towne Center Plans

Happy Friday, people of Orlando! Here's everything worth knowing today in town.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and nice. High: 76 Low: 57.

Here are the top stories in Orlando today:

1. Orlando’s Downtown Development Board/CRA has hired Justin Eason as its new Nighttime Economy Manager. Eason has a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from University of Central Florida and has 10 years in downtown hospitality industry experience. (Bungalower)

2. Florida lawmakers are looking at a proposal to address toxic algae and direct money toward long-term solutions. Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that his 2022-2023 budget proposal will include $35 million to combat algae blooms and increase water quality monitoring. (Fox 13 Tampa)

3. Sanford city officials met on Thursday to discuss the revitalization of the Seminole Towne Center, starting with potential zoning changes. Officials want to help the struggling mall repurpose. (Click Orlando)

4. The Central Florida International Auto Show is happening at the Orange County Convention Center this weekend. The event features hundreds of new models, an off-road indoor test track, test drives, and more. The show is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and Saturday, as well as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. (WFTV)

5. City of Orlando and Orange County will proclaim December 3rd as Walt Disney World Day, officials said. An official proclamation will be given in honor of Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. (Fox 35 Orlando)

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Today in Orlando:

• First Friday Tours at Mennello Museum. (11:00 AM)
• 2021 Tree Lighting Celebration at Lake Eola Park. (5:00 PM)
• Merry Christmas Extravaganza. (5:00 PM)
• City of Maitland’s Get Downtown Street Party. (6:00 PM)
• Orlando Ballet Nutcracker. (7:30 PM)

Orlando Patch Notebook

• Official Gatorland Instagram: "Yaaaaaaay! We are so excited to announce that one of our Gatorland family members @snakebytestv will be with us for Crocfest this year, December 11th!" (Instagram)
• Orlando Weekly: "Stalwart downtown Orlando music venue Soundbar on Wednesday announced that the space's doors are now closed, bringing to an end an eclectic calendar of live music programming that jumped genres effortlessly." (Instagram)
• Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer: "It’s wonderful that we can again gather to light the Christmas tree and celebrate the holiday season. I hope you can join us tonight at Lake Eola Park or by watching on News 6 WKMG / ClickOrlando." (Facebook)
• Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts: "Join us tonight for our annual tradition—Songs of the Season—with Rollins College and Full Sail University. Boxes for 2 people are just $30. bit.ly/3d5Lhj4 Part of our revamped Frontyard Festival™, presented by AdventHealth Orla..." (Facebook)
• Orlando Health: "Our sweat can tell us a lot about our health. Dr. Robert Olson, a board-certified family medicine physician with Orlando Health Physician Associates, explains when sweating is normal – and when it could mean something is wrong. #ChooseOr..." (Facebook)

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You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow morning for your next update. If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors along for the ride. 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? I'm all ears. You can reach me at carlosreportsnews@gmail.com.