City Of Orlando News - September 9, 2022

Government and Politics

September 12, 2022

From: City of Orlando

We’ve heard there’s been a lot of drama about a certain new movie premiere, but don't worry Swanlings, the birds of Lake Eola Park have their own juicy drama you can sink your beak into.

Our BFS (best friend swan) Jill served the tea, hot and scalding, dishing about how Harry, the Trumpeter swan, was spitting over who got the best vendor booth at the Orlando Farmers Market. Over the weekend, Olivia, the Royal Mute swan, got an ego check after she showed up late to Movieola, flaunting her new t-shirt from Discover Downtown and got a "wake-up" call from her boo, Harry, when he didn’t even pose next to her in a group selfie at Wednesday night’s Orlando City Soccer game.

Read on to sip on the latest happenings in Orlando.

Connecting You to the 4-1-1

The City of Orlando and the Orlando Police Department (OPD) launched its latest effort to leverage state-of-the-art technology and collaborations with businesses and residents to collectively work together to keep Orlando safe. The new program, Orlando Connect, aims to integrate city-owned cameras and privately-owned cameras together to transform the way police officers can respond to, solve, and deter crime.

Currently, Orlando Connect operates with a network of more than 1,100 city-owned cameras located throughout the city. The video feeds are unified into OPD’s Crime Center and can be accessed before officers even arrive on scene, increasing safety, efficiency, and effectiveness for officers and the community.

Residents and businesses can now join the program voluntarily by registering their cameras for and/or, integrating their systems to channel their privately-owned security camera footage directly to officers if there is a public safety incident in the immediate area of a camera’s location.

Learn more about the program on orlando.gov/orlandoconnect

History Can Be Just as Fun as Scandals

Attention history lovers! Did you know that every first Friday of the month from October - May, we offer a free, guided tour of the Downtown Historic District? You heard right, FREE! Tours feature architectural and historic information about some of downtown Orlando’s oldest and most historic buildings.

To kick off the tours this season, Elizabeth Randall, author of Historic Orlando, will be leading the tour on Friday, October 7. And that’s not all, after the tour you’ll have the opportunity to purchase a copy of the book with a special signing from Elizabeth herself.

Tours begin at 9:30 a.m. at Discover Downtown - the Downtown Orlando Info Center on 201 South Orange Avenue and last 1.5 hours. Space is limited.

Save your spot and RSVP today

Rising Up Parramore

With the help of a Mayor’s Matching Grant, CREW Orlando sponsored a project called Rising Up. This new mural project celebrates the history of Parramore and brightens the landscape of the Parramore community, while serving as an iconic art exhibit educating the public and honoring those who built the history of the district. The mural features pillars of the community representing health care, religion, education, and music.

Check it out at the City View Apartment on 101 South Terry Avenue.

Does your neighborhood association, school or non-profit organization need help funding projects? Apply for a Mayor's Matching Grant

We’ve Got Business with You

Do you need extra help at your business or organization? Don’t forget we’re looking for businesses to provide mentorship and internship opportunities for youth in our community.

Businesses can enroll in our Youth Employment Program to provide youth and young adults 16 - 25 with opportunities to gain hands-on working experience. All opportunities are welcome and encouraged.

Help us grow our city’s future workforce

A Glass of Wine a Day, Keeps the Doctors Away (or something like that)

Do you know what pairs well with anything you could imagine eating? Wine. Many of us love wine, but very few of us are trained sommeliers or self-proclaimed aficionados.

But no fear, Orlando happens to be home to locally owned wine shops and tasting rooms where you can ask for recommendations from a professional sommelier. One of those beloved spots is Swirlery Wine Bar, owned and operated by Melissa McAvoy.

After finishing a degree in business administration from UCF, Melissa took a Court of Master Sommeliers courses at Disney, and down the wine rabbit hole she went (and stayed). Now a certified sommelier, Melissa provides stellar recommendations and helps mentor up-and-coming sommeliers in the local Orlando community.

Melissa opened Swirlery because she felt Orlando needed a local wine bar that provided a more intimate, welcoming and fun, yet educational environment. Melissa offers tasting classes and is happy to answer any questions from guests who visit on a whim looking for a bottle to pair with their pasta dinner.

Swirlery turns seven this month and is celebrating tomorrow, Saturday, September 10 from 2-4 p.m. at 1508 E. Michigan Street and you can visit their website at swirlery.com.

Other Things You Should Know

- Join OFD at the 9/11 Remembrance and Candlelight Ceremony

- You know you want to participate in our Veterans Day Parade

- Turn your junk into treasure at Fix It, Don’t Pitch It

- Tune in for the first budget hearing next Monday after the City Council Meeting

Now Hiring

New Job Openings

- Transportation Planning Project Coordinator – Transportation

- Fiscal Manager Departmental – Public Works

- Application Integration Developer I/II/III – Information Technology

- Technical Director - Lake Eola Park Amphitheater – Families, Parks and Recreation

- Mechanic I/II/III/IV Industrial - Water Reclamation – Public Works