Gators vs. Seminoles: GAME DAY!

Okay, for those of you not paying attention, the Top 5 is firmly in the University of Florida camp… BIG TIME!  And, although we’re having a miserable football season, we still proudly rise to the in-state rivalry of Florida vs. Florida State.

So, we’re going with the Gators today… at least until half-time when we’ll re-evaluate the score! Ha!

And, Rivalry Weekend extends to round ball as well, with the Gators and Seminoles meeting up tomorrow at 7:30 pm on FSN/Sun Sports.  And, while we searched for a decent video featuring both teams, we just couldn’t find one, so you’re stuck with a totally awesome Gator Basketball video.  You Seminoles are welcome to either grin and bear it or post a link to your own in the comments below.

Cranes Roost: Light Up the Holidays

If you are looking for a free way to celebrate the holiday spirit, Crane’s Roost at Uptown Altamonte is an excellent place to spend the evening.

This lakeside park setting was created twenty years ago by the city to give residents a central place to gather for different events. The annual Fourth of July’s Red, Hot, and Boom! is held there as well as many other festivals and get-togethers.  And, what we like best is the large sidewalk provides an easy stroll around the lake, and it is almost exactly one mile in distance. Good way to keep track of your exercise, no?

Crane’s Roost annual holiday display of lights starts on December 4 and lasts through January. Your family can also enjoy special music, live entertainment, fireworks, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus. The region’s largest Christmas tree will be on display as well as the Holiday Fountain show. Food and drink will be available for purchase throughout the venue, and parking is close by.

And all this for FREE! Sounds like a  deal to us!

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“Chaps: A Jingle Jangle Christmas” is almost here!

The Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is presenting Chaps! A Jingle Jangle Christmas, a rousing, rowdy, family-friendly musical comedy that is just in time for the holiday season!

Set in 1944, years into World War II and the heyday of singing cowboys on radio and the silver screen. America’s favorite singing cowboy Tex Riley and his troupe are late for a special Christmas Eve broadcast at the BBC in London. Out of desperation, the station grabs anyone  – a snobby announcer, an amiable sound man, a passing soap opera actor – slap them into costume, hand them scripts and shove them in front of the studio audience. The resulting performance is one that England will never forget!

“Gene Autry and Roy Rogers were both enormously popular American western stars of yesteryear,” said Patrick Flick, director of Chaps! “They sang us songs, made us laugh, and taught an entire generation about justice, courage, and honor – virtues that also embodied the Allied forces fighting for our freedom. That’s the heart of this comedy.”

Opens Friday!

Chaps! A Jingle Jangle Christmas begins previews on Wednesday, December 1, opens officially Friday, December 3 and runs through Sunday, December 26 in the Margeson Theater.

Mennello Museum of Art: Where Fairies Come to Life!

The Top 5 ventured to the magical Mennello Museum of Art to see some real magic come to life… glowing mushrooms and wood fairies came out to play under the oldest oak tree in Orlando. (225 years old I hear!)  This unusual fundraiser, entitled Magnifique, benefited Voci Dance…and it was so much fun!

And, while we were strolling among the fairy folk, we also ventured into the museum itself… what a treat!  If you have never been to the museum before, do yourself a favor and stop by this lovely place. You will feel like you’ve been transported to Santa Fe!

Special thanks to Mark Baratelli of TheDailyCity.com for the heads up about Magnifique fundraiser!

Orlando Weather – Looks like Snow and Ice!

So, starting tomorrow if you were to google “Orlando Weather” then you might be surprised by what you find… Snow and ice are in our forecast! Okay, not really…I totally made that up. However, if you really do want a break from our hot and sunny weather, take a trip to the Gaylord Palms where you can see real Snow and Ice.

 

From the ICE! website

Indoors you can explore an icy wonderland crafted by artisans from Harbin, China. Yep, you will have to don a parka (provided) to brave the 9 degree temperatures, but these ice sculptures are pretty darn impressive!

After you make your way through Ice, kids can go outside and play in the Snow: Complete with carnival-style games including a Frosty Ring Toss and Elf Bowling as well as a Kiddie Snow Tube Run…pretty cool! <—Ha, love my pun?

And, actually, there are lots of other seasonal things to do, like dining with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a Polar Bear Plunge (love it!), and Noche Latina where there will be a special Latino storyteller sharing seasonal stories from Puerto Rico and other Latino countries.

So, if you want a break from the Orlando weather… the Gaylord Palms is worth checking out!

Win Tickets to the Old Spice Classic College Basketball Tournament

ESPN will be covering the Old Spice Classic Basketball Tournament, tipping off this coming Thursday at Disney’s Wide World of Sports, and now you can be there too, compliments of the Central Florida Top 5!

Yep, we’re giving away a Family 4-Pack of tickets for the tournament’s first session, so you and three friends (or family members) can go cheer for your favorite college basketball teams!

Who’s Playing this Year?

• Boston College
• California
• Georgia
• Manhattan
• Notre Dame
• Temple
• Texas A&M
• Wisconsin

So, How Do You Win?

Pop over to the Top 5′s Facebook page and leave a comment on our wall asking the Old Spice Man a question. (C’mon, you know you love him!)

Your question MUST contain the term “Central Florida” in it in some manner… the winner will be chosen based on creativity and awesomeness of the question!

One lucky person will win 4 tickets, so get your thinking caps on and be creative!  The winner will be selected and notified Tuesday evening… good luck!

For More Old Spice Classic News:

Follow them on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

Take Out for Thanksgiving? Oh yeah!

So, I met up with several Orlando area tweeters and bloggers at Boston Market for a tasting of the restaurant’s newly enhanced menu. I spent time with @dafoodie, @thedailycity, @kiran_, and @tastychomps and we had a lovely time catching up over some very yummy food.

Top 5 editor Bess Auer with Mark Baratelli of the The Daily City and Kiran Srivastava of Chatterbox.

Now, the non-foodie in me (I love to eat but not to cook!) started to think a bit ahead… Thanksgiving is just around the corner, right? I’ve got my smoked turkey ordered from Bubbalou’s but am in desperate need of some really good side dishes. (I’m not kidding…I really do not cook.)  So, what better timing for me than to be able to sample some side dishes tonight?

In addition to Boston Market’s normal sides, here’s some of the new gourmet sides we got to try:

• Loaded Mashed Potatoes
• Garlicky Lemon Savoy Spinach
• Squash Casserole (My favorite!)
• Mediterranean Green Beans

Yep, I am one step ahead of you… I’m already placing my order for next week!

And, what else is new at Boston Market?  Well, for one things, there were ceramic plates and real silverware. And, table service… really!

I think this change is a positive step for the chain.  And, they have definitely made my Thanksgiving easier!

Some of the new yummy side dishes!

Orlando Science Center: “When I Wish Upon a Star…”

I really, really do wish upon stars, and on occasion, a wish does come true. So, what better way to make an even bigger wish than to get up close and personal with the stars at the Orlando Science Center!

The silver-domed Crosby Observatory atop the Science Center houses Florida’s largest refractor telescopes available to the public. From November 20, 2010 to February 19, 2011, the Crosby Observatory will be open for seasonal night sky viewing on the first and third Saturday of each month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

So, what will you wish for?

Go Green in College Park – This Wednesday!

Infusion Tea and the Artistree Co-Op is one of my favorite little places in the Orlando area.

Imagine yourself in a charming, indie boutique with a bit of a vegan and gypsy feel thrown in… awesome loose leaf teas and an incredibly delish menu make this a sure thing for a great meal.  And, then throw in the attached Artristree Co-op, one of the best places in town to find deals on the cutest locally made arts and crafts, and you’ve got a winning combination!

Here’s the invitation for this Wednesday, where you can buy environmentally-responsible gifts as well as be in the running to win a $400 gift basket!

 

 

Feel like Ice-Skating? In Central Florida?!

It’s finally here… one of the BIGGEST seasonal events in Central Florida, compliments of UCF.  55 nights of seasonal cheer!