Ripley’s Orlando Odditorium Serves up Free Fall Fun
with Second Annual Oddtoberfest
Performers, live music, food and more at October 12 event
October is famous for the one day full of fright, fun and festivities. Of course that day is Oddtoberfest at Ripley’s Orlando (ok, Halloween is pretty cool too).
On Saturday, October 12, Ripley’s Orlando holds its second annual Oddtoberfest from noon to 5 pm. It’s a day to pay homage and celebrate the unusual, and the public is invited to take part in this FREE event.
Trick Ropin’ Trevor performing at Ripley’s Oddtoberfest 2012
The day’s events include:
Sensei Mike Reeves and his Over the Edge Team display their amazing karate skills. Reeves will break bricks and boards and even attempt to break a few world records!
“Trick Ropin’ Trevor” Dreher will display his world-class trick roping talents.
“Qubits” founder Mark Burginger will build a 13 foot tall tower made entirely from Qubits toy pieces. He and the company were featured on ABC’s Shark Tank.
Live music from Beebs and Her Money Makers. Fresh off the Vans Warped Tour, the group is as close to being Ripley’s house band as you can get. Ripley’s sponsored them on the Vans tour, and the band shot the video for their hit Jumpin’ at the Orlando Odditorium.
Amazing vehicles from Parker Brothers Concepts; see the famous Green Machine – but this is no kid’s toy; it’s adult size and powered by a motorcycle engine!
Food trucks
Carnival games and prizes
Face painting
Temporary tattoo artist
Bounce house
Beebs and Her Money Makers return to rock Oddtoberfest
The event will be held in the parking lot rain or shine and is FREE to the public. Guests who want to tour the Odditorium will be required to purchase tickets.
Ripley’s Orlando Odditorium, located at 8201 International Drive, is open from 9 a.m. to midnight 365 days a year. For more information, please visit www.ripleys.com/orlando.
Grab a beer (or two) and some munchies at Eden Bar and enjoy a FREE outdoor movie on the lawn at Enzian. Come thirsty for Jell-o shot movie trivia during the show – answer a question correctly and you get to pop back a shot! Also featuring a special evening happy hour from 7PM -11PM, this night of great drinks and fun flicks is best enjoyed under the stars with your buddies by your side.
Wednesday night Pitcher Show outdoor screenings are dependant upon Florida’s famously unpredictable weather conditions. In an effort to avoid cancelling an event, we may wait until 30 minutes prior to the set screening time to officially post a cancellation notice; which will be posted on our Facebook. You may also call Enzian’s Box Office at 407-629-1088 x230 for more information. Thank you for your understanding, and if your screening is rained out – keep an eye out for a rain date!
Popcorn Flicks in the Park are FREE outdoor screenings are dependant upon Florida’s famously unpredictable weather conditions. In an effort to avoid cancelling an event, we may wait until 30 minutes prior to the set screening time to officially post a cancellation notice; which will be posted on our Facebook. You may also call Enzian’s Box Office at 407-629-1088 x230 for more information. Thank you for your understanding, and if your screening is rained out – keep an eye out for a rain date!
Every second Saturday of the month experience a different legendary cinematic masterpiece the way it should be seen – on the big screen! Each presentation is $8 general admission and $5 for Enzian Film Society members. So sit back, relax, and let the magic of movies take you away. Lunch will be available for purchase inside the theater or outside at Eden Bar.
Bring all your friends (even your spirit ones) for a costume party featuring CASPER (100 min), the delightful family comedy starring Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, and Eric Idle.
Before sitting down to enjoy the film, dress your little ghouls in costume and join us for a delicious BBQ lunch, carnival games, and fun the whole family will enjoy!
BBQ Lunch/Games start at 11 AM
Film starts at 1:30 PM
MAKE SURE TO ARRIVE ON TIME TO NOT MISS OUT ON ANY OF THE FUN!
MOVIE & PARTY PACKAGE $15 (children and adult)
1 Movie Ticket
BBQ Lunch
Costume Contest
Carnival Games
Movie ONLY
Tickets $5 for kids 12 and underor Enzian FilmSociety Member $8 adults
Citrus Restaurant Executive Chef and General Manager, Mark Roberts whips up a five-star dinner at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida kicking off Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month. Kid chefs helped cook the island-inspired meal for families of critically ill children.
Local Chef Whips up Five-Star
Dinner at Ronald McDonald House
Charities of Central Florida
to Kick Off Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month
-Pint-sized kid chefs help cooks prepare island-inspired meal for families of critically ill children-
-Special dinner helps kick off Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month Benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida-
More than 40 moms, dads, siblings and some very special kids were treated to a five-star Caribbean feast at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida near Florida Hospital today.
Several chef-hat-clad kid “volunteers” worked side-by-side with Citrus Restaurant Executive Chef and General Manager, Mark Roberts as cooks and servers prepared the savory treat to help promote Visit Orlando’s local charitable event, Magical Dining Month.
Now through the end of September, more than 60 top Orlando-area restaurants like Citrus are offering $33, three-course dinners, with $1 from each meal donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida.
More Magical Dining Month Info…
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month features more than 60 of Orlando’s top restaurants offering $33 three-course dinners throughout the entire month of September. More information about Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month, including a complete list of participating restaurants, menus and hotel packages, is available at OrlandoMagicalDining.com.
Citrus Restaurant features regionally inspired new American cuisine. While Citrus is not “historic” or “citrus themed”, the restaurant name is meant to respect Central Florida’s heritage. The Citrus Restaurant concept reflects their interpretation of Florida flavors and ideas like fresh, clean, local and independent. The restaurant is located at 821 North Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando. To book a reservation, call 407.373.0622.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida (RMHCCF) finds, creates and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and families. The cornerstone program, the Ronald McDonald House®, provides a home away from home that offers comfort and care to families with children receiving treatment at local hospitals and medical facilities in Orlando. Since its inception in 1996, RMHCCF has served over 18,000 families. For more information about the charity, please visit www.rmhccf.org or call (407) 206-0957.
While many of us hear the name Oakley and think of only sunglasses, I had the opportunity to visit the Oakley Store at the Florida Mall to take a peek at their Women’s line of running gear.
Oakley Store Florida Mall
And I have to say that now when I think of Oakley, I am going to think of how their women’s running gear is awesome!
The first thing that I like about the line of clothing is that it starts at a reasonable price point, while still providing great quality and neat features and details.
I know this may sound silly, but I also am a fan of a thumb cut-out on the cuff of a Flexibility Hoodie! This simple little feature helps keep your hands a little warmer without lugging around gloves.
Oakley Flexible Hoodie
The Flexibility Hoodie features moisture–wicking fabric delivers dry comfort, and a nearly seamless design reduces chafing during big swings and precision approaches. The seams that do exist are flat and specifically designed to contour to the natural shape of the body for enhanced comfort. With a zip placket and mesh panels at the underarms, this hoodie offers a balance of insulation and breathability.
Hydrolix™ fabric helps wick moisture away for a comfortable fit
Strategically placed mesh panels for increased ventilation
Engineered, flat seams for natural range of motion
Hood for protection from the elements
Thumbholes at cuffs to help keep hands and wrists warm
Anti–bacterial technology to help fight odor–causing microbes
The other thing that struck me about the Women’s Oakley line of clothing is that they are always finding new technology and techniques to make their gear work the best for you.
Oakley Race Day Tank
The Oakley Race Day Tank was my favorite tank! While being super cute, it also has a lot of great features!
O Hydrolix fabric manages moisture to keep you comfortable on the move
Seamless construction reduces irritations
Anti–bacterial action reduces the effects of odor–causing microbes
Adjustable straps and contoured stretch fabric create a customized, comfortable fit
Built–in bra controls bounce
But my favorite design feature of the Race Day Tank, is that it is designed and constructed to stay put as you work out so your tank doesn’t end up higher than you want it to be.
And while there are still a lot of great sunglasses, both for fashion and for athletics, they have something even more fun!
The Oakley Store at the Florida Mall has a way to customize your own glasses in the store that are ready for you to try and tweak before you buy them.
Oakley Custom Sunglasses Area
Oakley also has great bags! They have anything from backpacks to totes to foldable duffle bags that are ideal for travel!
Oakley Factory Lite Duffle
As part of this review I was sent a Factory Lite duffel that has been amazing on my two trips to California! It’s a great size bag that was perfect to use as a way to have a little extra wiggle room in case you bought too much or wanted a little extra room in your luggage.
I really had a blast touring the Oakley Store at the Florida Mall, and I look forward to bringing you more reviews of their products in the future!
Disclaimer: Through a partnership with Oakley, I received a Factory Lite Duffel bag for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
ORLANDO CITY SC PLAYERS HELP “KICK” OPEN COMMUNITY BASED CARE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA’S ALL-NEW FOSTER CARE FACILITY
— Soccer players donate time and toys to center —
As Community Based Care of Central Florida (CBCCFL) geared up today for their grand opening of CBC West – a brand-new service center dedicated to helping parents best care for foster children – athletes from Orlando City SC spent time at the facility ensuring a special room was filled with soccer balls, signed autographs and Lions merchandise to inspire the children.
The new CBC West building allows Devereux, One Hope United, IMPOWER and CBCCFL to work closely together helping foster children in need. In the past, each organization was scattered in separate buildings throughout the county. And now with CBC West, they will operate on all cylinders with ease, including helping foster parents make appointments, visitation sessions and attend support groups for their foster kids.
It is no surprise that foster children are more likely than most to need additional medical and emotional support. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, “about 30% of children in foster care have severe emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems.” By working together under one roof, these four organizations can work hand-in-hand to bring positive results to Central Florida’s foster children.
Community Based Care of Central Florida (CBCCFL) is the lead agency overseeing foster and adoption programs in Orange, Osceola and Seminole county.
Devereux is a non-profit organization providing services around the nation for persons with emotional, developmental & educational disabilities.
One Hope United is an accredited, not-for-profit human service organization that provides a diverse array of high-quality prevention, intervention, counseling and child development programs.
IMPOWER is a non-profit organization dedicated to the mental health and well-being of children in need. They are focused on empowering the lives of those in need by offering personal attention, counseling, assistance and inspiration to help them succeed.
From visitation rooms where children can safely play with their biological parents to individual and group therapy, the new service center makes being a foster parent even easier.
Thanks to Orlando City SC players who donated time and toys for Central Florida’s foster children along with three Central Florida companies – McCree General Contractors & Architects, Michelee Puppets, and Blackrain Partners – the visitation rooms in the new building are now filled with cheerful and positive activities.
One of my favorite places that we ride is through out the Celebration, Florida bike trails.
Celebration is located near Disney World and it was actually developed by the Walt Disney Company itself. I mean, it’s literally connected to Disney World through one of Disney’s main roads, World Drive. So yeah, it’s got a small town feel to it and it’s really nicely designed and very well kept up.
While there aren’t any set trail paths per say, there are numerous boardwalks and paths all over the place!
We normally start out having lunch/early dinner at Thai Thani before our ride so that we have some fuel. While it may not be the best of fuel, it serves it’s purpose for us 🙂
There are numerous places to park in Celebration and pretty much wherever you park you can start your ride from there.
We normally go around a couple of the neighborhoods and check out some of the amazing houses and lakes. And then head to the boardwalks.
Whatever path you take, either around the lakes or the sidewalks throughout the street, you’ll find a boardwalk sooner or later.
When you come to one, just take it.
Who knows where it’ll lead you, but I can bet that you’ll find your way back to your car after your ride.
The past couple of times we rode around Celebration we ended up going around the golf course via a sidewalk.
We normally do between seven and eight miles and I always feel like I want to do more around there because it’s so nice, but we tend to start biking later in the afternoon and by the time we finish it’s getting dark.
If you don’t have a bike to ride, there is a bike rental place near the Bohemian Hotel. You can rent all different kinds of bikes!
Do you have a favorite activity to do while hanging out in Celebration?
As we posted last week, Disney on Ice: Princesses & Heroes is coming to the Amway Center and now is your time to enter to win four (4) tickets to see the show on either Friday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m., OR Saturday, September 14 at 11 a.m.!
Enter a world of wonder where heroes and hearts prevail as Disney on Ice presents Princesses and Heroes at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida September 13-15, 2013.
Join Ariel as she yearns to explore the world above the waves and Prince Eric breaks Ursula’s slithering spell to reclaim his one true love. See Prince Philip defeat the evil Maleficent as she transforms herself into a fire-breathing dragon in a race against time to rescue Sleeping Beauty’sAurora. Be there to discover a whole new world with Jasmine and Aladdin. And, watch in awe as the dreams of Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Rapunzel and Tiana all come true. High flying jumps, daring acrobatics, breathtaking skating and lovable Disney friends are just a wish away!
Join Jasmine & Aladdin Photo: Feld Entertainment
You can also use this special offer to get $4 off per ticket! When you go to purchase your tickets, all you need to do is enter the promo code MOMDOI. Please note that this offer is not valid on Front Row or VIP tickets and is valid only for Sat. 11 a.m., Sat. 7 p.m. and Sun. 5 p.m.performances.
Entering the contest is extremely easy and there are even ways to enter the contest every day! The contest starts today, and ends at 12:00 am on August 21, 2013!
There are few things to keep in mind when you’re entering the contest!
We will be giving away one (1) four pack of tickets to see Disney on Ice Princesses & Heroes at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
The winner will be able to attend Disney on Ice Princesses and Heroes on either Friday, Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. OR Saturday, Sept. 14 at 11 a.m.
Winners must be 18 and older and you will need to present ID to pick up your tickets at the Amway Center Box Office.
Please note that these tickets do not include parking at the Amway Center.
Disclosure:Through a partnership with Disney on Ice, I received tickets for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In conjunction with the release of the 2014 IKEA Catalog, IKEA Orlando hosted a few local bloggers to take a look at their new catalog, try some of their new food options, and most importantly to learn about their long-term priority, Living with Children.
IKEA Orlando CataLove Welcome
Now you may not exactly think about IKEA and children outside of the realm of furniture, but really IKEA Orlando is taking steps to make sure that kids know that their needs are important both in the store and at home with their products. But IKEA’s goal with the Living with Children priority is to make sure that the long-term needs are met & relationships are fostered to make all moments count. They want to ensure that their products help this by facilitating families to make sharing tasks easier, activities more fun, to make sure time & space aren’t wasted, and to help foster causes at a young age in children.
August at IKEA Orlando is a busy time of year as students get ready to head to college, kids get ready for school, and as the IKEA Catalog are released! Over 210 million print copies of the catalog are distributed in 30 languages, all while there are 62 online versions of the catalog with another 8.5 million people downloading the IKEA App!
Food at IKEA is a lot more than creative menus and Swedish Food Market items; they are really a reflection of the culture and history of Sweden.
IKEA Orlando Sample Platter of Salmon Flatbread, Leek Quiche, and Caprese Salad
A lot of time and care went into creating menus that feature foods that are nutritious and budget friendly! You see a lot of salmon offerings, because the fish is a large staple in the diet of Sweden. You will also notice that there are a lot of desserts featuring almonds, and that is because it is the most popular favor for sweets! It was fun to learn that a lot of the berries used in the jams sold at IKEA are hand-picked!
There has also been a new focus on providing organic and healthy meals for kids that are both delicious and nutritious.
IKEA Orlando Whole Grain Moose Patsa
There are tons of Special Events and Weekly Specials at the IKEA Orlando Restaurant and Swedish Food Market!
You can join the Swedish Crayfish Party on Friday, August 16, 2013.
IKEA Orlando Crayfish Party
Gather your friends to feast on crayfish during one of the most loved and celebrated Swedish festivals. Enjoy this all-you-can-eat buffet at IKEA!
IKEA FAMILY Member Price: $9.99 for adults; Children 12 & under $2.49 Non-Member Price: $12.99 for adult; Children 12 & under $4.99
Tickets are sold per seating and are on sale now. Ask a Restaurant co-worker for details. Seating is limited at the two seating times (2:00pm – 4:00pm and 5:00pm – 8:00pm) so don’t wait to purchase your tickets!
There are also great weekly specials!
MONDAY
IKEA FAMILY Members receive a FREE cool bag with a purchase of $25 or more in the Swedish Food Market. Reg $5.99 Must show IKEA FAMILY card for offer.
TUESDAY
Kids Eat FREE! Children 12 and under can choose from one combo meal valued at $2.99.
WEDNESDAY in the Restaurant
Feed a family for four for only $9.99! Includes two adult entrees (value $6.99 or less – beverage not included) and two kids meals (value $2.99 each). WEDNESDAY in the Swedish Food Market 20% off ALL Salmon products in the Swedish Food Market including marinated salmon; smoked salmon, frozen; marinated and smoked salmon; salmon fillet, frozen; PASTEJ LAX, salmon spread.
THURSDAY
Roasted chicken with mashed potatoes only $1.99! Reg $3.99
FRIDAY
Fish and chips only $1.99! Reg $4.99
IKEA Orlando went out into the Orlando community and worked with families to see how they lived to best set up their showrooms and how to best feature products.
They found that families need spaces that are dynamic to the ages of their children that are budget and space friendly, and to reflect these needs they’ve created several different home scenarios in their showroom.
IKEA Orlando Young Child and Smaller Space Showroom ScenarioIKEA Orlando Teen and Tween Showroom ScenarioIKEA Orlando large family Showroom ScenarioIKEA Orlando Bachelor Showroom Scenario
I know you may not believe me, but Zoe asks to go to IKEA all the time, and I have a feeling we’ll be going more often as they roll out some great new programs.
IKEA Orlando Living With Children Priority
Småland, is a FREE supervised children’s play area. If your child is between 37″” to 54″” and potty trained, he or she is welcome to play in Småland for 30 minutes while you shop. IKEA Family members get an extra 30 minutes!
Family parking spaces located at the front of the store that are super convenient!
Strollers for use in the store
Playhouses, play towers, and play area are scattered throughout the store.
Restrooms with baby changing facilities that are stocked with free diapers as a service to IKEA Orlando customers
Baby care rooms
Kids dining area that features high chairs, a television with kid friendly shows, play area, bottle warmers, and even free baby food!
IKEA Orlando K.A.M.P is a brand new program that they are rolling out for days where school is out. Children can attend K.A.M.P and learn all about the other countries where you can find IKEA, get a great souvenier passport, a K.A.M.P shirt to wear on their first visit, and on completion of their daily tasks they’ll also receive a free meal. Keep in mind that this is an activity that you and your children do together, and not an experience like Småland where they are dropped off.
Another great thing coming to IKEA Orlando, is a complete redesign of the Children’s area to feature an expanded offering of furniture for kids ages 8-12 and to create an atmosphere that will facilitate play dates and family fun while you’re shopping.
Our IKEA #IKEACataLove Presenters
IKEA USA is on Pinterest, and they have a whole team to help celebrate your great ideas for the uses of their products and to provide creative designs that you might find useful for your family!
Also, make sure that you sign up for IKEA Family to get great special offers and extra benefits around the store!
If you haven’t been to IKEA Orlando, you should! It’s a great place to shop and get organized! A good tip for visiting the store is to try to visit during the week in the early morning to avoid the crowds, because the store does get quite busy!
And here is the really fun part! You can enter for the chance to win a $100 IKEA Gift Card! This giveaway will run until August 30, 2013, so good luck!!!
I can’t finish this post without a huge thank you to SocialInfluenz for setting up this amazing opportunity!
Disclosure:Through a partnership with IKEA, I received compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Saturday night we had the opportunity to go and see the dinner show Arabian Nights in Kissimmee. It was one of the last nights in June where they were offering a discounted rate if you worked in hospitality, so naturally we had to jump on this offer after having never been before!
We went in a large group and were told to reserve on the phone, then we can all pay separately once we picked up the tickets on the night of the show. However, once we got there we were informed that in order to sit together we must all pay together and only 2 forms of payment can be used. This was a little challenging as not all of us brought cash, so if you go as a group just keep in mind that bringing cash is definitely recommended!
As you enter the Arabian Nights building they take your photograph in front of a green screen to then sell to you later in the show. We were told our group of 11 was too many for one picture so we all went separately. it turned out later that you could indeed go in a big group, which was a shame as we would have bought the group photo. So remember to ask for a group one if that’s what you really would like, as many other families had even more members in the same picture and it looked great.
We then walked through the gift shop, which is very tempting, and past some workers selling flashy light up hats, lanyards and pins etc…of course I had to get a photo of them as it looked pretty cool!
You walk into the pre-show area to walls painted with murals of horses and cowboys. In the center of the room is the appetizer buffet. This buffet consisted of chips and salsa, and raw vegetables with dip. It was only a small table, but if you like that kind of finger food it was a nice start to the show.
Options at the bar before you enter include a few alcohol packages such as $10 for unlimited Bud light or rose wine, or $15 for unlimited spirit cocktails. These had to be purchased at the bar before you entered the show.
It was time to go to our seats, so we were led up the stairs to our section, which despite being further back had a great view of the whole arena, it seems anywhere you get seated would be a good view.
Once we were seated we chose our meal and complimentary soft drinks. They had a decent selection of dishes and provided vegetarian options as well as Kosher. They also suggest if you require any special dietary needs to call at least 24 hrs in advance to discuss the options with them.
As the show started they began by introducing some of the horses, and showed how tame they were by bringing down pre selected children to come pet the horse. They then showed how their performers were able to do acrobatics on top of the horses, by using a technique that meant they landed softly and evenly upon the horse’s back.
Now the main part of the show started, featuring their current production, American Princess. It features Princess Scheherazade on her 21st Birthday and her genie Abracadabra, who set forth on a mission to find her Prince!
During the show we are shown many different Princes, from many different countries and cultures. One of my personal favorites was when we were shown the Gypsy camp, as we were treated to some amazing acrobatics! We saw them riding standing up, one foot on each horse!
Some rode in tandem, upon 2 horses performing dance moves normally seen in ballrooms as opposed to on horseback!
One of the most visually stunning parts was seeing one rider jump through a hoop of fire only to land back perfectly on his cantering horse!
A crowd pleasing moment was getting to see the mystical Unicorn enter the arena! The music and the lights really added to the elegance of the moment, all you could hear was gasps as the unicorn majestically walked in!
Another favorite of mine was when the Native American entered on his horse! The horse was painted in day glow markings, so when they shone the black light spot light on to it, it lit up so beautifully. Smoke covered the arena floor and the track they played, “End Of Innocence” by Enigma, created such a powerful visual! Easily my favorite part of the whole show, I literally did not take my eyes off the horse! it was stunning!
Along the journey, Abracadabra must protect the Princess from the evil Prince Vaneer, who’s outlook appears to be “if I can’t have her, no one can”.
Toward the end of the show, we are brought back to America, and a visually beautiful performance was put on filled with a lot of patriotism, but also a salute to other nations around the world.
The food we had during the show was average at best, including the dessert. But the service was friendly and they were very much on top of keeping our drinks filled up throughout.
After the show was a lot of fun as they let all the horses out into the arena, and it was so cute to watch them frolic around and rub on the floor! I had no idea horses did the rubbing on the floor like dogs and cats do! It was so precious to watch! It also gave the audience a chance to take photos alongside some of the performers and to pet the horses. As we were seated further back it was fun to come down and see the horses up close.
When you leave the arena you are given an opportunity to line up and take a photo with some of the lead characters if you wished. There was no intermission during the show so my advice is don’t go to the first restroom you see, the line was terrible. Go to the next one back in the appetizer pre show room, much quieter!
On the whole we really enjoyed this show, and although the food provided isn’t great, the show is really unique and we really had fun seeing it! A fun group activity also!
Orlando Puts Up Fight, Falls to Fluminense FC 4-3 In Front of 11,127
Club sets international friendly attendance record against Brazilian Champs Saturday night
Orlando City fell to Fluminense FC 4-3 Saturday night in front of 11,127 fans at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl, an international friendly club record for attendance. The mark was previously set back in July of 2011 against the English Premier League’s Newcastle United with 10,889.
“It was great for some of our younger players to play against them (Fluminense),” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “On the whole, I’m pleased with the evening.”
Saturday’s opponent, Fluminense FC, competes in Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A- the top level of Brazilian soccer. This year they are also one of the sides representing Brazil in the prestigious Libertadores of American Cup, making a great mid-season opponent for the Lions.
Photo Credit: Allison Petro
Orlando got on the scoreboard first, with league-leading scorer Dom Dwyer slotting his own give-and-go past Fluminense FC Ricardo Berna to give Orlando the 1-0 lead. In the 19th minute, Dwyer played a ball past a Fluminense defender, sprinting past the backline and finding space to convert a low roller to give Orlando a one-goal advantage.
Fluminense equalized in the final minutes of the first half, with a well-placed cross by Carlinhos finding Gum inside the 18-yard box- who whipped in a header to equalize the match at 1-1 in the 40th minute.
Photo Credit: Allison Petro
The Brazilian champs added a second goal at the beginning of the second half, with Ryner slotting in a score after Rafael found him in stride in the 47th minute. The striker put Orlando City Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo out of position, finding the back of the net for the 2-1 lead.
Two more goals were added by the Brazilian Champs in the second half, including individual strikes outside the 18 by Rafael and Samuel to put Fluminense up 4-1.
Photo Credit: Allison Petro
Orlando didn’t go into the night quietly, with two quick scores by the Lions in the 78th and 80th minutes cutting the lead down to one. Midfielder Adama Mbengue was involved with both scores, slotting home a goal after Jonathan Mendoza found the Senegal native in space while whipping a cross just two minutes later that eventually found the head of Jean Alexandre for the score. Despite the late attack, Fluminense held strong and came out on top with the 4-3 win.
Photo Credit: Allison Petro
The squad now turns their attention toward Wednesday night’s US Open Cup quarterfinal in Bridgeview, Ill., against Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Chicago Fire. Kickoff for the game is set for 8:30 p.m. EST. The Lions advanced past MLS affiliate Sporting Kansas City 1-0 in the last round of US Open Cup play, with an early score by Forward Long Tan giving Orlando the lead and win. The win marked the club’s first-ever win over Sporting KC and advancement to the quarterfinal round of the US Open Cup. If the Lions advance past Chicago, Orlando will host the semifinals onWednesday, August 7, at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Orlando previously topped MLS’ Colorado Rapids 3-1 at the Citrus Bowl and the PDL’s Ocala Stampede in the second and third rounds of the knockout tournament.
The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is the oldest on-going national soccer competition in the United States and is open to United States Soccer Federation (USSF) affiliated teams. This year marks the centennial edition of the tournament. This year’s field consisted of 68 teams, the largest field in US Open Cup history.
Orlando City Fluminense FC Match Recap:
Team 1 2 Final
Orlando City 1 2 3
Fluminense FC 1 3 4
Scoring Summary:
ORL- Dom Dwyer (unassisted) 19’
FLU- Gum (Carlinhos) 40’
FLU- Ryner (Rafael) 47’
FLU- Rafael 61’
FLU- Samuel 68’
ORL- Adama Mbengue (Jonathan Mendoza) 78’
ORL- Jean Alexandre (unassisted) 80’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City- GK Miguel Gallardo (Jon Kempin 61’), D Yann Songo’o, Bryan Burke (Erik Ustruck 67’), Luke Boden (Brian Fekete 75’), Rob Valentino (Oumar Diakhite 76’), M Anthony Pulis (Christian Duke 62’), Adama Mbengue, James O’Connor (Freddie Braun 61’), Kevin Molino (Jonathan Mendoza 68’), F Dom Dwyer (Dennis Chin 61’), Long Tan (Jean Alexandre 46’)
Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is a premier professional soccer sports franchise in the United States and is a member of the USL PRO. The Lion’s pro team has won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. Outside of the pro squad, OCSC also has their own youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U23s team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com and www.orlandocityyouth.org.
Orlando City Lions undefeated in last 25 regular season home matches
Behind 87th and 90th minute goals by Jamie Watson and Dom Dwyer, Orlando City (10-1-2, 32 points) topped visiting Antigua Barracuda FC (0-10-0, 0 points) 2-0 Sunday night at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The win marked the 25th consecutive regular season home match without defeat, dating back to June of 2011.
The Lions controlled possession early on, with the team adjusting to a lineup that featured 10 different starters from Friday night’s 2-0 win over the visiting Phoenix FC. Players including Defenders Justin Clark and Brian Fekete, along with former Orlando City U23s defensive stalwart Oumar Diakhite, made their first starts of the 2013 season- getting valuable minutes under their belts against Antigua.
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida
Early chances by Midfielders Adama Mbengue and Assistant Coach/Midfielder Ian Fuller loosened up the Antigua backline toward the middle of the first half, with the Lions gaining more chances as the match went on. Mbengue and Fuller both had attempts ring off the right-hand post, coming dangerously close to the back of the net. The chances continued to mount for Orlando, but despite the increased pressure the clubs went into halftime tied 0-0.
League-leading scorer Dom Dwyer, Forward Long Tan and Midfielder Jamie Watson came in after the break to give the Lions a spark up front, looking to get by the Antigua backline. After chipping away and earning continued chances, Orlando finally got their chance with three minutes left to play in regulation.
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida
Former Portland Timber Midfielder Freddie Braun was making a turn in the 18-yard box in the 86th minute, only for Barracuda Defender Dublin George to trip Braun- awarding Orlando the penalty. Watson converted in the bottom-left corner past Goalkeeper Molvin James, putting the Lions up 1-0. The penalty conversion marked the second straight game in which Watson converted an attempt and his seventh goal of the season.
The Lions weren’t done, with Watson finding Dwyer on a well-played ball past the Antigua defense, with the striker scoring his 15th of the season in the 90th. The conversion extended Dwyer’s single-season record of goals in a USL PRO season, which he broke on Friday in the team’s win over Phoenix.
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida
Goalkeeper Jon Kempin, who saw his first regular season start since an April 19th match against the LA Blues, played the full 90 minutes Sunday night behind a steady Orlando backline. The 0-0 draw was the Kansas native’s first shutout in purple colors since coming on loan at the beginning of the season.
Tonight’s win marked the 25th consecutive match the Lions have been undefeated in USL PRO regular season play at home, dating back to the team’s inaugural season in June of 2011 (Antigua). The Lions are 7-0-0 at home in 2013, scoring 25 goals while only allowing six at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Head Coach Adrian Heath looked past the three points after the match, saying the team needs to improve and was not impressed with the club’s play.
“We were pathetic,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I feel sorry for the supporters who came out and watched that performance. I’ve learned an awful lot about a lot of people today.”
Orlando enters into the fourth round of the US Open Cup this Wednesday, June 12, in Kansas City, Kansas, against Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Sporting Kansas City. The Lions topped the Colorado Rapids 3-1 on May 28 at the Florida Citrus Bowl, marking the first time in franchise history the club has beaten an MLS club in the US Open Cup. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. EST.
The four players on loan from SKC, including Dom Dwyer, Jon Kempin, Christian Duke and Yann Songo’o, will be unavailable for selection on Wednesday. For more information on Wednesday’s match, visit Orlandocitysoccer.com.
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida
Orlando City Match Recap
Team 1 2 Final
Orlando City 0 2 2
Antigua Barracuda FC 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
ORL- Jamie Watson (penalty) 87th
ORL- Dom Dwyer (Jamie Watson) 90th
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City- GK Jon Kempin, D Erik Ustruck, Oumar Diakhite, Justin Clark, Brian Fekete (Bryan Burke 66’), M Adama Mbengue (Jamie Watson 53’), Christian Duke, Ian Fuller (Dom Dwyer 46’), Freddie Braun, Jonathan Mendoza, F Dennis Chin (Long Tan 53’)
Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is a premier professional soccer sports franchise in the United States and is a member of the USL PRO. The Lion’s pro team has won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. Outside of the pro squad, OCSC also has their own youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U23s team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com and www.orlandocityyouth.org.
Anyone else crazy about having their home organized?
Anyone else not sure where to start when you realize your house is out of control?
Both of those situations are me 100%, which is why I was (and still am!) SUPER excited about Orlando’s newest addition – The Container Store!!
As soon as I walked in I was overwhelmed (in the best way possible!)
As hard as it is to believe, this is the 60th location and this is the first one I have ever been in. While I have been super tempted to drive to Miami just to see it and even more so when one opened in Tampa a few months ago, I wanted to wait and see the Orlando store first.
There were so many products that I saw while doing the tour that I knew I needed and MANY more items that I saw and then realized that I had to have…who knew there were so many options and awesome ways to store items?!
Some examples, The Container Store has…
…80 styles of hangers.
…350 travel products.
…45 laundry hampers.
…120 ways to store food.
…700 office products.
…and a BUNCH of different trash and recycling options.
As you can tell, there are standard color options and also bright and fun colors as well.
The amazing part about The Container Store company itself is that it’s an employee first company. Every full time employee gets more than 263 hours of training in the first year of working. The crazier part is that the average for retail employees is just 7 to 10 hours! So yes, these guys and gals know what they are talking about. They aren’t commission based, so they really are there to help you out and to help better your home – closet, garage, office, bathroom, kitchen – you name it!
Think this place can’t get any better? They offer additional options besides strictly just shopping in-store and online…
Click & Pickup – Order online and pick it up in-store
Call & Pickup – Order over the phone and pick it up in-store Bonus bonus: Curbside pickup!
The Container Store is located near Millenia Mall at
4088 Millenia Blvd
Orlando, FL 32839
Store hours are
Monday – Saturday 9am-9pm
Sunday 11am-6pm
Orlando City Faces Top-Place LA Blues Today at 7:30 p.m.
Lions look for win over Blues after early season loss on Friday at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl
Orlando City continues their home stand this Friday, April 19th, against the LA Blues at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl with kick off set for 7:30 p.m. The two met last week in California, with the Lions upended 1-0 by the upstart Blues on their second road match in three days to begin the regular season.
“We haven’t strung a full 90 together that we’ve all been proud of, but we’re improving,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I feel that we’re getting into some sort of rhythm and we’re looking forward to the game on Friday.”
The Lions (2-1-0, 6 points) most recently topped Rochester 3-1 at their home opener on Sunday night. Inclement weather caused the game to be delayed nearly two hours, with Dom Dwyer, Long Tan and Jamie Watson scoring for Orlando after the long delay for the win.
LA (3-1-0, 9 points) stands at the top of the table through the early 2013 USL PRO Season. Orlando fell to the Blues last week 1-0 at Cal State Fullerton Titan Stadium in Fullerton, Calif. A goal in the 80th minute from former Orlando Striker George Davis IV put LA on top, giving them their first-ever victory over the Lions in franchise history.
Orlando is 2-1-1 all-time against LA, with Heath stating this year’s Blues squad is much improved over last season’s team.
“I told the guys before we played LA the first time that the Blues are going to be a lot better than last year,” Heath added. “The coach and GM are serious football people over there and we expect them to be strong.”
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Friday, with pregame festivities including a concert by local band The Crazy Carls. Friday night’s game will be live streamed on USLNation.com. For more information on Friday’s match, visit Orlandocitysoccer.com.
Forwards Long Tan, Dom Dwyer, Jamie Watson score in home-opener victory Sunday night
Orlando City began their home schedule in winning style Sunday night, topping the visiting Rochester Rhinos 2-0 at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The Lions (2-1-0) and Rhinos (0-2-0) had to withstand a combined two hours of stoppage due to severe weather in the area as Orlando took home their second win of the young 2013 USL PRO season.
“I was confident that if we scored the first goal we’d be ok,” said Orlando City Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I love playing in the rain because the pace of the game picks up, so besides the wind I thought the conditions were fine.”
A steady rain came down on the field at the start of the game, making for a fast-paced match between the two clubs. In the 13th minute, Orlando got their first scoring chance of the game as Sporting KC and Orlando City Forward Dom Dwyer found 2012 USL PRO MVP Kevin Molino behind the Rochester backline.
Molino’s effort went off the right post after Rhino Goalkeeper Kristian Nicht was lured out of his box due to the danger, with the pressure from Orlando continuing through the beginning of the first half.
But as the rain continued and thunderclouds began to roll in, the match was postponed due to severe weather in the area in the 21st minute. The break lasted a total of 56 minutes, with the match resuming at 7:24 p.m. only to be postponed again minutes later. The game finally got underway at 8:30 p.m., totalling close to a two-hour delay.
When play finally resumed, Orlando continued their strong pace of passing and possession. Midfielder Jamie Watson nearly capitalized on a chance in the 37th minute, finding an open lane just outside the 18-yard mark with his attempt just missing the far post. The attacking continued, with it paying off for the Lions in stoppage time of the first 45. After Kevin Molino followed up an attempt from Dwyer, Tan found the rebound – blasting his attempt past Nicht for the 1-0 lead.
The Lions didn’t let up in the beginning of the second half, jumping on the Rochester backline to score the second goal of the game. Winger Bryan Burke placed a well-played cross to a charging Dom Dwyer in the 47th minute, who easily slotted home his second goal of the season to give Orlando the 2-0 advantage.
Watson continued the scoring for Orlando in the 62nd minute, cleaning up a loose ball in the Rhinos’ box for the 3-0 advantage. Rochester scored in the 90th minute of play as Forward Blake Brettschneider lofted his shot up and over Orlando Goalkeeper Jon Kempin. The score was too little, too late, however, with the Lions taking home the victory 3-1.
Orlando continues home play this Friday, April 19th, against the LA Blues. Orlando has already played the California-based squad this season, falling 1-0 on the road in Fullerton, Calif. Blues’ Forward George Davis scored the lone goal in the 80th minute for LA, propelling them to the home win. The Lions are 2-1-1 all time against the Blues in four meetings between the two clubs.
Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is a premier professional soccer sports franchise in the United States and is a member of the USL PRO. The Lion’s pro team has won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. Outside of the pro squad, OCSC also has their own youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U23s team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com and www.orlandocityyouth.org.
KINGS Bowl Orlando soft opens today, and is sure to
change the face of nightlife on I-Drive!
KINGS Bowl first opened their doors in 2003 in the heart of Boston’s Back Bay. With a retro-inspired décor KINGS focuses on creating unique and memorable entertainment experiences with an emphasis on food, creative cocktails and beer selection, cutting edge technology, and a fun atmosphere with music to keep the party going.
This 30,000 square feet location is a lot more than just “bowling”…it’s an entertainment venue where you will find:
22 Ten Pin Bowling Lanes
Four Full-Size billiards tables
Regulation size, outdoor Bocce ball court
Full-service, executive chef driven restaurant serving award-winning food
Two premium bars serving fun and innovative cocktails
Customizable private space for parties of 10-800 people including corporate/team-building events, birthdays, bachelor(ette) parties, kids parties and more
Over 60 giant HDTV’s and HD projector screens
Industry best sound, lighting and music environment
Regulation Shuffleboard Table
When we were treated to a preview of KINGS Bowl Orlando, we were able to try some of their food and drink options.
Sesame Ginger Chicken Wings with Chili Soy Sauce
Executive-Chef Andre Bautista has won numerous awards and has created a menu for KINGS Bowl Orlando showcasing American comfort food with a kick. Each dish has a unique, unexpected and playful twist that leaves diners delighted. Hand-formed buffalo wontons, house-smoked ribs, marinated steak tips and seared scallops are among Chef Bautista’s most popular and mouth-watering dishes on the Kings menu.
Born in Santos, Brazil, Chef Bautista has also embraced his roots and the large Brazilian tourist population in Kings’ Orlando location by adding “Moqueca,” a traditional Brazilian clay pot fish stew, to the menu.
Moqueca
I have to say that my favorites were the Hand-Formed Buffalo Chicken Wontons, Sesame Ginger Chicken Wings with Chili Soy Sauce, and the Chocolate Banana Spring Rolls were out of this world!
The Buffalo Chicken Wontons that were delish!
And the cocktail menu is beyond creative! Everyone really enjoyed the Fizzy Lifting Drink! It’s such a playful (and delicious) nod to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!
Fizzy Lifting Drink!
But one of the coolest, and exclusive to KINGS Bowl Orlando, is the two booths that feature their own beers on draft. That’s right…You just tell your server how many pints you would like to purchase, and you then get to pour the beers you want at your leisure. It’s pretty awesome!
The 4 taps rotate in the center of the table…seriously this is such a cool idea!
If Private Parties are your thing, KINGS Bowl Orlando has two private bowling/party space and party planners that are on staff to help make any party a success. From a fun gathering to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah party, you’re covered at KINGS!
The King Pin Room is a private area featuring 4 lanes, private entrance, access to the Bocce Ball Court, and disco balls!
There are a few things to keep in mind if you’re going to visit KINGS…
Age/ID Policy:
Must be 21 or over to enter the premises after 6:00PM. All persons must present a valid legal ID for proof of age.
In order to consume alcoholic beverages, you must establish that you are at least 21 years of age. You must have a valid identification card issued by a state governmental agency containing your photograph, date of birth, height, sex and color eyes. Kings is unable to accept forms of identification that are expired, cracked, altered, or damaged in any way.
Please note: All forms of identification must NOT be expired Kings does not accept paper or international driver’s licenses as a form of ID. Kings staff may ask for back up identification at any time and for any reason.
Acceptable forms of ID are:
A valid Florida driver’s license
Passport
Out-of-state license w/back-up
Valid Florida ID with a valid expiration date listed
United States Active Military ID
A valid Foreign driver’s license
House Policies
House Policies
No horseplay or other disturbing or disruptive behaviors
Any person who damages Kings property or equipment shall be held liable for its repair or replacement
Loitering on these premises or in the adjacent parking areas is strictly prohibited
Dress Code
No excessively baggy clothing of any kind
No work style boots
No baseball caps
No bandanas/doo rags
No sleeveless shirts
No bluetooth devices
No oversized chains or pendants
Persons wearing torn or soiled clothing may only be admitted at the discretion of Management
No hats, clothing, jewelry or visible tattoos with profanity or objectionable art
Sunglasses may not be worn on the premises
All back packs and/or bags are subject to be searched by Kings staff
Kings reserves the right to modify the dress code guidelines for any reason, including or due to local or seasonal conditions or special events.
Located on I-Drive behind Ripley’s Believe It or Not! And Charley’s Steakhouse. Enter from I-Drive or Universal Boulevard.
Hours of Operation
Opening April 15th, 2013
Monday, April 15th – 6:00PM-10:00PM
Tuesday, April 16th – Private Event, Closed to the Public
Wednesday, April 17th – Private Event, Closed to the Public
Thursday, April 18th – 6:00PM-12:00AM
Friday, April 19th – 6:00PM-12:00AM
Saturday, April 20th – 2:00PM-2:00AM
Sunday, April 21st – 12:00PM-12:00AM
Monday, April 22nd – Private Event, Closed to the Public
Tuesday, April 23rd – 5:00PM-2:00AM
Wednesday, April 24th – 5:00PM-2:00AM
Thursday, April 25th – 11:00AM-2:00AM
Friday, April 26th – 11:00AM-2:00AM
Saturday, April 27th – 11:00AM-2:00AM
Sunday, April 28th – 11:00AM-2:00AM
Also, they are having a great fundraiser for the Orlando Ballet called Bowl-Erina on April 16th and you can find out more about it here.
We really enjoyed our time at KINGS Bowl Orlando, and it is a great way to spend a fun and upscale night with friends, a unique date spot, or just a great place to host an event. We can’t wait to go back!
