With Frank Sinatra crooning in the background and a sign pointing the way to “N.Y.C. 1086 Miles,” transplanted New Yorkers, of which there are quite a few, feel right at home at the new NYPD Pizza on South Alafaya Trail.

Clerks at the 7- Eleven store at the intersection of Alafaya Trail and Lake Underhill Road do not fear the night shift. The store’s windows remain clear of advertisements, cameras adorn all store corners and no more than $30 is kept in the register.

Just like every other shopping center these days, Alafaya Village is having a tough go finding sustainable tenants. In other words, smallbusiness owners, often sans deep pockets, who can brave the current chill in the economic climate. Although the plaza completed construction less than a year ago, a number of stores already have shut their doors.

It could be just another fad. It could be a good way to save green space and the environment. It could be someone’s last chance to do something good on earth. No matter the reason people look to green burial, it is a trend catching on throughout the United States — except for Florida and particularly Orlando.

To many East Orlando families, Aldi could be the answer to their dinnertime prayers. The grocery store chain that offers items priced up to 50 percent lower than traditional supermarkets is making Orlando its newest home. This fall 25 stores will open in Central Florida with eight in Orlando, including one in East Orlando on South Semoran Boulevard.

For months Toni Jackson of East Orlando has listened to her fellow Lynx riders whine about the route changes that took effect Sunday. Fortunately for her, Lynx’s changes mostly affected Orlando’s west side. But she still sympathized for those confused and angry about the new schedule, which will mean earlier mornings and longer trips for some.

Despite the unrelenting wind and rain of last week, Abbie McGuire was on her annual pilgrimage to pick up the latest in University of Central Florida gear. The last few years her shopping pursuits were limited to the stores on the UCF campus, and so were the offerings. It seemed that most of the UCF garb she found was the same old black and gold.

Last week Orlando International Airport officials retreated from their original hard stance on a plan that nearby off-site parking operators said could run them out of business.