Allison Smith joins Nick on this episode of the Community Podcast. They discuss some upcoming events and stories including:
Saturday, June 27
Intro to Coffee Brewing
Dining, Lifelong Learning
9:30 – 11 a.m.
Knowledge for Living
Parramore
Rainbow Raptors
Lifelong Learning
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
Maitland
Liberty Weekend Concert
Music
7 p.m.
Orlando International Airport
On this episode, Scottie Campbell, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer for the Orange County Regional History Center joins Nick to discuss upcoming events at the downtown museum.
On this episode, Boutiq Medical Clinic owner Karen Buckalew discusses opening a business in late 2019 and never closing, leaning into menopause treatments, and more.
On this episode, Mel Gray, AKA Coach Mummabear, joins Nick to discuss her background, writing for the paper and one of her favorite spots in town.
This episode is brought to you by The Packing District. Check out The Packing District Live! on Saturday, February 28, from 5–10 p.m. at the Great Southern Box Co. Food Hall.
Lawyer turned life coach, No. 1 bestselling author, host of the “UnFollow” podcast, founder of Cannonball Kids’ Cancer Foundation, ultra runner and mum of many, Mel Gray — known as Coach Mummabear — helps others create their favorite life.
Events we discussed:
Friday, February 27
Gardening
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
UF/IFAS Extension Orange County, 6021 South Conway Road
Conway
Saturday, February 28
Orlando Firehouse 3 Centennial Anniversary
Community
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Randall R. Tuten Orlando Fire Museum
Loch Haven
Monday, March 2
Arts
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Leu Gardens
Audubon Park
On this episode, Nick speaks with Clarissa Howard, the Director of the Communications Department for the City of Winter Park. Along with that role, Clarissa is Project Director for the Park Avenue Refresh project, a three-year update to one of Winter Park’s main thoroughfares. Construction began on January 20, 2026.
On this episode, Kendal Asbury joins Nick to discuss a busy weekend in The Packing District and 2026 story ideas.
Follow Kendal on Instagram.
Brought to you by The Packing District.
Friday, December 12
7 p.m.
Della Phillips Pavilion
Saturday, December 13
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
4Roots Farm Campus
Noon – 2 p.m.
The Groves at College Park
Sunday, December 14
Packing District Jingle Jog 5K Fun Run & Walk
8 – 9 a.m.
Leonard & Marjorie Williams Family YMCA
On this episode, Kendal Asbury joins Nick to discuss holiday events and some recent stories.
Follow Kendal on Instagram.
Brought to you by Boutiq Clinic.
Through January 4
Holiday
Zymarium Meadery
Mills 50
Friday, December 5
Holiday
5 – 9 p.m.
Central Park
Winter Park
Holiday/Shop Local
5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
4982 New Broad St
Baldwin Park
City of Orlando Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
Holiday
5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Lake Eola Park
South Eola
Orlando Vintage 30th Anniversary Party
Shop Local
7 p.m.
Orlando Vintage Clothing & Costume
Winter Park
Music
7:30 p.m.
Timucua White House
SoDo
Saturday, December 6
73rd Annual Winter Park Christmas Parade
Holiday
9 – 10:30 a.m.
Park Avenue
Winter Park
Shop Local
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
4Roots Farm Campus
The Packing District
Family/Community
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Rollins Museum of Art
Winter Park
Shop Local
11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Lazy Moon Pizza
Mills 50
Shop Local
Noon – 3 p.m.
BarkHaven
Loch Haven
Holiday
2 – 6 p.m.
SoDo Shopping Center
SoDo
Community
6 – 10 p.m.
Ten10 Brewing
Loch Haven
14th Annual Christmas Lights Ride
Community/Wellness
7 p.m.
Retro City Cycles
Ivanhoe Village and College Park
Colonial Plaza and the Era of Malls
Lifelong Learning
7 – 8 p.m.
The Nook on Robinson
The Milk District
Sunday, December 7
Shop Local
11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Park Ave CDs
Audubon Park Garden District
Arts
1 – 4 p.m.
The Great Southern Box Company
The Packing District
The Nutcracker Presented by the Central Florida Ballet
Holiday
2 – 3 p.m.
Orlando Public Library
Downtown
Community
2 – 9 p.m.
The Plaza Live!
Milk District
Monday, December 8
Audubon Park Community Holiday Market
Holiday
5 – 8 p.m.
Stardust Video & Coffee
Audubon Park Garden District
Tuesday, December 9
Holiday
Kaleidoscope Thornton Park
Thornton Park
Music
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
CityArts
Downtown
Wednesday, December 10
Polasek Nights – A Holiday Speakeasy
Holiday/Community
6 p.m.
Capen House at the Albin Polasek Museum
Winter Park
On this episode, Kendal Asbury is on to discuss some weekend events, stories she’s been working on, and her experience interning at the New York Times over the summer.
Stories mentioned:
Orlando’s approach to homelessness: Counterproductively complicated or carefully complex?
An Intern Climbs the Stairs, Learning With Every Step
Wake Up With Orlando: Must-Visit Local Coffee Spots
Events:
Saturday, October 11
4Roots Harvest Festival
Community
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
4Roots Farm Campus
The Packing District
Live at the Oak: Poetry, Performance, and Pollination
Lifelong Learning
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Mennello Museum of American Art
Loch Haven
Unleash the Genius Storytime with Authentic Arts Orlando
Literary
12 p.m.
Kaya
Mills 50
Zombietoberfest Night
Halloween
4 – 8 p.m.
Location TBD
Audubon Park
Sunday, October 12
Zombietoberfest Market
Halloween
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Lovely parking lot
Audubon Park
Free Family Funday
Family
12 – 4 p.m.
Mennello Museum of American Art
Loch Haven
Freehand Fest
Shop Local/Community
12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Freehand Goods
College Park
Trick or Treat Safe Zone
Halloween
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Orange County Regional History Center and Orlando Public Library
Downtown
Fall Festival
Family
1 – 4 p.m.
Palmer’s Feed & Seed
Parramore
Latinx Heritage and Poetry Night
Community
6:30 p.m.
Spiral Circle Bookstore & More
Mills 50
Midnight Marauders Story Hour
Literary
7 p.m.
Stardust Video & Coffee
Audubon Park Garden District
On this episode, writer Juliette Kahn discusses several of her recent stories, including our new column, In Good Company. Here are some links to the stories, our sponsor, and Red Bull!
It began as a part-time job. Then, I gained a second family.
Reflect and connect: In service of our seniors
Kyle Seitz on Kaleidoscope, computers and climbing
Sandro Dias breaks 2 world records on the biggest skate ramp ever
Red Bull Tandem Rollercoaster makes a splash: U.S. debut in Florida
Thank you to Winter Park Playhouse for making this episode possible!
On this episode, Steve Mort, Host and Executive Producer of NewsNight on WUCF, joins Nick to discuss the enrollment drop at Orange County Public Schools, potential changes to Orange County’s Vision 2050 plan and transportation in Central Florida.
Watch NewsNight on WUCF at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays or anytime online.
Schools See Larger Than Expected Enrollment Drop
Orange County says it’s working with the state to revise Vision 2050
Central Florida Road Construction Accelerates
Learn more about WUCF Passport and consider supporting local public media.
