"From the beginning of their ownership of the Magic franchise, the vision of Mr. and Mrs. DeVos was for the Magic to serve as a platform to improve our great city, and through the leadership of the DeVos family, giving to our community in whatever way possible has always been a focal point in all that we do as an organization."

- Alex Martins, CEO

Orlando Magic

Around The Horn.

• Through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation, the Magic are once again distributing $1 million in grants to Central Florida nonprofit organizations. The first set of grants totaling $370,000 will be distributed in surprise visits this month to 10 groups in Orange and Seminole counties assisting at-risk youth in the area.
• Lake Mary capped the 2022-23 school year with stellar spring sports performances and is a repeat winner of the Varsity Cup, which goes annually to the most successful all-sports program among nearly 80 schools in the Orlando Sentinel coverage area. The repeat championship means the Rams join perennial contender Winter Park as only the second school to defend and retain the trophy, which rotates to the winning school each year.
• When UCF started fall football camp last week, Coach Gus Malzahn wanted to focus on setting the standard. This week was about establishing physical and mental toughness, which featured the added element of record heat and humidity, driving the “feels like” temperatures into the triple digits throughout much of the Central Florida area. Malzahn said his team ran 94 plays during their nearly two-hour event, with much of the time dedicated to situational schemes.
• The Orlando Magic announced they will face the Brooklyn Nets on the road Nov. 14 in the NBA’s first in-season tournament, a new annual competition for all 30 clubs that will debut this regular season. The tournament, which will have group play and knockout rounds, will tip off Nov. 3 in NBA markets and culminate with the semifinals Dec. 7 and championship Dec. 9 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
• Preseason high school football Kickoff Classic games this week include showdowns between teams that advanced deep in the FHSAA playoffs last season. Jones High hosts Tampa Jesuit in a matchup of Class 3 Metro state semifinalists Friday at 7 p.m. at Camping World Stadium.
• Greater Orlando Sports Commission will host our 5th annual Celebrating Women in Sports luncheon presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute on Wednesday, September 13 at UCF's Addition Financial Arena. This year's featured speaker is Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the first ever women's Olympic marathon at the 1984 games in Los Angeles, and pioneer of women's marathoning. To purchase a table and inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Michael Kalinich. Click here to purchase individual tickets.

In The News.

• Universal Orlando wants visitors to ride its new Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast over and over again. In Minion Blast’s storyline, park-goers vie to become part of the Vicious 6, animated supervillains seen in last year’s “Minions: The Rise of Gru” animated film. Visitors show off chaos-causing skills by firing handheld E-liminator blasters toward big-screen target while standing on a winding moving sidewalk.
• The Caribe Royale Orlando Resort is set to undergo yet another expansion of its convention area as part of a larger reimagining that has totaled more than $150 million in new amenities.
• Luis Garcia has been named president of Senseily, a learning management startup founded by Jacques Fu, the former chief technology officer and co-founder of Orlando unicorn Stax Payments. Garcia is an established presence in digital learning, an early adopter and leader who launched Full Sail University’s online degree programs in 2007, thereby doubling the school’s roster of degree-seeking students in about two-and-a-half years. 
• The new City Beautiful Cafe has opened in the 1,912-square-foot restaurant space on the first floor of Orlando's City Hall. The new concept, from Bem Bom's AJ Campofiore, includes a mix of breakfast and lunch options including sandwiches, salads and more.
• Amazon is so eager to get its first test satellites for its Project Kuiper internet constellation up into space that it has decided to switch rides again. The two satellites are now scheduled to lift off on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket as early as Sept. 26 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 41, according to officials with both ULA and Amazon.
• Orlando’s downtown autonomous shuttle will be named the Swan Shuttle and is due to hit the streets of Creative Village later this month. The bus route is along Garland Avenue, Amelia Street, Terry Avenue and Livingston Street on what is LYMMO’s normal Orange Route. Buses will arrive every eight minutes or so while operating in off-peak hours, with the entire route taking about 15 minutes.
• The Orange County Library System has rolled out a new mobile book service this month. The Book Bike will be making the rounds at outreach events all month, including the upcoming 2023 Kids and Family Expo at the Orange County Convention Center.
• The City of Orlando will officially break ground on a new pocket park on the northeastern corner of Central Boulevard and Rosalind Avenue. The new park will soon feature large sidewalks, updated lighting, benches, shade trees, and native landscaping, once it is complete later this fall.

Stay Engaged.

• Join Mayor Dyer and representatives from Orlando's Citizen Advisory Boards on Wednesday, August 30 at 5:30 p.m. at The Monroe for a Boards and Brews event to learn how you can make an impact by serving on a city board. As board members, residents contribute to the policy-making process, offering valuable input and review of city programs. Registration is required. Click here for more information or to begin an application to serve on a City of Orlando Advisory Board or Commission. 
• Unleash your inner artist at Art in the Heart: Paint & Sip event at CityArts on Wednesday, August 23. This will be a perfect mid-week pick-me-up full of creativity, drinks, and delectable bites. With expert guidance, you'll create a masterpiece all while enjoying a lively atmosphere and meet new friends in the downtown Orlando community. Tickets are $35 and include lite bites, two drink tickets and all the art supplies needed.
• With the new school year right around the corner, it is time to register for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s 2023-24 School Fishing Club Program. This annual educational program focuses on teaching youth anglers about best fishing practices to help ensure the future of fishing in Florida. The deadline for submitting applications is Sept. 15.
• Volunteer to keep the Heart of Orlando Clean and Green! On Sunday, September 10, join City District Main Street and their community partners as they work together to pick up litter and remove graffiti in downtown Orlando. Volunteers will receive FREE tickets to an Orlando Magic preseason game!
• Universal Passholder Appreciation Days are back on Aug. 15 - Sept. 30, 2023. Includes over six weeks of exclusive offers, special events, discounts, Passholder opportunities and more. 
• The Creative City Project  is bringing two new immersive installations to Leu Gardens fall, from the end of September. The group responsible for the past few years of “Dazzling Nights” at the city-run botanical garden will be hosting “Happy Frights” and “Haunting Nights” from September 29-October 31 this year featuring fall-inspired encounters and scares.
• Country Thunder is coming back on October 20-22, 2023! Keith Urban, Hardy and Cody Johnson headline three days of non-stop music and fun! Other artists include: Parker McCollum, Kip Moore, Lonestar, Parmalee, Jo Dee Messina, Megan Moroney, Tracy Byrd, Shane Profitt, Kip Moore, Hailey Whitters, Josh Ross, & The Reklaws. Check out the full lineup here!
• SeaWorld Orlando is again offering an extended Fun Card deal. Buyers now get unlimited visits to the theme park for the rest of 2023 and all of 2024. The price is $131.99. A version also includes admission to the Aquatica water park through the end of 2024, and it sells for $189.99.
• Florida Residents can save up to $65 on select multi-day tickets at Universal Orlando theme parks when buying online. Click here for current offers.
• Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.

In The Community.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Senior VP Brent Nelson attended the CFHLA's UCF Area Hoteliers Luncheon.

GO Sports Senior Director Kyle Sturley and Executive VP Jennifer Lastik visited with SeaWorld Government Relations executive Sarah Nemes during the NCAA's DII Festival site visit stop at SeaWorld last week.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended a recent Alzheimer's Association Fundraiser, pictured here with GO Sports contributor George Diaz.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel visited with Tampa Bay Buccaneers President & COO Brian Ford at the Bucs' Training Camp last week.

New Corporate Partner.

For more information, visit

www.mearstransportation.com

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.



• Space Coast Launch Schedule
• Pictures: Universal's New Minion Land
• Orlando Magic License Plate