I originally had plans to share what I’ve learned about where Orlando ranks for cost of living of the 75 largest cities in the country (it’s #32, for those interested), but when I think about the prompt above, “What Orlando is talking about”, there’s really only one thing — and it’s Dorian.

In yesterday’s newsletter, we shared with you a list of things to know for pet-owners, where to get free sandbags, how to monitor power outages, who to call about school closures, and what’s up with flights in and out of MCO.

On Facebook, we shared this list of national hotel chains that allow your pets if you decide to evacuate. There’s another hotel group locally doing the same, at a discounted rate and free of a pet fee (thanks, Mr. Rosen). Rates are as low as $59 a night.

This write-up by the Orlando Sentinel gives you the 4-1-1 on construction, SunRail’s hours, and whether or not tolls will be suspended due to the storm. (Not yet, waiting on whether Gov. DeSantis’ orders an evacuation.)

The state has activated its price gouging hotline and declared a state of emergency to secure federal aid.

Another important update we received was regarding what happens to our homeless neighbors during Hurricane Dorian. We learned that four homeless shelters will add capacity to serve the hundreds of unsheltered humans. Because most are also disconnected from communication, it’s important that we alert them to seek shelter as the storm approaches.

Here are the four shelters:

Coalition for the Homeless, 18 North Terry Ave., Orlando; Phone: 407.872.5790

Salvation Army, Men: 624 Lexington Avenue, Orlando; Women and Children: 400 West Colonial Drive, Orlando; Phone: 407.423.8581 Ext 26480

Orlando Union Rescue Mission: Men: (ALERT: New Location) 3300 W. Colonial Dr. Orlando; Women and Children, 1525 W. Washington St., Orlando; Phone: 407.423.2131

Rescue Outreach Mission, 1701 Historic Goldsboro Blvd. Sanford, FL; Phone: 407.321.8224

For what it’s worth, homeless shelters are under a tremendous added burden during natural disasters. An in-kind or cash donation could make all the difference. Central Florida Commission on Homelessness created a fund for this exact reason.

In other news … 

Orlando commuters spent an average of 57 hours stuck in traffic in 2017. According to the 2019 Urban Mobility Report by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, said traffic cost the region a total of $1.1 billion, costing $1,007 on average per commuter nationwide. (Orlando Business Journal)

In other things that make you go whoa, this rendering of 32 floors of the proposed hotel, retail and office space coming to downtown Orlando in place of the Orchid Garden and Church Street Station. (The Daily City)

In more hurricane news …

If you are riding Dorian out here this weekend, perhaps you’ll want to stay dry inside and head to the annual Sunburst Showcase of Celebrity Impersonators. Where else can you see Barack Obama, Marilyn Monroe, and Colonel Sanders? (Orlando Weekly)

On the other hand, if something crazy happens and Dorian runs off course, here’s a lineup of things to do around town for the laziest Labor Day Weekend ever. (Orlando Date Night Guide)

But if celebrity impersonators and outdoor activities don’t fit your fancy, there’s always this auction for $600,000 worth of unclaimed property from all over Florida. (ABC)

We’re back with another question from our readers about Central Florida’s affordable housing crisis. We told you that you could ask us anything related to housing and that we’d do our best to find the answer for you.

So far, we’ve answered Ashley Z.’s burning questions about accessory dwelling units and their purpose in helping ease affordable housing, and last week, we answered Nancy C.’s question about landlords and increases on property taxes.

Today, we’re answering Sherri C.’s query: “Why can’t housing costs across the board all be lowered? Say about 25%?”

While in theory, yes, Sherri, that sounds like the most sensible option, the truth is, it can’t be done. We asked Mark Brewer, CEO of Central Florida Foundation, why and he said in the most layman’s terms that “the housing market is governed by the free market and is not regulated. So unfortunately, as long as demand supports renting and selling housing at a higher rate, that will be the market.”

Next week, we’ll be breaking down the Sadowski Fund and why and how it’s raided year after year. But in the meantime, if you have a question about affordable housing, we’d love to hear it — just fill out this form.

Check out our previous posts on why finding housing is such a big deal in Orlando, 5 staggering facts about affordable housing right here in Central Florida, and what to do when your landlord increases your rent.

Sponsored by Central Florida Foundation

So we DO have some feel good news today after all! Dana from The Dinner Party Project reached out about its upcoming five year anniversary party at the newly renovated EO Inn on Lake Eola. She said she’d be willing to open up 10 more seats at the party exclusively for Pulptown readers.

If you want ’em, you just have to be one of the first ten to a) follow @_thedinnerpartyproject_ and @eoinnorlando on Instagram (follow us too while you’re at it) and b) refer one friend to Pulptown using this unique link: https://pulp.town/invitation/*|UNIQID|*/?campaign=117297.

That’s it, and that’s all. Easy peasy.

Good luck!

Just a quick reminder that there will be no newsletter on Monday because we were originally going to be celebrating Labor Day with the rest of you, now we might just be eating our feelings in peanut butter.

On a more personal note, we (Katie, Kayla and Kelsey here locally and our whole WherebyUs family) hope that you’ll be playing it safe and are finalizing your hurricane plans today.

We’ll be taking your questions over the weekend about what’s going on with the storm, whether it’s who has water, gas, finding a friendly neighbor with a generator, you name it — we’re not afraid to ask it. Just drop us a line.

In the meantime, we encourage you to follow your neighborhood Facebook pages, sign up for NextDoor if you haven’t already, entertain yourselves with Reddit r/Orlando threads, and get to know your neighbors — you might need them. Lastly, give WFTV’s Tom Terry and Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore a follow.

Stay safe out there, Orlando.

— Pulptown