The program shows Dr. Phillips Charities’ commitment to investing in organizations that intend to strengthen community and create opportunities for Central Florida residents. Since the program’s launch, 30 microgrants, totaling $150,000, have been given to local nonprofits with annual operating budgets of $2 million or less. 

The 2024 winners of the Dr. P. Phillips Legacy Microgrant Program award of $5,000.
(COURTESY OF DR. PHILLIPS CENTER)

Eligibility is available to those who work in the “giving areas” of Arts & Culture, Children & Youth, Education, Health, and Social Services. Priority is given to organizations that lower pressures economically on low-income or ALICE families (asset limited, income constrained, employed). It is also important for eligibility that through this work, they create lasting community impact.

While $5,000 may not seem impact-worthy, the grants have proved to often be catalysts for smaller nonprofits needing to expand. For example, a previous Legacy Microgrant enabled the Mental Health Association of Central Florida to upgrade technology for its Connections Referral Program. This improved uninsured Central Floridians’ access to mental health services. 

The deadline to apply is Aug. 7, 2026. Applications and program details are available at DrPhillips.org/apply-for-grants-11.

The post Applications open for the 2026 Dr. P. Phillips Legacy Microgrant Program first appeared on The Community Paper.

Joshua-Paul Estabalaya joins Nick on this episode of the Community Podcast. They discuss some upcoming events and stories including:

Wednesday, July 22

Help Us Dream the Future of Jubilee Tea Garden – A Community Vision Session
6 – 8 p.m.
Spiral Circle Bookstore & More

Friday, July 24

Stellar Nights feat. Country laser light show
10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Orlando Science Center

Saturday, July 25

Stellar Nights feat. Grateful Dead laser light show
10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Orlando Science Center

Christmas in July Market
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Tap Room at Dubsdread

RECENT STORIES

• • My grandmother couldn’t have wished for better timing

• • Millie’s Swedish Candy Co. celebrates grand opening of first brick-and-mortar location

• • Filipino food, Filipino music, Filipino dance: Kaya hosts fifth annual Filipino Freedom Fest

• • LibTech Desk, two libraries shutter as employees laid off unexpectedly

The post The Community Podcast for July 21, 2026 first appeared on The Community Paper.

For years now, the city has offered digital options for drivers through the ParkMobile app. Allowing for remote extensions of parking time, card payment options and digital receipts, ParkMobile will be the only option for drivers. The app also offers up to two hours of free parking with the code ParkDTO.

(NICK GEORGOUDIOU)

According to a press release from the city, the transition is intended to reduce maintenance costs, improve accessibility and create a more efficient parking system.

Phase one of the plan begins in SoDo and the Orlando Health area, with phase two continuing into South Eola and phase three converting the remaining metered locations between Colonial Drive and Anderson Street, as well as Garland and Rosalind avenues.

The post Orlando begins parking meter removal first appeared on The Community Paper.

These recipients were selected through the 2026–2027 Individual Artist Awards, where a volunteer panel of community leaders and arts professionals sifted through over 100 applications to find the winners. 

“Local artists help tell the authentic stories of who we are as a region,” said Jennifer Evins, president and CEO of United Arts of Central Florida. “This year’s Individual Artist Awards support projects that preserve culture, strengthen communities, encourage dialogue, and invite people of all backgrounds to experience the arts in meaningful ways. We are proud to invest in these talented creatives whose work will enrich Central Florida for years to come.” 

(COURTESY OF UNITED ARTS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA)

This year’s projects zero in on the community and are hoping to drive engagement as they invite residents to participate in workshops, performances, exhibitions, and collaborative artmaking. 

Nicora Gangi Manwaring, a Lake County artist and one of the winners, shared how she plans to use the award.

“The Individual Arts Award will enable me to explore through painting Lake County’s accessible lakes at dawn and dusk, revealing their distinctive character through the changing light and atmosphere,” Gangi said, according to UnitedArtsCFl.org. “These discoveries will be shared through exhibitions and educational programs for participants in Vibrant and Healthy West Orange and the Mount Dora Center for the Arts.” 

To see where the projects will be posted, visit ArtsInOrlando.com.

The post United Arts of Central Florida gives the arts community hope first appeared on The Community Paper.

(JOSHUA-PAUL ESTABALAYA)

The capsule, buried at Lake Eola Park, contained an array of items that characterized Orlando in 1976, when the city’s chapter of the Kiwanis Club put it underground.

Because the country was celebrating its bicentennial in 1976, one item was a plaque commemorating the occasion. Others included a letter from the Kiwanis Club’s president at the time to the organization’s current president; a proclamation by then Mayor Carl Langford; a bicentennial-commemorative license plate; cassette reels; a map of Central Florida; a flyer advertising theater productions at the Florida Technical University, now known as UCF; and a phone book that lists the area code as 305 rather than 407.

A flyer advertising theater productions by the Florida Technical University, now known as UCF, was part of the contents of a 50-year-old time capsule buried in Lake Eola Park and unsealed on June 29 at City Hall’s rotunda. (JOSHUA-PAUL ESTABALAYA)

A somewhat-damaged proclamation by then Mayor Carl Langford was among the contents of a 50-year-old time capsule buried in Lake Eola Park and unsealed on June 29 at City Hall’s rotunda. (JOSHUA-PAUL ESTABALAYA)

“This time capsule is a bridge to what our city was like 50 years ago,” the mayor said during the event, adding that he graduated from high school in 1976. Dyer also said that since 1976, Orlando’s population has more than doubled, growing from 116,000 residents to 340,000.

Matt Kelly, current president of the Kiwanis Club, said the time capsule was discovered as renovations were underway at Lake Eola Park.

Ashley Papagni, one of Orlando’s public information managers, said in an email that the capsule was found more than a decade ago.

Matt Kelly (third from left), president of the Kiwanis Club of Orlando, reads a letter from his 1976 predecessor. The letter was part of a time capsule buried in Lake Eola Park 50 years ago and unsealed in City Hall’s rotunda on June 29. (JOSHUA-PAUL ESTABALAYA)

“There wasn’t any actual corporate knowledge with the Kiwanis Club of Orlando [or] with anybody that was involved [about] what this was,” Kelly added. “And through some good searches on Google, [we] figured out this is a time capsule.”

With the bicentennial time capsule opened, Kelly said that the Kiwanis Club should bury another capsule to be opened at the country’s tricentennial.

Papagni said in another email that city workers are still reviewing the time capsule’s contents. Although the contents might become viewable to the public, Papagni said the city doesn’t have plans to display them as of yet.

The post Fifty-year-old time capsule celebrating America’s 200th birthday opened at City Hall first appeared on The Community Paper.

The winners of this contest, one dog and one cat, will not only have their name featured on the 2026 My Best Friend Rescue Red Wine, but they will also have a short story on the pet as well. The animals that make the top 10 will receive some “pawsome” prizes.

(COURTESY OF PET ALLIANCE)

“Every pet has a story worth celebrating, and the My Best Friend Wine Label Contest gives our community the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the furry family members they love, while helping pets who are still waiting for their furever homes,” said Pet Alliance Interim Executive Director Lindsay Framstead. “The winning dogs and cats earn a place on a wine bottle, but every participant is making a meaningful difference by supporting the lifesaving care, shelter and resources Pet Alliance provides to animals in need.”   

(COURTESY OF PET ALLIANCE)

These contests have raised $450,000 for the nonprofit and have helped them almost reach their goal of $15 million for fundraising. With $169,672 more, they will be able to reach that goal and build a new Orlando shelter. 

The contest is open through July 19. Voting will begin July 20 and run through Aug. 2, 2026. A dollar must be donated with each vote. Entries can be submitted to GoGoPhotoContest.com/mybestfriend.

The post Pet Alliance looks for picture perfect in their 13th annual My Best Friend Wine Label Contest first appeared on The Community Paper.

[See image gallery at www.yourcommunitypaper.com]  

The post Photo Gallery: Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current, July 10, 2026 first appeared on The Community Paper.

These events, however, are not only exclusive to children or just confined to reading. At the Orlando Public Library on July 2, the “America 250 Tea Talk: Remarkable Ladies” event explained women’s leadership roles in the Revolutionary War. 

(S.T. CARDINAL)

For those looking for a creative outlet, rather than a historical one, there was an “AFOL (Adult Fans of LEGO) Building Session” at Washington Park on July 11. There, fans brought their Lego sets and built them alongside others who were enthused about the brand.

Who doesn’t love free clothing? There was a Reboot Boutique at Eatonville on July 9, where there was fun and, most importantly, a shopping trip. 

If the struggle with the stove has always been real, then check in with Chef Yamira Lee Johnson from “Breaking Bread with Mira.” This virtual session will be Wednesday, July 15, at 6 p.m. Chef Yamira will teach how to cook a tasty meal without the stove.  

Looking for a camp adventure? Visit the Library’s “campfire” at Eatonville on Saturday, July 25, at 11:00 a.m. and Washington Park on Monday, July 27, at 11:00 a.m. for their “Fireside Tales — A Campy Read-in: Golden Hour Seniors.”

There is a plethora of more events in this month of July, most of which require registration.

To register, go to OCLS.org/classes-events/.

The post Orange County Library System rolls out events for July first appeared on The Community Paper.

(SABRINA HANSEN)

An event I was able to attend was Eco Trivia night on July 8 at The Neighbors Orlando. I joined a team, and we were then quizzed on facts about Florida’s environment. The event was lively with a healthy turnout, and I certainly learned things I had not known before, like how the state bird is a Northern Mockingbird.

(SABRINA HANSEN)

There are still more events to come, like a sewing workshop that takes place every Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Orlando Science Center. Guests will be taught how to sew using upcycled T-shirts and reusable tote bags. 

On July 15, Southern Orlando will be cleaned up with Rep. Anna Eskamani. Anyone can RSVP, and the event will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

On July 17, there will be a refill happy hour where they will be teaching how to refill shampoos, laundry powder and more at Lufka Refillable Zero Waste Store. The first 50 guests who bring their own containers will get a free refill up to $10.

That Saturday, July 18, will host two events both at the same time of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. One is a cleanup opportunity at Eagle Nest Park where volunteers will help with a litter cleanup. The other is a movie viewing at Ten10 Brewing Company where they will be showing “Everglades Symphony of Life.”

To register or volunteer for these events visit the city’s Keep Orlando Beautiful Events listing on Orlando.gov.

The post Keep Orlando Beautiful kicks off Plastic Free July first appeared on The Community Paper.

“This beautiful renovation is proof of what can happen when a community shares a vision,” said Winter Park Mayor Sheila DiCiccio. “Donors believed in it. Orange County invested in it. They believed in it. Together we created something that will serve our community for decades to come.”

Winter Park Playhouse staff, donors and local officials help cut the ribbon on July 7. (NICK GEORGOUDIOU)

DiCiccio added that the Playhouse brings in more than $2 million to the local economy annually.

The City of Winter Park and Winter Park Playhouse teamed up in 2024 to apply for an $8 million Tourist Development Tax grant. With the addition of individual donors, that funding allowed the Playhouse to not only remodel its facility but also to acquire the property as well.

Construction began last November, but the Playhouse didn’t miss its season. Five musicals and other events were performed at Orlando Shakes while renovations occurred. 

“In the past 25 years, we’ve successfully produced 135 main stage musicals, 171 cabarets, 56 special events and eight new musical festivals, which is an international festival known around the world,” said Heather Alexander, executive director of the Playhouse. “We believe that art matters. We are not an exclusive theater. We are an inclusive community gathering space.”

Next up at the new space is a sold-out grand opening gala on July 17, then the ’26–’27 season kicks off Aug. 6 with the opening of “Never Can Say Goodbye: The ’70s Beehive Musical.”

The post Winter Park Playhouse opens new facility first appeared on The Community Paper.