Bring on the popcorn Mount Dora!

After a meeting last night, it appears Epic Theatres will finally be a reality in Mount Dora in 2016.   The meeting cleared the way for construction to begin at the site between Target and Walmart after title to the land is transferred to Epic and building permits are pulled, now expected next month.

The Mount Dora Planning and Zoning Board voted tonight to grant the multiplex cinema a variance on a retaining wall land codes stipulated be built around the retention pond Epic was to build to accommodate stormwater runoff from the parking lot and building.  

Walls are a common zoning separation between commercial and residential properties, however Epic's attorney Derek Schroth presented the pond itself was an adequate separation buffer, with the Mount Dora Zoning Board citizen members agreeing.

The building of the theater has been the subject of much anticipation.  Currently,  local residents must travel to Leesburg or Apopka to view new movies on the big screen.

A special report submitted by Mount Dora News LLC

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Mount Dora's holiday traditions have been around for years.  However, this year local elves started a new one.

The Tipsy Elf Bar Crawl was conceived by local performing artist, David Oliver Willis, to help a local charity while bringing awareness to all Mount Dora's nightlife has to offer.  It will no doubt be a fun night out during the crazy hustle and bustle of the Christmas season.

The night will consist of best dressed elf contests, raffles, giveaways, incredible drink specials, photo booth and of course, fun memories.  Proceeds of the tickets sales will benefit Lake Cares Food Pantry.

At the time of publication, participating businesses include: The Lost Parrot, One Flight Up, PizzAmore, Maggies Attic, Norm's Palette, Pisces Rising, Fiesta Grande, Streat Corner, Magical Meat Boutique and McGreggors.  More bars are expected to sign on prior to event. 

Remember, have a designated driver and never drink and drive.   You can call one of these local companies for a ride:
Uber (yes, there is a local car!)
 Johnny's Ride Service 352-602-5867 
Triangle Cab (352) 589-4222
Central Taxi (352) 383-RIDE
Tri-City Cab  (352) 589-4222

For tickets to the Tipsy Elf Crawl, click here 

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Fans of improv and the unexpected will have some fun Tuesday, December 15.  There will be no scripts, no actors and no safety net, according to the organizers of "Audio Games". 

Audience members at Bay Street Theatre in Eustis will press 'play' at the same time and then do whatever the narrator commands.  The event will start promptly at 6:30, so the doors will open at 6pm. At one point the event will transition to another nearby location where players can purchase food and drinks. 

Although the event isn't affiliated with "Improv Everywhere", a New York City-based prank collective, it was inspired by one of their events.   'Improv Everywhere' was created in 2001 and describes itself as causing scenes of chaos and joy in public places.  It reportedly has executed over a hundred events involving tens of thousands of participants.

Admission to Audio Games is free,  however players are encouraged to make a donation to the Amazing Race for Charity.  Anyone 12 and up can attend.  

The event was organized by Tim Totten, the playful mastermind behind the Amazing Race for Charity, and Byron Faudie, the owner of  Photobooths by eSportsPhoto.com

Bay Street Theatre is located at 109 N. Bay Street in dowtown, Eustis.  Call Tim Totten at 352-242-8111 with questions.

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Santa is covering a lot of ground this week to tour Mount Dora neighborhoods and enlisted the help of Mount Dora Police Department.   If you here lots of sirens in the area, watch for Santa and his motorcade.

Mrs. Claus reports Santa loves Christmas in Mount Dora, so his 2015 tour schedule covers a lot of the city.  As a result, his arrival times can be unpredictable, but his elves assured Mount Dora Buzz that it's always worth any wait that might occur.  

Click here to see video of Santa and his motorcade.

Here is Santa's Mount Dora schedule:

December 8 Route, starting at 5:30

1. Alexander St. to 4th Ave. (stop @ dancing tree)
2. 3rd Ave. to Donnelly St.
3. Donnelly St. to Donnelly Pk. (stop @Donnelly Pk.)
4. Donnelly St. to 11th Ave.
5.   11th Ave. to Normandy Dr.
6.   Normandy Dr. to Old Eustis Rd.
7. Old Eustis Rd. to Dogwood Cr.
8. Dogwood Cr. to Overlook Dr.
9. Overlook to 11th Ave.
10. Old US Hwy. 441 to Lake Center Dr.
11. Lake Center Dr. to Hammock Oaks (loop Through)
12. Lake Center to Eudora Rd.
13. Eudora Rd. to Spring Harbor Blvd. (loop through)
14. Spring Harbor Blvd. to Eudora Rd.
15. Eudora Rd. to WalMart entrance (stop @ WalMart)
16. Walmart to Target (stop @ Target)
17. Target to Headquarters

 
December 9 Route, starting at 5:30pm

1. Lincoln Ave. to Wardell St.
2. Wardell St. to Grant Ave.
3. Grant Ave. to Hackett St.
4. Hackett St. to Jackson Ave.
5. Jackson Ave. to Wardell St.
6. Wardell St. to Pine Ave.
7. Pine Ave. to Grandview St.
8. Grandview St. to Lincoln Ave.
9. Lincoln Ave. to Donnelly St.
10. Donnelly St. to 11th Ave.
11. Alexander St. to 4th Ave. (stop @ dancing tree)
12. 3rd Ave. to Donnelly St.
13. Donnelly St. to Donnelly Pk. (stop @Donnelly Pk.)
14. Donnelly St. to 11th Ave.
15. 11th Ave. to Unser St.
16. Unser St. to 9th Ave.
17. 9th Ave. to Highland St.
18. Highland St. to 5th Ave.
19. 5th Ave. to Lake Franklin Dr.
20. Lake Franklin to 1st Ave.
21. 1st Ave. to Simpson St.
22. Simpson St. to 5th Ave.
23. 5th Ave. to Liberty Ave.
24. Liberty Ave. to Wardell St.
25. Wardell St. to Cobble Ln. (loop through)
26. Cobble Ln. to Wardell St.
27. Wardell St. to Dorset Dr. (loop through)
28. Dorset Dr. and loop back to Wardell St.
29. Wardell St. to Mountclair Ct. (loop through)
30. Wardell St. to Clara Morris Ave.
31. Clara Morris Ave. to Rossiter St.
32. Rossiter St. to Camp Ave.
33. Camp Ave. to Highland St.
34. Highland St. to Lakeview Ave.
35. Lakeview Ave. to Clayton St.
36. Clayton St. to Chautauqua Dr. (loop through)
37. Chautauqua Dr. to Clayton St.
38. Clayton St. to Johns Ave.
39. Johns Ave. to Grandview St.
40. Grandview St. to Liberty Ave.
41. Liberty Ave. to Clayton St.
42. Clayton St. to 5th Ave.
43. 5th Ave. to Grandview St.
44. Grandview St. to High Point Dr. (loop through)
45. High Point Dr. to Liberty Ave.
46. Liberty Ave. to Tremain St.
47. Charles Ave. to Donnelly St.
48. Donnelly St. to Donnelly Pk. (stop, time permitting)

December 10 Route, starting at 5:30pm

1. Alexander St. to 3rd Ave.
2. 3rd Ave. to Donnelly St.

1. Donnelly St. to Donnelly Pk. (stop @ Donnelly Pk.)
2. Donnelly St. to Limit Ave.
3. Limit Ave to Bristol Lks. (loop through Bristol Lks.)
4. Bristol Lakes to US 441
5. US 441 to NDA (loop through)
6. US 441 to CCMD entrance
7. Due to high demand for the tour, we will travel down the main boulevard to St. Andrews Way
8. Turn right on US441 (FD)
9. US 441 to Loch Leven Landing (loop through)
10. Loch Leven Landing to SR44
11. SR44 to Meadenhall Blvd. (loop through Lancaster)
12. Meadenhall Blvd. to SR44
13. SR44 to SR44
14. SR44 to Lakes of Mount Dora (loop through LOMD)

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Click here to see video of Santa's local tours