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EPIC THEATRES POSTPONES OPENING IN MOUNT DORA

4/26/2018

UPDATE: Epic Theatres opened it's doors on May 4.

It caused some hearts to sink along with heavy sighs of disappointment.

Epic Theatres’ long-awaited opening today in Mount Dora didn’t happen. Instead of cars spilling in and out of the parking lot, the 50,000 square-foot venue sat largely empty. The 12-screen multiplex had its opening postponed due to the contractor finishing work for life safety permits and others, according to Lisa McDonald, the City of Mount Dora spokesperson. cShe stated once the work is complete, the contractor and owner will request complete final reviews from City inspectors.

A new date is expected to be set in the near future.

The $10 million project was built on the land between Target and Walmart and features 1,400 reclining seats, beer and wine, two extra-large screens, optional reserved seats and an enhanced concession menu. Tickets will be available online for movie-goers’ convenience.

The new opening date will be posted on Mount Dora Buzz as soon as it’s available.

For more events and news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Find out what's happening locally with just a tap on your phone by downloading the area's free mobile app. Monthly issues of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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NBC'S "TODAY SHOW" TO FEATURE MOUNT DORA STORY

4/23/2018

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ABOVE: NBC'S Kerry Sanders interviews Nemhauser and Jastrzebski.

UPDATE 4/24: To see the Today Show segment that aired today, click here

Last Thursday was almost a day like any other in the Jastrzebski/Nemhauser household, until a popular national news correspondent and his crew rolled in. Soon the Mount Dora family’s great room was transformed into a bustling studio for an on-camera interview.

National correspondent Kerry Sanders and his NBC News crew had arrived to cover van Gogh Gate--the family’s constitutional fight against the City to keep a mural depicting a local artist’s interpretation of the famous “Starry Night” painting.

ABOVE: Sanders interviews artist Richard Barrenchea front of portion of mural.

After heavy regional media coverage, it was a only a matter of time before the David-and-Goliath story gained national exposure. Sanders and his crew spent over four hours at the home, shooting the mural and setting up equipment for a sit-down interview with the homeowners. The news crew also reached out to neighbors, the City, and the artist for comments. The end result will likely be a one-minute-and-forty-second segment to air during tomorrow’s popular “Today Show” at approximately 7:50 a.m. Depending on the volume of news, the segment could get rescheduled or aired again during other NBC News programming.

ABOVE: Kerry Sanders (right) poses with Nemhauser (left).

The saga began almost a year ago when the homeowners, Lubek Jastrzebski and Nancy Nemhauser, were issued a Notice of Violation for graffiti after the mural was painted on their exterior wall. This puzzled the homeowners, who had previously inquired with city officials whether permission was needed before beginning the painting. Nemhauser was reportedly told no approvals were needed, which aligns with the fact that Mount Dora has no codes that address murals or house paint colors in residential neighborhoods. Months later, the city dropped the graffiti violation and instead deemed the mural a signage violation.

Eventually, the city government levied steep fines against the homeowners and that’s when a constitutional watchdog organization, Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), stepped in to represent the family. The group has a track record of winning the cases it has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and has since won an injunction against the city. PLF has vowed to proceed to the highest court for adjudication if needed.

For more local news and events, sign up for the free monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz here and follow Mount Dora Buzz on Facebook.

For more news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here

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EPIC THEATRES PLANS APRIL 26 OPENING IN MOUNT DORA

4/11/2018

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The excitement is palpable. When Epic Theatres announced in 2016 it was planning a state-of-the-art multiplex in Mount Dora, movie-lovers waited anxiously, with every passing month seeming like an eternity.

Epic announced that giddy movie enthusiasts are expected to be in the seats at the 12-screen multiplex starting April 26. Tickets for opening night will be available on or before April 24.

The 50,000 square-foot project is located on the land between Target and Walmart. The $10 million facility will feature 1,400 reclining seats, beer and wine, two extra-large 70-foot curved screens, optional reserved seats and an enhanced concession menu.

Tickets for opening night and other show times will be available here.

For more local entertainment news and more, sign up for the free monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz here. For other local events and news, follow Mount Dora Buzz on Facebook.

For more news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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MOUNT DORA BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL RETURNS APRIL 28-29

4/11/2018

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Take your pick or try it all. At this month’s Mount Dora Blueberry Festival, visitors can choose from a variety of foods made from fresh local blueberries.

Now in its fourth year, the free downtown festival runs April 28-29 and celebrates the growing agricultural importance of blueberries to Central Florida.

The event kicks off with a blueberry pancake breakfast on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. hosted by IHOP. Tickets are $4.50 for children and $7 for adults. The two-day event also features a pie-eating contest, blueberry wine and craft beer, blueberry plants, plus live music and craft vendors.

Kids and adults are invited to participate in the Blueberry Pie-Eating Contest at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Participation is free, but competitors must register at the information booth by 1 p.m.

Mount Dora Blueberry Festival runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Free parking shuttles are available at will run every 10 minutes from the free public park-and -ride lots on 5th Street between Grandview and Tremain (across from the Methodist church), the public lot at 925 East 1st Street (across from First Baptist Church) and the parking lot on Liberty Avenue at Highland Street.

If you can’t make the festival, but love blueberries, check out the guide to local u-pick blueberry farms.

For more events and news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Sign up for free issues of Mount Dora Buzz are available here. Find out what's happening locally with just a tap on your phone by downloading the area's free mobile app.

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ADVENTURE COVE RE-OPENS IN MOUNT DORA

4/1/2018

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In its day, it was one of the few family entertainment venues in North Lake County. Tucked off U.S. Highway 441, Adventure Cove was all but abandoned 5 years after the business was put on the market and subsequently shuttered. To no one’s surprise, deferred maintenance began to pile up.

Fast forward to November of last year when Roy Jones Jr. and his partner, Anthony Tran, stepped up to buy the business. A life-long Lake County resident, Jones said he took on the challenge because the area needed more activities for younger kids.

“Everything that was green was five years overgrown.” said Jones referring to the condition of the landscaping. After weeks of repairs and deep cleaning, the 18-hole course re-opened on March 16.

A downed plane serves as the course’s focal point, along with bridges and water features that add to the challenge. The family attraction will soon offer birthday party packages and miniature golf tournaments, as well as scavenger hunts.

Adventure Cove is located at 4900 Lake Park Court in Mount Dora. Admission for children is $8.99, adults are $11.99 and seniors are $9.99. Adventure Cove is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

For more local business openings and events, follow Mount Dora Buzz on Facebook. For more news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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MOUNT DORA'S EPIC THEATRES OPENS APRIL 26

4/1/2018

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The excitement is palpable. When Epic Theatres announced in 2016 it was planning a state-of-the-art multiplex in Mount Dora, movie-lovers waited anxiously, with every passing month seeming like an eternity.

Epic announced giddy movie enthusiasts will be in the seats at the 12-screen multiplex starting April 26.

The 50,000 square-foot project is being erected on the land between Target and Walmart. It will feature 1,400 reclining seats, beer and wine, two extra-large screens, optional reserved seats and an enhanced concession menu.

Epic expects to hire between 30-50 employees, depending on the season, to staff the $10 million project.

Get more updates on the theater as they become available on Mount Dora Buzz' Facebook page.

For more events and news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, click here. Find out what's happening locally with just a tap on your phone by downloading the area's free mobile app. Monthly issues of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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THE CURTAIN CLOSES ON MOUNT DORA'S "MOVIE IN THE PARK"

4/1/2018

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It’s been a city tradition for years. On the second Friday of every month, families trekked
to downtown’s Donnelly Park with folding chairs and picnic blankets in hand. At dusk, movie-goers would sit on the grassy hill to enjoy a free, family movie under the stars.

That tradition recently came to a quiet close. As attendance to the event dwindled in recent months, the City of Mount Dora sought to find a better use of its resources. Now “pop-up” movies will replace the regular monthly screenings. The first event is planned for the end of June at the Lincoln Avenue Swimming Pool, and three more will be scheduled for the remainder of the year. The locations and movie titles are still being determined.

Stay tuned to the Mount Dora Buzz calendar for movie dates and times.

Get more local events at Mount Dora Buzz on Facebook. For more news in Mount Dora, Tavares & Eustis, download the area's free mobile app. Free subscriptions to the monthly issue of Mount Dora Buzz are available here.

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Arts & Entertainment

EPIC THEATRES POSTPONES OPENING IN MOUNT DORA

NBC'S "TODAY SHOW" TO FEATURE MOUNT DORA STORY

EPIC THEATRES PLANS APRIL 26 OPENING IN MOUNT DORA

MOUNT DORA BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL RETURNS APRIL 28-29

ADVENTURE COVE RE-OPENS IN MOUNT DORA

MOUNT DORA'S EPIC THEATRES OPENS APRIL 26

THE CURTAIN CLOSES ON MOUNT DORA'S "MOVIE IN THE PARK"

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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