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😷 How you can help these local mask-makers reach the million mark
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😷 How you can help these local mask-makers reach the million mark

Wherever you find yourselves this week, hope you’re as happy as can be and are staying safe out there. | Thanks for the message and for the tag, @pulseofcfl. Want to see your photo here? Tag us on Instagram to be featured in our IG photo of the day.

What Orlando is talking about

Big television networks are joining the fight to help pay court-ordered costs for former felons. MTV, VH1, and Comedy Central said Friday that they’d collectively be giving $250,000 to the “Fees and Fines” fund created by the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. (Orlando Weekly)

There’s a free virtual college scholarship forum for students happening tomorrow courtesy of the local nonprofit ELEVATE Orlando and the United Negro College Fund. It’s an opportunity for future college students and parents to learn more about potential financial assistance and how to apply for scholarships among other things. Students will also be able to virtually meet college reps from across the country. (ELEVATE)

The Florida Cabinet is meeting again tomorrow for the first time since May 28 when they met virtually. And there’s a lot to discuss; the cabinet hasn’t met in person since Feb. 4.  (Orlando Weekly)

Motorworks Brewing is opening this week in the old Orange County Brewers space on Orange Ave. The brewery and taproom open Wednesday at 12 p.m. with 24 beers on draft, a full liquor and wine bar, and vegetarian-friendly dishes. (Bungalower)

Remember Sister Hazel? They’re putting on a drive-in concert at Central Florida Fairgrounds next month. You can belt “Champagne High” and “All For You” while FaceTiming your college bestie. Tickets start at $149 for a group of four per vehicle. (Orlando Weekly)

There’s another cool Halloween experience heading to Orlando next month. The Orlando Forum, a dinner-theater concept on I-Drive, is getting a Halloween makeover to become the “Forum of Fear” during October. In addition to a Halloween-themed dinner, there will also be a creepy maze attraction for those of you brave enough to do it. (Orlando Weekly)

In COVID-19 news… 

📊 By the numbers, the Florida Department of Health reported Sunday:

  • 2,521 new positive coronavirus cases
  • 2,272 people hospitalized in Florida
  • Nine new fatalities due to COVID-19, totaling 13,296 statewide since March
  • The positivity rate was 4.64% yesterday according to FDOH, but that’s for new cases only. For all cases including retests of those previously infected, the latest positivity rate is 6.23%
  • Florida ranks third in the country for COVID-19 infections behind California and Texas
  • From Sunday to Sunday, Florida saw 19,760 new cases, 1,156 newly reported hospitalizations, and 688 newly reported deaths in state health department data.

UCF is enforcing random COVID-19 testing starting this week. The school will start with 100 Greek life students and plans to cover all costs of the testing.

Isn’t she beautiful? | You could win this print from local photographer Steven Madow by doing one thing... 👇

Help Us Help You 😶→😁

This week, Pulptown members have a chance to win the above stunning print of Lake Eola from local photographer and all-around badass Steven Madow. Just for being a member.

Hey, it could be you. What’re you waiting on? Join our membership program for $8 a month to help us keep the lights on but also to participate in our member-only giveaways. Because there’s a lot more where that came from. 👆

Look at these beauties made by our local chapter of the Million Mask Challenge. The group's mission is to create masks and connect people that have masks, supplies, donors/sponsors, and organizations that need masks.

Locals to know: Meet the Orlandoans behind the Million Mask Challenge

Many, many moons ago — like back in March when we were just a few weeks into lockdown and all hell broke loose still motivated enough to do yoga classes at home, read new books and join one too many calls on HouseParty— one Orlandoan bought a sewing machine and started making masks for folks on the frontline who were lacking PPP.

Andrea Ruiz-Hays said it was when she saw this video that she knew she too could make a difference. She heard about the national Million Masks Challenge group, a grassroots volunteer-based team with a mission of providing handmade masks to communities and service organizations, and started her own here locally. It’s now the largest chapter and has provided more than 850,000 face masks to people across the country.

Along the way, Andrea recruited the help of 1,800 people from around the world who’ve sewn anywhere from 20 to 6,000 masks. She also landed a partnership with 26 Health, a local community health organization helping the group sell and distribute mask-making kits through its website.

Vanessa Raya-Loomie has been a major muscle in the movement: sewing masks, buying fabric, organizing drop-offs, and managing orders. Vanessa said the group currently has mask requests from multiple Orange County and Seminole County public schools, mostly elementary. And they’re focusing on Title 1 schools where the poverty percentage is 65 percent or higher. So far, 20 schools are confirmed and their needs range from 100 to 800 masks PER SCHOOL. Vanessa’s looking for volunteers to help deliver the masks. If you’re interested, join the FB group and let ’em know.

I asked Andrea and Vanessa what happens once they’ve sewn their millionth mask. The answer? They’ll keep going for as long as the demand is there. 💪

What can you do to help? 1) Buy a mask-making kit. Each kit contains enough fabric and elastic to make 25 masks. 2) Buy an “I wear my mask for you” pin. The profits from the pin go directly to buy materials for masks. These pins are especially great for people who work in the hospitality industry and are having to constantly remind customers to wear theirs. 😉 3) Spread the word. Know a seamstress? Or someone needing some community? The group is a great way to cure isolation. Just ask Barbara H.“I found working with this group a very grounding experience amidst all the chaos. Helping is a great enjoyable focal point.” 4) Donate. You can either donate to the movement directly through its GoFundMe or donate through the 26Health site which is designated as a 501(c)3.

Speaking of masks, check out these other local mask-makers: Dawn Alterations, Neon Cowboys (their masks are next-level fun), Lemesto Art, Bahaari, Orlando Face Mask Strong (you’ll recognize some of their designs from a collaboration with Rifle Paper Co.), Jennifer Lynn Brown (a furloughed Disney seamstress who’s made 4,000 masks from her home), and Orlando artist Ben Van Beusekom whose couture masks will be on display at City Arts in mid-September.

And these mask necklace makers (so you don’t lose your masks): Buddy Beads Boutique (Hey, we featured them on Monday!)  and my dear friend Brie who is making necklaces under the name Bizzy Brie on Etsy.

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Today

🗣 Tune in to the city of Orlando's budget hearing numero dos (Online)

🗣 Attend today's City Council meeting at 2 p.m. (Online)

🗣 Through tomorrow Join the conversation on antiracism and cultural bias in the art world in this virtual workshop (Online)

☮️ Through Thursday It's Global Peace Week — learn how to cultivate positive peace practices at this virtual conference (Online)

Tomorrow

🗣 Join the conversation on addressing racial inequity in our schools (Online)

🗳 It's National Voter Registration Day! Reach out to your friends and encourage them to register to vote if they haven't already (Online)

🛶 Celebrate National Hobbit Day in full hobbit garb and go for a sunset paddle (Winter Park)

Wednesday

🗳 Talk about the US Census and voting rights with Rep. Anna V. Eskamani (Online)

🗣 PARTNER Hear from Central Florida thought leaders about how they use data to drive business (Online) (Partner)

☮️ Enjoy a playful outdoor yoga sesh followed by food, drinks, and music — and don't forget your mask (Thornton Park)

🗣 Get informed for Hispanic Heritage Month and attend this virtual workshop to learn more about the challenges our local Hispanic community is facing (Online)

🛶 Go for a midweek sunrise paddle of Lake Ivanhoe (Ivanhoe)

☮️ Head to Camping World Stadium for a socially distanced yoga sweat sesh (West Lakes)

Thursday

🚀 Pack a lunch and buckle in for this lunch and learn on astronaut and local legend John Young (Online)

🍷 Nobody puts Baby in the corner, but you can put her in your car, kinda — watch "Dirty Dancing" at this week's drive-in at Swirlery Wine Bar (SoDo)

🍿 Watch "Aladdin" on the big screen in the park. RSVPs are encouraged to reserve your socially distanced space (Winter Park)

Friday

🎃 Through Oct. 31 Get in the Halloween spirit at this drive-through haunted experience (Kissimmee)

👻 Through Oct. 31 It's a family affair at this year's Goblins & Giggles Ghost Experience at Gaylord Palms (Kissimmee)

🎃 Through Oct. 31 Don't miss opening night of The Haunted Road, Central Florida's drive-through Halloween experience (Econlockhatchee)

🎃 Through Oct. 31 We're full of Halloween surprises this year — check out "Scream n' Steam", a drive-through Halloween experience (Kissimmee)

🎃 Every Friday & Saturday through Oct. 31 Take a drive for this haunted maze filled with hundreds of ghost stories (Groveland)

Saturday

🍁 Celebrate Fall with apple cider doughnuts, pumpkins and sunflowers at Southern Hill Farms (Clermont)

🎶 Music-lovers, it's Record Store Day round ✌️ at Park Ave CDs. See what's dropping today 👉 (Winter Park)

🇩🇪 Get in the Oktoberfest spirit at Aardvark (SoDo)

🇩🇪 Prost! Celebrate Oktoberfest at Sideward Brewing, masks and social distancing required (Milk District)

Sunday

🛶 Paddle, but with a purpose — help clean up Lake Ivanhoe (Ivanhoe)

🍩 Who makes Orlando's best doughnut? You be the judge. Check out this Doughnut (and beer) fest at Orlando Brewing (SoDo)

One last thing...

Tomorrow is the last day of summer… have you completed the Pulptown Summer 2020 Bucket List? Let me know what you’ve got left to do by leaving a comment on this Instagram post.

And thanks for reading to the bottom. Don’t think I didn’t notice. 💘

‘Til we meet again on Wednesday,

– ✌️ Katie at Pulptown

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