Orlando News By Bill Jones

SNOW IN ORLANDO? – Yes! Light flurries fell overnight Nov. 21.  Ditto during Jan. 2003 and solid snow fell in Jan.
1989. When temps hit the 30’s, we can see snow in FL.

CHRISTMAS – Shoppers in Central Florida may set records for this season! One of the main reasons may be our advice that buyers will see tons of “specials”, even
before Thanksgiving Day. Stores open at 5am also.

WARNING – 12 million could fall prey to ID theft during this holiday shopping time, so be careful.  This includes the expected 50% who will use the Web (Nov. 15-Jan. 1).

SLOW SALES – The national housing sales totals showed a definite 3rd quarter ’06 dip in 38 states including Florida, Nevada, Arizona and California, the key states that reflected a 12.7% drop in sales. 2007? Better by April.

HEALTHFUL FARE – If you like health-conscious food at airports, a nonprofit group has surveyed 13 of the busiest U.S. terminals and Orlando is the big winner, liked by 97% of the restaurant’s reviews.

BTW (By The Way) – Orlando Int’l Airport is the busiest in all of Florida, handling 35 million travelers a year!!

#1 AND #2 – Southwest Airlines flew more people (8.7 million passengers) in August ’06, topping American Airlines 8.5 million.  American included 2 million international travelers while Southwest flies only in the U.S. Southwest has carried the most domestic passengers since 2003.

FISH? – Red Lobster & Boston’s Fish; scroll near the end.

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING – “The art of buying things that people don’t need with money you don’t have.” 

RUDENESS? – Yes, it’s true. Current foreign visitors don’t like how they are treated at U.S. airports.  However, 74% of those who visited the USA in the past 5 years said “we felt extremely favorable about the United States.”  What gets kind comments are the attractions in Florida, especially Orlando.     

POLITICS 2008 – Florida is thinking of moving its March presidential primary closer to the Jan. 22 New Hampshire first-in-the-nation primary.  Trouble is, Nevada caucuses may be wedged between Iowa’s Jan. 14 caucuses and the South Carolina primary on Jan. 29.  No decision yet.

EVENTS, ETC. – Dec. 7th is the 65th Pearl Harbor Rememberance. Dec. 21st Winter Begins. Dec. 29th Champs Sports Bowl Game, Citrus Bowl, Orlando.* Jan. 1st Annual Citrus Bowl Classic Game, Orlando* on ABC-TV -- *Note that Orlando is the only major city holding 2 college football championship games every holiday season.   

HO, HO, HO – If you’d like some snow, then it’s off you go to: Celebration, FL (near Disney World).  It snows every night here so bring the kids.   

BE CAREFUL – This is the busiest travel time of the year and Central Florida is the busiest travel area, whether you go by bus, train, car, or monorail…...relax and enjoy.

BIS-EE!  -- Thanksgiving Sunday, Nov. 26, some 107,000 travelers passed through Orlando Int’l Airport, busiest in Florida.  Inspections kept the lines moving.

QUIP – Florida’s 4 Seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, not Summer but warm, and Christmas.  So, enjoy! 

EL NINO – Coming late this year, it ruined Atlantic storm predictions (we’re happy about this).  Result?  The 2006 storm season had the fewest named storms since 1997. The fewest named storms to hit landfall was in 2001.

WHAT’S COMING? – We’ve been told watch for a colder Winter up the East Coast into New England (Old Farmer’s Almanac); however, the national weather bureau says we will get cold weather, but mostly in spurts.  El Nino will reach its peak around Christmastime and fizzle by Spring ’07. This could lead to an active hurricane season in ’07.

NEW DOLLARS – Gold coins that is. Washington, Madison, Adams, Jefferson will be the first four minted in the first quarter of 2007, and subsequent $1 coins will be issued each year in the future.

STORM SEASON – It’s here, no matter where you live including here in Central Florida, the lightning capitol  of the U.S.  Strikes zap consumers of billions so check and/or replace your surge protectors to protect your possessions.

QUIP – “Happy Holly-Days from all of us to all of you!”

NOTE – "Orlando News" is not responsible for any typographical errors in news or advertising content.

We Wish You a Safe, Happy Holiday!! –   Bill Jones, editor; Collin Yeadon, chief tech; Roger Alan, features.