The playground at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave., will be temporarily closed for maintenance beginning Monday, Feb. 5.

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 2, 2018) – The playground at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave., will be temporarily closed for maintenance beginning Monday, Feb. 5 and is expected to re-open to the public Wednesday, Feb. 7. The remaining areas of Tuscawilla Park will be open to the public during the temporary playground closure.

For more information, please contact the City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department at 352-368-5517.

The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host the annual Cattle Drive and Cowboy Round-Up event Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave.

OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 2, 2018) – The City of Ocala Recreation and Parks Department will host the annual Cattle Drive and Cowboy Round-Up event Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tuscawilla Park, 500 NE Sanchez Ave. This annual event is presented by the Rotary Clubs of Marion County.

A cattle drive will kick off the event in downtown Ocala and will end at Tuscawilla Park where the real festivities will begin. The cattle drive will begin at 10 a.m. near Jesse’s Computers and Repair located at 300 SE Eighth St. The public is invited to walk behind the cattle drive to Tuscawilla Park. Continue reading

(NAPSI)—To help veterans, active-duty members of the military and their families better cope with stress and trauma, the American Red Cross created a new set of workshops teaching easy-to-use skills that promote wellness through mind-body connection.

What They Do

These Mind-Body Workshops focus on the powerful ways in which emotional, mental, social and spiritual factors can directly affect health.

The first workshop, Using Mind-Body Skills for Performance, helps participants explore the use of breathing, mindfulness techniques, stretching, movement and guided imagery to aid healing.

The second workshop, Using Mind-Body Skills, guides participants through using mind-body techniques for personal growth and healing through drawing, journaling, meditation, mindfulness, body scan, progressive muscle relaxation and self-directed imagery. Continue reading

(NAPSI)—Owning a car can be a dream or a nightmare depending on how well you take care of your vehicle. Here are six things that many motorists do that can harm their cars and their wallets.

  1. Ignoring the check engine light. Ignoring an illuminated check engine light can result in serious engine trouble and costly repairs. At the very least, this warning light could alert you to an engine problem that is negatively impacting fuel economy.
  2. Failing to change fluids and filters. Many fluids are required for operating and protecting vehicle systems and components. Checking fluid levels regularly, along with the filters, helps ensure that your vehicle runs dependably and extends its vehicle life.
  3. Neglecting your tires. Your vehicle’s tires should be checked frequently for inflation and tread depth. Underinflated tires can wear out more quickly and need to be replaced sooner, plus they can negatively affect safety, gas mileage and performance.
  4. Not following a service schedule. Because many car parts and components wear out or become damaged over time, vehicles need to be routinely serviced to perform optimally. Routine inspections and timely repairs will help keep your car running efficiently and help you avoid more expensive repairs down the road.
  5. Keeping a dirty car. Allowing your car to go too long without a wash leads to buildup of damaging chemicals and dirt, increases the potential for rust from road salt and interferes with proper visibility needed for safe driving.
  6. Being a severe driver. Whether it’s stop-and-go traffic, extreme weather, rough roads or heavy loads, it can sometimes be difficult to limit severe driving conditions. However, you can drive smart and improve fuel economy by observing the speed limit; avoiding aggressive driving, including quick starts and stops; not hauling unnecessary items; and keeping your vehicle properly tuned.

Continue reading

(NAPSI)—Recent research suggests drivers may be behind the wheel of more than 325,000 previously flooded vehicles. That’s a 20 percent increase from 2016 and a stark reminder to consumers to do due diligence when used-car shopping.

One Woman’s Story

“I bought a car last year and the seller never told us anything about it being a flood car,” said Charlene Geiger from Pennsylvania. “When we got home and ran a Carfax, there it was—a flood car from Hurricane Sandy. It showed that the seller bought it as a salvage car and the title was washed when he brought it to Pennsylvania. We lost $16,000 over all of it.”

Where To Be Most Wary

Vehicles reported as flood damaged by a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), insurance companies and more have washed up in every state. These 10 have the most: Continue reading

It’s Flu Season: CDC Reminds Public That Antibiotics Do Not Treat Flu

(NAPSI)—Flu season is upon us and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wants patients and families to remember that prescription antiviral drugs, not antibiotics, are the treatment for influenza (flu). Antibiotics do not treat viruses that cause colds and the flu. They are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria.

Remember that the best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is by getting your annual flu vaccine. It’s not too late to get vaccinated.

KNOW WHAT’S GOT YOU SICK

Viruses cause infections like the common cold, flu, runny noses and most sore throats, and none of these are treated with antibiotics. Illnesses like strep throat, pneumonia and whooping cough are examples of illnesses caused by bacteria that can be treated with antibiotics. Continue reading

Why—And How—To ‘Heart’ Your Kidneys, Every Day

(NAPSI)—Many people don’t know it, but when your kidneys stop working, so do you. Your kidneys are as essential to life as other vital organs, such as your heart. Kidney healthy is also heart healthy, so when you “Heart Your Kidneys,” you also show love for your heart. That’s because the No. 1 cause of death in people with kidney disease is heart disease.

The Problem

More than 30 million American adults are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, and most are unaware of it. One in three American adults is at risk for chronic kidney disease. It’s the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S., and growing in prevalence. For many people, dialysis or a transplant is needed just to stay alive. Continue reading

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN MARION COUNTY REMINDS YOU TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS THIS FLU SEASON

OCALA, Fla.-In Florida and throughout the U.S., flu activity is on the rise. Marion County is currently seeing moderate flu activity that is actively increasing. From Dec. 31, 2017, to Jan. 13, 2018, county hospitals and emergency rooms reported 265 confirmed cases of influenza, an average of 19 cases per day. In December, approximately 8 were confirmed each day.

“It’s important to see your health care provider if you become sick with flu-like symptoms,” said Florida Department of Health in Marion County Health Officer Mark Lander. “The flu can have serious consequences even for someone who has been very healthy previously.” Continue reading

As part of the CEP’s mission to be the catalyst for a prosperous community, the organization partners closely with local governments (as well as state and Federal) to ensure that we are creating and maintaining a business climate which encourages growth and prosperity. A recent example of this can be found in the issue of transportation impact fees.

In December, the Marion County Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing on transportation impact fees. Among those who expressed their support in keeping these fees at their current rate was the Impact Fee Task Force coordinated by the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP).  The Task Force is composed of a broad range of professionals who are working on issues related to building and development every day.  This group partnered with the County to study the impact fees when first proposed in 2015 and looked at the issue again last fall. At the conclusion of this hearing, the Commission made the unanimous decision to keep these fees at their current level. Continue reading

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