brendan, Author at Orlando Shine

Hearlie’s Flower Box closed after 60 years in Parramore

Hearlie’s Flower Box, a local floral shop that has been part of Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood for some 60 years, has quietly closed its doors at 323 S. Parramore Avenue [GMap]. Founded by Hearlie Mae Donaldson in the early 1970s, the store became a community fixture, nestled in the historic Hankins Building, which once housed the […]

The 41st Annual Cup-A-Thon returns to Crealde next month

Mark your calendars for Friday, August 8 and Saturday, August 9, as the 41st Annual Cup‑A‑Thon returns to the Crealdé School of Art (Website) in Winter Park. Visitors are invited to browse a curated sale of handmade ceramic cups, bowls, and vessels, from 7-10 p.m. both evenings, at the campus studio on St. Andrews Boulevard. The […]

Maitland Art Center opening new exhibit by Filipino artist Isobel Francisco, October 17

The Maitland Art Center (Website) will present Pangarap: Espero Reimagined, a new exhibition by Filipino artist Isobel Francisco (Website), running from October 18, 2025 to January 4, 2026. The exhibition will transform the historic gallery into a “speculative alternate world,” inviting visitors to reimagine history through Francisco’s creative lens. Inspired by the decision of J. […]

An incident at recent Critical Mass begs the question: “Where are these kids’ parents?”

On the last Friday of each month, thousands of local cyclists take to Loch Haven Park to participate in Orlando Critical Mass (Instagram), a group bike ride that takes over the streets and tours through Orlando downtown neighborhoods. Critical Mass bike rides first rolled out in San Francisco in September 1992 as a grassroots movement […]

Framework Craft Coffee House celebrating 10-Year Anniversary

The team at Framework Craft Coffee House (Facebook) are celebrating their 10-year Anniversary on Friday, August 1. The Mills 50 shop will be hosting raffle giveaways all day, drink specials, and a merch drop with their friends at SpaceStation Orlando (Instagram). There will be drink specials and a throwback menu featuring some of their best […]

Construction has begun on a new pocket park in Ivanhoe Village

Ivanhoe Village Main Street (Website) is hard at work this month, transforming a neglected lot on Virginia Drive into a beautiful new pocket park. The project was dreamed up in the fall of 2024 by the Ivanhoe Village Design committee, comprised of local rock star volunteers, and will feature a small park space for the […]

Chef Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak now open at Swan and Dolphin

Chef and restaurateur Michael Mina has just opened an Orlando location of his Bourbon Steak brand at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, and we were invited to attend a media event ahead of its grand opening on July 26. The modern steakhouse brand is the latest addition to the hotel’s lineup of 23 […]

Flying Horse Editions hosting open studio and benefit sale, July 26

The University of Central Florida’s Flying Horse Editions (Website) will open its printmaking studio doors on Saturday, July 26, hosting its third annual Open Studio and Benefit Sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 380 W. Amelia Street [GMap] in Parramore. This once‑a‑year event invites the public for free access to the collaborative print studio, offering live […]

Main Street Districts hosting Sip and Savor Weeks, July 25-August 10

Starting Friday, July 25 and running through Sunday, August 10, Orlando’s twelve Main Street districts are joining forces for Sip and Savor Weeks (Website), a citywide initiative designed to spotlight local flavors from more than 70 independently owned participating restaurants, cafes, breweries, and dessert spots. Organized by the Main Streets, Sip and Savor aims to […]

Central Florida Public Media hosting one-day fund drive, July 25

Central Florida Public Media (Website) is launching an emergency one-day fund drive this Friday, July 25, and calling on the community to step in as it transitions to being fully listener-supported. Stations WMFE‑FM (90.7 FM in Orlando) and WMFV (89.5 FM in The Villages) will broadcast live fund‑drive programming from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., sharing stories of their work […]

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