Today's Orlando as You See it is a double header. These videos are from photography groups that meet locally. The first video is of the Orlando Strobist group which our very own Orlando Real Estate Photography is a part of. We weren't able to attend the event, but after seeing the video, it makes us wish we had. It was filmed in a park in Orlando. If I find out the exact location, I'll update this. If anyone knows where this was shot, please leave the info in the comments section.



If you're interested in joining the strobist group, check out their group page on Flickr.

The second video is from the Orlando Pictage User Group. There are some great shots of downtown Orlando in this video. Their theme was One Night, One Light.

Mark your calendar for September 9th, as the University of Central Florida will be opening the doors of its new $52M arena. Arena General Manager Rodney Reese says the public will be able to tour all parts of the facility, including the luxury suites, club level and box office.

Looks like this will be a family event, with a carnival and outdoor displays in the plaza outside the arena, as well as a performance by the defending national champion UCF cheerleading team.

I'm happy to see the Knights finally having a place to call home. As UCF grows, and their football team gets more recognition, the Citrus Bowl was becoming far too crowded, and almost seemed to be an embarrassment when rival teams came to town. I plan on being at this event, so if you go and see a tall guy in an Ekday hat, feel free to come up and say hello!

UCF Knights 2007 Football Schedule

September 1 at North Carolina State, 6:00 PM ET
September 15 No. 4 Texas, 3:30 PM ET
September 22 Memphis 3:30 PM ET
September 29 Louisiana-Lafayette 6:00 PM ET
October 6 at East Carolina, 7:30 PM ET
October 13 at South Florida, TBA
October 20 Tulsa, 4:00 PM ET
October 28 at Southern Miss, 8:00 PM ET
November 3 Marshall, 3:30 PM ET
November 10 at UAB, 7:30 PM ET
November 17 at Southern Methodist, 3:00 PM ET
November 24 UTEP

Location

View Larger Map

Source: Orlando Business Journal

Tags: UCF, sports

It's no secret. Ekday <3's YouTube. We're scouring our favorite video site for videos or Orlando, and sharing them with you, our amazing readers. Feeling warm and fuzzy yet? If you have a video, please send it to us. If it's good, we'll add it. If it's bad, well, we'll probably make fun of you, but not publicly.

Tags: video, youtube, orlando

No, this isn't a throwback to the original boy band from Orlando. This is a warm welcome to a new blog hitting the Orlando webosphere, started by our good friend Erik Hersman of Realty Thoughts and White African fame.

Roofable fits nicely into the Orlando blog scene, and offers topics such as: Fall Sports Begin, Quick Hits Around Orlando, and my favorite, What in the World is Firkin and Kegler?





From Roofable's About section:

Orlando is a great city and we’re proud to call it home. Here at Roofable we like to discuss what’s going on in our neighborhood(s), what’s going on in the local real estate market and interesting community events.
Since the city is so spread out, we’ve tried our best to break it down into sub-regions that make sense. You can find the news, listings and events in your area by selecting that part of the city.

I know you've already subscribed to our RSS feed, so make sure you add Roofable's Feed to your reader. Now you should have plenty to keep you abreast with the Orlando happenings.

Tags: new, orlando, news, blog

Who doesn't love Orlando? Who doesn't love lists? Orlando, The City's Magazine put together a "Best Of" list for Orlando, and the list was compiled from locals - not the magazine editors. Take a look at the Best our city beautiful has to offer:

EAT AND DRINK

Best Atmosphere

1. Seasons 52
   436 East Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs [MAP]
   770 West Sand Lake Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. The Beacon
   The Sanctuary
   100 South Eola Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. K Restaurant
   2401 Edgewater Drive, Orlando [MAP]

Best Bakery

1. Charlie's Gourmet Pastries
   3213 Curry Ford Rd, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Panera Bread
   Locations Throughout Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Publix
   Locations Throughout Orlando [MAP]

Best Bar

1. Monkey Bar
   26 Wall Street, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Blue Martini
   4200 Conroy Road, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Bosendorfer Lounge
   Grand Bohemian Hotel
   325 South Orange Avenue, Orlando [MAP]

Best Brunch

1. The Beacon
   The Sanctuary
   100 South Eola Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Dexter's
   With three locations in Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Boheme
   Grand Bohemian Hotel
   325 South Orange Avenue, Orlando [MAP]

Best Burger

1. Back Yard Burger
   With three area locations [MAP]
   
2. Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries
   With three area locations [MAP]
   
3. Fuddruckers
   5250 International Drive, Orlando [MAP]

Best Caterer

1. Puff "N Stuff
   158 Lake Avenue, Maitland [MAP]
   
2. Absolute Catering
   12000 International Drive, Kissimmee
   
3. Arthur's Catering
   860 Sunshine Lane, Altamonte Springs [MAP]

Best Health Food Store

1. Whole Foods Market
   1989 Aloma avenue, Winter Park [MAP]
   
2. Fresh Market
   5000 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Orlando [MAP]
   995 North State Road 434, Altamonte Springs [MAP]
   
3. Chamberlin's Market and Cafe
   With six locations in Orlando [MAP]

Best Hotel Bar/Lounge

1. Bosendorfer Lounge
   Grand Bohemian Hotel
   325 South Orange Ave, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Velvet Lounge
   Hard Rock Hotel
   5800 Universal Boulevard, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Bar American
   Portofino Bay Hotel, Universal Orlando
   5601 Universal Boulevard, Orlando [MAP]

Best Ice Cream

1. Marble Slab Creamery
   With six locations in Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Twistee Treat
   With locations throughout Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Cold Stone Creamery
   With four area locations [MAP]

Best Lunch To Go

1. Pita Pit
   With three area locations [MAP]
   
2. (tie) Crispers
   With six area locations [MAP]
   Panera Bread
   With locations throughout Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Room 3-Nine
   39 North Orange Avenue, Orlando [MAP]

Best Outdoor Dining

1. The Beacon
   The Sanctuary
   100 South Eola Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. HUE
   629 East Central Avenue, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. (tie) Park Plaza Gardens
   319 South Park Avenue, Winter Park [MAP]
   Seasons 52
   463 East Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs [MAP]
   7700 West Sand Lake Road, Orlando [MAP]

Best Pizza

1. Antonio's Cafe and Deli
   611 South Orlando Avenue, Maitland [MAP]
   
2. Pisa Italian Pizza
   7058 West Colonial Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Anthony's Pizza Cafe
   100 North Summerlin Avenue, Orlando [MAP]

Best Restaurant in Winter Park

1. Luma on Park
   290 South Park Avenue, Winter Park [MAP]
   
2. Houston's
   215 South Orlando Avenue, Winter Park [MAP]
   
3. Park Plaza Gardens
   319 South Park Avenue, Winter Park [MAP]

Best Restaurant Downtown

1. Kres Chophouse and Lounge
   17 West Church Street, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. (tie) The Beacon
   The Sanctuary
   100 South Eola Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   HUE
   629 East Central Avenue, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Manuel's on the 28th
   390 North Orange Avenue, Orlando [MAP]

Best Restaurant on I-Drive

1. The Capital Grill
   Pointe Orlando
   9101 International Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Texas de Brazil
   5259 International Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Cafe Tu Tu Tango
   8625 International Drive, Orlando [MAP]

Best Restaurant on Restaurant Row

1. Roy's
   7760 West Sand Lake Road, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Seasons 52
   7700 West Sand Lake Road, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Christini's Ristorante Italiano
   7600 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Orlando [MAP]

Best Restaurant in Seminole County

1. Bonefish Grill
   1761 West State Road 434, Longwood [MAP]
   
2. Seasons 52
   436 East Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs [MAP]
   
3. Enzo's on the Lake
   1130 South Highway 17-92, Longwood [MAP]

Best Restaurant to Seal the Deal

1. Del Frisco's
   729 Lee Road, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Manuel's on the 28th
   Bank of America
   390 North Orange Avenue, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. The Beacon
   The Sanctuary
   100 South Eola Drive, Orlando [MAP]

Best Sports Bar

1. Tap Room at Dubsdread
   549 West Par Street, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Orlando Ale House
   With nine locations in Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Gator's Dockside
   With six locations in Orlando [MAP]

Best Specialty Foods Store

1. Fresh Market
   5000 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Orlando [MAP]
   995 North State Road 434, Altamonte Springs [MAP]
   
2. Whole Foods Market
   1989 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park [MAP]
   
3. (tie) Harmoni Market
   2305 Edgewater Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   Petty's Meats
   2141 West State Road 434, Longwood [MAP]

Best Supermarket

1. Publix
   With locations throughout Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Fresh Market
   5000 Dr. Phillips Boulevard, Orlando [MAP]
   995 North State Road 434, Altamonte Springs [MAP]
   
3. Whole Foods Market
   1989 Aloma Avenue, Winter Park [MAP]

Best Wine List

1. Seasons 52
   436 East Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs [MAP]
   770 West Sand Lake Road, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. The Venetian Room
   8101 World Center Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Old Vines Wine Merchants
   709 North Alafaya Trail, Orlando [MAP]

PERSONALITIES

Best Corporate Citizen

1. Harris Rosen
   
2. Clarence Otis
   
3. (tie) Dick Batchelor
   Tico Perez

Best Local Entertainer

1. Carrot Top
   
2. Jeff Howell
   
3. Michael Andrews

Best Local Politician

1. Teresa Jacobs
   
2. Buddy Dyer
   
3. Rich Crotty

Favorite Local Golfer

1. Tiger Woods
   
2. Lee Janzen
   
3. Arnold Palmer

Favorite Magic Player

1. Dwight Howard
   
2. Grant Hill
   
3. Bo Outlaw

Local Person You'd Like to Trade Jobs With

1. Buddy Dyer
   
2. Marla Weech
   
3. Tiger Woods

Person Who Best Exemplifies Orlando

1. Jim Phillips
   
2. Dennis Salvagio (The Fat Guy)
   
3. Toni Jennings

GOODS / SERVICES

Best Art Gallery

1. Q Gallery
   CityArts Factory
   29 South Orange Avenue, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Millenia Fine Arts
   555 South Lake Destiny Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Grand Bohemian Gallery
   Grand Bohemian Hotel
   325 South Orange Avenue, Orlando [MAP]

Best Audio Store

1. Absolute Sound
   862 South Orlando Avenue, Winter Park [MAP]
   360 Minnesota Avenue, Winter Park [MAP]
   
2. Sound Advice
   4835 East Colonial Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   1431 Sand Lake Road, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Best Buy
   With locations throughout Orlando [MAP]

Best Bicycle Store

1. Orange Cycle
   2204 Edgewater Drive, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Locomotion
   125 West Fairbanks Avenue, Winter Park [MAP]
   1776 Jake Street, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. David's World Cycle
   With four locations in Orlando [MAP]

Best Bookstore

1. (tie) Barnes and Noble
   With six locations in Orlando [MAP]
   Borders
   With five locations in Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Urban Think
   625 East Central Boulevard, Orlando [MAP]

Best Business Hotel

1. (tie) Grand Bohemian Hotel
   325 South Orange Avenue, Orlando [MAP]
   Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
   9300 Airport Boulevard, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center
   8701 World Center Drive, Orlando [MAP]

Best Day Spa

1. Ritz-Carlton Spa Orlando
   Grande Lakes
   4012 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. (tie) Canyon Ranch Spa
   Gaylord Palms
   6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee [MAP]
   Euro Day Spa and Salon
   800 Formosa Avenue, Orlando [MAP]

Best Gated Community

1. Isleworth
   Windermere [MAP]
   
2. Heathrow Woods
   Lake Mary [MAP]
   
3. Reserve at Belmere
   Windermere [MAP]

Best Golf Course (Private)

1. Isleworth Country Club
   9350 Conroy-Windermere Road, Windermere [MAP]
   
2. Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club and Lodge
   9000 Bay Hill Boulevard, Orlando [MAP]
   
3. Interlachen Country Club
   2245 Interlachen Court, Winter Park [MAP]

Best Golf Course (Public)

1. North Shore Golf Club
   11507 North Shore Golf Club Boulevard, Orlando [MAP]
   
2. ChampionsGate Golf Club
   1400 Masters Boulevard, ChampionsGate [MAP]
   
3. (tie) Dubsdread Golf Course
   549 West Par Street, Orlando [MAP]
   Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge
   16301 Phil Ritson Way, Winter Garden [MAP]

Best Hair Salon

1. Xander Blue Salon
   990 North State Road 434, Altamonte Springs [MAP]
   5232 Red Bug Lake Road, Winter Springs [MAP]
   
2. Garrett and Company
   301 Circle Drive, Maitland [MAP]
   
3. Kendall and Kendall
   339 South Park Avenue, Winter Park [MAP]

Best Mall