9.2008 - Peg Cover Story - Come Out and Play

8/14/2019 9.2008 - Peg Cover Story - Come Out and Play

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Beyond the high-spirited estivities at UCFs Homecoming lies a genuine excuse or a vacation(even i you still live in O-town). So, pack your comest ootwear and sneak away or a un-lled trip.

Most mosquitoes are on sabbatical, and the weather is mighty nice.

By Sarah Sekula, 00 Photos by John Deeb, 01


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SEPTEM

BERfOCTOBER

2008

GA-GA FOR GREEk!Taverna Opa(9101 International Drive; 407.351.8660;

opaorlando.com) is the place or breaking plates, dodging

conetti-style napkins and sampling tasty dishes like the smash-

it-yoursel garbanzo beans appetizer. Just as impressive: the

garlic-marinated chicken kabobs and Santorini shrimp. Better

yet, the energy o this eatery will have you dancing in your

seat or or the more adventurous on the table. Aterward,

hit B.B. Kings Blues Club or unky jazz, just a ew steps away.

HuLA LIkE A FOOL-AHA Polynesian-style east is in ull swing as the Royal Pacic

Resort plays host to hula dancers, re eaters and hungryguests each Tuesday and Saturday night at the Wantilan Luau

(6300 Hollywood Way; 407.503.3463). The overfowing buet

begins with an array o starters including tropical ruits

garnished with papaya-seed mint dressing and an Ahi tuna

poke salad.Big appetites can east on guava barbecue bee short

ribs and top it o with the dessert extravaganza $29 or

children and $52 or adults, which includes wine, beer and

Mai Tais. Reservations are required.

A DIVINE FEASTCornbread muns with maple butter. Breakast potatoes.

Cheese-lled tortellini. Need we say more? Nosh your way

through the heavenly Sunday buet at the House of BluesGospel Brunch (1490 E. Buena Vista Drive; 407.934.BLUE;

hob.com) while harmonizing with the boisterous singers.

And head back or dessert a ew times. The homemade

ruit cobbler and banana bread pudding will have you singing

hosannas all or $33.50 or adults and $17.25 or children

ages 3 to 9.

FLYING HIGH

Uh, you can hang glide without mountains? Sure you can,according to the fying experts at Wallaby Ranch (1805

Deen Still Road, Davenport; 800.WALLABY; wallaby.com).

Its called aerotowing think launching upward 2,000 eet

then gliding nose rst out o the sky while wrapped up like a

human burrito. This old arm-turned-hang-gliding paradise

is equal parts thrilling and amily riendly. (And a bargain

at $120 per lesson to fy!) Ater your high-altitude rolic,

try hammock lounging, trampoline bouncing or bungee

slinging a story in itsel.

ZIG ZAGGING ITThe Orlando Watersports Complex (8615 Florida Rock Road;

407.251.3100; orlandowatersports.com), known by locals asO-Dub, has two cableways that allow you to ski or wakeboard

without a boat. The advanced slider park, complete with a

Nessy-shaped unbox, encourages more reckless abandon.

Even wakeboarding pros like Adam Errington and Dallas

Friday (yes, thats her real name) train here. This highly

adrenalized day will have you geeked about wakeboarding

or weeks unless you do a ew too many ace-plants. Then,

youll justeel like a geek. An all-day pass or adults is $40

and $36 or children.

MELLOW PLuNGEBeore you hit the water at DeLeon Springs State Park

(601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd., DeLeon Springs; 386.985.4212;foridastateparks.org/deleonsprings), load up on carbs at the

Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill & Griddle House an all-day

breakast joint inside the park where you cook fapjacks at

your table. From there, hop into the 72-degree water or a

9 -mile jaunt via kayak, canoe or paddle boat. I you still have

energy, trek the trails. Note: Turkey, deer and gators traverse

these pathways, too. With 18,000 acres o lakes and marshes

to explore, its easy to keep busy. The dicult part is leaving!

Especially since the entrance ee is only $5 a car.

BitesandBrouhaha

THE REEL DEALWhat you wont nd at the

Enzian Theater(1300 S. Orlando Ave.,

Maitland; 407.629.0054; enzian.org) aresticky foors, scary restrooms or a sub-par

snack bar. What you will nd is quite

the opposite independent lms paired

with gourmet eats including a Florida

rock shrimp sandwich, vegetable tempura

and pineapple beignets (New Orleans-

style doughnuts). Post-movie watching,

scope out a seat on the patio or a Cadillac

Margarita or a Mojito. Two thumbs up!

i e plag a tp t Cetal Fla t watch the Kght ch sthe m th nvebe, ave e te t exple cap, t. Wth thcbe bapwe the ete Pegasus ta a the al wh epe t ve, weve e p a atteg cle-tha-cl thgt keep b. y kw the bv e de, seaWl a uveal. nw let ge t the ecpc pt. se cea avete; the the the l.

fDEnotEs Alumni-oWnED or Alumni-mAnAgED AttrActions

LivingontheEdge

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THE GREAT INDOORSAiguille Rock Climbing Center (999 Charles St., Longwood;

407.332.1430; aiguille.com) will have you singing the Spider-Man

theme song and scaling the walls like a superhero. The giant ware-

house, packed with pastel-colored climbing suraces shaped like arcs,

clis and domes, looks like a giant jungle gym. But dont be ooled; it

oers up huge thrills or both tykes and the adult set. The bouldering

cave encourages upside-down eats, and the climbing routes range

rom easy to ludicrous. Hows that or boredom-bashing? And just

$21.50 or a ull day. Rock on!

MOTHER NATuRE: FuLL THROTTLEGatorland(14501 S. Orange Blossom Trail; 800.393.5297; gatorland.com)is part Old-Florida charm, part wild spectacle. The thrills are constant

with Gator Wrestlin and Gator Jumparoo (aka a eeding renzy) shows.

And be sure to visit the parks pair o Cuban crocodiles, aptly named Lucy

and Ricardo. But dont let the reptilian moniker throw you o. In addition

to gators, youll nd boa constrictors, American famingoes and bears.

[Beore Aiguille,]Id never sweatedso much rommoving so little. ERIC MICHAEL, 94

TEA TIMEDandelion Communitea Caf(618 N. Thornton Ave.;

407.362.1864; dandelioncommunitea.com) stands out in

more ways than one. Outside: Its neon green with an herb

garden, patio and nearby yoga studio. Inside: Its hand-

painted chairs, tented ceiling and eclectic people galore.

Best o all: This popular spot is part o Co-Op America

so everythings organic and much o it is local. The

ca is amous or delicious eats, like the Fluer Nutter

Sandwich, Henrys Hearty Chili and Morockin Mint tea,

and its super drum beats.

I like the organic concept at Dandelion [CommuniteaCa] and always leave there eeling inspired to createsimple positive changes in my lie. ANN TAYLOR, 03

Im totally addicted to Tijuana Flats fautas. Pair themwith one o the sweet and spicy hot sauces rom the hotsauce bar, and you have a tiny slice o oodie heaven.

REBECCA SWAIN, 01

ARTS ALIVEDowntown Orlando has gone mod with the opening oCityArts Factory

(29 S. Orange. Ave.; 407.648.7060; cityartsactory.com). Eachsidewalk-

acing gallery boasts its own unique fair. But the No. 1 highlight o your

visit may be an encounter with dredlocked, ree-spirited Charles Keila.

Drop by to watch him at work or take a shot at it yoursel. He teaches the

nicky process o glass blowing though mini-workshops ranging rom

$55 to $65.

TEx-MEx AT ITS bESTAmong the cobblestone streets and bungalow-style homes in ritzy

Thornton Park is a hot sauce that evokes heart palpitations. Beyond thegigantic burritos at Tijuana Flats(8 N. Summerlin Ave.; 407.649-8063;

tijuanafats.com), its amous hot bar eatures 12 rotating sauces

ranging rom sissy Key Lime Hot Sauce to death-wish Daves Gourmet

Insanity Sauce. Keep in mind: the hotter the sauce, the better the

bragging rights. Or visit the site near UCF where Brian Wheeler, 95,

transormed his business class project into the very rst Tijuana Flats

(7608 University Blvd.; 407.673.2456).

DoItUpDowntown

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SEPTEM

BERfOCTOBER

2008

GET YOuR CRuISE ONThe lakes are so charming, its no wonder all types ancy

the Winter Park Scenic Boat Ride(312 E. Morse Blvd.;

407.644.4056; scenicboattours.com). Glide by towering cypress,

tropical birds and magnicent mansions, including the resi-

dence o a ormer world champion whistler. The hour-long,

o-the-beaten-path tour is $10 or adults and $5 or children

ages 2 to 11.

A SPA-ING WE WILL GOThe 20,000-square-oot Canyon Ranch Spa(6000 W. Osceola

Parkway; 407.586.4772; gaylordpalms.com/spa) earns every

one o its our stars. Begin with a Zen-like stone massage

where lucky limbs are slathered with oil and heated basalt

stones are strategically placed to promote circulation and

relaxation. Aterward, take your renewed energy to a tai chi

class or sign up or a nutrition session. With a price range o

$20 to $260, this spa is not a sumptuous experience reserved

only or the well heeled. Relax; you have no excuse.

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TreatYourself

OH-SO-CHICGet your ashion x at Florida Mall(8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail; 407.851.6255; simon.com) an

upscale shopping Mecca where drool-worthy stores range rom Nordstrom to Apple. With 273 stores-

worth o retail therapy, surely youll add a little fourish to your wardrobe. Not your cup o tea? Try

hanging 10 at Adrenalina, an extreme sports retail store that houses simulated waves, or eat your

way through M&Ms World. At the end o the day, sleep sweetly at The Florida Hotel and Conerence

Center attached to the mall.

MONDAY, NOV. 3

Movie knightuCF Refecting Pond, 7 p.m.Bg law cha a blaket a ce t tcap t e a FrEE ve b the refectg P.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5

Homecoming Gol TornamentThe Villas o Grand Cypress Gol Cl7:30 a.m. Registration; 8 a.m. Shotgn startGab clb a ze uCF al a e at e the laget (a t !) gl taet Cetal Fla.Ct $110 uCF Al Acat ebe a $135 -ebe. Pce cle age ball, cat, gee ee, actetal beakat g egtat a a awa lche.Hle php ae al avalable $750 a cle plae, a hle php g a ecgt Pegasus a atthe taet.

FRIDAY, NOV. 7

blac and Gold DayEverywhere, all day!dt be h Pcla chl pt b weag black a

gl atte t wk, t the tw wheeve a be.(de p k a pet t!) j tha ellw uCFal a we beak awa ta ah te a pt aqe tle ve w!

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PLANTS, PASTRIES AND PESTOSAny given Saturday youll nd resh-cut fowers, arm-resh veggies and

resh ground coee at the Winter Park Farmers Market(Corner o Lyman

and New York avenues; 407.599.3358). The market housed around a

weathered train depot is completely outdoors, just a stones throw rom

Park Avenue shopping, and completely FREE to explore. With 16,000 square

eet o armers are, youll work up an appetite aster than you can sip a

gourmet soup, scar down a savory crepe or gulp resh-squeezed lemonade.

MADRE OF ALL GARDENSThis 50-acre botanical garden is Orlandos equivalent to The Secret Garden:

a maze bursting with color and unusual greenery. At Leu Gardens(1920 N.

Forest Ave.; 407.246.2620; leugardens.org), take a guided tour o the south-

ern-styled grounds, chill at a concert or just run amok through the giant

bamboo stalks, hyper-manicured lawns and Camellias (the worlds largest

collection).Better yet, its location on the shores o Lake Rowena aords a

tting view o the sunset. It doesnt get any better or a meager $7 or adults

and $2 or children, or totally FREE on Mondays rom 9 a.m. to noon.

Leu Gardens is the best-kept secret in Orlando. MITCH VARNES, 85

JAW-DROPPING ARTArtsy olks fock to UCFs Art Gallery (UCF Visual Arts Building, Room

117; 407.823.3161; art.uc.edu). UCF art proessors will exhibit their work

Nov. 8 rom 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Did we mention, its FREE (as in zip, zero,

zilch) and guided tours are available? The best part is: Youre not being

graded anymore. No need to kiss up.

Free(orSuperDuperCheap)

FRIDAY, NOV. 7 (cte)

blac & Gold GalauCF Arena, 6:30 p.m.Celebate the acheveet uCF al wh have reache the staat th awa baqet. The eveg cle a ccktal ecept (peba) 6:30-7:30 p.. a a t-w e a elghtll elegatatphee clg a let a a lve act t beet the uCF Alschlahp Tt F. de ccktal tle wth black a gl beg thepeee cl. Ct $60 uCF Al Acat ebe a $70 -ebe. Cpate table php ca be pchae $750 acle a table 10, a table g, ecgt the pga a ecg-t Pegasus agaze.

blac and Gold TaeoverWall Street Plaza, 10 p.m.2 a.m.Wea bet black a gl a ola et a we take vee uCF httet vee the ght bee Hecg tballgae. uCF Al Acat ebe t hw the ebehpca t eceve ee a t Wall steet. Pleae ete thgh theWatk etace Ct steet. Thee wll al be a uCF al hp-talt tet wth k pecal avalable. All al ebe ae welce!(Hte b the yg Al Clb.)

SATuRDAY, NOV. 8

Homecoming ParadeuCF Camps, 10 a.m.stake t pt alg the paae te Ge Bleva uCF -cap Hecg paae. o machg Kght a ptepaae patcpat wll eteta evee k t gapaet.

Pregame PartyFAIRWINDSAlmni Center, 122 p.m.j ellw al a pegae eal beatl, a-cteblg. Ct $10 al acat ebe a GKC ebea $45 all the.

Homecoming Footall GameuCF bright Hose Networs Stadim, 3:30 p.m.Chee uCF Kght a the take sthe m.

title sponsors

presentinG sponsor


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ICE, ICE, SLuSHYFor the uninitiated,Jeremiahs Original Italian Ice (12271

University Blvd.; 407.277.7769; jeremiahsice.com) serves up

40 favors o homemade sot-serve ice cream and Italian ice.

Some o the most mouth-watering include Tangy Green Apple,

P-NUTTY and Scoop Froggy Frog (a delectable mint chocolate

chip). I that wasnt sweet enough, combine the two treats

to orm a hold on, wait or it Jeremiahs Gelati. Pure

genius! For the love o lactose, pay this place a visit.

OLD-SCHOOL FAVEWackadoos Grub & Brew (UCF Student Union; 407.282.1900;

wackadoos.com) keeps it real with a simple menu o tasty

eats mainly deli-style sandwiches, wings and burgers.

The most amous, o course, is the Fat Ass variety, a hal-pound o bee served with ries or coleslaw ($5.19). Ater you

chow down and admire all the UCF photos encased in the

tabletops, bust a move on the Dance Dance Revolution stage,

play a round o pool or catch ootball highlights on the big-

screen. Linger awhile; maybe youll gure out what the heck

a Wackadoo is.

bODACIOuS bLuESThis nook o a spot pays tribute to two things beer

and music. Underground Bluz (12261 University Blvd.;

407.482.4141; uc.undergroundbluz.com) oers Belgian ales,

English stouts and little known American microbrews, includ-

ing hometown avorite Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale. Not to

mention, there are some serious crooners rocking this joint,

including up-and-coming blues stars. The weird thing: This

place moppy tunes and all actually leaves you eeling

pretty content.

ITS Ok TO bE LAZYLazy Moon (12269 University Blvd.; 407-658-2396;eatdrink-

andbelazy.com) is the local pick or pizza, where slices are

the size o your ace. Get a Boxcar Willy (a slice o pizza anda PBR, $3.50) and mooch the ree WiFi. Whats even bigger

than the hety portions is the behemoth selection o brews-

kies starting with wheat varieties and rounding out with

specialties. Its the perect night out, especially i productivity

isnt your style.

At Lazy Moon, you can get a slice o pizza the size o yourace with two toppings and a drink or less than $6. DD ROTHMAN, 06

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SEPTEM

BERfOCTOBER

2008

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