The Marion County Sexual Assault Center marked a milestone Aug. 15, 2025, as the nonprofit celebrated its official certification with a ribbon cutting at its facility on SW 1st Ave. in Ocala. The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership joined Executive Director Besty Weber, her staff, board, and community supporters to recognize the center’s mission of providing round-the-clock services to survivors of sexual violence.
Weber praised her staff for their work, noting that the center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to those in need. With statistics showing one in four women and one in 26 men experiencing sexual violence or attempted sexual violence in their lifetimes, the center’s role is more important than ever. Alongside offering critical support services, the Marion County Sexual Assault Center is committed to raising awareness, educating the community, and working toward prevention. These efforts reflect the generosity and philanthropic spirit that define Marion County.
At Stirrups ‘n Strides Therapeutic Riding Center, we witness miracles every day — not the kind that make headlines, but the quiet kind that happen when someone who’s been told “you can’t” discovers that, with the right support, they can.
We serve children, adults, and veterans with physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges through therapeutic horseback riding, equine-assisted therapy, carriage driving, and equine-assisted learning. For some, it’s the first time they’ve experienced independence. For others, it’s the first time they’ve smiled in weeks. For all, it’s a place of belonging, growth, and unconditional acceptance.
A child with cerebral palsy gains strength and balance while riding a horse that instinctively adjusts to their movement.
A teen with autism who struggles to speak finds connection and calm through grooming a gentle pony.
A veteran battling PTSD rediscovers peace in the rhythm of a horse’s gait and the trust of a nonjudgmental companion.
These moments aren’t rare at Stirrups ‘n Strides — they’re what we do. But we can’t do them without YOU.
Well the Republicans are getting it done. I would like to point out this tariff problem is something that needed done, but not without resistance. The Brits and a few other country’s think they have a better way. So they are trying to build a trade alliance with others but without us. It has not been fair that all these countries have been importing into our country free and charge us when we export to their country. Trump is negotiating hard, it is going slow but it will happen. To slow for me I can’t wait.
I notice that Trump is always fiscally leaning in, never leaning back in comfort and is always listening. People seem to respond to that. People need to be listened to, some of the strongest people I have know are good listeners.
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In this high speed world you need people around you can trust and that can keep you informed and help with challenges. I recently had a challenge when lightening struck in my front yard. It wiped out my security light, Satellite system, Wifi, computer, printer. I had a problem, as I worked my way through this challenge,I needed to recover some information off my old computer. I called Tech Brothers Ocala Florida hwy 200. I took my computer in and they said they were optimistic about the recovery. The price was not bad and recovery was important. They got it for me fast. They fixed it high speed in this high speed world. Thank you Tech Brothers for the well done job. Tell them TomL sent you. Continue reading
Department of Commerce Ends Supension Agreement, Reinstating Tomato Tariffs
Washington, D.C. — A newly released national survey of registered voters reveals a bipartisan majority of Republicans (69%), Democrats (52%) and Independents (51%) support the idea of replacing the current income tax system with a national sales tax. Also, 50% of voters surveyed support the elimination of the IRS.
Conducted by Quantus Insights and commissioned by the National Tax Research Committee, the poll suggests that Americans, particularly younger and working-class voters, are increasingly open to bold structural changes in how the federal government collects revenue.
At a time of continued economic uncertainty and public dissatisfaction with federal institutions, 58% of voters say they would support a national consumption tax that allowed workers to retain their paychecks without federal with-holding. This proposal, central to the FAIRtax Plan (HR25), envisions eliminating income, payroll, corporate, capital gains and estate taxes and replacing them with a single, visible sales tax applied at the point of retail purchase. While long discussed in academic and political circles, the FAIRtax concept appears to be gaining traction with the public. Continue reading
By TomL
Something I have a problem with is waiting. Do you realize how much of your life is wasted because of waiting. I can tolerate a small amount of time but over twenty minutes and I am getting frustrated. In a doctors office where some doctors like to over book, I don’t go there. My Doctor gets me in and out. It’s called time management. I think if someone is making me wait they think their time is more important than mine. It is not! I hated it when the corporation I worked for wanted me to learn (Time Management) because the way they operate is they wanted to cut people off when their time was up. Some people take a few minutes longer. Manage the people waiting so they don’t feel they’re wasting their time.
Trump is always moving ahead / forward / advancing, it is the way he operates. He does not like to wait. He does not waller in a problem, he is a problem solver. He expects his team to be the same way. Remember to much waiting in your life is a waste of your journey in life.
To mark this exciting occasion, 18 South graciously hosted the Ocala Metro CEP staff, Board of Directors, and special guests in their beautiful Members Lounge for a special Watch Party Celebration. Guests enjoyed delicious food and drinks, sponsored by Zinnia Wealth Management, as we gathered to celebrate our finalist recognition for Chamber of the Year and honor the incredible work of the CEP team. It was a night full of pride, community, and well-deserved recognition!
By Tom.
Dania Florida 1950’s use to be the Tomato growing town in Florida. The east marsh was where they grew some of the best tomatoes. When I was very young we lived a block from the tomato packing house. Residents could go to the packing house and receive free tomatoes that were to ripe to ship but for eating them the next three or four days they were perfect. At about twelve I would take a bubbled brown grocery bag and walk there and ask for tomatoes and receive what ever I could carry back home.
Grand mother was living there watching us while our parents worked out of town. She would cook them down, make sauce and what ever. It was a free source of food.Dania Florida which is now called Dania Beach Florida had its own catchup factory. I never went into it the outside did not look like much. It looked like an old metal building with a couple of loading docks.
We had tomatoes day parades, tomato fight in a street they blocked off, by the cheerleaders from school. My older sister was in the the tomato fight. The tom atom wound up in the grandstand and got the crowd of watchers. They had grease pole climb, Pie eating contest and many other things going on. It was the largest annual event in town. Continue reading
In this fast pace world I urge you to do business with people first. Take the time to call and get their opinion and or price.
Take the time to know the business people around you.
TALK TO STRANGERS! They might be a customer?
These are peopleI trust!
If you are curious about how to invest your money
Call Nick 352-629-2165
email: nick.navetta@edwardjones.com
If your curious about anything on Health Insurance
Call Christine 352-572-8510
email: ccalvert@guidedmedicare.com
If you are curious about Life Insurance
Call Eddie 352-634-4793
email: levinlifeinsurance@gmail.com
If you want to create memories
Call Walk Don’t Run Travel Sue 352-400-1721
email: travel@walkdontrunllc.com
If you are curious about reverse mortgage
Call Dan 352-462-0636
email: dan@primepathlending.net
If you are curious about selling your business
Call Connie 352-502-3811
email: connie@ocalabusinessbrokers.com Continue reading
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Leda Pérez, who has been named the new Executive Director of the Frank DeLuca YMCA. A strong communicator and coach, Leda has a proven track record in program development, team leadership, and community engagement. Her passion for wellness and her people-centered leadership style make her a fantastic fit for our community Y family.
Leda and her family are excited to continue to serve our Ocala community and continue to be engaged and involved with Ocala Business Leaders.
n 2024, Library Assistant Kourtney Fehr donates school supplies on behalf of the Lady Lake Library to Villages Elementary of Lady Lake Principal Gregg Dudley
LADY LAKE — For the third consecutive year, the Lady Lake Library is hosting its annual “School Supplies for Fines” drive in support of area children.
This program is a great way for patrons to pay off fines while giving back to the community. The library will waive overdue material fees in exchange for donations of school supplies.
Donations can include No. 2 pencils, colored pencils, markers, crayons, backpacks and more. There are no limits to the number of donations per person, though fines cannot be forgiven for library items that are lost or damaged. Those without fines are also encouraged to donate items, as each item will be used anonymously to forgive another patron’s fines.
“This month, the Lady Lake Library is proud to bring back a community favorite—School Supplies for Fines,” said Library Director Aly Herman. “This program is exactly like the successful countywide Food for Fines program, and is another way to continue to support children in our community.”
Last year, the Lady Lake Library donated over 800 school supplies to The Villages Elementary of Lady Lake. In exchange for donations from the community, around $800 in library fines were forgiven.
Donations will be accepted during regular business hours at the Lady Lake Library, located at 225 W. Guava Street through July 31.
For more information, visit www.ladylakefl.gov or facebook.com/ladylakelibrary225.
