Earlier this week, the Orange County School Board approved a controversial salary package for teachers. Essentially, teachers have said it’s not enough. And while some members of the board agreed, the package was passed anyway with the board feeling like their hands were tied.

The salary package provides a slight pay raise (a whole $500 a year in addition to bonuses for “effective” and “highly effective” teachers) but the increase isn’t proportionate to the rising costs of living and health care in the area. A pay raise also means an increase in insurance costs.

Teachers showed up in droves wearing red t-shirts in opposition of the salary increase, but the school board passed it anyway because they were afraid of legal ramifications if they didn’t. This now puts the power in the teachers’ hands.

More than 14,000 Orange County public school teachers will put it to a vote next month. Even though the teachers have never voted down a proposal, it’s likely they will come the third week of July.

In other news…

This Sunday, celebrate 50 years since the Stonewall riots with a memorial and mass at St. Matthew’s Tavern. The memorial starts at 10:30 a.m. and mass is at noon. (Orlando Weekly)

Special beetles will be released in Orlando today to combat the spread of invasive Air Potato plants that alter whole habitats and displace native species. These creepy little critters survive on a diet wholly consisting of (you guessed it) Air Potato leaves. The Orlando Parks Department will be releasing a Volkswagen’s worth of them at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Turnbull and Commander Drives. (Bungalower)

The Hourglass District is converting an abandoned car wash into multiple specialty retail shops and adding a yet-to-be-announced restaurant. The intersection of Bumby and Curry Ford will be even more bustling once the project is completed. (The Daily City)

Here’s a list of the best food options at 11 of our local breweries. (Orlando Date Night Guide)

Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa has been a Mills 50 staple now for almost five years. It was the first of its kind in a neighborhood most widely-known for its Asian concepts, and owner Thomas Ward said that was intentional.

“Bringing in barbecue and tacos started changing the atmosphere and now it (Mills 50) has become kinda the restaurant row of the downtown Central Florida area,” said Thomas.

First gaining popularity with his food truck, Treehouse Truck, Thomas has been experimenting with flavor profiles and unique spins on sandwiches in Orlando for almost a decade. Whether it’s pulled pork you’re looking for, tacos or bahn mi, there is something for everyone at Pig Floyd’s. Or at least that’s the hope.

“Orlando is the mecca of chains. We were trying to translate a difference between bringing in different flavor profiles from different parts of the world. Like Cheesecake Factory has a menu item for every person, we are trying to achieve that with a much smaller menu,” Thomas said.

Some say it’s the best barbecue in town.

Feast your eyes on our full interview with Thomas here.

This is our second video in our Neighborhood Spotlight series on the Mills 50 neighborhood. Have a question about the area you’ve been dying to know? Something that’s on your mind? Send your Qs our way and we might answer one for you.

Consider this your invitation to our first-ever MORNING Monthly Meet-Up. Every month, we’re hosting a meetup to get a little face time with all the people that make Pulptown great, you. The best part, the event is free!

Last month, we gathered for cocktails at Frosty’s but this month, we’re changing it up and grabbing coffee at one of our favorite Orlando businesses.

Join us on Tuesday, July 16th from 8-10 am at The Heavy. Let us know you’re coming here!

Before we go, here’s a short list of things to do this weekend:

• Shop Retromended’s $5 dollar sale today
• Tomorrow, grab the kids and some supportive friends and head to Florida Miracle’s Dance-a-thon happening at ORMC
• Then attend the afternoon matinee performance of Three Stories at Timucua.
• Save some energy for Sunday and cheer on our Pride to a victory over the Chicago Red Stars.

Enjoy your weekend, Orlando.

We’ll see you on Monday!

— Pulptown