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Among all of our tips and tricks for auto service and Toyota related news that we've written about this week, we can't help but include information on the giant elephant in the room, the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully by now you've taken necessary steps and measures to practice safe social distancing. If you've made sure to plan out temporary learning outlets for your kids, purchased necessary supplies to limit your time out in public (again, ONLY WHAT YOU NEED!), and sanitized high touch surfaces in your home, you're in great shape! But, by now you're probably wondering how to stay entertained when you're not working or taking care of important duties. Luckily, at Toyota of Clermont, we've compiled a list of a few fun things that you can do while social distancing to keep things fresh and to keep you from slipping into existential boredom. Check it out! How to Practice Social Distancing Like a Pro Use the Internet It's already well known that the internet is an excellent place for entertainment. However, if you're like most people, you probably take it for granted on a daily basis and don't use it to its full potential. Luckily, with plenty of spare time on your hands, there's no limit to what you can do using the power of the internet. Many museums, state parks, and even theme parks are providing unique digital experiences to users. Museums are providing virtual exhibits, Disney World is allowing guests to ride their attractions virtually with a unique set of ride videos. Try a New Recipe If you're a foodie and need to get your food fix, we recommend making a new recipe or cooking something that you've always wanted to try. It's the perfect time! Think about it. You don't have many other commitments, your kitchen is likely clean, and there's plenty of time to devote to even the lengthiest of recipes. But, if cooking isn't really your thing, then you could always order take out or delivery. Many restaurants and hospitality employees are struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and need your help. Purchase gift certificates to use at a later date, order takeout from your favorite local restaurant, and use delivery services like UberEats and Postmates to have your favorite meals delivered. Bust Out the Board Games You probably haven't touched a board game since the last time you lost power or a natural disaster struck (i.e. Clermont's hurricane season). But board and card games are an excellent way to pass the time while social distancing. Try getting better at poker, betray your family members during a friendly game of UNO, or flip some tables when you lose at Monopoly. The options are endless! Watch a New Show Everyone has those few shows and movies in their Netflix queue that they've been saving for a rainy day. Well, the rain is here! While social distancing, we recommend checking out some of the movies and/or shows you've put on the back burner. Some film production companies are also early releasing movies for rent so, if you didn't get a chance to see them before theaters closed, you should check those out! We know social distancing can be a drag, but it's for the betterment of those around you and it helps limit the spread of this already highly contagious virus. Be safe everyone and embrace the cabin fever!

In the land of sunshine and warm (most of the insufferably hot) weather), it's been rather cold as of late. With a cold front in full swing here near Orlando, it looks like your weekend plans of kayaking on the lake or hitting the beaches are all busts. But, there's no need to worry! There are still plenty of things to do in Clermont and Orlando that you'll forget all about how fun it is to clean your car after a day at the beach. Lucky for you, Toyota of Clermont has compiled a guide on things you can do this weekend despite it being cold outside. The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway SeaWorld's Seven Seas Food Festival Is there a better combination than food, music, and SeaWorld? Probably not. This weekend, visit SeaWorld Orlando for the Seven Seas Food Festival! Try over 180 different food offerings from different countries and cultures, enjoy local and imported craft beers, and enjoy live music from incredible artists. Orlando Solar Bears Food Festival Saturday, 2/29 @ Amway Center A game of hockey is the best way to enjoy the cold. Include some incredible food offerings and you're in business. The Orlando Solar Bears will be hosting their inaugural food festival this Saturday! A ticket to the food festival, which takes place on Church St. near the Amway Center, includes a ticket to that night's game against the Newfoundland Growlers. Come enjoy food from 15 local restaurants (included with your ticket purchase) plus drink specials throughout the evening. Lake Nona Farmers' Market Saturday, 2/29 @ 11:00 am Every Saturday, come experience local artisans, food, and more at the Lake Nona's farmers' market. It may be a bit chilly outside, but a brisk walk through the market in the sun will be sure to warm you up. Come check out the wide variety of vendors and kickstart your Saturday right. Outta Control Dinner Show Sunday, 3/1 @ Wonder Works Not only is the building upside down, but the events there are wonderfully crazy! Visit Wonder Works this Sunday for the Outta Control Dinner Show! You can purchase tickets to this unique online which includes unlimited hand tossed pizza, drinks, dessert, and a unique dinner show. Plus you'll receive admission to Wonder Works which houses over 100 interactive exhibits for attendees of all ages. Orlando Taco Festival Saturday and Sunday @ Drive Shack There's nothing like a good taco to spice things up. Visit Drive Shack on Lake Nona Blvd and enjoy over 25 different taco and food vendors. The event will also have a margarita bar, kids' play zone, lucha libre wrestling, live culturally authentic entertainment, a chili pepper and taco eating contest, mechanical bull rides, and more! Tickets can be purchased through Orlando Taco Festival's website and range from $15 - $55.   Have a great weekend everyone and stay warm!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! It's the official day of love and that means flowers, presents, hearts, and expressions of affection for those you hold close in your life. If you're a pro at this holiday, you probably have everything scheduled and reservations made for you and that special someone (or family and friends). But, if you're like many of us, you procrastinated and now you're left wondering what to do. Dinner (if you can get a table) and a movie is always a solid plan, but you probably want something with a little more of a romantic touch to celebrate this special holiday. If you're grasping at straws for Valentine's Day ideas, we've got your back! Check out our list of things to do near Orlando from Toyota of Clermont. Romantic Carriage Tours 2/14, 6 - 10pm @ 104 S Lakeview Ave, Winter Garden Who doesn't dream of having a romantic evening complete with a carriage ride akin to Cinderella (thankfully without the evil step-family)? Today you have the chance to take a carriage ride around downtown Winter Garden and make that dream come true! Tours are $80 per carriage and fill up fast so we advise calling first. Harbor Nights Romantico 2/14, 6:30pm @ Loew's Portifino Bay Hotel, Universal Orlando If you had planned to take a flight to Italy for Valentine's Day but forgot to book it, you're saved! Universal Orlando's Loew's Portifino Bay Hotel is hosting a Valentine's Day event that encapsulates Mediterranean romance. Gourmet food, music, dancing, and more for just $65 a ticket. Red Out Skate Night 2/14, 8 - 11pm @ 866 Goldenrod Rd, Astro Skate You're going to want to wear red to this one! Astro Skate is hosting a red out night in celebration of Valentine's Day. It's only $6 to enter or $4 if you're wearing a red shirt and shoes. There will be a red out contest to see who's wearing the most red and the winner will be awarded a pair of "crazy skates." Afternoon Tea 2/14 - 2/16, various times @ 420 E Church St, The Tea Room Experience Tea time is so relaxing, especially with loved ones. Come visit downtown Orlando and enjoy a special tea drinking experience, courtesy of the Tea Room Experience. Tickets are $30 and include a spread of finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, unlimited tea, and a complimentary mimosa. SAK Comedy Lab Valentine's Day Shows 2/14, 7:30 pm @ SAK Comedy Club in Downtown Orlando Everyone needs a good laugh, even on Valentine's Day (unless you plan on pranking your Valentine). Visit the SAK Comedy Club in downtown Orlando for a series of knee-slapping improv shows. Tickets start at $23 and can be upgraded to include things like soda, popcorn, beer/wine, and a special photo message for the ending slideshow. Sunset Paddle 2/14, 4:40 - 6:40 pm @ Dinky Dock in Winter Park The sunset is the perfect romantic backdrop next to a rose patterned backdrop. Take your Valentine out on a paddling adventure to see the sunset at Dinky Dock in Winter Park. The event is sponsored by Get Up and Go Kayaking and includes clear kayak rentals. Tickets are $50 per person.   Have a wonderful Valentine's Day everyone!

Finally, the weekend! The work week is finally over and it's time to kick back, relax, and have some fun. Living near Orlando, there's always something going on. Unfortunately, it can get a bit difficult keeping track of everything you want to do in a single weekend. If you plan on taking your weekend out on the town, but you're not sure what to do, you're in luck! Toyota of Clermont is here with a guide on the biggest events going on this week near Orlando. Check it out! What's Going on Near Orlando This Weekend? Brews and Tunes Orlando Brewing Friday, 1/17 at 8:30 pm   What better way to kick off the weekend than with Brews and Tunes at Orlando Brewing? Come enjoy Orlando Brewing's excellent selection of craft beer and great live music. The event is free! Jurassic World Live Tour Amway Center Friday 1/17 - Monday 1/20   Dinosaurs are pretty great, when you don't think about the claws and razor sharp teeth. If you're a fan of the Jurassic Park series or your kids are fans thanks to Jurassic World, or you and your family just have a fondness for those cuddly fossils, then this is for you! The Amway Center will be hosting Jurassic World Live this weekend and you don't want to miss it. Experience life-sized puppets, crazy special effects, stunt work, music from the series, and more! Tickets range from $18.75 - $145 and showtimes vary throughout the weekend. Family Fish Fry Fun Spot Orlando Friday 1/17 from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm   If you're looking for real fun near Orlando, everyone knows that Fun Spot is the place to go! What makes this weekend even more special is an awesome Family Fish Fry! Admission to the park is free and food and beverages will be available for purchase during the event. Visitors can also enjoy live music from Crenshaw and the Brown Bag Bass Band plus all the Fun Spot rides. The event will be hosted on the grass field next to the Fun Stage, so we recommend bringing some chairs and a blanket. Central Florida Highland Games Central Winds Park Saturday 1/18 at 8:00 am and Sunday 1/19 at 8:45 am   Are you a big fan of Scottish culture? Or maybe you're Scottish yourself? Or maybe you just own a kelt? Either way, the Central Florida Highland Games are this weekend and they're a sight to behold. Experience unique sports like axe throwing, caber toss, archery, bagpiping, dancing, and more! Enjoy Scottish food, whiskey, beer, and a Border Collie herding demonstration. Admission prices range from $15 - $25 and you don't want to miss this! Orlando Farmers Market Lake Eola Park Sunday 1/19 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm   A farmers market visit on a beautiful Sunday morning sounds so perfect. You should add it to your weekend plans! The Orlando Farmers Market is happening this Sunday at Lake Eola Park and there's so much to see. Come see and purchase everything from miniature bonsais to hand-crafted soap and enjoy a variety of foods and sweets.   The weekend is finally here. Get out and enjoy it! From all of us at Toyota of Clermont, have a great weekend!

We hate to break it to you, but the holidays are officially over. We know, it sucks. The holidays are a great time to catch up with friends, family, and enjoy the collective cheer we all feel with gift giving and shopping. But, now that the new year has begun and the final weekend of your holiday break is here, it's safe to say that the fun is over and it's time to grind through another year. While that might sound like a bad thing, there are so many positive things to a new year beginning. More opportunity, new beginnings, and plenty of resolutions to strive toward accomplishing. One resolution you can make for yourself is to make the best of going back to work and we at Toyota of Clermont have some helpful tips to make it happen! Making the Best of the End of Holiday Break It's always sad to say goodbye to a good holiday break, but it's something we can't avoid. Luckily, there are a number of ways to make going back to work more enjoyable and easier on yourself. Get in the Right Mindset Mind over matter, right? It's true that coming to the end of holiday break can feel disheartening, but it doesn't have to. Before going back to work on Monday, get yourself in the right mindset. Take some time to relax and appreciate the break you've been able to enjoy. Dig deep and drum up some enthusiasm for your work before your alarm clock rings on Monday morning. Think of Ways to Add Some Spice to Your Work Day While you might have a lackluster outlook on your job, that can be fixed with a little variety and spontaneity. Before you head back into the office, think of ways that you can add some variety to your work day. Try going through your daily tasks a different way, bring healthier options for your lunch or even take a walk during your break, make friends with those in your workplace that you hadn't before, ask to sit in a different area of the office or a different room entirely. The possibilities are endless! Give Yourself Some Buffer Time The worst way to get back into the office is to come back from break and jump right into work the next day. This can leave you feeling wiped and unprepared for the sudden change from relaxing to working. Our advice? Give yourself a little bit of buffer time. Luckily, with one last weekend before Monday, you have a significant amount of time to spare. Take this time to decompress and get things in order before heading back to work. Get Ready for a Bulging Inbox If you've been out of the office for a while, it's likely that your email inbox will be bursting when you make it into the office on Monday. Do your best to not get overwhelmed by the chaotic digital space and take your time working your way through each important message. To make it easier, start by parsing out any spam or promotional mail before getting into the serious stuff.   We know it's sad that the holidays are over, but a new year has begun and it's the perfect time to reinvigorate your work life. Follow these tips and good luck on Monday!

Living in Clermont, Florida, you're likely used to the perpetual summer we experience every year. Seasonal changes aren't very common this far south and you're definitely not going to see much snowfall (unless you live in Tallahassee). While we don't get to enjoy the joys of having a winter wonderland right in our backyard during this time of the year, there are plenty events going on around town that will have you feeling like you're in a magical snowfall (without the slipping, sliding, ice, and overbearing cold). Here are some events going on around Clermont that will help you ring in the holiday season in proper snowy fashion! Snowy Events Going on Near Orlando Church Street, Downtown Orlando The holiday season is well underway and, while it may not be cold enough to snow, us Floridians know how to get the best of both worlds. In downtown Orlando, 30 Days of Christmas is going on now! From now until December 31st, you can see snowfall from 6 - 9 pm along with music and a light show on Church Street. Did we also mention there are free carriage rides?! Lake Nona Holiday Festival Going on now until January 5th (Thursday to Sunday), Lake Nona will be hosting its annual Holiday Festival (complete with snow flurries). Guests can watch artificial snow flurries fall, skate on an open-air skating rink, watch a fun holiday movie, participate in arts and crafts, and meet Santa Claus. Holidays at Old Town Old Town, Kissimmee is a truly unique destination that offers a variety of activities throughout the year. But, for the holiday season you can experience this space as a winter wonderland. Complete with decorations and snow, this event is one you won't want to miss! Light Up UCF UCF's campus is truly beautiful and unique, but the holiday season brings a little something extra special. Light Up UCF is going on now until January 5th and attendees can experience activities like holiday movie viewing, ferris wheel riding, and ice skating! Plus, you can still experience snow flurries and some wonderful decorations that really light up the night. Now Snowing Celebration Central Florida's original snow event is going on this year with nightly snowfall every hour on the hour from 6 - 9 pm. In addition, you can experience the ice skating rink, performances from local artists and musicians, photo ops with Santa, train rides, and horse-drawn carriage rides. The holidays are a great time to get out there and celebrate. While we don't live up north where it really snows, we do enjoy the benefit of having a safer driving experience and warmer weather. If you're hungry for a more genuine winter experience, check out one of these events. Have a great time celebrating the holiday season!

Thanksgiving is next week and that means the holiday season is right around the corner! It's about time to start consuming candy canes, putting up lights, and making baked goods. It's hard to resist the urge to get into the holiday spirit before Thanksgiving, trust us. If you're someone who's itching to get into the spirit of the season without going too overboard before December gets here, we've got your back! Toyota of Clermont has the perfect guide for you to get into the spirit of the season before it's completely acceptable. Getting Holiday Ready Without Going Overboard Start Getting Your Lights Out of Storage If your holiday lights are tucked away in the garage or attic or maybe locked away in a storage unit somewhere, you might want to start finding them. A good holiday celebrator wastes no time when it comes to decorating their house and you need to be ready as soon as Thanksgiving dinner is over. When you have some spare time, start to comb through your storage areas and find your decorations and lights so you're ready when December rolls around. Plan Out Your Holiday Recipes The holidays are the best time of the year for baking delicious treats like cookies, cakes, and everything in between. It's time to finally dive into all the cooking videos you've saved throughout the year and start compiling them. We recommend printing out your preferred recipes for easy reference and so you can easily refer to them later. After you've found your recipes, create a big list of ingredients and get ready to do some grocery shopping. Read Gift Catalogs There's no better time to catch up on the latest toys, clothes, and video games than the holiday season as you'll likely be purchasing several as gifts for others. To gear up for the season, start browsing through gift catalogs and guides and do plenty of research to make sure you're planning on purchasing the right and perfect gifts. Start Looking for a Tree If you're the type of holiday decorator that loves the smell of pine needles and likes to use a natural tree, it might be time to start looking. There's nothing more fun than enjoying the brisk weather and combing through tree after tree in search of the perfect one to bring into your home. With so many places selling trees during the holiday season, you'll definitely have your work cut out for you. Don't forget to coordinate your decorations and a general color scheme for your tree. Queue Up Your Holiday Movie Watchlist Holiday movies are easily one of the best parts of getting into the holiday spirit. As you'll likely be spending a great deal of time enjoying the cinema of the season, make sure to prep ahead of time by getting a watchlist or queue together. Ready for the holiday season already? Festive fun and cheer are just around the corner. Have fun preparing and enjoy the start of the holiday season!

It's finally Friday (yay!) and it's time to celebrate the final arrival of the weekend after a long week. While there are definitely a number of great things to do this weekend around Clermont, sometimes you need to get away for a little while. There are the theme parks, different cities, and new restaurants and shops that you've never visited before. But, with the weather being so nice this weekend, it's the perfect time to go the beach! Florida is truly home to the best beaches around and they're right in our backyard (unless you live in Clermont, in which case it's all lakes)! If you're not sure which beach to visit this weekend, Toyota of Clermont is here with a guide to the best beaches you should visit to soak up the sun. The Best Beaches You Should Visit This Weekend New Smyrna Beach If you're looking for an amazing beach that you don't have to drive far to get to, New Smyrna Beach is an excellent option. First, you can park directly on the beach which keeps things super convenient (but, maybe a tad sandy). The sand is powder white and hard packed and perfect for making sand castles. Being right on the space coast, the waves are a tad rougher than the gulf beaches, but that doesn't mean you can't catch a wave or two on a surf board. When you're finished with the beach, feel free to wander around the village for a cold beverage or a ice cream cone. Siesta Key Beach Rated as the one of the best beaches in the U.S., Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota is a Florida favorite. It's a far drive from Clermont, but it's well worth it. The sand is a white powder that feels amazing beneath your feet and the delicate waves are inviting. The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico are soothing for swimmers and there are several nearby restaurants and attractions for everyone. Clearwater Beach Staying at number one on the best beaches in the U.S. list, Clearwater Beach is located just outside of Tampa and St. Pete. This beach stretches for three miles and features fine white sand and a beautiful pier. The water is largely shallow which makes it a perfect spot for families. The pier features nighttime festivities and beautiful sunset views. St. Augustine Beach A beach town with so much history and a shoreline perfect for pictures, St. Augustine Beach is undoubtedly one of the best beaches you can visit this weekend. The delicate sand is great for laying out and flat shoreline make skimboarding and other water sports a breeze. When you're finished catching some rays of sunshine, feel free to wander to St. Augustine's historical landmarks, like the iconic lighthouse (we hear it might be haunted). Daytona Beach Just up the street from New Smyrna, and home to NASCAR, Daytona Beach is another great beach for convenience and great waves. You can park right along the expansive shoreline and enjoy the waves and soak up some sun. Have a great weekend everyone, soak up some sun, and always wear sunscreen!