🌱 Warm Florida Weather Changes Farming Patterns + Orlando Ballet Hire

Happy Sunday, people of Orlando! Here's everything you need to know going on in Orlando today.

First, today's weather:

A passing shower or two. High: 84 Low: 65.

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Here are the top five stories in Orlando today:

1. Warmer December temperatures are changing fruit picking patterns for Central Florida farmers. Parkesdale Farms in Plant City is now picking in two-day rotations instead of three. The berries likely will not be as big and may not be as sweet this season due to the weather pattern. (Spectrum News 13)

2. Lake Brantley High School senior Isabella Miguez has collected more than 1,000 toys for children battling cancer at AdventHealth. It is her third year collecting toys for a good cause. Miguez plans to take the presents to the hospital on Monday. (Click Orlando)

3. Central Florida church employee Elijah Eldredge said his Instagram account was hacked and then used to ask for money in his name. He is worried that people might give money to the wrong person due to his affiliation with Alive Church. Instagram has yet to take action on his account. (WFTV)

4. Orlando Ballet has announced Jorden Morris as its new Artistic Director. Morris' past includes Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Boston Ballet, Edmonton Citie Ballet, and The School of Royal Winnipeg Ballet. (Bungalower)

5. Only 39% of Florida nursing home residents have taken the COVID-19 booster shot or third dose. Early studies show current vaccines are less effective against the highly transmissible Omicron COVID-19 variant and a third shot improves protection. Florida ranks third from the bottom in the nation. Only Arizona and Nevada are worse. (WMFE)

Today in Orlando:

• Mini Goat Yoga at Alaska Farms. (9:30 AM)
• Funspot Orlando's HUGE Christmas. (10:00 AM)
• Wekiva Island's Winter Wonderland Sleigh Rides. (11:00 AM)
• Milk Mart Holiday Market at The Milk District. (12:00 PM)
• Lake Buena Vista Outlet's Christmas Holiday Event. (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer met with scouts at a Wreaths Across America Day event on Saturday. (Twitter)
• CFX is giving away $100 in tolls through Christmas Eve. (Twitter)
• Governor DeSantis shared a stage with an activist who posted QAnon-related conspiracy theories on social media. (Politico)
• Florida COVID numbers doubled this week, with 8,000+ more cases added on Saturday. (Twitter)
• Jalapeño's Mexican Eats is serving delicious tacos and tamales in Maitland. (Orlando Weekly)

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That's it for today! See you tomorrow for your next 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.