Pictured are some of the business people at the Lady Lake Chamber Hob Nob event. What is a Hob Nob you say??? It is a group of local businesses assembled by the Lady Lake Chamber, getting together and visiting with each other and talking about their businesses, sharing information while enjoying the hospitality of Dempshar’s Restaurant in the Village. They are located in Spanish Springs on the Square. The sponsors for the event were Villages-News and Villages Plus. Continue reading
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2017) – The First Friday Art Walk returns to downtown Ocala Friday, Oct. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. and will include the following special performances and activities:
- 6 to 6:30 p.m. – The Arts District, a performing arts studio, will present a zombie-themed dance performance.
- 6 to 9 p.m. – The Appleton Museum of Art, Painting with a Twist and the Marion County Public Library will provide free, hands-on art activities for all ages.
- 6 to 9 p.m. – Textur Hair Studio will be doing a hair and makeup demo creating a live character in the window of Ocala Homes and Farms Realty, 108 E Fort King St.
- 6:30 to 9 p.m. – Live music by Adam Rountree on the main event stage.
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2017) – Ocala Electric Utility (OEU) will host a Customer Appreciation Day Friday, Oct. 6 at Citizens’ Circle, 151 SE Osceola, Ave. from 6 to 8 p.m. This event will be held in collaboration with Public Power Week happening Sunday, Oct. 1 through Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017.
To show appreciation for its customers, OEU will be providing free hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks on a first come, first serve basis. Entertainment will be provided, along with family-friendly activities and attendees can even take a ride in one of OEU’s bucket trucks! Educational items and giveaways will also be available while supplies last. Continue reading
Many Florida communities are trying to rebuild after Hurricane Irma ripped through their counties. Irma uprooted trees, destroyed homes and flooded streets—damaging vital infrastructure. In some cases, debris is making it impossible for utility workers to gain access to areas to restore power and causing other access issues. City and county leaders are trying desperately to remove this debris but are running into issues with their contractors prioritizing other, more lucrative jobs or demanding higher rates. Continue reading
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 21, 2017) – Following Hurricane Irma, the City of Ocala is actively working to address mosquito control and areas of concern for residents. The City has deployed staff to immediately resume larviciding areas that are currently holding water due to effects from the hurricane. Along with Clarke Mosquito, the City is also spraying areas that have been investigated and determined to have a nuisance adult mosquito population.
“Larviciding is the best line of defense in mosquito control and kills the mosquito larvae prior to them reaching the adult, or biting, stage,” said Brian Herrick, Stormwater Manager, City of Ocala Public Works Department. “City staff is currently working to larvicide drainage retention areas (DRA), ditches, swales and low-lying areas. Since April 2017, the City of Ocala has addressed and treated a total of 16.6 acres in the City limits.” Continue reading
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2017) – The Discovery Center’s newest exhibit, Super Kids Save the World, will open to the public Saturday, Sept. 23 and will be on display through Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Discovery Center located at 701 NE Sanchez Ave.
Super Kids Save the World is a “green” exhibit that inspires eco-friendly superheroes in the community. This hands-on traveling exhibit, created by The Magic House, St. Louis Children’s Museum in partnership with the Crawford Taylor Foundation and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, gives kids (and their parents) the power to go green! Designed with “green” materials and practices, this super exhibit gives kids real superhero training starting with the four R’s: reduce, reuse, repair and recycle.
Super Kids Save the World is based on the British children’s book, “George Saves the World by Lunchtime,” written by Jo Readman and illustrated by Ley Honor Roberts. Developed by the Eden Project, an educational charity dedicated to showing the importance of taking care of our world, this book features an ordinary family who, in the course of their day, save the world simply by making responsible choices. George, Flora and Grandpa demonstrate that by taking simple steps, families can become eco-friendly superheroes in their own communities. Continue reading
Oklawaha Valley Audubon Society of Lake County, FL. is hosting a guided hike of Lake Apopka’s North Shore and Environs on Saturday September 23rd. Lake Apopka is a premier birding area in central with over 362 species of birds and as we head into fall season the migratory birds will begin to arrive. Lorne Kaldorf Malo Regional Biologist at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be the guide for this hike beginning at 7:30 am from the St Johns River Management Field house office at 25 633 County Rd 448A in Mt Dora. The fee for this hike is $10 for members and $20 for non members. Please contact Stacey Kelley at bcx3purrx4@yahoo.com or 352-408-2901 to register. www.oklawaha-audubon.com and on facebook
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 15, 2017) – The City of Ocala will host Ocala Zumbathon Friday, Sept. 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Ocala Downtown Market located at 310 SE Third St. All proceeds from this event will benefit the United Way of Marion County.
Ocala Zumbathon will feature some of Ocala’s favorite Zumba instructors leading consecutive sessions of dance. Instructors include Traci Rivera (Zone Health and Fitness), Natalia Leon (Too Your Health Spa), Maribel Lozada (Sahara), and Kathleen Hernandez (Zumba by Kathleen). The event will also include a variety of local vendors for participants to visit.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or in person at the Ocala Growth Management Office located at 201 SE Third St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the event for $10. Continue reading
PROTECTING FLORIDIANS
Hurricane Irma ripped through our state this week, leaving a path of destruction that will take months to repair. Millions are without electricity and fuel. Thousands more suffered home damage or flooding. As Floridians begin to pick up the pieces, they should be wary of common scams that arise after natural disasters—including: debris-removal, tree-service, home-repair, disaster-relief and water-treatment scams.
To guard against scams, research a company or contractor, ask for references and get multiple quotes before signing a contract. Beware of any unsolicited offers or contractors claiming they can perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job. Never pay the full amount up front and do not make final payment until completely satisfied with the work performed.
Additionally, the state of emergency remains in effect statewide and that means Florida’s price gouging law still applies to anyone selling essential commodities or services. Anyone who suspects price gouging or any scam should call my office at (866) 9NO-SCAM or file a complaint online at MyFloridaLegal.com. Continue reading
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 14, 2017) – Due to effects from Hurricane Irma, the following City of Ocala parks and facilities will be closed until further notice:
• Tuscawilla Park, 300-899 NE Sanchez Ave.
• Scott Springs Park, 2825 SW 24th Ave.
• Heritage Nature Conservancy, 1900 block of NE Third St.
• Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St.
• Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave.
Media and the public will be notified when these are facilities are re-opened to the public.
The following City of Ocala parks and facilities are currently open to the public. Unless otherwise noted, these facilities will be open normal operating hours.
• Jervey Gantt Park, 2200 SE 36th Ave.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Complex, 1510 NE 4th St.
• City neighborhood parks Continue reading
