Ocala Metro Chamber of Commerce: HCA Florida West Marion Hospital hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new, larger operating suite, the first in a series of expanded treatment areas that will open in the hospital’s new tower. This investment in state-of-the-art facilities is a huge step forward in enhancing care and supporting the health of our community. Photo credit: Ocala Metro CEP Communications Team

COMMUNITY CALENDARS AND LOCAL EVENTS:

Friends of the Ocala Public Library is holding its next clearance book sale beginning on Friday, April 4 (for Friends members only, but memberships are available at the door) from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm, and then opens to the general public on Saturday, April 5, 10 am-2 pm. Sale is held in the Ocala Public Library headquarters meeting rooms, 2720 Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala.

Proceeds of the sale benefit children and adult programs, materials, audio and ebooks, and staff development at Ocala main, Reddick, Ft. McCoy, and Sankofa branches of the Marion County Public Library system.

All childrens books and all paperback books are 25 cents each, and all hardbacks are 50 cents each. Cash and checks only.

Ocala Metro Chamber of Commerce: Congratulations to the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County, Florida on the grand unveiling of the COX Innovation Labs at the Dr. H.L. Harrell Youth Center! Thanks to a generous grant from Cox Communications and the James M. Cox Foundation, this incredible new space is set to inspire and empower the next generation of creators, thinkers, and innovators. Photo credit: Ocala Metro CEP Communications Team

Feverdreams: Sunset Songs Serie

• Date:04/09/2025 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Location:Downtown Square

1 SE Broadway St.

Ocala, Florida 34471

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Sunset Songs Series

Music lovers of all ages will enjoy Sunset Songs Series! This free concert series on the downtown square brings you the best local and regional artists performing funk, blues, reggae, and country originals as the sun goes down. Kick back and soak in the melodies with the perfect Wednesday night activity. If you love music and sunsets, the Sunset Songs Series is for you! End your day on a melodic high note at these not-to-be-missed community concerts.

• Monthly concerts September through May featuring top-notch musical talent

• All concerts are 100% free – just bring your lawn chair or blanket!

• Unwind and discover great new music in a gorgeous outdoor setting

• Grab a bite to eat at one of our many amazing local downtown restaurants

Headlining Act: Feverdreams

Born off the back of a COVID 19-induced dissolution of their former band, The States, and the isolation of the lockdown, Joshua Jacobs and Matthew Weisberg started dreaming up what would be next for their musical endeavors. Two ideas emerged: forming of a new musical project they called Feverdreams and an in-home recording studio, Kindred House Studio.

After working musically together for the better part of a decade, Weisberg and Jacobs had a type of secret language only they could understand. They began writing and producing their own songs, seeking a more blue-collar, “DIY” approach than previously done. They released their first single, “Wildfire”, a roots-driven rock song pushing them into the subgenre of heartland rock. Continue reading →

by TomL

Our Ocala DownTown news has been in the UF digital library for years. We thank them for that. Our papers have been around for years. We have won hundreds of awards. The awards competition were against newspapers in the state of Florida, some of the competitors had very large staffs and a million circulation. Awards including photo’s, ad design, Best editorial, best story, best ad campaign. Of course that is all history., We survived the COVID set backs, etc etc etc. COVID was probably the worst. Today have other very large competitors that get in your face, when they see you do something different they do it it also. Continue reading →

Ribbon cutting by the Ocala Metro CEP Chamber of Commerce was a success. Commissioner Michelle Stone read the proclamation about Walts Brake and More. There were hundreds in attendance.

From Bill Gray

To Thomas Loury

It’s cold and quiet in Hillsdale, Michigan. I hope you’re staying warm, and that you and your family are doing well. Our students have headed home for a much-needed break, and I wanted to send you a quick note as we approach the close of 2024.

The end of one year and the beginning of another is a natural time to reflect. When I think back over the year that was, I never could’ve predicted we’d be where we are today. Did you think we’d see…

Campus protests, legacy media censorship, wars in Europe and the Middle East, and multiple assassination attempts of a presidential candidate?

I certainly didn’t!

At the same time…

This year ended with so many Americans showing they haven’t given up on this country. A renewed hope is in the air. There is a feeling that we can and will accomplish great things again. Continue reading →

Ocala, FL – HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital today announced a $10,000 donation to Interfaith Emergency Services to fight hunger in the Ocala/Marion County community.

For the 2024 Healthy Food for Healthier Tomorrows Food and Nutrition Drive, HCA Healthcare hospitals nationwide were encouraged to get creative and build sculptures with cans and boxes of food donated by their colleagues. The winner in each division received a $10,000 grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation for a food bank serving its community. HCA Florida Ocala Hospital is the winner for HCA Healthcare’s North Florida Division and selected Interfaith Emergency Services’ food bank for the $10,000 donation.

Nursing managers at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital built a food structure in the shape of a smiling turkey to recognize the importance of helping neighbors during the holiday season. Continue reading →

Calling all cheese lovers and culinary wizards! The Billy Berg Mac N Cheese Festival & Business Showcase is your golden ticket to not only showcase your cheesy creations but also to connect with the vibrant Lady Lake community!

Join us for this exciting cook-off, where local businesses can strut their stuff, art and craft vendors can shine, and competitors can battle it out for cheesy supremacy!

Saturday, March 8, 2025 – 10 AM – 2 PM

Log Cabin Park, 106 S. US HWY 441/27, Lady Lake