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Hearts of Gold

They range in age from 12 to 89. They include a computer store owner and a pro golfer, a concert booker and a radio personality, a college student and a middle schooler, among others. They help children and veterans, arts organizations and hospitals, the hungry, the homeless, the helpless. They live among us and inspire by example. They are 11 local people with “hearts of gold” who give back to this community in so many ways.

One Hit Wonder

But what a hit Jeanie Linders’ play, Menopause the Musical, has been since its debut in Orlando 10 years ago. The show inspired by a hot flash has changed Linders’ formerly hard-luck life, yielding wealth, love and good will.

Joseph Hayes’ Best in Dining

Our dining critic selects his favorites for 2010 in 25 categories that range from Indian to Italian, barbecue to burgers, seafood to sandwiches to schnitzel. (And wait till you see his pick for pizza!)

Center of Attention

The $480 million Amway Center makes a bold statement about Orlando’s big-city aspirations and gives downtown gravitational pull.

Alan Grayson Isn't Taking Any Crap From Anyone

You Got a Problem With That? The GOP and its bloc of supporters do, setting up a fight over the progressive Democrat’s re-election bid. But the congressman from Florida’s 8th District thinks he just may be the ‘lunatic’ voters are looking for.

Best of Orlando

The favorites of our readers in 85 categories, ranging from best restaurant for atmosphere to best bicycle store to best nail salon. As we do every year, we awarded the “Best of” designation based on total votes in each category. New to the list this year are short features on some of the winners, so you’ll know, for example, just who the heck Eric Eisnaugle is and how IKEA got its name.

Almost Dead in the Water

His legs shredded by a boat propeller, Nate Winters nearly died on Lake Maitland in 2008. After losing his left leg and undergoing numerous surgeries to save his right foot, the teenager still held out hope of playing baseball again. This spring, Nate made his comeback as a pitcher for Winter Park High.

2010 Dining Hall of Fame

Orlando magazine honors two chef-owners, a waiter and an oyster bar as Dining Hall of Fame inductees. The Dining Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and establishments with lasting ties to the local dining scene.

Running on Her Reputation

Teresa Jacobs’ frequent battles against the status quo as an Orange County commissioner proved she could fight. Now a candidate for county mayor, Jacobs is determined to show she can lead too. By Sean Holton

Daily Specials

The romance of the diner is alive and well in Orlando, where the old-school eateries often serve as places for friends to gather.

Vampire Love

The Twilight addiction among women is irrational and perhaps irreversible. But hardly irrelevant.

The Best of Orlando

From jewelers to gyms, bars spaces to car places, people of top caliber to restaurants of definable character, our annual Best of Orlando list reveals the top picks in 89 categories as decided by our readers. We awarded the “Best of’’ designation based on total votes for a candidate—none of that Electoral College nonsense. And to prove that we respect the voters’ wishes, we didn’t disqualify their choice as the “Person who most exemplifies Orlando.” We can take a joke.

Have We Got Some Deals For You!

Enjoying the finer things doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Some sharp-eyed bargain hunting and a little careful planning can drastically reduce the cost of shopping, dining, bar-hopping, golfing, moviegoing and other leisure-time activities. Of course, all that bargain hunting and careful planning can be tedious and stressful, but not to worry. We’ve already done most of the work for you on the following pages.

Fashion That Rocks

Nighttime is the right time to hit the local music scene—and turn heads with bold, sexy clothing that speaks volumes about your style.

'Round Midnight

Let’s mock the midnight bell,’’ Mark Antony urges in Antony and Cleopatra. Ah, even Shakespeare knew that some of the more exciting nightlife doesn’t begin until long after sundown. That’s certainly the case in O-town, where we’ve gone in search of some of the lesser-known slices of life that are out of the ordinary, thanks in part, to the odd hours they occupy. We were not surprised to find out that the later the hour the odder the experience.