🏠 Lawmakers want to raid the Sadowski Fund again

Plus, Ismael, Ann and Mazi need your help pronto.

By Katie Johnston

Happy Tuesday, folks. 

First things first, I strive to always bring you fresh faces and small businesses to know in Tuesday’s newsletters, like this interview we did with Dorsa of WOW Rolling, this spotlight on our local permaculture group, and this feature of Lauren from DOE Creative Co. With that said, last week got away from me and I don’t have a “Locals to Know” (that’s what we call this series!) for you today. 😭 Don’t worry — more are coming! But my question for you is: Who do you want to see in this space? What business deserves our love and attention? Respond to this email and let me know, wouldya? 

Now, let’s talk about EDC’s return to Orlando, news about Florida’s unemployment rate, UCF football, and the Sadowski Fund. But first, look at this good girl. 👇 (And read on for three goodest of pups looking for their fur-ever homes.)

What Orlando is talking about

🎶 The show will go on for Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC). According to Pasquale Rotella — the founder and CEO of the festival’s parent production company Insomniac — the block rockin’ dance music festival will return to Tinker Field on Nov. 12-14. Presale tickets are already sold out, but additional tickets go on sale to the general public this Thursday at 12 p.m. The asking price starts at $179.99. (Orlando Weekly, WKMG)

• Related: In more music news, popular indie rock band Manchester Orchestra is coming to the Dr. Phillips Center in May for an acoustic set at the Frontyard Festival. Tickets start at $35. (Orlando Weekly)

💸 Orange County posted the second-highest unemployment rate in the state for the month of February, with Osceola County reporting the worst at just over 8%. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity released the numbers last week. The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area has experienced the largest over-the-year job losses in Florida with 168,000 jobs gone, primarily in our service industry and tourism sectors. (Orlando Weekly) 

• Related: Want to stay caught up on unemployment news? Rep. Anna Eskamani continues to be a champion in that category. Case in point: “After nine months waging an emotional campaign to get their jobs back, displaced restaurant workers from the Orlando International Airport celebrated a triumph: They’re being rehired.” (Orlando Sentinel, Anna Eskamani on Instagram)

🏠 Activists are speaking out against Florida legislators’ plans to redirect funds from the state’s affordable housing budget. A bill proposing those tax dollars reserved for the Sadowski Affordable Housing Trust Fund be instead put toward sea-level rise and wastewater grants advanced in the state senate last week. A newsletter shared by advocacy group Miami Homes For All said the move is part of a larger trend that’s swept roughly $2.01 billion away from Florida’s affordable housing budget since 2008, costing the state 167,000 affordable housing units in the process. (Florida Politics) (P.S. We broke down the Sadowski Fund for ya back in 2019. You can watch here.)

🏈 UCF fans, word on the street is that you can attend the upcoming spring football game. The University of Central Florida said it would host fans at 50 percent capacity at the April 10 game. Face masks will be required and there is no tailgating allowed. (WKMG)

🐶 This puppy needs a home by 6 p.m. today. Ishmael is a six-year-old, 47-pound handsome good boy that is currently at Orange County Animal Services and he faces euthanization if not adopted or fostered today. If you can adopt, email the shelter at AnimalServices@ocfl.net or call 407-836-311 and reference his animal ID number A304354. And if you can’t commit to adopting but are interested in fostering, reach out to Friends of Orlando Shelter Pets on Facebook. (Reddit)

• Related: Ann and Mazi are also awaiting adoption at the Orange County Animal Services shelter. Both good pups have cancer so they’re really looking for someone who can help with medical bills and will help make them feel safe and loved. Just look at Mazi’s face and try not to fall in love, y'all. (WKMG)

In COVID-19 news… 

💉Floridians aged 40 and up can now get the COVID-19 vaccine and starting on Monday, April 5, that eligibility expands to include folks 16 and older. Plus, all four FEMA hub sites in the area will extend their stay through May 26 and will increase the amount of daily first dose shots given from 500 to 3,000. (WKMG) 

• Related: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed his first bill of 2021 into law on Friday, protecting businesses from pandemic-related lawsuits. According to SB 72, lawsuits alleging customers, employees, or a relative contracted COVID-19 at a business that didn’t take proper precautions against the virus would still be allowed under the bill but the bill makes it harder for those claims to prevail in court. On the day of signing, DeSantis voiced his disdain for vaccination passports saying they’re “completely unacceptable”. (Orlando Sentinel)

Meet a member: Julie Simon

Things to do

Submit your events to our calendar.

Today

🎟 Grab a ticket to see Orlando Shakes' present "A Midsummer Night's Dream" now through April 17 (Lake Eola)

🏨 Calling all hospitality aficionados: The Grand Bohemian is hosting a job fair (Downtown)

🧵 It's National Quilters Month, y'all — celebrate by attending this show-and-tell by the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Quilters (Online)

💪 Take this beginner-friendly eXtreme hip-hop step class with Gio and Mayte (Dr. Phillips)

Tomorrow

☮️ Take a mid-week break with a yoga class in the garden (Winter Park)

👟 Lace-up for a run slash scavenger hunt through the downtown bungalows (Lake Eola)

🌈 Join local trans, gender non-conforming, and non-binary community leaders for a conversation around the importance and impact of International Transgender Day of Visibility (Downtown)

🔖 Take an art class and learn to make these folding accordion books with artist Catherine Cross (Loch Haven Park)

🎉 Close out Women's History Month with this virtual celebration of sisterhood (Online)

🍻 Venture over to Tuffy's Bottle Shop for a night of shuffleboard fun and Wicked Weed beers (Sanford)

👰 Mix up a cocktail or two and mingle with other locals who work in Orlando's wedding industry (The Milk District)

Thursday

🎶 Make moves to Lil' Indies to catch a performance by the great Kaleigh Baker COVID-19 safety protocols strictly enforced (Mills 50)

🎶 Jam out with local jazz and funk ensemble, Leisure Chief at this week's outdoor concert at The Plaza Live (Milk District)

🏒 Cheer on the Orlando Solar Bears to a win over the Florida Everblades (Parramore)

🎤 Watch Opera Orlando's performance of "Carmen" in-person at the Dr. Phillips Center (Downtown) - Sponsored

Friday

🎬 Hey cinephiles, watch this year's Oscar shorts on the big screen at the Enzian or stream 'em to your living room through April 8 (Maitland/Online)

🎬 Pony up for a night of "Sister Act 1" outdoors on the big screen and some good eats from Jimmy Hulas

🐝 Learn the basics of beekeeping like what goes into maintaining a hive and how to acquire bees (Online)

One more thing

Well, let’s make it two. 

One, if you’re heading to Tasty Takeover in the Milk District tonight, you’re in for a treat. Cholo Dog is debuting a new special ween called Franco the Finisher. This one’s for fans of spicy hot Cheetos and such.  

And last thing, have you listened to Monday’s episode of 15 Minutes in Pulptown yet? It wound up only being only 12 minutes long, but hey, c’est la vie, and I know y’all are busy too. 😜 

Check it out here, would ya? And while you’re at it, feel free to send me the names of people you think I should interview next! Email katie@pulp.town, subject line: For your podcast.

‘Til tomorrow, 

– ✌️ Katie at Pulptown

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