click to enlarge Our hearts are still aching over the fact that Wally's Mills Avenue Liquors, a local landmark and cultural institution, closed up shop this morning. From Wally's bartender Tania Bernard: click to enlarge And yet, for those of us who are still moaning our say-it-isn't-sos, hope may be on the way in the former of Orlando attorney John Morgan. "This is a national day of morning," Morgan, a longtime patron of Wally's, writes to Orlando Weekly by email. "Had my first drink there at age 16. Built my business there with union folks. Best bar of all time." But Morgan, abiding by his business' motto of "For the People," says he hasn't had enough of Wally's. In fact, he might even buy it. "I'm going to reach out to [Wally's owner] Martin aka Boomer and see if I can buy it," Morgan writes. "I don't even know if the place makes money and don't care. I'd give all the profits to charity." He adds: "I'm in the Hamptons for the summer but I'll be home soon." "Help is … [Read more...] about Orlando attorney John Morgan says he might buy newly shuttered Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors
Orlando
Indiana man inspired by Orlando mass shooting gets 15 years for plotting terrorist attack
Dwight Adams Indianapolis Star Published 10:00 p.m. UTC Aug 21, 2018 An Indiana man inspired by one of the worst mass shootings in the nation's history was sentenced this week to 15 years in prison for plotting a terrorist attack on U.S. soil, federal authorities said. Marlonn Hicks, 31, of Crown Point, will serve that sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing information about how to make and use explosives "with the intent that the information be used for and in furtherance of a crime of violence," according to a news release. U.S. District Court Judge Joseph S. Van Bokkelen issued Hicks' sentence on Monday. “This exemplifies the government’s commitment to prevent terrorism,” said U.S. Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II of the Northern District of Indiana. “Rather than mourning the tragic attacks in Orlando, Hicks was inspired to try to commit a terror attack to kill innocent victims in the United States." … [Read more...] about Indiana man inspired by Orlando mass shooting gets 15 years for plotting terrorist attack
Squad Five-0, Gasoline Heart and Mike Dunn tap familial bonds to reunite an Orlando music scene
click to enlarge Jen Cray Gasoline Heart at Will's Pub THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND Squad Five-0 reunion, Gasoline Heart and Mike Dunn, Will’s Pub, Aug. 18 There was a time in the 2000s when, amid a swelling new-millennium indie tide, there was a strong little scene here in Orlando that staked a vibrant claim at the classic altar of rock & roll. It was a society built on big hooks and big heart, with unmistakably American sounds that were all blue jeans and red blood. And this recent bill was a postcard from that heyday. click to enlarge Jen Cray Mike Dunn and Louis DeFabrizio at Will's Pub Gasoline Heart and Mike Dunn were cornerstones of that local trad-rock scene of the mid to late 2000s, between them producing some of the most life-affirming songs to ever come out of Orlando. Although Savannah’s Squad Five-0 weren’t from here, they came here to play plenty in the early 2000s to wildly enthusiastic receptions, ultimately forging practically … [Read more...] about Squad Five-0, Gasoline Heart and Mike Dunn tap familial bonds to reunite an Orlando music scene
One of Orlando’s longest running shows is about to close, and that might mean big things for Universal
click image Image via Universal Orlando After nearly two decades, one of Orlando’s most iconic live-action shows is about to close. The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad stunt show is an opening-day attraction at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure. Based on stories found within the Arabian Nights collection, the stunt show hasn’t changed much since opening in 1999. An impressive stunt towards the end of the show where a performer fell multiple stories while covered in flames wasn’t enough to save the stunt show, which is filled with groan-worthy campy jokes and less-than-impressive fight sequences. In their review of the show, Touring Plans said that one of their staff members defined seeing the show to “a colonoscopy – once every 10 years is enough.” Reviews on Universal's own site include statements such as "Show is awful and Juvenille, and not even kids will find it entertaining. Not worthy of a big name theme park. Maybe passable at … [Read more...] about One of Orlando’s longest running shows is about to close, and that might mean big things for Universal
White doctor arrested at Orlando airport complains of being treated like a ‘black person’
Mihir Zaveri New York Times News Service, 6:00 PM When Dr. Jeffrey Epstein showed up at the American Airlines ticket counter at Orlando International Airport in Florida at 6 a.m. for a 6:24 a.m. flight, he got a response he did not like. He was too late to check in, airline employees told him Thursday. Epstein, 59, argued with the employees and began yelling. When police officers arrived, Epstein yelled at them, too, insulting them and telling them to get him a flight or arrest him, according to cellphone video of the encounter. They arrested him. But he did not go easily, falling to the ground and pulling his hands close to his chest. As officers struggled to put him in handcuffs, Epstein was pepper-sprayed. Epstein, who is white, repeatedly yelled out “Oh, my God” and, in one profanity-laden line, that he was being treated like a “black person,” the video shows. The widely circulated footage of the encounter became a twisted commentary on the treatment of … [Read more...] about White doctor arrested at Orlando airport complains of being treated like a ‘black person’