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
MARATHON, Fla. – Today, (September 13, 2017) Governor Rick Scott joined Florida National Guard members, FWC officers, and Florida Highway Patrol officers to tour impacts of Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys. Over the past two days, the Governor also toured damage caused by Hurricane Irma in Clay and Lee Counties.
Marion County, Florida (September 6, 2017) – Marion County Public Schools and the Marion County Division of Emergency Management have announced school closings and shelter openings in preparation for Hurricane Irma. All Marion County Public Schools will be closed Friday and Monday, September 8 and 11, 2017. Emergency Management will be opening multiple shelters hosted by our local public schools beginning at 5:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8.
General Population Shelters:
- North Marion Middle School (2085 W Highway 329, Citra)
- Fort McCoy School (16160 NE Highway 315, Fort McCoy)
- Lake Weir High School (10351 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala)
OCALA, Fla. (Sept. 7, 2017) – Due to Hurricane Irma, the following City of Ocala locations will be closed Monday, Sept. 11. Normal hours of operation are expected to resume Tuesday, Sept. 12.
• City Hall, 110 SE Watula Ave.
• City of Ocala Customer Service Office, 301 SE 3rd Ave.
(Includes Utility Billing and Building Department)
• City of Ocala Municipal Services Complex
• Discovery Center, 701 NE Sanchez Ave.
• All City recreation centers and senior centers
• All City parks
Continue reading
Before Monday morning, Braden and Kimberlie Dando had never heard of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Today, they say they owe their lives to the FWC officers who have been deployed to the Houston area to help rescue flood victims.
“If they didn’t show up I don’t what we would have done because we did not have a way to get out. I just want to thank them for what they did,” Braden, 25, said during a telephone interview from his mother-in-law’s house in Highlands, Texas.
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The Dandos two boys–Paxton, 3, who is autistic, and Nixon, 15 months old–were also inside the apartment. Their parents concern grew as the flood waters began to cover Nixon’s crib.
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“We had to swim with our kids,” Kimberlie recalled. “We literally had to drag our 3-year-old, while he was screaming, out of the house.” Continue reading
More Than 400 Florida Volunteers Deployed to Texas and Louisiana
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers are continuing to actively assist with disaster response efforts in the Houston area. FWC officers have rescued more than 500 Texans since arriving in the area after being deployed by Governor Scott in response to Texas’ request for emergency assistance. Additionally, more than 400 Florida volunteers have been deployed to Texas and Louisiana as Volunteer Florida continues to coordinate the activities of 11 disaster relief organizations.
FWC Response Efforts:
- More than 500 Texans rescued by FWC officers since arriving in the area after being deployed by Governor Scott in response to Texas’ request for emergency assistance.
- Nearly 125 FWC officers are supporting ongoing search and rescue and disaster response efforts.
- FWC resources deployed to Texas include more than 40 boats, 17 high water vehicles, two Mobile Command Centers, and eight shallow draft vessels.
