• For the first time in their five-year NBA 2K League existence, Magic Gaming are headed to the postseason! Orlando racked up four straight series victories in the Coinbase STEAL OPEN, the final 3v3 tournament of the season, to earn a playoff berth and $20,000.
• Jones High football coach Elijah Williams says the school’s fan base has wanted a rematch with Miami Northwestern ever since a Class 5A final loss that drew an overflow crowd too big for Daytona Stadium to handle in 2019. It happens in two weeks when Northwestern nation travels to Orlando to see their Bulls play the Tigers this Saturday, August 20 in a preseason Kickoff Classic game at 65,000-seat Camping World Stadium, which is walking distance from Jones High.
• WISE Within, the national signature program of Women In Sports & Events (WISE), offers members the opportunity to accelerate professional development by connecting in a one-to-one focused mentoring relationship. WISE Greater Orlando is seeking potential mentees who want to take their career to the next level as well as experienced professionals who are interested in becoming a mentor. Both mentees and mentors must be members of WISE to apply, and the application deadline is September 2, 2022.
• From the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi: When Steve Spurrier took over as the coach of the Florida Gators in 1990, he immediately changed the trajectory of college football in Gainesville. Who knew he would do the same as a restaurateur?
• For the first time in program history, alcohol will be sold stadium-wide at UCF football games this season, the school announced Wednesday. UCF Athletics previously allowed the sale of alcohol to only those in premium club seats.
• Sanford native and former Junior Solar Bears player, Peyton Compton, was selected to compete for USA Hockey’s U18 Women’s Select Team in the 2022 U18 Series vs Canada.
• From the Orlando Sentinel: Seven dates and storylines to keep an eye on with the Orlando Magic’s 2022-23 schedule.
• UCF women's soccer forward Mia Asenjo has been patiently waiting to make her debut for the Knights. She committed to the program as a freshman in high school but has yet to step into a game. After sports-related injuries, Mia worked on her own rehab while providing support and leadership for the Knights, which isn't always easy for a freshman.
• Lake Brantley's outside hitter Sarah Gooch is one of the best players in Florida and will be playing at the next level at a Big 12 school — West Virginia University. Sarah has been playing the sport since she was 8 years old and the team aspect is what she enjoys the most about the game.
• Winter Park volleyball coach Stephanie Gibson, who turns 60 on October 6, is poised to become the fourth coach in state history to reach 800 victories. Her career record is 793-226 with six state championships going into the Wildcats’ regular season opener at Trinity Prep on Tuesday night.
• The Bucs still expect Tom Brady to return to the team sometime after Saturday’s preseason game against the Titans but there’s “no definitive” date for him to rejoin the club, coach Todd Bowles said Thursday.
• Just when it seemed time to write off Kevin Harvick, at least for this season, the old man of the garage has figured out how to win again at NASCAR's championship race. He has two victories in eight days — after snapping a 65-race losing streak dating to 2020 — and all the momentum headed into the playoffs.
• The Eustis Panther’s wide receiver Tyree Patterson has been one of the best-kept secrets in Central Florida. His success on the field has led to opportunities that were not possible just a few years ago.
• Commentary from the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianchi: Hallelujah, Hula Bowl is back in Orlando — maybe permanently.
• The Lakeland Magic, NBA G League affiliate of the Orlando Magic, will be hosting a local player tryout in Winter Haven on September 18 at the AdventHealth Fieldhouse, and in Orlando on September 25, at the RDV Sportsplex Athletic Club. Local player tryouts provide athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of Lakeland Magic coaches and basketball staff.
• The NBA will be off on Election Day. The league’s schedule for the coming season will have all 30 teams playing on Nov. 7, the night before the midterm elections. The NBA is hoping teams use that night as an opportunity to encourage fans to get out and vote, plus amplify the need for civic engagement.

• The Orlando Municipal Planning Board met Tuesday to discuss a billion dollar development proposed for the Rosemont community. Tuesday’s discussion centered around phase one of the development, which would include up to 1,600 units in four apartment buildings, some green space, and about 150,000 square feet of retail shops in the RoseArts District.
• Curry Ford West has been designated as an Affiliate Main Street America™ program once again for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Affiliate programs to recognize their commitment to create meaningful improvements to their downtowns using preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach.
• Last month, 18 leaders from local nonprofit organizations graduated from Leadership Orlando’s Black Boardroom Leadership Institute (BBLI) Inaugural Nonprofit Class. With only 11 percent of nonprofit boards having Black representation, these graduates will have a lasting impact on our region by prioritizing diversity and inclusiveness in board member recruitment strategies and creating an ideal environment for inclusion of diverse voices.
• Orlando is the 29th-Best North American Metro for Tech Talent and the highest-ranked market in the Sunshine State, according to CBRE Group Inc.’s 2022 Scoring Tech Talent Report released this month. Orlando climbed three spots in this year’s report and clocked in with the third-largest tech workforce of the small tech markets and a year-over-year growth rate of 17 percent.
• The Milk District Main Street is partnering with the City of Orlando to select a public art installation for a new pocket park that will be installed at the corner of South Primrose Drive and East Anderson Street, near downtown Orlando. The new park is part of the City of Orlando’s ongoing Downtown Loop Project that will connect various downtown neighborhoods via a network of bike paths and trails.
• Lucy Howard was in eighth grade at Blankner K-8 school in Orlando when she first came up with the idea for a class assignment. In 2010, she and her parents started the nonprofit foundation 'Beads 4 Beats.' They support children and their families across Central Florida facing terminal and chronic illnesses.

• Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining returns Friday, August 26 through Sunday, October 2 with 102 restaurants offering three-course, prix fixe dinner menus for $40. Celebrating its 17th year, the popular annual dining program supports area restaurants and donates $1 from every meal served to a local nonprofit organization.
• Enjoy everything you love about the Orlando Science Center without the kids! A special program designed just for adults, Science Night Live is your chance to let out your inner child and experience the joy of science! Explore interactive exhibit halls, try hands-on experiments in Dr. Dare's Lab, and catch special guest speakers.
• Join the City District Main Street for the quarterly clean-up in the heart of downtown Orlando. This time they are partnering with the City of Orlando’s Keep Orlando Beautiful and Orlando City Soccer Club to pick up litter and fill planters alongside Gertrude’s Walk with new fresh plants and a new irrigation system.
• The 2022 All Women Empowered (AWE) Impact Forum will be held Wednesday, August 31 from 9-11am at Camping World Stadium. Join fellow Orlando business and community leaders to learn all about the resources available for women professionals to propel their careers forward during the forum presented by Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies and sponsored by ADP.
• A New York-based, Alice in Wonderland-themed, sit-down dessert shop called the "White Rabbit Dessert Experience" will open its first Florida location at the Waterford Lakes Town Center next month.
• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party begins on August 12! Join your favorite Disney Characters for an evening of spirited fun, and get your favorite costume ready! Guests can collect candies and treats while Magic Kingdom park thrills and chills you with eerie entertainment, delightful attractions, and some beloved Disney Characters.
• Universal Orlando has announced the final details for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights 31, revealing all the houses, zones, and shows guests can experience at the event, taking place on select nights from September 2 thru October 31, 2022.
• The sunshine state just got a bit brighter - this summer, Fun Spot’s Kissimmee and Orlando parks are turning up the heat for Fun in the Sun, now through Sept. 5, 2022! Snap pics at the all-new Foto Spots, explore tropical decor, and take a bite out of seasonal food and beverages, exclusive to the summer season! This family-friendly event is the perfect way to kick back and have some good, clean FUN.
• Downtown gallery CityArts will host a Bridgerton-themed party on Saturday, September 24 at 7 pm as part of its annual La Maschera party series – its largest annual fundraiser. The evening will feature artwork themed on locations from the show as well as live music by Violectric, dancing, interactive character entertainment, photo opportunities, specialized cocktails, food, and more.
• Synapse Orlando 2022 is the largest innovation conference of the year presented by the Orlando Tech Council and Falcon's Beyond, returns to unite the region’s thriving tech community on October 21. With a special focus on how Orlando’s talent and companies are developing the building blocks of the Metaverse, the day of hands-on exhibits, workshops and inspiring thought leaders will again take place at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
• Like a passport specially for your palate, the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival is a magical taste tour—one that whisks you off on a fun and flavorful journey across six continents. So come sip and savor your way through EPCOT, as you delight in some of your favorite flavors, and try plenty of new ones along the way.
• Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
• Universal Orlando's Florida resident specials include discounts on vacation packages as well as a free day at the theme park through December as part of a limited time bargain. Florida residents who snap up a '2-park, 2-day' ticket to Universal between now and Sept. 28 can get a third, free day as part of their purchase.

• The USTA is looking for a paralegal with exceptional organizational skills and three+ years of experience drafting and reviewing contracts, and intellectual property enforcement, to work in a hybrid/flex environment at the National Campus in Lake Nona, Florida. 

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